The Other Side of the Mirror

The Other Side of the Mirror

Year One

Chapter Two

-Hogwarts-

Draco sat in the back of the car, looking at the passing scenery. They were on their way to King's Cross, where they would go through the barrier to reach the Hogwarts Express. There were charms around the hidden platform that prevented Apparating, so, to Draco's father's dislike, they had to take their car to the station. His father preferred to associate himself as little as possible with Muggles, but Draco had to get to the train, so his father grudgingly took him. This heightened his love and admiration for his father; that his father would do anything for Draco, no matter how much he didn't want to do it.

In the front of the car were their driver and his father. There was a closed barrier between the front and back, and so Draco and his mother were alone in the back.

Draco felt a touch on his leg and looked to see his mother with her hand on his leg. She gave him a reassuring smile. "It'll be alright, Draco," Narcissa said.

Draco smiled slightly. "I hope so."

"It will be. I know this is a new experience for you, but you'll be fine. Crabbe and Goyle will be with you and I'm sure you will soon have many friends. And I'm sure you will do fine in school."

"But what about father? He'll be so disappointed if I don't get top grades, and he expects me not to study! And on top of that, Harry Potter is going to the same school! I'm going to be compared to him! And how am I supposed to compare to him? He'll be perfect, with top grades, good looks, tons of friends, never do anything wrong, what am I compared to that?"

"Love, don't fret. Just do your best. Your father will understand."

"But father expects so much of me." Draco looked down. "I just don't want to fail him. Living up to his expectations means everything to me."

Narcissa squeezed his leg reassuringly. "Draco." When he didn't look up, she said again, "Draco." Draco looked up at her smiling face. "You are destined for great things, Draco. I've never doubted that, not even for a minute. And you shouldn't doubt it either."

"I suppose," Draco said, sighing, looking out the window again. He just didn't want to disappoint his father. His father's opinion of Draco meant so much, and he didn't know what he would do if he hurt his father.

Suddenly, the car stopped. The barrier slid down and his father looked back at them, his white hair gleaming in the light. "Let's go."

They climbed out of the car and Lucius pulled Draco's trunk out of the back. Draco took his cage with Mabol in it and followed his father up the wide stairs, his heart thumping wildly in his heart. He could feel his nerves tingling, he was so nervous. He took a deep breath and forced the calm and collected expression onto his face that his father always wore. It helped a little.

"Filthy Muggles, I don't see why we can't just Apparate onto the platform instead of putting up with this," his father commented as they walked towards Platforms Nine and Ten. Lucius was wearing a simple black cape, so the Muggles didn't give them much notice. Draco glanced up at his father; he could see the distaste clearly written all over his father's face. Draco inched closer to his mother as they walked, looking around at all the Muggles. His father looked at him sharply and Draco quickly moved a bit away from his mother.

They stepped up to the stone wall that was the barrier between the Muggle world and the wizarding world. Without a backwards glance, his father strode through the barrier. Draco quickly followed, his mother coming swiftly behind.

The scarlet train that was the Hogwarts Express sat in the station, billowing smoke around the platform, packed with people. Draco glanced up at the sign that read, "Platform Nine & Three-Quarters, Hogwarts Express," and looked at the clock which read ten till eleven. The hooting of owls and families saying good-bye filled the air. Draco took a deep breath, and walked confidently beside his father as they walked over to the train. He didn't want to look like a mommy's boy in front of all these people. He had to impress them and please his father. Draco looked around at all the students that were loading their trunks onto the train. He sneered slightly at two parents that were saying good-bye to their daughter. They were so obviously Muggles that it made Draco get a bad taste in his mouth. They shouldn't be letting Mudbloods into a wizarding school. It should only be for pure-bloods. The headmaster must be mad to let in people like that, Draco thought.

Then Draco saw a family that really gave him a bad taste in his mouth, and an upset stomach along with it. Farther down the platform were two tall red-heads, twins, and a shorter boy with the same red-hair. Weasleys. Draco glanced up at his father and saw Lucius frown in distaste. "A disgrace to the wizarding world. They should not be allowed into Hogwarts," Lucius said, sneering. Draco nodded, watching as Mrs. Weasley said good-bye to her sons.

"Father, why is Mr. Weasley even still in the Ministry if he's so tainted by his love of Muggles?" Draco asked.

His father looked down at him. "Draco, there are some things in this world that we do not like, but sometimes there is not much we can do about it. The Weasleys have been a stitch in our side for years and unfortunately, we cannot take out that stitch. We just grit our teeth and bear through it and hope that one day, the other wizards will realize the truth; that the Weasleys do not belong in such prestigious positions when they can barely afford to clothe themselves properly and act like decent wizards." Draco nodded. "Make sure you stay away from sorts like that. You don't want to be disgracing your family by associating with them."

"Yes, father," Draco said, but secretly, he wondered what it would be like to live with the Weasleys. They seemed so carefree and such a loving family. It was true that Draco loved and admired his father very much, but, aside from his mother, there wasn't much warmth in Malfoy Manor. Then he quickly pounded that thought from his mind. He didn't know what he had been thinking. Befriending a Weasley! That was unthinkable. He quickly turned his attention back to the train.

"Draco, you take care of yourself," his mother said. Draco looked at her and she smiled. "Owl us anytime."

Draco nodded. "I will, mother."

"I'll be sending those sweets and little cakes that you love so much periodically."

Draco grinned. "Thanks."

"Do your best and most importantly, have fun."

Draco nodded. "I will."

Narcissa stepped back and Lucius turned his hard gaze on his son. "Now, Draco, you remember what we talked about earlier."

Draco nodded. "Yes, father."

"Good. You will not disgrace our family, understood?"

Draco nodded. "Yes, father."

Lucius nodded. "Very well. We will see you again during the holidays." With that, Lucius strode away, Narcissa following. She turned her head to give Draco one last smile and wave. Draco smiled and began walking towards the train.

"Oy! Draco!" Draco looked to see Crabbe and Goyle running over to him. Draco sighed and began walking towards them, carting his cage behind him. A man came up and took his cage from him.

"We got seats like you said," Goyle said.

Draco nodded. "Alright then. Take me to them."

Crabbe and Goyle nodded and stepped onto the train. Draco followed. When they reached their compartment, however, Draco saw that a boy a taken residence in it. Draco knew what his father would want him to do, and so Draco put on his Malfoy face, as he called it, and said shortly, "You'll have to find another compartment. This one's taken."

The boy looked up at Draco nervously, standing. "Oh, sorry." The boy quickly left and walked down the corridor. Draco flopped down on the seat, stretching out. Crabbe and Goyle sat down across from him.

Goyle rubbed his stomach. "You think food's going to come soon? I'm hungry," Goyle complained.

Draco rolled his eyes. "You're always hungry, Goyle."

A second later, a clattering sound came from out in the corridor. They looked to see a lady pushing a cart into the opening of their doorway. "Anything off the cart?"

Crabbe and Goyle looked at Draco pleadingly. Draco sighed. "Honestly, didn't you remember to bring money?"

They nodded. "But we want to save it for later. Who knows if they give us candy at Hogwarts?" Crabbe said.

Draco shook his head, rolling his eyes. He dug into his pocket and pulled out a handful of gold galleons. He handed them to the lady.

"Thanks Draco!" Goyle cried, picking out his sweets.

"Don't call me that," Draco said shortly.

Goyle, who was reaching for a chocolate frog, paused, looking at Draco. "What do I call you?"

"Malfoy," Draco said simply and reached for a pack of Licorice Wands. He ripped open the package and began eating one. He watched in disgust as Crabbe and Goyle gorged themselves on sweets. "Don't you two ever not eat sweets? You're acting like you haven't eaten for weeks, not just a few hours."

"I'm a growing boy," Crabbe said, stuffing his mouth full of Every Flavor Beans. Draco just sighed.

"Have you seen a toad?" a nervous voice asked. Draco looked up to see a plump boy standing in the doorway.

"Who are you?" Draco asked.

"Neville Longbottom."

"Well, Longbottom, if I saw your toad, I would squash it flat," Draco sneered. "So let's hope that I don't find that disgusting creature. It should stay in its cage, where it belongs."

Neville's eyes went wide. "I - I - uh . . ." he stammered, his face turning bright red. He quickly ran out.

Out of the corner of his eye, Draco saw Crabbe on his knees, on the floor. Draco sighed. "What are you doing?"

Crabbe looked up at Draco. "Looking for the toad."

Draco rolled his eyes. "Get off of the floor, Crabbe." Crabbe pulled himself up on the seat and began looking at a pack of Cauldron Cakes sadly. "What's wrong now?"

"I wanted to see the toad," Crabbe whined.

"Honestly, Crabbe, if you became slower, time would stop completely," Draco said, rolling his eyes.

"Can I look for the toad?" Goyle asked.

"No."

"Why not?"

Draco glared at Goyle, who shrunk back slightly. "Don't question me." Goyle nodded and began eating some more sweets. Draco looked out at the open fields that the train was passing currently. Maybe I should have been nicer to Neville; what if the Longbottoms was a family that my father wanted me to make friends with? Oh well, too late for that, I suppose.

"Oh, Draco," a sing-song voice called, interrupting Draco's thoughts. He looked to the doorway and, much to his dismay, Pansy Parkinson was standing there. She was tall and dark-haired, not extremely pretty, but she was very annoying.

"What do you want?" Draco asked shortly.

She gave him a sweet smile. "Just to see what you were up to." She stepped aside and two boys entered the compartment.

"I'm Ernie MacMillan," the short, dark-haired boy said.

"And I'm Brandon Nott," the tall, brown-haired boy said.

Draco nodded and then looked at Pansy. "I know you're here for another reason."

Pansy gave him a wide-eyed stare. "Me? Oh, no, of course not." She smiled. "I just wanted to see you."

Draco groaned inwardly, but Ernie saved him from having to say something in return. "Did you hear? Harry Potter's here! On the train!"

Draco immediately sat up, looking at Ernie in interest. He grinned. "Harry Potter? Really? Where?"

Ernie shrugged and Brandon spoke up, "I think he's down in the last compartment on the right. Everyone's really excited. I mean, Harry Potter! Here, on this very train. I can't wait to meet him!"

Draco nodded. "Me, neither."

"Well, we must run along now, more people to visit, you know," Pansy said. "Come along, boys." Brandon followed her out and Ernie was turning to leave, when Draco stopped him.

"Why do you follow her like that? It's pitiful," Draco said.

Ernie shrugged. "I don't care." He smiled. "She's popular and anyone that hangs around with her is guaranteed that."

Draco just rolled his eyes, sitting back. Ernie ran after Pansy. "Pathetic," Draco muttered.

"I got an idea!" Goyle said.

Draco looked at him, an eyebrow raised. "Really, do tell."

"I know what house I'm going to be in!"

"Enlighten us."

"Hufflepuff."

Draco looked at him as if he had just sprouted ten heads. "What? Hufflepuff? Why would you want to be in that house?" Draco asked, disgusted.

"My granddad was in it," Goyle said. "So I think, I will be in it."

"Let's hope not," Draco said. "That house is for pansies." Draco stood. "Well, I want to check out Harry Potter, this boy I've heard so much about." Draco grinned. "I bet he's really powerful and I hope he's nicer than that boy I met in the robe shop." Draco stepped into the corridor and looked back at Crabbe and Goyle. "Well, come on." They jumped up and followed him down the corridor. Draco always felt more confident when Crabbe and Goyle were with him and he wasn't even slightly nervous about meeting this famous boy, but he was very excited.

A slight commotion from down the corridor caught Draco's attention and he walked into the last compartment on the right, the one that Brandon had said that Harry Potter was in. On the left side sat a boy with scraggly brown hair and round glasses. The boy looked at him, his green eyes bright. Draco recognized the boy from the robe shop and didn't really want to talk to the boy. He figured he must be in the wrong compartment when he noticed the scar on the boy's forehead shaped like a lightning bolt. Draco's eyes widened. So this is Harry Potter? That rude boy in the robe shop was Harry Potter?

"Is it true?" Draco asked in amazement. "They're saying all down the train that Harry Potter's in this compartment. So it's you, is it?"

"Yes," the boy said, looking at Crabbe and Goyle wide-eyed.

"Oh," Draco said, realizing that he had forgotten to introduce Crabbe and Goyle. "This is Crabbe and this is Goyle," Draco introduced. He smiled. "And my name's Malfoy. Draco Malfoy."

A poorly disguised snicker caught Draco's attention. He looked over to the right and saw a tall, gangly boy with bright-red hair sitting on the seat. Draco glared at him. I am not going to be made fun of! And by a Weasley, of all people. What was Harry Potter doing making friends with a Weasley?

"Think my name's funny, do you?" Draco asked. He sneered. "No need to ask who you are. My father told me all the Weasleys have red hair, freckles, and more children than they can afford." Draco looked back at Harry and gave him a knowing look. Harry probably didn't know any better. I'd better make sure he makes friends with the right people, or he'll get in with the wrong families, and then he'll be done for. "You'll soon find out some wizarding families are much better than others, Potter. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort," Draco said helpfully. "I can help you there." He held out his hand, but it just hung there.

Harry looked at him coolly. "I think I can tell who the wrong sort are for myself, thanks."

Draco felt his cheeks tinge pink as he shook with rage on the inside. No one spoke to him like that and got away with it. Who did Potter think he was, anyway? "I'd be careful if I were you, Potter," Draco said, trying to control his anger. "Unless you're a bit politer, you'll go the same way as your parents. They didn't know what was good for them, either. You hang around with riffraff like the Weasleys and that Hagrid, and it'll rub off on you."

Harry and the Weasley boy stood up angrily and Draco backed up slightly, feeling a bit nervous, but then he put on the his Malfoy look, knowing very well that Crabbe and Goyle could take care of these two easily.

"Say that again," the Weasley boy said, his face bright red.

Draco smirked. "Oh, you're going to fight us, are you?" Draco sneered, glancing at Goyle, who had put himself into a menacing stance. Crabbe had done the same.

"Unless you get out now," Harry said.

Draco sniggered. "But we don't feel like leaving, do we boys?" Draco glanced at the assortment of sweets that littered the seats. He knew that Goyle wanted to eat some, so why not? "We've eaten all our food and you still seem to have some."

Draco stepped aside as Goyle reached for the sweets. If they were smart, no one got in the way between Goyle and sweets. Draco saw the Weasley boy leap forward and then Goyle let out a horrible yell. Draco backed up slightly. Had that Weasley actually hurt Goyle? Then he saw Goyle shaking his hand, howling in pain. There was something brown and furry clinging to Goyle's hand! What is that thing? Goyle shook his hand hard and the thing flew off, hitting the window.

Not wanting to deal with Potter and Weasley, Draco decided to leave. He stormed out of the compartment, heading back to his own, rage boiling inside of him. Potter is going to get his due, Draco thought angrily. He was so busy with his inner raging emotions, he didn't notice as students backed away from him, their eyes-wide, as he stormed by, the look on his face positively murderous. If he had noticed, he probably would have been very pleased at their reactions, since that was exactly what his father wanted him to do.

~ ~ ~

When the train slowed to a stop, Draco was slightly calmer, and they headed off of the train, clothed in their robes. "Firs' years! Firs' years over here!" a loud, booming voice called. Draco recognized it as the gamekeeper, Hagrid's voice. Draco sighed. That oaf was leading them to Hogwarts? They were going to be lost for sure. "C'mon, follow me - any more firs' years? Mind yer step, now! Firs' years follow me!"

They followed Hagrid down a steep, narrow path. It was silent, for all the students were too busy trying to make sure they didn't fall flat on their faces. Draco stumbled slightly and used Goyle to keep himself from falling into the mud. It was pitch-black and he couldn't see a thing.

"Yeh'll get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec,' Hagrid called into the darkness, "jus' round this bend here."

They turned the bend and Draco heard gasps around him. Draco had seen Hogwarts before, so he didn't gasp, but he still looked at it in awe. They stood at the edge of a black lake and perched atop a high mountain on the far side, the windows glowing in the starry sky, torches flaming, was Hogwarts. That castle will always impress me, Draco thought. It even reminds me of home, somewhat.

"No more'n four to a boat!"

The moon had come out and so Draco could finally see, slightly. At the edge of the lake was a fleet of tiny boats. Draco saw that Crabbe and Goyle had already sat down in one. Draco walked over to the boat and saw Brandon Nott, the boy from the train, running over to him. "Oy! Draco!" Draco stopped, waiting until Brandon had reached him.

"Excuse me?" a nervous voice asked. Draco turned to see a girl about his height, so rather short, with her hair tied in pigtails, looking at him.

Draco raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"

"Are you looking for a boat, too?" she asked.

"I already have one," Draco said shortly, "and no, you're not coming with us. We already have four." With that, Draco walked away, leaving her behind. Brandon walked beside him, sighing in relief.

"That girl back there, that was Susan Bones. I swear, she's stalking me," Brandon muttered. Draco smiled slightly and they stepped into the boat.

"Everyone in?" called Hagrid. "Right then - FORWARD!"

Draco felt the boat slip onto the lake, their precession moving slowly towards the towering castle.

When they had passed into a dark tunnel, they stopped at the underground harbor, climbing out of the boats.

"Trevor!" Draco heard a boy say and peered around the crowd of students to see the Longbottom boy, Neville, scooping up his toad. Draco rolled his eyes.

"What kind of a pet is a toad?" Draco said snidely.

Brandon opened his mouth to reply when the great doors in front of them swung open. A tall, black-haired witch in emerald-green robes stood there. She looked sternly at them. Draco moved around to the side of the mass of students, Crabbe, Goyle, and Brandon following.

"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall," Hagrid said.

"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here."

She turned and began walking, the students following her into a huge entrance hall. Draco looked around at the flaming torches and the high ceiling. He ran alongside the students as they hurried across the flagged stone floor, the grand marble staircase looming up before them. Professor McGonagall turned and took them into an empty chamber off to one side. Draco could hear voices coming from the other side of two great oak doors, which he knew led into the Great Hall where they would have their Welcoming Feast.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," Professor McGonagall said. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses . . ." Draco tuned out the rest of what she was saying as she told them about the four houses. He already knew that and decided to entertain himself by looking around. The room was rather drab, and there wasn't much that Draco really cared about.

He heard the door shut and turned his attention back to the students. He realized that Professor McGonagall had left them for the moment. The students began chattering amongst themselves excitedly. "What do you think we're going to have to do?" someone asked.

"I heard that there was some sort of test," another said.

Draco was slightly nervous himself about what he would have to do, but he didn't show it. That was another thing his father was strictly adamant about : always look confident, no matter how you really feel. What house will I be put in? Draco wondered. I just have to be in Slytherin! I just have to! My father wouldn't even speak to me if I was placed in a different house. And I want to be in the same house all my ancestors have been in. Malfoys have always been in Slytherin.

A fierce chill covered Draco and he jumped back, realizing that a ghost had just passed through him. Several students screamed, but Draco didn't. There were several haunts that had taken up residence in Malfoy Manor, so Draco had grown accustomed to seeing ghosts. Though, he tried to avoid having one of them pass through him, for the chill was very cold and shocking.

Draco watched as a ghost with a ruff and tights passed by, talking to a fat one. Draco knew several of the ghosts from what he had heard about Hogwarts. The fat one had to be the Fat Friar, the Hufflepuff ghost. The one in a ruff and tights was most surely Nearly Headless Nick, the Gryffindor ghost. He spotted the Grey Lady, the Ravenclaw ghost, floating next to another woman. Then he saw the Bloody Baron drift by and Draco smiled. That was the Slytherin ghost, and the only ghost that Draco knew of that could control Peeves the Poltergeist.

"Forgive and forget, I say, we ought to give him a second chance -" Draco heard the Fat Friar say.

"My dear Friar, haven't we given Peeves all the chances he deserves?" Nearly Headless Nick said. "He gives us all a bad name and you know, he's not really even a ghost - I say, what are you all doing here?"

When nobody answered, the Fat Friar said, "New students! About to be Sorted, I suppose?" Some of the students nodded. "Hope to see you in Hufflepuff! My old house, you know."

"The Sorting Ceremony's about to start," a stern voice said. Draco looked to see that Professor McGonagall had returned. The ghosts slipped away through the wall. "Follow me."

They followed her through the entrance hall and into the Great Hall. Draco smiled, looking around at the magnificent hall. Thousands of candles hung in mid-air and flaming bowls hung between the windows on the sides. Four long tables filled the hall, each table filled with students nearly up to the front. At the head of the hall, there sat a squared U-shaped table where all the professors were sitting.

"I can see the sky!" Crabbe commented.

Draco looked at him and followed his gaze to the ceiling where the night sky could be seen. "It's enchanted to look like that, like the sky," Draco said. Crabbe looked at him.

"Wicked."

They reached the front of the hall and the students crowded around. Draco pushed his way through, up to the front of the crowd, Crabbe and Goyle behind him. On a stool sat an old hat and Professor McGonagall had stepped up to the side of the hat.

Draco wrung his hands nervously. He just had to get Slytherin1

Several students gasped as a rip appeared in the hat. Draco watched in amazement as a song spilled forth:

"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,

But don't judge on what you see,

I'll eat myself if you can find

A smarter hat than me.

You can keep your bowlers black,

Your top hats sleek and tall,

For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat

And I can cap them all.

There's nothing hidden in your head

The Sorting Hat can't see,

So try me on and I will tell you

Where you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor

Where dwell the brave at heart,

Their daring, nerve, and chivalry

Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff,

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true

And unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,

If you've a ready mind,

Where those of wit and learning,

Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin

You'll make your real friends,

Those cunning folk use any means

To achieve their ends.

So put me on! Don't be afraid!

And don't get in a flap!

You're in safe hands (though I have none)

For I'm a Thinking Cap!"

Several first-years around Draco applauded, but Draco was too busy thinking. What if I don't make Slytherin? Ravenclaw would be alright, I suppose. Father wouldn't be too upset. But if he got Gryffindor or Hufflepuff, he would just die!

"When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted." Draco looked up to see Professor McGonagall holding out a long scroll. "Abbcott, Hannah!"

Draco watched as a nervous girl crept up to the stool and sat down. Professor McGonagall placed the hat on her heat and it shouted,

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

"Bones, Susan!"

Draco watched as the girl that had talked to him earlier about sharing a boat stumbled up the few stairs and onto the stool. Professor McGonagall placed the hat on her head and it shouted,

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

"Good, let's just hope I get in a different house!" Draco heard Brandon exclaim beside him.

"Boot, Terry!"

"RAVENCLAW!"

"Brown, Lavender!"

"GRYFFINDOR!"

"Bulstrode, Millicent!"

Draco watched as a huge girl strode up to the stool, sitting down. She looked very intimidating. What house would she get? Then the hat shouted,

"SLYTHERIN!"

A Slytherin. Not bad, though she isn't that pretty, perhaps her mood isn't foul.

"Crabbe, Vincent!"

Crabbe walked up and sat down on the stool. When the hat touched his head, it shouted,

"SLYTHERIN!"

"Finch-Fletchley, Justin!"

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

"Granger, Hermione!"

Draco watched as a bushy-haired girl walked nervously up, sitting on the stool. "I'm surprised she can see under all that hair!" Brandon commented, laughing quietly. Draco smiled, nodding.

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Then a boy named Seamus Finnigan was made a Gryffindor and Goyle was called up and made a Slytherin.

"Longbottom, Neville!"

"Hey, isn't that the boy that was looking for his toad?" Ernie asked.

Draco looked at him, realizing that he must have just walked up. "Yes," Draco said, sneering slightly.

"GRYFFINDOR!"

"Well, I guess I'm glad I didn't make friends with him; no pure-blood would be placed in Gryffindor unless they were a Weasley, and Weasleys don't really count as pure-bloods," Draco said.

"MacMillan, Ernie!"

Ernie looked at Draco. "I wonder what I'll get?" Draco shrugged and Ernie walked up to the stool. He sat down and Professor McGonagall placed the hat on his head.

It promptly shouted,

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

Draco burst out laughing, trying to keep it soft. He watched as Ernie walked past Draco. "Tough luck," Draco commented. Hufflepuff! Then his smile faded. What if I'm a Hufflepuff? Draco felt the tendrils of nervousness creeping back into his stomach. I just have to be in the same house as Crabbe and Goyle!

"Malfoy, Draco!"

Draco felt his breath catch up in his throat. He swallowed and put on his most confident persona. Slytherin, Slytherin, Slytherin, please be Slytherin, Draco kept repeating in his mind as he sauntered up to the stool, sitting down. Slytherin, Slytherin, Slytherin.

He had been so focused on that one world, that the hat had barely grazed the top of his head when it shouted,

"SLYTHERIN!"

Draco let out a sigh of relief and grinned. He hopped off the stool and, with one last glance at Brandon, Crabbe, and Goyle, he took a seat at the Slytherin table between Crabbe and Goyle. Waves of relief washed over him. I'm in. Nothing more to worry about. Father will be very pleased.

"Nott, Brandon!"

Draco watched as Brandon walked up to the stool, sitting down. Brandon glanced at Draco, who gave him a smile. Brandon's eyes went upward as he watched the hat being placed on his head. It waited a bit and then shouted,

"SLYTHERIN!"

Brandon grinned and ran over to the Slytherin table, taking a seat across of Draco. "I was so nervous!" Brandon declared.

Draco nodded. "Tell me about it."

"Way to go," Goyle said, smiling.

"Thanks."

"Parkinson, Pansy!"

"Please, don't make her a Slytherin," Draco muttered.

But, unfortunately, the hat shouted,

"SLYTHERIN!"

Pansy walked over to their table, taking a seat next to Brandon. She flashed a smile. "Well, look at that. We're all in the same house."

"Except for Ernie," Brandon said, snickering.

Draco smiled but his attention was drawn to the name that had just been called. Harry Potter. Which house will he be in? Draco watched as Harry walked up to the stool nervously, sitting down. The entire hall was silent as every head was turned in Harry's direction. Even the professors were leaning forward slightly, most noticeably Professor Dumbledore, the Headmaster.

Finally a rip appeared in the hat and it shouted,

"GRYFFINDOR!"

"Of course," Draco muttered. "Where else would they put the famous Harry Potter?" Draco still had not forgiven Harry for treating him so rudely, and on two occasions at that! What was Potter's problem? Was he too good to make friends with the right people?

Several more names were called, and then, "Weasley, Ronald!"

Draco watched with half-interest, as he already knew which house Weasley would be put into. He was more concerned with getting some food in his stomach. He looked at all the empty plates hungrily.

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Professor McGonagall rolled up her scroll and took the Sorting Hat away. Professor Dumbledore stood, holding out his arms, grinning. "Welcome! Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!" Draco looked at him as if he were mad. "Thank you." Dumbledore sat down.

Draco rolled his eyes. "I don't know why someone like that is the Headmaster. My father said that he was a loony, and I'm beginning to believe he was right."

Brandon shrugged and then his eyes grew wide. Draco followed his gaze and looked at the assortment of food that had suddenly appeared. He grinned and dug in, placing all kinds of food on his plate and eating rapidly.

He felt a slight chill and looked up to see the Bloody Baron hovering over them and looking at Draco. "So you are Draco Malfoy," the Baron said.

Draco nodded. "Yes."

"I remember your father. Interesting fellow." The Baron looked at the dishes of food. "Such a wasteful activity. I don't see why you get so much pleasure out of it."

"We're not dead," Draco said simply, but he was feeling nervous again. The Baron was making him nervous, the way he kept looking at Draco, as if trying to measure him up. Draco turned his attention to his food and thankfully, the Baron floated away.

"The Bloody Baron is wicked!" Brandon commented. Draco shrugged, glancing at Crabbe and Goyle, who were both gorging themselves on food. It was disgusting the way they just shoved all the food into their mouths. He looked away, turning his attention back to what Brandon was saying. "And did you know, I heard those staircases actually move! I wonder if anyone has ever fallen off of one."

"Well, we don't have to worry much about them," Pansy said matter-of-factly.

Draco raised an eyebrow. "Really, and why do you say that?"

"Oh," she said, with a small wave of her hand. "Our common room is in the dungeon and most of the classes are on the first floor." She sighed. "I don't want to walk outside in the snow to get to classes! I'll ruin my shoes!" Pansy complained.

Draco groaned inwardly and rolled his eyes. He turned back to his food, concentrating on eating, trying to shut out Pansy's whining.

Draco looked up at the teacher's table and spotted a professor with shoulder-length black hair, talking to another professor that was wearing a purple turban. I wonder what that clown teaches? Draco thought, looking at the teacher with the turban. I hope not one of the good subjects, or we're in for it.

Draco watched as the black-haired wizard looked over at the Slytherins and smiled slightly. "That's the head of our house, Professor Snape," an older Slytherin said. Draco looked down the table to see a tall boy with short black hair, looking at him. The boy gave him a smile that looked a little like a smirk. "I'm Marcus Flint, sixth-year."

Draco nodded. "Draco Malfoy."

Marcus nodded. "Our fathers went to school here together. Are you going to try out for Quidditch?"

Draco nodded, grinning. "Most definitely."

Marcus smiled. "Good. I'm the captain and we have one spot to fill." Another boy tapped Marcus on the shoulder and Marcus turned to him, ending their conversation for the time being. "I'll see you around."

"Yeah," Draco said softly.

~ ~ ~

After they had finished with their dessert and all traces of food had vanished, Dumbledore stood up again. "Just a few more words not that we are all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you. First-years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all students. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well. I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors. Quidditch tryouts will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch. And finally, I must tell you that this year the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death."

Draco heard Pansy gasp. "And now, before we go to bed, let us sing the school song!" Dumbledore finished. He gave a flick of his wand words spilled out in gold lettering above their heads. "Everyone pick your favorite tune, and off we go!"

The hall erupted into thousands of variations of the song, all sung on different pitches. Draco sat silently, embarrassed. What kind of song is this? It sounds awful! Draco heard Pansy spring into her own version, sung very high-pitched. Draco thought his ears were going to explode at the awful sound. Crabbe began to mumble the tune to "Three blind mice," intermixed with words from the school song.

"What are you mumbling?" Draco asked.

Crabbe shrugged. "I picked a tune."

Draco just rolled his eyes.

Finally, the dreadful song ended; Draco's ears were still ringing. "Ah, music," Dumbledore said.

Draco raised an eyebrow. He calls this music? He really is a loony! Positively mad!

"A magic beyond all we do here!" Dumbledore continued. "And now, bedtime. Off you trot!"

The students rose and Draco followed the rest of the Slytherins out of the Great Hall.