Disclaimer: "Harry Potter" is the property of J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. This was written entirely for fun, not for profit and no copyright infringement is intended.

Hogwarts Express

"I can't believe the great Git and his friends got last minute points," I mutter angrily. "We had the cup. We were in lead with more than a hundred points."

Pansy looked sympathetically at me, while nodding her head slightly. "Did you see professor Snape's face? He looked furious."

I smile at Pansy, I could always count on her. We sit in a train compartment with Greg and Vin. They avidly eating Bertie Botts beans. I then say. "A shame if you ask me, it is an embarrassment that he leads the school. If Severus would be headmaster.."

"Quite right," Pansy agreed easily with me. "We're almost on the platform. I guess this was it, our first year. Will Severus visit you over the summer?"

I smirk. "I expect so, he is after all my godfather. He has always visited and taught me potions. He says I have a real aptitude for the subject."

The train was slowing down. "We're there." Pansy says. "I'll see you over the summer, Draco." She nodded at Greg and Vin. "I'll see you at Hogwarts." Pansy left the compartment eagerly and headed towards the platform. Then I also went in search for my parents.

I am suddenly nervous, but feel myself calm down as I see my mother smiling at me. My father is not here. I feel a bit dejected that he was not here to pick me up after not seeing me for so long. I quickly walk to mother who warmly clasps me in a hug. Father would not be pleased with her public affections, as it was something that people beneath us did, but I really couldn't care less at the moment. Maybe it was kind of nice that father was not here, at least he would not look at me with that unhappy look.

Mother has an annoyed look on her face as she curtly says: "Father couldn't come, he is busy at the ministry." Her face then softens into a proud smile, which makes me stand a bit taller. "He was not very happy that you lost the house cup, but I'm so very proud of you, Dragon. Sev seemed to think you did so well this year. He was boasting about you. And you're growing so tall, let's get you home."

Her long fingers grab my shoulder and she apparates us home. "Dobby, bring Draco's suitcases to his room, prepare him a bath and prepare lunch." She then orders.

Dobby bowed. "Yes, mistress Lady Narcissa."

Home, sweet home

After bathing I descend the stairs. My father sits at the dinner table. He looks furious and for a second I wish to not have to enter the dinner room now. I swallow. "Father, how good to see you. I heard you had business at the ministry."

Mother softly placed her hand on father's shoulder as if to calm him. "Sit down Draco. Your father is facing an inquiry at work. Let us just eat." The soft, kind words did not seem to have much of an effect.

Father started ranting. "I cannot believe they agreed with the inquiry that Weasley prompted against me. He is a disgrace to the name of wizards. Associating with muggles. Sinking as low as they can. Poor. More children than they can afford -"

I stayed silent, but felt hurt that this was my welcome home. My mother seemed to have noticed how I was feeling, as she suddenly spoke up. "Lucius, dear, let us not talk about those bloodtraitors. Your son just arrived, look at how much he has grown. Seemed like just yesterday he was just a little bundle in my arms." She smiled warmly at me. Lucius did not seem much calmer. Mother's half-hearted try did not make things better.

"You," father bellowed pointing his finger at me. I shrink into my chair. Mother seems to silently beg him to stop, but he ignores her. "How dare you disgrace the ancient and noble name of Malfoy? I expect you to be seeker for Slytherin next year and beat that Potter boy. It is embarrassing that Potter became the youngest seeker in a century."

I felt my heart beating fast. "But father -"

"No," he said angrily. "You disappointed me, Draco Lucius Malfoy, I also expect your school marks to pick up."

"It's not my fault," I say ashamed, feeling like the world was being really unfair at the moment. I just wanted him to tell me that he was proud of me.

"I would have thought you'd be ashamed that a girl of no wizarding family -a mudblood, would beat you," he said bitingly.

I felt horrible. "The teacher's all have favorites, that Hermione -"

"No, you better hope she did not beat you in every exam and next year I expect more of you." Then with an annoyed huff he walked out of the room.

Mother softly started to stroke my hair. "Oh Dragon, he did not mean it like that. He just expects much of you because he cares. He is proud, he is just angry. It's all Weasley's fault, okay." I felt weak, feeling a tear trickle down my cheek. Why couldn't I be stronger? "Little Dragon, don't cry, you'll do fine."

I felt stressed and upset. "What if I can't?" Anxiety grew. I did not like to disappoint. "Mum, I can't. That girl - that mudblood, she's brilliant."

She sighed. "Don't worry about it, I will talk to him."

We sit for a few seconds in silence. Mother then suddenly smiled. "You know what, he was once beaten by this younger student in a duel, one on one and she was a muggleborn." She chuckled and seemed to revel in in the memory.

I felt better. "Who?"

She bit her lips. "I never told you any of this." She winked at me. "Her name was Lily Evans."

"Potty-boys mum?"

She chuckled. "I see you gave him a childish nickname." I felt affronted. "Yes, Potter's mum. I hope you are not thinking too highly of that Hermione Grant?"

"Granger," I corrected her. "No, mother, I would never befriend a mudblood, she shouldn't even be admitted to Hogwarts. It is just, I cannot deny that she is talented. I like smart people."

Mother relaxed. "Theodore is quite smart. Or Blaise. Just as Pansy, who always has liked your company. She is a beautiful girl, right? Though you should keep Gregory and Vincent around, your father would not be pleased if you dumped them. He is befriended with their fathers. You know that."

"I don't want to play quidditch, I'm awful. Father knows that. Plus I prefer potions or astronomy."

Mother kissed my cheek. "He just wants to one-up that Potter."

"I will never make the team."

Then she looked quite guilty. "He plans to buy new brooms for the team if you will get the job of seeker."

I asked. "What about Adrian Pucey?" Who was the former seeker of the Slytherin quidditch team. Mother did not hear me.

Great, soon everyone will know that the only reason for me being on the team was my father buying my way on and I couldn't say that I had no interest in playing since it would seem ungrateful. Bugger.

Seeker

I was reading an advanced potions book, when Lucius walked in. "Good news, Draco," he drawled. "Marcus Flint understood how useful it would be to have you on the team. I am so proud for you for making seeker."

I smiled, even though I shared Severus opinion on quidditch and I had done nothing to deserve the position of seeker, it was nice to hear father was happy with me, even if I only got seeker because of my father's "generous donation".

Lucius then continued. "You will be glad to hear that Severus is having dinner with us to celebrate and he will also bring your school results."

I suddenly felt sick. "Of course. Thank you, father."

Soon Severus walked in, his robes billowing behind him and a small scowl on his face while he looked at my father. He smiled at me and when he stood close enough to me that he could say something to me in private, he told me he was very proud of my grades.

I feel my throat go dry as I ask: "Did I beat Granger?"

He scowled. "No, but you did outstanding."

"Father will not be pleased." I sigh. "And now all the Slytherins will hate me because I am the worst quidditch player ever."

He scowled at Lucius, who did not seem to notice. "You never practiced a lot of quidditch, always reading books instead, maybe you will surprise yourself. I do not plan to lose against Gryffindor next year. That boy just got on because he is the golden boy."

I immediately object. "He is really good. Besides I just get on because my father paid my way in. That is worse."

I realise I should not have said that, for some reason Severus was blinded by hate when it came to Potter. Severus scowled. "How can you say that? He is a bully. Arrogant. Thinks he is above the rules. Just like his father."

I just held my mouth and listened to his ranting. For some reason Severus had really hated Potter even before the first class he'd taught him.

Dinner was a quiet affair after my grades were looked at. Father was disappointed as I had expected. Mother was proud though, that has to count for something right? Still mother's encouraging words did a poor job of cheering me up after father's harsh words.

School shopping

We were going to do our shopping for the new school year. I got new robes, some wand polish from Olivander's, some new potion ingredients, owl treats for Arrakis and now we were going to the book store.

In Flourish and Blotts it was incredibly busy, apparently our new teacher had a signing session. I went upstairs where only two or three people where looking through books. Mother and father were standing in line for me. You'd think a teaching job at Hogwarts would not be glamorous and grande enough for the blonde man that looked a little bit too pleased with all the attention he got. Then I sighted the Git, that being Potter. Lockhart smiled delighted at Potter and dragged him to the front. Potter grew incredibly red and started stammering.

I ignored that I kinda felt bad for him and walked down the stairs. Anger was flaring up in me. Stupid scarhead, it was all his fault, I thought heatedly, being made seeker, being bested by Granger, dad having an inquiry at work. I snarled at Potter. "Bet you liked that, didn't you, Potter? Famous Harry Potter can't even go into a bookshop without making it to the front page."

Then a small, red-headed, freckled girl in rags stood in front of Potter, while looking furious at me. She quickly crossed arms. "Leave him alone."

I smirked. "O, look, Potter. You've got yourself a girlfriend!"

The Weasley girl then turned bright red. I felt pleased. Father then placed the silver snake of that ridiculous walking stick on my shoulder. He always liked to take that stupid stick with him in public, thinking it made him look powerful and rich, though I mostly thought it made him look stupid. "Now, now Draco, play nicely." He admonishes me.

Then father turned to Potter and I feel slightly horrified. "Mr. Potter. Lucius Malfoy. We meet at last. Forgive me." He used the silver snake to pull back Harry's bang and his scar is now no longer hidden from view. Potter looked guarded and clenched his fist. Father's action was obviously too intrusive. Father smiled at Potter. "Your scar is legend. As, of course, is the wizard who gave it to you."

Harry gritted his teeth. "Voldemort killed my parents. He was nothing more than a murderer."

Father looked amused. "Hmm, you must be very brave to mention his name. Or very foolish."

The know-it-all then spoke up. "Fear of a name only increases fear of the thing itself." Of course she could not keep her mouth shut.

My father looked coldly at Granger. "And you must be... Miss Granger. Yes, Draco's told me all about you... and your parents." Father looks at the muggles and for once I wish that he would not call them mudbloods, especially with so many people around. "Muggles, aren't they?" I feel relieved. Then father focusses on Ron. "Let me see. Red hair, vacant expressions…" Father than takes one single book out of the Weasley girls cauldron, which he inspects. "Tatty, secondhand book." He smiles coldly. "You must be the Weasleys."

Then Arthur Weasley arrived and tried to walk past them with their children, without having to converse with father. I feel kind of glad. Then Arthur says: "Children, it's mad in here. Let's go outside."

Father though seems keen to pick a fight with Arthur. "Well, well, well. Weasley Senior."

Arthur grits his teeth. "Lucius."

My father looked ready to fight Weasley's dad. Please don't, I silently wish. "Busy time at the Ministry, Arthur. All those extra raids; I do hope they're paying you overtime."

Father gleefully shows the book he picked out of Ginny's cauldron. "Though judging by the state of this, I'd say not." He then places the two books back in her cauldron. "What's the use of being a disgrace to the name of wizard... if they don't even pay you well for it?"

Arthur now looked furious. "We have a very different idea about what disgraces the name of wizard, Malfoy."

Lucius Malfoy smirks. "Clearly. Associating with Muggles... And I thought your family could sink no lower."

Weasley's dad looks furious at father.

Father though finally is done. "I'll see you at work."

I looked at Potter, the Grangers and the Weasleys. I felt as though I had to say something to them. "I'll see you at school." I muttered softly. Then father dragged me away.