Disclaimer: I'm aware that I've taken liberties with things like the age and personality of these characters. Just roll with it.

Apologize

¨First years! First years this way!¨ rang out a husky voice. Draco scoffed as he watched Hagrid clumsily shepherd the excited 11 year olds towards the boats.

¨Remember when we had to listen to that oaf, Goyle?¨ barked Draco, loud enough to make sure Hagrid would hear. ¨It's a miracle the boat he sits in doesn't sink!¨

Crabbe and Goyle snickered as Hagrid boarded his boat. The three clearly remembered boarding those boats last year, entering the great hall, and of course, being publicly humiliated by Harry Potter. Draco was determined that Potter would never shame him again. He smirked as he remembered the Nimbus 2001s that his family was donating to the Slytherin quidditch team, guaranteeing his position as the Slytherin Seeker. He had the chance to beat Potter, and he was thrilled at the thought.

The three students continued to glide along the pathway to the carriages. Out of the corner of his eye, Draco saw Granger boarding a carriage with Cho Chang and his fellow Slytherin Daphne Greengrass.

"Come on you two, let's catch that one," said Draco. "Let's see how much we can make Granger squirm."

The three hurried onto the carriage before it departed. Cho was visibly uncomfortable, but Hermione seemed hardly bothered. Daphne nodded at the three and returned to reading her Gilderoy Lockhart book.

"So Granger. Where're your other friends? DId they finally get sick of your constant jabbering about useless facts?", said Draco tauntingly. Cho shifted uncomfortably in her seat as Goyle and Crabbe chuckled.

Hermione focused her gaze on Draco. "I'm sorry to say I'm not sure where they are. I'm sure you'd be more than happy if they didn't return this year, wouldn't you Draco?" He smirked in response. Hermione took a deep breath. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you know your fair share of 'useless facts' as well. Your marks in class are almost as good as mine." Draco's smirk disappeared. Cho barely hid a laugh behind her hands.

"Watch yourself Granger," said Draco. "You've no idea what's coming for you this year."


"SLYTHERIN!" yelled the sorting hat. Astoria Greengrass lifted her eyes and smiled as the hat was removed from her head. She saw her sister Daphne smiling and clapping for her as descended the steps to the Slytherin table. As she sat next to her sister, Astoria looked around at her fellow Slytherins.

"There are so many people. How will I ever learn all their names?" Astoria asked her sister nervously.

Daphne laughed softly. "We spend enough time together that it's surprisingly easy. Here, I'll give you a head start. Over there on the end is Marcus Flint. He's the Slytherin quidditch captain. And over here, just a couple seats down from us, that's Pansy Parkinson. She's got a pretty big head, but that sure doesn't make her smart." Astoria laughed with her sister. Out of the corner of her eye, Astoria saw a boy smiling and laughing with two other boys. "Who's that?" she asked Daphne, pointing to a boy with white-blond hair. Daphne's smile faded. "That is Draco Malfoy. Be very careful around him. I don't trust him one bit. I think he brings trouble wherever he goes." Astoria nodded serenely. "One more thing Astoria," whispered Daphne. "I cannot stress this enough. Never trust anyone with our secret, especially not a Slytherin. Mom worked too hard, we can't spoil that. I don't care if they're your best friend. Never, ever tell anyone who we really are."


By the time the next morning came around, news of Potter and Weasley's scandal with the flying car had spread like wildfire. Draco was basking in the humiliation of the two. The Slytherin common room was in an uproar, arguing whether the two would be expelled or not.

"Of course they won't be expelled, Dumbledore loves them!" cried out one student.

"They can't just stay, Professor Snape would never allow it!" yelled another.

"A muggle saw magic. That's an offense!" said yet another.

Draco could barely hold back a smile as he strolled toward the exit of the common room. He couldn't care less whether the two stayed, he was just ecstatic that they were briefly the most talked-down students of the school. He was so caught up imagining how poorly the two would be treated that day, he didn't see the small brown-haired girl crossing in front of him.

"Oh, I am so sorry! I didn't see you there. Sorry. I, um, I'm sorry. Pardon me Draco," stammered the girl after bumping into him. Draco's eyes followed her as she hurried away towards Daphne Greengrass.

"Well, how's that Potter?" Draco thought to himself. "She already knows my name, and I didn't even have to tell her."

He smiled again and glanced back at the girl. "Probably a first year," he muttered. He turned back and headed toward the great hall. He was expecting his daily package from his parents.

When he arrived, Goyle and Crabbe were already there, stuffing their faces. "There you are!" shouted Draco. "I should've known you'd already be down here". The two paused to acknowledge Draco, then returned to their feasting. Draco sighed, and sank onto the bench across from the pair. As he slowly began eating a small breakfast, owls descended, bringing packages and letters. He immediately spotted his, and reached up to catch it as his family owl dropped it. Crabbe and Goyle momentarily stopped eating, only to see if Draco had been given any sweets they could "share". Draco opened the package, which did indeed have a few sweets, but on top of them was an intricately sealed letter. Draco opened it carefully, ready to read the words of his mother. To his surprise, his father had written the letter:

Draco,

I expect your marks improve this year. Do not let that mudblood pass you again. I look

forward to attending your first match as the Slytherin seeker. You will play brilliantly, I'm

counting on it. Remember to watch closely, and stay away from the mudbloods at

Hogwarts. You can't risk watching the show when my friend comes out to play.

-L. Malfoy

Draco folded the letter carefully and placed it the pocket of his robes. "What did it say?" asked Crabbe and Goyle, almost in unison.

"Nothing important, you two wouldn't care for it. Here, have these sweets. I don't much care for Fizzing Whizzbees." Draco passed the package across the table to the hungry pair. They dug into the treats ravenously as Draco stood and slowly strode out of the great hall. Out of the corner of his eye, Draco noticed the first year who had run into him earlier, talking to Pansy and Millicent. Something about her seemed off, like she was uncomfortable. Draco only cared for a split second, then moved on. She was a first year after all, of course she was uncomfortable. It was her first day of class.