The Serpents Fire

A Seventh Book setting through the eyes of Draco Malfoy.

Notes: All Harry Potter characters and places of references are © JK Rowling and Warner Bros Inc, with the exception of my made up characters.

To everyone's relief – A longer chapter! Yay!

Draco looked down at the badge in his lap. Then back up at his mother whose eyes were filling with tears. She flung her arms around Draco and whispered "Just like your father!"

He blinked. He couldn't believe it. Draco simply picked up his badge and studied it in his palm. The Hogwarts Crest with the letters HB inside it. He couldn't believe it. After the way he had acted in school, what his father had done; and he was Head Boy. Draco gave a gulp as he removed his Prefect badge and replaced it with the Head Boy badge, scowling as the pin pricked his thumb. His mother had finally taken a tissue from her purse and was now dabbing her eyes with it.

"Did it say who Head Girl was?" She asked, sniffling. "I hope it is not that horrible Granger girl".

Draco reread the letter. He shook his head, as a lump heaved in his throat with the looming threat of Granger being Head Girl. The time they'd spend together. The thought alone was a nightmare. "No. It didn't say. Do they normally leave it for the two to find out for themselves?"

Narcissa shrugged her shoulders. "I'm not too sure. I think they do, it was a surprise for your father".

"And who was Head Girl in his year?"

"Your disgraceful Aunt Andromeda".

Draco's mouth gaped open in horror. Granger would be Head Girl for sure.

He struggled to keep his parcels in his arms, until his mother had found a basket. Draco dumped his books in there, and headed into the Apothecary in Diagon Alley to gather some Potions ingredients needed for the year that he was running low on. He felt a familiar presence brush past him, a figure wearing black; and he put the jar of Joberknull Feathers back on the shelf that he was considering buying for the sake of it. It didn't surprise him that the familiar presence was his own Head of House – Professor Snape. The shop slowly started to fill, so Draco didn't bother to ask who Head Girl was for the time being. But, upon turning back to the shelf he was looking at; a voice interrupted him.

"Congratulations is needed, I believe". The deep voice was fairly hushed, as if not to attract attention. Draco turned and found Professor Snape standing nearby. He smirked.

"Thank you, Professor". Draco quickly put the same jar of feathers back on the shelf and he had noticed it had sparked Snape's interest for a few brief seconds. "You don't happen to know who the Head Girl is, do you?"

He glanced down at Draco as if he had just insulted him. "Draco, if I told you who the Head Girl was; you would make a fuss, and I do not wish such a thing to happen in my presence so in other words; I will not tell you".

Draco shrugged. "It's Granger, isn't it?"

"You will find out soon enough". Severus wrinkled his lips into a brief smirk, purchased his potion ingredients and swept outside.

Draco sighed, and threw the Joberknull Feathers into his basket anyway. They might come in use for his father. Like Snape, he purchased his ingredients; and left the building. His eyes drifted to his mother who was in deep conversation with the Minister for Magic's wife at a coffee shop nearby. Draco decided to let the two talk; and was rather glad his father was at home. His father escaped Azkaban just before he started sixth year due to the fact that the most prized guards of Azkaban Prison had fallen under the control of Voldemort. The Dementors; as they were known. Draco glanced around briefly as his eyes fell on Quality Quidditch Supplies. There was a new broomstick model gleaming in the window. He rushed over, quickly dumping his school things by his mother's side; and joined the group of young boys who were admiring the world-class model. The Firebolt X-100. Draco literally felt like drooling. The broomstick was incredible. It was entirely black – similar to his Nimbus 2001 model. But instead of silver foot clasps, they were gold. And in silver writing at the top of the broomstick read: Firebolt X-100. Draco spotted Potter coming over and he scowled. Somehow, that pathetic boy would manage to score that broomstick. Well. This time it wasn't going to happen. Draco wondered inside and overhead from a passing student grumbling that the broomstick was a hundred Galleons. Draco's mouth gaped open. Sure, his family was wealthy. The first Firebolt Model alone was fifty Galleons. He doubted his mother would even consider getting that broomstick. Casually, Draco walked up to the counter.

"Excuse me", He said; stiffly. "How much are you willing to bargain for the new Firebolt?"

"My dear boy, that broomstick is not yet for sale! There are only seven models known in the entire world and they have gone to the American Quidditch Team for the World Cup. I am awfully sorry".

"What about the model in the window? Is that realistic or just a Muggle broomstick?"

A few ears pricked up at that question. A girl who looked around Draco's age turned to listen in. She was holding a copy of a book that detailed American Quidditch History.

"It's the real model. But no one would be able to afford it. Because it is not for sale. A boy of your age would never have the money to buy that model even if it was in the store".

Draco suddenly coughed. "You don't know who I am, do you?" He sneered, coldly. "Perhaps my father's name might ring a bell?"

The owner darted around and quickly hurried his other customers out of the shop, including the girl who walked out with the book in her hands. She walked back in however, to give it back; just as Draco announced his name.

"You!" She bellowed. "The son of a murderer!"

Draco spun around violently and glared at her. "What did you call me?"

"You heard me". She spat. Her accent was strongly American. "The son of a murderer".

"Now, now children. We don't need a fight to break out… Miss; do you mind coming back at a later time? I am afraid this store is…"

"I will NOT come back later until I finish this little prat off!" She drew her wand.

"Oh a prat, am I?" Draco hissed. He didn't draw his wand, surprisingly enough. "I don't even know who the hell you are!"

"Please…" The owner began again; as the girl's face went red with anger.

"Oh you don't. But your father might". She snarled, as Professor Snape walked into the shop. He felt the tension in the room, and glanced from the girl to Draco; and the back to the owner.

"I apologise. This young lady is experiencing some mental difficulties. I apologise on behalf of her for her actions", with that, Snape grabbed her arm and dragged her out of the shop as the girl bellowed

"Mental difficulties! You are the one with mental difficulties!"

Still fuming, Draco turned back to the counter. "Now. We were discussing about that Firebolt?"

"Oh, yes of course…"

Draco had organised for the Firebolt to be delivered to the Manor, disguised as a prize that he had won in a competition. His father would murder him for spending that much of his own savings on a broomstick. But he had to beat Potter this year in Quidditch. He had to. Draco spotted Granger a few minutes later in the Ice Cream Parlour with Potter by her side. He swallowed, and marched up to her.

"Congratulations". He hissed.

"For?" Hermione said, turning around to face him; Harry keeping a close watch on the two.

"Becoming Head Girl".

"I don't know what you're talking about". Hermione finished, narrowing her eyes at Draco; then her eyes fell to his chest which bore the Head Boy badge. "Dear Lord!"

"You didn't get the letter obviously. Well, that's another burden lifted off my shoulders. So pleased to see that I will not be spending more time with you than needed. See you around". Draco grinned, and noticed Harry's shocked expression. He left the Parlour; feeling rather pleased and relived.