To my faithful readers: I am soo sorry that i havent been able to update "Learning from a Little Malfoy"! I know that it's been ages, and i do apologize for having a major case of writer's block on my part, and working and school have taken up a load of my time. For this i ask your forgiveness. I am sorry, and I hope that one day i will be able to complete LFALM. But, I had an idea for a new story, hopefully a better one than the other two i have written so far. This story will be darker, with angst, and will have a love triangle in it. It should be a joy to write. Please enjoy this new ride:) Love, Courtney

Hr/H and D/H eventually!

HBP compatible!

Here we go!

Better Than Me

Chapter One: Finding the One that Got Away

He had been running for months now. No wand. No broom. No money. No food. No water. And barely any clothes. He was hot. Sweaty. Dirty. Filthy. Like the mudbloods that have inhabited his world for too long now. But no matter. He would get through this. Much like he has survived running from his magical school, Hogwarts Witchcraft and Wizardry. Snape had saved him. He knew that now. He was angry at first, very angry. He knew that The Dark Lord had killed his father for his insolence in not doing away with that meddler Dumbledore. And Snape had them go into hiding. Well, fuck him. That's what he would have liked to have said to his head of house. Once he had gotten Snape to fall asleep in a cave outside Ireland he had put him in biding hex and ran. Ran with all his might. All of them that had tried to save him could sod off. He would take care of himself. From now on. No more help from anyone. Only himself to rely on.

At first, this had been what seemed like an excellent plan. Except that he found himself drenched in a downpour rather quickly and realized how incredibly stupid he had been. He had been incredibly cold that first night alone. He shivered in the rain under a heavy leafed tree. He cursed the heavens. He had to try and get help. But with the Malfoy pride standing in his way---well, he knew BOTH sides would be looking for him. Death Eater's around every corner trying to sniff him out. He had had to learn how to be stealthy. He certainly didnt want to face The Dark Lord's cruciatus curse. God he needed some help. But who could he turn to? Certainly not Potter! He shuddered at the thought. Potter would be second on his list he was sure wanted to kill him, right after Voldemort. No, he couldn't go to him. Not now anyway. Perhaps when they were in school, but because he had been under pressure from Snape and Voldemort at the same bloody time he hadnt said anything. Besides, Potter and Draco had been enemies since day one. Arch rivals. Go to Potter? Not bloody likely.

Now, here he was six months later crouched low near some kind of camp ground. He had happened upon a precipice and found a small valley below. He had heard voices and seen several fires going. It was just past dusk and now the sky was beginning to be covered with stars. He crept low under a bushel of some sort of flower and overheard a conversation.

"Sir..."

"Yes?"

"We still havent found him."

"Fine, have you seen Hermione yet?"

Draco heard Granger's name... "what" Draco thought to himself.

The person known as "sir" turned toward the bushel.

"Bloody hell!" Draco thought to himself. There he was, in all his hero glory. The great Harry Potter. Draco rolled his eyes. He squinted to try and get a better look at Potter. He looked worn, almost broken. Deep down Draco couldnt blame him. No. Of course, he'd never admit that, but he did have one thing Draco didnt have. Courage. Potter was a few months older than Draco. Which means he had to have been older than 17. He wondered if he had still been searching for those Horcruxes.

Draco had been so absorbed into what was going on in front of him that he had forgotten to periodically check behind him for anyone coming. By the time he did remember that fact he was being hit on the head by some large object because as soon as he had looked up to try and defend himself, he had blacked out.

Slap!

"Wakey, wakey, ferret boy."

"Ughhhh..." Was all Draco could do to answer that annoying voice.

"Come on Malfoy, wake the fuck up!!"

He was slapped again. He shook his head and opened his black eyes.

"W-W-Weasley?" He winced out.

"Nice to see you!" Ron was grinning like he had been given an early birthday present.

Draco could feel the metallic taste of blood in his mouth as he spat on the floor.

"Who hit me?"

"Oh, that...well, it was I who hit you."

"You!? Why you little--"

"Ah, ah ah be a good little Malfoy and maybe i won't do it again. Besides our leader is coming in a moment and he was so excited to hear i had captured you."

Draco rolled his eyes...

"Ah, here he is now" Ron was practically jumping out of his skin with excitement.

"Leave us." Potter had entered the room and had spoken curtly with Weasley.

They were in some of dark tent from what Draco could decipher.

"But...but...Harry..."

"I said leave us Ron..."

Ron glared at Draco, before begrudgingly leaving the tent.

Draco had been shackled with what looked to be some sort of muggle locking mechanisms.

"They're called handcuffs. We searched you thoroughly. No wand or anything..."

Harry had sat down across from Draco. He had taken off his glasses and wiped his face. He looked pale, his lightning bolt scar looked even redder than usual. His green eyes shown in the fire based light.

"Just where have you been, Draco?"

Draco sneered. But didnt say anything, he turned away.

"Look Malfoy, you're very very lucky i don't Avada your ass right now. You will answer me when i ask a question. I am not a patient man."

"Where have you been?"

It took Draco a few moments before answering.

"You're leading this little brigade, are you?"

"That.." Harry started as he conjured a glass of water..."is none of your concern."

"Where is Severus Snape?"

"I don't know.."

"You dont know, or you wont tell?"

"If i DID know i certainly wouldnt tell the likes of you!" Draco practically shouted.

Harry grinned.

"Draco, surely your feeble mind can comprehend that even though you are a death eater, it wouldnt be wise to take ME on. I have faced the Voldemort on a number of occasions AND had to go through the Cruciatus...so DONT tempt me."

"Tempt you?"

"Did i stutter?? DONT TEMPT ME!" Harry slammed his fist down on the table. It made Draco jump, but only slightly. Harry noticed.

"Should I get Neville to bring in some Veritaserum?

"Longbottom??" Draco laughed.

"If he was the one who made it then what the hell do i have to be worried about?"

For the second time, Harry grinned.

"You havent seen any of your 'schoolmates' in over six months Malfoy, Neville is second only to me in combat. AND his Veritaserum is incredibly potent."

Draco scoffed.

"Who have you been searching for?"

Harry searched Draco's mind. He saw flashes of him running from Snape, hiding, being sick from malnutrition. For perhaps a milisecond he had felt sorry for the prick.

"You, of course."

"Me?" Draco was shocked.

"Why me?"

"Because, I know you know where Snape is. He is the key i need to finding the last Horcrux and killing Voldemort. TELL ME WHERE HE IS!"

"I DONT KNOW!"

Harry sighed. He had had enough for one evening.

"Fine, I'll give you until dawn to tell me...if you dont well...it's your loss."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Because if you dont tell me you lose all that you have left."

"What makes you think that i have anything left to give."

Harry turned, got up and headed for the exit of the tent.

He turned back around and faced the blonde.

He smiled, "Because I have your mother."

Please review. Constructive critiscm only! NO FLAMES!!!! Let me know what you think. I know there isn't any Hermione action yet. She will appear in the next chapter! This is an intro chapter and i hope you have liked it.