Seeing Zaria

Chapter 1 – Untimely Frost

A sharp scream pierced the early hours of the frosty mid-july morning causing the squirrels to scurry from their nests, "ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHH, oh my god, Harry, Ron come quick!" There was a muffled tumbling and a sudden crash as the two boys practically fell down the stairs of Grimmauld Place. "Hermione what's wro-?" panted Ron, as he bent down trying to regain his breath. As soon as the words left his mouth, Hermione pounced on him and passionately kissed him wrapping both her legs around his torso. Once they broke apart Ron breathed a sigh of bemused enjoyment, ''whoa Hermione, you are happy" he said with a goofy smile on his face.

Hermione couldn't help it, but she screamed again nearly deafening the two boys in front of her, she took a slight step back and announced "I'm head girl".

A large grin slowly swept onto Harry's face replacing his slight look of bewilderment "That, that's great Hermione" he stuttered. He glanced at Ron, whose face was painted red to the tips of his ears.

"Bloody hell Herms, you've only gone made head girl"

"Well I thought that much was obvious Ronald, even to you" she responded, taking in the baffled expression on his face, she couldn't help but laugh, a contagious laugh that spread to the two boys within seconds. A small grin plastered Ron's face as he took in the girl before him, he had known Hermione for years, but it was only now he came to realise the beauty that stood in front of him. Her honey brown smooth waves that now reached half way down her back. Her piercing eyes that glinted gold in the sunlight. He thought back to a million memories they shared together, and the future that they were yet to face, side by side. It was then his smile began to falter.

"Are you okay Ron?"

"W-what?" he mumbled, coming out of his reverie. "Oh yeah I'm fine Herms"

Hermione grimaced at the nickname he insisted on calling her, but composed herself to check on her friend. "Are you sure, you look somewhat anxious" she pressed on.

"No, its just with this new role of yours you have all these new... things, right?"

"Yes, I suppose it comes with a lot more responsibility yet opportunities also, why?"

" So what, you'll have a new dorm, jobs like patrolling and stuff to do, not to mention a new guy you'll be always be with" he explained emphasizing the last part with a irritated look on in face.

Hermione couldn't help the light smile she felt rising. "Nothing is going to change Ronald, if that's what you're worried about. You two are my best friends; no new dormitory or head boy will ever alter that!"

She turned to her Harry who had remained fairly quiet throughout the whole ordeal. He possessed a concerned look, but smiled reassuringly when she locked eyes on him. He was never one to get involved when she and Ron were having a 'moment', whether it be romantic or the constant bickering he had come accustom to.

However this time the smile never reached his eyes and Hermione knew it was strained. His reaction puzzled her but she accepted it nonetheless. Harry had seemed quite distant recently, at first she assumed it was him giving her and Ron some private time alone, but these past few days he only seemed bitter when the two of them were intimate around him, so that couldn't be it. Harry narrowed his eyes at her as she considered him.

Their stare was interrupted as Ron literally spat his words out "Who is this special head boy anyway?"

Hermione scowled at her boyfriends disgusting manners yet answered, "The letter never said."

The only sound made was a small sign before the three were engulfed in complete silence, each lost in their own thoughts.

An utterly tormented soul on the verge of complete brokenness stabbed the night. Her screams were customary now, like part of his daily routine. He sat still at the foot of his ceiling high windows, his knuckles red raw as he continually grazed them roughly against the hard mahogany floorboards before him. The countless scabs and scares reopening to release the usual gush of blood he was used to, a deep rich color; smooth, majestic, and strangely soothing; seeping into the crack between each slab. He didn't take pleasure in the pain he inflicted on himself but it acted as a good distraction, he knew his mother would come rushing down soon to check he was asleep but only after she had cast her usual spell to remove any bruises that stained her pale skin, of course the throbbing didn't fade so easily. He knew he would soon have to creep into bed, close his eyes and pretend he was asleep as his mother sat silently beside him, with blood shot eyes and a tear stained face.

His thoughts were interrupted by a slight tapping on the window. It was hard to make out what the cause was through the frosty window pane. He stood up to find his owl gazing back at him, his black rimmed eyes wide open. The window opened easily with a slight creak. A small envelope dropped into his hands. Who on earth is sending me a letter at this time? Do they not own a clock? His thoughts were brought to a halt on recognizing the Hogwarts seal.

Dear Draco Malfoy

Due to health complications with the person formally elected for this fine position, I am delighted to tell you have made the post of Head boy. On the smaller parchment you will find the password to your new dormitory and a list of the necessities you will need for the year ahead of you.

You will be required to arrive at school a day early to ensure you and the Head girl are full in the knowledge of what is expected and what will be needed of you. Sorry for any inconveniences this may bring due to the very short notice change of plans.

Congratulations,

Professor McGonagall.

He read the letter at least ten times over, not believing for one second it could be true.

'Nice one Zambini' he thought to himself 'Original I must admit! Because there is no way in hell any professor at that school is selecting me, Draco Malfoy, son of a Deatheater to be HEAD BOY!'

And with that thought he crushed the paper into a ball and flung it over his shoulder and waited for the soft thud as it hit the floor. 'Exactly where it belongs'. Except no such noise came, instead he heard the soft unfolding of the paper.

With one swift movement, he had gathered his wand from beneath him where it lay on the ground and had turned to face his midnight visitor.

Her face was bruised and swollen. Her crying eyes glistened like morning frost, trickling tears like liquid silver. 'Why is she showing me herself like this? I swear to Merlin I'll kill that bastard one day!' He despised no other like he did his father. He wanted so much to go to her and rid her of her pain, but he knew he couldn't, he was a Malfoy and ''Malfoys don't show affection.''

They stood there for a few moments, Narcissa's mouth crept up into an apologetic smile, but it was gone quicker than it came. She opened her mouth to speak, and the seconds whipped by as he waited to hear what she had to say.

"I'm leaving your father" the words came out as a barely audible whisper and then she was gone.

He froze in fear, and shivered in disbelief. The cold air singing around him, silence eating his surroundings leaving the sigh of his loneliness shooting air out of his mouth with each breathe he exhaled. He felt a tickle upon his pale ice cold dry cheeks, he rose his thin, long and slender fingers and spotted the target that was dripping slowly. His eyes were screaming for justice with each translucent trickle of emotions. He quickly wiped his face clean, ''Malfoys don't cry."