Ok this is my first ever Harry Potter fic. This is also the first fic I've ever written that wasn't about one of my two husbands that I adore. I hope it's good. It was inspired while I was reading another fic. I'm not sure if this idea has ever been done before and I hope not. Hope you like it! Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

Chapter 1

Draco Malfoy lay huddled against the wall, shivering in the rain. He couldn't believe it had happened. He had never expected it. Who would dare mess with the son of one of the most powerful wizards in the Ministry? The son of a Death Eater? But someone had, and now, he was an outcast, feared by all. Draco Malfoy, during the summer before his sixth year, was bitten by a werewolf. He was scared, scared to death what would happen if his friends and family found out. But how could he keep it a secret once he returned to Hogwarts? Would he be stuck, as Lupin once was, going to the Shrieking Shack and pretending to be ill? He had made fun of the poor, ragged teacher once before, but now he felt guilty, for now he was a fearsome beast. He too would be shunned by society. The thought terrified him.

He then wondered what he would do once his father found out. Would he still want to keep his son? Or would he kick him out, declaring that no son of his could ever be a werewolf? Thoughts of abandonment and loneliness washed over Draco, ripping at his chest. A tear ran down his face, thinking of the pain of loss. Then he thought of his girlfriend, Pansy Parkinson. Would she still love him if she knew of his affliction? Or would she desert him, as everyone else would, once she found out? What about Crabbe and Goyle? Would they follow a leader that turned into a monster once a month? Or would they cast him aside and fall under someone else's rule? These thoughts threatened to engulf and consume him, and he cried himself to sleep.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

A month later, they were boarding the Hogwarts Express. Draco had successfully hidden his affliction from his family, telling them he was sick with the stomach flu during the full moon. They didn't question him, since they were busy trying to kill members of the Order of the Phoenix. But his transformation had been terrible. He thought he was going to die from the pain. He had bitten at himself, which was a mistake, for he now had several long scratches running the length of his arms. They had bled profusely, but were slowly healing now. He made sure to change into his robes before he got on the train, not wanting his friends to see.

"Draco, darling, what's the matter?" Pansy asked, her eyes full of concern. "You've hardly said anything all morning!"

"I've just had a lot on my mind lately," Draco replied. "Don't worry, Pans. I'm fine."

Pansy sighed happily and laid her head on his lap. "You know, I was worried about you all summer. You hardly ever wrote to me."

Draco gulped. "Well, I was very busy, you know," he said quickly. "Um, my parents are Death Eaters so I didn't get much time to do anything else. You know how my folks are. They had me preparing food and drink for the guests. I didn't have much time for myself."

Crabbe grunted. "Yeah, my parents had guests over too. I didn't mind. I got to watch them torture a couple of Mudbloods."

Draco laughed. "I bet that was a riot. Did you get pictures?"

"No," Crabbe answered bitterly. "My camera was broken."

"Did we know any of the Mudbloods?" Draco asked, his eyes glittering maliciously.

"No," Crabbe replied. "Such a shame too."

Draco stretched, and his robes slid down a little. Pansy sat up quickly and gasped.

"Draco, baby, what happened to your arm?" she asked, horrified by what she saw.

"It's nothing, nothing," Draco lied, but she didn't believe it.

"Was it your father again?" Pansy asked, her voice low.

Draco paused, unable to decide his answer. She knew, of course, that his father routinely beat him whenever Draco did wrong, or whenever Lucius was bored. But for the first time in his life, his scratches and bruises didn't come from him. But should he blame his father on something he did himself?

"Of course it was," Draco replied. "Who else would it be?" Pansy's eyes filled with tears. "Pans, don't cry. I'm ok. I've gotten through worse before." Which, of course, was a lie. "Remember the time he busted my head open? I almost died. Trust me, these scratches are nothing."

Pansy wiped her eyes and smiled. "You're right. I'm sorry I overreacted."

"It's ok," Draco said. But it wasn't. He could feel it in his bones. She would desert him if she knew.

"Have you been sleeping lately?" Goyle asked.

"Why would you ask such a question?" Draco asked coldly.

"Your face looks…grey. You look like shit," Goyle replied.

"Well, thanks a lot!" Draco exclaimed sarcastically. "That makes me feel loads better. And to answer your question, I have been sleeping."

"Don't look like it to me," Goyle said, yawning. "When the hell is that food trolley wench gonna show up? I'm hungry."

"Soon, I hope," Draco said. His stomach rumbled. "I really wish she had some steak, though."

Pansy looked at him curiously. "Since when do you like steak?" she asked.

"Since forever," Draco lied. He had only started to like it after he was bitten.

"Oh, did you guys hear?" Crabbe asked. "Someone got bitten by a werewolf this summer."

Draco's stomach lurched. "Who was it?" he asked, his mouth dry.

"No clue. Didn't have a name," Crabbe said. "Just read it in the Prophet about a werewolf admitting he bit a teenager over the summer." He looked around quickly, before lowering his voice. "I hope whoever it was don't go to Hogwarts. I don't wanna be associated with scum."

"Oh, yeah, ha ha," Draco laughed feebly, his heart dropping. His worst fears were confirmed. If his friends knew he was a werewolf, they would leave him. He fought back his tears.

"Draco, is something wrong?" Pansy asked.

Draco shook his head, his mind racing. His fear must have shown on his face. He was afraid of being left by all his friends, and now they know it. "Of course not," Draco replied, trying to smile. "Pans, you really need to calm down. I swear there's nothing wrong with me."

"I believe you," Pansy said.

Draco smiled, but his heart hurt. He didn't like to lie, but he had to. He was determined that no one would ever realize that he was a werewolf.