A/N: Hello everyone! I've been reading on this website for years but I've finally made an account. I'm pretty new to writing fanfiction, so please excuse me if I'm rusty, I promise it'll get better. Please tell me what you think, I love input! Also, when the POV changes from Draco to Hermione or vice versa, I'll put in bold letters an H for Hermione or D for Draco. Hope that helps!

Chapter 1: H

"He's done it. He's a Death Eater."

Hermione glanced up from the book she was reading, Hogwarts A History. She had read it so many times that she could probably recite it word for word, but reading it brought her comfort during these difficult times.

"You're barking. What would You-Know-Who want with someone like Malfoy?" Ron asked. "He's a right old git."

"In Borgin and Burkes, it was some sort of ceremony. Hermione saw it too." Harry turned his green eyes to her and she bookmarked her page before closing it. "I told you, I don't know what I saw." Though, she wasn't too sure. Was Malfoy capable of becoming a Death Eater? There was no doubt his father would try to recruit him, but would he drag him into it so young? Why would a father do that to a son?

"I need some air." Harry slid the door open and slipped out. "Do you believe that Malfoy is a Death Eater?" Ron asked her. She shrugged her slim shoulders. "I suppose we'll find out won't we?"

The train lurched to a stop and she glanced out the window. They were here. But where was Harry? She grabbed her things and stepped out of the compartment, looking around. "Come on, he'll catch up." Ron said, taking her arm. She followed him outside, Harry being driven from her mind when she saw the castle in the distance. She was starving, and craving her warm bed. Her and Ron boarded one of the carriages, alongside Luna Lovegood and Neville Longbottom.

D:

The train came to a stop. The blonde lifted his head and glanced at the luggage above him. "You two go ahead." He said to Blaise and Pansy. "I have to check something." The two got up and sent him a weary glance before they departed. Draco slowly stood and walked to the door, shutting it. He grabbed the string and closed the blinds, and with it, the rest of the blinds on the windows. "Didn't your mother ever teach you not to eavesdrop Potter?" He spoke softly. He drew his wand and pointed it at the black bag. "Petrificus totalus!" With a small burst of light, the bag opened and fell to the ground with a large thump.

He approached the bag, knowing who was right next to it, hiding under his handy little Invisibility Cloak. He knelt down and swiftly removed it, revealing a paralyzed Potter. "Oh yeah.. She was dead before you could wipe the drool off your chin." He straightened and lifted his foot, bringing it down hard onto Potter's face with a crack!

"That's for my father. Enjoy your ride back to London." He grabbed the cloak and threw it over Potter, concealing him once more before he grabbed his bag and left the train.

"What took so long?" Pansy asked him as he sat down at the Slytherin table. "None of your business." Draco answered flatly, without looking at her. When the food appeared on the table, he took a piece of chicken and a small amount of mashed potatoes. He wasn't very hungry, and for good reason.

A few minutes later, the doors to the Great Hall opened and a bloody Harry Potter walked into the room, clutching his nose. Oh.. So he made it off of the train. How unfortunate. Draco thought bitterly. His task would be much easier to achieve without Potter there.

Dumbledore began his beginning of the year speech, but Draco couldn't look at him. It was almost unbearable. He kept his eyes glued to the table. "Dark forces are attempting to penetrate this school.." But they already have.

It was finally time for bed. As soon as Dumbledore dismissed them, Draco was the first one out the door. He would have to get started soon.