This is the first fanfic I've written so it pretty much sucks but I enjoyed writing it so I hope you enjoy reading it. Please R&R! (

Disclaimer – I don't own anything here but the plot, it's all J.K Rowlings.

1 Chapter One – The beginning

Pain. That was all he felt. No! I won't give up! Help me! Evil laughter rang through his ears. Draco opened his eyes. He was sweating. It was just a dream. Only a dream. It can't hurt me! He chanted over and over. Draco looked up at the ceiling. Funny, where am I?

It suddenly all came flooding back to him. Rebelling against Voldemort and his parents. Parents enraged had beaten him. Voldemort had beaten him. Pain. Intense pain. Nothing but pain. It hurt to think. Snape had arrived. Draco remembered seeing Snape saying everything will be fine. He was in the hospital wing at Hogwarts. Draco struggled to recall more but darkness once again descended.

The door creaked opened. Draco woke with a jerk. He struggled to sit up as Professor Dumbledore came in. "Stay down. You are not even slightly healed yet and if Poppy sees you sitting up, I will be kicked out Headmaster or not.." Dumbledore smiled. "You are feeling better now I hope?", his eyes filled with concern.

"Yeah kinda" mumbled Draco. Why did he care? He doesn't like me. I'm a Slytherin. He only worries about Pottie the Golden Wonder Boy.

"You've been in a coma for about a week now. Everyone was really worried, you know," said Dumbledore. Worried? Over me? Maybe Godfather Snape might be, but everyone else? Ha! They would happily beat me when I'm down and dead!

Dumbledore frowned. I wonder what's wrong with the old geezer? Probably comparing me to Pottster King of the Jungle and seeing how I'm just not good enough. Dumbledore continued staring. He seemed to be waiting for something. Gotta distract him.

"So… has school started yet?" Dumbledore sighed with relief. *He still knows how to think. Good, his mind is working. I thought for a moment he had amnesia.* thought Dumbledore. "School starts in a month or so. You might be up to attending classes then."

Pause. Silence.

"Just say it! I betcha it's something to do with Vol…vol…You-know-who! And my parents! I can handle it! If I can handle almost being beaten to death I can handle this!!" blurted Draco. He was tired and he wanted Dumbledore to leave.

Dumbledore sighed and averted his gaze. So much for telling him gently. "Draco, as you probably already figured out, your parents have disowned you because of …. what…happened." Dumbledore cleared his throat. "As of now, you need to be protected against the Dark side so you'll be laying low for awhile. However, if you're up to it…. well.. there's this idea I have…."

Draco listened intently as Dumbledore rambled on and on, getting more excited by the minute. Draco sighed. It wasn't as if he had anything better to do….. Or a choice for that matter…….