"I used to recognize myself, its funny how reflections change. When we're becoming something else, I think its time to walk away."

"No, Draco," said Dumbledore quietly. 'It is my mercy, and not yours that matters now.'

Draco woke up. He was dreaming of that day in the astronomy tower. The first few times he had had that nightmare he'd woken up and vomited. Today a spasm hit him and he curled into a ball, gasping and dry heaving until it passed. He had tried telling his mother but then stopped, because it would cause her great distress. The nightmares were almost real, he couldn't shut them off. This was his life now. Nightmares in the morning and nightmares during night. His life was a nightmare now. He was surviving, though hardly. He looked up at the clock it was 6:00am. No one had woken up yet. Zambini was snoring in his bed. He moved his sweaty hands through his hair and then sat up straight. He couldn't sleep again. Not with the nightmares flooding his mind every time he closed his eyes! He wanted to clear his mind. So he dressed up and decided to take a walk. As he entered the great hall he kept his head down almost afraid of what he might see. He wanted to be unnoticed. He wanted to be alone. He wanted peace. But wherever he went people from some way or other threw tantrums his way. He was used to it now. But that doesn't mean it didn't hurt. He wanted to forget his past but people around him had this uncanny ability to ruin it for him. He wanted to move on but everyone reminded him where he went wrong. And then he laughed at the thought. He hadn't gone wrong, he was always wrong! Maybe he could blame it on his upbringing. He didn't have a choice there either. He never had a choice. Only cowards don't have a choice. He stopped thinking and headed towards the great lake. This was better he thought. The breeze was cool blowing through his hair. The sun was shining mildly. He sat down on the grass and saw his reflection on the lake. He looked so pale. There were circles under his eyes. He looked tired. He looked like he needed sleep. But that's what he did the whole summer, he slept. So he laid his head on the grass and looked at the sky, thinking about his life. Not the bad things but the moment he was really happy. Flying his broom for the first time, sitting in the Hogwarts train. The time he spent with his friends. With Crabbe, Goyle and Zambini. How arrogant and proud he was. How he loved bullying longbottom. How he thought that weaslebee belonged in the gutter. How he had enjoyed it! A sickening feeling entered his heart. He had enjoyed it all. He felt disgust.

He felt remorse now. Slowly and gradually he understood why people hated him. Everyone needed support during the time of distress. He knew this now. But people who go against you, belittle you during this time, you start to hate them. He had started hating people now. Then people hated him too. He was one of the biggest reasons of distress to people. He was the reason for everybody's loss. and…

"Draco?" said a voice from behind him. He looks behind and sees another pale figure standing above him.

"Pansy? What are you doing here?" he said tiredly.

"I've been looking for you all over the castle. I went into the dorm and saw you weren't in the bed. Never mind! Lets go have breakfast." She said pulling his hand.

"I don't want to!"

"Why? Oh baby don't tell me you're sad because of these people. I mean every slytherin is getting these stares. Nobody cares what they think."

"I do." He said looking down at the ground. Then he stood up "lets go" he knew she wouldn't stop bothering him unless he went with her! Nobody wins an argument with pansy!

"Yes!"

She could feel the eyes staring at her. All the new students looked at her with great interest while the old students and her classmates who had rejoined Hogwarts waved at her. It was big being friends with Hermione Granger. Apparently Ginny thought so. Maybe it was true. It was almost like how it had been with Harry. She now understood his complaints.

She sat beside Ginny and Parvati. . These two were nonchalantly discussing the new transfer student of hufflepup. "Gordan Schaff" who according to them was Hot and friendly. Two qualities found rarely in guys. "This was it" she thought. Her first day in Hogwarts without Harry and Ron. "It'll be alright".

Then she started munching her toast, and gulped some pumpkin juice.

Draco took a seat beside Blaise. Pansy sat beside him eyeing a boy in the hufflepup table. "He's so Hot"… "But not more than you" added Pansy seeing the smug look on Draco's face. "One more" he thought who'd stare at him with hatred. He looked up to see his face but his eyes caught another eyes. Brown eyes looking at him. And then every thought he had tried to repress flashed into his mind. The Malfoy manor. Greyback, Aunt Bellatrix, and Hermione Granger. She was lying on the floor crying in pain while he stood there. It was worst sight he had ever seen. And he did nothing to stop it! He thought the mudblood deserved it but somewhere inside his heart he knew it was wrong. He thought she was a wretched showoff, a know-it-all. But he knew better now she was brave and fearless. Quite opposite of him.

Hermione looked up to see the new boy when she caught two eyes looking at her. And then every thought flashed into her mind. Every thought she had repressed until now. The ceiling of the Malfoy manor. Bellatrix leaning over her. She could hear herself crying in pain. And then she remembered seeing the same eyes looking down at her in pity. She could sense he was terrified. And then slowly his face took shape. Then another figure took shape. Him sleeping in the Hogwarts train innocently. His robes below his seats. She entered quietly and picked it up and kept them on his suitcase. Without glancing at his face. She closed the door behind her. Knocked once and left quickly without giving it another thought.

"Malfoy", Hermione whispered

"Granger", Draco whispered.