To Gain Renown

How A Prince Should Conduct Himself As To Gain Renown

He often reflected on his first mistake upon initially arriving at Hogwarts. It wasn't something that he was proud of, but fortunately everything turned out for the best. Being only eleven at the time, he chalked up his behavior to extreme youth. When he actually chose to be honest with himself, he knew that it was because he was lonely. He had been a lonely boy in need of a true friend. Needless to say, he wasn't often honest with himself.

It was his father's miscalculation that had caused the trouble to begin with. It was assumed that Harry Potter's survival was a fluke and not because the boy had power in his own right. Why wouldn't the other boy, raised by muggles no less, want to become friends with another boy from an influential wizarding family? When told to befriend the boy, Draco was secretly pleased. If his father's wishes and his own were one and the same, then it was all to the better.

They first met at Madam Malkin's. Going by that encounter alone, the two should have hit it off. So, before the sorting ceremony he extended the hand of friendship only to be turned down. To say that it hurt badly was an understatement. He had been shot down publicly and it hurt his pride. Potter's mind had already been poisoned.

Draco immediately knew what had to be done. Potter had shown himself to be powerful and certainly had the upper hand in the situation. At best the two were equals, at worst, Potter was his superior. As the years continued, it was very clear that the latter was becoming true, much to Draco's consternation.

Indifference would have been the better course, but pride was the motivating factor in spurring on Draco's hatred. Being rivals would salvage what was left of his fragile ego. Really, that was mistake number two. Draco's encounters with Potter gradually began to cause him more trouble than satisfaction. He was becoming too predictable.

Draco knew that it was time for him to grow up and mature and try the course of action that he had hesitated upon before. Regardless, he still despised Potter. One day, he would plot to take him out for good, if the Dark Lord didn't do it first. For now, he would have to wear a mask of indifference towards the other young man. He had to bide his time.

He knew that the rest of the school saw this new, indifferent Draco, in a whole new light. What was once the annoying, if not amusing, rivalry between two enemies became something else entirely. This new Draco frightened people. This new Draco was another Lucius Malfoy. This new Draco was dangerous. He was one with whom to be reckoned.

Overall, this had the desired effect. Potter was more wary and Draco could see the calculating looks being cast in his direction by the boy and his friends when they thought he couldn't see. He had finally become someone that garnered the respect of others, even if it was grudgingly given. They feared him a bit.

Draco finished his meal in the Great Hall and got up to take his leave. His usual entourage flanked him as he wove his way through the mass of students. As he reached the doors, another boy with his entourage entered. Grey eyes met green. Potter glared while Draco raised an eyebrow. The elegant blond merely inclined his head in the other's direction.

"Potter," he drawled casually.

The other boy paused momentarily before responding. The Weasel and the Mudblood looked reading to draw wands, as always.

"Malfoy," Potter responded hesitantly.

Without any other words to banter about, Draco Malfoy wound his way around the other boy and continued on his way. Many sets of eyes followed in his stead. His silence spoke his declaration of intent.