(AzT: OK, so I was feeling really weird when I wrote this. And I still feel really weird. But hey, it passed my satisfaction standards. I hope it passes yours ^-^)

1 Chapter One: Broken Wings

2

3 (Draco Malfoy's Point of View)

You know, sometimes I like to wonder about how it would feel to be someone else. I've always fancied waking up in another bed as anyone but myself, and starting a day like I was never Draco Malfoy in the first place. But I've learned way too long a time ago that wishful thinking never gets you anywhere but further inside your head, and more lost in self-worry and regret for past mistakes.

Still, I would've wanted to make my life better. It would be great if even for just one day, I could smile like I was just as happy as I wished I would be, and say hello to anyone I wished. I know it sounds pathetic, but you have to admit, it sounds better than having to make faces and throw insults everyday, like what's always been expected of me.

I've also realized for quite a while that I don't like insulting and hating people the way I loved to before. I've grown up lately, and whenever I can be alone (which is almost anytime), I have a look-see inside of myself. Believe me, if you did that and were repulsed by what you saw, you'd end up regretting it for the rest of your life.

Some people say 'a leopard can't change its spots'. I can prove them to be wrong, if only I got the chance. That's the stupid thing about a 'spotted' reputation, you usually can't change it and it sticks to you forever.

But that was then…this is now. I've changed my spots.

But if only someone could see that.

If only someone could actually understand the way I feel.

This is what I'm thinking when I feel like there's something missing inside of me-an empty feeling I can't explain.

But here I am, alone again.

An angel with broken wings.

4 "Oh, damn, I'm so sorry…"

Someone had just ended my long-term visit to wonderland. I looked around instinctively to see if the long brown-haired girl who collided with my shoulder was hurt in any way.

"I hope you're not hurt or anything…I'm sorry again…"

"No, really, it's alright…here, let me help you…"

Realizing what a dimwit I was to not aid her in any way, I quickly thrust out my hand and grasped hers tightly to pull her to her feet. She had warmth in her touch that I could feel coursing through my hand, one that felt safe and secure.

I slowly helped her to stand firmly on the ground. Gentle brown eyes met in a straight gaze to my own icy blue-gray ones. We stared at each other, both of us seeming frozen with anticipation, until I realized who the very pretty girl I had bumped into actually was.

It was Hermione Granger.

I couldn't bring myself to say anything to her. I didn't know what to say. Half of me wanted to knock her to the ground again and hurl razor-sharp icicles of insults at her face for bumping into me and disturbing me while I was in my private world. The other half wanted to say how sorry I was for all the curses and fights that I didn't mean to make her feel bad with. I didn't know which side to pick.

Instead, I focused myself with the books that had fallen. I picked them up and handed them to her, nice as you please, and still at a loss for words and thoughts.

She took them back with the uncertainty I would've expected from her, considering the way I was acting at that time.

"Th-thank you," she said softly, still confused and unsure.

"You're welcome," I replied in a gentleman's tone. I bit back my tongue, flabbergasted at what I had just said and how I had said it. "Anytime."

She stared at me again, and this time I saw the hostility gradually fade from her eyes, as if we were never the enemies we always were. She smiled at me, a smile of gratitude that I have never forgotten in my life, and as I looked deeper into her eyes, I saw that there was more to Hermione Granger than bad names and Muggle blood.

She was beautiful. I could see it very clearly, even if just in her eyes, for they reflected an innocence and purity of heart that would've blinded me with its light. Her eyes looked free, calm and gentle, but containing a kind of sadness I could not understand.

And I loved her smile. Maybe, I thought to myself, there are really nice people out here. I just haven't met them. There was a light in her smile that brought me out of darkness, if only for a while. I smiled back, feeling better.

Then she turned her back to where she was headed, further down the corridor, and not saying anything more.

"Fancy me doing a thing like that for a filthy Mudblood like you, Granger," I suddenly blurted out. Oh no, I said to myself as I recalled my words with deep resentment. Fuck you, Draco! Fuck you, why did you have to say something like that?! Many more times I condemned myself for having said such a thing. Without realizing it, I turned back to look at her face, the old malice glittering in my eyes. From her expression, it was obvious that she was hurt.

"And why would you do such a thing, Malfoy?" she retorted hotly, facing me now with unmistakable anger. "Maybe you'd have wanted to ruin your reputation…that is, if you haven't already shoved it up your ass!"

It felt like hot water was boiling inside my head.

"Shove it up my ass, eh?" I yelled, feeling my face going red. "Shove it up my ass? Well you shove THIS up YOUR ass!"

Fuming with rage, I lifted up my middle finger.

"You BASTARD!" she screamed, running over to me and slapping my face so hard I though my head would come off. "YOU GO TO HELL, YOU FILTHY, SCUM- LICKING BASTARD!" She hit me once again. I think my cheek was cut with the sharpness of that goddamn French-manicured nail; whatever it was, I started bleeding there.

She, now full of fury, ran down the corridor, not even wishing to look back- but I swear I saw tears fly from her beautiful face as she left me with a terrible pain in my heart and feelings of deepest remorse and regret over my actions.

Then and there, I had hurt another person unintentionally-but I especially hated myself over that.

Stupid Draco-always saying the worst thing at the worst time. Yet why did I feel the empty hole suddenly growing larger inside of my heart?

I could only curse myself as I walked down the corridor, head bowed. I'd ruined it for myself again.

I barely even noticed where I was going. If I hadn't looked up from where I was walking, I would've gone right past the third-floor corridor, where I already was. And maybe I would've fallen off from the edge of where the staircase going down to the second floor was removed.

I shuddered thinking about it. I have a bad fear of heights.

And I would've never come to my senses at all if I hadn't heard someone screeching the fuck off-and it was coming from the staircase ledge.

"Help!"

My eyes widened with fear. Someone had actually slipped and was now hanging off the marble ledge.

"Help! I'm going to fall, gawdammit!"

I shook my head, battling once again with my mind. I had immediately recognized the frantic voice.

Hermione Granger was the one hanging off the ledge, right in between life and death.

I didn't want to come to her rescue like some kind of lame old hero. But I couldn't leave her there.

There were only a few seconds to decide. I saw her hand pawing around the marble surface, but failing to grasp something more secure-and dropping seconds away from her twenty-foot landing-and if it was really unlucky, her death.

Did I really have a choice?