Chapter One: The Escape of Sirius Black
A/N: The Life of a Gryffindor: Prisoner of Azkaban is basically a story about Draco Malfoy, as a Gryffindor (in other words, alternate universe). Set in his third year, it revolves around the real third book, but from a different point-of-view (Draco's). Some parts from the real PoA will be included in this story along with my own stuff. Everything with Remus Lupin and Sirius Black will still be in this story. Enjoy!
There are major spoilers in this story so unless you have already read and reread Prisoner of Azkaban, don't even think about reading on!
There will be minor swearing in this story. That's very different from my other story, The Life of a Slytherin . . . which you should go check out. It's about Harry Potter as a Slytherin. There are excessive swearing and slightly adult themes. It is rated PG-13.
Disclaimer: Quite unfortunately, I don't own Harry Potter. I don't own anything except for part of the plot (excluding the parts you've read in the HP books. Those belong to J.K. Rowling).
- ***
The sun was shining bright that particular morning. The clear blue sky was without a cloud. Draco Malfoy woke up to an early start that morning. He would be going back to Hogwarts in less than three weeks. He was nervous and anxious to get back to Hogwarts.
Almost every Malfoy that had ever gone to Hogwarts had been Sorted into Slytherin. No Malfoy had ever strayed to Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, or Hufflepuff. But, two years before, Draco had broken that family tradition. He had been Sorted into Gryffindor house.
Draco rose from his large, comfortable bed. He stretched as so many different, nervous thoughts raced though his head. Draco walked to his closet and chose out the robes he would wear that day. They were black with silver fastenings. The Gryffindor patch was on them. Draco walked to his bathroom and brushed his teeth. They were already very white and straight. Draco slicked back his silver-blond hair with a dollop of hair gel.
Even though he was only thirteen, Draco could be considered really quite handsome. His blond hair was almost always slicked back. His silver eyes seemed to pierce anyone who looked into them. His skin was pale and he was of rather small stature.
Draco smiled slightly as he looked at his reflection in his large bathroom mirror.
"Mr. Draco, sir?" a small voice squeaked from the bedroom. Draco walked out of his bathroom and saw Tiffles the house-elf standing before him. Draco nodded, acknowledging his presence.
"Breakfast is ready, sir," Tiffles squeaked.
"All right then, Tiffles," Draco said nonchalantly. Tiffles bowed and walked out of the room. Draco let out a small yawn before starting his journey to the dining room.
Malfoy Manor was a very, very large estate. It was made up of six very big floors, also including a series of chambers, corridors, and a large attic. The backyard was several acres long with loads of wildlife and plants. Malfoy Manor was very luxurious, holding many secrets. The mansion was usually always dark.
Draco slowly walked down the staircases, not particularly anxious to have dinner with his father. Ever since he had Owled his mum and dad two years earlier, telling them he had been Sorted into Gryffindor, they had in a way, disowned him. Draco had been tolerating his father's anger and verbal abuse ever since. And frankly, he was getting sick and tired of it.
Why had Draco been Sorted into Gryffindor? He wondered every day since that one fateful night. He stopped walking and sat down on a chair in one of their lounges, close to the dining room. He remembered his disappointment. He had been so sure that he would be in Slytherin. He remembered that one night when his life changed forever . . .
***
Draco was only eleven years old. He had been waiting for this one night for so long, it wasn't even funny. Draco was filled with happiness and anxiety. With Crabbe and Goyle behind him, the large group of first years walked out of the chamber, after being talked to by Professor McGonagall and two of the house ghosts. They walked through a pair of double doors, leading into the Great Hall.
Draco was mildly impressed by the Great Hall. It was probably a little smaller than the pool he had in his backyard. It was lit by thousands and thousands of candles there were floating mid-air over the four long house tables. Golden goblets, plates, and silverware lay on the tables, gleaming. McGonagall led them to the High Table. She put a four-legged stool in front of the first years. On top of the stool she put an old, battered wizard's hat.
Draco saw Harry Potter standing with Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. Draco couldn't believe that Harry Potter would be at school with him. He hadn't talked to him yet. He, like the rest of the wizarding world, knew all about Harry. He was sure they would get on fairly well . . . hopefully.
Draco overheard a girl with big busy hair whisper something to Harry Potter. "It's bewitched to look like the sky outside. I read about it in Hogwarts, A History." Draco looked up at the beautiful ceiling. It was now a velvety black color, dotted with bright, glowing stars. It looked enchanting.
The Sorting Hat twitched. A rip near the brim open wide like a mouth – and the hat began to sing. After a few moments, it was finished with its annual Sorting song. Draco's father had told him all about what happened at the Sorting. The whole hall burst into applause after the song finished.
Draco overheard a tall, gangly, red-haired boy, most likely a Weasley, whispering something to Harry. "So we've just got to try on a hat!" He looked a bit irritated. "I'll kill Fred, he was going on about wrestling a troll." Draco let out a small, barely audible laugh. Was Weasley really that gullible?
Professor McGonagall stood forward, holding a long roll of parchment. She cleared her throat before speaking.
"When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be Sorted." She paused for a moment, looking at the top of the piece of parchment. "Abbot, Hannah!" And soon, the Sorting started. "Brown, Lavender" was the first Gryffindor. "Bulstrode, Millicent" became the first Slytherin. The Sorting slowly breezed by. Draco wasn't feel nervous is any way. As a matter of fact, he KNEW that he would be Sorted into Slytherin…most definitely. Crabbe and Goyle had both been Sorted into Slytherin themselves.
"Granger, Hermione!"
Suddenly, the excited, slightly nervous bushy-haired girl in front of Draco ran forward, eagerly to be Sorted but almost tripped. Draco caught her just in time with is hand. She gave him a look of thanks and walked forward to be Sorted. She sat down on the stool, looking straight forward. She jammed the Hat on her head.
"GRYFFINDOR!" Draco heard Weasley groan in displeasure. Draco noticed that the newly Sorted Gryffindor girl had rather large front teeth. He instantly regretted helping her from tripping, seeing as she was a Gryffindor. The Sorting went by until it reached one particular name.
"Malfoy, Draco!"
A bright smile appeared on Draco's usually solemn face. He slowly walked forward. He sat down on the four-legged stool, an anxious look on his face. He put that Sorting Hat on, fearing that the ratty old hat was messing up his perfect, slicked back hair. Almost immediately, he heard a little voice in his ear.
"Ah…I can see the Slytherin power in you…Yes, that's it. Your parents are Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy." At this, Draco nodded his head anxiously. "Both Slytherins, if I do recall. But then again, I did see you help Miss Granger from tripping, did I not? That's a Gryffindor trait." Draco's eyes widened. He knew that he should never have helped Granger. "Yes, you should've. You wouldn't have wanted her to fall, would you?" The Sorting Hat could read his mind…"I can see that you're fairly intelligent. But, no, you would never be a Ravenclaw. You can also forget about being a Hufflepuff."
"Yes, you like that, don't you? Let me see. You are courageous. And you seek adventure, much like a Gryffindor." Draco was suddenly very alarmed. "But you also seek power, like Slytherins. But, your Gryffindor traits overpower your Slytherin ones…" The Sorting Hat paused for a second. "That makes you a…"
"GRYFFINDOR!" Draco's heart dropped at that one word. He took off the hat and blankly walked down past the other first years, sitting at the Gryffindor table. He could see the Slytherins gaping at him. They all knew about his family. They knew how his family had always been Slytherins. His parents were going to disown him when they found out. Draco was filled with shame…
* * *
Draco shook his head, thinking about that night…the night his life had officially begun. Draco got up from the chair and slowly walked into the dining room. Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy were both already sitting down. Lucius had the Daily Prophet in his hands. Draco quietly sat down while slowly putting some food on his plate.
Lucius, in a sudden movement, thrust the issue down onto the table. He gave Draco a nasty look, his eyes narrowed. He seemed to give him that look a lot.
"Where the hell have you been, boy!" Lucius hissed, his eyes still narrowed in slits. It was a question but sounded more like a command. Draco slowly ate his toast, looking up. He had suffered this anger for the last two years. Before then, things had been perfectly fine.
"I-I was just, just getting dressed," Draco said, his eyes cast downward, to his plate. Lucius didn't say anything more on the subject. He merely glared at Draco before picking up his issue of the Daily Prophet again. He read some of an article out loud.
"Sirius Black has escaped from Azkaban," he said, his voice in barely in a whisper, but was still audible. He didn't sound alarmed. On the other hand, he sounded positively delighted. "The convict, Sirius Black, who murdered thirteen people with one curse has escaped from Azkaban, the wizard prison. It is not yet known how he has escaped. Black is said to be carrying a Muggle killing device called a 'gun.' People are asked to have a wand on hand at all times. Reward for catching Sirius Black is to be announced."
"Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban?" Narcissa said questioningly, in the same delighted tone. "It was only a matter of time!" Draco shook his head in disbelief. Though his family did, Draco didn't support dark wizards or the Dark Arts. Draco didn't comment on the subject. He was afraid whatever came out of his mouth was bound to upset his parents.
Draco took a bite of his scrambled eggs, staring at the oak table blanklessly. Lucius and Narcissa continued to talk about Sirius Black's escape. They droned on and on endlessly, driving him mad. Draco couldn't believe his parents could support Black. He just couldn't.
Draco hastily finished his breakfast. He couldn't take his parent's talking anymore. He looked up from his plate and cleared his throat. His mother looked up, a disgruntled look on her pale face.
"May I be excused?" Draco said hopefully, staring at Narcissa straight in the eye. Narcissa didn't speak, merely nodding her head. Draco was relieved and got up from his seat. He slowly walked out of the dining room and back up to his bedroom. Maybe he had gotten an Owl from Harry, Ron, or even Hermione.
Draco hurriedly walked up the stairs, and there were many of them, hoping to reach his room. After quite a few minutes, Draco reached his room. He quickly twisted the knob open and peered inside. To his surprise, two owls were there. He recognized the first one as the Weasleys' owl, Errol, looking extremely tired and worn out. The second owl was Harry's, Hedwig, who was beautiful with her long white feathers. He noticed that his own owl, Deity, was back with a letter too. Draco quickly rushed over to his window and took all three of the letters from the owl's legs. Errol began gulping down massive amounts of water from Deity's water bowl. He looked extremely exhausted by the long journey from the Weasleys. Hedwig took a few gulps of water before both she and Errol set off again. Deity drank a few gulps of water, nipping Draco's finger affectionately. She then flew off, probably going off to catch a mouse or something. Draco first opened the letter from Harry and read:
Draco,
Thanks for the portable WWN player. I really liked it. Now I can keep up with the latest news in the wizarding world. Thanks. Thanks for the, oh, I don't know, FIVE birthday cakes you sent me. By this rate, I'll be as big as Dudley's leg by the end of summer. (Draco let out a laugh at this comment.)
I suppose I'll see you at the Diagon Alley, soon? I have to get going now. I would've written a longer letter but Aunt Petunia's calling me for breakfast. Perhaps Ron will tell you about everything else that has been happening.
Harry
Draco was left a bit confused at this letter. He set it down on his bed and reached for the second letter, from Ron. He carefully opened the envelope. A few things fell out of it. He reached for the clipping that fell out first. He read:
- MINISTRY OF MAGIC EMPLOYEE
SCOOPS GRAND PRIZE
Arthur Weasley, Head of the Misue of Muggle Artifacts Office at the Ministry of Magic, has won the annual Daily Prophet Grand Prize Galleon Draw.
A delighted Mr. Weasley told the Daily Prophet, "We will be spending the gold on summer holiday in Egypt, where our eldest son, Bill, works as a curse breaker for Gringotts Wizarding Bank."
The Weasley family will be spending a month in Egypt, returning for the start of the new school year at Hogwarts, which five of the Weasley children currently attend.
Draco observed the photo. He smiled slightly seeing a picture of the Weasleys waving, standing in front of a large pyramid. Even Scabbers, Ron's rat, was there, sitting on Ron's shoulder. Draco let out a small laugh and set the clipping onto his bed. He then took the piece of parchment and read:
Dear Draco,
Have a good holiday so far?
Mine has been excellent. I couldn't believe it when Dad came home and told us all that he won the Daily Prophet draw. He won seven hundred galleons! Most of it's been spent on this trip to Egypt but there's still enough to get me a new wand.
It's amazing here in Egypt. Bill's taken us all around the tombs and you wouldn't believe the curse those old Egyptian wizards put on them (Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. Bill is a cursebreaker for Gringotts). Fred and George even tried to shove old Percy (who, by the way, is the new Head Boy . . . big surprise) into pyramid. Mum caught them before they could though.
I tried calling Harry by the fellytone. But, his old uncle picked it off and started yelling his head off at me. Reckon it's because I shouted at him first.
We'll be back from Egypt the week before term starts. See you in Diagon Alley? I suppose we'll take Hermione as well.
Respond when you can.
Ron
Draco smiled himself, thinking that he was going to have to write three letters to three different people today. He set Ron's letter down on his bed and took the last envelope from Deity. Just from the neat writing on the envelope, Draco could tell it was from Hermione. He opened it and read in Hermione's neat writing:
Dear Draco,
I'm on holiday in France at the moment. It's really, really amazing here. But I reckon you would know. Didn't you go here last summer holiday? I've already gone to Paris and Dijon. There's loads of interesting local witchcraft here. I've rewritten my History of Magic essay to include some of the new things I've learned.
Did you see that picture of the Weasleys in the Daily Prophet about a week ago? I bet he's learning loads of stuff. I'm really jealous – The ancient Egyptian wizards were really intelligent. Maybe I'll get to go to Egypt next summer holiday.
Ron's coming back the week before term starts. I suppose I'll see you at the Burrow then? I cannot wait for the term to start.
Love from,
Hermione
Draco smiled slightly after reading Hermione's letter. He carefully put her letter on his bed, positively beaming at it. He was just about to close his window when an handsome tawny owl came flying toward his window. It flew to his windowsill and started gulping some water. He took the envelope from its leg and saw the Hogwarts crest on the back. The tawny owl quickly flew away, back to where it had come from. He quickly opened it, noticing that it was thicker than usual. Draco's eyes quickly scanned the letter. He had almost forgot. Third year was the year that students could start going to Hogsmeade, one of the only all-wizard settlements in England. He had heard all about it from his cousin, Taryn. He and his cousin were very close friends. They had always wanted to spend time with each other when they were younger. But over the last few years, they had grown apart. They were the same age but Taryn was currently attending Beauxbatons Academy. Her family lived in France.
Draco put his Hogwarts letter on his bed and put the permission form neatly onto his large maple desk. Draco pulled out his desk chair and sat down. He was bored, now that the excitement from the letters went by so quickly. He sighed as he turned on the WWN. The Weird Sisters were on with their latest single, "Leave Me Alone." He decided to write back to Harry, Ron, and Hermione later. He wasn't exactly in the mood to write any letters right now.
Draco let out a small yawn, even though he wasn't even tired. His eyes landed on the letters, lying perfectly on his bed. He was glad to have three friends that really cared about him. He desperately wanted to go to the Burrow as soon as possible. That was the only thought that was keeping him going.
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A/N: So, how was the first chapter? Please review on what you liked about this chapter and what you didn't like. I really appreciate all feedback so I'm expecting many reviews. Thanks y'all! ^_^
