Characters: Draco Malfoy and Regulus Black Location: Malfoy Manor Date: Friday, 22 August, 2001 Time: late morning Rating: PG
Draco leaned into the armchair, stretching his legs out before him. He wouldn't have ever wanted to tell his mother, but having her out of the manor, knowing that she wasn't watching his every move was far more liberating than he realized. Well, perhaps it wasn't that he didn't know what it was like to live without her. He certainly had this freedom while he was at the flat, which, of course, was why he'd stayed at the flat as often as he did.
Now, though, the only two human occupants were himself and Regulus, and accidentally running into him would actually be a blessing. Especially considering, rather despite, having run into the other Black brother who had returned from the dead.
That Sirius was back led him to think about many things, most importantly who else could have returned. Black and Malfoy relatives only? Well, it did mean the resurrections weren't limited to former Death Eaters. Oh Merlin, if other Black relatives could come back... He shook his head. No. It couldn't be just them. But, why hadn't Severus returned? Why Sirius? He didn't deserve it! He was useless, offered nothing. And worse, he could take Regulus away from him. How he knew, he wouldn't examine. He simply knew. Knew that if Sirius told him to, Regulus would abandon the manor, abandon Draco, and he'd be left alone.
Falling further into melancholy, he reached for the tea that was next to him and took a sip, staring blankly at the wall. The gala was tomorrow and he needed to be rested. He had to be at his best.