Chapter 6

The encounter with Luna stayed with Draco for the last weeks before the beginning of the school term. It kept popping into his head at the oddest times, when he was working, eating, working out she'd just pop in there. He couldn't explain it, nor could he stop it. Not that he really wanted to. Picturing her, her eyes, her hair, her smile gave him a feeling of peace, a feeling he longed to keep, because while he was thinking of her his mind didn't have time to dwell on the scars of the past.

He was thinking of just this fact as he finished packing his school trunk, preparing to leave. It was around noon on September first and the Hogwarts express was well under way, Draco however was not on it, being in Hogsmead he was close enough to the school that he didn't need to make that trip to platform 9 and three quarters. He was glad for it though, he really felt a certain disconnect with many he'd probably run into on the train. Not the least of which were his fellow slytherins. He had no ill will towards those he knew were returning but he couldn't be part of that group anymore, not with their continuing resentment for how the world is, how it was becoming. They were trapped in outdated notions of the past; he was ready to embrace the future. Where witches and wizards of all creeds could come and work together for a better world. He knew they wouldn't understand this, or his drastic change in attitude. He thought of what they'd all say, much along the lines of Pansy and Blasie, thinking him out of sorts, not himself. He sneered at this idea. They had never seen the real him, he'd always hidden it behind a mask he wore to conform to the person his father drove him to be. Not anymore, he thought, from now on he was going to be himself and he didn't care who liked it or how many of his former friends it lost him. He was prepared to face this school year alone, his life as well. He really didn't want to, but he couldn't change the way things were, outside of his friends there would be people like Potter and his like, who would see him as a fallen evil git. But he was prepared to do his penance for the sins of his past. He only hoped he'd find someone to share his true self with. His thoughts drifted once again to Luna. He smiled as he put the last remaining items in his trunk when he heard a sharp rasp on his door.

"Come in," he said.

Aberforth walked inside with his usual rough demeanor.

"All packed and ready to go then," he asked.

"Yeah that just about does it," Draco answered as he closed and locked his trunk, "Look Abe I just want to thank you for," Draco began but was cut off with a waving of Aberforths hand.

"No need boy no need, you were a great help this summer, and remember you promised to keep it up on the weekends," Aberforth said.

"I remember, I'll be here, seventh years are granted more freedom then the underclassmen so I'll keep up with my shifts," Draco said with a sort of exacerbated grin.

"Alright then, just curious, why are you're leaving so early, just can't wait to get away from me then" asked Aberforth in a jovial tone.

"You know that's not it, I just want to get there and settled in before everyone else arrives," Draco answered smiling.

"Well alright then, have a good year and I'll see you on the weekends," Aberforth said extending his hand.

Draco took it and gave it a firm shake, "Thanks I'll try, see you on the weekends then."

Aberforth smiled and turned walk out, leaving Draco alone in his room. Draco took a deep breath and lifted his trunk, and cradling it on his shoulder he walked out.

It didn't take him long to make his way to the school, he walked through the entrance to the great hall and dropped his trunk when caught sight of the enormous belly of Professor Slughorn rising from the staff table having just finished his lunch. Draco waved; Slughorn looked hesitant to return it but ultimately did and began making his way over to where Draco was standing.

'Well Mr. Malfoy, you're here early aren't you, the trains not due for hours," Slughorn asked wearily.

"Yes Professor, I've stayed the summer in hogsmead so I decided to get here a little early to settle in before the others, but why are you here, I thought you'd be on the train as well," Draco asked.

"Well I as you thought it prudent to arrive early, I've been here a few weeks, helping the other professors repair the damage the final battle caused, fixing the structure and replacing the protective spells and what not, being now the head of Slytherin I have an image to uphold. Its high time some honor were brought back to that noble house, after the events of the last couple of years," Slughorn said through a raised eyebrow, the inflictive tone was not lost on Draco. It made him feel uncomfortable, but he endured it none the less.

"I agree professor, I know many of us, myself high on that list have a lot to make up for, I promise I'll do my best to be someone worthy of the honor of being in slytherin,' Draco said humbly.

Slughorn seemed a bit taken a back by his attitude, but smiled slightly and said, "I hope your being sincere in this vow my boy?"

"I am sir I promise," Draco said letting his true desire for this ring honestly in his voice.

"Very well then, if you'll excuse me I have a few last minute things to see to, have to prepare duty lists for the new prefects," he said the last past absentmindedly, Draco had been informed through his Hogwarts letter he would not serve as a prefect this year, it didn't bother him though, he was glad he didn't have that responsibility, "Well Mr. Malfoy if you want, you can settle into the dormitories, passwords 'crestmere'."

"Thank you professor, I will," Draco said hoisting his trunk once again and turning to leave. He made his way to the dungeons where the slytherin's dormitories where. Spoke the password and entered the empty common room. Being empty it had a certain lonely vastness about it; it gave Draco a cold feeling. He looked around at the emerald and silver banners hanging from the walls and made his way to the room he had since his arriving at Hogwarts. He deposited his trunk at its foot and stood there for a moment. Well this is it, he thought, his last year, the last chance he had to show them they were wrong in their preconceived notions about his true nature. He would show them, he thought, he'd prove they were wrong about him.

He didn't linger in the dorms long; he made his way to the grounds and walked around the expansive space for hours. He slowly walked around the great lake, taken stones and throwing them out as far as he could, causing ripples to kiss the surface in the process. He walked around the edge of the forbidden forest and looked deep inside, he never actually liked going in its depths. The light was fading now, the sun weary, longing to rest as it lowered itself, embracing the infinite horizon, bathing it in the warmth of its iridescent glow. Draco took in the scene, so full of wonderful beauty.

Once again his thoughts strayed to Luna. For someone reason he associated the two images, as if they were one and the same. He smiled as he walked further, now catching g a glimpse of a familiar structure. It was Hagrid's hut, and standing in front was another familiar figure, a tall and magnificent creature. Body of a proud steed, with the head and hind legs of a majestic bird. It was Buckbeak the hippogriff, Draco looked at the creature and suddenly a feeling of remorse hit him. He walked up to him and stopped just out of reach, having wisely remembered their last encounter.

Draco stared into his eyes; Buckbeak returned it with the deepest look of pride. The Draco bent forward, prostrating himself into a graceful bow. He rose and waited. Buckbeak simply stared at him for a moment but then lowered his head, returning the gesture. Draco felt it was safe enough now to approach, he did, stopping at the base of Buckbeaks neck. He lightly began running his fingers up and down the animals soft feathers.

"I just wanted to say I'm sorry, sorry for what I tried to have done to you during my third year, it was a mistake, a terrible mistake and I deeply regret it, I hope you can believe that, its true, I mean I never tried turning you in again, I never bought the whole 'Weatherwings" thing, it was obvious it was you. So please accept this apology," Draco said as he continued stroking his feathers. The he heard rumbling from around the house and he jumped back a bit.

"Oi who's out here, he'll have your arm if your not careful," Hagrid shouted, coming into view now, He looked at Draco and frowned, "Oi Malfoy, what are you up to, not trying something funny with buck, uh I mean Weatherwings here are you?"

"No sir, I was just, never mind, I'm sorry I bothered you, but I wanted to see you alone, sir I just want to apologize for the way I've treated you over the years, you deserve much more respect then I have ever shown you and I want you now for that I'm very sorry, well I'll leave you to your work now, the train should be arriving soon," Draco said as he begun to walk away, leaving Hagrid scratching his head with a stunned expression a wash on his face.

Draco slowly made his way back to the entrance; he stopped just before stepping inside. Well it's a start, he thought as he walked through the wide arches.