Title: One's Most Hated Name
Summary: Harry Potter's younger brother, Mark was thought to be the prophesized child and Harry was left to the orphanage where Voldemort attended. Harry's adventure as a first year student will turn for the worst.
Disclaimer: Dun own it….k?
Draco never did have a good relationship with his father. His tutors gave him low marks and had to work extra hard on getting things through to Draco. It wasn't that Draco was slow, no. It was that Draco hated the old witch of a tutor. The tutor hit his hand every time he answered anything wrong and the tutor sometimes slapped it just for the fun of it. After all, how could a kid pay attention to course lessons with a sadist teacher on a one-to-one basis? His father, Malfoy Sr. didn't mind much. Lucius actually encouraged the old bat.
His brother on the other hand did exceptionally well. Top marks, and he never got hit. When Draco moved away from Malfoy manor, Lucius didn't even dream of complaining since he got the better of his two sons.
Harry read over the letter. At first glance, it seemed as though Malfoy was a nice father, though something seemed wrong. Why did Draco's dad send a letter inviting Draco to spend Christmas at his place? Obviously, Malfoy Senior had kept his distance to Draco over the years, so why now? To increase his popularity as Minister by inviting his other son over? No, that's not it; Malfoy Senior is already Minister of Magic without the help of ever inviting Draco.
Draco was pretty fast himself and figured that this had to do with the Dark Lord. After all, the reason his mom left his dad was because his mom discovered Lucius supported th Dark Lord. But why would the Dark Lord want him? He wanted another Death Eater perhaps? Maybe Voldemort just told all his servants to gather up as many new recruits as possible? Doesn't matter. The best way is to avoid the letter.
Draco flipped the piece of parchment and wrote;
Father,
I don't believe I have the time to visit seeing as I'm somewhat behind other student's here and Christmas would be a good time to improve. Besides, mother would not have approved. Merry Christmas.
Draco
Draco carefully steered clear of mentioning his brother. Attatching the letter to the bird once again, the large, black bird flew off.
"So?" Harry asked, clearly interested in Draco's response though he knew the chance of Draco actually accepting the offer was slim to none.
"Nah, it'll be boring there anyways," Draco said, "So, when's your Quidditch practices begin?"
Harry got a feeling that this had Draco very worried though Harry left it be. He would want to be left him alone if anyone tried to pry into his business.
"Starting tomorrow, they say Slytherin Quidditch practices are easier than most," Harry stated casually.
"Right," was all Draco said for the rest of breakfast, getting lost in his own thoughts.
Letting Draco have some time to himself, Harry started chatting to Hermione nearby.
"Do you understand how to fly now?" Harry asked Hermione who was reading Hogwarts a History nearby.
"Oh, yeah. Thanks a lot, you helped me so much!" Harmione replied with a grateful smile stationed on her face.
"Hogwarts a History is pretty interesting, it's a good book," Harry commented on Harmione's read.
Harmione was stunned, "You read Hogwarts a history? Wow, and here I thought I was the only one."
"Well, let's put it this way, I have a lot of spare time. Especially if that time is spent on reading," Harry replied.
Many Slytherin girls nearby gave glares that could have melted holes through Hermiones' head though Hermione didn't realize.
"Are you joining the dueling class? I hear it's going to be great," Hermione said.
Harry noticed a bunch of books teaching various dueling techniques beside her breakfast plate.
"Dueling classes huh? When is it?" Harry asked though somewhat interested at witnessing the level of skills here, he didn't care much to watch first years try to duel it out though.
"It's tonight at eight. I have to go check out some books, bye," Hermione said leaving the table to head for the library.
'Nice enough girl' Harry thought.
Harry headed for Defence class dragging his feet. It was the worst class of them all. At the beginning it was okay because Professor Potter acted nice to everyone including Harry since Potter Sr. was after all, the one that invited Harry to Hogwarts in the first place. It was great until Potter tore off that mask and started to heavily favor Gryffindors. Lately, it seemed as if it was a race between Professors Potter and Snape to see which one of them could dock off the most points from one another's house.
Harry opened the door to the Defence class just as the bell rang.
"Late again Mr. Preston. 10 points off for Slytherin," the teacher said and before Harry could reply, "Take your seat if you would like to keep the rest of the points."
Class was slow and seemed to stretch on to forever. Harry didn't mind, he was practicing charms when Potter was talking.
As Harry was levetating his ink pot, he heard his name being called.
"Mr. Preston, would you please tell me what one should do when encountering a fiul?" Potter asked.
"Since fiuls are half basilisk and half dragon. We have to be aware of looking directly into its eyes and move accordingly out of its path in case it wants to use its fire breath," Harry said monotonously.
Though Professor Potter hated to admit it, the kid was right. "All right then tell me what they are most protective of? Mr. Preston?"
Harry's patience was draining out of his as he gritted his teeth and answered, "Fiuls are protective of their young. Sir."
"Correct Preston. Though 5 points off for your cheek," Potter said.
"Since Mr. Preston here answered these questions with sheer luck, I will continue the lesson. Fiuls' babies' saliva drips out poison, which is deadlier than an adult's saliva. Why is that so? Mr. Preston?"
Harry figured that like father, like son. That was where Mark probably got it from. Thank goodness he was an exception, he just couldn't stand it if he were as idiotic as them.
"When fiuls are born, they already have a specified amount of poison in their saliva so the younger they are, the more they have and the less diluted it is, sir. For the next question why not ask, per chance Mark Potter?" Harry replied glaring at his father daring him to say otherwise. Too bad for Harry though, Potter Sr. has seen much more evil glares, especially after facing Voldemort.
"Mr. Preston, I will not stand your cheek any more, 15 points off which makes the grand total 40 off for you today. Leave the class since you cannot co-operate," Potter ordered.
Harry didn't mind. The stuff Potter teaches was easier than the ABC's. Though what annoyed him the most was the satisfied look on Mark. Harry took his bag and left.
Harry headed for the dungeons to unravel the mystery broom. Harry suspected that it was a Comet 260 or somewhat of the likes.
Harry unravelled the brown paper bit by bit and to his utter surprise it was the broom he saw the children in Diagon Alley looking at. It was a Nimbus 2001! The light reflected off the newly polished handle and the tightly knit twigs. Silver lettering said the words that all wanted on their brooms; Nimbus 2001.
Looking at his watch, 30 more minutes until Defence Against the Dark Arts finished and Herbology started so Harry went out to the Quidditch Pitch to break in his new broom.
Spectators just saw a blur pass by, others from afar might actually be able to recognize the broom. Eventually, when people realized that it was Preston riding the Nimbus 2001, almost all the Slytherins who don't have classes came down and asked for rides. Harry let as many people as he could fit into 10 minutes to ride it and took the broom back to his room.
Harry later left for Herbology with the Nimbus fresh on his mind.
"Hey!" Draco yelled at Harry from afar.
Slowing down, Harry allowed Draco the time to catch up.
"A Nimbus 2001? Are you serious? Wow, it's all over the school. You just might be more famous than Potter and his somewhat great win against You-Know-Who!" Draco announced with an excited glee.
"Sure, it was a Nimbus 2001. It was great too," Harry agreed.
"Great? That's it? Just great? You must be kidding," Draco asked.
Draco persisted on Harry admitting that the Nimbus wasn't just any ordinary broom. At the end of the classes followed by the end of supper, Harry finally decided to admit that the Nimbus was the greatest broom of all, fearing that this might continue well into the night.
Harry checked his watch, 7:30 p.m. The dueling lessons were about to begin in half an hour.
Draco was already there so Harry thought he might as well go. There wasn't much to do other than homework in an empty dorm by oneself.
Arriving at the Great Hall, Harry was amazed to see that almost every one of the first years were there. The four house tables were still there though they were covered by a sort blue fabric.
"You made it in time," Draco said who was followed unwillingly by Hermione.
"One and a half months in! I wonder how good everyone is?" Hermions wondered aloud.
"Much better than her probably," Draco whispered to Harry.
The lights in the Hall dimmed somewhat as Professor Potter walked in with Professor Evans.
"Students, welcome to your first dueling lesson. Most of you know me and my wife, Professor Evans. We are your instructors for the day. All right, this is how it's going to work. You will use all you've learned so far within the year against your opponent. You will split yourselves up into pairs and practise for one hour, till 9 o'clock. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask either Proffesor Evans or me. After the hour is over. We will be holding a competition much like a tournament to determine a winner. You may begin," Potter said to disperse the students.
Some yelled back, "What do we get if we win the tournament?"
Others agreed, "Yeah, what do we get?"
James seemed as though he was waiting for this to happen, "No Defence homework for a month!"
This seemed to get the first years cheering. Though the cheering was very short-lived as Professor Evans complained, "James, that sort of defeats the purpose of coming here for a month if they don't learn anything."
James did not want to anger his wife so he played along, "Sure, sure. So, a week then. No homework for a week."
Lily looked ready to complain once again but thought better of it.
"Alright then, begin," James yelled and at once the students attacked one another with vigor renewed by the promise of one week without Defence homework.
Draco practised some tough spells on Harry. Harry wasn't surprised, Draco had to keep up with him during classes so Draco had become somewhat better than most other first-years.
Even though spells were being cast to him from the second and third year levels, Harry had no problem repelling them or at least reflecting them elsewhere.
Draco had worked up a sweat by the end of the hour while Harry looked just about the same as always.
After a few more spells, James' loud voice was heard, "Okay, enough practice. The placing has been arranged for the 31 of you. Some may have a bye into the second round while others may not. Okay, we will have duels on all four tables going at once. The semifinals and the finals will be held on the Ravenclaw table. Okay, first pair, Draco Malfoy with Anna Sherbolt."
Harry wished Draco luck as he kept listening for his name. Finally his name was called as part of the second wave of duelists.
Just as Harry stepped on to the table, Draco walked off his at the opposite end of the hall with not a scratch on him while his opponent missed half her eyebrow.
Harry looked at his own opponent. 'Easy catch, it's Avery Jr' Harry thought grinning.
The fight barely lasted 10 seconds before Harry disarmed Avery and walked off the stage. Harry was somewhat surprised at to hear Avery whisper, "Ser-" before Harry disarmed him though all in all, Avery was no match for him.
Hermione was in the final wave and won easily within five minutes though she did come off with some bruises.
And so, 31 people were cut down to 16. Harry noticed that in 31 people, only one was able to get a bye through the first round and seeing that it was Mark's parents who arranged the whole thing, guess who received the bye? Mark, of course.
For his second opponent, Harry had to face one of Mark's friends. Though of course he was taken care of easily.
Hermione was the one who got stuck with the other twit from Potter's gang. though Hermione won again.
Draco beat his own opponent senseless with his fists after they both lost their wands at the same time.
When finally it was down to the last eight people, Harry was surprised that Mark was still there. Though Harry supposed that it was probably because the spoiled child had received dueling lessons. 'After all, he was the boy that was pre-destined to save the world' Harry thought sarcastically.
Harry hoped against hope that he wouldn't have to face any of his friends though the thought defied nature and directly in the next round of dueling, Harry was paired up with Hermione.
Stepping up on to the table on more time, Harry looked at his opponent. He sort of felt sorry for Hermione. She went up against tough opponents and now she was so cut and bruised, Harry wondered why she was even allowed on to the dueling table.
Harry wanted to end their duel as fast as he could with as little damage as possible so Hermione could receive medical attention A.S.A.P.
James called, "Start."
Harry avoided the spell sent his way and rather than using his wand to fire a disarming spell, Harry ran so fast it seemed like he was a blur of color. Harry stopped just behind Hermione and snatched her wand from her hand.
"End, winner: Harry Preston," Evans said since James didn't bother announcing Harry's victory.
"Good job," Draco congratulated Harry.
"Thanks, you're up next though," Harry told Draco and walked to join the crowd.
Draco won though this time with some difficulty and the end result was a large bruise on his right arm.
When the final four was decided, Harry was of course in it, then there was Draco, also there was a Ravenclaw girl and finally as though it was a miracle surely sent by the devil, Mark made it in.
Harry wanted to be paired up with Mark for the semi-finals so that both he and Draco would have made it into the finals.
Noticing how strong Harry and Draco was, James of course put them together and set it up to allow Mark face the easier opponent.
'Should have known' was all Harry could think before he lept on to the long table.
A large amount of people gathered around the table and cheered either Harry or Draco on. Naturally, Harry got the loudest cheers though Draco had quite a few fans himself.
When the fight began, Harry decided to let Draco go up against him longer than any other opponent to be nice to his friend.
Harry dodged all the attacks Draco came with and in a few minutes, when Harry was bored of dodging, he disarmed Draco and the fight ended.
Mark gazed over at Harry with what Harry amused himself with as a jealous look. Harry returned the glance with a smiling one and waved at Mark as though they were on the best of terms.
Mark had a lot of difficulty winning against the Ravenclaw girl though when the duel was over, Mark barely won by the skin of his teeth. Harry was secretly glad that Mark has scratches and scrapes all over his body while Harry didn't have any injury.
"Okay, I want a clean duel, both of you," James said as the Ravenclaw girl descended and Harry climbed up the table. Mark looked over at his dad nodded and smiled. Harry really hated where this was going.
"You may begin," James announced with a sly look on his face.