A/N: My first fanfic - even though I read a lot, I've never written anything. So here goes... This first chapter is a little heavy, short but heavy. Don't worry there will be more dialogue and action in the next chapter - this is more of an introduction than anything else. Please rate and review - constructive criticism and compliments are always appreciated. Plus if you have a fanfic of your own that you want me to read - I'd be more than happy :)
Chapter One : Glory Fades
Draco Malfoy was a highly normal boy in many ways. For one thing, he loved the summer holidays more than any other time of the year. For another, he really hated homework, and was constantly being forced to do it by his parents. Except of course, he also happened to be a wizard.
Well… this would have been the introduction to the story if I had been writing it last year, but it is not in fact the events of Draco's fifth year at Hogwarts that I shall be narrating. No. I instead shall be representing the cold, cruel days of Draco's sixth year at Hogwarts.
So this year, instead of the summer-loving Draco one would usually encounter at the Malfoy Manor. A Draco that would be practicing Quidditch. A Draco that would have spent hours each week brewing sensational potions to have at his latest house party. A Draco that would be spending the days lounging about his luxurious manor, and the nights seducing sumptuous girls. Instead, this year we encounter a Draco much changed. This year Draco hasn't felt the exhilaration of the air whipping his face whilst on a broom for weeks. This year Draco will not be having any parties as his friends have deserted him. And this year Draco will certainly not be spending any time in his luxurious manor, and the sumptuous girls are a thing of the past. The difference this year is that his father has been imprisoned in Azkaban.
Last year Draco was right. The dementors had left Azkaban; they were in the control of Voldemort now, so Lucius was not imprisoned for very long. However, Harry had also been correct. The world new he was a "scumbag" now. Draco shuddered at the word and felt a foul taste of acid rise in his throat every time he heard it. Lucius could no longer operate in the influential circles he once did. His power stripped, his money rendered useless, the only thing Lucius had left was his alliance with Voldemort. Thus, where Voldemort went, Lucius followed. And where Lucius followed, Draco was dragged like a kicking and screaming toddler.
"Father there is no point me attending. I am forbidden to use magic outside of school. There is no way that I can be initiated as a death eater," Draco implored.
"You will do as I say," repeated the senior Malfoy, perhaps for the hundredth time this year. Lucius had never had a good relationship with his son. He had always been a disappointment to him. Yes, he was a Slytherin, but it was little consolation to the fact that Draco was beaten academically by a mud blood, was beaten at Quidditch every year (last year being the most disturbing as the goalkeeper had been a blood traitor), but most disappointingly Draco was constantly being outwitted by Potter.
Draco could do little more than grit his teeth and bear it once his father had made up his mind. But he still couldn't understand it. Why had Voldemort requested to meet him? Draco had of course dreamt of the day he would be able to stand next to his father in combat, in the war against his arch-enemy Harry Potter. He would make his father proud. But why now?
