Draco scowled as the huge doors in front of him closed with a bang, his father's words loud in his ears.

"And don't come back until you learn some manners!"

Surprisingly, they hurt far more than he expected. But who could blame him? After spending all of his life coming to his parents' every whim and attempting to make them proud of him, life had to come back and just hit him in the face.

Scowling, he picked himself up from the ground and brushed himself down. To people around him, he would have seemed completely composed and perfect but it was only a mask to hide his panicked state within. He dejectedly kicked the snow around him muttering angrily under his breath.

"Stupid parents, stupid Dobby, stupid dark lord."

Unbeknownst to him, someone was staring at him from across the road. A white owl speckled grey with green eyes stared at the boy from its perch on the bin's rim. Idly, it wondered what had happened for the boy to be kicked out as he had been. It was painstakingly clear that he had no idea whatsoever how to survive out in the wilderness by himself. Obviously, he needed a helping hand, or claw in this instance. Making up his mind, he gave a soft hoot and spread his wings. Following the boy's movements, he changed perches to another dustbin down the road.

The boy was now walking down the road in the direction of a plain looking house. Was that his other home? wondered the owl. If it was, he might not need my help that much after all.

It turned out he was wrong when the boy stopped just in front of the building and squatted at the steps, silent tears streaming down his face.

His heart went out to the boy. After all, he had suffered through what he was going through now before and he knew first hand the pain of rejection. Deciding to show himself, (for the boy's sake so that he knew he wasn't that alone in the world) he flew to the ground just in front of the boy.

It took a moment for him to acknowledge his presence but when he did, he gave him a watery smile.

"Hey, little owl," he sniffled, making an effort to wipe away his tears,"What're you doing here all alone? Don't you have somewhere to go to?"

He gave a soft hoot then hopped closer to him, letting out a tweet of pleasure when he felt his hands petting him.

The boy smiled. His eyes were still watery and blotchy but at least he was happy.

"You're quite tame aren't you? Is your owner somewhere?" he looked around while saying it but the owl gave him a hoot of reassurance. His eyebrow raised.

"So you are alone, huh? Well, join the club."

Giving out a soft hoot, the owl jumped into the boy's lap. His eyes widened briefly before he let his mouth curl into a slight smile.

"You know," he said contemplating, eying the white owl, "You're actually the first person who didn't sneer at the sight of me."

He leaned back.

"My name's Draco Malfoy. And you are?"

A small part of his mind was telling him that he was a lunatic to think that the owl could talk but the majority was just happy that there was someone with him. This was the reason why, when the owl did answer, he started and gaped like a fish.

My name's Vincent,the owl hooted happily, not noticing the boy's shock, Vincent Hoot

When his new friend didn't answer, he tilted his head to the side and concernedly nudged him.

Draco? Dracooo? Are you still in there?

Finally snapping out of his shock, Draco suddenly stood, making Vincent fall to the floor with an indignant hoot.

Hey! he quipped, what's your problem?

Draco didn't notice and instead began pacing.

"How the-? What the heck are you?" he yelled as he wore the snow out from under him. "You can talk! Normal owls can't talk! What else can you do? Do a cartwheel?"

Rolling his eyes at the obviously confused human, he flapped his wings as he attempted to keep up with him.

Calm down, did you honestly think I'm an owl? What owl could do any of those things I did? he tweeted impatiently. He was itching to reveal his true form to Draco but he couldn't do that until he was calm.

Luckily, it managed to catch his attention and he took a deep breath as he finally turned to face him.

"Look, owl. Person. Thing. What are you really?"

Shaking his head briefly when he saw an elderly couple heading their way, he tweeted, Not here, someone might see. I'll bring you back to my home.

Draco's mouth dropped again. "You have a house?"

Vincent tweeted in amusement, rolling his eyes. Of course, where do you think I stay?

He blushed but then asked.

"So how do we get to your house?"

The owl did an owl equivalent of a smirk before hooting.

Wait for me and keep an eye out for something unusual.

"What do you mean by 'unusual'? he shouted but he had already disappeared.

Sighing, he resignedly took another seat on the steps. "Stupid Owl."

Luckily, he didn't have to wait long because he spotted something highly unusual a few minutes later.

"Whoa!" he exclaimed when he caught sight of a red feathered phoenix across the road.

"How did you do that?" he asked excitedly once the phoenix reached him.

The phoenix gave a soft trill.

Don't you get it? What do you know that can change its forms at will?

Vincent could almost see the gears in Draco's head turned before a light bulb went on.

"Whoa!" he repeated with wide eyes, "You're an animagus!"

The phoenix beamed then trilled a happy tune.

Right on, Draco!

But it didn't seem like he registered the phrase because he was still in shock.

Vincent sighed. I'll explain to you later, grab my tail feathers first.

Able to comprehend the small instruction through the haze that was his mind, he did as he was told.

And close your mouth. You might catch some ash.

Shaking out of his shock, Draco managed to close his mouth in time before they were suddenly engulfed in flames.

All that was left of where Draco and the phoenix stood before was a pool of melted ice and some scattered ash.

Hey, all! Greekgirl here. Anyways, just started reading Harry Potter which is one of the reasons I haven't updated recently and I'm really taken to it. I think Draco's a little misunderstood (besides, with a father like his who wouldn't be?) and I wanted to give him a chance. Thus, it resulted in this fanfic. Anyway, hope you liked it, enjoy.

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