Disclaimer:: sorry but i don't own any of the potter characters, i just like to write completely fictional stories that i know will never happen.
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“It’s over, time to go!”
The voice sounded distant and yet so close.
We were running right through what seemed to be a battle. Curses and hexes were being shouted left and right. The faces we passed were all a blur. I had no time to figure out who they were, we were fleeing so fast.
Twists, turns, one corridor after another. Staircases, passages, door ways. I knew where we were, and yet I had no idea where we were going. Fear and adrenaline were pumping through my veins. The pounding of my heart beat was so clear in my head. Breathing was so difficult and seemed to unnecessary at this point.
A rush of cool air hit my face. We had suddenly arrived outside. The air was somewhat refreshing. Too bad I didn’t have time to enjoy it.
The sky was lit with fire mixed with a bright green glow.
Right ahead I could see the gates; my freedom and salvation awaiting right outside of them.
“Run Draco!” the voice said again.
I was tiring, the stitch in my side was mocking me, yet I continued to run.
“Draco, come! We need to disapparate! Hold onto me! QUICKLY!”
I grabbed hold of the speaker. The last thing that I saw were black trees in from of me, played on a cloudy red, green, and black sky. Then, everything vanished.
He awoke with a start, sat bolt upright, drenched in a cold sweat. He was having nightmares again. It’d been so long since that night. Things had changed since then, and yet his mind couldn’t let it go. One could never truly let something that horrific go, but at least they could put it to the back of their mind once in a while. It never did anyone good to dwell on things that could not be changed.
His settings had changed drastically over the last couple of months. No longer did he lead a life of luxury. He and his mother were condemned to a life similar to that of the Weasley’s. Nothing is wrong with how the Weasleys live, no. It’s just not how a Malfoy (nor any other aristocratic pureblood family) were supposed to live. His entire house was about the size of his room at the manor. It was of a decent scale, just right for two people.
He turned to his left and checked the time on his analog clock. 3:04 AM. It was about a half an hour since last he woke. Draco hadn’t had a full nights sleep since he fled to the Order with his mother. He was always worried that they’d be found by the death eaters. Some nights he didn’t sleep at all; too paranoid to close his eyes.
Why? Why was Draco hiding? Why be so worried about the death eaters? His father was in good terms with them, was he not?
Draco Malfoy is hiding because he failed. He failed his mission. He failed his father. He failed to show his place among the death eaters. And he failed to do Lord Voldemort’s willing.
He couldn’t continue with his old life. The death eaters wanted to get him, to condemn him to the Dark Lord’s wrath. The majority of the wizarding world wanted him sent to Azkaban for murder, even though it was not him who’d done the deed. The rest, they were the Order. His last resort. He knew they wouldn’t welcome him with open arms, but he had to try.
It was to his surprise that they allowed him and his mother protection. He was sure they’d turn him down. (He later learned that it was Harry who’d convinced them, informing them of what really went on that night.)
Now here’s what’s left of the infamous Draco Malfoy; a troubled mind, a broken soul, a loner, with no where and no one to express his raging emotions to.
Deciding that it would be useless to try and sleep again, he climbs out of bed, pulls a deep green cotton bathrobe around him and makes his way toward the kitchen.
Maybe I’ll make some tea… to calm my nerves, he thought to himself.
As he sat down at the dining room table, he pulled a yellow envelope to him. His Hogwarts letter. They were actually allowing him to return for his last year. No doubt he’d be watched like a hawk, but at least he could go back.
Hm, I should probably go to Diagon Alley later today to get my supplies, considering school starts next week. I’ll tell mother later when she gets up.
For the next four hours, Draco sat in the same spot, only getting up to refresh his tea.
As he watched the birds wake and the sun rise, he contemplated on what the next year was going to be like.
I wonder if I’ll be shunned from the Slytherin table, due to the fact that most of their parents were death eaters. Since I couldn’t get in with them, they probably told their kids not to associate with me. For the failure that I am. I guess I’ll be lucky to be able to get into the Great Hall. Everyone’s parents hates me. Everyone hates me. Maybe McGonagall will make me sit in the kitchen with the house elves during meals. Maybe I’ll have my own dorm so as to “watch for my safety.”
As small smile played across his lips at the idea of not having to share a dorm.
Just then he heard footsteps coming towards him.
“Good morning, Draco,” said a calm womanly voice from behind him.
“Morning, Mother.”
“How long have you been awake?”
“Not too long. I just had a craving for some tea.”
“Oh. That’s nice,” she said while searching for plates and silverware.
“You know, I don’t think I’ll ever get used to this… how small scale it is. It’s too compact. Accio plate! Accio silverware!”
The plate flew from a cupboard across the kitchen with the utensils right behind it.
“Aah. There they are.”
“Mother, I need to go to Diagon Alley today. I’ve got to buy my school supplies.”
His mother stopped conjuring up food to stare at her son.
“Are you sure you want to go back? Are you going to be allowed back? What if something happens? What if the ministry comes for you? Or death eaters? What if they break in again? What if—“
“Mom! I’ll be fine. The only reason death eaters got in was because of me, and even if the ministry does come, I don’t think they’d be able to do anything, especially since McGonagall already sent me my letter…”
He picked up the yellow sheet of parchment, showing it to his mom.
“Obviously she’s allowing me back, so what could the ministry do about it?”
It was true. If the Headmistress allowed him, why couldn’t the Minister?
Narcissa looked at her son, still worrying about his well being.
“…well… I guess we’ll have to go shopping won’t we?”
Both of them had small smiles on their faces.
Maybe I can start getting life back to normal…
“Her-my-oh-nee! Come on! Wake up! Mum’s already got breakfast going!”
Hermione groggily opened her eyes. She was greeted by a pair of bright blue spheres and flaming red hair. By the sound of the voice, it definitely wasn’t a boy. It was the one Ginny Weasley.
“Good! Now that you’re up, hurry and get ready. Mum wants to leave right after breakfast.”
“Leave to where?” Hermione asked, her voice still scratchy.
“Diagon Alley of course! We’ve got to pick up our supplies today! Surely you haven’t forgotten. School starts in a week! How could you forget? Especially with your getting Head Girl an’ all.”
How could she forget? It was the highlight of her summer.
“Alright, alright. I’ll be down in a bit.”
In five minutes time, Hermione was freshened up and ready to go.
As she came from the stairs into the kitchen, she noticed it was much busier than she had remembered in the past. Molly Weasley was frantically cooking up some eggs and bacon, while keeping and eye on the dishes which were washing themselves. Fred and George Weasley were chasing their sister, Ginny, around the entire ground level. Apparently she had stolen one of the twins’ belongings, but it was probably just an invention in the works that they knew their mother would not approve of. Ron Weasley was sitting at the dining room table across from Harry Potter playing with what looked like a wizard chess set. It was rather peculiar looking though. The pieces and board were larger than normal as were the obscenities and rumblings the pieces made.
Probably just another Weasley product, Hermione though to herself. Taking a few more steps down, she saw Arthur Weasley, sitting in his tattered red reclining chair reading the Daily Prophet as though none of the surrounding mayhem was even occurring.
“Good morning, Mrs. Weasley,” said Hermione, as she finally set foot in the kitchen.
“Ah, good morning, dear. Did you have a good rest?”
“Yes, it was fine.”
“Good to hear, good to hear. I thought something dreadful had happened or that you were sick! Usually you’re the first person I see in the morning. Well… not to worry. You’re here now. Have a seat; breakfast will be up in a bit.”
Hermione nodded and took a seat next to Harry at the table. He was down five pieces and a move away from losing.
“Morning, ‘Mione,” Ron greeted her with a wide smile.
“Hello Ronald,” she said in a tone so nonchalant that you couldn’t tell she was growing tired of him.
All summer Ron had been trying his best to impress Hermione. He’d tried everything from showing off on his broom (which earned him a quick trip to St. Mungo’s emergency room) to a failed romantic candle lit dinner (he placed the candles too close to the window hangings, causing them to catch fire). And every time between attempts he would grin stupidly at Hermione and fawn over everything she did. To an on-looker, Ron looked as though he’d been ensnared by a veela. But to the occupants of the house, it looked like an overblown obsession.
“Come! Everyone to the dining room! Breakfast is set!” Mrs. Weasley’s voice boomed from the kitchen. In a matter of moments, the rest of the Weasleys appeared in their seats, ready to gobble up anything put on their plates.
Throughout the meal, no one spoke. It was rather odd really. Usually meals with the Weasleys were anything but quiet. But this one was. Not even the twins said anything. The atmosphere was becoming thick.
Did I miss something this morning? They were all so loud before breakfast started.
Everyone kept glancing at Harry and Ron, then to Hermione, then back down at their plates.
Yes I definitely missed something. But what?!
Not knowing was frustrating her, as her curious mind took over.
“Uhm, may I ask why everyone is so uncomfortably quiet?” she blurted out the question, making everyone shift in their chairs. Ginny was peering at Hermione through her eyelashes with sadness and sympathy in her eyes. And just as Hermione was about to ask what was going on, Molly spoke.
“Oh Merlin, look at the time! We’re running so late! Clean up, let’s go! We’ve lots to do today,” she said, standing up with her plate heading towards the kitchen sink. Everyone else hurried and followed in suit; everyone but Hermione. Rather than hurry, she walked slowly, eyeing everyone suspiciously as they walked past.
In no time, everyone was gathered around the fire place.
“Hermione, you first,” said Mr. Weasley.
She took a handful of the green powder, threw it inside the fireplace, stepped into the green flames and yelled “Diagon Alley.”
As soon as she vanished, Ginny turned to her brother, Ron, and said, “You’ve got to tell her tonight! One of you has to!” taking a glance at Harry, too.
“We will, after dinner,” Harry replied.
“Let’s just enjoy today,” Ron said, climbing into the fireplace to follow Hermione.
Author's Note: Please, after you read this, do continue to the second chapter. And leave a good review, also. I need some more feedback on this story so that I may continue with the writing process.
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