Draco woke for the second time that day, feeling slightly more rested than after his first abrupt awakening. He looked at the clock which read 10:27. Grabbing a robe he walked downstairs where he knew breakfast would be waiting. He ate until Penna swooped down with this morning's Prophet. He breezed through it, nothing really catching his eye, and then put it on the table for possibly a more intensive read later in the day.
When he was finished with breakfast, he went back upstairs to get dressed. After a quick shower, he picked out a set of dark blue robes to wear. He didn't really see why he went through all the effort of being so well groomed. He wasn't too sure whom it was for, not because he wanted to make a good impression for anyone, and he didn't particularly care about his appearance anymore. It must have been habit. It seemed that was all his life was anymore, one big habit. It consisted of him getting out of bed, eating, studying, eating again, reading, going for a walk, and then sleeping again. The same habit had gone on for the past three months, and Draco didn't seem to care. Draco didn't care about anything anymore except for his studies. Today he had decided to work on a way to extend the span of a new potion he was brewing. The purpose was to hear the thoughts of whoever was around you at the time. This had been his big project for the last week, and it was coming alone quite well.
After a while, all the potion had to do was simmer so he decided to go for a short walk. The gardens at his house were lovely, especially at this time of year. When his mother was alive, she had worked there, especially while there was Death Eater activity going on inside. She had shown Draco a small area, with a fountain made of brick. He could almost hear his mother's voice as he tapped the bricks.
"Two to the left, up one, then four to the right."
A passageway appeared and he followed the path into a little gazebo. There was a lake on one side and tons of roses. It was his mother's secret and prized rose garden. No one knew about it except for him. He came there often, probably because it reminded of his mother. She had been killed by Voldermort himself, right after his father had refused to kill her himself. The Death Eaters had decided that she wasn't trustworthy anymore, so she had to go, just like that. Now Lucius Malfoy wasn't exactly the most kind, gentle husband, but he did love his wife, despite rarely showing it. When he couldn't bring himself to kill her, Voldermort had killed them both.
After that Draco came to this garden and had hid until he was sure it was safe, and then owled Dumbledore at Hogwarts explaining what happened, his change to the side of light, and asking if he could find safety somewhere else. Dumbledore had been very agreeable, insisting that Draco stay at Hogwarts under his own care until the beginning of term. Draco had eventually come to respect the older man though he still had his suspicions that he may me cracking in the head slightly. When the school started he had made peace with most of his friends in Slytherin, which were very few to say the least, and then, to his dislike, made peace with the Golden Trio. In that year he had joined the DA and basically took a total 180 from his regular behavior.
In the midst of remembering what was then, he suddenly remembered what was now, his potion. It should be ready, he thought to himself. Standing up, he made his way out of the garden. Walking towards the door he saw something odd out of the corner of his eye. Upon closer inspection, he realized it was a girl, a thin, unconscious young woman.