Berne

It seemed to take Sirius an age to fall, and as he did all he could see was the mermaid. He knew she was the mermaid, although her form shifted like the tides, and some numbed part of his brain was telling him about shock and hallucinations, but all he could see was her, and he was still falling.

Draco Malfoy is in his sixth year and things are taking a turn for the worse. Decisions have to be made; ones that he had hoped would fade with time. Fate seems to be making up for the relatively peaceful year that was his fifth at Hogwarts. Herein lies: arranged marriages, the ongoing feud with Harry Potter, Quidditch and the dangers of blind faith. Rated R for gore, battle scenes and adult themes.

He hated this - he hated that Potter had reduced his proud, powerful father into going into hiding. He hated that he had to support Narcissa's act of the weak, grieving, disillusioned wife who still believed her infamous husband was innocent. But Draco knew it was a fool who called his mother weak. Irritating yes, petty certainly, but not weak. At least not where his father was concerned.