Summary: The wizarding world is at war and the aurors are losing. Humanity rests on one man, who must return to the beginning and change the future.
Disclaimer: It's all mine, MINE!!!!…. Nope, actually its not – none of it is mine, (sobs uncontrollably)
A/N: R n R makes my life worthwhile.
Elayne – Thankyou, honey, you made my day
Chapter 1 – A Time to Prepare
The moonlight floated into the training room at the Malfoy manor, seeking the figure that came there each night. The silvery beams caressed his bare broad shoulders and his halo of blonde hair.
Draco couldn't sleep. His nightmares let him so drained that he had taken to practising his Tai Chi before and after he attempted to rest. He crouched down and swept his left foot out to the side, as if he was tripping an invisible opponent. He held that leg a couple of feet of the ground as he drew his arms back as if readying a bow for release. His body perfectly still, he maintain that stance as he thought back on the last day…….
"Hermione!"
Draco shot up in his four poster bed, covered in perspiration and wracked with shivers. It had been the same for the last thirteen nights – he would relive the memory of her death over and over again before finally screaming and awakening himself. He held in head in his hands as he tried to regain control of his breathing.
That's enough, he thought, I have wallowed in grief for long enough now. I'm out of time.
Draco pushed himself off the end of the bed and marched over to his desk. He caught sight of himself in the mirror as he passed and looked. His new, or old, reflection intrigued him.
Not too bad looking, but I'm a still bit scrawny, He thought, flexing his biceps, Have to keep working on that.
He had been continuing his physical auror training to get back into shape, but knew he couldn't build up all his muscles in a few days so had decided to start slowly.
I didn't actually get a good physique until I was in my twenties, he thought, but surely it can't be a bad thing to look good earlier on.
He had realised that his magical training would have to be put on hold, as he would be in trouble for performing any spells outside of Hogwarts without a license.
Maybe I can find a place to practise there at night? Might be too risky with Albus there. Anyway down to business.
He had spent the last week trying to remember the things the seventeen-year-old version of him would know. He had found his Hogwarts letter and momentarily panicked about a trip to Diagon Alley.
Too soon to risk seeing her yet, he had thought.
But he had quickly realised that due to his parents' 'business' trip to Hungary, they had gone to purchase all of his equipment in the week before they had left.
He took out his parchment and started completing the summer homework,
Way too easy – maybe I'll finally beat Granger in something other than Potions!
……Draco smiled at his own immaturity, as he gracefully changed his position to a high full body stretch, before finishing. He had a swig of his water bottle before striding into the bathroom to get ready.
Time for a blast from the past.
Hurriedly pushing his loaded trunk ahead of him, Draco raced into Kings Cross Station at ten forty.
Stupid muggle transport. I'm sure that heathen chauffeur overcharged me.
He had been ready to apparate over at quarter past, but had remembered at the last minute that he was not due to take the test for his apparating license until next summer.
It couldn't change my destiny much if I take the test a bit earlier, could it? I hope not – another few rides in those taxi things and I'll be in Azkaban for genocide before you can say 'Quidditch'!
He laughed silently at his overreaction, but a quick glance at his watch – 10:45 - told him he'd needed to hurry. He strode purposefully over to the barrier leading to platform nine and three quarters, pushed his trolley in, leaned casually against it and fell through.
Draco thanked all the gods he could think of after seeing the platform was almost empty. After a swift scan told him there was no one there he knew, he boarded the Hogwarts Express without further thought.
The train was not particularly full, Draco noted as he searched for a compartment. He knew that the 'Golden trio' often opted for a rear compartment, so he chose one towards the middle, hoping that they would stick to their old routine and avoid him.
He settled in the corner of the seat, leaning against the window and took out his battered copy of 'The Lord of the Rings' - A gift from Hermione when they were dating. He smiled as he remembered his response to her thoughtfulness – a confused glance and an unsure thank you? She had laughed at his look and explained that the book was a muggle story full of magic and fantasy. He, of course, had looked even more bewildered, so she had made them each a steaming cup of hot chocolate, placed his head in her lap and started to read to him – it had been his favourite book ever since. After a few pages, Draco began to lose himself to his thoughts once more. Before he realised, he had fallen into a much needed dreamless sleep.
He awoke to a sharp prodding of his right side.
"I think he's awake now"
"See – I told you he wasn't dead"
"Well, he wasn't moving"
Draco blearily looked around, noticing that the scenery was flying past him.
Oh, journey's started – How long have I been asleep?
He turned to his companions to ask them, but started when he realised who had roused him.
Crabbe? And Goyle? They look….. different…..
'Do you really think that's wise, Crabbe'.
The blonde auror gestured towards his opponents raised wand. He received a grunt in reply. Another figure stepped out of the shadows and stood beside his friend, wand raised also.
'Don't Goyle, you know it's not worth it'
The muscular Death-eater's face held a grim look
'And what should I do, Malfoy? Give up and spend the rest of my days in Azkaban? No thanks'
'Help us. You haven't done anything unforgivable, Goyle. We could use some muscle fighting on our side.'
'I'm sorry, Draco,' he said softly, 'but it's too late for you to help us now – He is coming.'
As they ran in tandem towards his position, Draco raised his wand, whispering, and, in a flash of green light, they were gone……
Returning from his reverie, dismissing the memories, he realised that they were staring at something in his lap – ah, the book. Lifting the book up, he watched as they viewed the thousand page novel with awe and no small amount of disgust.
"Watcha reading, Draco?" Crabbe asked
"Yeah," said Goyle, "thought reading was for geeks"
"Yeah," Crabbe said, getting into the swing, "You training up to be a Professional geek or something"
He realised he had been doing an un-Draco activity, and mentally berated himself. Immediately, a thousand excuses for why he was enjoying classic literature raced into Draco mind and he sifted through them, trying to find a plausible one.
"Well I was –", he stopped.
Hang on a minute, he thought, whether or not I'm reading, the Draco Malfoy they knew would not be taking this talk from anyone – especially not them. And anyway, they're both so thick that they'll have forgotten this conversation ever took place by tomorrow.
"What's it to you, er, knuckleheads, anyway"
Smooth, Malfoy, very smooth, he thought, rolling his eyes at himself.
Before they had a chance to respond, the door opened and a head popped around it. Draco instantly recognised the, much younger, face of his mentor.
"Remus!" He cried, momentarily forgetting how absurd this would seem to Professor Lupin. He leapt up to hug the man, when he caught sight of the strange looks he was receiving from all three parties in the room. He sat back down.
"Well, er, I'm sorry sir, I don't know what came over me, er, I've been…ill, yes, ill….", he promptly changed the subject, "You wanted something?".
"Yes, Mr, um", he checked something on a small parchment he was holding, "Malfoy. Your presence is required presently in the first compartment by Professor McGonagall.
Draco was confused for a moment, but the memories came suddenly crashing back to him. He picked up his things and marched out into the corridor, much to the confusion of his companions.
Of course, he thought, I'm the Head boy. That's what McGonagall is going to tell me.
He had reached the correct booth, when he realised the implications of this development.
I have to share a common room with the Head Girl – Hermione!
He mentally groaned, So much for having time to get used to the new me.
As he stepped inside, he noticed a note on the table address to him –
Mr Malfoy, I've had to rush back to get some papers for you and Miss Granger.
Just sit tight and make yourself comfortable, and I'll be along in a minute.
Prof. McGonagall.
Well, he thought, surveying the empty room, I'll have a quiet moment alone then.
He again pulled out his novel, resumed reading and, once again, he soon dosed off.
A/N: Sorry about the delay, I had a bit of an inspiration shortage for this chapter, as it's just a continuity piece. I should have Chapter 2 up very soon – much more interesting!!