First Day of My Life

Chapter 2: Draco

Title: Back to Hogwarts

"My god!" Pansy shrieked when I walked into the compartment. Crabbe and Goyle stared stupidly up at me, like the idiots they were. Pansy jumped up, examining my forehead. "Are you alright? What happened, Draco?" she touched it lightly with her forefinger. I waved her off, and she stepped back a little bit.

"God awful Schuler swung a door and hit me," I muttered, trying not to make too much of a scene. If I did, Zambini would have a laughing it over me being bothered by someone and something as insignificant as Schuler. As if on cue, he eyes me, a glint in his eye, wondering is I'd venture any closer to the trap.

That bastard. He was the only one with balls enough to try and mess with me.

"Ugh!" I didn't think Pansy could scream any louder. "That bitch!"

"Whatever, it doesn't matter," I said, tapping the bump lightly with my wand, feeling the swelling instantly begin to go down. I didn't need someone like Pansy to fight my battles. I could do that on my own, thanks. She immediately sat down, looking dejected. I flopped down casually into my seat, far away from her and next to Crabbe, taking up as much room as I wanted.

"So..." Zambini said awkwardly after coming to the conclusion I wasn't falling for his idiotic, childish games. We sat quietly for a moment.

"I still cannot believe she hit you! No, I can, actually. If I were you," she sent me a stern look. "I'd march right down to her compartment and give her what she deserves!" Pans huffed, crossing her arms. She raised her eyebrows at me.

"That's what she said!" Goyle guffawed loudly, and Crabbe joined in. Buffoons.

"You idiots, that doesn't even make sense," Zambini snapped, head whipping in their direction.

"No, Zambini, see it is," Crabbe said, and I could see the gears turning in his head as he chose his words. I began to tune out as Zambini, Crabbe, and Goyle started yet another pointless row. I turned my attention to the dreary scenery, wondering what Hogwarts would be like under Snape's reign. I could get away with a lot-a lot more than I could with Dumbledore. I mentally shuttered as my mind flashed back to that night.

I recalled trying to desperately steady my shaking hand, attempting to appear brave. Like I knew what I was doing. I remembered trying to rationalize what I was about to do. I had to kill Dumbledore. I hated him being headmaster, as he was an incompetent muggle-loving fool, but did I want him dead? Not really. Then Snape had swooped in and killed him in a brief moment that lasted forever imprinted in my mind. He made it seem like it was that simple, that easy. The Dark Lord had been pissed at him, but father had just been glad was left alive. I cringed, then immediately hoped that the others hadn't heard me.

Father.

These days he was getting completely unreasonable. I was glad to finally be away from him. Even if that meant spending another incredibly useless year at Hogwarts. The only thing that kept me attending was the fact that it bought me a little bit more time. For years now, the Dark Lord and the Death Eaters had been bothering my father about me becoming a Death Eater ever since my father let it slip that he had wanted me to join. But by the time I graduated from school, I would be forced to make a decision.

Dammit.

"Draco, what do you think?" Pansy's irritating voice interrupted my thoughts.

"Hm?" I asked. No clue as to what they were talking about.

"Do you think Blaise should go for Alexandra this year?" I discreetly rolled my eyes.

"Zambini can do what he fancies," I answered blandly. Zambini smirked.

"Oh I'll be doing what I fancy, alright," he said crudely. Pansy pulled a disgusted face, slapping him in the shoulder as Crabbe and Goyle sniggered into their meaty hands, but still not quite getting it.

Unlike Zambini, I didn't have time this year trying to impress girls. I had more important things on my mind.

We finally reached Hogsmeade and rode the Threstral-drawn carriages like always. I didn't know what everyone's deal was, but they were especially obnoxious today. We reached the tall, dark gates that Hogwarts hid behind. Two winged boars flanked either side of the wrought iron fence, spiraling up into the dark. I immediately sensed a different vibe about this place. It was darker, stricter, a more ominous foreboding feeling about it than it had when we were first years. It seemed to loom sinister and deadly over our heads, urging us to stay away. Zambini, Parkinson, Crabbe, Goyle and I each stepped out of the carriage as it came to a stop in front of the castle doors. Two rather short people stood in the main hall next to Filch, and I recognized them immediately. A male and a woman, both sporting a menacing, sour look as they eyed us all.

The Carrows.

I didn't know what the were doing here, but I scowled back at them as I passed by. Of course they didn't dare retaliating. Father may not be on the best of terms with the Dark Lord at the current moment, but definitely had more authority over Amycus and Alecto.

Entering the Great Hall, I took my seat at the center of the Slytherin Table, pushing a terrified second year out of my way. She squeaked and took a seat further down the table as my posse settled around me.

The Great Hall was not as it was in previous years. Usually, especially on the first night, it was a warm and inviting place. But tonight, it mirrored the outer side of the castle: dark and strict. The unfortunate kids who found themselves as first years this year stood terrified and shaking in the center of the hall, gazing around. They seemed smaller and more scared than previous first years, dwarfed not by the amount of students, but the vibe of the school. Many students were glancing nervously at the Carrows and Filch, leering quietly from the staff table. The regular professors sat uncomfortably with them, and at the center of them, was Snape, his greasy, filth hair shining in the lowlight of the candles. He swept his eyes over the minuscule amount of students. Usually, the Great Hall was overflowing with students. This year, barely half of the hall was filled. I glanced over at the three other tables as the first ears began to be called by McGonagall to be sorted into their Houses, to which I paid no attention. None of the other three tables had nearly as many students as the Slytherin table, despite the fact that their were more students at Hogwarts that I had ever seen, due to the Ministry of Magic's ruling that it was mandatory for all wizarding children (with Magical blood, not filthy mudbloods) were to attend Hogwarts.

Things were definitely changing at Hogwarts.

Wait.

I searched the tables again. I could spot almost every one of Potter's idiotic followers-but no Potter himself. Or blood traitor Weasel. Of mudblood Granger. Where were they?

Father told me they had been present at the Weasel's awful wedding. Were they too cowardly to return to school? Or did Potter and his friends think themselves above it?

I glowered at the thought. But then a realization hit me. This year, there would be no obnoxious, big headed Potter collapsing dramatically in class, or prancing around like he was Dumbledore's happy puppet.

My grin quickly vanished from my face as my eyes found an almost equally unexciting figure.

Ariadne Schuler.

I glared at her, staring her down. She noticed, and rolled her eyes at me, then continued to watch the Sorting Ceremony, turning away.

Whatever.