Blood Prejudice - Dramione

Chapter One: Draco ~ After The War

     Draco Malfoy stalked through the empty halls of Malfoy     Manor, his footsteps on the marble floors creating echoes in the otherwise silent house.
    Much of the rebuilding that had taken place after The Wizarding War had repeated the structure of the house almost exactly the way it was before, magic helped to make it identical but to Draco it still didn't feel like home. If it ever really did.
   Remnants of Evil could still be felt in the air, portraits of Death Eaters long dead, going back generations stared down at him from where their giant portraits hung on the walls
  He hesitated before knocking tentatively on the door to his mothers chambers, entering upon her permission.
"You summoned me mother?"
Narcissa Malfoys dark eyes turned onto her son as he entered the room, from where they rested staring unblinkingly on a spot on the wall. She was sitting propped up by a mountain of pillows, her complexion that of a ghost. Her dark eyes sunk deep into grey bags under her eyes revealing she hadn't slept in days and long loose white hair fell in unkempt, tangled waves over her fragile frame.
"Have a seat Draco."
Draco picked up a hairbrush from the bedside table and sat next to his mother.
"It's so dark in here," the room reeked of despair, Draco doubted it had been opened let alone cleaned, since the Wizarding Trails and his father was sent away.
To Azkaban for life.
Draco barely escaped that same fate, Harry Potter had pleaded with the jury to pardon Draco and his mother.
But not his father. Lock Lucius up for all potter cared.
Narcissa sighed, leaning back into Dracos chest while he brushed her hair.
"Something came for you in the mail today, the damn owl scared me near to death." She pulled a familiar looking envelope from her sleeve.
Dracos stomach dropped as his subconscious recognized the tan envelope and the insignia stamped in wax before his mind did. He took it from her, and stood staring at the envelope in his hands.
"I've been thinking..." Narcissa began.
"Do you think they would even welcome me back?" He rolled his eyes. He opened the heavy emerald green drapes with one hand, holding the envelope with the other and stared out over the estate, leaning against the window frame.
A single ray of afternoon sunshine fell into the room illuminating the dust dancing through the air in curling tendrils.
A literal light in darkness, how poetic
"You should go back, show them-" Draco interrupted again. "Show them what?" He snapped, "show them that we aren't monsters? Show them that my father may be in prison but the name "Malfoy" isn't stained with blood of innocents in the Wizard World? That we won't go down as just "former Deatheaters" in history?"
He stepped closer to his mothers bedside, feeling his anger swirling inside him, he'd never been more angry at the world.
"I shouldn't have to prove anything! We chose our side!"
Narcissa nodded unflinchingly in the face of her sons rising voice, "We are strong Draco Lucius Malfoy, we will always be strong." She grasped his hand with surprising strength.
"Go back to Hogwarts Draco, it's not an argument. This isn't something you can chose not to do."
Draco pulled up his sleeve to reveal the scarred, faded remnants of the Dark Mark still in his skin.
"As if they could accept me the minute they see this." His voice cracked slightly, revealing the slightest bit of emotion.  His mothers eyes paled slightly, briefly flashing to the same spot on her arm where the ugly mark matching his was in her flesh.
"The War is over Draco, it's time everyone stopped fighting their own."
She's right, a voice in the back of his head whispered, 'go back. It won't be that bad, they might think you the same as before. Or you could put daises in your hair and dance in a peace circle.'
"Mother," he stuttered drawing a breath. "Haven't we proven ourselves?"
  Narcissa tilted her head, "Draco we will NEVER have to stop proving ourselves."
   And that's exactly what he was afraid she was going to say.

Years and years ago, the Hogwarts Express in all its gleaming red glory would have filled Draco with unimaginable joy. The thrill of a new school year, new spells to learn, new first years to haze, and a whole year away from his father.
Though this year, something felt different.
Maybe it was that Platform 93/4 was significantly less crowded than years prior.
Maybe it was the way parents clutched their eleven year olds off to school the first time almost protectively as he walked past.
Maybe it was the way the familiar students, the ones that fought in the war and were marked by scars unseen, looked nervous, anxiously fidgeting with their robes or staring off, most likely reminiscing same as he.
Or maybe it was just the new robes draped around his shoulders, tight around his neck felt suffocating, heavy and hot.
He felt his mothers hand slip into his.
"Please be careful Draco, I love you."
He swept his mother into a tight uncharacteristic hug.
"I will be careful, the ministry pardoned us, regardless of everyone else's opinion."
Narcissa cupped his face in her hands, gently running a thumb over his cheek bones.
"Please come back to me."
He nodded, and turned his back boarding the red train.
Instantly his senses were assaulted by the scent of animals, candy, fresh laundry and the gleeful sound of children's laughter.
Laughter
When was the last time he had laughed? Not out of scorn or cruel intent but real true laughter? Too long. Far too long
He shook his head clearing up some of the fogginess that never seemed to go away after the war and picked an empty carriage toward the back of the train. Stowing his bag away he reveled in the almost quiet of the empty cabin. Almost that is until the door opened again and in walked the most annoying person to ever walk the earth.
Pansy Parkinson was like a pest that Draco couldnt seem to shake no matter how hard he tried. During their sixth year they dated, mostly out of obligation or maybe boredom on Dracos part.
She had a smirk on her pug like face, her auburn hair had grown long in the year since they had last seen each other. A whole year since the war.
"Draco!"
Shit, here we go
"Pansy," he nodded cordially attempting to keep his voice civil he added, "its good to see you again." Draco rolled his eyes internally.
She sat next to him, scooting closer until he could feel her breath on his ear, her fingers dancing their way up his thighs.
"I've missed you," she purred "it's been too long."
And still not long enough
Draco stood abruptly, "if you'll excuse me I actually have somewhere to be right now."
She pouted "come back to me, I'll be all alone here."she winked and Draco practically ran out the door.
Once out in the crowded corridor once again he leaned against a wall and took a deep breath. He straightened his shoulders, standing up straight and running his fingers through his unkempt grown out hair.
He stepped away from the wall, and ran face first into another student carrying an armload of books.
Papers flew everywhere, and Draco kneeled down to grab them apologizing profusely. He and the stranger reached for a book at the same time, briefly touching the tips of their fingers.
Draco looked up and his eyes met a pair of familiar Hazel eyes.
The most beautiful eyes he had ever seen.
Eyes that killed him in all the best ways
Hermione Granger.
If Draco wasn't terrified of going back to Hogwarts before that moment, he definitely was now.
Terrified, and if he was being honest with himself, absolutely thrilled.

Alright welcome back and here we go with part one!! Let me know what you all think In the comments and Let me know what you think is going to happen in the new version 👀

~ Alice ❤️🌻