The first few weeks at Hogwarts were tiresomely dull. All first years were studying the written aspects of their subjects, before moving on to elementary practical lessons by mid-November. Harry took an instant liking to Defense Against The Dark Arts, although he realised very early on that Professor Quirrell would be of little help. Draco had begun to pass on the spells his father's friends had taught him to Harry, Crabbe and Goyle. Although only Harry had had any real success. He soon began to realise that, like his father, whom he had learned about from his old teachers, he was particularly adept at Transfiguration, and he and Draco often talked long into the night about the possibility of becoming animagi. Both students had also shown reasonable prowess on the Quidditch pitch and had attempted to convince Professor Snape to let them try out for the team a year early, but to no avail.

Interactions with other houses were luckily few and far between. Apart from the odd paired assignment in Potions class, the Slytherins stayed well away from the other three houses, much to both parties delight. Draco enjoyed tormenting Longbottom about his deceased toad and Harry had finally given himself to Slytherin completely and took glee in joining in. Rumour were abundant that Longbottom's grandmother was sending him an owl as a replacement and the two revelled in plotting all number of unfortunate accidents that may befall it. Weasley often tried to defend his fellow Gryffindor, only to be barraged with his own hail of insults, many involving comparisons between himself and his vile pet rat. Though the duo knew better than to pick a fight with the elder members of the Weasley family, who were either prefects or pranksters and hated them perhaps even more so than Ron. Granger was as swotty as ever and had befriended two of her fellow Ravenclaws. Luna Lovegood, who was an utter freak and had often tried to ward off imaginary creatures called 'Nargles' that were apparently abundant in Harry's hair. Needless to say, after a quiet word with Millicent Bullstrode and Pansy Parkinson, she had been involved in a rather painful incident and was currently residing in the Hospital Wing. And Cho Chang, a vaguely pretty girl in the year above who Draco despised. But as long as those two kept Hermione Granger as far away from him as possible, he couldn't care less who she was friends with.

Harry and Draco sprang from their seats the moment Professor Binns dismissed the class, anxious to leave the excruciatingly dull lesson in favour of the Slytherin common room. As they made their way to the dungeons, they encountered Professor Snape, who seemed even more on edge than usual.

"Is something wrong, Professor?" Draco asked, genuinely concerned for his 'favourite teacher' i.e. the one who would turn a blind eye, in most circumstances.

"No, Mr Malfoy. I have merely been hearing some rather disturbing rumours and thought it best to investigate them further." Harry was intrigued.

"Like what, Professor?"

"There are rumours that a certain member of staff, who shall remain nameless, is housing an illegal animal on school grounds. I intend to either confirm or disprove this rumour before anybody starts to panic," Snape explained. Harry glanced in Draco's direction. He had the beginnings of a smile on his face, which Harry had learned was never a good sign. Don't misinterpret, Harry was as sly and cunning as the next Slytherin but Draco was on an entirely different level. He saw Harry looking at him puzzledly and simply winked at him. "Now on your way boys, I expect to see you in the Great Hall for dinner in an hour." And with that Snape strode away towards the stairs the pair had just descended.

"What was that all about, Draco? Do you know who started the rumour?"

"It's not a rumour," Draco told him as he walked towards the entrance to the Common Room, "The other evening whilst you and the two apes had Charms, I snuck out to take a look at the Forbidden Forest. But on my way I happened to pass that pathetic excuse for a hut that the bearded giant lives in. And I heard him screaming. At first I thought that Snape had finally given in to temptation and killed the stupid oaf, but then as I peered through the window I saw fire. So I snuck closer and found the stupid half-breed holding a dragon hatchling. That's more than enough to get him fired and given a one way ticket to Azkaban."

"But surely a baby can't do much more than fry a few mudbloods? The Ministry would never send someone to Azkaban for killing rats."

"Maybe not, but they would if my father got involved. If he thought for a second that I was in danger, that lumbersome giant would be given the Dementor's kiss within a week." This appealed to Harry, as Hagrid had certainly changed his attitude once he was placed in Slytherin. He was determined to make the half-giant suffer. Draco muttered the password and they stepped through into the lounge area and collapsed into a pair of black leather sofas.

"So why didn't you just tell Professor Snape in the first place?"

"Because then he would know I'd skipped class and he'd have no choice but to give me detention. Whereas this way, he finds out without ever realising who first started the rumour." Harry couldn't argue with the logic. This way, the giant would be gone and Draco would get off scott free.

"So what happens now?"

An hour or so later, Harry and Draco joined their fellow Slytherins at dinner. Harry couldn't help but notice that Snape, McGonagall and Dumbledore were missing. Half way through dessert, he found out just where they had been. They entered the Great Hall slowly, McGonagall with her head bowed trying to hide her tears. Professor Dumbledore made his way to the podium and began to speak.

"May I have your attention please, students. It transpires that our loyal Groundskeeper, Rubeus Hagrid, has been illegally harbouring a Norwegian Ridgeback in his home, and has been subsequently taken to Azkaban for questioning. I would like to make it very clear that this is not a sufficient crime to be imprisoned at Azkaban permanently, and as such I expect to hear no rumours exaggerating his situation. I am sure the Ministry will be fair in their decision and he will return shortly."

The next day, Draco received a letter from his father. The Ministry had assembled an emergency court and had tried Hagrid overnight. The result was more than pleasing to the manipulative bleach-blonde child and his black haired prodigy.

RUBEUS HAGRID HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO TWENTY YEARS IN AZKABAN. AT THE END OF SAID SENTENCE, HE WILL BE EXECEUTED BY MEANS OF THE DEMENTOR'S KISS.

Harry was ecstatic. With his status as 'The Boy Who Lived', coupled with Draco's vast wealth, nothing could stand in their way.

Rubeus Hagrid was only the beginning.