Well, the moment we've all been waiting for.
Hogwarts!
Well, the Hogwarts Express, really. I sat idly on top of Draco's trolley as he wheeled his luggage into platform 9 and 3/4. Father and Mother walked in with him, casting furtive glances behind to make sure that no muggles were watching them as they disappeared into the wall. I took my surroundings in as we reached the platform, the steaming engine hissing away on the tracks. I let my gaze wander around the platform, my heart singing with joy as I saw felt the familiarity of it all. The train, students bustling with their baggage, people greeting each other with hugs and excited exclaims. Draco let Mother kiss his cheek goodbye and parted with a firm clap on his shoulder by Father before wandering off to find Pansy. He walked over to the area where people were loading their luggage to be transported into the train.
I followed him to where he was standing in line. He looked kind of nervous. I remembered only too well about the butterflies dancing around in my stomach on my first day. He glanced behind him to see if Mother and Father were still there. He caught a glimpse of white blonde hair retreating into the wall. They were leaving the platform. Draco sighed.
"Looks like you're on your own, kiddo," I told him.
"Yeah," Draco replied. I did a double take as I heard him reply. He could hear me again? I flew in front of him and waved. Nada. Guess I was just the voice in his head or something.
He looked in front of him and tapped his foot impatiently. This line was going to take forever! And where on earth was Pansy? He scanned around the platform, looking for the familiar bob of black hair. "She's late," I whispered to him as he anxiously searched the crowds.
His constant tapping caught the attention of the girl in front of him. She turned her head around, narrowing her eyes at Draco. I froze, remembering the many times I had received that look… Ah, if I had a Knut for each time I had received that look… Well, I'd have another fortune lying in Gringotts. I got the same look whenever I forgot to pick up the kids or something after work or forgot to feed her cat, who I'm pretty sure had only existed just to bite my toes.
Merlin, I despised her stupid cat. That thing was evil. I had to get sent to St. Mungo's once to seal up a cut that that blasted creature left me once. I mean, come on! I didn't even do anything to it that time! I was just sleeping peacefully in bed with my arms wrapped around my beautiful wife… AND THEN I WAKE UP WITH THAT INFERNAL CREATURE ATTACHED TO MY TOE! I MEAN, DOES MY TOE LOOK LIKE A TUNA TREAT OR SOMETHING?
Merlin have mercy on your toes, boy.
"If you don't mind," said the girl, interrupting my little flashback. She bored her chocolate brown eyes at him, sending a glance at his tapping foot. Draco looked down and stilled it.
"Sorry," he said sheepishly. "Kind of nervous." The girl's expression softened.
"Are you a first year too?" she asked him. Draco nodded quickly. She smiled. "Don't worry, I'm nervous as well. I have absolutely no clue what to do. Its maddening, all this rush and everything. I keep hearing comments from the older kids about them stepping on us first years," she said somewhat anxiously. I sniggered in the background. Ah, the good old days when I'd threaten to step on the first years… of course, that started in my second year.
"I'm pretty sure those people were just joking," Draco reassured the girl. As if to contradict his statement, he suddenly got pushed into her as a tall redhead ploughed in between them to run towards the train, an identical one chasing after him. I saw the corner of his lip twitch. Weasley's, I heard him sneer inwardly. He stepped away from the girl and straightened himself up.
"I think those people were serious when they said they would step on us," the girl giggled as she helped Draco. He nodded, frowning. "Guess we'll have to stick together for now, eh?" he suggested. The girl beamed.
"Do you know anyone here, or are you completely new to this too?" she asked. Draco shook his head. "One of my friends, Pansy Parkinson should be around here somewhere. I guess I'll find her in the train," he said. "I'm pretty sure you'll like her, she's really nice."
"I'm sure I will," replied the girl happily. "I hope she'll like me though."
"Don't worry, I'm sure she'll warm up to you the minute she meets you," said Draco confidently. Oh yeah, she'll warm up to you alright. Just like I'd warm up to licking Filch's foot after a long walk around the castle along with my bosom friend, Mrs. Norris, while having a fever of 102 degrees.
Draco had certainly warmed up to her immediately, though. She was very talkative, and he drifted in and out of her consistent babble, listening every now and then and commenting on her remarks. He followed her into a compartment and took a seat in front of her.
"So," said Draco, interrupting her stream of words. "What did you say your name was?" The girl stopped in midsentence. "Oh, silly me," she said, smacking her forehead with her palm. "Hermione Granger," she stated, grinning as she stuck her hand out. Draco took her small hand in his and shook it vigorously. "Draco Malfoy," he replied. "Pleasure to meet you."
Hermione's eyes widened at his name. I chuckled at her reaction.
"What?" asked Draco.
"I read about you," she said quickly (of course she did. The girl read about everything). "Well, not about you, per se, but of your family! Your family is one of the longest lines that got into Slytherin!"
Draco nodded. "Father would absolutely kill me if I didn't get in too," he said with a small laugh. Hermione joined in, brushing a bushy lock of curls behind her ears. "What House are you expected to get into?" he asked. Hermione laughed again. "Oh, my parents don't really mind which House I get into. But I do hope I get into Gryffindor, or Ravenclaw," she added as an afterthought enthusiastically. Draco eyed her, surprised. She wasn't expected to get into a House? What about carrying on family traditions and whatnot? That was just simply unheard of!
"What house has your family been mostly placed in?" he asked curiously.
"Oh, Mum and Dad are muggles," she replied, not noticing Draco's jaw drop. "They're still in a bit of a shock a hard, accepting magic exists and all. I had had barely enough time to explain to them about how Hogwarts works. Of course, I bought them each a copy of Hogwarts, A History. Dad didn't look so pleased, but Mum's excited enough!" she chattered on. Her incessant babble slowed down as she saw the cold look that replaced Draco's previous warm attitude.
"Is something the matter?" she asked.
Oh God. The moment that started it all. I closed my eyes and turned around, knowing that no matter what I did, nothing would take away this moment.
"You're a Mudblood?" asked Draco, in slight shock. I could see Father's words come back at him in warp speed, recalling every single thing that he had been told about those… abominations. His face darkened slightly as he recalled the day that Father had punished Mother for trying to tell Draco that it was wrong to use the word Mudblood.
Hermione's eyes widened in confusion. "What does that mean?" she asked.
"Ugh, I was wondering what that smell was," came Pansy's voice from behind. I could see Draco turn around to see her standing at the compartment doors. "I was looking for you, Draco. We've saved you a seat in the other side of the train. Let's go," she said, wrinkling her nose at Hermione. Draco got up promptly, stepping out of the compartment and following Pansy. Hermione got up to follow them too when Draco turned around and sneered at her.
"Mudbloods are not worthy to speak to people like us," he told her with his nose high up in the air. Hermione blinked, hurt. He stalked away, and she watched his retreating back. She sighed, heading back to the compartment and sitting down. I sent a wistful look at her before trudging after Draco. A high squeaky voice introduced itself as Neville Longbottom somewhere behind me as I went into the other compartment with Draco. I heard Hermione's reply and her offer to help look for someone called Trevor.
Huh. Weird. I don't remember someone called Trevor in Hogwarts…
I turned my attention back to Draco and the occupants in the compartment. I immediately recognized Crabbe and Goyle. My heart stung when my eyes fell on Crabbe. I hadn't seen him for ages. He had been killed, of course, by his own hand, in our seventh year. It was certainly discerning to see him again.
"Rumor has it that Harry Potter is on this very train!" Pansy let out in a stage whisper. I saw Draco's eyes flash in excitement. Poor boy, he had immediately assumed that Harry would be begging to befriend him. Little did he know that they'd be arch nemesis.
After a couple of hours, they all went to go change into their robes. Draco made sure to slick his hair back neatly as he stepped out of the compartment after changing, meeting with Pansy. She brushed her straight hair back nervously behind her ears. Crabbe and Goyle fell in step behind the two as they made their way towards the rather large hulking man carrying a lantern calling out for first years; better known as Hagrid. I never understood why my wife insisted going over to his for tea so often… gave us food poisoning every time we went there, that oaf did.
"Do you think he'll eat us?" Pansy whispered to Draco. I barked out another laugh. Merlin, these kids are amusing. I mean, sure, Hagrid was part giant and all, but he didn't necessarily eat people.
I think.
We followed him to the lake where we all piled into the little boats. I made sure that Draco, being the gentleman I was raised to be, helped Pansy into the boat. Crabbe and Goyle clambered in after them, rocking the boat dangerously. I clung to Draco, my guardian angel instincts kicking in, making sure he didn't tip over. I knew the Giant Squid got hungry around this time; although it wouldn't be so bad if he fell in. Dumbledore always managed to get the Giant Squid to spit out the poor soul who'd be unfortunate enough to get swallowed. Or at least, that's what the old man said…
Anyway, we finally got to the castle. Let me tell you, it was MAGNIFICENT seeing that place again, all lit up and practically humming with magic. It felt like coming home. I floated alongside the students as they trudged into the castle by the doors of the Great Hall. I watched Draco's eyes settle on the opening of the crowd as a very skinny boy stumbled through awkwardly with a rather gangly looking redheaded boy. His bright green eyes looked kind of scared as he hurriedly patted his unbelievably messy hair onto his forehead, whispers scattering across the students as they gawked and pointed at him. I caught a glimpse of the lightning bolt scar; and I'm pretty sure I felt Draco put two and two together. Smiling proudly to himself, he strutted past Harry Potter and stuck his hand out.
I remembered too well what happened after that. But it's really too embarrassing to tell right now. Anyway, Harry ended up dismissing Draco's offer of friendship and sticking by Ronald Weasley.
Whatever. His loss, really.
"Trevor!" a chubby boy suddenly threw himself between the two and stooped low to the ground to scoop up a small brown ball in his hand. Trevor was a ball? Who names their ball Trevor? I watched, flabbergasted as the boy began whispering comfortingly to the ball.
I always knew Neville Longbottom was weird…
I admit, it gave me a heart attack when the ball croaked.
Oh. Trevor was a toad. I knew that. I was just testing you guys to see if you were paying attention or not…
Seriously.
Okay, fine. I'm lying. But seriously, Trevor? Who names their toad Trevor?
I looked down at Longbottom as he made his way back slowly to where he was standing, muttering his apologies to the boys as they stared at him clutching his toad to his chest protectively.
"Follow me," a clipped stern voice came from behind. I flinched. Merlin's toes, Professor McGonagall! That woman was very strange. I didn't like her much, her being the head of Gryffindor and all. Plus, she always seemed to make my plans on ruining Harry backfire…
I followed Draco as he sauntered back to Crabbe and Goyle, trying to pretend that his ego wasn't just stomped all over. The first years all walked into the Great Hall to be sorted into their houses by the sorting hat. My favorite part. I turned my attention to McGonagall as she called out the names.
"Neville Longbottom."
I sniggered to myself as Longbottom gulped while climbing up on the stool.
"GRYFFINDOR!" yelled the sorting hat. That stupid red and gold table burst into cheers as the sorting hat called his decision out. He jerked himself off, catching his foot on the stool and tripping over his own two feet, falling flat on his face. The cheers halted for a second before resuming after he straightened himself up and trotted to the table. Honestly, I'm surprised the boy wasn't met by boos and jeers and disappointed groans. He was an absolute disgrace to anyone, if you ask me.
"Ronald Weasley," called McGonagall.
"Ah! Another Weasley!" exclaimed the hat as the boy settled onto the stool. "I know just what to do with you…" it trailed off. Weasley whimpered nervously in his seat, his chin quivering as he clutched the edges of the stool he was sitting on. "GRYFFINDOR!"
Weasley sighed with relief as he ran towards the Gryffindor table and sat between the two tall redheads that had ploughed Draco into Hermione earlier that day.
Speaking of Hermione…
"GRYFFINDOR!"
I saw Draco almost falter with disappointment. Almost.
Huh. Weird. I don't remember that.
"Draco Malfoy," called McGonagall. I smirked, Draco mimicking my expression as he stepped up onto the stool and had the hat placed on his head. The hat barely touched his head when the hat yelled out "SLYTHERIN!"
I beamed with pride as Draco sauntered off to the Slytherin table where he belonged. Hearing McGonagall clear her throat again, I turned my attention towards her as she called out "Harry Potter". The Hall went quiet, a wave of whispers erupting amongst students. Harry made his way towards the stool, closing his eyes and chanting "Not Slytherin," over and over again. I'm offended. It's not like we want you in our House anyway, Potter. But I mean, I know you don't like the House and all, but at least be a bit more discreet about it. Pfft, "not Slytherin" indeed!
"Not Slytherin, eh?" echoed the hat. Harry closed his eyes, looking like he wanted to melt into the ground. "But Slytherin can help you make your way to greatness, there's no doubt about that," the hat mused. "If not Slytherin… we'll just have to put you in GRYFFINDOR!"
I heard other Houses groan as the Gryffindor table burst into loud cheers and whistles as Harry happily stumbled his way towards Weasley while people randomly clapped his back and- oooh, ouch, that one looked like it hurt.
After McGonagall finished sorting the rest of the first years into their Houses, Dumbledore stood behind his podium and made his announcements about the Forbidden Forest and the third floor being prohibited and blah blah blah. Finally, after what seemed to be an eternity, food appeared onto plates that came out of nowhere. I knew that the students, other than Hermione, completely ignored his little speech as they dug into the feast.
Oh, boy. This is going to be one heck of a year.
A/N: please please please PLEASE review! The more reviews I get the more encouraged I get to write faster and the faster we get to where all the dramione is! :)