I was going to make this a one-shot, but couldn't resist continuing. I love Malfoy and his wonderfully awful disposition.

Now I know that this might not line up exactly with the latest book, the Half Blood Prince, since I only read the book once, but I am familiar with the rest of the books and I try my best. Apologies to all those Potter fans, I mean no disrespect. Here goes.

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The One Mistake: Book 6 from Draco's POV

Chapter 1

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There was nothing I could do. She had seen me. Chang had caught me, Malfoy, in the very moment. This had to be a new kind of idiot on my part, practicing my deadly spells in an abandoned girl's lavatory, so that any Jack or Jane could walk in just as she did that day. She came in for God knows why, gasping and dropping her books in the pools of water under her feet, after I mentioned the unnatural name of Dumbledore, and the killing curse. In so few words she instantly knew what I was planning now, what my mission was, what I had not volunteered for my future, but yet it laid before me inevitable. She didn't understand what was at stake for me, but what could she care? I was an evil person, and had worked hard to make people believe so.

Yet I felt afraid to confess her discovery to anyone else involved, for fear of her elimination for my bad planning. This was no conscience of mine, far from it, nor had I suddenly grown a sense of justice. Her sparing was purely a selfish whim of my own. Dare I say it: she had me intrigued. We now shared a common knowledge now, a bond, if you will. It was someone else who knew this secret that I was dying inside to tell.

Every day I passed her somewhere in those Hogwarts halls, and she would meet my eyes for a single moment, and for that second we shared a connection. Then she would yank her gaze away, most of the time with alarm in her expression, clutching her books close to her chest like they would protect her from me.

Ah, Chang. She must realize I hold her very life in my hands.

I knew she was itching to talk to me from then on, and fear held her back. Truth of the matter was, I was itching to talk to her too. And usually what I wanted, I got. Even if it meant by force.

Today was the day. I was going to corner her. I knew it. I had been trying for weeks, but she never seemed to go anywhere alone. Maybe that was on purpose.

Then on this day, my opportunity came. She excused herself for the bathroom, and after she left I excused myself as well. Pothead seemed suspicious, but let it go. He's been thinking twice about me ever since that incident on the train and that horrid invisibility cloak he got stuck under. I taught him a thing or two about spying.

I spotted her hurrying down the hall, her robes floating behind her in her rush. I broke into a jog to catch up with her, and she heard me coming. One fast look back was all she needed, then she broke into a sprint.

So I chased her through the halls, past the ghosts that warned there was no running, and into the courtyards. I didn't know where she was going, but I was definitely gaining on her.

Finally, near the half-giant's hut, I was able to grab at her hood, and she was jerked to a halt. I turned her around to face me and held her arms tightly so she couldn't wiggle free from my grasp. She was panting for loss of breath, and tears sprang to her eyes, and she was shaking her head in protest.

"Who have you told?" I demanded. I sounded harsher than I meant to, but then again, I usually did.

"I'm sorry!" she pleaded through her sobs. "Honest, I haven't told anyone! Please, let me go! I won't tell a soul! Please, don't hurt me, I beg of you!"

"How can I believe you? You're friends with that girl with the 'sneak' branded on her forehead, aren't you? How do I know you aren't one too?"

"I haven't told a soul, you have to believe me! I won't ever; I swear it! I swear it on my life, please! Let me go!"

"That pledge is truer than you might think," I warned.

So I did let her go. I don't know why, but she didn't run again. I would have in her place. She just peered toward me, her brow furrowed, and her cat-like eyes staring at me curiously.

"Why?" she said at last. "What in the world would possess you to do such an evil thing, even you? How do you expect to--"

The half-giant's door opened then, with a loud creak. I couldn't answer her, even if I had wanted to. I simply turned and left the way I had come.

"S'there a problem out here, Ms. Chang?" the half-giant asked her, and I didn't hear her answer.

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Please Review… I would appreciate feedback. Thanks!

--RedRogue