Draco Malfoy stared out his carriage window, seeing the Malfoy Manor. It loomed over the land like a cemetery. Not once had his home ever had a cheery glow to it; always dark.

"That's funny," thought Draco. "Mother's not out to greet me." Indeed, Narcissa Malfoy was not standing at the gate to welcome her son like usual. The carriage slowed to a halt in front of the large brass doors. Just as Draco got out, one of the doors opened. Lucius Malfoy stepped outside, and glared at Draco. Draco looked just like him. Silver-blonde hair, pale skin, and an expression of complete loathe.

"Ah, the son I call my own is home," said Lucius. "Do you know what today is?"

"My birthday, Father," Draco answered in respect.

"Right," Lucius snarled. "Seventeen years of putting up with you." He quickly strode over to Draco, and hit him. Draco fell to the ground, pain flowing through his face. Narcissa timidly walked outside. Draco saw cuts and bruises all over her, giving him the hint that she and Lucius had been fighting.

"I told you not to come out here!" Lucius shouted to her. Narcissa flinched at his harsh words. Whipping out his wand, Lucius pointed it at her, and said, "Crucio," Narcissa dropped to the ground, in writhing pain, her screams filling the air.

"Shut up!" Lucius yelled. "I have had it with you... Avada Kedavra!" All at once, Narcissa's screams stopped, as she lay limply on the cold ground.

"Mother!" Draco cried, rushing over to her. Tears filled his eyes as he realized his mother's fate.

"Bastard!" Draco screamed, jumping at his Father. He knocked Lucius over, and began punching him. Lucius grabbed Draco's wrists, and threw him against the wall.

"You had better watch your actions, boy," he said coldly. "Your mother is not around to protect you anymore." And with that, Lucius shoved Draco to the gound, and disappeared...

Draco screamed, and fell off his bed.

"Mother!" he yelled into the darkness. Pulling himself together, he realized: it was just a dream. A memory; a sheer reminder of his past. Quickly lighting a candle, Draco looked around his room. His trunk, broomstick, and owl were by the door for tomorrow, his desk over against the wall, his closet, and his clothes.

"Nothing here," Draco said to no one. Sighing, he climbed back into his bed. The sheets were tangled from his thrashing around. Before he blew out the candle, Draco picked up a small object from his in-table.

"Draco, I want you to have this," said Narcissa. "It has been in my family for many years. I was going to give it to you when you graduated, but, in case anything happens, well, anyway, I just want you to know that I love you." She handed her sixteen-year-old son a small green dragon on a delicate silver chain.

"It's beautiful, Mother," said Draco breathlessly, carefully touching the pendant. "I love it."

"I knew you would," Narcissa smiled, and wrapped Draco into a loving hug...

Slipping the pendant over his head, Draco fingered it. The small dragon was the only real reminder of his mother. Sure he had pictures, but they somehow weren't the same. Shaking his head sadly, Draco drew in a deep breath, and blew out the candle.

"Draco! Wake up! You're going to be late!" Lucius yelled, pounding on Draco's door. Turning over and groaning, Draco stole a glance at his clock. It read 5:30 AM. Slowly, he pulled himself out of bed, and downstairs into the dining room. Draco quickly at a cherry Pop-Tart, and went to get dressed.

Draco strolled around Platform 9 and 3/4 with his broomstick over his shoulder. His trunk and owl had already been put onto the train. Coming upon a large group of people, Draco saw her. He stopped short, and stared. A girl stood amongst the crowd, her soft, brown curls falling in her face. A bright golden light seemed to glow from her, he thought.

"God, she's beautiful," Draco thought longingly.

"Hermione!" someone called. The lovely girl looked around, stopped, then smiled.

"Harry!" she cried, throwing her arms around a black-haired boy. They shared a kiss, and began to talk excitedly.

"So," Draco muttered. "Granger and Potter are together." Even though he was supposed to hate her, Draco couldn't let go of his feeling about Hermione. "She's changed so much," he thought, as the couple walked closer and closer to him.

"Well, well," Draco said coldly. "Look who it is, Potty and Mudblood."

"Malfoy," they said together. Sneering, Draco's eyes moved from Harry, to Hermione. When looking at her, he was speechless. Hermione glared at Draco with hate.

"Don't start on me already, Malfoy," she spat. Draco's mouth became dry, as he watched her speak. Harry put his arm around Hermione, and they stalked off towards the train.

Taking his seat in the compartment, Draco eyed the occupants. Pansy Parkinson was sitting next to him, and Crabbe, Goyle and Blaise Zabini were on the opposite seat.

"Draco!" Pansy squealed, finally acknowledging that he was there. "I missed you sooo much!" She tried to kiss him, but Draco pulled away in disgust.
"Shove off, Parkinson," Draco growled. Pansy scowled, and turned around to flirt with Blaise.

"Stupid whore," Draco thought. The shrill whistle screeched in the air, and the train then slowly took off towards Hogwarts.