A few days after Snape's disappearance from Malfoy Manor, Draco saw an opportunity to complain to Lucius. "It must have been something I said that upset Snape."

Lucius seemed deep in thought. "Severus's dad was a drunk and a gambler, always taking his anger out on Severus and his mother, Eileen..."

He crouched down to pat my head. "It’s not Aurora’s fault, my little princess didn’t know."

"Dad, you're playing favorites!" Draco pouted and stormed off.

I hurried after him, but Lucius stopped me.

"Aurora, I hope things go as you've planned," Lucius said with a knowing nod.

He's figured it out!

"Don't bother chasing Draco. Boys need to learn to handle things on their own."

"I'll be the one to spoil my brother."

Lucius gave a little laugh and stepped aside to let me pass. I could overhear him whispering to Narcissa. "Cissy, Aurora takes after you..."

"Yes, I've always spoil someone... especially to you, my big cat."

It was much later that I understood "big cat" and "little fox" referred to their Animagus forms. My father was a snow leopard, my mother a nine-tailed fox. They were perfectly in sync, true soulmates.

"Draco, are you there?"

The bed covers were suspiciously bulgy.

I tiptoed closer and suddenly flipped the cover, revealing a dragon-shaped toy!

I'd been tricked!

Then, a dark green blanket flew over my head.

"Ha ha!"

Typical kid stuff!

Draco grabbed me from behind. "I knew you'd come looking for me." He let his guard down.

And just like that, my heart melted. "Of course..."

He turned me around. Through the blanket, something brushed my lips.

"Stay still... this is how Dad did it with Mom..."

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

Draco, what are you up to?

He held my hands; I hadn't realized how strong he'd grown.

"You..."

He traced my face and fingertips tenderly.

…

"Miss..."

Dobby's usually shrill voice sounded almost angelic at that moment.

Thanks!!! After all , He was a boy!!!!!

"What's up, Dobby?"

I detected the irritation in Draco’s voice.

"Miss... Master says it's dinner time..."

With a snap, Dobby restored my vision.

Draco’s face was flushed, almost glowing red.

"Brother, you shouldn't do this..."

"Aurora, didn't you like it?" Draco looked puzzled.

"That's for married couples... How sad your future wife would be if she knew her first kiss was with me..."

"We didn't actually kiss!"

Draco's tense expression eased.

"It doesn't count through the blanket. Plus, I promised Dad I'd never force a girl unless I was sure she felt the same way..."

I sighed in relief, though something still felt strange.

"The future Mrs. Malfoy, Aurora, it has to be you."

With those words, Draco took my hand and led me to the dining room.

What the heck, did a little kid just confess to me?

Eh… I'm technically an adult, I know better than to take a five-year-old's words too seriously. In the world of Harry Potter, aside from Lucius and Narcissa, the marriages in most Trueblood families are just for show.

Look at Bellatrix Lestrange, married off by Voldemort, or Snape's mom, Eileen Prince, who married a man who was both an alcoholic and abusive.

Then there's Voldemort's own mother, Merope Gaunt, who bewitched Tom Riddle Senior with a love potion. Honestly, real romance seems almost nonexistent.

Draco was set to marry Astoria Greengrass, despite having dated Pansy Parkinson for seven years during school, which didn’t end in marriage.

What makes me think I could change the story?

"Aurora, what are you daydreaming about?"

My plate was already stacked high, and Draco had thoughtfully cut my favorite parts into small, manageable pieces.

"Thanks, bro!" I grinned, then quickly covered my mouth, remembering my baby teeth were falling out. Talk about embarrassing...

Lucius and Narcissa exchanged a look that said they were in on the joke. Yep, they're definitely laughing at me.

"It's okay, Aurora. It's perfectly normal," Narcissa reassured me gently.

"Even missing a tooth, you're still the cutest kid around," added Draco.

Man, I wish the ground would swallow me up! Thanks for the reminder, Draco.

Lucius coughed lightly, barely hiding his amusement. "Severus and Dumbledore had quite the row," he noted, deftly steering the conversation elsewhere.

Gratefully, I nodded and followed his lead. "Was it about Harry Porter?"

"Yes," Lucius confirmed. "Harry Potter's aunt and her family have been less than kind to him."

"Poor kid's been living in a cupboard," he remarked, casting a probing glance my way.

"That's exactly what Aurora said!" Draco burst out. "Do you think you got our great-grandfather's gift for prophecy?"

Thank heavens! Draco, typically quick to debunk, just handed me the perfect excuse.

Our great-grandfather, Gellert Grindelwald, was famously accurate with his predictions.

" Prophecy?" Lucius raised an eyebrow.

He's always been skeptical about my true identity.

"Aurora, we'll keep this secret together," Narcissa's voice was calm, grounding me.

"My daughter, nothing is more important than your safety."

She crossed the room, crouched down to my level, and placed my hand over her heart. This was her promise.

"Mom..." My eyes were suddenly prickly; I had to look away.

She pulled me into a hug, her voice soft and melodious. She was nothing like the cold, haughty character from the books. She was warm and protective, her standoffish air just a way to ward off trouble.

"Luke just cares about you..." she whispered close to my ear.

"Aurora Malfoy, I will always believe in you."