Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended

AN: I found this in a file the other day. I wrote the first part over a year ago and have decided to post it now.

Chapter 1

Draco Malfoy looked up at the night sky and sighed. He didn't know how much longer he could keep doing this. This secret was slowly but surely eating him alive from the inside out. Shivering slightly from the cold night air, he closed his eyes and considered his very limited options. The slight rustling of robes alerted him to the presence of someone behind him.

"Father," he greeted while trying to get his emotion under control once more.

"Draco?" he heard the question in Lucius' voice even though he only uttered one word.

Draco didn't reply, not because he didn't want to but because he didn't know how to even start.

Why does everything have to become so complicated? How in the name of Merlin do I get myself into these things?

"Draco," Lucius started again but this time softer, almost gently. "Draco, you need to make a choice. Whatever you choose, know that you are my son and that we are all proud of you."

Draco snorted softly. Imagine if the wizarding world could see the man they all greatly feared showing emotion never mind that that emotion was concern. His reputation would be in ruins because that was all it was. A reputation. All smoke and mirrors.

Looking once again at the stars, he made his choice. It was the most difficult one but could also ultimately be the best one.

"Everything is going to change," Draco stated in a voice barely above a whisper. Lucius only heard the words as the soft wind carried them towards him and then away. Once again the two stood in silence each with their own troubling thoughts for company.

Draco woke with a start. He had slept badly once more, not that this was a new thing. His thoughts drifted back to last night and he was unusually glad that he had made a choice. The more he thought about it, he realized that he had made the right one.

Now all I have to do is speak with my parents

Draco grimaced at that thought

How do you start a conversation that will change your life as well as those around you forever?

There was a loud pop and one of the house elves appeared directly in front of him.

"Young Master Draco, breakfast is ready," came the squeaky voice.

"Would you draw me a bath and lay out my clothes for today, Tibby?"

"Tibby will do right away, Young Master Draco Sir."

Draco sighed. He seemed to be developing a habit of doing that. He turned and walked towards the en suite not at all in a rush to begin what would probably be the longest day of his life yet.

The bathroom was warm as he stepped in. As he watched, Draco saw steam rising from his waiting bath. It looked so inviting so Draco stripped and slid into his hot, soothing haven. If only for a short while, he could shut out the world and let his mind go blank.

Lying in the water, Draco came to the conclusion that the longer he waited the worse it would be at least for him. He reached up and hauled himself up and out. Getting dressed gave him something to distract himself and something to do with his hands.

Finally deciding he had prolonged the moment long enough, Draco walked out of his chambers, down the hall and descended the stairs one at a time.

Oh get a hold of yourself. You are a Malfoy. Act like it.

As he neared the dining room, Draco heard the quiet chattering going on just inside the room. Taking a deep breath, Draco braced himself and walked into the dining room to face his family.

Walking onto the platform, Draco had to question his sanity. It was the beginning of the term and Draco had never felt more uncertain or terrified. Of course, the world only saw a young man with pale, shoulder length hair, cool grey eyes and a blank expression on his face that occasionally turned into a sneer.

"Draco, do you have everything?" Narcissa asked softly.

"Yes, Mother."

"Are you ready? Are you sure that this is what you want to do?" Concern shimmered in her eyes.

"Yes, now that I've made my choice I actually feel almost somewhat at peace," Draco replied softly careful that no one could overhear them. Nobody needed to be aware of what was going on or what was going to hopefully happen before he was ready to reveal it.

"Son," Lucius prodded quietly

"Father?"

As Lucius leaned forward to formally hug Draco farewell, his lips brushed Draco's ear as he whispered to him.

"Good luck, Draco. No matter what happens or what time it is, all you have to do is contact me and I'll be there."

Draco pulled away and looked up at his father. Lucius allowed his emotionless mask to slip for a second and Draco saw his father's concern, love and fear for him.

"Thank you," Draco chocked quietly.

Mentally shaking himself, he gathered his things and walked to board the train. Somewhere between walking from his parents and to the train, his entourage appeared from the billowing stream flanking him almost as if from out of nowhere forming a sort of protective semi-circle guarding their prince, noticeable only to those who knew about the darker side of the wizarding community.

Draco was so used to this happening that he didn't even register Crabbe, Goyle, Pansy and Blaise's presences until they were all seated in their compartment having already put their suitcases out of the way.

"Oh, hello"

"Well it's about time your highness," Pansy exclaimed giving a little mock curtsey.

"Ye, Draco. Where was that head of yours? Up in the clouds again?" Goyle taunted cheerfully. He seemed to take great pleasure in the fact that Draco had been caught off guard once again.

Draco turned towards Goyle and gave him the coldest, dirtiest look he could muster. All that did was provide a cue for the four other people to burst into unrelenting laughter.

Draco sighed once more and looked out the window. Watching the steam roll across the platform, his mind began to once again wander off. He was only vaguely aware of the bantering going on around him between his closest friends.

Draco was brought back to reality when he noticed two things at once. One, that the door to their compartment was still wide open. Two, the Golden Trio had reached their doorway. Draco drew a deep breath while he began to mentally curse the Weasel.

Why does he feel the need to constantly pick a fight with us? But then again we do start at least half of them. Well here we go again. Brilliant way to start the term off!

"Weasel, was there something you wanted or are you going to just stand there and stare all day?" Blaise taunted in his most superior voice. A mischievous glint in his eye that only those that knew him would notice.

Draco watched fascinated yet again at the look the weasel got on his face when confronted by someone from Slytherin. His face went the same colour of his hair and his lips thinned into a small, white line.

Draco shifted his gaze and found himself staring at none other that Harry Potter. The Wizarding World's "Saviour". He had grown over the summer. He must now have been about a foot taller than Draco. His black hair had grown out a bit to hang round his tanned face and in front of his eyes which he kept running his hands through, trying and failing to keep it out of the way.

Vibrant green eyes held Draco's attention next.

Potter's, no Harry's eyes are usually so expressive and sometimes I feel as though I'm drowning in them. Wait, What? What the hell am I? Some clichéd school girl?

Mentally reprimanding himself, Draco's eyes fell on Harry's lips. Somehow they seemed fuller, more kissable.

What? Where did that thought come from? Come on Malfoy, what is the matter with you? Now is not the time to be thinking of Harry's lips. No matter how kissable they look.

Draco realized that throughout the confrontation he had been silent. With great effort, Draco pulled his eyes away from Harry and concentrated on the verbal blows being exchanged over his head.

It appeared that once again the Weasel had been defeated as he turned and fled rather quickly in the general direction of his compartment. Harry, Draco noticed, took longer than normal to disappear. His eyes briefly met Draco's and he seemed to be puzzled by what he saw reflected there before turning and following his friend.

Draco Malfoy looked at Harry's retreating back and sighed once again for what seemed like the millionth time. Glancing around, he noticed his friends all looking at him as though he had grown an extra head.

Great! Just what I need to make my so far wonderful morning complete. An interrogation. Argh!

Draco shifted slightly and quietly whispered to himself.

"Yes. Everything is going to change this year."

Being overheard, his friends gave him looks that had both puzzlement and concern in them. Not wanting to answer the endless questions that would surely be coming his way, Draco leaned his head against the cold window pane and closed his eyes. Desperate to shut out the world even for a few minutes as the train carried him towards Hogwarts and his destiny whether he wanted it to or not.

Oh Yes, change is coming and nothing would ever be the same again.

AN: I don't have a beta for this so I apologize in advance for any mistakes. I am a bit of a drama queen sometimes so don't be too surprised by it. Hope you enjoyed this Let me know what you think. I live for reviews.