The Courage Within
Chapter I
A Grand Entrance
The doors to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry burst open as the 5th year student, Draco Malfoy, waltzed in with his head held high. He was followed by his two cronies Crabbe and Goyle. Pansy Parkinson was at his side, (his most devout female fan) wearing a smug look on her face.
They sneered at everyone they passed and walked with a certain grace of royalty. The 1st years shrank back in fear, Hufflepuff stared in awe, Ravenclaw took no notice, and Gryffindor looked on in disgust and loathing.
Draco's sides swayed as he walked, and his robes billowed gracefully behind him. His golden hair bounced at every step and then fell perfectly over his eyes.
"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts my friends!" he proclaimed proudly to his companions, who nodded in acknowledgement. Draco smirked and rounded the corner in attempt to enter the great hall. However, he was halted by the one and only Ronald Weasely.
"Oh hello Weasel King! How very nice of you to greet us!" He said with mock pleasantness.
Ron's face turned as red as his hair, and he clenched his fists, "Let's just get one thing straight Malfoy. This year I am not going to let you bully me or any of my friends!" he straightened his shoulders, bringing himself to full height, "got it?"
Draco and his companions laughed mockingly then pushed him out of the way, and walked into the great hall with a proud stride. Ron watched them go and glared "We'll see who has the last laugh Draco Malfoy!" then he entered the hall and took his seat between Harry Potter and Hermione Granger.
After Dumbledore's extremely long yearly introduction speech and the sorting of the new students, Draco and his gang of followers headed to the Slytherin dungeons.
"MALFOY LOOK OUT!" Crabbe shouted all too late. As they rounded the corner, Draco crashed into something and landed flat against his back on the cold floor. He winced at the sudden throbbing pain that was now coursing through his head. He opened his eyes and blinked several times, until his vision cleared. Then upon looking up at what had hit him, his eyes widened when he saw whose face it was peering down at his.
Draco screwed up his face in disgust, "Granger!"
He slowly got to his feet and tried to steady himself against the wall while holding his forehead, "WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU MUDBLOOD?" he yelled at Hermione, "START WATCHIN' WHERE YOUR GOING FROM NOW ON!" then he whimpered and started to pout, while rubbing his temples with his fingers, "That really hurt…You've got a freaking hard head Mudblood."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "And you think that I didn't get hurt?" then she shook her head and shoved past him, "At least I'm not acting like a baby about it!"
Draco's face twisted with anger and he sent her a cold deathly glare, "You DARE talk to a Malfoy that way?"
She huffed, "I can talk to you anyway I like!" then she turned and stared into his enraged face. After giving him a false look of concern, she added scornfully, "Oh no…are you gonna go tell your daddy on me now?"
Draco sent her a fierce look and then turned to walk away, "Shut it Granger!" then he waltzed off with his head held high.
Hermione shook her head, "stuck up git!"