Chapter 1/The Prologue.
"Draco," said Narcissa Malfoy in a quavering voice, "come here. Please."
Draco Malfoy, sitting in one of his father's leather office chairs, looked up slowly at his mother. She was holding herself together with as much composure as she could manage, but in this case it wasn't much. Her eyes were wide and watering, and her expression was one of true pain. Draco's father, the highly revered Lucius Malfoy, stood by the immense window which overlooked most of the backyard area of Malfoy Manor. His back was turned on his wife and son.
Draco knew it hurt his mother to see him distressed like this, but what could he do? He was exactly that; distressed. He stood up, streched his arms, and slowly strode over to her. She embraced him, and the moment her arms were around him, her composure was gone. She sobbed into her son's broad shoulders, muttering words that Draco could not make out. Lucius walked over to them and placed a firm hand on Narcissa's arm.
"Narcissa, dear, please. You know that this plan is for Draco's safety and will work out," Lucius said with a tone of reassurance and a hint of hardness.
"WE DON'T KNOW ANYTHING, LUCIUS," Narcissa shrieked as she lifted her head from Draco's now moist shoulder. "HOW DARE YOU BE SO NAÏVE! THIS IS OUR SON WE ARE TALKING ABOUT. HIS LIFE!"
Had his mother not been so upset, Draco would've smirked or made a sarcastic comment about how his father could care less about Draco's well-being, but now was not the time. Instead, he glanced over at his father's stony expression, but in his eyes, Draco saw what could've been fear, pain, or even both for that matter.
There was a subtle rap on the door to Lucius's study, and Severus Snape walked in, closely followed by Narcissa's infamous sister, Bellatrix Lestrange.
Quickly, Narcissa patted Draco on the cheeks and whispered, "Stay safe, my dear. Don't do anything risky or troublesome. I know this is a wretched situation, and I wished to Godric that it didn't have to be this way, but the Dark Lord has put you through enough, and this is the only choice we have regarding your ensured safety." She brushed a white-blond wisp of hair from his forehead and straightened his black silk neck tie. She gave him a short, but meaningful kiss on the cheek and let a tear slip slowly down her face.
Draco tightly hugged his mother, the only person in the world he truly loved.
"I love you so much, Draco," said Narcissa.
"I-I love you, too, Mum," murmured Draco as nodded and looked at the ground.
His father gripped him roughly on the shoulder and whispered, "Stay safe, my boy. No risky business. Understood?"
Draco looked up and met his father's eyes. Steel gray clashed with icy stone.
"Understood, Father," Draco answered.
Lucius walked swiftly over to Professor Snape and the two exchanged some words. Narcissa moved to Bellatrix's side. When the elder Malfoy and Snape were finished speaking, Lucius joined his wife and sister-in-law and disapparated.
Snape, with an impassive expression on his face, quietly strode up to Draco's side. He handed Draco a silver flask and instrcuted him to drink. As soon as the potion had been swallowed, Draco began to feel every part of the surface of his skin bubble, and then a cool, but calming feeling spread throughout his body. Within a minute, the sensation was gone. He turned to Snape, and Snape, with a nod of approval, pushed a small mirror into Draco's hand.
Draco tenatively looked at the reflection in the mirror. He was no longer Draco Malfoy.
a/n: Hi everyone. My name is Rachel, and this is not only my first Dramione fic, it's also my first ever FanFic. I'm quite nervous about the outcome. I'll try to update at weekly intervals, as I am balancing an honors student's high school life, and various extra curriculars. This is the first chapter, and I realize it's extremely short, but just bear with me. It's sort of the prologue, to set the stage, but I promise the other chapters will be longer. I love writing, but you will find that I am rarely ever satisfied, so, once again, bear with me. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE comment, critique, respond, etc... your feedback means everything. I love the Dramione fandom and I've read so many beautiful fics, I just really don't want to let this marvelous fandom down, so feedback is appreciated. Seeing as this is my first story, please don't expect any elaborate story line with plot turns and mysteries, I'm not that creative yet. This story is mostly a dramatic romance, but I promise to try my best and do it justice. I am a sucker for romance.