The wind whistled through the trees as Draco walked across the golden meadow. He breathed in the sweet scent of spring. As the blinding rays of the sun grew stronger, he felt its warmth singe his pale skin. In the midst of everything was a singular large oak tree. Its long branches hung over a small stream. Underneath it, sitting in the shade, was the girl he'd been looking for. Her golden locks billowed in the wind, dazzling in the sunlight. Her perfect posture projected pride and a confidence he'd never seen before. As her piercing brown eyes looked up from the book she was reading, her gaze met his.

     Draco flashed a smile at her. She shied away at first, but then gave him a beautiful smile that shined brighter than the sun itself. No living thing on earth could match her astounding beauty.

     Suddenly, he felt the wind turn cold and the color of the leaves began to change. The meadow slowly dried up and looming clouds began to form, covering the sun. The girl's body started to change form. Her skin turned into scales and her legs and feet morphed together. Her eyes turned into a deep shade of green. Before he knew it, Draco stood face to face with a serpent. It hissed at him and opened its mouth, revealing its venomous fangs. He reached for his wand, but it was nowhere to be found. He closed his eyes as the snake came down on him, devouring his body as his world turned dark.

A loud snap jolted him awake. He sat up in his bed, eyes wide with terror. Sporadic flashes of light illuminated his room. He peered outside, and noticed that the storm from this morning hadn't deviated. It had only grown worse. He could barely see out his window as the rain pounded mercilessly against it, making the lightning flashes appear blurry.

     Draco sighed as he got out of bed. Just another nightmare, he assured himself. He pulled on a shirt, and headed downstairs to fetch a drink. He casted a lumos charm, illuminating the halls. The manor was pitch black at night, and unbeknownst to his parents, Draco was deathly afraid of the dark. Especially after serving detention in the Forbidden Forrest during first year. It was his first run-in with the Dark Lord. Draco still feels a tinge of embarrassment every time he encounters him. Running away and screaming at the top of his lungs in front of his future boss wasn't the type of altercation he expected. And just like everything else, he blamed it on his nemesis.

     Stupid Potter, he thought, Always making me look like a fool.

     As he approached the kitchen, he noticed a light creeping through the cracks of the door. Hushed voices sounded from inside. Draco stopped in his tracks and listened.

     "So what did they say?" a voice asked. It was his mother.

     "They speak of a new plan our lord devised himself. One that, if executed properly, would be beneficial to us," he heard his father answer.

     "But it's risky," another voice chimed in, "If word gets out to the old fool, our lord will have our heads."

     "Since when were you afraid of taking a little risk?" another deeper voice asked, "Besides, if we go according to plan, Dumbledore won't notice a thing until it's too late. He'll have to show himself then."

     "Nox," Draco whispered, making his light fade away.

     He inched closer to the door, and nudged it open a bit. Enough to peek in and see who was in his kitchen. He saw his mother first. She was cradling a cup of tea and had that worried expression on her face as usual. Next to her was his father. He gripped his cup in his hands and wore a stern expression. It was the look he always gave Draco whenever he was in his sight. A mix of seriousness and disappointment. It was the only look he knew his father had.

     Across from them were two other death eaters, both of whom Draco knew considerably well. The crazed one that sat across from his mother, Bellatrix Lestrange, gazed wide eyed at a nearby antique sitting on the kitchen counter. She reached over and started fiddling with it, much to his parents' annoyance. Lucius glowered as he watched her, for it was a family heirloom she held so carelessly in her hands. She always had a habit of messing with things that weren't hers. It's the reason they didn't invite her over too often. That and the fact that she's a complete psychopath.

     "Y-Yes, as long as everything is done proper, it shouldn't be a problem," Lucius said, wary of Bellatrix.

     "What is the plan?" Narcissa asked.

     "Instead of going directly for the boy, we'll take out his companions first. To drive him out," Lucius continued. "His friends tend to be his weakness."

     Bellatrix giggled hysterically, "Weakling."

     "But we've tried that already. It didn't work, their network is too strong. He holds his allies close, and they grow ever stronger. They put up quite the fight last week." Narcissa remarked.

     "Not all of them," Bellatrix said with a dark smile.

     Sirius Black, Draco thought, Of course. She wouldn't shut up about it.

     "Then we go for the weak link, but one that's close to him," Lucius said.

     "The Weasley boy?" Narcissa asked.

     "Regrettably, no. As much as I would love to make one of Arthur's sons suffer, there's an even greater reward awaiting if we go for that Granger girl," Lucius said.

     Draco's breath hitched at the mention of her name. Of all the people they could've chosen, he never would've thought they'd even consider her. She was close. Too close. If Dumbledore doesn't notice, Harry sure will. And as always, he'll turn to Dumbledore for help.

     "She's too risky," Narcissa said.

     "She is. Her parents, however, are not," Lucius said.

     "It's simple, dear. When mommy and daddy drop her off for the new year, we'll follow them home and capture them. They'll be at the mercy of our lord, and we'll showcase it to the girl. Once she tells her friends, they'll tell the old dummy, and he and that Potter boy will come wands a-blazing to save them. Only..." Bellatrix trailed off. She tipped the antique over the counter, and smiled devilishly as it shattered into pieces.

     "...they'll be gone by then."

     Lucius stood furiously, "How dare you?! That was my grandfather's!"

     "Oopsies," Bellatrix said mockingly.

     "You'll pay dearly for that," Lucius growled. Narcissa hushed them.

     "Not now. You'll wake Draco," she said, concerned.

     Lucius stood glaring daggers at Bellatrix, then took his seat. Muttering something that was inaudible to Draco.

     "Perhaps it's time we all retire for the night," Narcissa pressed, "It's already late."

     "Agreed," the other death eater said. He was leaning against the counter, his facial expression tired but calm. It was Severus Snape.

     Narcissa showed Bellatrix to the door. Not that she needed it, for she's been there plenty of times to know her way around. Draco figured it was to keep her from knocking over anything else that was of value to them. She said a quick goodbye then apparated into the dark abyss.

     "That damned witch! I'll have her head one day!" Lucius snarled as he waved his wand over the shattered heirloom. It re-assembled itself, and took its place on the counter.

     Severus placed his cup of tea down, and started for the door as well.

     "Won't you stay old friend?" Lucius asked. "That storm's been brewing since the morning. We've got multiple rooms to choose from."

     His father wasn't much for the hospitality type, but whenever Severus was at the manor, it was the only time Draco ever saw him actually care for someone else. After all, they've been longtime friends since before he was born. It made sense.

     "Not tonight, Lucius. I've got other pressing matters to work with. Later, perhaps?" Severus suggested as he pulled on his cloak.

     "Of course," Lucius said, a bit dismayed. He and Narcissa retreated to their room. Draco remained outside the door. He started slowly walking backwards to his stairwell.

     "If you're going to eavesdrop, Mr. Draco, I suggest you do so more discreetly," Severus pointed out. He opened the door fully, and leaned against the frame. "What are you doing up anyway?"

     "N-Nothing sir," Draco croaked. Severus could be quite intimidating without trying. Draco always found it admirable. But not at the moment.

     "Your parents wouldn't be too thrilled to hear of your wandering of the halls. Especially given tonight's important discussion. That was valuable information, Draco. It is not to be shared," Severus said, sternly.

     Draco nodded. It was sometimes hard for him to tell if he was talking to his professor or his dad's best friend.

     "If you don't tell, I won't tell," Draco said.

     "Deal," Severus complied.

     A full glass of water floated up to Draco. He took it, intrigued. Wandless magic was always interesting to him, but he'd never been able to master it.

     "Drink up. The nightmares should subside. For now," Severus said. He'd most likely charmed it.

     Draco took a sip, and instantly felt soporific.

     "Goodnight," Severus said. He spun on his heel, and walked out of the manor. Draco walked sluggishly up the stairs and to his room. As he crawled back into bed, he thought about the plan. It was a devious one, but it'll meet the Dark Lord's expectations. Somewhere deep down, however, Draco wished they could've chosen someone else. For his parents didn't know that he watches her during every class. They don't know that he steals glances at her during dinner in the mess hall. They don't know that he teases her on the daily just to get her attention.

     They don't know that he's fallen for Hermione Granger.

My first HP fanfic. Let me know what you guys think so far :)