Disclaimer: Characters in this story are owned by J.K. Rowling, yada yada.

Author's Note: All right, so I ended up not being able to find the file folder containing the part of Chapter 2 that I had already written, so I just wrote a whole new one. Enjoy!

Still no betas, and I'm not expecting to get any. I think I'm a good enough writer to check myself. xD

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CHAPTER TWO

While he was thoughtfully strolling to backyard doors, Draco managed to catch a glimpse of an impressive fountain through a window. There seemed to be a fairly large number of people mingling around it outside. This scene acted as trigger, bringing Draco to his senses and dragging him from his thoughts. He anxiously wringed his hands together before clasping them behind his back and walking outside. Not a single person spared him a glance as he loitered around the edge of the massive crowd of people, seeking a familiar face. He was slightly discouraged that he was unable recognize anyone. Not only that, but he was hesitant to speak to anyone. Three years in the confinements of Azkaban with dementors as his only companions had caused him to become uncertain and uncomfortable with crowds.

After walking along the edge of the crowd, he finally entered to continue his search. Now he was determined to find someone—anyone to accompany him. Heads were starting to turn towards him as people began to distinguish him as Draco Malfoy. Whispers followed him as his continued to make his way through the crowd, and all he could do was simply ignore them.

It wasn't long before Blaise appeared by his side, in rather cheery mood. "Malfoy, I had a hunch that you'd arrived when people began whispering! This is usually quite a lively bunch," he remarked, making a vague gesture with his hand, which held a glass of liquor. "Pansy!" Grinning, he suddenly pressed his hand against Draco's upper back, urging him forward and towards a lady with pug-resembling features.

Pansy gasped, "Merlin, Draco, is that you?" She immediately licked her finger and tried to smooth down a strand of hair like a mom would do. This ignited a dark feeling inside of Draco, and he shoved her away from him, throwing her a piercing glare. "What the hell is wrong with you, Parkinson?" he growled under his breath. One he met her, he learned rapidly that she was an attention-seeking whore. Somehow, she had always mistranslated his inattention into him playing hard-to-get. The adoration was definitely not mutual, and he had even voiced it to her numerous times. She had never received the hint.

Now irritated, he pushed his way past Blaise and Pansy, leaving her in a state of astonishment, and toward the labyrinth-like garden that lay just beyond the heap of people. Along the way, he felt the hairs on the back of his neck prickle, and instinctively turned his head to catch an intense stare from Harry Potter. All Draco could do was wonder how Potter had even become acquaintances with Blaise. He was about to continue on his way, but was halted in his steps by a fairly attractive woman standing near Potter—his girlfriend, perhaps? She was laughing heartily, her smooth brown hair shining in the sun. Her hazel-colored eyes were sparkling with joy.

That was all Draco could afford to notice before he caught himself and moved on. He was certain that Potter had noticed his temporary expression of amazement. Sliding his hands into his pockets, he started down the cobblestone path that wound endlessly through acres of backyard. There were countless sections of circles, each with a different and unique fountain inhabiting the center. Three stone benches surrounded each fountain, and each section was surrounded by tall hedges. Three paths would branch off from each section, each leading to another fountain. It all seemed so surreal.

Draco meandered about for approximately an hour by himself, mulling over what he was supposed to do now that he had been released from Azkaban. It would be a challenge to dissolve back into society; former Death Eaters were unsurprisingly looked down upon with absolute contempt. He gazed down at his forearm, where the Dark Mark lay hidden beneath his sleeve. It was similar to a muggle tattoo in that it was a permanent imprint on the skin. No spell, no potion, was powerful enough. Unfortunately, he would have to live with this curse—the curse he had brought upon himself when he had accepted the responsibilities as a follower of Voldemort. What regret and shame he felt now.

All of a sudden, a rush of bliss and warmth flooded through his body. The garden opened up into a vast Quidditch pitch, leaving Draco with a feeling of great relief. Finally there was something here that he could relate to—something that he cherished in his life. Quidditch meant everything to him... He just loved flying, feeling the cool breeze against his cheeks and through his hair. He looked fretfully around, hoping that by some chance, there would be a broom to utilize. There—he located a rack of broomsticks hanging upside down. Quickly walking over and selecting one of the newer-looking ones, he slid the smooth wood of the handle through his fingers.

He could not suppress a small smile as he swung his leg over and lifted into the air, swiftly soaring toward the clouds. He circled the stadium several times in total ecstasy before hovering in the air high above a set of Quidditch goals. He took a long breath of crisp, clean air and studied his surroundings, taking in the beauty of everything below him. From this height, he could see the real size of Blaise's estate. On one side of the building was the city, and on the other side were acres of nature—the Quidditch pitch sandwiched in between the fountain labyrinth and the forest beyond.

Closing his eyes, he pictured the stands surrounding the stadium filled with spectators. Draco smirked to himself, and promptly began swerving around, searching for the Snitch. Suddenly, he rolled to his side as a bludger nearly bludgeoned his head. That was a close call. The Snitch! It was there, in the direction that the bludger had flown. He whirled into action, speeding towards it—but it always seemed to be just out of his grasp. He urged his broomstick forward—Potter! The name was bitter, even in his mind, as he saw a flash of crimson and gold streak in front of him. He was forced to veer to his right to avoid a collision. In moments, he saw Potter, his glasses askew, holding the Snitch triumphantly in the air and throwing Draco a bragging look.

Draco's eyes snapped open, and he shook his head slightly, his insides bubbling with discouragement and resentment. That Potter kid.. How he loathed the do-good grin of his and the joyous laughter of his faithful mudblood and Weasel allies. He had also excelled in Seeking, and resulted in yet another could-be talent squashed. Throughout his life, Potter had always taken what Draco wanted, whether it be a trusting ear or a skill. He had always taken pleasure in degrading Potter and his friends.

He felt a slight twinge of guilt. He knew that what he felt was simply envy. After all, he could not purely hate Harry Potter. Not after that night he had rescued Draco from that horrifying fire in the Room of Requirements.

Draco's thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a sense of being watched. He turned the broom around and squinted downward. The person below immediately started making his or her way back to the fountains. However, they couldn't be quicker than a broom. In seconds, Draco had directed the broom in their path, and smoothly transitioned to the ground. He took long strides toward what appeared to be the same woman he saw beside Potter earlier. If she was his girlfriend, he thought to himself, she was not welcome in his presence.

"What reason do you have to be here?" he huffed at her, dismissing the fact that she was looking rather pale and timid as he approached her. She didn't answer, looking absolutely petrified. "Are you deaf? Why are you here?" he repeated, realizing how aggressive he must appear.

All of a sudden, the look of terror wiped from her face, and her eyes seemed to light up. "Draco Malfoy?" Her tone was uncomfortably mocking to Draco, but he slowly tipped his chin up and down and looked more questioningly at her. How the hell did she know..?

"Wow, you really haven't changed much, have you?" she inspected him, just as everyone else had. Making a small noise of disapproval, she continued, "All that seems to have changed is you're white as a sheet and skinnier." It seemed as if she was taking great satisfaction in belittling him.

That critical tone... Draco's eyes widened very slightly. "Mudblood," he muttered under his breath, low enough so that it was inaudible to her.

"What? You'll have to speak louder, or are you hearing impaired?"

He promptly shifted into his smooth, arrogant persona. "Excuse me, Granger? I believe that you were the one that was unable to answer my question," he drawled, the corner of his mouth curving upwards in a slight smirk.

She almost snorted at him, and drew out her wand, aiming at his face.

"You know, I never really took you as the type to attack a defenseless person." Raising his hands to show that he was no threat, he began circling her.

"What are you doing?" demanded Hermione.

"Wow, Granger, did you always have an ass?" he inquired, feigning seriousness.

She flushed pink and threw him an incredulous look before she regained her composure. "Did you always have a big head?" she retorted, immediately regretting her words. What a stupid reply.

Feigning shock this time, he stopped in his steps. "Granger, I am genuinely hurt. How could you say such a lie? My head is perfectly average-sized. Now go run along and cuddle with that Weasel boyfriend of yours. If you stand around me longer, you may contaminate me with your mudblood germs," he sneered.

Hermione opened her mouth to say something, but seemed to think against it, and simply shot him a dirty look before retreating. She was apparently upset over this short encounter. Hopefully, there would be more, and perhaps Potter or Weasley would be thrown in as well. Draco had forgotten how pleasant it felt to demoralize others.

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Author's Note: I know I promised a longer chapter, but I was just struggling to even write this. This was the last week of school before the holiday break, and I was just swamped with tests and everything. Anyway, sorry for the time you had to wait for this chapter, but please review!