Written for 'DracoDrabbleDays': This is supposed to be set in Draco's PoV in his first year.
"Stop worrying," my mother whispered to me after pulling me into a hug.
At first, I stiffened. I certainly didn't want all the other kids to see my mum hugging me like a little ninny. But her hug did calm my nerves, and I pressed closer to her, forcing myself not to cry.
I would not see her until Christmas. It would be the longest time I've ever been separated from her. I was going to miss my mother a lot.
Just the same, I pulled away and put on a blank face for Father's benefit; I didn't want him to think I couldn't handle this.
He put a hand onto my shoulder, squeezing it— he had never hugged me before. I was lucky if I got a smile from him.
"Alright, son," he said, nodding, "if you need anything, just send me an owl. Don't let anyone forget that you're a Malfoy. You're an intelligent young man, and you'll make an excellent Slytherin."
"Yes, sir," I said, squaring off my shoulders, silently promising myself to make him proud. "Thank you."
"Have a good time, Draco," Father wished me and dropped his hand from my shoulder.
That was my cue to leave. I didn't look back as I walked with my head held high like I had been taught to do.
I'm sure if I had turned around, giving my mother one last look, I would have broke down in blubbers.
On the Hogwarts Express, when people saw me, they darted out of my way, as if I had some death stare. This was an interesting thing that I quickly learned was an amazing effect to have.
They probably heard stories of my father, who many people didn't believe he was innocent of the crimes that he had been excused from in his youth.
I didn't believe he was evil, people just liked to gossip, but if they wanted to fear me, it was certainly better than them thinking I feared them.
Which wasn't too far from the truth. This was all new to me, and extremely uncomfortable. I didn't like changes, and this was a massive one.
It took me no time to realize that it was much easier to do what was expected of me, than what I expected of myself. I was accepted, I was loved by my house-mates and my Head of House, and even my father approved of what I did.
As for everyone else, it didn't matter what I did. Maybe I came off a little strong with my words— apparently, girls didn't like knowing that their teeth were crooked and that I was surprised that their mothers hadn't fixed him. Boys didn't like to know that their ties were not on right.
I suppose… that they would rather look like a bunch of sloppy animals.
Well, the Weasleys were awfully popular for no reason that I could see… besides the fact that they were Gryffindors…
No one even bothered to hide their favoritism here, did they?
At least we had Snape, who seemed to make it his personal job to even up the score.
I thought he was a true hero.
