A/N - I wrote this while listening to Viva La Vida by Coldplay, which probably explains the ending. Other than that, it's generally a happy fic. I also wrote this in one sitting, so it may end up being a load of crap.
Draco Malfoy was miserable at home. His parents, intent upon having him grow up to be a well-groomed pure-blood wizard with gold and power up to his ears, forbade fun and games. He was not allowed to run around outside or have pets or talk incessantly, as young children are wont to do.
Draco Malfoy was told that children should be seen and not heard. He was told not to roam his family's extensive gardens so as not to ruin his complexion. He was told that animals were dirty and owls were used only for delivering the mail. He was encouraged to read thick, dusty books explaining the inferiority of Muggles and the supremacy of pure-blood wizards.
It was a common assumption that Draco Malfoy was given everything he ever wanted. Until he went to Hogwarts, this was the farthest thing from the truth.
At Hogwarts, he was far, far away from his strict, uptight parents. He got to explore the expansive grounds, never failing to stumble upon something new and interesting. He got to talk to other students his age. He was allowed to play Exploding Snap and Gobstones. He could run through the halls with Blaise, terrorizing Filch. He could stroke his eagle owl, Anahita, and give her owl treats. He learned to fly a broom (which he had never done, despite all of his boasting).
He had snowball fights, went swimming, talked to ghosts, nearly got attacked by the Giant Squid, and caught a glimpse of a unicorn in the forest. He had a rug pulled out from under him by Peeves and was given directions to the astronomy tower by a portrait. He learned about everything from electricity to dragons in the library. Come third year, he explored Zonko's, sat in the warmth of the Three Broomsticks, and raced Theodore Nott up the hill to the Shrieking Shack.
Hogwarts was his home. It was the place where he made friends and played Quidditch and broke the rules. It was where he could be carefree and enjoy himself. It was where he was free from Voldemort's influence. It was where he could be himself.
And on that night on the astronomy tower, where he stood with his wand pointed at Dumbledore, who personified everything he loved about Hogwarts, he fought the hardest battle he had ever fought.
He never found out which side of him won. Snape raised his wand, there was a flash of green light, and he could feel his heart just breaking.