Disclaimer:I don't own Harry Potter. J K Rowling and her genius do.

Hello! This is my first fanfic ever and I would love to know what you think. Be aware that the beginning of each chapter is a flashback. Also be aware that this story is alternate universe.

My father always told me I had a duty to my family name, that there were certain expectations that I could not ignore. I believed what he taught me and did my best to live up to it.

At the same time, I wanted to believe that I had duties to myself, but I instead followed the path my family placed before me. I soon found out how wrong I was, because I wound up losing the one person I really loved.

She was perfection despite what blood ran in her veins. She was goodness and light, love and compassion, all the things I wanted to learn but was too much of a coward to ask about.

I wanted to be everything to her, but I was stuck. I chose to ignore my heart and followed the directive of being a Malfoy. There would never be a second chance, or so I thought. Someone has given me the opportunity to change everything, to go back into my past and correct all the wrong I have done.

I hope that my younger self will see reason and accept the new path I will place before him. This path will be rocky and uneven, but the end result will be worth it. If only I can be strong enough to convince him of that.

Draco Malfoy walked the halls with a haughty swagger. He believed himself above all others and felt the need to point that out. At every opportunity, he would point out his wealth and status in the Wizarding world. No one in his own house would argue, because they all believed he was right. The male Slytherins were apt to wish they were in his position, and the female Slytherins worshipped the ground he walked on, even if only to procure the young Malfoy as a future husband.

Wealth and power afforded him a place on a very high pedestal. Of course, only those in his immediate circle thought so. One person in particular held him in lower regard. Not that Draco really cared; or rather, he liked to tell himself that was true. He could not fathom that perhaps he really was lower, because of how he treated others. He chose to ignore the fact that he could be better.

Hermione Granger believed he was lower because he was so cruel and unfeeling when it came to others, especially herself and her friends. She worked hard to prove that she was worthy of her place in this world she had been thrust into. It was not her fault she was born to Muggle parents. She had not chosen to be magical, she just was. She had proven herself repeatedly, but it still did not put her in a very good light in the blond Slytherin's eyes.

She stood outside the DADA classroom going over some notes and ignoring the others around her. Schoolwork was more important than who was going out with whom and which other gossip the others chose to speak about. She soon wished she had paid more attention to her surroundings when someone knocked her onto the cold stone floor. "Watch yourself, filth."

Hermione knew that voice, and she looked daggers back at him. "Maybe you should watch yourself, Malfoy. All this touching could give me the wrong idea."

Draco was about to reply when a deep male voice interrupted his words. "That will be enough of that. Twenty points from Slytherin for knocking down an innocent party."

Draco gritted his teeth and fumed silently. He looked up at the new professor, and despite himself, he calmed. He felt he knew this new person almost as well as he knew himself. There were certain similarities within his face that had him wondering if perhaps he was looking at his future self.

Soon, all the others began to follow the new professor into the classroom to begin the first DADA class of the new school year.

Draco chose a seat at the front of the class and followed the professor's movements as he wrote his name upon the board. What was it about this man that had him feeling as though they were somehow related? There was no way he was related to this brown-haired, hazel-eyed man.

"Class to order, please," the professor said calmly as he waited for the class to settle. He smiled at everyone, his gaze lingering on Draco before giving a wink. "I am Professor Madigan and have been asked here by the Headmistress. She has informed me of the uneven teachings you have had in this class, and I will do my best to get you up to speed." He paused, took a moment to look around at everyone, and surprised Draco when his eyes fell upon Hermione and took on an almost sad, longing expression.

"I will combine all the previous teachers' lessons and throw in a bit of my own in order for you to get through your NEWTS. I hope we will also have a bit of fun while we are at it. Now, are there any questions before we begin?"

Of course, no one was surprised when Hermione was the first to put her hand in the air. He pointed to Hermione and gave her an amused grin as though he expected this behavior from her, but how could he know? "So, we will have practical lessons as well as theory of the spells?" asked Hermione.

"There will be a chance to practice defensive magic," he nodded. "I expect by tomorrow we will be outside in the fresh air practicing the very spells that will be needed quite soon."

Professor Madigan had the class study their books on defensive magic for the rest of the lesson. Draco watched him out of the corner of his eye as he walked about the classroom. He could not let go of the feeling that he knew this man. It was driving him crazy, trying to figure out where he knew him from. He looked back down at his book when the professor stepped up next to his desk. "I wish for you to remain after class so I may speak with you," the professor whispered to him before walking away.

At the end of the lesson, Draco sat at his desk, waiting as the others filed out. He was not sure what he had done but he was about to find out. "Malfoy, is it?" the professor questioned without looking up at Draco.

"Yes, sir, but how did you..."

The professor held up a hand in response. He stood and walked around his desk to lean against the front. "I have been told about all my students personalities. I knew who you were from the moment I saw you knock Miss Granger to the floor."

Draco felt, for the first time ever, guilty over his actions. "It's expected of me," he said in almost a whisper.

"No. What is expected of you is to do what you feel is right. You have choices, Malfoy, and it is up to you to decide which choices are wrong and which are right. Only you can know what is best."

Draco had no idea how this man knew, but he did. Somehow, he knew of the conflict that went on inside him. "It's not that easy, you know," he said, his voice stronger than before.

"Nothing is ever easy when it's the right thing. We have paths in front of us, and it is our place to decide which is easy, and which is for the best. The right path is not always easy to walk, but we have to decide if it is worth it. Are you willing to forget what is expected of you and walk the right path?"

Draco could not answer just yet. He needed time to think. "Can I get back to you on that, Professor?"

"I'm here all year, and I have all the time in the world if it means helping you to see with your own eyes and not your father's."

Draco's jaw dropped. "How do you...?"

"I know more about you than you think, Mr. Malfoy."

*******************

Draco lay in his bed that night thinking over what Professor Madigan had said. He had thought these things as well, and it astounded him that someone else, someone he didn't know, could see that so well. He didn't know what to do at this point, though. His father depended on him to hold true to his upbringing. There was no way he could go against this teaching, as it was just too had.

He turned onto his side and released a sigh. Could the professor be right? Was he really strong enough to break away from the life he had lived until this point? For one person, he possibly could.

Hermione had always been a part of his life, the only ray of sunshine in a world of impending darkness. She was the epitome of goodness and what was right in the world, but she would never see him in this light. He had been too cruel to her for too long, and he didn't see a chance that her outlook would ever change.

Perhaps he should show her a different side of him. The side he had always hidden away from everyone because of the life he was forced to live. Perhaps he should start the journey down the path that would not be easy, but would be worth it in the end.

***************************

Professor Madigan stood in front of the mirror of his bathroom and smiled at his reflection. Only the mirror could see him for who he truly was. No one would ever know who he was if he acted his part well. Well, one person knew, but he was dead and was now a portrait behind the Headmistresses' desk. He allowed himself a smirk as he thought of his conversation with Draco after class. The young blond Slytherin was probably now in his room thinking over what he had been told. The seed had definitely been planted, and it was up to him to decide what to do from here.

Draco was stubborn and would probably fight it for a while, but the professor was sure he would do what was right in the end. He wasn't stupid, after all, and would follow the path that would benefit him in the end.

Madigan stepped away from the mirror and grabbed his wand to wave it over himself as he muttered a spell. When he stepped back to the mirror, he smiled when he saw the once hazel eyes now sparkled silver back at him.