"Late? You were late for class?" A look of disbelief. "Do you know what that means?"
Ever since Salazaar Slytherin left the other three founders, we have been viewed in a biased and unfair way.
A pause, to calm the nerves and to collect one's thoughts.
"How many points were taken?"
"Fifty. From that idiot McGonagall. I swear she is biased against us- "
We are considered bigots, egoistic, self-serving, and cold-blooded.
"And what did youdo to help improve her opinion of us?"
"I… Well, I… " Rambles a little, but without much conviction.
"Nothing! You even gave her the idea that Slytherins have no care for time!"
"I can't help it. I didn't mean to- "
It is not to say that none of us have those characteristics,
"I don't care what you meant to do or not. All I know is that you gave the other Slytherins, your housemates, a further stain to their already bad reputation."
but the fact that the rest of the world classifies us as such shows a lot about them.
"But we are not like that! I mean, we didn't do anything to deserve that reputation! It is just the past generation's fault!" A passion for one's house, one's family.
That they do not understand - does not bother to understand - our actions, our way of thinking.
A sigh of resignation. "Do you think they care? So what if their opinion is wrong?"
In short, they do not care about us.
"But they should not see us that way. We are but human, I am but a boy. Surely it is alright to make just a simple mistake?" A plea for understanding.
"Ah… But they do not see that. We are evil, remember?"
We are just outcasts, evil to the core, and if not for they kind headmasters who did not want to spoil the tradition, we ought to already be vanquished.
A look of distress. "Of course, some others understand. Just like we are not all evil, neither are they all ignorant. For example, I am pretty sure Madame Promfrey could have just left you that black eye you got a week ago." A smile of comfort. An understanding.
"But still, some do."
Once again, I am not generalizing that all of them think that way. But the fact is that the majority does and so we must do something about it.
"Yes. And so, I have to punish you."
"I understand." A shrug, to display a faked relaxation.
We must change their warped way of viewing as utterly horrible scum or evil personified. Thus, we should discipline ourselves so that we can prove to them that they are wrong. That we can be moral beings, upholders of law, in essential, good people. And so, by making a small sacrifice, we can change their mindsets.
"What's up, Drake?" A quick scan of his expression. "Surely not detention?"
"Late for class. Transfigurations class."
"Damn." A minute of concentration. "Fifty points… Levicorpus, Sectumsempra… And a touch of Oppugno while under a full body-bind."
A wave, sending the boy flying, feet against the ceiling. "Start, then."
Therefore, Draco, as prefect of this house, I give you the permission to do as you deem fit and pass on any judgement that is required for the rest of the school to come to see that we are good.