The Paths We Take

Chapter 1- Bitter Escape

STRONG CONTENT WARNING: This story is for mature readers only! This warning is so you as readers, understand that this story will follow historical facts as best as possible including various concepts such as racism, classism, sexism, and strong language, but it is necessary for the time periods. Mature content will also be written including sex, attempted rape, violence, death, and more. I am not responsible if anyone not of age reads this story or is offended in any way. THIS IS THE ONLY WARNING THAT WILL BE GIVEN IN THIS STORY. It will also be a SLOW BURN historical love story, so bear with me please. I do not own anything related to Harry Potter in this story. That right stays strictly with JK Rowling.

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"We as humans have come to define significance as thinking we are special. But if you look into the universe, we are nothing more than space dust. We all have the same ingredients made by an exploding red giant. We are special...because we are all the same."

-Based off a saying by Neil DeGrasse Tyson

Chapter 1- Bitter Escape

Wednesday May 5th, 1999

"Alright everyone, listen up" Headmistress Minerva McGonagall began as she stood at the podium in the front of the Great Hall to address the seventh and returning eighth-years laughing throughout the room. "Today is a very rare occurrence but one that I feel will impact you greatly in life" she continued when the students finally quieted down. "I know you are all excited to get out of this school for the day, but this field trip is not an excuse for you to act like a bunch of baboons.

"This trip is to educate us all on a world of history that is not our own. Now, until the Portkey is ready, please talk among yourselves or do yourselves a favor, and study for your N.E.W.T.S coming up at the end of the month. I want to see every single one of you receive high marks when you get your results in August. Also don't forget to leave your robes in your dorms, if you haven't already, and make sure you are wearing your ties. Everyone needs to look presentable; that means no untucked shirts and no hitched-up skirts. Your school uniform shall be worn respectfully, as required and expected daily."

Draco Malfoy rolled his eyes as his good friend Theodore Nott whispered a joke in his ear causing him to laugh and spit out the water he had been drinking.

"Mr. Malfoy" McGonagall sharply stated. "Please try to keep your drink in your mouth and not on the table...or you'll be cleaning the Dining Hall next week in detention!"

"Yes, Professor" he replied, sinking down into his seat at the Slytherin table "won't happen again."

"Yes Professor" Blaise Zabini, Draco's dark-skinned Italian best friend, mimicked jokingly from across the table. "Pussy."

"Shut-it you git" Draco snapped as he kicked his friend under the table.

"Leave him alone" Pansy Parkinson pouted as she entangled her hands around Draco's right bicep, desperately attempting to flirt with him...again.

But the raven-haired pug-nosed girl was not someone Draco ever wanted to be with. She wasn't even good in bed, not that he shagged many girls, but he at least knew when they were being real and when they were just trying to put on a show because they were overly conceded...and Pansy was definitely more into watching herself than pleasing him.

"Hey Pans" Blaise cut in, knowing full well that Draco wanted nothing to do with the girl "is that a spider on your shoulder?"

"WHAT?" she screamed as she abruptly stood in alarm. "WHERE, WHERE IS IT?" she cried as she swatted furiously at her arms.