A/N: Hello again! I am happy to get this new installment of my story in to you guys. But, a quick warning. I have started a full time accelerated nursing program. I will write when I can, and my goal is to update any stories I have one here every Weekend (whether Saturday or Sunday will show itself in time). SO, dear readers, please bear with me.

As always, reviews are very appreciated, even if you think I suck, let me know. I don't care. I like to know what people think of me.

Thanks!

I do not own anything!


Chapter Two: Just Another Day

Draco hesitated once he reached the door of his, well home wasn't exactly what he would call it. Every time he left and returned, he dreaded what he may find within. Taking a deep slow breath, he turned the handle and walked in silently. As quickly as he could, he walked to the stairs hoping to retreat to his room before anyone saw him.

"He's hoooommmee." From the room just across from the stairs, his aunt, Bellatrix, filled the house with her shrill voice. At the top of the stair case came his mother, poised and stoic as always. Draco cursed his aunt under his breath as he heard her giggle with pleasure.

"Draco, your father has been waiting for you." Narcissa said as she came down the stairs slowly. She did not seem happy with him, or she seemed unhappy about other things Draco knew nothing of. Either way, nothing good came out of his parents' unhappiness.

"Yes mother." He turned and headed back down the stairs and the hall just after the stair well. On the first floor, his father had enchanted a room to be an exact replica of his study at home-that way, he'd have every thing he needed even while they were in hiding. His father rarely left that room, seeing as how the Dark Lord always had him doing one thing after another. Draco knocked on it softly and swallowed trying to keep his composure. By now, it was second nature. The second the door opened and he saw his father's face, his mask slipped into place.

"Hello, father." He voice was even and fluid, even though every thing in his being told him to run. He and his father had never exactly been father an son. More like, unwanted offspring screw up and the creator. Lucius saw his son as nothing more than a creature to carry his name, and do what he's told. Draco never knew his grandparents, but he'd imagined many times that his father grew up in a very similar way.

"Draco, where have you been?" His father spat barely looking up from his quill. Though he spent so much time locked away, his father still looked as though he was one among gods.

"I was out father." The young teen said crossing his arms over his chest to keep them from shaking. "I always go out in the afternoon. Just like I did at the Manor."

"Well we aren't at the Manor!" His father snapped slamming his hand upon his desk. He took a breath and Draco willed his heart to stop beating so hard. "Draco, you cannot just roam about. Tell me please, what part of hiding you do not understand?"

"I'm not the one hiding father, you are." Draco bit his tongue, instantly regretting the tone in his voice.

"Listen to me, now, Draco. You are a part of this family and you will act as such." Lucius slowly walked toward his son dropping leaving the quill to finish the writing magically.

"But, father. I just wanted the exercise, the fresh air. I hate being stuck in this muggle atrocity." He gestured to the door behind him, indicating the house. He felt himself getting desperate. If he was stuck in all the time he'd be constantly near enough to someone to never have a moments peace. He suddenly remembered that he still had the razor in his pocket and thought in horror that he may have to wait until school started to feel himself again. "Please father. I have one week until school. I promise, I won't be seen or heard. I'll only be out for an hour. Please."

His father's hand connected harshly with his face, and Draco took everything he had to stay standing. He knew if he fell, his father would call him weak and teach him a lesson.

"A Malfoy never begs, Draco. Remember that." Lucius turned back to his desk and the room grew silent. Draco stood still, focusing all he had on controlling himself. No touching his stinging cheek, no letting the tears fall from his eyes, and certainly no trembling-any of those would set his father off. "I will allow you the hours between 3 and 5 to do what you please outdoors. Do not dare come home any later than 5. Do you understand me?"

"Yes sir." Draco felt absolute astonishment fill his chest. He tried to keep a smiling from crossing his face, but that wasn't hard to do after his father's next words.

"You are expected to meet with the Dark Lord tonight Draco. Do not disappoint me."


Harry stared at the ceiling of his room absent minded. Against the wall, he could hear his cousin's blaring TV and Dudley's obnoxious cursing at the video game he'd gotten early that day. Whatever it was, Dudley was not very good at it. Harry smiled slightly thinking of how Ron would react very similar whenever he was having difficulty with a game.

Thinking of Ron reminded him that he hadn't replied to Hermione's letter he had gotten just the other day.

He jumped up and went to his writing table, taking out the Gryffindor inspired quill said brunette gave him for his birthday that year. He pulled out a fresh piece of parchment and his ink. He began to write.

Hermione,

I have so much to tell you. You'll be shocked.

Today, when I was at the park you will never guess who I saw.

Malfoy.

That's right. Draco bloody Malfoy in my muggle neighbor hood.

Now, don't worry. Nothing happened. He was actually quite civil. Although, that could have been due to the fact that my wand was jutted against his throat.

Harry chringed at his slip of words and quickly scratched it out.

I mean, the fact that I was threatening to curse him into oblivion.

But what was most bizarre was that he wanted to call a truce.

He said that now that we are going on to sixth year, he's tired of our childish fighting and he just wants to focus on other things.

I mean, I said yeah.

Anyways, I hope you are having a good summer break. I'll see you at the Weasley's in a few days yeah?

Harry.

P.S. Tell your parents thank you for the floss, but I'm all stocked up. They really don't have to send some every time you send me a letter.

Harry folded the parchment, wrote her name on the envelope he sealed it in, and then took Hedwig out of her cage. The snowy owled hooted softly and let Harry stroke her feathers a bit.

"Take this to Hermione, will yeah. Don't take too long chasing mice on your way there either." The bird nipped playfully at Harry's fingers before taking the letter into it's beak. Harry opened the window and watched as she flew off into the sky. He leaned his head out looking down the dark streets.

A few houses down, and across the street, he saw someone else was peering out their window, they faced away from him and sat upon the window seal with a leg dangling over the outside. White blonde hair stood out harshly against the darkness, and Harry knew instantly that it was Malfoy.

So, not only is he in town, he is just down the street.. Harry watched Malfoy for a short while before closing his window. He lay back in bed and looked at the clock on his nightstand. 9:28. Harry sighed, dreading the night sleep that he didn't want to have. Nightmares came and went like nothing these days, and he was tired of relieving all the deaths. Especially since the death of Sirius, Harry hadn't dreamt of anything other than loosing those that he cared about.

The dark haired boy rolled over onto his stomach and buried his face into his pillow. He said a silent prayer, hoping that tonight would be different.


A/N: Okay, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. As I said, reviews are very much appreciated! Hope to get the next one up soon!