Chapter 3

As Artimedoris and Draco strode into The Leaky Cauldron, Tom, the usually friendly bartender and owner, walked over and looked at the two darkly. "Colfer, why did you bring a Malfoy in here?" Tom asked, clearly upset. "You know I don't like that family."

Draco interrupted before Artimedoris could reply. "First off, Tom, I am no longer affiliated with those of that bloodline, either by birth or marriage, nor am I any longer considered part of the family." Tom looked surprised. "Basically, Tom, I disowned myself." Draco chuckled when he thought of that.

Artimedoris looked at the obviously shocked Tom and said, "His father was mistreating him, shall we say. Draco was to receive his Dark Mark on his birthday and refused to do any such thing. He nearly killed his father to be freed."

Tom was becoming weak, Draco could see it. It was shock, of course. No surprises there. Draco flashed him what he hoped was a reassuring smile, not wanting the news to make the kindly bartender refuse him a room. "As long as nobody tries to make me join the Dark Lord or bind me to somewhere, there won't be any trouble, I can promise you."

"Tom, I need a place for Draco to stay. Could he perhaps have a room here? It'll only be for a week, until Hogwarts starts back." Artimedoris struck whilst the calming effects of Draco's promise still held.

"Very well, Artimedoris. He can stay here." Tom looked at Draco sternly. "No trouble-making, else you'll find yourself out on the street."

Draco nodded. "I understand, sir. I intend no trouble for you. In fact, if everything goes as I wish, no one will even know I am here." Draco's face and voice were utterly sincere. an unusual occurrence.

Tom was apparently satisfied with Draco's promise and nodded. "You may have room 13. Your things will be taken up shortly."

Artimedoris smiled. Master Draco must have changed. He wouldn't usually be so sincere.

Draco sensed the change in himself, almost surprised. Almost, since he had pushed himself so hard to become everything that the Malfoys were not. Draco was proud of himself for what changing. His biological father was no gentleman, but Draco had taken the rules of being such to heart.

Ha ha, he thought, take that you Death Eating bastard! I can be a gentleman and earn my respect, but you have no respect. You have to frighten people into doing as you wish. Draco smiled to himself. I guess that proves the old adage: "You'll catch more fairies with honey than with vinegar."

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The next morning, Draco climbed out of bed, completely refreshed and immediately aware that he was a free man. The memories of last night flooded into his mind. He smiled, really smiled, at his reflection and, leaving out the customary gel, let his long, platinum-blond hair fall loosely down his back and walked out of the room in search of some breakfast.

God, this feels good. No oppressive fathers, no evil, power-hungry family to tie me back, just me. Just Draco. He was enjoying his freedom, but realized that he would still be recognized as a Malfoy. Number one on the to-do list, however: Get a new surname and legalize it. After all, I am sixteen; I can do that without parental consent. Probably out to change my whole name while I'm at it, though… Draco rounded the corner into the pub, almost running headlong into Ron Weasley.

Draco laughed apologetically. "Sorry, Ron. Must not have been paying attention very well." He smiled genially, determined not to carry over his old familial prejudices. "You all right, then?"

Ron stood stock still, shock written openly across his face. He finally found his voice and said shakily, "Malfoy?"

Draco reeled slightly at the name, looking disgusted with the sound of it. He shook his head. "No. Not Malfoy, at least, not anymore. Right now, it's just Draco. That'll be changing, too, soon."

"Hey, Ron!" Harry Potter's voice called out from around the corner. "You all right, mate?"

Ron slowly turned his head and nodded, still rather shaky from surprise. "You need any help, Ron?" Draco asked. "You looked like you were headed somewhere fast."

"Uh… Sure. You really wanna help?" Ron inquired, still disbelieving. Draco nodded. "Well, okay then… You can help, I guess."

Draco followed Ron upstairs to room 11, just down the corridor from his room. "This is mine and Harry's room. We needed to get our school lists, but we can't find them. Mum didn't immediately get hold of them, and we lost them." Ron looked embarrassed slightly, telling this to Draco. "I'll look through Harry's stuff. I really doubt he'd trust you."

Draco shrugged it off. "No worries about that. I'll look through yours. And, no, I won't make any snide comments," he assured Ron with a smirk.

After about ten minutes, Ron had found Harry's list (it had been closed in a book) but neither he nor Draco had had any luck finding his. Ron threw up his hands in defeat. "I give up, Draco. There's no chance of finding it now."

Draco chuckled. "You'd be amazed, Ron. But let's stop looking for now anyway. I still haven't eaten. I'm starving!"

Just then, someone knocked on the door. "Come in," Ron called. The door opened slowly to reveal a rather sleepy-looking red-headed girl. Draco recognized her immediately as Ginny Weasley, Ron's younger sister. "Oh. Hey, Gin."

Ginny ran a sleepy hand over her eye and gazed blearily at her brother. "Ron," she said, sounding tired as she looked, "Mum wants you to get your books and things today. She isn't feeling well."

"What?" Ron looked a bit surprised. "She was fine last night! What'd she do?" Ron muttered to himself as he strode quickly out the door. Draco sat on the floor with Ron's things scattered about him, almost hoping Ginny would notice him, and hoping that she wouldn't at the same time.

Ginny started to turn out the door but caught sight of the blond figure sitting on the floor with his legs doubled up under him. "Who're you?" Ginny inquired lazily, cocking her head to the side.

"Uhm… Draco. Just Draco." He looked almost ashamed, praying that she wouldn't despise him when she recognized who he was.

"Draco… I know a Draco. He's a Slytherin, though. Last name of Malfoy."

Draco rose from the floor and pulled back his waist-length locks. "Yeah, I know you do. He's me."

Ginny gasped. "Draco Malfoy?" She backed slowly away. "What're you doing in Ron's room?"

Draco held out a hand comfortingly. This had been what he was afraid of. Ginny would recognize him and refuse him a second chance. "I'm not a Malfoy anymore, Ginny. I don't have a surname any longer. I promise I won't give any of your family any problems. I've sworn off my family's animosities."

Ginny was obviously too sleepy to have a problem with him. She replied simply, "Oh. Okay. Well, you'd better get downstairs if you want something to eat. Ron's probably told everyone anyway."

He nodded and followed her down the stairwell. As they turned into the pub, Ginny's mother asked her who her friend was.

Ginny looked at her simply. "This is Draco."