This fiction is not in order with the series. The main plot was created before Deathly Hallows and therefore will seem to instead run in a parallel universe with alternate events.

All authors' notes will be in bold italics. Any character thoughts will appear in italics.

Disclaimer: I don't not own any of the Harry Potter characters or references in this fan fiction, they belong to J. K. Rowling. I am merely playing around with her genius.

Prologue

Slytherin Common Room

June 1995 (Sixth year)

Pansy came out of her dorm and entered the Slytherin common room. It was practically deserted which was unusual for this time of night. The Slytherin common room was not a place full of boisterous and unnecessary noise (as the Gryffindor common room more than likely was), it had a more sophisticated, tranquil atmosphere where students could quietly complete work of converse with their house mates in an appropriate manner. Despite this the common room was never completely devoid of noise, Pansy was used to hearing the low murmurings of her peers and even this was not present. Pansy pushed the thought out of her mind as she had far more pressing matters to concern herself with. She continued to look hastily around the room and still seeing no signs, was about to check outside. Then her eyes found him, just coming through the portrait and she smiled and gave a little sigh.

"Draco Malfoy. Just tall enough for her to possibly rest her head in the crook of his neck someday. Gorgeous blonde hair, elegantly framing his perfect angular face with such perfect pale skin and of course, those entrancing stormy grey eyes that could make one melt from just one glance. Perfect…"

Pansy took in Draco Malfoy like this at least once every day, trying to come up with new impressive ways to describe him. Today however she did not have the pleasure of carefully observing him as he kept dashing about the common room. It was obvious he was in a hurry and Pansy was beginning to feel concerning. So she called out.

"Draco! What are you doing?" Draco whirled around setting his eyes on Pansy. He picked up his cloak which he had left previously on a chair and quickly moved to where she was before speaking.

"Pansy, the girls were looking for you. They'll be here in a minute, go and wait in your dorm." With that he turned around and started for the entrance, but Pansy was not going to let him go without knowing first.

"Draco what's going on?"

"This does not concern you Pansy" he called back over his shoulder.

"You're going somewhere now, why?"

"Not now…"

"But you're going out, why won't you tell me?'

Before Pansy realised Draco was back towering over her, only a few centimetres from her face. "Shut up! Gods Parkinson! Can you not leave me alone for one whole day? When I say it's none of your business, it's none of your business! Now go back to your dormitory."

Pansy hated it when he was like this. He could be harsh with her at times, but when he became this mad she was always sent her mind into an awkward flurry, despite his anger not necessarily being aimed at her. She knew he didn't want her with him now so thought it best to seek the solace of someone else.

"Oh… well I think I'll go find Millie and-"

"NO!" Draco said. His eyes looked like they were going to pop out his head and Pansy could see the veins pulsing in his neck. "For God sakes Parkinson! I pity the unlucky bastard who has to marry you, with any luck that day will never come! Why can't you just listen to me for once? Go back to your dormitory! Go, now!"

Pansy gazed at Draco, eyes filled with fear and hurt. Then turned around and made slowly made her way up to her dorm. Why was Draco always so awful to her? What was she doing wrong? She practically worshipped the boy, followed him everywhere, did anything he asked… only to be yelled at and told spiteful things.

Pansy sighed and crawled onto her bed. Once, every year or so, just once, she would wonder whether Draco Malfoy was worth the energy. Usually she would scold herself immediately for thinking such a thought. Today though, she did not scold herself, she let the thoughts run through. Because after sixteen years, Pansy was beginning to wonder for the first time in her life whether she was right.