"The Making's of One Draco Malfoy."

Chapter 5, Book One

Sometimes Ignorance is Bliss

It was late that same night as Draco walked back from the entrance to the Griffindor common room. He made his way down several flights of stairs and corridors, praying to not be seen by a teacher out of bed past midnight. It was there as Draco walked that he saw them.

Gareth Monx, Jasper Teak and their other Seventh year Slytherin cronies were leaning against a side corridor, glares and looks of disgust plastered on their fat and gruesome faces.

Draco made to turn around and take a different route back to the common room but Garith's voice stopped him and made him shake with terror.

"Hey Dra-co, Not so fast. Get back here! I think we need to have.... a little talk." Gareth's voice leaking with hatred. Draco knew what was going to happen and he needed to get away. Fast.

Draco whipped out his wand and sprinted as fast as his emotionally and physically tired body would carry him. One word was all that needed to be said and he would be stuck in his tracks, unable to escape.

"Stupefy!" Shouted Jasper at Malfoy's retreating figure as he felt himself freeze up and land hard onto the cold stone floor. Gareth and his mates caught up to Draco's frozen form.

"Tut, tut. Draco. Wrong move. You may think you're more superior to us because of your stupid mission. But let me tell you. You're not." Gareth started circling Draco's frozen body on the floor glaring into him. "You think that you can just deny your family's wishes as well? Ohhhh let's go tell little Mud-blood scum Granger whats-a-face about my wittle scarwy plan from Lord Voldemort. Blah, Blah, Blah. Your weak Draco, Weak!

"And Yes. We saw you with Granger. And now it seems you are in need of proof, Draco. Too see where your true loyalties really lie." A smug look came to his eyes and he glanced behind himself to his friends. "Get him boys."

Draco's unconscious body wasn't found until hours later by Professor Flitwick and McGonagall. They took him to Madam Pomfrey where he was to be treated for his horrible and disastrous wounds. Draco had cuts on his face and neck, bruises on every plain of his body and scars on his left arm.

McGonagall was a bit hesitant to believe that the scars on his left arm were by mistake. She must speak to Severus about this. This poor boy from the looks of things, was going into some form of post-traumatic stress. Even whilst knocked unconscious he had a scared look to him. He was a lost boy.

Hermione hadn't seen Draco since over four nights ago, after he had walked her to the Griffindor Common room.

Hermione looked for hints, signs and trace's of evidence that he hadn't gone crazy and had just jumped off the Astronomy Tower.

She glanced at the Slytherin table in the Great Hall at every meal. No sign of him anywhere. Was he avoiding her? No. How could it be just her? He hadn't been to the Great Hall all week. He had to eat right? Something was happening.

What confirmed Hermione's fear's even more was the fact that all the Slytherin Seventh year's kept giving her weird and knowing looks? It was almost like they knew where Draco was and wanted to watch her struggle to find out. Hermione decided that today should would hunt down Draco and find out what was going on. Would she be able to find him though?

No one had come to visit Draco whilst he was in the hospital wing recovering. He felt so bad. Nobody wanted him, nobody was even bothered to come and see him and pay him just the slightest bit of attention. He felt even more alone as each day grew by.

The third day brought a different perspective. Draco had received a small letter from his Mother.

Draco,

Your Father has heard word from the Dark Lord to proceed with the plan ahead.

I have been banned from talking to you by your Father as for he is disgusted with your choices, and I have been forbidden to even write them on paper.

Your Father refuses to discuss this matter and wishes for you to just know where your relationship between him and you stands, as of now.

Hope you look after yourself,

Mother.

P.S- Remember to locate the Room of Requirement, it is absolutely crucial. You may find that you will need it for more reasons, than just your task.

After reading the letter several times Draco set it alight with his wand and tried to never think of it again.

It was hard to not think about the letter. It had been his only contact with his Mother, she hadn't even written in there that she had heard of his.... incident. She hadn't even heard his side of the story. But then again, his side of the story never mattered did it?

Sighing Draco rolled over and prayed for a dreamless sleep.

Draco walked through the Forbidden Forest barefoot, totally alone. It was dead silent; the only noise was his slight footsteps as he drew closer towards the entrance and the thinning of the trees. He could just see Hogwarts now, as he walked closer out of the Forbidden Forest.

Once making it back into the grounds Draco sat at one of the big trees around the lake. He leaned his back against the tree. He reached up with his hands to pull his hair out of his eyes. As he did so he felt something sticky and warm slide through his hair as well as his fingers. He immediately pulled his hands away and looked at them.

On them was rich foul smelling blood. The blood was thick, bright red, sticky and almost solid on his; hands, palms and fingers.

Letting out a freaked out shriek, Draco leapt up and ran towards the lake. He almost dived into the sand as he drove his hands into the freezing cold water. Scrubbing anxiously at his hands Draco started hyperventilating. His breath was becoming faster and faster. His lungs felt like they were shrinking and every breath felt more and more like a chore.

As he scrubbed something caught Draco's eye. On his left arm, where the scratches he had made should have been, he noticed the bright and distinct, bold black mark on his arm. The Dark Mark.

A blood curdling scream came from Draco's mouth as he awoke.

He had startled Madam Promfrey and had her coming out in her dressing gown; a look of seriousness masked her tired face. She came right up to Draco who was panting and leaning forward unnaturally. His head bowed over almost at his knees.

She made to comfort him. "Mr Malfoy?"

He panted a couple more times before being able to respond. "What." He said flatly, almost rude.

"Clearly there is something wrong; you need to sort out this madness of yours. It's mentally killing you."

"There is nothing wrong. I am perfectly fine." Draco took another deep breath. "I'd appreciate it if you Left. Me. Alone." His tone had taken a sudden seriousness to it.

There is nobody who can help me now. He thought.

"Very well Mr Malfoy, if that is what you wish. Suite yourself. But you will speak tomorrowto Professor Snape. Clearly there is something very, very wrong indeed."

Madam Promfrey left without another word, back to the comfy confines of her own bed.