Divine Vitality

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Harry Potter characters and such. Recognition and ownership of such belongs to the wonderful author, J.K. Rowling. (I love you!)

"The cure for all ills and wrongs, the cares and sorrows, and the crimes of humanity, all lie in the one word 'love'. It is the divine vitality that everywhere produces and restores life." –Lydia M. Child

Chapter 1: The Beginning of an End

Written by melancholic orchid

He stared into the distant horizon, landscaping the Malfoy Manor. His luggage was waiting by the black double-doors, along with Draco himself.

Hurry up, Father! he thought.

Narcissa, his mother, walked gracefully to where he stood. "Draco, dear," she said, tucking strands of his platinum blond hair behind his right ear. "I'm going to miss you."

"And I you," he replied, hugging her graciously, "But I'll be back for Christmas and I'll occasionally write to you."

"Thank you, darling." Taking a quick glance around the den, she whispered, "How has working with him been like?"

Draco's smile transformed into a straight line. "Mother," he answered, "I am not working for him. He threatened to kill us all." His mother stared at him; confused but with a sense of understanding. Draco added hastily, "But neither do I want to be his enemy like Saint Potter and his comrades."

His mother looked relieved and pained. "Well, whatever you choose and whatever decision you make, I pray that you will be satisfied."

"Thank you, Mother."

"Are you ready, Draco?" a cold voice suddenly called from the living chamber.

"Yes, Father," he riposted reluctantly.

"Grab your luggage then, boy."

"Yes, Father." Draco picked up his baggage filled with his school robes, clothing, books, and other items for his final year at Hogwarts.

"Let us be off then."

"Take good care, Draco," his mother responded.

He hugged her again and planted a gentle kiss on her velvety soft cheek. "You too, Mother."

"Hurry up children, or we'll be late and miss the train!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed.

"We're coming, Mrs. Weasley," Hermione called back. "Ron, must you be so slow packing your things?"

"Well then help me!" he retorted. She rolled her eyes and conjured a spell which made his items neatly placed in his oversized suitcase.

"There."

Ron grunted.

"You're welcome!"

"Thank you! Geez!"

"Stop arguing you two!" Ginny Weasley, the youngest of the Weasleys cried out.

"Children!" Mrs. Weasley shouted. Impatience was ringing clearly in her voice.

"All right, Mum! We're coming!" Ron yelled.

"Gee," Ginny grumbled as they trudged down the stairway to the front door, "For a first day of another school year, it sure hasn't had a very good start."

"Ahh quiet, Ginny," Ron grunted.

"I haven't heard much from Harry lately," Hermione said, briskly changing the subject, "Have you?"

Ginny winced when she heard his name. The memory of their break-up in their sixth year didn't bring her much happiness. "No."

"Nope," Ron answered, "I think he's just thinking things over. Besides, he has lost so much. Best we not look for him or bug him or whatever."

"Do you have all of your belongings children?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

"I believe so, Mum," Ginny rejoined.

With their luggage levitating in the air, they proceeded to an old light blue vehicle. "I'm so sorry children," the mother of the Weasleys apologized as she locked up the trunk, "We ran out of Floo Powder and I don't think I have enough energy to Apparate all of us and your suitcases. I hope driving to the train station won't bother you all that much."

"As long as I get to drive the car, I'll be okay," Ron said.

Mrs. Weasley's faced transformed into a frightened expression. "I don't know, Ron. You ruined your father's car once."

"Come on, Mum!" Ron complained, "I was twelve when that happened! I'm a lot more responsible now!"

She kept her expression glued to her face. Rolling her eyes, she replied, "Oh alright. Hop in children."

Draco strode through Platform 9 ¾ dragging his belongings alongside. His father followed behind him, his jet black cloak billowed fiercely.

"Draco!" a familiar voice squealed excitedly.

He turned his head to the voice. Crap. It's Pansy.

"Why hello, Miss Parkinson," Lucius Malfoy greeted coolly, "I trust that your summer had been exciting."

"Oh indeed it was, but I missed Draco a lot during the summer and it's great to see him again – same to you, sir."

Mr. Malfoy sneered. "Well, run along with Miss Parkinson then, Draco."

"Good bye, Father," Draco said flatly, hoisting his things into the baggage compartment.

Pansy greedily took Draco's arm and led him into the Hogwarts train. "Come, Draco. I'm sure you missed your other friends too – probably not as much as you missed me. Isn't that right, Draco dear?"

"Sure," he grunted. Annoyance was raging within him. Stupid, Pansy. Stupid annoying, self-centred, obsessive brat.

"By the way, I heard you are selected as Head Boy. Congratulations!" Pansy squealed again as she pulled him into a compartment.

Ginny, Ron and Hermione dashed quickly through the stream of people.

"I can't believe you forgot how to drive, Ron!" Ginny cried.

"Shut up, Ginny."

"Stop that and hurry up! At the very least, save your arguing for later," Hermione scolded.

Speeding to the passenger compartment of the train, she spotted a recognizable figure, standing lonely by the train.

"Harry!" she shouted, accelerating her pace even more.

"What?" Ron said, surprised, "It's Harry? Harry!"

The personage did not reply to the call. Instead, the individual just continued stepping into the train.

Damn! He didn't hear me! Hermione cursed. Dumping her baggage gauchely, she hastened into the compartments. Peering through the foggy windows, she caught a glimpse of a black-haired boy sitting alone in a compartment. Swiftly, she pulled open the compartment door.

"Hello, Harry," Hermione accosted.

"Oh! Hermione! How have you been?" Harry responded, surprised, "How's Ron – and Ginny?"

"I'm great, thanks. Ron and Ginny are fine as well. How are you? How was your summer?"

"Complicated."

"I can understand why."

Holding back tears he said, "Like, is this my destiny? Just kill Voldemort? That's it? Do I have to lose so much just to kill him?"

"Harry…" For once she couldn't think up a logical explanation for what her best friend was going through. She sat down beside her companion, lightly laying a hand on his shoulder. "You still have us."

"And a good thing too. If I lost you, Ron and – Ginny, I don't know what I have left to live for."

She sighed heavily. "Come, Harry. Mrs. Weasley would be glad to see you again. She had missed you so much."

Harry nodded in agreement. "Alright."

He took her hand as she led them out of the train.

"Harry, dear!" Mrs. Weasley beckoned him to where she stood.

He succinctly hugged her.

"Oh, Harry dear," she began, "You look so much older than last year. How was your summer?"

"It was alright, thanks," he responded politely.

"Hello, Ginny," he spoke calmly. She bowed her head, acknowledging his welcome.

He turned to his best friend, hugging him tightly. "Hey Ron!"

"We've missed you!" Ron said gleefully.

"Enough with the embraces guys," Hermione interposed, "I just heard the train's whistle. They'll be departing very soon."

"Best you get moving then. Have a wonderful year, children!" Mrs. Weasley implored. "By the way, Hermione, congratulations on being chosen as Head Girl! I'm so proud of you!"

"Thank you, Mrs Weasley."

"Bye, Mum," Ron and Ginny replied silmutaneously.

"Take care!" Harry submitted the final adieu. The four students proceeded into the train.

Another year has dawned.

A/N: Yay! Chapter one – complete! Amen to that.

Thanks Laurenfor editing my story.

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