A/N: Thanks so much to everyone who has reviewed or followed! *Hands out pudding*

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters used in this fanfic.

The Lion and the Snake Chapter 1: Four Years Later

Draco boarded the Hogwarts Express this year with a feeling he had never experienced on the first day of school before: Pure, absolute utter dread, sadness, and, above all, total fear. He went into the prefects' compartment with Pansy Parkinson, who unlike him was gleeful as they entered the compartment. The two had been made Head Boy and Head Girl this year not because they were good at being prefects, but because of their blood status and family connections and relations to the Dark Lord. Draco himself was a Death Eater along with his father, and while Pansy was not one yet, he knew both of her parents were and suspected she would jump at the chance.

Now that Professor Snape was Headmaster this year, and Alecto and Amycus Carrow would hold teaching positions, it had been decided that detentions would be torture. Literally. Older students would be forced to Cruciate other students who had received detentions, and if they refused than they would get Cruciated too. And prefects- especially the Head Boy and Head Girl- would in particular have to make sure the punishments and principles of the Carrows were enforced. As Draco closed the compartment door behind them, he looked around to see who this year's new prefects would be. Their faces were all familiar to him, but there was only one person he actually remembered: Astoria Greengrass.

He and Astoria were neither friends nor enemies, and had only spoken to each other in passing. Or rather, when Astoria witnessed Draco picking on other students Astoria would always stand up for his victims and give him a piece of her mind. He remembered how shocked he was when about only one week into her first year at Hogwarts, Daphne's little sister yelled at him for harassing her and a bunch of first years she was with at the time while they were on their way to class. He never gave her trouble again after that, although that didn't stop him from bullying entirely; it only prevented him from bullying her. Although if he bullied anyone within her proximity, she was sure to let him have it.

As he looked at the emerald eyed ginger in front of him, he felt a sinking feeling form in his stomach. If there was anyone who was in danger of getting in trouble with the Carrows this year, it was Astoria Greengrass. Her parents were death Eaters and she was a pureblood. However, she was a thorough blood traitor, through and through. The Carrows did not know this, and Draco silently prayed she would tone down her Muggle and Muggle Born loving tendencies. Or else she was endangering herself. What worried Draco more than anything for the younger Greengrass though was this: she had been a member of Dumbledore's Army the year before, he recalled, and was willing to break school rules if she felt it was the right thing.

Therefore, he wouldn't be surprised if she disobeyed the Carrows. He knew there was nothing she could agree with them on and may voice her opinion. There was no way in Heaven, Earth, or Hell that she would honestly agree with the idea of torturing students. All he could do was pray that she would be smart enough to keep quiet for once.

The idea of Draco Malfoy being concerned for a Gryffindor two years below him may seem odd, and if someone told him a few years ago he'd be this worried, he would have laughed in their face. But now, Draco was worried for everyone this year, regardless of their House or blood status, or whatever opinion he may have had of them previously.

Eventually, he and Pansy informed the prefects of their duties this year. Astoria objected once they reached the part about using the Cruciatus Curse for detentions.

"We have to do WHAT?!" She exclaimed loudly.

"Cruciate students who have detention, Greengrass," Pansy sneered. "Now back to-"

But before Pansy could continue, Astoria interrupted once more.

"I refuse to do that!" She declared. "Crucio other students? That's barbaric! What's wrong with ordinary detentions? We're civilized human beings, for God's sake!"

"Greengrass," Draco said though gritted teeth. "Don't be stupid. If you want to survive this year, you will obey the Carrows' orders at all times. It is torture or be tortured. Do not disagree with them, just act as is expected of you, and you will be fine. That goes for all of you." He added, looking around at them all. "Understand." It was not a question, but an order.

Everyone nodded fearfully. Everyone that is, except for Astoria Greengrass.

"You can all do whatever you like, but I for one will not stand for this. I refuse to be a part of this." And with that being said she yanked the Prefects' badge from her shirt. She tossed it on the ground and stomped on it. A couple of people gasped.

"You're making a mistake, Greengrass," Draco snarled. "If you don't want the Carrows to hurt you and perhaps your family, you will put that badge back on, sit back down, and pretend none of this every happened."

"I don't want to get hurt Draco, "Astoria whispered, and Draco hoped this meant she was finally seeing sense. "And I don't want my family to pay for my actions. But-"His heart fell as she said that three letter word-"I also don't want to stand by and do nothing. And if doing what is right means being harmed… than on my own head be it." And with that being said she stalked out of the compartment.

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