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Draco POV

I'm standing in the emerald bathroom of my room in Slytherin house, staring at the stranger in the mirror. "I... the great Draco Malfoy... have disgraced the great Malfoy name once again." I think to myself out loud. "I fail time and time again to beat Potter at Quidditch, I failed to kill him with the basilisk in the chamber of secrets, I couldn't even stop him from getting to the ministry to get the prophecy and..." I continued to stare at the stranger, that is me, in the mirror. I suddenly feel the heat of tears building in my eyes. In an attempt to stop the tears from falling I place one hand on the side of the sink to hold myself steady. While bringing my other arm up to my eyes to try and prevent the damn from breaking.

I couldn't even kill Dumbledore, which in turn forced Snape to. And here's the real cherry on top. When the war was going on I ran away and hid. Even after Potter saved my life in the room of requirement. If my parents had not died in the war at Voldemort's hand, they would be beating me senseless because of my insolence. I am a weak, cowardly failure.

Now here I am back at Hogwarts to repeat my final year along with the insufferable Gryffindor dream team. "Things couldn't possibly get any better." I say sarcastically. For the first time in my life I'm at the bottom of the social food chain as the Failed Slytherin Prince. If ever someone lived up to their title, I did. Not only that, but because of the years of crap I dished out to other students... I can only expect to receive it back. I can honestly say from here on out, my life is going to suck. Not that it was any better before. As a Slytherin everyone always expects the worst of you. And growing up with death eaters wasn't exactly privileged, even with the Malfoy fortune. It's true that money doesn't buy happiness. It just helps to cover the pain and misery behind closed doors.

Suddenly my stomach rumbles reminding me it's time for breakfast. No matter how much I don't want to, I guess I have to face them sooner or later. I can only hope I won't be sitting alone as no one wanted to share a dorm with me. Although I can't say I am surprised , given the reputation I've earned myself. I let out a huge sigh as I begin to leave, I don't even care to check for any traces of tears in my eyes in the mirror as I leave my room to go to breakfast. The whole school already thinks the worst of me, so what does it matter.

Harry POV

"Harry, hurry up would you. I'm bloody starving." Ron moans at me through the bathroom door.

I poke my head out. "All of this..." I reply, pointing to my head and torso, "Takes time."

"But why? It's not like you have anyone to look good for now that you and Ginny are no longer together. Which by the way you still haven't told me what happened between you two."

"That's because Ron like I've told you a dozen times before I don't want to talk about it. Besides who said I was doing this to look good for anyone, I'm doing it for me." I say, feeling good about myself.

"Okay. You look beautiful, can we go now? You can finish putting on your make-up after breakfast."

"Fine." I snap, throwing on my robe as I follow Ron out the door. "And I don't wear make-up." I huff.

As soon as we reach the Great Hall and sit down Ron begins building a mountain of food on his plate as Hermione leans into us.

"Where were you two? You barely made it in time to get any food and they'll be announcing the new potions and defense against the dark arts professors soon." She says, in her matter-of-fact tone.

"Sorry Hermione." Ron answers, in between mouthfuls of toast. "Princess here was taking his time to put on his make-up."

"I told you I don't wear make-up!" I snap, feeling very annoyed at Ron's persistence to call me a girl. As I continue to huff I decide to look around the Great Hall from my seat. It doesn't take long for me to notice Ginny and Neville holding hands, and laughing together. I really am glad she's moved on and that she is happy, but does she have to rub it in my face?

Hermione follows my gaze noticing my sad eyes. "Harry, what happened that night?" She asks, wanting to make things better. "If you told us maybe we could help."

I look her in the eyes, the annoyance fading into tiredness from avoiding the question I so desperately do not want to answer. "I really don't want to talk about it, Hermione. Please just leave it alone." I say calmly.

"Okay." She replies with the same calmness.

That's when I spot Draco Malfoy finally making his way into the hall. He certainly took his time. I suppose I'm one to talk with all my primping in the bathroom this morning. When I look closer at Draco, it looks like he's been crying. I suppose he has lost everything so it makes sense, but before I get the chance to think any more on it Head Mistress McGonagall stands to make an announcement.

McGonagall clears her throat, "Eh hum. Quiet please." She waits for the hall to silence before continuing, "I would like to welcome our new potions professor. Please all put your hands together for Professor Remus Lupin. I trust that you all know him and that you will all show him the same respect you show your other professors. And can you all welcome back Professor Severus Snape taking back his post teaching defense against the dark arts."

"Snape is back? Can you believe it?" Hermione asks, pleasantly surprised.

"No." I say, in astonishment.

"I know mate. First Lupin teaching potions now Snape is back teaching defense against the dark arts. It's bloody brilliant." Ron says, in agreement with Hermione.

After his sacrifice in the war Snape is now considered something of a hero. So naturally everyone is happy to see him back. "Yeah I thought Snape was dead, I saw him die. We all did." I state, in confusion.

"Obviously he survived, and why does it matter. Snape is alive and kicking, Remus has a job in the school, we're together, no more Voldemort threats. Even Draco Malfoy isn't going to be a bother now that Snape is officially his guardian, and making sure he stays out of trouble." The redhead tells.

"Yeah. I guess you're right." I turn my head and I see Draco sitting with Crabbe and Goyle. I over heard one of the Slytherins say that Draco got his own room because nobody wanted to share a room with him after everything that went down in the war. I'm kind of jealous that he has his own bedroom, but I also feel sorry for him. It must suck to have no one want to room with you, it must suck to be alone. Even now as I watch him talk and laugh with Crabbe and Goyle he looks sad. I can't believe how much things have changed.

Draco POV

I'm sitting here talking and pretending to laugh with Crabbe and Goyle. I can't help but feel lucky that they still want to sit near me let alone talk to me. Perhaps this year isn't going to be so bad after all.

Feeling bored at their same old rubbish discussion topics I look around the hall. Then it happens. Potter was looking right at me, and as I look back I can feel butterflies in my stomach. What the hell?

Being the Slytherin Prince I haven't really had much time for relationships, or crushes so I have no idea what is happening. Potter realizes I'm looking back and quickly brakes the connection. It's not like it means anything anyway, because I'm not gay. And the Gryffindor Golden Boy certainly isn't. He has girls falling over him left, right and center.

"Malfoy, are you alright?" Goyle asks me.

I shake my head and engage in the conversation. "No, I'm half left." I reply, coldly. The large boy hisses at me in response. "Sorry, I just kind of got lost in my thoughts." I say, dismissively.

"Thinking of Pansy." Crabbe teases.

I play along. "You know it. What I'd give to get some of that." I feel like a douche saying that. Pansy is my best friend, she is like the sister I never had and I would never objectify her like that.

"What did you get up to all summer, Malfoy?" Crabbe and Goyle ask in unison, as though I have something to tell.

"What do you think." I snap, bitterly. "I attended something of a funeral for my parents, I moved in with Snape and spent all summer trying to avoid him."

"Shit one." Crabbe states.

Goyle continues, "Must suck to have a professor as your guardian, having to babysit you."

And Goyle wins the award for the most obvious statement. "It's worse than that. Snape is my Godfather." I say, suddenly feeling anxious. "Look, I'm just going to my room to get my books for class. See you guys later." I say rushing out of the hall without giving Crabbe and Goyle a chance to reply.

Until the next chapter ;)