Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any of the characters mentioned in the fic. They all belong to JK and her publishers so don't sue me.

The Grass Isn't Greener on the Other Side

Tomorow is another day

By: Sweet Charis

Hermione Granger found herself staring in complete and utter amazement at the imposing structure that was Malfoy Manor, that stood against the gray sky with all it's superior might. For a moment, she forgot about her current situation as she continued to gaze at the beautiful gothic manor. She didn't even understand why it was called a manor, it was the size of a castle and more amazing than Buckingham itself.

"Close your mouth, Granger. It isn't very becoming of you," drawled the sarcastic voice of Draco Malfoy, "But than again, nothing is." He said, yanking her forward, and up the steps leading towards the front entrance. With a slight wave of his hand, the caved French doors opened, allowing the two to walk into the grand marble entrance hall of the manor. A few meters away, a grand staircase that branched into two sides faced them.

"Now than Granger, in case you haven't realized yet, I now own you," said Malfoy, turning his ice gaze upon her, "meaning of course, you are to do what I tell you to and nothing further. From now on you shall be my personal servant. As handy as house elves are, they really have no common sense. You are to manage everything the house elves do and also do other things such as clean, weed the garden, wash and any other such things that I order you too. Do you understand?"

"Y-yes," was her only response. She was afraid to say anything that would anger him since she did not knew how he would take it. Plus it was not the smartest of things since he was a well-known Death Eater who would undoubtedly not hesitate in using any of the Unforgivables on her.

"Ata girl. Whoever said mudbloods were completely useless?" he said as he started walking up the stairs and than down a winding hall. She then had the time to gaze at him and finally take in his changes. He had further grown since Hogwarts, his frame towering over her. She suspected he was well over six feet. He no longer was the lanky adolescent she knew from Hogwarts. He had definitely gained some more muscle mass however he still had his elegant, lean appearance.

His aristocratic features were beautifully chiseled like you would expect those of a Roman statue. His platinum blonde hair was no longer jelled back, giving him a rather rebellious look and his skin was perfection. The only featured that had stayed exactly the same were his cold, penetrating gray eyes, that seemed to look right in your soul when he looked at you.

Hermione snapped out of her analysis of him when he stopped in front of a door at the end of one of the hallways, "This will be your room. There aren't any rooms to suite someone as low as you, but I supposed this will do. It's the barest room in the house even though it's far too good for your likes. Too bad the dungeon is under construction still," he said.

Hermione walked inside the room, trying to ignore the sting of his cruel words and not sure whether he had said his later remark as a joke or not. The room was of a fair size, with French Regence style furnishing that she suspected was all real. A warm glow was cast upon the cream colored walls by a simple chandelier that hung from the ceiling. A large canopy bed was the main focus point of the room. Rich burgundy colored, velvet draperies hung from the bed, accentuating the crisp, white cotton sheets that were neatly placed on the bed. Next to the bed sat a low night table. To Hermione's complete amazement, a muggle lamp was placed on the table.

'Hypocrites!' she thought guessing that the whole house had electricity. She continued to rapidly glance around the room, noting the large mahogany wardrobe that was placed against one wall. On the wall opposite the bed, there was a large window that allowed a striking sight of what was supposed to be the back yard, but was more comparable to a rather large park. Hermione noted that it was almost dark outside. Next to the window stood a comfortable looking armchair with a small round table placed in front of it.

Overall all, the room seemed to warm and rather inviting, especially with the large bed that seemed to almost mock her as she glanced at it. She didn't care at the moment that she was in the Malfoy Manor. All she wanted to do was crawl into the warm, plush bed and fall asleep so she might forget all her troubles. However, her little fantasy was shattered by Malfoy's icy voice, almost like a fragile mirror would be pierced by a sharp arrow.

"Now then, your work starts tomorrow at seven sharp. Dinky, one of the house elves will come and show you around and tell you what you are to do. I expect everything to be immaculate before I come home because I don't predominantly desire to set my gaze upon your filthy self," he said, about to leave the room, "Oh, and do take those rags off, they're positively filthy!"

"Oh I'm so sorry, my lord!" she spat, finally finding her voice, "But in case you haven't noticed, I forgot to bring my wardrobe along. Do forgive me."

"Don't you dare talk to me like that, you filthy mudblood bitch!" he said grabbing hold of her arm with such force that she couldn't suppress a whimper, "Yes that's right. You should be grateful. If it weren't for me, you'd be soulless in a week's time. Oh, or didn't you know what they do with your kind. Well let me clarify matters for you, they put you to the Dementor's kiss, so next time you decide to make any smug remarks, remember that I saved you from a fate worst than death."

"Anything, even death is better than being your possession, Malfoy!" she spat back in vehemence but was soon silenced when he slapped her, causing her to fall down to the floor.

"It's 'master' to you!" he said as he roughly grabbed her and pulled her up so she could meet his icy glare, "Do you understand, you stupid mudblood?"

"Y-yes," she whispered, "I u-understand …m-master." With a smirk of satisfaction, he let go of her and walked out of the room, slamming the door behind him, without a second glance.

Hermione slowly slid to the floor, finally letting the tears that she had kept in for so long fall. She didn't want to cry in front of him. No, she wouldn't show him any weakness. She didn't want to give him the satisfaction. But now, as she sat on the Turkish rug with her back pressed against the bottom of the bed, it felt like the tears would never stop.

She had always been optimistic. Never optimistic enough to be considered idealistic, however she was a person who generally looked at the up side of things. Yet, now there was no up side. The current circumstances were as bad as it could get. It was safe to say that things couldn't get any worse without jinxing it.

One of her best friends was now in league with He Who Must Not Be Named, the right hand of God or more like Satan, while the other could be dead for all she knew. They were no longer the Golden Trio. Her whole world had been shattered in the blink of an eye. The whole existence as she knew it had changed just like that. And now, she was alone in the world. Her parents could not help her, no one could. She was thankful however, that she had been able to keep them safe from what was happening in England before it had gotten so out of hand.

After Hogwarts, she had gone on to study at the esteemed Merlin Academy for complex witchcraft and wizardry. She had majored in Potions, Charms and Herbology with a minor in Ancient Runes and the study of ancient witchcraft. After graduating, she had gone on to working for the Ministry in the Experimental Charms and Potions Department.

Before everything had taken such a horrible turn, Hermione had made a name for herself after creating a treatment for those who suffered the after affects of the Crucio curse. It was no cure but it was a huge step in the research towards a cure.

She had received a considerable amount of money from her finding and was able to live a comfortable life. However, she had taken the necessary precautions needed to ensure that her parents would be safe from the danger that would unquestionably come to be.

Her parents had both been dentists who owned their own practice but after they retired she had bought them a vacation house in South Carolina. They had unenthusiastically agreed to stay there till the danger in the UK would pass, even though they hadn't been too happy about moving to the United States.

But now, she was afraid she'd never be able to ever see them again. Hermione knew she had to contact them somehow but she would plan that out later. Now she was too tired to think appropriately, all she wanted to do was rest. She would think about it all tomorrow. She would come up with a way of escaping and maybe even leaving the country, but for now she would just sleep. After all tomorrow was another day…

Draco stormed into his office, slamming the carved mahogany door behind him. The stupid mudblood has positively infuriated him, but no matter, he knew that he would eventually get his away. He always did.

He sat down at the Louis XV style desk, taking a minute to just relax. He needed his anger to subside before he went on to work on more important matters. His eyes scanned the reasonably sized room, which had belonged to his father.

The room had a large window lined in rich burgundy draperies, which provided a magnificent view of the backyard. The walls were painted in a pale cream, with carvings running up the upper edge of the wall. A beautiful chandelier lamp that cast a pale light over everything illuminated the room.

The large mahogany desk was the main focus point of the room. The left wall was lined with bookcases packed with thick volumes on different subjects. On the right side of the room, there was a large fireplace that wasn't lit. Above it, a beautiful likeness of Narcissa Malfoy resided, smiling down at him with a somewhat mysterious air around her. In front of the fireplace, two wine-red leather seats were placed with a small coffee table placed between the two.

A knock on the window caused Draco to jump out of his thoughts. He got up and walked towards the window, opening it to allow a beautiful eagle owl to fly in. The owl gracefully flew around the room once, before perching itself on Draco's outstretched arm with a flutter of feathers. He gently stroked the bird's head before untying the piece of parchment from its leg and allowing the bird to fly to its cage to feed.

Draco ripped the seal and scanned the piece of parchment twice before taking out his want and burning it so that not a single shred was left. He sat back down at the desk, taking out a silvery gray quill and starting to write on a piece of parchment in an unusual looking script which only he and few others would be able to understand.

He had invented his own code many years before, that had come to be very useful from time to time, but lately he had used it more often than ever. When he finished writing the note and read it once over, he signed it Anguis. Draco then picked up a dark red candle and poured some of the thick wax onto the folded note. He than took his wand out again and muttered a few words, causing a seal to appear onto the cooling wax. The enchantment would cause anyone but the designated recipient to be blinded if they were to open the letter while the letter would self-combust.

He stood up, walking towards the owl's cage. He took it out and tied the piece of parchment to its leg as he walked towards the open window. He than whispered a few words to the owl before allowing it to fly off into the cool night. Within a matter of seconds, it became a single shape in the distance, illuminate by the silvery moon.

Draco walked towards a small side table, poring some cognac into a crystal glass and sipping it slowly. He was content for now. The first part of his plan had been complete. It wouldn't be long now till everything fell into place

He was tired of following his father's mudblood ruler. He however wasn't the only one. His father's generation was slowly starting to get old, some already being dead. Voldemort would soon have a smaller number of followers since the new generation didn't seem quite as loyal to the old traditions of pure blood. That didn't matter any longer. Power was what everyone was after and he, of course, was one of the main players.

He had been the one to come up with this plan, most of his old Slytherin schoolmates choosing to follow his lead. They knew that he was right, and that his way would eventually lead to victory and ultimate power so there was no reason to hang on to the old traditions. Especially not those implemented by Voldemort, who was a complete hypocrite. He was the one who was all for the purity of blood, however he himself was a half blood, therefore making himself one of the ones who should have been hunted by his own decree.

But now, Draco was the leader of a whole new vision. He was the future and soon, the old traditions would be replaced by the new. A new era would begin under his rule. An era that would never be forgotten and he would do everything in his power to achieve his dream. Even if it meant the death of many in the war that drew nearer each day. But this time, it would not be between good and evil, it would be between evil and evil, fighting for supreme power. The earth would become the huge battlefield for their clash to death. No one was going to escape the wrath of the two sides, muggle and wizard alike.

Anguis – means snake in Latin. Snake of the constellation Draco or the Serpent. I chose it since it seems to fit with Draco's own name but not quite giving him away since his name per se means Dragon.

Tan tan tan...the plot thickens.

Hello! Well sorry about the horribly long wait but it's hell with all my exams and stuff! Well tell me what you think and thank you for the fab reviews! I'll answer them later and re-poast but right now i just wanted to poast this! Oh and by the way I will also write about Harry's thoughts upon all the happenings and such next chapter because i want the story to be deeper than boy meets girl and than they fall in love...K reviwe and do tell me what you think! Hope you enjoyed and tell me if there's anything i should change or maybe any ideas, constructive criticism is very appreciated!

Coors1977: Thanks so much for your review! Well I'm super glad you enjoyed it, I definitely am going to elaborate more on the Harry turning evil so that it won't be a totally one sided fic you know…anywayz I hope you read more!

Lady Moofin: Lol don't worry I'll explain it all in the next chapter…well some of it at least. Can't give everything away just yet! Thanks for your review!

Jadziadaxx: I'm glad you thought it was realistic. That was actually the one thing I wasn't sure about cuz I'm not sure ho he would be like. Especially not an older version of him. I don't want to make him sound like a spoiled teen or anything you know…Anywayz thank you for your review.