Hogwarts' Hero
Chapter 2
Draco was never one to shy away from the spotlight. He loved attention, craved it. That was part of the reason why he hated Potter. When Harry Potter was around, Draco became unimportant, a figure in the background. Harry was Dumbledore's pet, the wizarding world's saviour and a royal pain in Draco's ass. But as Draco boarded the Hogwarts' Express and went in search of an empty compartment, he became highly aware that no one was interested in the misadventures of Saint Potter this year.
Frankly, Draco had no idea where these people got their information. If they were going to pry into his personal life, they might as well do it right.
When Pansy Parkinson burst into his compartment after his confrontation with the Mudblood, he had no intention of making her believe it was true. Honestly, he didn't. But it was too close, and Draco paused a second longer than he should have before replying, something that would tell any proper Slytherin that there was at least a fraction of truth to it.
"So it's true then?" Pansy demanded crossing her arms over her chest.
"It depends which version you're referring to. Personally, I particularly enjoy the one with me selflessly risking my life to save a toddler from plunging to his death off the balcony in Flourish and Blotts," he said smirking, knowing perfectly well what she was asking.
Pansy opened her mouth, a retort poised on the tip of her tongue, but Draco interrupted her before she could utter a word.
"What I've been wondering," Draco continued with a sharpness to his voice that hadn't been there before, "is where everyone got their information. The only people who are aware of what happened are your father and my father. Tell me, what has the dinner conversation at the Parkinson house been like lately?"
Draco stood up, using his height to intimidate the pug-faced girl. She bristled slightly, but stood her ground.
She looked up at Draco's face and replied, "I don't know what you're talking about." She raised her chin defiantly, daring him to challenge her.
Draco gave Pansy a dismissive glance and sat back down. He clasped his hands in his lap and looked up at her expectantly. "Is there something else you wanted?" He asked coolly, his voice returning to his usual emotionless drawl.
"Oh!" Pansy exclaimed, her frustration evident by the way her face scrunched up disgustingly. She turned on her heel to exit the compartment, but was stopped by the sound of Draco's voice just as she was about to leave.
"And tell your friends to mind their own business. If they really want to know what's going on they can figure it out for themselves."
Pansy paused in the doorway, surprised Draco had figured out why she'd come to talk to him.
When she heard Draco chuckle behind her, her anger renewed itself and she stormed out of the booth. As she stomped down the hall, she was already composing the speech she'd deliver to her friends.
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When Hermione walked through the doors to the great hall she was overwhelmed. Students were sitting at their tables in clusters, talking animatedly. A smile blossomed on her face. 'I'm home,' she thought warmly.
She looked over at Harry and Ron who were standing beside her. They both had the same goofy grin on their faces, which made her smile wider.
"C'mon boys, we can't just stand here all day," Hermione said. "Let's go sit down."
They made their way to the Gryffindor table. As they walked over, Hermione could hear small snippets of conversations coming from the groups of students.
"You can't be serious? Malfoy . . ." "Poor child, so lucky . . ." "The bird refused to come down, lucky he can climb . . ." "Oh! He's so brave; I wonder if he has a girlfriend?"
'Are they all talking about Malfoy? Oh! What am I thinking, they're probably completely unrelated,' Hermione told herself, trying to ignore her confusion.
Hermione's train of thought was interrupted by Ron as they neared the table. "I'm looking forward to Quidditch this year, Harry. I won't be as nervous since this is my second season, and you'll be playing with us as well. We'll be unbeatable!" Ron beamed.
Harry grinned back. "You're right there. Actually I was rereading 'Quidditch Through the Ages' and found this play. It hasn't been used in ages but . . ."
Hermione blocked them out. Quidditch. Could they be any more predictable?
They reached the table and sat down. Ron and Harry were still discussing new moves or, well, old moves, so when Hermione noticed Ginny walking towards them, she let out a sigh of relief.
As Ginny sat down, Hermione couldn't help but notice that she looked excited. Her cheeks were glowing and she had a smile on her face that told Hermione she really wanted to tell her something.
Hermione wasn't kept in suspense for long, because as soon as Ginny was seated, she asked excitedly, "Have you heard about Malfoy?"
"Yes, the boys told me about it. It seems out of character for him doesn't it?" Hermione confided. Maybe Ginny could help her work out her thoughts.
"I know," Ginny replied. "But it's so romantic." Ginny leaned her head on her hand and let out a wistful sigh.
Ok, or maybe not.
"What do you mean 'romantic'?" Hermione asked, her eyebrows drawing together in puzzlement
"The way he stood up to his father and wouldn't let him hurt that girl. I wish something like that would happen to me. Parvati told me on the train. She said the girl was so thankful, and he gave her this look. Her cousin was there in the alley that day, and she said it couldn't be anything but love." Ginny gave another wistful smile, her eyes staring longingly into the hall.
"Ginny! This is Malfoy," Hermione protested. "He isn't capable of loving anyone but himself. Parvati must have gotten it wrong."
Ginny looked as if she was about to protest, but Dumbledore's voice boomed, "Welcome students to another year at Hogwarts! This year, to encourage school pride, there will be a formal welcoming celebration at the end of this week . . . "
Dumbledore continued, but Hermione wasn't listening. She would have, really, if she hadn't been so occupied with the grey-eyed conundrum sitting across the hall.
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A/N: Another chapter. I noticed that I have a really hard time writing Harry and Ron, so if their characters seem a little flat, I'm sorry about that. I'm really proud of the beginning with Draco. I hope you guys liked it, and if you did, I hope you REVIEW!
