Hiding from the Past

Chapter One

Rain pelted down onto the roof of an old, shabby shed in the middle of a forest that contained all sorts of dangerous, magical creatures. The roof was leaking and the rain was dripping in, soaking the man who lay on the floor, covered with an old, filthy sack. He was very thin, as though he had not eaten a decent meal in weeks. His long, silver-blond hair was dirty, greasy and desperately in need of a wash. It fell in messy locks across his face, covering his closed eyes. His face was muddy and there was still a faint trace of a scar down his right cheek. This was the kind of man you could tell would be handsome if he was cleaned up and had a decent meal inside of him. He was dressed in a long, dark green robe with silver stitching. The cloak was now torn, covered in dirt and several inches too short, but the color was still recognizable and it was obvious that it had been very expensive when newly bought. There was a sudden clap of thunder and a flash of lightning that lit up the tiny shed, awakening the man from his troubled sleep. He swore loudly as he stood up and smacked his head on the ceiling.

* * *

"I can't believe it's been six years," muttered Hermione as she read through The Daily Prophet. She munched on her toast and spilt crumbs all down her top. "It seems so long ago, yet also like it happened only yesterday."

"I know." said Ron, wrapping his arm around her. "So much has happened since then, but I still remember everything so clearly."

They both sighed. It had been six years since the night Death Eaters had been let into the castle and six years since Snape had murdered Dumbledore. Six years and still the Wizarding World was not back to normal. Memories continued to haunt the minds of everyone who had fought in the war or played some part in it. Many lives had been lost, including that of Harry Potter. Ron and Hermione still suffered from terrible nightmares about the night that their best friend had lost his life. They had both been there at his side during the final battle when Voldemort fell. At first they thought they had succeeded, but it hadn't been long before Harry fell down dead. It seemed that, although his scar was not a Horcrux, he still had a connection with Voldemort through it and once the Dark Lord had been destroyed, he had taken Harry to the death with him.

At least Harry is with his parents and Sirius now, Hermione would often say to herself while her thoughts were plagued with images of her old best friend. No one had been more affected than Ginny, who barely spoke anymore. This saddened her friends as back before Dumbledore's death she had been as lively as her vibrant red hair, and was always up for a laugh. Now, however, she rarely cracked a smile. She put all her effort into her job as a healer at St. Mungo's. Everyone believed that this was caused by her first love, Harry, dying, but really it was something else. Something she could not confide in anyone about. If they knew, they would disown her and she would bring shame to the family.

"At least we still have each other." Hermione smiled weakly as she turned to kiss Ron.

"Poor Ginny, though, she's lost Harry too. You know, he even said he'd marry her after he defeated Voldemort, even though he broke up with her at Dumbledore's funeral. She was heartbroken when she learnt of his death. I know we miss Harry too, but still... I always thought he would get married to Ginny and that they'd have a huge family and live happily ever after. I just wish there was something I could do to cheer her up and get her back to the way I remember her, I want things back to the way they were."

"Well things will never be back to the way they were before. The best thing you can do for me is leave me alone. I don't need your sympathy. I am twenty-one years old. I think I can take care of myself. There are just some things you will never understand."

Ron turned to face his sister, who had appeared at the kitchen door. Her face had turned red, matching her hair, and there were tears forming in her puffy eyes, the result of many sleepless nights. She marched over to Ron and slapped him hard across his face, before turning and storming out of the room and up the stairs. Reaching her room, she collapsed onto her bed, tears streaming down her face. Reaching under her pillow, she picked up the newspaper clipping she kept there.

June 30th 1998.

It has been confirmed that the last of the Malfoy family is dead. It is believed that he was murdered by He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named as the result of his failure to complete the task he was set, that being to kill Albus Dumbledore. Mr Malfoy was cleared of all charges relating to that incident after the murderer was proved to be Severus Snape, an ex-Death Eater. The finding of a letter, written by Dumbledore before his death, proved Mr. Malfoy's innocence. It has been a year since he fled the castle and has not been seen nor heard from since. No body has yet been found, but judging by He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's policy towards those who fail him, it has been concluded that death is the only possibility under the given circumstances. Mr. Lucius Malfoy and Mrs. Narcissa Black Malfoy have also been confirmed dead, leading to the problem of what will happen to the large Malfoy estate and bank vaults...

There was a picture of Draco, taken back in happier days before he had been given his task. His eyes were silver orbs and his silver blond shone in the sun.

"There are some things you will never understand." Ginny whispered, before putting her face down on her pillow and crying herself into a restless sleep.