"Why will you not listen?!" Lucius yells at Ursa in the library.

     "Because I don't want this!" Ursa exclaims. "I don't want to be a Death Eater! I don't want to hurt others!"

     "We need to cleanse the world of Mudbloods. We are superior."

     "There are no such thing as 'Muggle-borns' they are just descendants of Squibs and even if they weren't I still don't think we need to kill them."

     "You are such a disappointment." Lucius says as Draco walks into the second floor of the library and looks down at the fight.

     "I know!" Ursa yells. "I know you hate me! I know I disappoint you!"  Narcissa walks into the library.

     "I do not hate you! I despise you!"

     "Lucius!" Narcissa exclaims.

     "Well I hate you!" Ursa spits. "You can try all you want to get me to join the Death Eaters but it will never work. There us nothing you can do!"

     "Yes there is." Lucius draws his wand.

     "Lucius, no!" Narcissa exclaims as Lucius shoots a hex towards Ursa. Ursa's hand shoots out and Lucius's hex hits a shield. Everyone freezes in shock. Draco runs down the stairs and grabs Ursa before their parents can recover. He pulls her out the back doors to the garden. She pulls her arm from his grasp when the reach the entrance of the hedge maze. She draws a trip-line at the entrance and follows Draco to the center of the maze.

     "What the hell was that?" Draco exclaims.

     "What the fuck was I supposed to do?" Ursa yells back. "Let him hex me!"

     "Use your wand!"

     "Mother took my wand yesterday!"

     "Damn it Ursa! Now they know everything."

     "Maybe we could convince them it was an accident."

     "Ursa you didn't have a wand and you did it nonverbally and you didn't draw the wand movement like you did with the chest. You shouldn't be able to do that!"

     "Mother's coming." Ursa says as she feels her wand moving closer.

     "How do you know it's her?"

     "She has my wand on her. She hasn't made it to the maze yet. So how are we going to explain this?"

     "I guess we have to try the accident excuse."

     "She's at the entrance." Ursa paces and talks to Snape. "I just blocked my father's hex without a wand... and nonverbally... and without doing the wand motion."

     "Damn it Ursa!" Snape replies.

     "What the hell was that?" Narcissa asks angrily when she gets to the center.

     "What?" Ursa asks aloud.

     "What do you mean 'what?' You just blocked a spell without a wand or incantation Ursa!"

     "It was a fluke."

     "I do not believe that."

     "I'm done with him yelling at me to join the Dark Lord and the anger made it work."

     "Ursa Jade Malfoy do not lie to me." Narcissa growls as she storms up to Ursa. "How did you do that?"

     "I don't know." Narcissa grabs Ursa's collar and pulls her close.

     "Mother!" Draco exclaims.

     "If I find out you are lying to me you will be in deep trouble." Narcissa hisses. "Am I understood?"

     "I do not know how I did it." Ursa says. Narcissa pushes Ursa back as she releases Ursa's collar and storms away. Ursa trips over her foot and falls on the ground. She sighs and sits up. "Well that went well. I'm really contemplating leaving again."

     "And what? Go to the Weasleys?"

     "Yes."

     "Pansy's coming over tomorrow night remember." Ursa smiles softy.

     "Right. Father is still pushing for her to stay in a guest room." Draco chuckles.

     "Still suspects there is something going on between you two?"

     "I mean there is."

     "Just don't let him know that."

     "I know." Ursa sighs before talking to Snape again. "She bought the excuse that it was an accident and I have no idea how I did it."

     "Thank God. That was close." Snape replies.

     "Ursa..." Draco says. "what Mother did... has she... done something like that before? Be violent and rough. Physical with you." Ursa doesn't answer and pulls her knees to her chest. "She has, hasn't she?" Ursa wraps her arms around her legs.

     "A few times. Don't worry about it. I don't want to talk about it."

     "Ursa-"

     "Drop it Dray."

     "Ursa if she hurts you-"

     "I said drop it!" Ursa exclaims and Draco flinches back. "I'm sorry. Just irritated and tired of being here. Yes... she has hit me before."

     "Wait, what!?" Draco exclaims. "Are you serious? She's hit you?"

     "Yeah." Ursa sighs. Draco doesn't respond, waiting for her to continue. "When we were yelling at each other about my friends and I talked back in a way she didn't like. And after she sent you out of the sitting room after I attacked Father and Auntie. She's also grabbed my shirt and has pinned me to a wall. That first hit was like a snap. Probably didn't help that I irritated and angered her and talked back."

     "Do not blame yourself!" Draco says sternly as he kneels in front of Ursa. "Okay?" Ursa nods. "She is the adult! She is the one acting like her parents. None of this is your fault."

     "I don't want to be here anymore Dray. I'm not welcome in my own home. You seem to be the only person who wants me here. Why don't they want me?" Draco sits next to Ursa and she turns and cries into his shoulder. "Why?" Draco rubs her back.

     "They do Ursa." Draco says. "I know it doesn't seem like it but they do."

***

     "Pansy!" Ursa yells as she runs down the pathway. She hugs Pansy tightly.

     "Wow you're really happy to see me." Pansy says when Ursa releases her.

     "Well my father and aunt will leave me alone if you're here. My mother convinced my father to let you sleep in my room. Come on." Pansy follows Ursa inside.

     "It is nice to see you again Miss Parkinson." Lucius says.

     "Hello Mr Malfoy." Pansy says.

     "Come on." Ursa groans causing Pansy to chuckle. Pansy follows Ursa up to her room. Pansy closes the door and Ursa kisses her.

     "Why hello there." Pansy says.

     Later, Pansy and Ursa are kissing when there is a knock at the door. They shoot apart and the door opens. "Did I interrupt something?" Draco asks with a knowing smirk.

     "Ass."

     "Bitch."

     "Bite me. What do you want?"

     "It's almost dinner time. I figured you'd be too busy to notice."

     "Fuck off." Ursa gets up and pushes Draco out of the room as he laughs. "Asshole." Ursa goes to her vanity and sits.

     "What are you doing?" Pansy asks.

     "Getting ready for dinner." Ursa replies.

     "Right, your family is more formal than mine."

     "Sadly." Ursa rolls her eyes before digging through one of the makeup drawers. "Luckily you're here so I don't have to be as formal as normal. Can you hand me my bag." Pansy grabs Ursa's bag from the foot of Ursa's bed and gives it to her. "Thanks."

     "Why not use magic?" Ursa pulls her mascara out of her bag.

     "I hexed my aunt and got my wand taken away." Ursa says as she applies the mascara.

     "You hexed Bellatrix?" Pansy asks as Ursa brushes her hair out.

     "Yep. Luckily my mother was there so she couldn't hex me back." Ursa pulls the front part of her hair back and ties it up on top of her head. "There. Let's go."

     After dinner, they talk for awhile before cuddling on Ursa's bed. Ursa's head is on Pansy's chest and Pansy is playing with Ursa's hair. Ursa looks up at Pansy lovingly and kisses her. They deepen the kiss and don't hear the door open or close. Narcissa clears her throat and Ursa jumps away from Pansy.

     "M-Mother." Ursa says. "I- uh- it's not what it looks like?"

     "I already knew Cub." Narcissa replies.

     "Really?"

     "Only something like young love would make you do something like locking your father in a shed." Ursa goes red.

     "So you are okay with it?"

     "I would rather you be with a boy but I know it is not a choice. At least she's pureblood."

     "I told you I'd get points for that." Pansy says.

     "Oh shut up." Ursa replies as she shoves Pansy and they both laugh.

     "As long as you understand that in the end-" Narcissa starts before Ursa interrupts her.

     "I have to marry a man, I know. I just want to love while I have the chance."

     "Just make sure you two do not go any further than kissing."

     "Mother!"

     "I wouldn't dream of it Mrs Malfoy." Pansy says.

***

     "Is that a Weasley?" Pansy asks two days later at the Malfoy Christmas Ball.

     "Percy?" Ursa questions. "Probably, the Minister is supposed to be here." Pansy spins Ursa around and Ursa sees Ginny. "Oh shit. What the hell is she doing here?"

     "I don't know, but you should probably find out before your parents see her."

     Ursa speed walks over to Ginny and grabs her arm. She drags Ginny out of the ballroom and into the sitting room. She checks to make sure no one followed them before closing the door. "Why did you drag me out?" Ginny asks.

     "What the hell are you doing here?" Ursa asks.

     "Nice to see you too." Ginny replies sarcastically.

     "This is not the time for sarcasm Ginny!"

     "Lavender Brown invited me. She broke up with her boyfriend and didn't want to come alone. I didn't know it was here or that this was your house until we walked in and I saw the painting of your family." Ursa starts pacing while Ginny speaks.

     "This is not good." Ursa stops and turns to Ginny. "I apologize now for anything I may say about you or your family outside of this room. My parents believe I have stopped speaking to my friends and don't even know I am friends with you and the twins. They cannot know we are friends."

     "So this will be like summer?" Ursa nods. "Got it.

     "Go back in there before Lavender notices you're gone. Stick with her and don't wander far from her." Ginny walks towards the door. "Wait. Percy is possibly here just so you know. I'm begging you not to start anything."

     "Of course." Ginny says.

     "Alright now shoo. If anyone asks you went to the washroom." Ginny nods before peaking out the door. She leaves the room and Ursa sighs. She plops down on the couch as the door opens.

     "Did I just see Ginny Weasley leave this room?" Draco asks.

     "Yes apparently Lavender broke up with her boyfriend and didn't want to come alone. Everything should be okay now."

     "Until our parents see her. They're already irritated one Weasley is here."

     "Come on. We should get back in there." They walk back in the ballroom only for Narcissa to grab her arm and drag her out into the hall. She drags Ursa into the sitting room and pushes Ursa against the wall next to the door. Fear fills Ursa's eyes and Narcissa relaxes her grip on Ursa arm.

     "What is that Weasley brat doing here?" Narcissa hisses.

     "I did not invite her. I swear. Lavender Brown did. I have not spoken to any Weasley or their friends except for when I had to."

     "And how do you know Miss Brown brought her?"

     "Okay I already asked her." Narcissa stares down Ursa for a few seconds before releasing Ursa's arm and stepping back.

     "If I find out you are lying you will be in serious trouble. Do you understand me?"

     "Yes Mother."

     "Get back in there." Ursa walks back into the ballroom with Narcissa behind her. Narcissa walks away and Draco walks up to Ursa as a tear falls down Ursa's face. Ursa wipes it away and Draco guides her off to the side.

     "What did she do?" Draco asks.

     "Nothing." Ursa replies.

     "Ursa what did she do?"

     "Just pushed me into a wall and pinned me there. Nothing horrible, just a little scary."

     "Ursa this is not okay."

     "It's fine Draco. I'm fine."

     "No it is not!"

     "Draco drop it."

     "It is not okay. You told me what Beatrice did. Just because you are used to being threatened and hurt does not mean it's okay. You need to stop her before I do."

     "Just leave it Draco. I'm not going to do anything so I don't get kicked out. That's why I haven't done anything yet."

     "Draco, I think I'm going to do something really stupid again." Ursa says later that night after everyone has left.

     "What are you doing this time?" Draco asks.

     "I think I am going to sneak out tomorrow night after Mother goes to bed and go see my friends."

     "But tomorrow is Christmas Eve."

     "I know."

     "Mother doesn't go to bed until nine or ten. When are you going to be back?"

     "That's the problem... I plan on coming back Christmas night. After dinner probably."

     "You're going to spend Christmas with them?!"

     "Dray, I love you, but I would rather spend Christmas where I'm wanted. With them rather than Father and Auntie... and Mother."

     "She's going to kill you."

     "I know."

     "She'll send Auntie after you."

     "Then it's a good thing the place I'm going has tons of protections and is Unplotable."