DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter. All characters, places, and things mentioned in this story are the property of J.K. Rowling.

CHAPTER ONE SUMMARY: Draco struggles with his home life, while he discovers that there is more happiness to life than his father would like him to imagine.

WARNINGS: Rating 12+ for strong violence and THIS STORY CONTAINS SPOILERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OTHER INFO: ***CHAPTER TWO: WHISPERS IS NOW POSTED!*** Okay this is my first fanfiction. Please read and review. I welcome critiquing comments also. If you have any favorite parts or least favorite parts, let me know... Thank you :)


Chapter One : Doubts
"Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt."
- William Shakespeare

Draco was walking slowly through the maze of hedges that spread around him in all directions. A weeping willow stood forlornly in center of the tall shrubs, its branches like a mossy fountain pouring from its thick trunk. It was surrounded by a large patch of acacias - his mother's favorite flower. She had insisted when the manor was built that the gardens be filled with them, and so they were.

Draco enjoyed getting lost in the maze; he loved the mystery and peacefulness of not knowing his location. Sometimes, especially when he was troubled, he would wander aimlessly in the gardens for hours until he happened upon the exit. That is what he did and had been doing since witnessing yet another prisoner fall victim to Voldemort's powerful wand. He had watched her suffer and die for the pureblood cause, just like all of the others that had been murdered in the same way.

He didn't know why it sickened him so; it didn't seem to disturb anyone else. In fact, they enjoyed the entertainment, but he couldn't make himself take pleasure in death - no matter how many times his father had wished him to.

"Draco, honey!" a voice called from the direction of the house. "Come inside?"

It was his mother, Narcissa, no doubt just closing an argument with his father about Draco sitting in on the Death Eater meetings. They always fought about that topic, and Draco always hoped his mother would win... But she never did.

"Draco!" she yelled softly.

"Coming..." he mumbled to himself as he shuffled in the direction of the sound, leading him to the garden's exit.

The bright lights lining the path to the gardens illuminated his face, blinding him for a moment. When the shock of light faded, he could decipher his mother's silhouette leaning out of the back door. He hadn't recognized how dark it was until now, the stars blinking ominously in the sky, as if warning him of something. Something felt dangerously out of place, and his heartbeat was erratic as he edged nearer to the house.

When he came to the door, his mother's eyes were bloodshot from crying, but she smiled falsely as she pulled him gently over the threshold, his eyes watching her curiously.

"Mother..." he said, shaking slightly. "What's wrong?"

She smiled at him again, her long blonde hair moving in waves as she shook her head jerkily. Then the grin snapped off her beautiful face as she turned to look down the dimly lit hall, where a door had slammed closed. Out of it emerged Draco's father, Lucius, clutching the walking stick that encased his wand. His arrogant gaze was locked on Draco as the glass pole tapped loudly on the hardwood with each step Lucius took. He halted in front of Draco, towering over him, as he stroked the handle of his stick.

"How long, I wonder, Draco," Lucius spoke calmly as he always did before he exploded, "will it take you to become accustomed to the occurrences in this house?"

Draco was silent, trying to rival his father's gaze, but looking a bit fearful instead.

"Are you mute, boy?!" Lucius bellowed. "I asked you a question!"

"And if I knew the answer, I would tell you, sir," Draco replied in an attempt to sound confident, but his voice was barely a whisper.

Narcissa whimpered behind him.

"If you knew?!" exclaimed Lucius, his eyes burning with anger. "Well, I know how long it will take! One night! Tonight it ends! Tonight you grow up!"

"Lucius..." Narcissa whispered.

"Narcissa! Our son will not be a coward!"

"But he isn't!" she cried, tears beginning to flow. "He isn't a - "

"Ouiet!" Lucius screamed, his voice echoing down the corridor as he pointed his walking stick at her.

Instinctively, in an effort to protect his mother, Draco drew his wand in a flash, tip turned on his father. Draco's eyes were swimming and his teeth were clenched so tightly that he heard them pop.