Author's Note:
Hey! So this first chapter probably isn't the BEST because it's more of an explanation as to what's going on in the wizarding world. The drama and romance unfolds in the next few chapters. I hope you like it and pleeeease don't forget to review! All ideas, comments, criticism etc are very appreciated. Thanks! (:
I in no way, shape or form claim to own any part of the Harry Potter franchise, I am merely an obsessed fan who couldn't handle the series ending so had to write fanfics to keep myself sane ;P
CHAPTER 1: Friends Become Foes.
I had just finished packing my trunk and was putting on my cloak when my mother's voice echoed through the Malfoy Mansion from downstairs.
"Draco?"
"I'm ready mother," I called back and I grabbed my trunk and owl , and headed towards my bedroom door.
I spun around when I reached the frame and took one last look at my large room.
It was filled with boxes, neatly stacked and sealed with large spellotape.
It had been months since the war and destruction of Lord Voldemort and my father had been carted off to Azkaban.
My mother had managed to avoid getting sent to Azkaban too since she barely had anything to do with any of my father's previous exploits -
And it helped that she had an underage teenage wizard to look after. Not to mention enough money for the best lawyer group of wizarding lawyers there is. So she settled with 3 years probation and 2 years house arrest. I also got slapped with 2 years probation. If either of us put one toe out of line of the wizarding law then we would very likely be sent to Azkaban.
Since father's removal, our lives and house had been pretty blank.
My mother, with excessive support from me, decided to sell the Manor due the fact father had a life sentence.
She was to buy another smaller house.
Despite what he has done to me and countless others, I love my father. I sometimes wish I would rather not, but love is something that can't be controlled.
I chuckled out loud.
I'm so glad no one can hear my thoughts. I'm nothing like what I come off as to others.
I've changed a lot, too, though. Since the war and everything. It affected me a lot and I've had time to grow up and mature in the past few months.
I've begun to fully accept and understand how horrible Voldemort's side was.
I guess I just see things a lot differently after everything I've been through. I had already grown to realize how bad it all was before Voldemort was defeated.
Especially after the incident in my sixth year, when I was expected to follow through with murder under Voldemort's orders.
That really was a turning point, after all that.
But I couldn't allow myself to think about it at the time. Any further betrayal by a Malfoy would have resulted in dire consequences.
I knew Voldemort could read minds and my Occlumency wasn't that strong. So I didn't even dare to consider turning on him. I think my mother was on the same page as me with that one.
I left my expansive, cold, gray room for the last time and headed down the echoing marble stairs.
"Ready darling?" asked my mother's placid voice.
"Yes, I'm all set," I answered.
"Alright let's go."
We walked out the large front door leading to the courtyard and walked along the path to the enormous front gates. After exiting the drive-way and once out of our houses' spell protected vicinity, we disapparated.
A few seconds later we were standing in the bustling King's Cross Platform.
This would be the last time I boarded the train to head to school.
After the Battle of Hogwarts, and all damage was repaired, it was realised that the previous year wasn't a proper learning environment for the students. Not to mention most of the school were kicked out anyway so it was decided the students would redo the year that was disturbed by the Carrows and the war. This would result in there being a large number of first years this year and a lot of complaining seventh year "pure bloods" not wanting to repeat. Although.. I don't consider it repeating. It's not like they really learnt anything proper. Except perhaps the dark arts, how to be assholes, and how to torture supposed 'blood traitors'.
Man have I changed.. Just noticing about the way I think now.. It's as if I'm another person! In a way I suppose I am really..
I wondered what this year would be like for me. What with everything that happened with my father's involvement with Voldemort and his life sentence in Azkaban.
Will people notice I've changed? And what will they make of it?
How would they react?
My mother hadn't noticed it much but that's because I've always been good to her. She did pick out, though, that I was quieter. The war had really taught me a lesson. What that really meant wasn't that i talked less, but more so that I did have negative comments about everything all the time. Also I refrained from the term Mudblood and other discriminations. Big change for me, I know. If anyone knew the new me they'd probably die of shock.
While I had been standing on the platform thinking, other kids ran around me to see their friends.
That's another thing.
Friends.
Do I even have any now?
Now I've turned.. well.. "good" I guess. Would they hate me for it?
Even more...Do I even want to be friends with any of my old fellow Slytherins?
Who knows - maybe they've changed too.
But then again... If they haven't changed.. Why would I WANT to be friends with any of them. I would rather be a loner to be honest.
But I won't be horrible to them if they haven't. I will just be...civil.
Wow.. Maybe there's something wrong with me.. I used to strive to be horrible to everyone.
I don't want to start any crap so I'm gonna be civil with them. But if they are all still pricks then i don't want to be near them much. I never REALLY liked any of my school friends.. They were more of a convenience than anything. Particularly Crabbe and Goyle. Crabbe's gone now.. Part of me did mourn for him at first. But then I realized what kind of person he was, and thought of how he turned on me in the end anyway.
There was a screeching sound and the train steamed up. Kids rushed around saying their final goodbyes and boarding the express.
I turned to my mother and hugged her tightly. It was going to be hard for her having to do the move alone. She didn't have Father around anymore and I wouldn't see her till Christmas.
Tears welled in her eyes as I pulled back and looked at her. She had become a lot softer at heart too. We had both become new people.
"Oh Draco I will miss you," she said smiling sadly.
"I will miss you too Mother," I replied hugging her once more.
"But we will owl each other all the time and I will see you at Christmas."
"I know," She said drying her eyes.
"Now off you go! Quickly." she shooed me.
"And don't forget to have fun and learn lots dear."
"I will try Mother" I answered waving as I stepped aboard the train with my trunk in hand.
I walked down the corridor and the train lurched forward slowly.
Many were full as I peered through the windows and I carried on down.
Nearer the end of the corridor I peered through and noticed some of my old Slytherin friends.
I knocked and opened the sliding door.
Blaise, Pansy, Goyle and Millicent looked up at me.
"Uh hey," I said looking at each of them.
"Oooh Draco!" Squeeled Pansy. Typical. She always did get on my nerves.
"Hey Malfoy," said Millicent.
"'Lo," Mumbled Goyle at the same time that Blaise nodded his greeting.
I put my trunk on the rack and sat next to Blaise.
Well...At least they don't seem to hate me.
I've become a new person, and I intend to be much better. Possibly even change the outlook on the name of Malfoy.
For me, it's a new beginning.
The trip to Hogwarts was a dull one.
Stuck with the usual Slytherin mob that I used to hang out with didn't make it very pleasurable.
All they did was bitch about things. Made me realise that that is what I actually used to be like.
Blaise complained of how one of his uncles was sent to Azkaban and Goyle grumbled something about his father going there too. He, too, was on probation for his involvement in the war. Seem to think it was unfair and unjust. Idiot. Even I could accept that I deserve what I got.
"Draco" cooed Pansy "You're awfully quiet. Is something the matter?" Her voice dripping in fake sympathy.
"Not really." I replied.
"I saw in the paper that your father got 15 years" said Blaise "Fucking Ministry doesn't have any respect for pure blood families. If there's anyone they should be throwing in there it's the Mudbloods!"
The others murmured in angry agreement.
"That's a bit of an idiotic outlook on things, considering everything that's happened don't you think?" I said.
Blaise looked confused and offended. "What do you mean..?"
"Well," I said "Considering the people you call "Mudbloods" never really did anything wrong, why should they go to Azkaban? It was Voldemort's followers who attacked them, not the other way around."
"Are you saying my Uncle, Goyle's father and your father all deserved to go to Azkaban?" Blaise said heatedly.
"Well, in a way. Yes. You guys sit there complaining about your probations and your families sentences as if none of us deserved it. Have none of you even considered the fact that maybe we actually were in the wrong?"
"Are you fucking insane!" Blaise yelled, his face contorting with rage. "You've lost the plot Malfoy! What have you turned into some goody good now? Defending Mudbloods as if they were equals! Next thing you'll be good old chums with Harry Pothead and his Ginger boyfriend!"
Millicent and Goyle chuckled stupidly while the others gawked at me as if I had just grown three extra heads.
"I think it's you lot that are insane if you still haven't even woken up to reality after everything our world has been through! You need to accept that Voldemort and his followers were in the wrong! And stop discriminating against Muggle-borns as if they stole the magic from wizards. You know very well that's not possible!" I yelled getting hot-tempered.
The group look stunned. Blaise looked as if he had just been told that he is to get married to his cat and he didn't quite know how to react.
I lowered my voice a little. Yelling would just get Blaise even more worked up. "I'm not saying I like Muggle-borns, but it's about time this hate ended, don't you think? Look how much suffering your own families have had to go through simply because of their hatred. We're all human. We're all magical. So why is it a problem?"
Blaise stared at me in angry awe for half a minute before his face turned into a deadly stare and he said, "You're a traitor. Voldemort should have killed you and your family the first time you betrayed him. You're as good as a Muggle-born yourself."
And I actually thought they might have changed. What a joke.
With that, I stood up, grabbed my trunk and owl cage, and turned to leave without a backward glance.
A/N: Heyyy, Ok so I know it's not TOO great but trust me it gets a lot better. I already the next few chapters done, I've just gotta dust them over. This chapter was more of an explanation. An introduction. An update of what's going on. Then the real story starts. Please, please, PLEASE let me know what yout thought. Any comments, ideas, constructive criticism etc would be of sooo much help and I really would appreciate it. Thank you! The next chapter will be up soon! (:
