Jk Rowling owns all rights to Harry Potteramd any affiliated characters. I unfortunately do not.
Chapter One
Malfoy Manor
Malfoy Manor now seemed so foreboding to him, once the place of his wonderful childhood memories, games played, birthdays, Christmases.
It was now the place of his nightmares.
It had been tainted by the one he called The Dark Lord.
All of Dracos prayers had been answered the day he fell.
He thought he would no longer lie in hell, submissive to his tormentor but even in death Voldermort still tormented him.
Draco had relived every degrading moment, every punishment, every death he had witnessed as he closed his eyes at night, falling into a fitful restless sleep.
Their house now stood in disrepair, thanks to the disrespectful death eaters it had played host too over the past two years.
It seemed so quiet now in comparison.
His mother had set about the task of renovating the once majestic home but Draco did not share her passion for the project, he had been looking to escape since arriving back here.
It was breakfast, Draco and Narcissa were sat in the dining room, she was silently nibbling away at a slice of toast.
Draco was suffering, she could tell. He was as pale as white can be, his eyes were sunken, drowned in black that circled them.
She was too but she had to stay strong for the boy sat before her.
He had been so young when he had been forced down this path, and she had allowed it, she scolded herself.
He was still just a scared little boy inside despite his very manly outward appearance.
She would do all she could to fix all the hurt and pain he had suffered, she just did not know how.
"Can you hear that?" Draco asked bringing his mother back from her thoughts.
A gentle tapping could be heard.
"Perhaps I left the tap on, I shall check in a minute"
Her nodded back at her and then again averted his gaze towards the plate in front of him, toast untouched.
The tapping became louder, angrier almost.
Narcissa rose from her chair to investigate, Draco seemingly had not noticed.
A great, jet black owl flapped his wings furiously at the window, still tapping as she opened it.
Unceremoniously it flew centimeters above her head and darted through the house. She followed it, annoyed by the obnoxious creature.
It had already found its receiver and as Narcissa entered the dining room, the owl once more flew so close above her she felt the air pass through its wings.
Draco sat staring at his unopened envelope.
It was from Hogwarts.
"I wonder what they could want, aren't your going to open it dear?"
Knowing his mother would only do so once his back was turned, Draco tore the heavy red wax seal to the letter.
Dear Mr. Malfoy,
Due to various disruptions to your schooling over the past two years I would like to invite you to complete your education with a final eighth year at Hogwarts
Due to a shortage of space only a few, gifted students have been awarded this offer.
If you could respond at your earliest convenience I would be most grateful.
If you graciously accept, I shall forward all arrangements forthwith,
I do hope to see you soon,
Minerva McGonagall
Headmistress
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Draco was shocked and he did not know what to make of it.
The last thing he had thought of doing as going back there.
At least it would be an escape from here he thought
But think of the ridicule. They all knew him for what he was now. A coward. The son of a death eater father and traitor mother.
His father had received the Dementors kiss for his crimes. Good riddance Draco had sneered. The punishment of his father had been well publicized as had that of the rest of the death eaters.
The world now knew his mother had deceived Voldermort on his final hours so she too had been the subject of gossip and rumor.
They had tried to ignore eventually retreating behind these walls, rarely seeing the outside.
He could not face that twenty four seven.
No he would not return. He had plans to leave the country for a while, travel, forget.
"So, what does it say"
Draco gave his mother the letter as he stood
"I'm going for a shower"
Thirty minutes later his mother was knocking on his bedroom door.
That was quick, he thought.
"Draco, I wondered if we could talk" she broached
" Come in" he called to her
Narcissa walked into her sons room. It was in darkness, the heavy curtains drawn. She retrieved her wand and opened them.
She sat at her sons side as he lay on the bed, staring up toward the ceiling.
"I wondered how you were going to respond to Professor Mcgonagall, considering the circumstances I think it very generous what she is offering"
"You can save your breath Mother, I'm not going back"
She sighed
"Consider this Draco, I have been scared for your future since the day the war ended. What could become of you now, education incomplete, son of a known follower of the dark lord. Our kind are not looked upon well Draco, times have changed. You are on a path to nowhere. At least with the education behind you, you stand a chance"
She was pleading with him
"Why would I go back mother, you know what it has been like these past few months. The looks, the whispers, the sneers, being spat at in the street. Why would I willing subject myself to that?" He spat back her.
"Because I fear this may be your only chance son."
She placed her hand on his shoulder. It as comforting as it always was. Draco and his mother enjoyed a good relationship nothing like that he had shared with his father.
"Show them you are not what they think. Show them the real you. You are Draco Malfoy and you will survive and come out on top."
Later on that afternoon Draco sat down to write is reply. He had been adamant all day he would turn down Professor McGonagall.
Dear Professor McGonagall,
Thank you for your kind invitation.
I will gladly accept you kind offer.
With thanks
Draco Malfoy