DISClAIMER: I do not own any rights of Harry Potter. This story is based on my own ideas and may be different than the real story. I just write these for fun :) I also apologise in advance for any typos or grammatical errors.

"Wake up Draco, wake up.." Narcissa said to her son while she sat on the edge of the bed.

Draco fluttered his eyes open, looking at his mother, breathing heavily.

"I heard you screaming..." she said softly, looking at her son concerned.

He just nodded, looking slightly confused.

"Maybe it is a good idea to talk to someone about these nightmares Draco, they're only getting worse and-"

"No." he interrupted his mother. "I'm not going to talk to anyone. I'm fine. I can handle this alone." He said stubbornly.

"It doesn't seem like you are fine." Narcissa said.

"Maybe if you all stopped interfering with my life it will get better." He said annoyed. He threw the sheets aside and got out of his bed, making his way to the bathroom.

His mother sighed and looked down at her hands. She knew he was right. They were telling him what to do, who to marry, how to dress, who to talk to.. she knew it wasn't right but she had no choice, had she? She was used to it, she was raised like this, and so was her husband.

"Or maybe.." Narcissa tried carefully as she walked over to open door of his bathroom. "Maybe try to think of good things before you go to sleep. Look at pictures, read a book, something to get your mind off of things."

"You think I do this on purpose?" Draco replied as he washed his face.

"No, of course not. But maybe you can just try..?"

"Maybe." He said as he put on his bathrobe. "Sorry mother but I would like to take a shower now."

"Sure, I'll see you for breakfast then." Narcissa said, she gave him a soft smile before she left.

But instead of taking a shower he dressed himself quickly and disapparated. He needed some time alone, some time to clear his mind and just to be away from his parents and the manor. He apparated into some bystreet of Diagon Alley. The bystreet he apparated in was dark, cold and damp. He took a deep breath, wrapped his cloak a little tighter around himself and walked into Diagon Alley. He looked around at some shop windows, the one of Quality Quidditch Supplies always caught his eye. He stood in front of the shop and stopped for a second to look at the brooms. It had been ages since he played Quidditch. He missed it, a lot. Honestly, all he wanted was to become a Quidditch player when he was younger, he still would, but he just wasn't good enough to become a professional player. Some years ago it would have seemed impossible to him that he wasn't 'good enough' for something, let alone Quidditch. He had become more of a realistic person over the years, or was this what they called 'growing up'? He certainly did feel more grown up anyway, all the things he had been through since the age of 16 made him grow up fast. He didn't have a choice.

He stared at the shop window, still thinking for a little while, till he realised people were looking at him. The white blonde hair surely didn't help. He shook his head slightly, trying to come back to present and continued his way down the alley, looking down at his feet to keep people from staring at him.

His mother was right, what she said to him this morning, about needing distraction. Maybe he should get a hobby or a book or a pet to keep him busy and get his mind off of things. Although a pet seemed a bit drastic. He never considered himself as an animal lover, really. Maybe that was just because he didn't grow up having pets, besides from owls but he couldn't say he had any affection for them. Maybe it would be a good idea to start with a book. He passed by Whizz Hard Books and decided to give it a try. The bookshop was quiet, apart from the little bell above the door that rang when Draco walked in. Some people looked up to see who had entered, other people continued to browse bookshelves and some were just reading at little wooden tables. Of course people were giving him looks, some just looked rather terrified as they realised who he was and minded their won business again. As he walked in he heard the wooden floor creak, he felt like everyone was looking at him, even though that might only be his imagination, he tried not to care about it.

He walked a bit further down the shop, when he saw a girl with half long silver blonde hair standing on her tippy toes, desperately trying to reach for a book. He wasn't sure why, but he just felt like he had to help her.

"Excuse me, do you need help...?" He asked carefully.

The girl looked at him, she was at least 5 inches short than him, with almost turquoise blue eyes and little freckles on her nose.

"Uhm, yes, please." The girl answered.

Draco reached for the book and flipped it over so he could read the cover.

"Enchanted Encounters," he said as he handed her the book. "One of my guilty pleasures." Did he just really say that?

The girl chuckled lightly. "Thanks.." she said and she held the book close to her chest.

"You're welcome.." he said quietly.

"Elara," the silver haired girl said. "Elara Plunkett." She said and hold out a hand.

Draco hesitated for a moment but decided to shake her hand. "Draco Malfoy..."

He used to feel so proud when he introduced himself but now, now he was just ashamed of that name and scared of what people would think of him.

"I know." She said as she shook his hand.

He raised his eyebrows. "And yet you haven't walked away or looked at me in disgust...?" He said and let go of her hand.

"Why would I?" Elara asked.

"Because.. because I'm Draco Malfoy." He said as if that would explain everything.

She just kept looking at him as if she was waiting for a better explanation.

"If you know who I am you probably are aware of the things I've done.."

"Haven't we all done things in the past that we aren't proud of? I don't care who you were... I care about who you are now." She said.

He was startled. He had no idea who this girl was and why she just told him this.

"I hope you enjoy your book, it's a good one." He said and walked off.

He walked over to another book case, trying to process what just happened. Was this all real or was just one of his dreams again? At least it wasn't a nightmare, but for sure it was very surreal.

He picked some books he thought he might like, paid them and left the bookshop. It was time to go home, his parents were probably wondering where he was. He walked back to the bystreet that he apparated in, but while he was walking there he heard footsteps behind him, as if someone was following him. He decided to take a sudden turn, into Knockturn Alley, to see if the person would do the same. And so the person did. It must be that girl from the bookshop, he thought to himself.

"Are you following me?" Draco said.

He didn't hear anyone reply and he turned around to see if she still was there. But she wasn't, or it might be better to say she had never been there. He stood face to face with Walden Macnair, a Death Eater.

I am sorry I kept you guys waiting for so long! And I am sorry it is a bit short, I still hope you enjoyed it though! :) Thanks for all your help and support so far lovelies, I very much appreciatie it! xxx