DRACO MALFOY
AND THE SORCERER'S STONE
Chapter Two:
Duelling Institutions
Draco Malfoy woke early every morning to assure he would eat a quiet breakfast by himself. He looked into the face of his alarm clock and smiled when he saw the time to be 6:30, a time where his breakfast was sure to be solitary. He pulled on his robe and a pair of thick socks and padded softly to his door, then down the grand staircase to the hall of Malfoy Manor. When he walked into the kitchen, however, anything but a quiet breakfast was awaiting him.
Draco looked to the post owl, ready to check for the day's post and newspaper, but was surprised to see its talons empty. He turned to the table and saw his father reading the paper and his mother sipping a steaming cup of tea. They looked up when they saw him and both grinned widely.
Lucius snapped his fingers for the family's house elf. "Dobby? Get Draco a good breakfast, the boy needs his strength if he's going to be a good wizard." Draco sighed. His father was always harping on what a good wizard he would become, with proper training- not just the simple tricks he picked up as childhood mischief. He sat down at his place at the table and looked to the left of the plate Dobby had just placed before him. He saw sitting there two thick parchment envelopes, both addressed to him. He picked up the one addressed in green ink first, knowing exactly what it was before he opened its seal.
His mother grinned at him. "Read it, Darling! Read what it says!" Draco sighed, but began to read the words printed on the parchment. "Dear Mr. Malfoy, we are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31. Yours Sincerely, Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress." Narcissa beamed at her son. "Congratulations, darling! A fine education, without even leaving the country!" Draco put down the letter with a sour expression on his face. "Mother, Hogwarts is too common a school. Plus, they have an entire class devoted to the study of muggles." He spat the word out, his distaste for it apparent. His father smirked, then pressed the second envelope closer, this one addressed in scarlet ink. "Here, Draco- read this one." Draco opened the seal and removed the parchment. "To Mr. Draco Malfoy: You have been honoured with acceptance to the Durmstrang Institute. Enclosed is a list of materials you will need to purchase before the start of term on September 10th. Please send a return owl before the date of August 8th, and we will look forward to seeing you in our honoured institution. With regards, Igor Karkaroff, Headmaster."
This time it was Lucius's turn to beam. "Congratulations, Draco! Acceptance to Durmstrang is one of the highest honours one can achieve. You should be proud of yourself." Draco looked from his mother to his father, seeing his mother's disappointment that he may be leaving England to attend school. However, his father was so proud that his son had a chance to attend the finest institution for the Dark Arts the wizarding world had to offer. But his mother…Draco sighed. His decision would mean his father's disappointment and his mother's joy. "Father? I think…I will go to Hogwarts. For mother's sake, I know how much it would pain her for me to be so far away for my education." Stupid, turning down first rate Dark Arts training for his mother. Would the Dark Lord have done something that foolish? But of course, the Dark Lord had never known his mother. How could Draco ever become a great Dark Wizard
if he was constantly doing things for his mother's sake? This will be the last time, he thought. I shall never decide something again based on my mother's feelings.
