Inside, the fire in the grand drawing room crackled and spat, casting dancing shadows across the portraits that lined the walls. A grandfather clock ticked steadily in the corner, its pendulum swinging in calm, oblivious rhythm.

Draco Malfoy stood by the window, one hand pressed flat against the cold pane. His pale hair was slightly disheveled, his dark grey eyes fixed on the impossible wall of white outside. Behind him, two small figures were sprawled on the Persian rug, playing a half-finished game of wizard chess.