Hey guys! This is my first fanfiction, so please, please, pleasee be nice! I don't own any characters in this chapter, they are all creations of JK Rowling. Read and Review, and any constructive criticism is welcome!

Draco pondered, but he couldn't quite grasp why his eyelids felt like bricks. No matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't get them to open. Carefully, Draco lifted his left hand to wipe off the beads of sweat on his forhead, but the moment his finger touched his temple, rackets of pain shot through his arm and continued through to his head.

I should be used to this by now. Draco smirked weakly. This was not the first time his father had used the Crucio curse on him. Draco's father Lucius, was a Death Eater, and he loved nothing and nobody except the Dark Lord. His entire life revolved upon his master's revival of power, and Draco knew that he and his mother meant nothing to him.

Narcissa Malfoy was a woman of pride and status. She had white blond hair and clear blue eyes; a straight Roman nose and a beautiful figure. Even at the age of 40, Narcissa was a woman who could take any man's breath away. Many thought that Lucius took Narscissa as a trophy bride, Draco included, but nobody dared to speak a word. Even though Narcissa seemed to be a cold and unemotional person, she loved her son deeply and took many beatings and curses to protect Draco from his father's harm.

The thought of his mother now sent tears swarming in Draco's eyes. Just today, she had taken 2 Crucio curses and one extreme beating in his place. He had no idea if she was ok. Draco dropped his arm and ignored the stabbing pain when his arm hit the bed. Slowly, he drifted off to sleep, just holding onto the thought that in 2 days, he would be back at Hogwarts, farther away from his father's grasp.

Hermione Granger sat stiffly in the chair and dared not to move her head. She was in a hair salon, getting her haircut. Hermione concentrated on trying not to think that she has been sitting in that same chair, in the exact same position for the past hour. This better be worth it

"'Mione, darling are you ok?" Cecilia Granger asked her daughter, who looked like she was frozen in that position.

Hermione managed a smile. "I'm alright mum."

The hair dresser grunted and mumbled, "Hold still there young lady, we're almost through."

So, the Granger's sat for another hour in that hair salon, waiting for Hermione's hair to be done.

Finally, the hairdresser lowered Hermione's chair. "You're done. That's a total of 210."

Hermione looked at her reflection as her parents paid the bill. The change was extraordinary! Instead of her bushy, unruly hair, it was sleek and smooth with soft curls to her elbow.

As Hermione stepped out of the salon, the bright sun shone down on her.

"Honey you look wonderful!" Henry Granger gushed. Anyone could see that he was a man who was proud of his daughter.

In a matter of minutes, the white Honda Odyssey pulled up on the drive way of a beautiful, 2 story brick house.

Right away, Hermione ran up to her room and found 3 owls on her windowsill. One was a snowy white owl, Hedwig. Another was a brown and rugged looking owl, Errol. The last owl was old and was a misty gray color. Hermione guessed it was one of Hogwart's owls.

Hermione grabbed a few owl treats from her shelf and tossed it at each of the three owls. Then, she picked up the letters.

The first one was Harry's. Hermione recognized the scrawny, tight letters.

Hi Mione,
How was your summer? I'm at Ron's. It's so nice of them to have me over
every summer. We're looking forward to seeing you at Diagon Ally tomorrow.
Sincerely yours,
Harry
P.S. Ignore the brown spots on the paper, this was the only parchment Ron had left and you know how clumsy he is.

Hermione laughed and went to her trunk. She got out some pieces of parchment and wrote a reply.

Hi Harry!
I'm so glad you wrote! My summer has been great. What about yours? How was your stay at your
aunt and uncle's? I hope they didn't make you too miserable. Are you sure it's safe to be at Ron's?
I'm not saying your house is dangerous Ron; so don't get angry with me. I'm just saying, with you
know who arising, shouldn't you stay in the protection of your aunt and uncle's house? I don't mean
to be a nag; I just don't want to see you get hurt.
Sincerely yours,
Hermione

Hermione tied the letter to Hedwig's feet and she hooted and flew off.

The second letter was obviously Ron's. The writing was barely readable, but Hermione was use to it and managed to make out the words.

Hello Hermione,
Harry is over! I'm glad mum loves him, or else I'd be stuck with the twins and Ginny all summer. I can't wait to see you!
Ron

Hermione quickly wrote a reply and Errol carried it back to Ron.

The third letter was from Hogwarts. Hermione shuffled through the list of supplies needed for their 6th year and was surprised to find another letter- another letter congratulating Hermione on becoming Head Girl!

Hermione let out a high shriek and stared at the badge that was at the bottom of the package.

Henry and Cecilia who heard the shriek from downstairs rushed to their daughter's room.

"Mum! Daddy! Look!" Hermione was ecstatic. "I'm Head Girl!"

"This calls for a celebration!" Henry called out, and directed his wife and daughter to the car again. "We're going out for dinner!"

Hermione laughed. She couldn't believe it! I wonder if Harry or Ron made Head Boy!

A warm hand touched Draco's forehead and he forced his eyes open.

"Mother." Draco managed to say, but Narcissa put a finger to her lips, signalling him to be quiet.

Draco stared at his mother in wonder. He was so relieved that she was ok. Narcissa was such a strong woman; she would take on anything for the ones she loved.

"There's something I want to show you." Narcissa gently helped his son out of bed. Her heart broke to see her only son in so much pain.

Draco followed his mother quietly out of his room and down the long dark hallway to her bedroom.

Lucius Malfoy and Narcissa Malfoy slept in separate rooms. Their marriage had been destroyed years ago, but Narcissa stayed in the manor because she wanted to watch her son grow up.

They entered the room and Narcissa went to the vault, where she kept some of the most valuable things she possessed.

Draco looked at his reflection in the mirror. He looked horrible. His face was paler than usual and there was dried blood caked in his hair. Considering the fact that Lucius decided to go easy on him today, Draco looked rather well.

"Draco, this pendant brought me safety when I needed the most. I was going to give it to you before the big war, but I think you should take it now."

Draco looked at the pendant his mother was holding and was speechless. The pendant was made of silver and gold and the chain was stainless silver. The pendant was a circle with a dragon engraved on it. It was outlined in gold and the eyes were green emeralds.

"Mother, this is beautiful." Draco touched the dragon and still couldn't believe his eyes.

Narcissa took the necklace from Draco's hands and put it around his neck. "This necklace is special, Draco." Narcissa touched the chain gently.

"It's a family heirloom. My mother gave it to me when I married Lucius. It was like she knew I would need the protection." Narcissa grabbed Draco's shoulders harder than intended.

"Don't take this off. When you need protection the most, this necklace will provide you with it." Narcissa said. Suddenly, hearing heard footsteps coming up the stairs she quickly rushed Draco back to his room.

When Draco was back in his room, he took the necklace out from under his tattered shirt and looked at it carefully. It was in perfect condition. There was no rust and no chips anywhere. After studying it for quite some time, he finally decided to take a shower.

Draco stepped into the lavishly decorated bathroom and looked in the mirror. He really did look like a mess. If his "friends" saw him in this condition, they would laugh, but they didn't know anything about his life at home. The only reason why they followed him around and worshipped him was because of his father's status and money.

Draco ripped his shirt off. His upper torso was covered with welts and scars from beatings and curses. Draco slipped out of his pants and boxers and turned on the shower.

Draco let the warm water run down his body wash his thoughts and pain away. The welts and marks on his body burned and itched but Draco ignored them. He shook his platinum blond hair and the dried up blood ran down his face. He scrubbed it away and stepped out of the shower.

Draco wrapped himself in a dark green bathroom and went back to his room. Without even changing into his pyjamas, Draco drifted off into a deep slumber, one of the few places where he felt safe.

this chapter was completely cheesy! but it'll get better i promise, so please give it a chance!