malfoy

Author's Note: First off, I know this is not what happened in the fourth year at Hogwarts, I've read the book. But, I am a die-hard Malfoy fan, and so I twisted the story.. a lot. But then again, I've read a lot of fics like that, so you shouldn't have too much trouble accepting this one!

Draco Malfoy
And the Bloodstone
_ _ _ _ _By Ti'ana

Chapter One

"Hogwarts Express departing from platform nine and three-quarters. All aboard!"

Platform nine and three-quarters was bustling with activity. Children accompanied by parents were tearfully bidding good-bye, some more than others comforting their mothers than vice-versa.

"Ma, I gotta go!" One boy, a blond-haired teenager, pulled roughly away from his mother, who had her arms wrapped tightly around him. He struggled to pull a black robe over his head while had a vice grip on him. Behind his mother, he could see two boys approaching, who were much taller than him, and a lot wider.

"Oh, but after what happened last year!" The mother drew back to emphasize her emotion. "It will be so difficult for me to know for sure you are safe at that ramshackle school of yours." Her eyes watered. "You aren't taking Care of Magical Creatures next year, are you?"

"No," he mumbled, and straightened his shirt. It was a blatant lie, of course, but he couldn't risk being bothered by his mother for much longer.

"Stay away from that Hagrid creature! He's a menace to society. Why, if I were the headmaster at Hogwarts Academy for Witchcraft and Wizardry..." The whistle of the train cut her off mid-sentence. "Oh, dear, you'd better hurry onto the train, you're late! Quit your lolligagging and get on the train!" She pushed his bangs back and planted a wet kiss on his forehead. "Your father sends his blessings, Draco. Be a good boy, don't get into trouble. Now hurry off!"

Gratefully, Draco walked past his mother to the two larger boys who were standing, waiting for him. Dragging behind him an overstuffed duffel bag, he walked after them, and they followed him close behind.

One of them clasped his hands together. In a high, mimicking voice, he squeaked, "Be a a good boy, Draco! Don't get into trouble, Draco!' Good one, Malfoy!"

The pale face of Draco turned crimson. "Shut your trap, Goyle!"

The faint voice of his mother, Narcissa, called, "And stay away from the Potter boy!"

Goyle and the other boy, Crabbe, burst out laughing. If it were possible, Draco's face bubbled red. He glanced around the near-empty platform. "C'mon, we're gonna miss the train." He strutted to the train, his head held high and shoulders back.

Then he stopped, and dropped his bag. "Where's your luggage?"

"On the train," both Goyle and Crabbe answered at the same time. They glared at each other, and within seconds were raining down fists on the other's head, stomach and shoulder. Malfoy rolled his pale blue eyes and shook his head.

"I don't believe this." He picked the duffel bag up and traveled on over to the Hogwarts Express, the fighting Goyle and Crabbe close behind him.

Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle were in their fourth year at Hogwarts Academy of Witchcraft and Wizardry. They were in the Slytherin House, where most dark wizards and witches had once studied. Malfoy's placement in the Slytherin House was well-chosen; his father, Lucius Malfoy, had worked for the Dark Lord, Voldemort, who vanished temporarily after the unsuccessful murder of Harry Potter. He returned, though, several times since then to seek revenge. Lucius Malfoy and his family seemingly transformed into a well-bred family, obviously too well. His son Draco was not only conceited and conniving, he had a need for power. That was the reason he hung around dimwits like Crabbe and Goyle; they were easy to persuade and order around.

On the train, Draco Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle found their usual seats occupied by a young, somber-looking girl in her school robe, a light travel bag and a cage with a small owl that hooted unhappily when the three entered. Malfoy looked to his friends, grinned and nodded. The three were notorious for bullying other students, male or female.

"Excuse us," Malfoy stated. The girl raised a pair of sad brown eyes. The shape of her face was hidden by locks of dark brown hair and a black hood pulled just above her forehead. She was pretty, but not very healthy-looking, as if she had been sick for months. Her pale face also reflected that.

It seemed, for a moment, as if she would argue, but at the last second changed her mind. Her shoulders drooped, and her eyes feel back to the floor as she moved over several seats. Her bag she placed at her feet, and the caged owl in the seat next to her. No one spoke as her eyes moved from the floor out the window.

Crabbe was the first to break the silence. "No." He raised his hand and closed his eyes simply to say the word "Out."

Again, the dark pools stared at them, and finally landed on Crabbe. He was taken aback by her silent defiance. His mouth dropped open.

"First years," Malfoy mumbled. He said, and his mindless followers did as well.

The train whistle blew again, signaling the train was departing.

"Fourth year." The soft voice startled the three.

"What was that about fourth years?!" Goyle stood, but feel back into his seat as the train jerked forward, picking up speed. Crabbe began cracking his knuckles and pounding his fist into his palm. When the train started moving, he stood and walked over to her, as if he were about to deck her. Malfoy smacked the much larger Crabbe on the side of the head, and he obediently sat.

"WE are fourth years. If you were, we'd remember someone as pathetic-looking as you are."

The insult had nary an affect on her. "I am a fourth year," she said mechanically, monotonously, as if she were drained. "In Slytherin." To her, it seemed the response was adequate enough information. She could tell, most definitely, by the looks on their faces her words brought to them no content or answers.

Draco mumbled something under his breath about if she was a Slytherin, they'd definitely know her. He stood and proclaimed, "All right. Let's go find Potter. We didn't welcome him back to Hogwarts yet."

"But we're not at Hogwarts," Goyle replied dumbly.

"I plan on giving him an early greeting." Malfoy knew Harry Potter sat for the most part with two other Gryffindors, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. Malfoy was the first wizard boy Harry had ever met. He figured he would be able to befriend him, the famous Harry Potter, but this was not to be, especially after Malfoy tried to dissuade Harry from hanging around his now-best friend Ron ("You'll soon find," he had said, "some wizarding families are much better than others, Potter. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there...").

"Well, well, well, what do we have here? The Potter, Gangly and Weasel!" Malfoy grinned smugly at Hermione's red face, and Ron's fuming anger. Harry was the only one who seemed unaffected.

"Why don't you go suck an egg, Malfoy?" Ron was clenching his fists.

Malfoy answered, nonchalantly, "Well, I'd ask you for one, but your family's probably too poor to afford..." He was cut short by a sharp blow to the stomach. Hermione and Harry jumped up to stop Ron from tackling the small-framed Malfoy to the ground. Crabbe and Goyle started to advance on the red-haired Ron, but Malfoy, with the one hand that wasn't clutching his stomach, motioned for them to get back. When the two had calmed down (much to their relief, no teacher had overheard the scuffle), Malfoy stared down on the seated Ron. "Watch your back, Weasley. Just 'cause you were born into a pureblooded family doesn't make you any higher on my list of favorites. Let's go." His two accomplices followed like a pair of faithful dogs as he left.

As the door of the compartment closed, Draco could hear the fainted laughter of Ron, Harry and Hermione. He sighed, and went back to his seat.