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Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter...Draco would probably have a fit if I even tried.


Chapter 2

Draco

The start of the school year has always been chaotic, yet it is a standing tradition in my family to visit Diagon alley together. My father would take a week off of his busy schedule, my mother would decline any and all social 'parties' and the entirety of the Malfoy household (houselves included) would prepare for the school year.

After a brief stop at Knockturn Alley to collect my usual supply of blood for the coming year from Borgin and Burkes, we would head into the shopping district of the wizarding world.

It was there that I first sensed it; and I wasn't the only one. The sudden stiffening of my father's shoulders and my mother's darting eyes informed me they had felt it as well.

There was a wild vampire in Diagon Alley. Its aura was young and my impression of it was wild-but not yet rogue.

My hair-jerk reaction was to search it out, I must find them! A hand on my shoulder froze me before I could even begin, "Do not open your mind Draconis." My father warned sternly; he knew me so well. But I couldn't fault him on it, nor could I fault his warning. We were in an area that wasn't particularly safe, there was no telling what could worm it's way past my shields if I were to even slightly hesitate.

Reluctantly I let the other vampire slip into the back of my mind. I would still be careful because very little provocation could turn a wild one rouge-and we had quite enough of those already.

I still wished that I could search them out though.

dmhpdmhpdm

As it turned out, nothing happened at Diagon Alley. The wild one left shortly before we did and the wizards remained oblivious.

I never expected to encounter the young vampire again as most newborn vampires turn rogue and leave society shortly after their turning.

It came as a surprise, therefore, when I felt the presence again on Hogwarts express.

Father wasn't there, so no one could tell me not to open my mind, and I don't think I would have listened anyway if they had. I could help that wild one.

I'd never experienced the chaotic remains of the mind after a turning, but I was sure I could imagine it. If I could help them in any way, I would. Besides, it would be better then having a rogue running around campus.

I wasn't prepared to open my mind to the wild one, I realize that now. His mind was in such turmoil it left me dizzy, and the wall of chaos I encountered left me breathless.

Images of the boy's turning were overlapped by faces made of wax, fire, and more emotions then I cared to make out. The ones that really struck me was the confusion, despair, self loathing, and fear the boy was positively drowning in.

I quickly closed my mind again, gasping for breath. Perhaps father had more reasons for preventing my searching for the wild one then I had first thought.

It was then that I became aware of my classmates eyes on me.

I glared at them, sneering once for good measure. Pansy, who had been clutching my arm like it was a bloody teddy bear, quickly scooted away.

Satisfied with their reaction, I turned to the window. Everyone in my house knew of my temper and all were wary of it. I may not be so brazenly Gryffindor in my anger, but I wasn't a pushover either. There were reasons I was the 'Slytherin Ice Prince' after all.

Only a select few knew the cause of my temper, and they, above everyone else, worked hardest on keeping me calm.

A vampire's temper was legendary, especially a young vampire. I may not be as 'young' as a newly turned wild one, but for a vampire, 17 years was a mere baby.

dmhpdmhpdm

It wasn't until the next day that I steeled myself enough to brave opening my mind to the wild one again.

It was breakfast in the Great Hall and everyone was there. Cautiously I let one of my shield's drop.

He was thirsty. That was the first impression I got from him. The pulse of so many humans so close to him was torture in its purest form as he forced the human food into his body.

I could feel the tight reign he had on his vampiric nature, but it felt like he was wrestling with a dragon. It wouldn't be long until he was overwhelmed, and I needed to find him before that happened.

Breakfast was over quickly, but I kept my mind open and sent soothing caresses over the small link I'd created. I knew it wasn't enough to tame him, but it did calm him down some.

The link was broken and my shields automatically slammed back into place when I collided with someone.

My balance was still in tact, but I could feel the other person stumble. My arms swept out and wrapped securely around a slim waste and I pulled the person -a boy by the feel of him- against me.

In the moment it took the boy to regain his equilibrium I noticed how extraordinarily thin the boy was. It couldn't be healthy.

"Sorry." The boy mumbled as he pulled out of my embrace, and there was a brief moment where I felt the urge to pull him back and shield him from the world.

The feeling was lost, however, when I got a good look at who the boy was.

"Potter?" I sneer, mostly out of habit.

I think what happened next surprised me more then having a wild vampire in Hogwarts had.

Potter ignored me.

Potter never ignores me! He might have turned down my offer of friendship, but I made bloody well sure that I was a part of his life. If I couldn't be his friend, I'd be his enemy; it was as simple as that.

I wasn't meant to be ignored. I'm a Malfoy, after all.

Yet Potter darted around me and vanished around the corner as if I didn't even exist.

I think I was in shock.


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