A/N: This is not only my first HP ff, but my first ff altogether. It's also the first thing I've written in years (yes, years), apart from a couple of creative writing exercises, essays for class, and my journal. Forgive me if my writing seems a little disjointed at first. I'll need time to get my rhythm.

Summary: Involves Draco Malfoy, primarily, along with Lucius, Snape, and possibly Harry. As for the plot, well, lets just take it as it comes, yeah? Timeline? I'd say we'll start at 5th year. Mostly I'll stick to the books as much as possible, but if I make alterations here and there if I think it will contribute to the story, I pray you'll forgive me.

I don't have a beta so if I make mistakes just let me know when (please?) you review. Suggestions and ideas are more than welcome, and if there's anyone out there interested in being a beta give me a yell: lisa_lily_jk@hotmail.com

Disclaimer: I don't own Draco. Or Snape. Or Lucius. In fact, the only thing I do own is the plot, and that's probably been done a hundred times before. :sighs: Oh well, we can't all be geniuses, now, can we? Please don't sue. The only thing I own is this computer, and that's on credit. Oh and my jeans, but they're falling apart anyway. :Nods: Yes, I'm a student.

Now that we're through with the boring stuff, on with the show!

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Sacrifices

Part One - The Glamorous Life of Draco Malfoy

Draco Malfoy looked at Crabbe and Goyle with distaste. They were buffoons, really, he thought with disdain. As stupid as they were ugly... and that was no mean feat. Even so, he trudged down the corridor of Hogwarts Express and took the seat opposite them, sneering at a Gryffindor that happened to pass his way. Bloody Gryffindors. Was there anything worse? He doubted it.

He inclined his head slightly as he sat, in acknowledgement of his two cronies. They lifted their dopey heads and Goyle broke into a broad grin when he saw him. Draco grimaced and turned his head quickly, deciding the scene through his window was a much more pleasant sight than that of Goyle's beefy mug breaking out into that idiotic grin.

If he wanted proof, Malfoy thought to himself, that they were brainless, it was the fact that they practically worshipped him. He, Draco Malfoy, who was practically half their size. If they decided to, they could beat him senseless. They didn't though. They just followed him around like a couple of puppy dogs. When he abused them, they tried all the harder to please him. 'Remind you of anyone?' an infuriating voice asked from the back of his mind. 'Oh shut up. Just shut up' he thought. Whether it decided to obey him or simply decided it had said what it wanted to say, (probably the latter) the voice didn't return. Good.

"What didja do to your arm?"

Draco was snatched away from his musings. Crabbe was staring at his arm. Draco cursed himself. 'Good one, Draco' (ahh, so the voice had returned) 'You can't even remember to put a concealing charm on. No wonder that mudblood Granger manages to beat your arse in every class.' Draco moved his other hand protectively over the ugly-looking bruise and tried to hide his unease. "I bumped it. In the dark. At night. I was going to the bathroom. I was half asleep. Banged it on the bathroom door." For once Malfoy was glad that Crabbe and Goyle were so thick. They simply nodded their heads, before their attention turned to the sound of a cart in the corridor. It seemed at least some luck was with Draco. Any lingering questions about his bruised arm were quickly put aside as Crabbe and Goyle practically jumped from their seats, ready to fill their mouths and pockets with candy. 'Never seen them move so fast' thought Draco. 'Maybe if they put as much effort into thinking as they do eating, they'd give the mudblood a run for her money.' Crabbe and Goyle returned to their seats, chocolate already plastered across their faces. Draco scrunched up his face in disgust. He quickly cast a concealing charm on his arm, before returning his gaze to the spralling scenery racing past his window. 'Welcome to the glamorous life of Draco Malfoy' he thought bitterly... or was it that bloody voice again? The one that sounded disturbing like his father? He decided he really didn't give a shit. It was right, either way.

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Sorry it's so short (and the author's notes take up more room than the story - d'oh!). It's more of a prologue of sorts. I didn't have anything more I wanted to say at this point, and the next part will start after they've already begun their 5th year classes at Hogwarts. It seemed like too much of a jump to put it into this part. Review, review, review, and make an amateur fanfic writer smile. Can anyone guess what the title will mean? The person who gets it right gets a cookie.