This is the last chapter of First Year! What an event! I just think you should all know that the rest will be better. Here I was more centered around Draco's personality and his everyday life, all the while hiding subliminal hints about the future plot in his entries. It was the Section of Introduction. Year Two will be the Section of Ginny Weasley Is Here Now, Can I Pull Of A Realistic, Slowly Developed Romance Over A Period Of Six Years, Only Time Will Tell.

And in honor of this occasion, an E-goody. Here is a link to a picture of the boy who's personal (and oh so deep -) thoughts you are reading. Not my fanart, just an interesting fan interpretation. Get a mental image! Yay!

Draco Circa Years One and Two - http:www.ysal.it/fanart/hp6.jpg

Just copy & paste the URL into your Address Bar! Then ENJOY!!! It's because I love you, readers.


Friday, May 29: Potions

My head has been aching all week. And not like the headaches I've had before, either. They're more like the one in the forest, only not as bad. Pansy wanted to know exactly what it felt like.

"It's probably a tumor," she said. "That'd be interesting, if it killed you, wouldn't it?"

"You're not a ton of help, Pansy," I told her.

"Yes, well- Say, Draco, could I have your things? If you… die."

"Pansy!"

"You probably won't, though! You'll just be a vegetable for the rest of your life."

My best friend, the sadist.

Monday, June 1: The Library

Exams are starting today. They will last until Thursday. I'm skipping breakfast to try and get some last minute studying done. Not that I've been neglecting my studies or anything.

Of course not.

Later Monday: Boy's Bathroom

Nott grabbed me after exams.

"Malfoy, you get that evil, vile girlfriend of yours to tell the Slytherins that I'm not having an affair with Professor-"

"NOTT!" I shouted in my most appalled voice, making sure everyone was listening. " I DO NOT WANT TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR LOVE LIFE! I JUST DON'T WANT TO THINK ABOUT SNAPE LIKE THAT!!!"

He gave me a horrified look, before rushing out. I am so pleased with my self! Oh, the guilty pleasures of life.

Wednesday, June 3: Common Room

Nott is sending me threatening messages. They are written in red ink; I suppose it's meant to look like blood. Anyway, they've been coming in bulk. I got this one during breakfast.

"Dear Enemy: I curse you, and hope that something slightly unpleasant happens to you, like an onion falling on your head."

Well, that is the bottom end of the market. They run all the way to this one, which came during break.

"Dear Enemy: may the Lord hate you and all your kind, may you be turned orange in hue, and may your head fall off at an awkward moment."

I must do something about this. Oh, wait! I have an idea. Yes, it's perfect! I'll do it.

Thursday, June 4: Classroom Eleven

You know, I think I really am turning into Pansy. Or at least I'm taking a leaf out of her book. My plan was actually quite simple. I had Crabbe clear the Common Room, grabbed some… slightly altered chocolates, and waited for Nott to come in. He sauntered in a while later, glaring at me.

"Malfoy," he sneered.

"Nott," I sneered back.

Then he caught sight of the neatly wrapped candy in my hands. With a nasty smirk, he snatched them from my hands and popped a couple into his mouth, while I protested (quite convincingly, if I do say so myself). Then he sat down slowly, looking a bit woozy.

"You know, these chocolates… taste… I don't know. Like they're…"

Then his eyes widened and he looked at the chocolates, quite shocked.

"…Drugged, by God!"

"No, by Malfoy, actually," I told him. "But the effect is much the same."

"You… you…"

But I'll never know what horrible name he wanted to call me, as he slumped down then, completely unconscious. I am quite proud of my Potions skills, you know. I even thought about becoming an apothecary as a child. At my lemonade stand I used to give the first glass away free and charge two galleons for the second glass. The refill contained the antidote.

I had Crabbe and Goyle carry him to the empty classroom off of the Entrance Hall. Then I proceeded to tie him to an armchair that I had Goyle drag in from the corridor. I am now waiting until he wakes up. I may be an apothecary-in-training, but I had no idea he would sleep this long. I'm sending Crabbe and Goyle for snacks.

Yawn. How dull. Wait, I think he's waking up. Ultimatum time…

Monday, June 8: Hospital Wing

I cannot believe this is my life. What is going on with me? I'm pretty sure it's not a tumor and I don't feel possessed. So what on earth could be causing this weirdness?

I guess I'll start at the beginning. Let me think, that was three days ago. Oh, yes. Kidnapping Nott. That would have gone brilliantly, you know, if only this thing hadn't interrupted.

Crabbe and Goyle had just left and Nott's eyes had cracked open a bit.

"Hullo Nott," I grinned. "Comfy?"

Yes, I realize I was plagiarizing Pansy, but he didn't know that.

"Malfoy, what do you think you're doing."

"Well, I rather think I'm kidnapping you, Nott."

He rolled his eyes at me.

"You're not serious."

Of course, I was perfectly serious and was about to tell him so when something… happened. It was like some kind of switch in my brain was turned off. Or perhaps on, I'm not sure which. Everything began to get dark and I could hear Nott's voice outside my head, mixed in with voices that might have been inside.

"Malfoy?"

"Don't be stupid."

"Hey, are you alright?"

"…must be miles under the school."

Everything began to blend together, so I couldn't tell what was being said to me and what wasn't.

"…Malfoy, what's… I can't breath! …Malfoy? …Now what? …Malfoy!"

The words jumbled together, becoming a vibrating hum all through my head. I think that's when I lost consciousness. Flashes of images, playing in black and white, dashed through my mind. Maybe they were memories, or dreams, or maybe both. I couldn't tell.

I dreamt that there was a mirror, just like in that dream I had all the way back in September. Only, this time, I was inside the mirror and Potter was outside, looking in at me. Professor Quirrell was there too, (My subconscious obviously hates this man.) but he looked threatening and cruel now.

They were saying things, but I couldn't here their voices over the humming. My head throbbed painfully, probably from hitting a desk on the way down. My ears were ringing.

Through the mirror, everything seemed red and made of fire. I couldn't quite make out what was happening; was that a face on Professor Quirrell's head? Potter was fighting, holding on to Quirrell as if his life depended on it. But Potter was losing; the face was screaming.

"KILL HIM! KILL HIM!"

"If it kills him, all is lost," whispered a musical voice. "We must wake him."

"Yes," I said, finding nothing strange about this at all, as it often is in dreams. "Yes, of course."

"Call him."

"Potter!"

"Call him."

"Potter!"

"Call him."

"I am calling him! Potter! POTTER!"

Then I remembered Longbottom in the forest and how using his first name had jarred him. I decided it couldn't hurt.

"Harry!" I called. "Harry!"

"Harry! Harry!"

The mirror melted away and the fire leaked over me. The ringing in my ears had turned into a tuneless, beautiful song. I could feel myself slipping backwards; there was nothing to hold me up anymore.

"Harryharryharryharryharryharryharryharryharryharryharryharry…"

Something glinted silver below me, coming up fast. It pulsed with the song; I reached out to touch it. I could almost feel it on my fingertips when…

"Draco. Draco. Draco."

"Draco."

I opened my eyes, finding myself staring into the face of Professor Dumbledore.

"Well, there. You're awake. I had a feeling you might be," he smiled down at me.

"Where am I?" I asked, pulling myself up. I didn't feel horrible, only a little sore.

"The hospital wing. You've been unconscious for nearly four days now."

I looked around, at a complete loss. How had I gotten here? What was going on?

"Mr. Nott carried you here when you lost consciousness. I am quite impressed with him; it must have taken quite a bit of drive to break those bonds you had him in," his eyes twinkled. "But we'll talk about those later, won't we?"

"Oh. Yes, I suppose we will."

We were silent for a moment.

"Weren't you gone, Professor?"

He smiled again.

"Professor Snape accurately deduced the cause of your sudden illness and owled me immediately. It arrived almost precisely when I did (a very quick owl, that it was), and I immediately returned in the quickest way possible."

"Why did you do that? Surely Madame Pomfrey could have taken care of me."

"Ah. But it was not for you that I was returning."

"But, then, who-?"

"Oh yes, I've just remembered. You have a package."

He handed me a bag that I recognized as Pansy's. Inside were a few boxes of candy, Mini-Draco, and Great-Aunt Adeline's ring. That's lovely of Pansy, isn't it, to send me an "I told you so" while I'm on my death bead.

'Honestly," I thought. "She needs to let the ring thing go!

But then I had a thought.

"Professor. What's- wrong with me?"

"What do you mean? There's nothing wrong with you, Mr. Malfoy."

I glared at him.

"Oh, yes. I'm sure it's perfectly natural. All of these weird dreams and headaches, passing out and-."

Dumbledore shook his head.

"There is very much a difference between the unnatural and the wrong, Mr. Malfoy."

"So there is something going on, you mean."

"I will no lie, Mr. Malfoy. Something is happening to you. But, of course, you knew this already. If I told you there was not, you would not have believed me."

I stared at him.

"Pansy thinks it's this ring," I tossed it to him.

He caught it easily, holding it in between his thumb and forefinger. You can never tell quite what is going on in Dumbledore's mind. He seemed almost… pleased. He set it gently on the bedside table.

"No ring possesses power in itself, Mr. Malfoy, no matter what legend tells you. No. It is not the ring at all. It is the Phoenix."

"'The Phoenix', sir?" I have always known Dumbledore to be a bit off his rocker but now he was beginning to sound like Adeline. "You mean the bird? How can a phoenix be-?"

"No, no. Not any phoenix. The Phoenix Force. It is something far beyond that. A mythical bird that never dies, the Phoenix flies far ahead to the front, always scanning the landscape and distant space. It represents our capacity for vision, for collecting sensory information about our environment and the events unfolding within it. The Phoenix, with its great beauty, creates intense excitement and deathless inspiration. You must understand, Draco. Everything that has a beginning has an end. And, for every ending, there is a beginning. I can feel it in my bones, Mr. Malfoy. I can feel it in my soul. The old order has passed away; a new order has begun," his voice lowered to a whisper. "The Phoenix has risen."

I stared at him for a moment.

"I don't understand."

"You will, Mr. Malfoy. Someday, you will."

"Sure…"

"I will see you at the Leaving Feast, now won't I?"

"I suppose so."

"Goodbye, Mr. Malfoy."

"Goodbye, Professor."

So here I am, waiting to be released from the hospital wing. Mini-Draco is as restless as I am. Right now he is ripping the petals off a rose he stole from another patient while laughing maniacally. Well, he's not a portrait of me for nothing.

Later Monday: The Dorm

And in a wonderful display of favoritism, Gryffindor has won the house cup. Apparently, some time while I was unconscious, Potter and Friends had a kind grand adventure. Saved the school and all that rot.

Just hit me while I'm down, why don't you? Stupid Dumbledore.

I've been thinking. Is it possible that Potter fighting Quirrell and my dreaming about the same thing is a just coincidence. I don't really think so. Is it possible that he was projecting it or maybe I apparated there subconsciously or maybe… But it's just so odd.

Everything is odd lately. Like my having to find a way to thank Nott. Dear Lord, save me.

Thursday, June 11: Common Room

Exam results have come out. I did quite well, I think. Much better that Crabbe or Goyle, who only passed because they have been copying my answers all year. I can't believe my first year at Hogwarts is almost over.

And I didn't even DO ANYTHING.

Friday, June 19: The Dorm

Theodore Nott is sitting across from me right now. Only a few seconds ago we had our first real conversation since we met. Shocking.

"Well," I said. "The year sure went fast."

"Yeah," He said.

"Yeah… So, how did you do on exams? Well, I guess you did fine or I would have heard."

"Yeah."

"Yes, well… Umm, well, I suppose I should thank you. For… you know."

"Yeah."

"Okay, I'll just… go then."

"Hey Malfoy," he kind of smiled. "You know, I should thank you for being so puny. It was really easy carrying you up all those stairs."

"I am not puny," I stuck out my chin at him.

"Of course not. You're merely vertically challenged."

Saturday, June 20: In Route to Platform 9¾

On my way out, I saw Professor Dumbledore in the hallway. I decided to talk to him. I wanted to ask him all of these questions I've been thinking about.

"Professor," I called, then more softly. "Can I ask you some questions?"

"Of course," He looked pleased to see me, which was surprising.

"Look Professor, about that thing with Nott-."

He waved a hand dismissively.

"Now, now, that is in the past. I don't believe in dwelling on the past, Mr. Malfoy. It merely wastes the present, wouldn't you agree?"

"Sure."

"You were upset about the House Cup, weren't you?"

"A little, sir."

Try a lot, actually, but he couldn't know that.

"Do you think about it a lot?"

"Quite a bit, sir."

"Well, you shouldn't," he smiled. "That constitutes dwelling in the past. It happened and nothing can change that."

"I guess so. Professor, about what you said in the hospital wing-."

"Mr. Malfoy," he said good-naturedly. "That is in the past. There is only one thing I'm interested in and that's the future. And we can only get there together. Gryffindor and Slytherin together, not divided. "

He put a hand on my cheek. It was surprisingly warm to the touch; the heated imprint seemed to remain when he removed his fingers.

"You'll see it, one day."

And then he was gone. I didn't realized until just now. I never got to ask him anything. All I could think about where his eyes, which always seem to twinkle merrily.

I had always thought his eyes were blue but, up close, I realized that his pupils are outlined with purple.

Purple signifies deep passion, royalty, and spirit. Purple is also the color of the mystic.'

You don't suppose…

But then again, maybe I'm only reaching.


YAAAAY!!! Goodbye First Year, hello Second! Cheer with me!

Readers: (unenthusiastically) Wooh...

You guys are so mean! Except those of you who reviewed. I love you! Oh, by the by, if you're one of those people who wants a conclusion before reviewing, this is a good place to do it! Yes, I mean you. Oh, come on. Just move the mouse. That's it. Now click. GOOD FOR YOU!

A Special Thanks To:

Thaelia15- You're so cynical Thaelia. And I wouldn't have you any other way because, of course, it makes me work harder. There, have I appeased you, oh master? Yes? Not really? But, you're willing to spare me? Oh, jolly good! Let's have tea!

mnwugn- Ah, my faithful beta. Thank you so much for helping me! Poor little Acorn. Yes, we pity you. Are you and Thaelia going to be using my review system as an online sparring ground now? I thought so. Oh, well!

Vampire-Dragon Nidhogg- Thanks so much! I love being on favorites lists! And, of course, I adore being told Draco's in character. It's all so debatable, you see. Hope you're still reading!

chuya- Another person to praise my Draco! The fates smile upon me once again. :grins: Here, have a slice of Mini-Draco a la Mode. Oh, hey, is this "chuya" from portkey? (She just put the pieces together.) I don't think it's a common E-name, but I could be wrong. Well, if you are, it's great to have a fellow portkeyer reading! :loves portkey as if it were her very soul:

IdentityCrisis- A loyal reviewer. You're a dime a dozen! Thanks so much for your support thus far! We hope you'll keep a death grip on this bullet train for as long as it runs. Nova loves you!

Cinder2004- I'm witty! Nova-chan basks in what she thinks is the best compliment, as Draco used the word "witty" in PoA and that makes it the best word ever. That and malevolent. Why, oh why did somebody have to take that Draco fansite name? Teehee. Get it? Malevolent. Hee...

yuiyui- I know why you like it! It's bloody brilliant, that's why! :chuckles: I'm glad you enjoyed/are enjoying it. :sends you a muffin in the mail:

( )- Thanks for the review! Yes, Draco is terribly sympathetic, no? No. Well... We never said he wasn't a spoiled-rotten brat. But he's OUR brat!

FelisCorvis- You know, I thought about it, and you're right! They should appreciate all of the free publicity I am giving them by ripping of their one-liners. Yeah! And I'm so glad you like it! :huggles:

Nuit Chouette- Yes, Mini-Draco has reached insane popularity levels for some reason. Then again, I love the guy, so I don't mind. He will play a much more interesting role in the future. :grins at the fanart she slipped Nuit during Marine Science: Don't tell anybody, 'kay?

Strangely Odd- I love YOU. I'm an amazing author, you say? - Well, I hate to disagree with the fans! :Novalee's ego grows so big that she hits the ceiling:

Thanks so much for the comps, everybody! I'm going to go write chapter eight (and deflate myself)! See ya!!!