There was little in the world that had not been offered to Draco Malfoy on a silver platter. Money opened many doors, the blood in his veins opened the rest. His first year at Hogwarts, however, was a slap in the face, the opposite of everything he had always believed it would be. Harry Potter was in his year, he had read all the books and just knew they would be the best friends. After all, he had to have been a powerful wizard from birth to defeat the dark lord. His father was the one who told him it would be beneficial to offer his hand in friendship. If the rumors were right, he had been forced to live with muggle his whole life and Potter certainly looked like he needed help from a proper wizard. Only for Draco to be publicly humiliated when Harry Potter refused his friendship for a Weasley!

His father was a well connected man and his mother was knowledgeable so he knew who his classmates would be years before his letter. It was expected of him to befriend the future pureblood lords and ladies like himself. They had all been a terrible disappointment after the riveting stories his father and his school friends told over expensive scotch and cigars. Goyle and Crabbe could only function if they were left with explicit instructions, which was fine he supposed. The others? Zabini? Foreigner, he took his mother's name because no one knew exactly who his father was. Nott? Boring…and his blank eyes unsettled him, not that he would ever admit that to his father. The only other pureblood girls were Greengrass and Bulstrode and, well, enough said.

Draco had dismissed Pansy Parkinson as soon as she was sorted into Ravenclaw. Another disappointing blood traitor, obviously. Until the end of first year and he realized had placed third in his year, first in Slytherin but who could possibly have been better prepared than him? In classes, it was him who scored all O's and always knew the answer. Even if that Gryffindor girl, the mudblood, was eagerly waving her hand around since she was just a teacher's pet! Obviously, it was favoritism since she was friends with the Boy Who Lived! His father was incredibly disappointed when he went through the records to find Pansy Parkinson and Granger had beaten him.

So, he watched…closely.

The Ravenclaw had the right sort of friends but was never impolite to younger students requesting her help. Her manners were impeccable and everything he thought a pureblood lady was supposed to be, after meeting some of his fellow Slytherins he had his doubts. She was gracious in the face of mudbloods clamoring for her attention but never made the mistake of sitting too close or becoming too familiar with them. Pansy Parkinson even opened a study hall that was open to all but banned any kind of 'bullying'. Blood traitor, he was regretful to inform his father and head of house.

Then Granger punched him in the nose!

He couldn't believe that mudblood had the audacity to lay her hands on him like a filthy muggle! Draco couldn't go to his head of house if he wanted to avoid his father finding out. Lucius Malfoy was not pleased when he found out Granger had ranked ahead of him in their year. The Ravenclaw was still reigning in the top spot but no matter how much he studied and reviewed with tutors, he was left in third. So, there was no way he could allow anyone else to find out. The Gryffindors would keep their mouths shut since they didn't want detention and Crabbe and Goyle only needed sweets to forget anything happened at all.

If only he could find a way to get them in real trouble. Draco had attempted to get the golden boy and his friends expelled in the first year but somehow they always escaped punishment! Severus Snape complained about it enough when he came to the manor during summer holiday. They had even broken the statute of secrecy with hardly a detention! As if spending an hour with a world famous author was really a punishment. They probably spent the entire time-

"Are you alright?" Her sweet voice dragged him from his bitter thoughts of revenge. He had never actually spoken to her once he realized that his presence wouldn't be welcome at the Hall.

"I'm fine." Draco sneered, cursing his pale skin since he could feel the heat of his cheeks. The last thing he wanted was the blood traitor to see him vulnerable.

"You're kind of…bleeding all over the floor." Pansy raised a sculpted brow, looking all together too perfect for the last week of school. They finished their exams that day and everyone usually relaxed and even professors let uniform violations slide. "Here, let me help."

"I said I'm fine!" He choked on his words when he turned to find her much too close, her wand in hand.

"Episkey." With a deft flick of her wand, he felt his nose shift slightly with a little tingle but he was distracted by Pansy's pleased smile. "Well, it wasn't broken. Here."

"Th…" He couldn't articulate his thanks because he looked down to find a handkerchief in his hands that was embroidered with her initials in Ravenclaw blue.

"Pansy!" A deep bellow had him turning so fast he nearly fell over. Milicent Bulstrode was rushing towards them and for a moment, an insane thought of placing his body in front of Parkinson to protect her from his behemoth housemate entered his mind.

"Millie!" The smile on the Ravenclaw's face was much brighter than any he had ever seen and he was struck mute once again when Bulstrode wrapped a thick arm around Parkinson's delicate shoulders. They were leaving him with barely a backwards glance! Him!

"Par-" He started but she turned with a little grin on her face, her bright eyes clashing with his own.

"See ya around, Malfoy!"

Even though dementors had swarmed the school and his convict cousin escaped ministry clutches, his interaction with his Ravenclaw classmate played repeatedly in his mind. Pansy Parkinson did not seem distraught at the idea of Sirius Black remaining at large, most proper witches and wizards weren't. Sirius was a Black, even if his mother never uttered a word about him. The convict should have been Lord Black since their great great Uncle Arcturus never officially or magically disowned him. It didn't affect him much, Draco was the apparent heir and had an allowance that was available to him from the Black vaults. His mother was anxiously awaiting the day he would claim her family's family magic and everything it entailed.

"Are you sure Perseus is dead?" His mother asked his father the night before he would return to Hogwarts.

"Yes, the girl has claimed her title and I have informants at the Ministry that let me take a peek at her results." Lucius handed over a scroll with a raised brow and Draco watched on, burning with curiosity. His parents would let him listen in on their conversations but he learned that he was meant to be a silent observer.

"Muggle studies?" His mother's mouth twisted in distaste even though she sounded impressed.

"Yes, She'll be able to leave those three classes optional until her sixth year if she decides to continue." Father hummed, watching his mother with a sly smile on his face. They were both silent, conversing with each other without words before Parkinson's results were placed face down so he couldn't even see! "After a year of taking all courses with perfect attendance…almost as if…."

"Hmm, you know I don't think they've issued one since that Crouch boy." There was a sadness to his mother's eyes, which confused him until she continued. "Regulus liked him, said he was clever."

"They've denied every application until this year when the deputy went to the department of mysteries for the mudblood."

"No!" Her scandalized gasp, almost made him snap when neither of his parents would give anymore details. "A mudblood? How could she possibly?"

"Mcgonagall signed for it."

"Well, she's just about as insane as that headmaster." She sniffed before taking a long drink from her glass and turning to him with a small, tight lipped smile. "Dragon, are you prepared for your classes."

"He knows what he needs to do. I expect nothing but the best from a Malfoy." His father cut him off before he could even open his mouth, staring at him with impassive eyes. So, it seemed Draco would not be contributing to the conversation at all. He barely heard his father's remark before he left the room. "We do need to find him a solid influence before we give him any more responsibility."

His mother encouraged getting close to Parkinson and he let her think it was all her idea. It made her happy and with his parents' endorsement, how could he fail? Until he found out she was enraptured by his dead cousin. His mother always spoke fondly of the late Regulus but his father claimed he was a coward and a traitor who couldn't handle being one in an army rather than a special boy. If he was raised at all like Draco, the blond could understand. The Malfoy heir was raised to be the best, how could anyone ever look at him as just another replaceable face in the crowd?

Pansy Parkinson was beauty, brains, and power, everything he was raised to believe a good pureblood girl was supposed to be. After being in Slytherin for three years, he knew that witches like Pansy and his mother were priceless and rare. They needed to be nurtured and protected just like his father had told him. No one looked at his mother with anything less than the reverence she deserved, no one stood in the way of Narcissa Malfoy getting what Narcissa Malfoy wanted without Lucius Malfoy ruining their lives. Draco could see Pansy for the determined and powerful witch she would be, he would be beside her while she got everything her heart desired.

The only problem was he had no idea what she wanted.

"Why?" Bulstrode demanded when he had stopped her after class, Crabbe and Goyle made sure the other students kept their distance. Draco did not want anyone to find out he was bribing Parkinson's associates for information.

"Just concerned, Parkinson has a lot of responsibility now that she's claimed her title and she missed class." He drawled, trying to imitate his father's intimidating tone. Going by the tall witch's face, it wasn't working. "She never misses class."

"You know she doesn't take history of magic anymore." She rolled her eyes, tapping her foot impatiently. "Just ask before I switch your knee caps with your elbows."

"I'd like to see you try." He snarled, taking comfort in the wand in his hand. Sure, she was much larger than him but he knew he was better with magic. "You know what my father would do-"

"You'd still be a cripple for the rest of your life. Don't imagine Lucius Malfoy would like an heir with a limp and bulky elbows." The grin on her face was downright terrifying but he refused to show any kind of weakness. "Joints are just so tricky. Hurry up blondie, Sally promised snacks in othe courtyard before class."

"Fine, Parkinson has been gone all weekend and I'm worried." He ground his teeth, feeling a trickle of sweat at his temple.

"She went home, Merlin." She scoffed, turning on her heel with a roll of her eyes. "Everyone wants to know where Pans is, like the whole school didn't see her get escorted out before they announced Warrington. Did you know that I broke three of Pucey's ribs on Saturday? No, no one asks what the git did to deserve that. It's all Where's Parkinson? Or Did Pansy enter her name into the goblet? Or Millie, he might not be able to have children! I have things going on! I-"

"What did you do?" Sally Smith glared at them with a judgemental frown, how had she gotten past the crowd of Slytherins?

"See!" Bulstrode turned back to him and chuckled at the bewildered expression on his face. Draco only wanted to know if Parkinson was okay, if she needed his assistance…if perhaps she asked about him. "She asks about me! Not about what Pansy's doing! She's probably dealing with her cra-"

"Millie." Smith cut off the tall girl's rant with a pointed glare but Bulstrode pursed her lips mulishly. The blonde witch reached into her bag and pulled out a small basket of pastries that smelled amazing. "Pansy sent Strumpet with-"

"Are those the puffs?" Bulstrode gasped, a reverence in her tone he had heard when she spoke about abraxans. Draco took a quick step back when the Slytherin witch nearly took Sally's arm with the basket. He learned young to never get in the way of a Crabbe and Goyle when they were eating and she was their cousin. He shuffled uncomfortably when she let out a lewd moan after her first bite. "She needs to breed her elves and give me her cooks' spawn, how can this be so good."

"Have you seen her elves?" Smith snatched the flaky pastry from Bulstrode's hands fearlessly, ignoring the growl that had Draco stepping back. "I doubt your family would- no, we are not convincing our friend to give you one of her elves."

"I'm her best friend."

"We're her best friends." Smith tossed her long curly blonde hair, momentarily distracting him. He realized distantly that he much preferred Parkinson's brunette silky tresses, in the sun there were shining hues of red and blonde.

"What about Parkinson's elves?" Draco had to shake the thoughts away, he could not be distracted from his fact finding mission. His mother told him that a good wizard always knew his witch's needs. He wondered if his father had to go to such lengths just to get Narcissa Black to talk to him.

"They wear uniforms!" Smith said nonchalantly, still glaring up at the witch who was moaning and groaning while she stuffed her face.

"Never seen anything like it." Bulstrode agreed easily, swallowing loudly before tearing into another chocolate pastry. "Best cooks and so damn, Merlin, these are delicious."

"We need to go!" The Gryffindor snapped impatiently just as he was about to open his mouth to ask where Parkinson had been all weekend, if she had gotten her name into the goblet and been suspended like all the rumors were saying. Draco didn't believe it, why would she need a pittance of a thousand galleons or the fame when she was a Lady.

"Might I escort you?" Draco smiled politely but stood with his hands in his robe pockets, he wouldn't want any misunderstandings if he offered them his arm.

The Gryffindor opened her mouth but Bulstrode pushed him like the brute she was, giving him a look of utter disgust before grabbing the blonde and striding away. Crabbe was faster than usual, rushing to help him off the ground and Draco felt his face heat in humiliation. For a moment he wanted to hex her retreating back but his godfather was lingering nearby. The potions master would turn a blind eye to a lot of things but fight amongst housemates was not one of them.

"We've got a pool going." Zabini looked him over with a cruel little smirk but refrained from mentioning what he witnessed. "You want in? I'm always happy to get easy Malfoy gold."

"What?" Crabbe asked, his thick brows scrunched up in confusion.

"Tricking people out of their gold, Zabini?" A Weasley shouted from right beside them, drawing even more attention to them as everyone in the courtyard turned at the sound of his shout. "Mummy taught you all about swindling naive wizards, good on you for no-"

"Fred!" One of his housemates, a pretty girl with long braids, slapped his head with a scolding expression on her face.

"What, Angelina!" The ginger twit obviously got a spell wrong since his duplicate popped up from behind the tree, jogging closer. "What my less good looking brother was saying is that it's wonderful that Zabini here is going to break the cycle!"

"Right!" The original redhead nodded along with an innocent smile that made Draco start inching away. His father had always warned him that the Weasleys were nothing but trouble, he fully believed it the first time he had seen them build a giant slingshot to launch first years into the Black Lake. "Zabini has much more self respect than to sleep with Malfoy and kill him for his galleons!"

"See!"

"Maybe he's just biding his time." Another boy laughed loudly when others started to snicker at his housemate's ridicule. "At least until he has more access to his vaults!"

More Gryffindors laugh and make up scenarios where Draco was being seduced for his gold. Zabini wasn't his friend, they barely spoke even though they shared the same floor in the dorms. Blaise Zabini didn't really fit into Slytherin since he did not attend all of the events the other families hosted. His mother's reputation had become infamous when he was still just a small child so he heard his mother gossiping to the other ladies aout her. Eleven year old Draco did not understand, still did not really, but his younger self had decided that Zabini was beneath him and wasn't shy about letting everyone know.

"Frederick Gideon Weasley!" The only female Weasley screeched at a pitch that had the ancient castle windows rattling. "What do you think you are doing?"

"Hey Zabini." One of the gingers had broken off to heckle his house mate while his twin tried to placate their younger sister. "We've seen you lookin'. You'll be staying away from my sister, you get me Snake?"

"Or what?" Zabini met his gaze steadily, his face frozen like a sheet of ice that nothing could crack. "Seems little Red likes me. She's going to tell your mum all about me."

"Stay away." The older wizard acted like the Slytherin had not spoken at all, just glared with loathing. "We all know your mum only kept you because you were pretty, I would hate for her to have to eat you like your siblings."

"We missed it." Tracy Davis huffed, announcing her presence along with a dozen other Slytherins who all had their wands out and looked eagerly for a fight. The ginger rolled his eyes, seemingly very unconcerned before he jogged back to his family at the center of the red and gold huddle where the tiny Weasley was hitting her brother with her bag. Although Draco could have sworn Weasley huffed something that sounded suspiciously like whore but he could have been mistaken.

"Of course we did." Daphne was one of the few who were unarmed, just looking around with that blank, indifferent expression she always had. "Gryffindors are like gorillas, they jump in to slaughter but they're too stupid to finish the job or clean up after themselves."

"Eloquently stated, my love." Nott smiled lovingly but there was always something off about his expressions. His eyes were the same flat, emotionless hazel. It was creepier than his godfather, he had at least seen the wizard laugh. "Too bad we missed it."

"So, does anyone else want to put in money on how long Potter will last in the first task?" Zabini asked with an air of curiosity, acting as if the Weasleys on the other side of the courtyard didn't exist.

The blonde smirked when his housemate tapped on his Support Cassius Warrington: The Real Hogwarts Champion pin. With a blur of magic, Potter's face appeared before melting into a puddle of sick with a caption that read; Potter Stinks. It wasn't the most inventive but they had gotten the pins mass produced in only a weekend.

"You're really going to let them get away with that?" Tracy demanded, throwing her skinny arms out in betrayal.

"My father doesn't think Potter will live for ten minutes." Draco boasted, not wanting to waste anymore of his time on the pathetic blood traitors. He was happy to see Parkinson's associates were nowhere near the jeering crowd that were still pointing at them and laughing. It was good she had witches who had class like her, even if Bulstrode was a brute who liked to solve her problems like a filthy muggle. "I think he's being generous, Potter won't last ten seconds!"

"Oi!" Tracy stomped her foot petulantly, looking to Daphne for assistance but the blonde just continued rummaging through her bag. "I'm here, you can't ignore me!"

"Shut it, Halfie!" One of the Slytherins hit her shoulder when they started to wander away and Draco decided sitting in a tree would be the next step. It would give a good view of the entire courtyard, particularly where Parkinson's friends were waiting. That way he could see the moment Parkinson came back to school. To make sure she got her notes, of course.