Disclaimer: I DO NOT own any character, places, or names of the Harry Potter series. It belongs to J.K. Rowling. And please, if you don't like my stories then don't review, ok?

The sun was so bright that everywhere Emily West turned she had to squint her eyes. She wouldn't leave though. This place was perfect. Right in front of her was a large blue lake and behind her was a small wood. She could smell both elements as she made her way to the edge. There was a medium sized dock so she stepped onto it. Closing her eyes, she inhaled deeply and looked out at the hills that surrounded her little place.

She wasn't even aware of the presence behind her till she heard a scuffle. She whirled around and came face to face with a pale, blonde, and rather skinny boy her age. His eyes widened as she came full around.

"Who are you?" she asked, her golden eyes studying him.

He looked taken aback but straightened up. "Malfoy, Draco Malfoy. Who are you?" he said in a snotty voice.

"Emily West. Do you live around here?"

"Just around that hill over there." He pointed out. She could barely make out a very well built house that was so big it could have been a palace.

"Nice place."

"Yeah if you want to be bored all day." He said sarcastically and she smiled. "Do you go to Hogwarts? I haven't seen you before and I'm pretty sure that is an American accent."

"I'm starting this year and yes, I am America. Well, British by birth but I grew up in America. I'm sorry, I'm probably boring you."

"No! I'm glad to hear someone else's voice." He grinned and sat down where he was standing. Emily followed suit.

The afternoon was getting hot so she quickly pulled out a rubber band from her pants pocket and messily put up her black hair in a ponytail. It was the 'style' in America to have messy ponytails and it kind of stuck with her. She sat down in front of Draco and traced the water with her hand.

"So what's America like?" He asked after awhile.

"Well, it doesn't rain as much and isn't as pretty. It's too cluttered. Plus, there are all the criminals that I grew up around. You couldn't walk outside your door unless you wanted to be mugged."

Draco's eyebrows rose.

"But I took kickboxing lessons so I was alright. I've been shunted from family to family till one day I just blew! I couldn't take it any longer and ran away. I guess you can call me a fugitive." She laughed softly and was pleased that Draco smiled. "So what about you?"

"Me?" he said. "Well, I've always lived in the same mansion since I was born and I might sound arrogant to you but I come from a long line of pureblooded wizards." He seemed pleased with himself.

"Really? And I thought I was the only one left. Malfoy eh? Sounds familiar."

"It should. My father is very well respected in the Ministry of Magic and is a Governor of Hogwarts."

The conversation continued until late when Draco had to go. They planned to meet each other the same spot the next day to continue. Three days later they had finally finished all subject they could think of. Without realizing it they had started to hold hands when walking around the lake. It all started when she almost fell in and he caught her hand. He wouldn't let go and said he didn't want her to almost fall in again. Soon the excuse had gotten old and he didn't make another one. He just slipped his hand into hers and they began to walk.

It was around 5pm, while they were sitting on the edge of the dock, dangling their legs and holding hands, when a cough sounded behind them. They both looked back, startled, and Emily saw a man who looked just like Draco yet older and taller and with longer hair. He just walked over and stood in front of them with his hands on his hips. She took it that this was Draco's father he had told her about.

Lucius Malfoy didn't know what to think. His son had been running off early everyday and always came back late with a sort of dazed look on his pointed face. Now he knew why. He has a little girlfriend.

"So this is where you have been off to, Draco." He said.

They both stood up and Emily backed away some and Draco dropped her hand. Lucius's eyes watched it and then returned to his son's face.

"What are you doing here, father? I thought you were busy." Draco asked.

Lucius's eyes went to Emily's and back to Draco's. "I decided to find out what was making my son want to get up early for. Good choice. What's your name, girl?"

Emily's eyes widened. "Emily, sir. Emily West."

Now it was his turn to widen his eyes. "West? I haven't heard from one of you in so long. Who is your mother? Your father?"

"I-I don't know, sir. I'm an orphan. I think my father's name was Patrick though."

"Pat West. A fine man. Married some woman named Alanna Sage. You don't look like either of them though."

"I change my appearance frequently. I don't even remember what my natural hair color is or even what I looked like."

"A Metamorphagus eh? Those are very rare."

She smiled smugly. "And an Animagus. Um, I have to go. Nice meeting you Mister Malfoy." She looked at Draco and smiled.

Almost at once she disappeared and there was a jet-black cat with her golden eyes sitting there. It mewed once and shot off into the woods.

"Do you like her?" Lucius asked as soon as the cat was out of earshot.

"Maybe I do, maybe I don't. Why do you care?"

Lucius frowned. "You're my son whether you like it or not and I have to take care of you. I happen to be an expert in this matter. Ask your mum."

Draco rolled his eyes. "We should get home before mum worries." Lucius nodded.

They only got a few feet away when there was a very loud hiss-like screech that turned into a human scream. They looked at each other once and shot toward where the sound was. They had to push through a lot of vines and thorned bushes. Draco fell once, but Lucius just blasted away everything in his way. The screaming stopped but they could hear some whimpering near them. It wasn't long until they found Emily's body lying on the ground trembling. She was looking straight up at them but didn't seem to see anything.

"Alex!" she screamed and passed out.