Draco Malfoy was one of the elite. He could trace his family back hundreds of generations, to the Roman occupation of Brittan and beyond. He felt he was justifiably proud of his family. His father had told him all his life that he was destined for greatness, meant to show the plebeian masses what it meant to be a true Wizard.
He arrived at Hogwarts with his world view firmly in place. He would be sorted into Slytherin, and assert his right to rule over his housemates. After all his father was on the Board of Governors and undeniably a very important person. He would befriend Harry Potter and together they would rule the school, showing everyone the superiority of their magic and power.
This vision lasted all of a day. First Harry Potter never showed up, instead he was going to the Academy of Magics. They never took in first years! Then the older students didn't much like a first year ordering them around. They never did anything too bad but they made it quite clear that he didn't have the power to show them up. It was not easy trying to disenchant his under-clothes. Fortunately they didn't care what the younger years did and he was able to assert his rightful authority over his fellow first years.
But the worst, by far the worst, thing about first year, was Granger. She was a Mudblood for Merlins sake! His father had told him about them. Mudbloods weren't supposed to be that smart! How was she was she able to do these things, learn all those spells? She was constantly showing him up and to add insult to injury she was friends with that oaf Weasely and the fool Longbottom. That at least proved Mudbloods had no taste.
When school broke up for the holidays he intended to complain to his father about the Mudblood, this just wouldn't do. But between Lucius's business dealings, and the Christmas parties families of his standing were required to attend, he never got the chance.
Imagine his surprise when the boy who bumped into him at Madam Malkin's turned out to be the missing Harry Potter! And more, that he was actually living with Muggles! It had been rumoured of course, everyone knew that the old goat Dumbledore had him hidden away somewhere. But he had always imagined Potter living in his own palace with the muggles as some sort of servants. But he was living with Granger?! His academic rival?
It was a day for surprises for Draco. He had even meet a muggle. Granger's mother had seemed almost... normal. She had been able to speak in full sentences and could follow the conversation. She had even looked like a witch, with those robes slung over her arm.
When his father summoned him out of the shop he made to tell him about what he had just learned. "Father you won't believe who I just met. He bumped into me..."
"Draco, I have absolutely no interest in any person you might meet in Madam Malkin's. The only people a Malfoy should be associating with, do not frequent such uncultured establishments as that. Come Draco, we are done here."
He never got to tell his father about meeting Harry Potter. Maybe he wouldn't. His father would be so surprised if he was able to cultivate a friendship with the boy. Yes that's what he'd do. He'd write to Potter after Christmas and one day he'd be able to casually drop his name in a conversation, like his father would occasionally do with the Minister or other important people. That would really impress him.
Between skiing, and later snow boarding for Harry, scenic walks, trips to town and generally absorbing the atmosphere it wasn't long before it was Christmas morning. Hermione came bounding into him room at what seemed to be an obscene hour of the morning and leaped on to his bed, demanded he get up.
"Come on Harry. It's Christmas! You have to get up!" Harry, jolted out of a rather nice dream, took a moment to wake up before following Hermione downstairs.
Will and Diane, having always been early risers, were already up and sitting on the couch before a glorious fur tree that he and Hermione had helped decorate the day before. It was different this morning though with the arrival of what looked like hundreds of presents underneath its branches.
"Good morning Harry." Diane smiled at him. "Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas." Harry smiled back.
Hermione was bouncing up and down in excitement. "Come on breakfast first then presents!"
Harry had enjoyed being a part of the Grangers Christmas traditions. Yesterday they had decorated the tree and then Diane had taken Hermione into the kitchen to prepare what they could of Christmas dinner, while Will and Harry went outside to collect more firewood. However by the time they got back Hermione had been banished from the kitchen. "Every year I have hope to pass on my recipes to the next generation and every year she proves to be more her fathers daughter than mine. I don't know how she does it." Diane shook her head in amusement as she tossed out the blackened remains of the cookies Hermione had been working on.
So they traded places and Harry helped out in the kitchen, happy in the knowledge that this Christmas he would get to eat what he had made.
They had sung carols to the sound of Diane on the old piano and it was a toss up as to who was the worst singer between Harry and Will. Still bad singing or not he had had fun, though Hermione had had to teach him the words to the carols he didn't know.
After breakfast the family all settled back around the tree. "All right Hermione, why don't you start handing out the gifts."
It wasn't long before Harry was surrounded by boxes and parcels of all different shapes, colours and sizes. He opened the ones from Hermione and the Grangers. Hermione had given him a copy of Hogwarts a History. "I know you don't go to the school but it really is a fascinating book and you'll know what I'm talking about now." From Diane and Will he got a book called, 'Places of the Soul - Architecture and Environmental Design as a Healing Art.' "You mentioned how the gardens are set out in the Academy and I just thought if such a simple thing can enhance the magic then maybe there are other things you can do."
Ron had given both him and Hermione a box of Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans, which got a disapproving look from both Grangers. Neville had gotten him a book on Mage Sight and Hermione a book on the history of Wizardry in Ancient Egypt. Harry was beginning to feel glad he had not gotten Hermione a book himself as he saw the growing pile of books around her from her other relatives. She seemed pleased though and exclaimed in delight over the Polaroid camera he had gotten her.
His friends at the Academy had sent cards and various items. A small book of everyday grooming charms, ("In the hope that you might do something with your hair," Sara's cards said.) A practice snitch, from Drew and Owen. Tickets to a Quidditch game, in Germany from Alex and Misha, ("It's during school and you can go if you have a older student with you and Guardians give permissions. Form is enclosed.") Tia and Christy had both gotten him sweets, though Tia had at least remembered he lived with dentists and sent sugar free ones.
Moony had apparently had the same idea as Harry and had sent a framed picture of four boys who looked to be in their first year at Hogwarts. All four were liberally splashed with mud and laughing manically at the camera. Every now and then one would slip over in the mud and set the others off again.
'Harry, I wasn't sure what would be an appropriate gift for you but then I came across this picture. I believe this was taken just before the end of our first year after a rather extensive mud fight. It had just rained and Sirius was complaining about getting his robes wet when James jumped in a puddle and splashed all of us with water and mud. Needless to say thing degenerated from there.
Best Christmas wishes to you Harry and many happy returns for the new year.
Moony.
The rest of the day passed in a happy blur for Harry. He ate to the point of bursting, sang carols, and even dragged Hermione outside for a snowball fight. Diane made them sit down and write out thank you notes to everyone who had sent them gifts, which they would post after boxing day.
Harry fell into bed that night, stuffed full of good food, and surrounded by people who cared about him. He couldn't remember ever being happier than he was right now.
For the first time he could remember Harry didn't want to leave for school. Always before school meant an escape, at least partially, from the drudgery of the Dursley. Now it meant leaving behind a place he felt welcome and wanted. A home.
He didn't dare mention his feelings to Hermione. Who knew what her reaction would be. She'd either burst into tears at the thought of his old lifestyle or been perfectly horrified at the very idea of not wanting to go back to school.
He was quiet the first few days he was back. The others didn't seem notice, too caught up in retelling their own vacations to the group. Eventually it was Alex that decided to do something about Harrys withdrawal.
He cornered Harry in his room on day after classes. Harry was sitting on his bed looking through him new photo album with all the pictures of his holiday. "Alright mate time to spill the beans. What's wrong?"
Harry frowned. "Nothing's wrong. What are you talking about?"
"Ever since we got back from holidays, you've been really out of it. Now tell me what's wrong."
"I don't know what's wrong. I just feel bored. After the holidays..."
"Did something happen over the break?" Alex asked, concerned.
"No. Everything was great. We had a really great time. Diane and Will took us skiing in the Alps and we had this chateau just outside the village. Hermione and I took skiing lessons and I even had a go a snow boarding. Hermione wouldn't though-"
"Ah I see what the problem is." Alex nodded.
"What?
"You're homesick."
Harry was shocked. Homesick? He's never been homesick before. Of course he's never had a true home before either.
"Homesick? But I wasn't even at home most of the time. We were in..."
"Harry you don't need to be at a particular place to feel homesick. Home is where your family is. It's where you are accepted and loved. I should know. You know my parents where killed a couple of years ago. I was away at school at the time and when term finished I went back to our house. I stayed there for a few days before Misha's family invited me to stay. I'd lived in that house since I was born but without my family was a completely different house. It was like a strangers place. Like we had never even lived there." Alex trailed off, caught up in painful memories and Harry didn't know what to do. Alex shook it off. "Anyway my point is that a place isn't a home without those you love in it. You miss your family. It's normal. Believe it or not you'll actually get over it. Just give it a few more days."
"Wow Alex, that was really deep," a voice from the door said. Owen and Drew stood at the entrance holding brooms. "You looked like you could use some cheering up so we thought we'd have a game of Quidditch. You got that snitch we sent you?" Drew looked like he might have said something more but Owen elbowed him in the stomach.
Harry looked up at the three boys he had become friends with. They had been concerned about him. They wanted to help him. Another first in Harry's memory.
He smiled and went to grab his snitch.
Hermione was somewhat used to the feeling of homesickness so she was able to ignore it for the most part. It helped that she loved being at the school. When she arrived back at Hogwarts after Christmas, she threw herself, and her friends, into their class work. But her friends has other ideas.
"Come on Hermione, it's just one afternoon." Ron was currently cajoling Hermione into coming to watch the Quidditch game. "Gryffindor is playing Hufflepuff. If we win this game we'll be beating Slytherin for the house championship for the first time since Charlie left. We have to watch it."
"Oh all right. One afternoon." Hermione said as she shut her book with a snap.
Ron was excited as he led Hermione and Neville out to the Gryffindor stands. His twins brothers, Fred and George were playing as Beaters. Ron himself had dreamed of playing on the team. In the games he and his brothers played he usually played Keeper and hoped to get the position after Wood graduated in a few years. The Hufflepuffs had a very good team this year and were the favourites to win the match. The Gryffindor team had two new players, Katie Bell as a Chaser and a third year Eddy Timmons as Seeker.
The game continued for about three hours with a few false alarms where the snitch was seen but not caught until the Hufflepuff seeker Diggory spotted the snitch up near the Gryffindor Goal posts. Unfortunately Timmons was closer and had also spotted it. It was a race to get to the snitch which seemed inclined to stay where it was for the moment, hovering just below one of the goal posts. The flight of the Seekers took them directly through the field where the chasers where still in play. It was only a lucky shot by Fred, (or George, who could tell?) that had Diggory pulling away that allowed Timmons to grab the snitch.
The Gryffindor stands erupted in cheers and even Hermione was caught up in the enthusiasm, a rare moment of House pride for something other than academics sweeping over her. The traditional party in Gryffindor tower was in full swing and might have continued well into the night if McGonagall hadn't broke it up around eleven.
After the game Hermione remained somewhat relaxed about her classes and made a point not to nag the boys too much when they goofed off. Once or twice she even joined in the games. Unfortunately the teachers did not share Hermione's relaxation. They began piling homework on the poor students left and right.
The trio was in the library working on a potions essay when Ron looked up. "Hagrid! What are you doing the library?"
The three friends had become friends with the huge gamekeeper, while he was filling in when Professor Sprout was injured. Hagrid jumped and glanced around with a shifty look on his face, hiding something behind his back. "Jus' lookin'," he said, and quickly changed the subject. "An' what're you lot up ter?"
"Potions homework," Ron said glumly, glaring at the offending parchment.
"Hagrid," Hermione said suspiciously, "What do you have behind your back?"
"Nuffing. Jes' some stuff for the Professor, tha's all." Hagrid beat a fast retreat. "You lo' jes' carry on then. Don' wan' ter inerup'." He all up ran from the library.
The trio blinked at the door where he had disappeared. "Well that was suspicious." Hermione said. "What do you think he was hiding?"
"I'm going to see what section he was in," Ron said. He came back with a pile of books in his arms and slammed them of the table. "Dragons. He was looking up dragon's. He had these on the table. 'Dragon Breeds of Great Britain and Ireland.' 'From Egg to Inferno; A Dragon Keepers Guide.'"
"Hagrid's always wanted a dragon," Neville commented, "remember? He said so that lesson we were learning about the Dragon's Breath flower."
"Dragon breeding's been outlawed for ages, and you can't tame them anyway. You should see the burns Charlie gets."
"So what on earth is Hagrid up to?"
They found out later when they stopped by Hagrid's hut. Hagrid was still acting shifty, poking his head out and looking around, crossbow in hand as he let them in. The hut was stifling hot inside.
"Hello you lo'. Wha' brings ye down to me 'umble abode?"
"If I had to guess," Hermione said, "I'd say, that." She pointed at the fire place where a large black egg sat at the centre of the flames underneath a large dented kettle.
"Ah," Hagrid fiddled, and moved to block their view, "That's... er..."
"That's a dragon egg!" Ron said in wonder. "It must have cost you a fortune."
"Nah, I won it." Hagrid said, giving up the charade. "Las' night, down at the pub. Got into a card game with a stranger. Seemed quite glad to be rid of it actually."
"What are you going to do with it after it hatches? You live in a wooden hut." Hermione asked.
"Well I've bin doing some reading, 'Dragon Breeding for Pleasure and Profit'. It's a bit out a date, but it's all there. This 'ere's a Norwegian Ridgeback."
"But Hagrid," Neville insisted, "you live in a wooden hut."
Hagrid wasn't listening. He turned back to the fire place humming a tune off key.
"What are we going to do?" Hermione fretted. "If anyone finds out Hagrid has a dragon he'll be arrested for sure."
"What about your brother Charlie, Ron?" Neville asked. "He might know what to do."
"That's a good idea, I'll write to him now."
I apologise for the long delay with this chapter. I wrote it and rewrote it and am still not happy with it. I discarded the other drafts primarily because I found myself introducing elements way too early or skipping parts I wanted to put in. Fortunately you will be please to know the next chapter is already mostly written, so it won't take as long to post.
Draco fans and Draco haters, a note. I have not yet decided which way to have Draco fall. He may be good or evil or just a simple child.
Moony fans, Harry will have more to do with him in the next year but Sirius will not show up until third.
As for my OC's, Owen and Alex are both seventh years so they will both be graduating at the end of this year. We wont see them much, but I really like them so Harry will keep in touch. I have got two new OC's planned for next year, one good one bad, I hope they are as successful as these seven.
We are also going to hear a bit more from Dumbledore next year. Just a note, everyone seems to think Harry should be antagonistic toward him. But at this point he has no reason or isn't aware of a reason to dislike him so much. He's never even met the man.
One of my biggest problems was introducing plot elements that didn't end with Harry becoming a super-wizard or had anything to do with Voldemort. Any help I could get with this would be great.