Title: A Dresden at Hogwarts

Rating: T

Summary: Maggie Dresden is invited to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. While on the Hogwarts Express she makes friends with Harry Potter. Sorted into Slytherin she tries to blend into a world where everyone hides what they are from others. When she saves Hermione Granger's life she proves her worth and finds herself protecting her Gryffindor friend from the dangers of his first year. Crossover of the Dresden Files.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of Rowling or Butchers characters and I'm making nothing from this.

Chapter 3: What a Joke

As Scotland got closer to fall I could feel the power of summer vanishing and winter's power growing. I guess it has something to do with the fact that my father is the Winter Knight but I've been able to sense these things. To everyone else, it was just another passing from one season to the next. I continued to hang out with Harry, even though I could tell that everyone hated it that I was.

The most vocal was Ron Weasley and Draco Malfoy. Weasley hated the fact that Harry was even talking to me, let alone calling him Harry, and Malfoy believed that I was turning into a blood traitor by talking to Harry. Yeah, I really hate this whole 'blood' thing. It makes as though you're some high breed animal, or something. Still I wouldn't allow other people's opinions change how I always did things.

"Ron Weasley is bullying Hermione," Harry told me.

"Again! Doesn't that child have anything better to do than to make people feel low about themselves?"

I had been bullied before and it wasn't any fun.

"She knows things and likes to show off."

I had seen that during the first Potions class. I didn't think there was anything wrong with her being smart. Smart people stay alive.

"And are you upset about that?"

"Of course not," he said, "You know things and like to show off."

"Thanks," I said to him.

"No problem," he said.

Has this child ever heard of the word sarcasm?

"I'm getting tutoring lessons from her. Don't tell anyone."

"Don't worry, your secret is safe with me."

And I meant it.

In the common room I kept mostly to myself, always ready for when one of my fellow housemates would attack me. Snakes kill each other, well depends on the species, and I wasn't about to get eaten.

"Dresden," Malfoy called out.

Great, now what?

"What the hell do you want?" I asked him.

"Still hanging out with that loser, Potter."

"He's better than you'll ever be," I hissed.

I really wasn't in the mood for this.

"I'm getting sick and tired of you making our house look bad."

I glared at him.

"I think that you're doing that all on your own," I told him, "Including the two apes that you hang out with."

"At least our blood is pure, unlike you."

"Oh really," I said, "Well I hate to break your heart but I don't care about blood and I don't care about what you think. Now leave me alone before Madam Pomfrey sees you in one of her beds."

"Is that a threat?"

"No, Malfoy, it's a promise."

Of course Malfoy considered it a threat and pulled his wand out. Even though he was only eleven I didn't put anything past him in knowing 'things.' He had tried to get Harry in trouble after he had been made the Gryffindor Seeker and I wasn't fooled by him. However, I had none of my father's 'tools' except for the self-defense that I had learned from Murphy. Before he could even move I grabbed him and slammed him against the floor. I then head butted both Crabbe and Goyle, causing them to fall down.

"I will always have an advantage over you," I said, "You rely too much on your wand and that's your weakness. This topic is over."

And I got up and left.

Word had gotten around the school that I had used 'filthy muggle' means to get the drop on Malfoy and that all three of them were, you guess it, inside the Hospital wing. I also got called in by the Headmaster, which was the most embarrassing thing ever. I had promised father that I wouldn't get called in. I guess that Harry heard, or got wind that I might get called, because he was with me for 'moral support.'

Personally he thought it was funny that I ruined Malfoy's pretty face. I added his god awful hairdo.

"Mr. Potter, you haven't been called."

"I'm here to support my friend," Harry told him.

"Very well," he said, "Miss Dresden, I understand that you broke Mr. Malfoy's nose."

"Yeah, the little snot deserved it," I told him, "No one insults my friends and gets away with it."

"I have informed your father," he said, "Though I can't find him."

"Wait for tomorrow and you'll be able to do it."

Inside, I felt as though I was about to die. Father coming wouldn't be good.

"Professor Snape has written to Mr. Malfoy."

"Great," I muttered.

"Most likely he's going to demand that your father pay for dishonoring the Malfoy name since, by our laws, he can't take on a first year. Knowing what he knows, your father will most likely not survive."

I laughed, oh this was beyond funny. Oh my father is supposed to be scared when he's the freaking immortal Winter Knight.

"There's nothing funny about this."

"Oh please, there is," I said, "Do you really think that my father is scared of Malfoy's daddy. Trust me, watching this will be the most entertaining event since the last world war."

"Mr. Malfoy is very powerful."

"Mr. Malfoy is a mortal while my father is immortal and the most powerful Warden in the States. So, yes, it will be most entertaining. Can we put orders in for Malfoy's coffin?"

"When your father dies I doubt that you'll be laughing."

"When my father kicks Malfoy's ass, then I will be laughing even more."

"Let's hope that your right."

"Oh I know that I'm right."

Three days later I got letters from both Malfoy's father and my own. I opened Malfoy's as I wanted to see what hallow threats that he was spitting out. It was red, which made most everyone at the table run for it. A couple snickered and then it exploded.

"I CHALLEGE YOUR FATHER TO A DUEL. TRUST ME, MUDBLOOD, YOUR FATHER HAS BEEN INFORMED. THOUGH I DOUBT THAT HE WILL BE ABLE TO DO ANYTHING TO SOMEONE THAT HAS MAGIC. WATCH YOUR FATHER DIE, MUDBLOOD, AND THEN I WILL TAKE YOURS AS WELL."

I yawned, what a joke.

Maggie!

Great work in showing that rich ponce whose boss. However, I've been challenged to a duel. I doubt this Malfoy guy is going to play by the rules. Warning, daughter, he's a Death Eater. I've been ordered to cut his head off due to crimes that he's known for doing. Trust me, daughter, Mr. Malfoy will pay.

Your father

I smiled, thinking of a severed head, and punishment handed out.

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A/N: Do you think that Harry Dresden can be defeated by Lucius Malfoy? No, I don't believe so. Let's see what happens.