The First Year

Chapter one

Hogwarts

Draco Malfoy walked quietly behind his mother.

"Now you will finally learn something useful," Narcissa said as they reached the fireplace which they were going to use to get to Diagon Alley. "Your father does nothing but corrupt you with his ridiculous beliefs that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named will rise to power again," she continued her speech through out their whole journey.

"Honestly, when will he realise that it is just a silly fantasy. Can you imagine what he said to me yesterday about you, Draco? He said you would serve the Dark Lord as loyally as he does. 'Like father like son,' he said. How dares he assume something like that! I swear I'll strangle him if he ever speaks like that to me again."

Draco sighed inwardly. He wasn't so excited about starting school. He knew it would be difficult to manage and to adapt to his surroundings at first, but that was the reason he was going to Hogwarts a month earlier than the other students.

His Master would be waiting for him there and they would handle together all the difficulties his blindness brought.

As they arrived at the Leaky Cauldron, Narcissa took hold of her son's hand.

"Just stay calm. There's going to be lots of people at the alley." Draco nodded and Narcissa squeezed his hand reassuringly. The thought of him leaving away from home for the first time was terrifying, but she knew that he would survive.

She was so proud of her son who had been blind since birth. Draco could use a spell to help to adapt to a strange place, but in crowded places it was impossible to use because people moved around, never staying in one place for long.

Draco had always been quiet child. He didn’t complain or shout. He was obedient and never questioned a direct order. She hoped he would become happy at least on some level when he went to Hogwarts. His Master was a nice boy and there was no doubt that Draco would enjoy his company.

"Good morning, Madam Malkin." Narcissa greeted as they entered the robe shop.

"Good morning, Mrs Malfoy. How can I help you today?"

The small talk between the two women continued for a few minutes and Draco entertained himself by listening to Madam Malkin's pleasant voice. She spoke with confidence which was rare in the presence of the Malfoys. Only a handful of people didn't treat Mrs Malfoy as an aristocrat she was. To Madam Malkin her customers were all the same. She didn't give anyone special treatment, despite who they were.

"Draco, did you hear me?"

"Yes, Mother."

"Well then, I'll be back in an hour. I expect you to be done by then."

"Of course, Mrs Malfoy."

The door closed and the shop fell into a silence.

"It looks like we're alone, Mr Malfoy. Come over here so we can start."

Draco obeyed gladly. Madam Malkin's voice calmed him and he felt as if he had nothing to fear as long as he was with her, but that didn't mean that he would let his guard down.

Almost an hour later they were fitting the last piece of clothing, a dress robe.

"How does it feel?" Is it too tight?"

"No, it is fine."

"In which colours do you want them?"

"It doesn't matter to me."

"Hmm." Madam Malkin thought for a moment. "What colours has your mother bought before?"

"Green, silver, grey, blue and black."

She smiled at the boy's quick answer. "We'll take you one of each, then."

At that moment, Mrs Malfoy walked inside the shop.

"A perfect timing as always, Mrs Malfoy. I must say, your son is as polite as his father. You have raised him well."

"Thank you," Narcissa replied at slightly cold tone.

***

Narcissa looked at lovingly her only son, when it was time to say goodbye at the gates of Hogwarts. She kissed his forehead, smiling down at him. Tears threatened to form into her eyes.

"Be a good boy, Draco. I do not want single letter from the Headmaster, telling me that you have been in a detention."

"Yes, Mother," Draco answered.

Narcissa smiled sadly at her son. He took too much after his father, so good at hiding his thoughts and feelings. She wiped her eyes hastily, not wanting to embarrass herself in front of Severus Snape.

Professor Snape was looking at them rather passively, but he couldn't help from remembering his first day at Hogwarts. His mother had coldly told him to be out of troubles. He hadn't even got a goodbye hug.

Deciding not to make his mother cry ever again, Draco held his head up high as he followed his supervisor, Professor Snape, to the school.