Blinded

Chapter One

It was September first, the day all Hogwarts students returned to the school. The Hogwart's Express moved slowly North making its way to Hogsmeade Station. Down one of the train's narrow corridors, a compartment was empty, with the exception of a single student.

His head was rested upon the compartment window ruining his perfectly slicked silver-blonde hair. He didn't care. Not anymore anyways. His eyes wandered out of the window and gazed upon the stars deep in thought. Nothing and no one could have distracted him. Although, no one even dared to enter the lonely compartment. All his years of harassing others for his own enjoyment had turned on him. In his heart, Draco Malfoy yearned to have someone sit beside him, but at the same time, he desperately wanted the outside world to fade away. He simply sat alone pondering the past year's events.

He knew he shouldn't have done it.

He'd always known that his father had power within the Death Eater's forces; he just didn't realize how great his influence was. And yet, he would find out soon enough. Upon the evening of his sixteenth birthday, Draco was summoned into the private depths of his father's study in which he'd never been allowed in. All of his life his father's secrets tempted him, but they all lay just out of his reach. His father had never put a curse on the door that led inside the study either. Lucius always thought it would teach his son strong self discipline. But Draco never had to convince himself to keep out of the forbidden room. Instead, his father's short temper that easily erupted terrified him.

But now, it no longer mattered. He had been taken to his father's dark office, and he had gone willingly.

"Draco my son, you surely know that the Dark Lord's absence won't last forever." Lucius told him, not even bothering to explain his involvement with Voldemort and the Death Eaters. "He's coming back. He's stronger, more powerful and will soon take control of the magical world. Things will be the way that they should have been, and the way they ought to be. The magical world is growing weaker every day. Only the Dark Lord can restore this world to those who are truly worthy of it."

Draco's face grew frightened, and his father saw.

"You needn't be frightened Draco," Lucius continued, an evil sneer creeping across his thin lips, "the Dark Lord will only be rid of those who do not deserve to call themselves wizards."

Lucius chuckled while countless thoughts raced through Draco's mind. Before Draco could ask anything, his father went on.

"You're sixteen now Draco, time to become who you were born to be. You're no longer a child, but a young man that can achieve unstoppable power. The only way to achieve this power is to join with those who can give it to you."

"No..." Draco whispered, without realizing it. His mind was still full of unanswered questions and doubts. He'd known this day would come eventually, and he often thought of the choice that lay ahead of him and the consequences that came with his decision.

"What did you say?" his father asked, his voice rising.

Draco realized, he had time to go back. All he had to say was a simple yes, and his future would be decided. But he couldn't ignore the thoughts that were tugging on his heart.

"I said..." For a moment, Draco wavered on the edge. If he should say yes, his life would be in position and there would be no turning around. If he said no, he would fall into a life of isolation and guilt.

"No." Immediately, Draco began to feel his life dropping from underneath his feet.

"I'm not sure I heard you quite right--"

"I said no, Father."

"No!" Lucius shouted suddenly, bringing his fist to the table with a crash. He looked up at his son with eyes full of rage and shock. "I don't think you realize that this was not quite your choice to make--"

"No Father! It is my choice to make! I--"

"Listen! I am your father, Draco, and you will do as you are told!"

"No!"

"Yes!"

"No! I won't join you! I won't join the Death Eaters! I won't join you murderers!"

"Murderers? We only take the lives of those who are not worthy of being wizards and witches! There is no real crime being committed, it's for the good of the magical community!"

"No! It isn't father! I refuse to join you! You can't force me!"

Lucius reached inside his robes and pulled out his wand. For a fleeing moment, Draco was sure his father was going to curse him. Breathing very quickly, Lucius forced words to come out of his reddened face.

"This is – your – last – chance!"

"I think I have made my choice perfectly clear to you Father! If--"

"Get out." Lucius breathed. "Out! I am ashamed to call you my son."

Draco pivoted and hurried out of the room. He packed his robes, schoolbooks, wand, and broomstick into his trunk and left.

Later on, Draco received a letter telling him that he was no longer permitted to return home. He had to begin a new life outside of his Father's house.

Draco had now reached the age of of seventeen. The past year had been spent away from his father's ever watchful eyes.

Draco tried to push the thoughts out of his head, but pushed farther and farther back top more painful memories then what he could emotionally handle. He tried to keep his wandering mind from reliving the past, but it was too late. Already, his mind was regenerating conversations and images Draco had wished he'd never seen or heard. He listened carefully. He could hear laughing and conversations the other students were having. Hearing the happiness of the other students only made the thoughts in his mind grow harder to ignore.

"No, I was unable sir, I couldn't! Malfoy, why can't you understand! It was impossible! They were too many. Crabbe and I only barely escaped! We were forced to leave the others behind! Lucius, what? No... don't, please! Lucius? Lucius! No!"

The voice in his head screamed louder and louder. Rose quickly to his feet, and carefully checked the corridor outside the compartment. No one was there. He didn't really know why he was panicking at that moment. His father was miles away and Draco was safe.

He sighed. Slowly, he stretched out upon the compartment seat, although he was obviously too tall to lie comfortably. He could still hear the echoing scream in his mind. After a few moments of torture, he was finally able to shut it out. He exhaled a long and slow breath and wondered what the school year would bring. Gradually his sleep deprived eyes closed, and soon he was asleep.

Author's NoteI really hope you enjoy my first chapter of this interesting DM/HG fic. I'll be gone the next week, so my second chapter won't be up for awhile, but I've already got it done, so as soon as I come back I'll post it up. :) And please review, I love hearing from you guys!