DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters. They are the property of J.K. Rowling. I only own this story.
Disgrace
First Year
I knew the moment the Sorting Hat was put on my head and yelled the one word that I was dreading, my life was over.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
No! Why was I put in Gryffindor? My entire family have been in Slytherin! I heard the Gryffindor table begin clapping, but there were no cheers, for even they knew that having a Malfoy in their house could be a problem. However, before I could argue with the hat in my mind, Professor McGonagall lifted it off my head and ushered me over to the table. I sat down on the right side of the table, noticing the students on either side shift away from me, and avoided eye contact with anyone as I vaguely listened to the rest of the ceremony.
When the final student was sorted into their house, Dumbledore stood to make a few announcements and start the feast. I wasn't shocked like the other students when the food magically appeared on the table. There were mountains of food from chicken wings to fried corn, but I didn't feel very hungry.
I heard footsteps stop in front of me, but I didn't look up until I heard an unsuspected voice above me. "Are these seats taken?" Asked the voice of a boy. I looked up and saw Harry Potter standing in front of me with the Weasley kid beside him looking glum. I shook my head, my eyes wide. Why would Harry Potter want to sit with me? Our meeting on the train didn't exactly go well.
After hearing whispers of Harry Potter being on the train, I decided to go looking for him to introduce myself. Beside me were my two new friends, Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle. We investigated each compartment, skipping one with a boy snivelling about a lost toad, and finally found the one he was sitting in. I immediately noticed that the boy wasn't alone in his compartment, instead joined by a red-headed boy with freckles and a long nose.
I opened the compartment door. "It's true then. Everyone is whispering that Harry Potter was on the train. Of course, I had to see for myself. This here is Crabbe and Goyle." I gestured to each boy beside me. "And I'm Malfoy. Draco Malfoy."
The redhead to my left coughed to hide a laugh and I whipped my head around to glare at him with cold gray eyes. "You think my name is funny, do you? There's no need for me to ask you yours. My father told me that the Weasley's all have red hair and more children than they can afford." I returned my gaze back to Harry. "You'll soon find that some wizarding families are better than others, Potter. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there." I held out my hand, but he refused to take it.
"I think I can tell who the wrong sort is for myself, thanks," he said coolly.
I felt my eyes narrow as he rejected my offer for friendship. "You're going to regret saying that."
He met my glare with his emerald green eyes calmly, "It's time for you to go."
I smirked, "No, I think we'll stay. You see, we've already finished our food, but it seems you still have some."
Goyle stepped forward, reaching for the pile of sweets on the seat, but before he could grab something he yelled out in pain and surprise, pulling his hand back. On the tip of his finger was a rat biting Goyle's finger and he started trying to shake it off, finally getting it off and throwing it against the seat.
"Just what is going on in here?" Demanded a bossy voice behind them. I turned to see a young girl with bushy brown hair and large front teeth standing there with her arms crossed in front of her chest as she glared at us.
"Nothing. Come on, let's go," I muttered to Crabbe and Goyle and the three of us left.
Back in the present, Harry and the Weasley kid sat down across from Malfoy. Harry reached for a chicken wing and looked at me. "Aren't you going to eat anything?" He asked.
I sighed and took a chicken wing myself. "Why are you here?" I asked Harry before taking a bite of chicken.
He shrugged. "Same reason as you. To learn magic."
I glared at him, hating his smartass comment. "You know what I mean!" I snapped. "I mean, what are you doing here sitting with me?"
Harry met my glare with that same calm gaze he had on the train. "You looked lonely. I know how it feels to be an outcast. Heck, a few months ago I was living in a cupboard under the stairs at my aunt and uncle's house. I only found out about my background a couple months ago."
I felt the corners of his mouth twitch as if I were going to smile and quickly looked away. "You lived in a cupboard under the stairs?" I questioned.
He waved off my question with a flick of his wrist. "It's a long story. Anyways, I noticed how the others were treating you so I thought I would take you up on your offer of friendship." I looked up quickly and saw Harry looking at me with a small smile. I smiled uncertainly back at him. I suddenly felt starving and started to dig into the feast in front of me. Maybe being in Gryffindor wouldn't be that bad after all.