I couldn't wait to post the next chapter. The Prologue didn't see to be enough.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Chapter 1: The Beginning of Him

The night sky glowed with the storms, the same storms that loomed in Draco's mind. His stormy gaze took in the small body lying in the bed behind him. It was the stony silence she had left him with when he did not answer her question. She knew the answer, she knew he would love her anyway he could have her, but the thought of being the one to take the life from her, to take her life's blood into him and then fill her with his own poison. The chills ran up his spine, he could not watch her die, could not watch her fall into the dark void of immortality. Yet he could not imagine anyone he would even let get near enough to do such a thing, there was a difference in turning her and mating her. He could let someone turn her and then claim her, but the bond was so much stronger if he turned her and claimed her at the same time. His being as a whole wanted her, needed her, and it was getting harder to retain his sanity around her, to not take her and make her his. Every touch and kiss was like torture, yet such blessed torture, the kind he would suffer everyday for her to keep her alive and give her a full mortal life. What was Dumbledore getting at by doing this?

It was nights like these that made him remember that brought him to this point. How did Draco Malfoy become a member of the Order, a vampire, and fall in love with Hermione Granger? He knew some people wander these same things, seen it in Moody's and other order member's eyes at the meetings. Felt the glares of resentment and disgrace as he ate at his House table in the Great Hall. Saw the fear when he walked into Hogsmeade some weekends, as mothers steered wide-eyed children away from him. His mind full of their thoughts, of those who felt they had been betrayed, those of jealousy, and those of fear, as well as those of just amazement and suspicion. A monster, blood traitor, and disgrace, something dangerous, untrustworthy, all those things were what they labeled him with. A select few were still loyal to him, Blaise who was the closest thing to a brother he had, Snape the father he never had, the mate he loved more than eternity, and her friends who had now become his own. Never would he have believed someone if they had told him this is where he would be his 7th year at Hogwawrts, a younger Draco Malfoy would have sneered and told them they were bloody looney as Lovegood. Now he could never inmagine any other place he would want to be, any Slytherin could tell you the winning side, it was only a matter of time before his House made a mass Exodus to the Light side, other than those already claimed by the Dark Lord, and he couldn't imagine his life without Hermione.

Before that summer, he had been happy as the Prince of Slytherin, though he still retained the title, at that time he had lived up to its every potential. He remembered when it had all changed, remembered his mother's screams, his father's disdain, felt the Dark Lod's wrath, and knew what death truly meant. Yet, he would never take any of that back, as stormy eyes swept stormy skies, he knew this is where he belonged, and had all along. Moving to the glass french doors that led out to the balcony from their bedroom, he turned the silver knob and walked into the rain. Letting his head look up to the sky, he had no fear of this natural disaster, but only the little lion in the bed wuold be able to see the small tears that mixed with those from the heavens as he relived all those memories from the summer.

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The smell of cigar smoke was something he related to his father's study, that and whiskey. Taking a seat in one of the leather wingback chairs, he got comfortable, knowing why his father had asked him to attend this small meeting. He knew what was expected of him this summer, but he hadn't been ready for what that exactly entailed. "Draco, these are Gregorey and Vincent's fathers, as well as Mr. Parkinson and their wives. This is my son, you know our Lord has great plans for him. Narcissa, do you have the portkeys ready?" Draco could see the terror in his mother's eyes, the tightness around her eyes and the shaking of her hands as she handed his father the portkeys. Draco wanted to comfort his mother and tell her that nothing would go wrong. "Time for a test Draco, outr Lord wants to be sure he's not making a mistake with you."

Mr. Goyle looked at him, an older version of his son, "Please, Lucius. He is a Malfoy, they are born for the dark side, for such dark magic and calling." The man was so sure about what he said as he laid a hand on the adolecent's shoulder, and Draco could tell he was oviously sucking up to his father.

Lucius's smirk was evident in his arrogance and apperciation for his brown nosing, "I know, but then you would see how this is something that my son will accomplish easily. So there is no harm in amusing our Dark Lord's wishes and put him through this test anyways. Isn't that right Draco?" his father turned to him, pride practically permeated the room as father watched son raise his head high in indignance of any other option. Standing to his full height and looking Goyle right in the eye, the man forgot any thought of the Malfoy heir not needing to go through the trial.

"Of course father. We should always do our best to please our Lord." a smirk spread across his face as the man backed away from him, "Is this enough dawdling? i think it is about time we went on our way." His father must have agreed as he popped out of the room quickly after setting the other portkeys on an end table. Soon the Goyles, the Crabbes, and the Parkinsons followed him, leaving Draco alone with his mother. The woman who had cared for him his whole life turned to look at him, her face drawn, fear and exhaustion shown across her suken cheeks. "You haven't been taking care of yourself mother, you shouldn't worry so much, all will be fine." he tried to ease her concerns, as he turned to grab a portkey, her frail hand gripped his wrist.

Raising a hand to her son's face, she turned it to look at her, "My little Dragon, remember that I will always love you, no matter what choices you make. Be careful of what they ask you to do, and always watch your back. They won't let me help you tonight. I'm scared for you and for our family, I won't be able to live without you or your father. Please Draco, no matter what happens, promise me you will come out of it alive." His heart melted as he took his mother into his arms in a warm hug, then pulled back using his thumb to wipe away a few stray tears from her cheeks.

"No worries mother, a Malfoy is always the last one standing." he told her, presseing a kiss to her hair, he grabbed a portkey and with a pop found himself in the dungeons of Voldemort's castle. A strange cackle echoed along the limestone walls, chains rattled all around him and then he turned just in time to dodge a spell that leaped out at him. Then rolling across the floor and back onto his feet, began searching for assailants.

A hand suddenly fell on his shoulder, and the room became lit gloomily. Torches burned along the walls, yet it seemed to glow green instead of a bright yellow or orange. "Now for your challenge my son. To become a death eater, one must kill an auror or another of that ranking, or well you will so you will be ranked higher in our Lord's servants. Our Lord wants you to kill Dumbledore." his father turned a sly grin aloong his lips. "Getting rid of the crazy old crone will devastate the Light side and will surely shake the confidence young Potter has recently gained." Draco looked at his father then to Crabbe as he threw a terrified man at his feet, "Malfoy's don't just kill Draco, we torture." his father hissed in his ear as he looked down at the pitiful man with a sneer, "Torture him Draco, you must or you will amount to nothing for our Lord."

Wand raised Draco felt a curse slip from his lips and watched the man curl on the ground in pain as cuts appeared along his body. His cries would never leave his mind, no the Malfoy heir would never lose the sickening feeling he had that night at torturing an innocent man. "He is weak Lucius. He will fail his mission, wh not give to someone more worthy?" he heard Parkinson demand. Anger blossomed in Draco who let loose another curse, fire singed the man's whole body as Draco's rage burned. "Now there is that Malfoy superiority." as pride empowered him, he called upon an unforgivable and soon the man writhed in the floor as Crustacius did it's job. Soon a green light struck the man as Draco realized someone was cackling and as his slate orbs rose to the Dark Lord himself, who had killed the man.

"You are priceless my boy."

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Draco knew he'd failed, knew he could not kill his headmaster. Nothing could frustrate Voldemort more than a failure, especially a Malfoy failure. Draco was once again in the dungeons, but not for a test, not for a praise worthy meeting, no his arms were tied together and then his wrists were hooked on the top of a wooden post, his back bared. "You have failed me, Draco." the hiss was so unsettling even when unangered, "Do you know what happens when you fail? You shall never forget this, you will never fail again." He could hear foot steps from behind him, the grinding of metal again stone, then the pain, so physical, nonmagical. The back snap hurt more that the ntial infliction, as the ends of the cat of ninet tails ripped from his back. Some many lashes, but he still held his tongue, never would a Malfoy cry out in pain, never show them what you feel. He counted them as blood dripped from his sides, his back, his chest. Soon, he kept telling himself, soon it will be over.

Suddenly his head was jerked back by his hair as his torturer stood above him masked, he showed him the knife. Soon its bite was on his arms, across his legs, and even on his face. Still yet no cry was drawn from his lips, grey eyes held determination to not shame his father any further. The bang of the dungeon doors racked his mind, then he heard her wails, his mather. Voldemort had his mother. He heard his father's angry shouts and then the chains being clicked into lock, his torturer used the knife to forse him to look at his parents. His mother chained to the floor, her eyes fearful and terrorized as she saw her son, and knew her fate. Draco felt the Crustacius curse as it spread across him, his body curling against the post holding him up, the tattered wood stabbing into him. His eyes never left his mother's, never stoped hearing his father's anger as he too was chained to the floor.

One of the Death Eaters left the circle, pointing his wand at his mother and blood soon blossomed on her dress. His father reached for her as her screams filled the room as other Death Eaters joined throwing curses at her. Soon Draco could no longer see his mother, soon she was so pale, so cut up, so pained that she collapsed. "End her." was all Voldemort said and when the green light left her body, not only did Draco's wails echoed along the walls but his father's as well. "Don't try me Lucius. I will end you as well." Wandless magic wasn't beyond his father, then as his father sent a stream of fire towards the Dark Lord, Voldemort himself lifted a hand to stop it then he watched as his father tried to pull away invisible hands from around his neck, before he too collapsed.

"Draco, you are now the only Malfoy. You will serve me. Now for your punishment, you will be branded." his back burned as Voldemort branded the Dark Mark across his back.

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Leaves, he saw leaves, and then tree roots, "The forest..." he groaned, still in terrible pain, still bleeding. He had escaped that cold, stoney cell, ran with what little strength he had into the dark Forbidden Forest and must have passed out. Raising himself up on his arms, forcing out more blood, causing more pain, but he pushed through it, he had to keep going. Hogwarts, he had to reach Hogwarts, had to warn Dumbledore and the Order. Voldemort would rue the day he disgraced the Malfoy name, the day he destroyed it, and the day he allowed Draco Malfoy to live.

Looking around at the tall and grotesque shaped trees, he kept alert for signs of life. Many more dangerous inhabitants of the forest wwould be attracted to his still bleeding body. Dark magic ran ddep in his veins, no need for a wand to deal with tose problems, but he needed his strength for moving not for fighting. Silver eyes scanned his pathways, and chose one he hoped led north. It wasn't until almost dusk that he knew he was in danger. The slight rustle of the trees, the sense of a higher predator's gaze, and the small cool breezes that blew the scent of death towards him. Knowing he wouldn't be able to keep pushing himself through the night, he turned to deal with his problem. Eyes met, a dangerous blood red met am icy quicksilver.

"So you know I"m here? You are a wizard... I can smell the magic on you." the red-eyed being smiled ferally and that's when Draco saw the poison dripping from sharp fangs. "Yes, you see what I am. No fear from this one though, why are you not scared? You should be terrified yound wizard, you are about to die." Draco couldn't feel fear, even with that need to tell the Order to warn Dumbledore, he still didn't fear his own death, he practically wished for it. If he hadn't such a heavy conscience over this war then he would gladly embrace the death that this Vampire was offering.

"No, my dear death dealer. I do not fear you. Nothing will ever bring me to fear you, I would graciously take the death you proffer if I was not needed in this world." A smirk graced his face, it was so natural to be smug in the face of death. "Are you willing to fight for your food?" he was challenging a Vampire, he must be losing his mind.

The pale skin still sparkled in the last light of the sun, "Oh, there is nothing more that I enjoy than that of the chase. We are hunters at heart." the Vampire was already finding this wizard to be very interesting, peculiar, and something even a Vampire could respect. Then he lunged, Draco slipped away to the side, exhaustion pulling at his system, but still able to draw on the ancient magic embedded in him since he was but a child. The fanged one turned to find a snake flying at him, dodging the beast and slashing his hard nails across it's stomach. Licking blod from his fingertips, he smiled at his next meal. They fought for what felt too long for Draco, impedimentias and his own blood flew threw the air. Fiendfyre seemed to have actually harmed the creature in front of him, sectumsempra just seemed to heal as soon as inflicted to the stone-like skin. Casting pectrification, and watching the Vampire dodge, then as it lunged at him he narrowly escaped by throwning himself under him. Both landed on the ground exhausted, "You are respectable for a dark wizard." the Vampire informed Draco as he rose to leer over the blonde. "You are worthy of the gift of death dealer." he whispered and Draco cried out as he felt the fangs sink in to his body, to his chest, just above his heart. "You will be strong as one of us."

The burn of the poison through his veins as it slowly killed him, was excruciating. He clawed as his body, at the ground trying to do anything to make the pain stop. He heard as his gracious gifter left him lying there on the forest floor. The light in his eyes was blinding, but he knew he had his eyes closed. Never had he felt more alive or more like he was dying. images of his mother and father flashed before him, events played out from his life. His first train ride to Hogwarts, hos first flight as a seeker, realizing he was Price among the Slytherins, and his ongoing fights with the Golden Trio, even when Hermione Granger broke his nose. Pain shot through his heart, and he knew the fire burning through him was because the poison had reached his heart. No death could be more horrible, no creature should have to suffer such a curse. Flailing about, he was bent on tearing himself apart. He would not let some Vampire get the better of him, he would force himself to survive. The dark magic riled up, drawing on the poison for strength, and that feeling he clung to, that is what held him up as he stood on Death's door. Then suddenly his eyes shot open, red as a rose. He was naturally cold, the bright sun caused his skin to gleam, and forcing a fist against the ground he created a sizeable dent in the ground. One thought pervaded his mind, one image, one person.

He had to have Hermoine Granger.

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Red eyes focused in on the angelic litte body laying in sleep. Pale hands as colld as ice drew a gasp from the rosebud mouth, and golden eyes flickered open. Realizing the situation, quickly the lioness pulled his lips to her own. A feral growl escaped as passion fell over the two. Another gasp was drawn from those precious lips as his kissed her throat. "Don't... not this way... you don't want it this way..." The voice, a trill of music to sharp ears, brought silver back from the ruby, and then he threw himself back from the bed. From the corner of the room he sat perched on her vanity table.

Heavy breaths escaped his lips as he realized he was soaked through, their bed had a damp spot from where he had sat trying to seduce her. Guilt weighed heavy on him, he knew what had almost happened, what could have happened, what he had almost done. Stepping down onto cherry wood floors, he looked at her, searched for any harm he could have caused. Hermoine knew where his thoughts lied, knew he was fretting like a mother hen, and wanted nothing more than tel him it was alright. "Hermione... I'm so sorry... Please Hermione, I love you... It's just I was thinking, remembering, you know from before... I remembered when I had first been turned... my need for you."

She rose, walking towards him, an emerald green nightgown flowing in a river of silk across her honeyed skin. "Shhh..." she placed a gentle finger on his lips, his pain brought tears to her eyes. Holding his hand up to her cheek, she felt as his thumb gently brushed her tears away. "I love you, Draco." was all she said, as she slowly slipped into his arms. She kissed her way across his jaw back to his mouth. He cherished her warmth, the feel of her warm tongue against his cold lips, then he began to drown in her essence. His hands gripped her arms, and his mind wandeered the halls. Then he caught a dull frightening thought from a mind that shouldn't have been there.

'We will kill her... Hermione Granger must die before he can turn her....'

Amata Mercy

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