Chapter Two
Apparently gossip was a big thing at Hogwarts. I should have expected it. It was a big school with lots of teens. That didn't make it any less annoying though. Everyone was talking about Harry. And if they weren't talking about Harry then they were talking about how I wasn't in Slytherin. As much as I tried to ignore it, it was getting on my nerves. That and how much of a maze the castle was. I was bad enough at directions and having the castle be this large with stairs moving, trick steps, and doors that led to nowhere was beyond ridiculous. Luckily Ron and Harry stuck by my side.
It shocked me a bit when I found them waiting at the bottom of the stairs the next morning waiting for me. I couldn't help the excitement that rose up in me though. I was glad that they seemed to like hanging out with me because I really liked to hang out with them too.
Astronomy was boring though because it seemed rather pointless and Herbology was quickly becoming a favorite of mine. History of Magic either had us all sleeping or passing notes back and forth.
"What have we got today?" Harry asked as he got his breakfast ready.
"Double potions with the Slytherins. Snape's Head of Slytherin house. They say he always favors them." Ron said and I swallowed the bite of toast that I was munching on.
"He's not that bad." Both boys shot me dubious looks. "He's both my and Draco's godfather and while he might be a bit cold he's actually not that bad."
Ron opened his mouth as if to say something but before he could the mail swooped in. I knew Ron was having a hard time accepting my family (as were a lot of the other Gryffindor's) but I was glad that he was at least trying. I knew they weren't perfect but he at least wasn't saying as many rude comments about them while I was around. If anything Harry was stopping him from saying anything too extreme in front of me.
Harry's snowy owl swopped down to him holding out a letter and Father's familiar eagle owl Castor swooped down towards me for the first time. I had seen it delivering letters and sweets to Draco but never got anything myself. Today was the first time I've heard from Father and Mother since I got sorted which was five days ago. It hurt a bit but I didn't want to send the first letter.
Castor nipped at me irritably as I fumbled with the letter and as soon as I got it off he swooped over to Draco with his package. Looking down at the letter I got my throat felt rather dry.
Opening the parchment I immediately recognized my Mother's pristine handwriting.
Cassiopeia,
We had to find out from your brother that you have been sorted into Gryffindor. Not only that but Draco informed us that you are now friends with Potter and one of the Weasley boys as well. Your brother believes that they have been negative influences on you and I have to agree. You know how your Father can get when it comes to Blood traitors and half-bloods. Hearing that you are in Gryffindor and now are friends with them has made him a lot more irritable lately.
As lovely as it is that you are finally making friends, it is also weighing on my mind how disappointed your Father is. I encourage you to spend time with your brother's friends and him so he can keep an eye on you. They all come from respected families and it would put our minds at ease. Associating our name with the others isn't something we approve of. Your Father especially.
I must say I didn't expect you to end up in Slytherin but I was hoping for Ravenclaw or even Hufflepuff. I do hope you are well. Please try and stay out of trouble and stay with your brother.
Narcissa
The frown on my face grew as her words sunk in. Merlin my parents could be ridiculous. The more time I spent around my fellow first year Gryffindor's the more I couldn't help but to believe that my parents didn't know what they were talking about. The half-bloods, even muggleborns were perfectly good company. Hermione who had no magical relatives had to be one of the smartest people I had ever met. To think that they deserved to be shunned was ridiculous.
"Ya'll right?" Ron asked through a mouthful of food and I shoved the now crumpled letter over to the two boys.
Both Ron and Harry frowned as they took the words in.
"Does your mother realize how much of a prat your brother actually is?" Ron demanded handing me back the letter after they finished and I nodded.
"They're all kind of stuck in their ways. I think just can't believe that they want me to stop being friends with you guys. You two are the only ones who don't treat me different just because of who my family is." I sniffed a bit and pushed my plate away no longer hungry.
The boys exchanged looks and then we all got up, going down to our potions lesson which was in the dungeon.
"Ah, yes. Harry Potter. Our new celebrity." Snape sneered as he was calling role causing Draco and his friends to snigger. After he finished calling role he looked over at all of us frowning. I was familiar with his icy demeanor but it still put me off. He seemed to really not like Harry for some reason.
"You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion making." His voice was soft yet captured all of our attention. "As there is little foolish wand waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic. I don't expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through the human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses…. I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even stopper death. If you aren't as big of a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach."
I smiled a bit at his words knowing how much Snape loved potions. Something he had passed down to me. While we were younger Snape would try and teach us potions to keep us prepared. Draco found it interesting but wasn't brilliant while I picked it up in no time. It was a subject that was beyond fascinating to me.
There was silence for a second before Snape suddenly turned towards Harry.
"Potter! What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"
Harry's face fell into panic as he looked at Ron then over towards me. I was about to mouth it to him before he gave a small shrug.
"I don't know sir." He said softly causing Snape to sneer. I had never seen such a look from him. It honestly shocked me.
"Tut tut. Fame clearly isn't everything. Let's try again Potter. Where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?"
I watched as Hermione stretched her hand even higher in the air almost leaving her seat while Harry had the same clueless expression on his face. I wanted to mouth the answer to him yet Snape shot me a warning look. Draco started to shake with laughter.
"I don't know sir."
"Thought you wouldn't open a book before coming eh Potter?" Snape asked and I bit the inside of my cheek.
"What is the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane?"
Hermione was now standing her hand high up. Harry's face was turning a bit red from anger while Snape was staring down at him with cold eyes.
"I don't know. I think Hermione does though, why don't you try her?"
A few people laughed yet Snape's expression grew even darker. I knew immediately that Harry had made a mistake.
"Sit down. Miss Malfoy the answers?"
I sat up a bit as Snape directed the questions towards me and immediately recited them.
"Asphodel and wormwood make the draught of living death which is a sleeping potion. Bezoars come from the stomach of goats and cure poisons. Monkshood and wolfsbane are the same plant which is also known as aconite." I recited and Snape gave an approving nod.
"Well why aren't you all copying this down? A point from Gryffindor for your cheek Potter." Snape snapped before starting the lesson.
While Draco and I breezed through the potion, having made it before, it seemed like the rest of the class struggled. Neville even managed to melt his cauldron which somehow turned to Harry losing more points. This of course meant that the boys' moods were ruined by the time we managed to get out of the dungeon.
"I'm sorry about him Harry. I don't know why he hates you so much he normally isn't that…"
"Much of a prat?" Ron finished rolling his eyes. "Honestly Cassie. You are one of the nicest people I've met. How is he your godfather and how are the Malfoy's your family? You're nothing like them. Anyways Harry can we come and meet Hagrid with you?"
Around three we made our way down the grounds and found Hagrid's wooden house at the edge of the forest. Almost as soon as Harry knocked on the door booming barks and scrambling was heard from inside. The door opened a crack revealing Hagrid's rather hairy face.
"Hang on, back Fang."
The door opened all the way and the three of us found seats as Hagrid was holding onto an enormous dog. As soon as he let the dog go, it bounded over to Ron licking his ears.
"This is Ron and Cassie." Harry said to Hagrid who was fixing us a plate of cakes and some tea.
"Weasley and a Malfoy. You guys are an unlikely trio I must say." Hagrid said gruffly looking at Ron and I. "I spent half me life chasin' yer twin brothers away from the forest."
I was grateful he didn't say anything about my family. I was getting tired of hearing people slag off on them and while I did understand because they were difficult… I was finding that I didn't like to be grouped together with my brother or even my parents.
Fang bounded over to me and I started to scratch behind his ears, absolutely smitten with the dog. We were never allowed pets no matter how many times Draco and I asked.
The three of us talked for a bit before heading back up to the castle minds buzzing. Tucked underneath my arm was a book on magical creatures that Hagrid lent me and the two boys were talking about the break in that happened at Gringotts.