A/N. Sorry this has been a little while coming, but my computer exploded a couple of weeks ago, and it was half term last week so I couldn't even use the school ones. The explosion itself was exciting though, all smoke and fumes. And a bang, ah, yes, the bang of an erupting machine. Something to behold. Anyhoo, thanks for the reviews, I have managed to figure out how to access my email on my phone, so I have been reading them as they arrive, but that is the closest I've been to the internet for at least a week. *Sob* If this chapter is slightly erratic, then please bear in mind my earlier comment about fumes, and also the fact that I, Ancient Greece fanatic, went to the Ashmolean Museum last week, where there are Greek vases, and a carving of the Calydonian Boar Hunt, so my mind is slightly dribbly atm. This note will probably end up being longer than the fic at this rate, so I will shut up and continue with dead Draco. (I hate dead Draco. I like live, virile Draco……)
A year later, Harry's world as he knew it, and indeed, as we last saw it, had been turned upside down. He was engaged to marry School Governor Lucius, who, unlike his estranged, late son Draco, had kept on the good side of Voldemort, and was therefore very rich. He had paid Dumbledore lots of cash, so Dumbledore told Harry that he had no choice but to marry the slimy git. Harry was introduced to the school, wearing rather fetching white robes, and a glittering crown.
'Myyyy people' proclaimed Lucius. 'A month from now, the Malfoy family will celebrate its' five hundred anniversary of being dark evil-tyoe wizards. On that sundown, I will marry a boy who was once a Mudblood like yourselves. But perhaps you will not find him…er….muddy now. Would you like to meet him?'
This question was met with a stunned silence, except from Dumbledore, who cheered loudly, wearing ostentatious robes in a deep pink, complete with an ostrich feather in his overlarge hat.
A fantastically loud fanfare deafened Harry as he walked slowly down what appeared to be a catwalk, into the heart of the crowd gathered in the Great Hall. Lucius smirked down at him from the staff table, as Harry looked around at the people who used to be his friends.
Harry's emptiness consumed him, for as much as Lucius had told him that he would grow to obey him or suffer the consequences, he did not feel very obedient towards this man who had, indirectly, caused Draco's death.
The only joy that Harry found was in his daily ride around Hogwarts' grounds, on his only remaining friend, Buckbeak the hippogriff. On one such day, as Buckbeak was soaring around, Harry heard a commotion on the ground. Overcome by curiosity, he flew down, to find three Slytherins arguing with Professor Snape.
'I want a word, boy.' said Snape, 'Are any of your snotty-nosed Gryffindor friends nearby?'
'There is no one around, not for ages, except the giant squid.' replied Harry, a little bit concerned, as Snape had an odd expression on his face.
'Then there will be no one to hear you scream rather girlishly', and with that, Snape motioned to Crabbe and Goyle, who walked up to Harry; Crabbe grabbed his arms while Goyle clobbered him on the head.
Then Harry's world went dark.