The Dragon Breezes In

Over the week or so before we went back to Hogwarts, I was itching with curiosity. I was dying to know who Kreacher and Peter Pettigrew were. Who are they? The way Potter had talked about them, he sounded betrayed. I would have asked Potter himself but I could sense that he didn't fully trust my intentions and I didn't want to throw away the trust that I already had by asking about things that I heard while I was eavesdropping.

The Weasel - I'm sorry, Ron, didn't trust me at all, it was so hard not to snap at him when he said something to me. He was always mentioning the ferret incident. He was tormenting me and he knew it, he knew how hard it was for me not to tease him, which I did when others weren't around, though I tried hard not to, I really did.

On the morning that we were to leave for Hogwarts we were all in the kitchen having breakfast. All was well until Lupin mentioned something about guards taking us to King's Cross Station.

"What? No! There's no need for that! Why am I always the one being protected?"

Everyone was silent after his little outburst.

"We don't know where Voldemort is or what he's planning," Lupin said.

"Of course we know what he's planning! He's planning to kill some more people and come after me!" he yelled.

"Harry-"

"No, I'm sick of waiting around for him to make an appearance! I've had to watch my back where ever I go, wondering if he's about to jump out from behind the next corner and kill me!" With this, he stomped out, leaving a room full of stunned people.

Why did I always find myself feeling sorry for Potter? It was crazy, it wasn't like this before. I don't think I ever felt sorry for someone before this except maybe my mother.

We went to King's Cross with just Mr and Mrs Weasley, Potter seemed much happier at this.

We boarded the train together and Hermione, the Weasel and I headed to the Prefect's meeting leaving Harry behind, and there I was feeling sorry for him once again.

I really couldn't believe it when I found out that the Weasel had become a Prefect. I had always expected The Boy Who Lived to be one and probably even Head Boy, what with Dumblebum's favouritism and all. I suppose I may have felt sorry for poor Potter when he wasn't made Prefect, but it's hard to say, all such sympathy would have been hidden under the teasing and bullying.

I didn't pay much attention in the Prefect's meeting, it was all 'we have to set a good example blah blah, patrol the corridors, do this, do that...' Maybe I should give my badge to Potter.

When we were finally dismissed I found myself worrying about where I would sit for the rest of the train trip. I didn't want to follow Ron and Hermione, maybe I should find my old Slytherin friends, surely they wouldn't have found out about me switching sides?

I found the bunch of Slytherins at the back of the train, I hesitated before going in but they greeted me well. Well kind of.

Pansy squealed and wrapped her arms around my neck. "I missed you Dracy," she cooed.

Ugh, I didn't really miss you, Pug Face.

"Back from the Prefects meeting then?" said Zabini smirking.

"Yeah, being a good boy and attending before meeting us?" said Parkinson. I swear my heart stopped, I had come here with the Gryffindors; did they see me?

"See he's got nothing to say! At this rate he'll be Head Boy!" They all cracked up. I laughed with them in relief. Crabbe and Goyle came up to me as everyone went back to their conversations.

"Sorry we didn't get to see you over the summer," said Goyle. He then leaded closer to me, "training and all," he added quietly.

"Hope your summer wasn't too boring," said Crabbe.

"It was interesting enough."

"Did you hear from your dad?" asked Goyle.

"Nah, it'd be too dangerous," I said carelessly.

"You could have come to train with us you know," Crabbe went on, "not that you really need it."

My father had been teaching me about the Dark Arts since I was eleven and I was much better than these two. The three of us were supposed to become Death Eaters straight after we got out of school. I suddenly realised how hard it would be this year, I guess I would try and keep my err...acquaintance with the Gryffindors a secret; after all, I didn't want my whole house to hate me. I was used to having my minions around.

We arrived at Hogwarts early that evening and got out of the train. There was that oaf Hagrid calling for first years and Hermione, she was staring at me curiously.

When we were up at the castle and at the Slytherin table, Dumbledore stood up, everyone was quiet. Although, I don't know why, he just tells us to eat before the speeches.

Halfway through the feast Blaise nudged me. "You okay? You're not your usual social self."

"I'm alright."

"You'd tell me if something was up? We're mates right?"

"Yeah, of course."

I felt guilty, Blaise and I were really good friends last year but I couldn't really tell him what was going on.

When the feast was over, Dumblebum started his usual ramblings, well, I guess I'm just being hard on the old man; he usually gets to the point. It was just boring stuff about school rules. I was waiting for him to introduce the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher.

"And as there is such a necessity of a Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher at this time, I will be taking these classes."

The Hall erupted in excited whispers, a few students cheered. I rolled my eyes, Bloody Gryffindors.

But this was going to be interesting. The most powerful wizard teaching us Defence against the Dark Arts. No doubt Slytherin would be placed with Gryffindor which meant that Potter would be in the same class as me, which would mean that the whole class including me would be baffled by his skill and favouritism by Dumblebum.

Umbridge was better in a way, I could suck up to her, and even if I didn't she would still show favouritism to me.

Maybe now that I was sided with him, Dumbledore would favour me as well?