A/N: This chapter is going to focus on Draco and his back story and is going to be in his POV.

A/N 2: I understand that you guys have your opinions but no flames please because I really don't appreciate it.

WARNINGS: This chapter is going to have some graphic abuse. IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT DON'T READ IT. Flash backs in near future.

Chapter 4: It's Never Too Late

I can't believe that she asked me out. After all this time, I never thought that she would after the way I treated her in school. I can remember the first time I called her a mudblood. I had really meant it back then because I wanted to be just like my father, to be respected by my peers and live up to my father's expectations.

I guess it was in fourth year that I realized that even though I was taught to see her as a mudblood, I couldn't anymore. Not only was she the most beautiful girl I had ever seen when she came down the steps to the ball; I remembered that she beat me in all of the classes that we had together. Hermione was brilliant in her own way, witty and could hold a good argument. I think all that combined is what attracted me to her the most.

After hearing what had happened at the Department Of Mysteries and how she held her own with Potter and his friends, my love grew for her even more. And over the holidays I spent most of my time in my room thinking of a way to approach Hermione. In the end I decided to send her a letter. In the letter I poured out all the conflicting feelings that I had over the years and how much I loved her. I was all for nothing though when Crabbe, one of my so called best friend, found me finishing the letter, took it from me and sent it straight to my father. I tried to run and hide after I got home from Hogwarts but in the end my father caught me.

********************FLASH BACK******************************

"Crucio!" Lucius Malfoy screamed in anger, casting one of the Unforgivable Curse's at my back. Stumbling I fell all the way to the bottom of the stairs, right in front of my father's feet. From there he continued the curse until I blacked out.

It felt like days later I awoke in one of the dungeons, my father, looking angrier than I had ever seen him, was in front of me.

I have to find a way to get out of this, I am a Slytherin after all. "Father let me explain."

"Explain how you are in love with the filthy mudblood? Why on earth would I do that?" He asked off handedly in a deadly cold voice.

"What better way is there to get inside the Golden Trio and closer to Potter?" I asked, in an almost pleading voice.

"You can certainly do better than that Draco."

Crack

I felt the blow to my head from my father's cane and blood gushing out of the back of my head. Hitting me again and again, anywhere and everywhere he could hit, telling me how worthless I was and how I wasn't worthy to be a Malfoy.

*********************END FLASH BACK*******************************

I remember that it went on like that for the rest of the summer until I learned how to fight back with wandless magic considering that my own bastard of a father broke my wand right in front of me; cursing me for betraying him and the family. I also had to learn hand to hand combat which wasn't easy when you don't have someone to train you.

My wandless magic came to me in the times I needed it the most or when I was feeling the highest of emotions, which wasn't surprising in the least. What was most surprising was that I found that I was actually good at hand to hand combat. It shocked my father to his very core when I laid out the first punch to his nose, but then the beatings would just get worse and I would have to learn how to be quicker and how to call on my wandless magic to help me.

A week before school started Voldemort was invited to stay at the Malfoy Manor. No longer did I call it my home.

That's when HE came to me…

**************************FLASH BACK***************************

"Out of my way Lucius," A voice hissed.

I turned to see who it was and it was Voldemort himself. I have felt fear before but this was a different kind of fear; fear of death. I knew that my father couldn't kill me, not only because I was his only heir but Voldemort had plans for me. I was the family's way of getting redemption in Voldemort's eyes.

"But my Lord…"

"I said OUT OF MY WAY!"

My father flinched and stepped quickly out of the way.

"Severus!"

"Yes my Lord?" My godfather, Severus Snape, asked from somewhere behind Voldemort.

"Get young Mr. Malfoy cleaned up. I have a task for him." Turning to face my father, Voldemort glared at him saying, "I'll deal with you later."

Once everyone was gone, besides my godfather, I sighed in relief hoping that he would be able to heal me. I had more broken bones than I would dare to count, and some were in the stages of healing but since they were never set right, due to the constant beatings my so called "father" gave me. I was currently on the floor, dirty, bloody. Once when my father didn't get me to the bathroom quick enough, well you could see and smell the urine that was all over me as well.

My godfather was by my side in an instant, giving me blood replenishing potions and a potion to mend my broken bones after my godfather had to re-break them in order for them to heal correctly. It took several hours and the pain was bearable, considering I was getting used to the pain.

Severus never asked any questions. Never said a word, while administering the potions, and after getting me to a shower and having scrubbed myself clean, he gave me clean new robes. Then I was taken to the second foyer and that's when I saw my mother. She was bound and gagged on the floor, crying silently.

"Draco Malfoy," Voldemort said with a sneer. "I have a task for you." There was silence for a second, and then he continued. "But first you must take the Dark Mark."

"Never." I answered, eyes blazing.

"Crucio!" Voldemort said firing the curse at my mother. After a few seconds he let up on the curse, "I will kill her if you don't join me."

Bowing my head in defeat I sighed, "I will join you my Lord."

******************************END FLASH BACK*************************

A shiver went down my spine at that memory. I also remember the look on Voldemort's face and how priceless it was when he found out that my father had broken my wand. Thankfully I have a newer and more powerful wand than my last one. Sixth year was the hardest, and at some points I thought that I was going to kill myself.

But now…now I don't feel that way anymore. When Hermione ran into me at Hogsmead, it had to have been fate. I believe that I was meant to save her that this was my chance and this time I wasn't going to screw it up.

Now all I had to do was think of what to do for a first date.

The first thing that came to my mind was that she needs a new wand. So Olivanders, came to my mind first. Then Flourish and Blotts, I knew her love for books had almost completely diminished but hopefully she would love it, if not then I was to take her to Three Broomsticks, for coffee or Butterbeer, which they were famous for. From there I could ask her where she wanted to visit when she was a little girl and take her there next or on our second date.

But first I had to survive my anxiety of the days until our first date.

With a plan now put together, all I had to do was wait until Friday.