REBORN

Chapter 1: Shattered Foundations

Draco walked onto platform nine and three-quarters alone, neither of his parents with him. He was so alone yet he was surrounded by people. Which seemed quite fitting for his current situation, surrounded by Deatheaters yet hiding from them, standing proud with his parents but knowing he was only valuable as an heir to their houses. Draco took in a shallow breath and walked past groups of parents and children or friends all talking happily together. He headed straight for the smallest cabin, which was hidden in an odd nook behind the trolly station. He knew his 'friends' were least likely to find him here.

Throwing his trunk haphazardly onto the overhead compartments, and setting his owl carefully on the floor, he sat down. He kept his posture perfect, the very picture of grace and pride. Draco stared out the window watching parents beam with pride at tinny first years most eleven and a scarce few, like Draco had been, turning eleven within the school year. They had no idea the absolute shit show they were walking into. If Draco's previous years at Hogwarts were any indication, this war would be fought with children, the very children walking into the train with bright smiles.

Draco looked away, focusing on the pattern of seats across from him. He soon heard the final whistle and students boarding the train, and then the triumphant departure whistle. Finally, knowing that the other Slytherins in his year would not find him he allowed a sigh to slip out and his head to rest against the compartment window. This small moment of relaxation away from murderous Deatheater eyes and suspicious Slytherin glances, this lack of decorum would not be acceptable any other time.

He sighed again and decided to make the most of it leaning over so he laid flat on the chair. His legs were crunched up uncomfortably but he didn't care. Signing he allowed his eyes to close.

Enjoy it. He thought to himself, but he could not banish the worry and fear from his mind. He knew what would likely wait for him this summer. It would only get worse from there...

All too soon the Hogwarts Express arrived at Hogwarts. Allowing himself another second of relative peace Draco sat up and straightened his clothing and hair. After all, a Malfoy could never appear less than perfectly put together. Grabbing his trunk and his owl Mercurius, Draco approached the carriages.

He took a deep breath, he knew that the creatures pulling the carriages would no longer be invisible to him. He wished they still were. Approaching the carriages he saw Potter standing in front of the beasts, he had seen death just as Draco had.

We're both so young... Draco thought. How had they, literal children, already seen death? The war had not even begun yet. Draco, not yet fifteen already knew death and pain. What would happen when the war truly began? Draco thought as he stared at the thestrals who embodied death yet seemed so gentle. Maybe that's how death is supposed to be, Draco mused.

Draco swallowed, and climbed aboard ignoring the creatures who stared at him as though they knew that he saw them, and maybe... They saw him too. A few other students, mostly stragglers like himself, climbed aboard. The thestral attached to his carriage then began to pull them towards Hogwarts.

Another feast where firsties would be sorted into houses that would define their entire lives for the next seven years. How did that stupid hat even know what a child would be as an adult? Well, either way, it was tradition for nearly a thousand years. If the system had lasted that long, clearly it was perfect.

When they arrived at Hogwarts Draco climbed out of the carriage and glanced a final time at the thestral before heading to the entrance hall to drop off his things before walking into the great hall to be seated with the rest of Slytherin house.

"Where were you Draco?" Pansy said, a disgusting amount of emotion present in her voice. How had she ever managed to be sorted into Slytherin with her clear lack of subtlety and cunning?