Death.

Sadness.

Childhoods.

We all have that, don't we?

I had one.

My family was always a mess.

I had a dog once. Did you know that?

It was a sweet thing, a little tiny puppy.

A golden retriever, I think. It's paws were a bit too big for it's body, and I loved it anyway.

We had so much fun, playing out on the Manor's big lawn, me finding sticks and twigs to toss across, and my little puppy running after them, yapping happily.

I had only owned it for a week, and never had a chance to name it.

My father called me into his office at one point. With his chair back to me, he said, "Draco, I suppose you are wondering why I bought you that...creature."

I was a young boy of five at the time, but had known by then how unfeeling he was. Standing uncomfortably by his desk, I replied, "Yes, father, I have been wondering that."

"Well, son, there are a few values that you have not quite learned yet," he said, turning his chair to face me. "Bring the beast in."

I ran outside, unaware of what was about to happen. I scooped the dog up from where it had been wagging it's tail, up into my arms, and rushed to get back to the office.

I held it, and pushed the door open with my foot. "Father?" I called gingerly.

"Put it down, child," he said dismissively.

I obeyed him without question. I placed him on the ground, and watched the puppy back away into the corner, whimpering in fear.

"AVADA KEDAVA!" I heard the scream of the spell, I ducked away, but then noticed something too late. The deadly beam of green light was heading toward my dog.

I couldn't help it.

I cried. I wailed. I moaned. I whimpered. I bawled. I wept.

I was miserable, and only in those few moments after his death.

My father looked at me with contempt. "Your lesson is over, Draco. Attachment and love only bring pain. There is no reason to love if it calls so much pain. Do you understand?"

Lost in my grief, I nodded feverishly.

He briskly Vanished the body, turned back to his work, and I left the room in tears.

I will never love again, I told myself. Love is a feeling that consumes your life, and then leaves it empty when that love disappears.

Love is something that takes. Love is something that will steal all of you and then make away with the good.

Love is pointless.

I lived in constant fear that all I had would leave me.

I lived up to my promise.

I never loved again.