The sacrificial hamster

NevillexDraco

Neville pov

Hogwarts academy, a well known and elite all boys school where the best of the best attend... so why am I here? Of all the blokes in England, (no Europe!), why am I, Neville flipping Longbottom, attending such a grand and prestigious school?

I've always been a Klutz and being there just meant that there was yet another school that I would most definitely ruin. I mean why did that acceptance letter come in the mail anyway? I mean yeah, okay, I breed multiple new species of medicinal plants, but so what? Discovering a cure for cancer isn't that big a deal, is it?

Well, whatever... grandma was delighted, so here I am on the platform 9 ¾ at Kings Crossing, waiting for the legendary train that took prodigies to their place.

As I was standing there, I noticed that the raucous noise from before was hushed as a group of 4 boys walked by. Although three of them walked together, the fourth walked away from them, obviously not part of their group. The three boys that walked side by side were (dare I say it?) beautiful!

The obvious leader of the pack was tall and skinny, with an air of power that overcame his lithe figure. His onyx hair was messy in a way that was pleasant. And flaming green eyes that pinned you down to where you were standing, behind elegant round glasses that, even though they were old fashioned, fit him perfectly. It was Harry Potter! The orphan president of Potter Hotels and Suites! The number one youngest president that is known in the business world!!

To his right stood a figure a head taller than the leader. But instead of skinny, he was built strongly and even with clothes on had muscles he just couldn't hide. He had flaming orange hair that (oddly enough) darkened to a blood red in the sun. And eyes, fixed intently to his far right at the third boy, that were a soft cornflower blue that sparkled with an emotion that seemed like... mischief? It was the famous teen soccer player, Ronald Weasley!!

To the left of Potter was a familiar face. He was a short boy with a skinny but supple frame. His curly long hair was tied back into a ponytail. His eyes, directed at Ronald, were a sparkling brown that seemed to know all the answers of the world. It was Hermes Granger! The up and coming literature guru who has read most every book on every subject! This was the guy who helped me figure out the main ingredient for the cure!! By the look of their tie colors, they were in the same year as I was.

But even as I made these observations, the one who held my attention was the lone figure that walked away from the trio. A tall man with a lithe muscular build that seemed to be able to be stronger than it seemed. He had platinum blonde hair that shimmered and glinted, even with the low light the platform presented. His eyes were what held me in place though. They were silver... literally silver! They were shining with an emotion that was obvious disinterest. It was the heir to the Dragons Stay luxury hotels where only the rich were allowed board. Draco Malfoy.

Maybe I stared too long or something because soon I was looking straight in his eyes, frozen on the spot by his icy glare!! For what seemed an eternity, i couldn't look away and was surprised to find myself mere inches away from him. I felt like a hamster being hypnotized by a deadly snake. Noticing the distance between us, i finally looked down with embarrassment, hoping he couldn't see my cheeks heating into a deep red color. After a moment of hushed silence, I heard a small chuckle, followed by a near inaudible "interesting..." before the blonde strode away from me. Allowing me to catch my breath and gain my composure... or whatever it is I had!

Soon after, the platform became a flurry of whispers and talk of "the new sacrifice."


After getting over the initial shock, the train pulled in as if on cue. As always, after I dropped my luggage only about a million times, a few kind boys helped me load my things. They were really friendly and helpful, informing me on how to get to my compartment. But as I was about to invite them to join me, they suddenly turned pale and hurriedly said their good-byes and walked away... it was a pity really. I wondered what I did wrong. I really wished for some company on my first train ride.

As I trudged up the steps of the train, I caught sight of Hermes. He was talking with Weasley and Potter outside of a compartment. Even though I hate meeting new people, I can get along fine if I'm introduced. And what the heck? I knew Hermes and saying hi wasn't too strange of a deed. Besides, i didn't want to be alone... So I walked up to Hermes and tried my best to not sound like an intolerable git.

"Hullo, Hermes. Nice to see you again!" I chirped, suddenly feeling like maybe i shouldn't have bothered him.

"Hm? Oh! Why, if it isn't the famous bloody mad scientist that cured cancer! Neville! It's been much too long! Here, come meet a few friends!" Hermes gushed, as he gave me a tight hug and turned me towards the other two.

"Harry, Ron, this is the bloke I told you about in my letters. Neville Longbottom, master botanist/chemist." To this he added a flourish of his hands as if I were an antique hotrod, which sent my cheeks blazing.

To this Harry smiled and shook my hand with a, "nice to meet you Neville." His voice was very refreshing, like a forest! So pretty!!

While Ron, as Hermes called him, grunted a semi reply towards me with a look of skepticism. I felt my cheeks heat up even more at his reply. What did I do this time?!

After introductions, Hermes invited me to sit with them and we spent the whole ride chatting and getting to know each other, though Harry was mostly on his laptop, and Ron just looked at me with a critical eye...

Soon we arrived to the most beautiful place i ever laid eyes on...

Draco pov

Who would've thought that on this day i would find my newest pet? I mean really, not even the first day of school and I am presented with an adorably cute hamster!

Hogwarts academy is, of course, a prestigious and highly known school for its beautiful attendees that meld perfectly with the equally beautiful campus... i mean i am obligated to attend really.

So arriving there, for my 3rd year at Hogwarts high school academy , i just had to run in to the little Potter pack. If anyone knows anything about me, they would say that i HATE Potter with all my being. And that is a very sore understatement. That horrible git has been competing with me since flipping Hogwarts pre-school! Even though at first he was no match for me, he started getting even, and even now we haven't settled the score!! I hate that lousy bugger, and i can swear on it!!

Anyways, of all times to arrive, we arrived at the same time. Going the same way didn't help either. That walk was one of the most annoying i'd had to take, especially when i had to put up a fake front so that i didn't offend my father's newest "business" endeavor. How i hate not being allowed to give a snide remark to that idiot of a four eyes!

As we walked side by side, i clenched my teeth and forced myself to acknowledge the twits existence. "so, Potter, how are things with my father going?" of course i knew how things were going, but my father pushed me earlier to make nice with his little toy.

Potter looked up with wide eyes and a dark blush that was quite unexpected. I mean i knew that he and my father were... how can i say this lightly, "knocking boots"? it didn't bother me none, as long as i got to keep my spending money and Potter out of my hair. So what was with that shocked expression, as if i had just caught them in the act? What did i care?

"wh-what!?" he squeaked. What an annoying voice... "i was asking you how the hotel construction negotiations were going, are you deaf as well as blind?" i drawled, with my usual snide watered down comment.

"oh, um, uh, great just great! We are planning to open up the buildings in a few years, this seems that it will be greatly looked forward to. Ahaha...ha..." he rushed through and ended with a nervous laugh. The only fun thing about talking with his father's toy was making him look stupid in front of his immediate posse, who looked curiously at each other once, and then between Potter and i. What fun!!

"well if that's all I shall be going this way... mistress" what? I couldn't help myself! Especially when he looked away quickly... his cronies looking at each of like they could communicate telepathically. What a riot!! But of course, i couldn't show that, i am a Malfoy after all. So i walked away with a placid expression...

And that's when i saw him. The most perfect thing i laid my eyes upon. A boy stood there, about a head shorter than i, which is still quite tall, with an angelically round face, bordered by curls that looked as soft as silk. He was looking at me with a slight blush on his cheeks. And his half lidded eyes were auburn. They were so smoldering. And strike me down now, if I didn't see this delectable treat part his lips slightly so very deliciously. He was a sight to behold indeed. I was pretty sure others saw this sensual face of his, because many were looking towards him, wondering if making a move on him was smart or not.

I couldn't allow that! This was my prey!! So as swiftly as i could without looking desperate, I closed in on him to study him closer. As I thought, he was ever so charming up close, and the look of surprise that adorned his face was, well, sexy. All i could utter was "interesting..." and walked away while flashing him my well known smirk that made anyone melt...

My, oh my, was this year going to be fun!


As i caught up my usual crew, the train arrived and i was busy ordering Crabbe and Goyle to get my things on board when, i heard a crash. I looked around to see who had made that crash when my eyes settled on the hamster. He was scrabbling with his things, but every time he tried to carry his things, the more they fell and he stumbled. I couldn't help but think how cute his efforts were, and was just about to go give him a hand, when a horde of insolent whelps flocked to his aide!! How dare they converge on my newest treat!!

After they helped him put the bags on board, he laughed at a joke. Even his laugh was charming!! By that point i'd had enough. So since they were facing me, i sent my iciest and fiercest look i could muster. Ha! You should've seen them run away!!

But know the boy looked lonely and before i could hail him, he disappeared into the car. So i followed him. I couldn't just leave him alone, now could i? As i was closing in on him he went up to the damned Potter posse. Great, he was friends with one of them.

The only good i got from their conversation that was of interest was his name. The short boy said when introducing him to Weasel and Potty.

"Harry, Ron, this is the bloke I told you about in my letters. Neville Longbottom, master botanist/chemist." And with a silly wave of his hands pointed towards the angel, Neville.

Neville... a noble name if i do say so...

And i went back to my compartment and his name and face came swirling back each time... and i kept thinking of how i should start my hunt on little Neville Longbottom....