For Them | Draco Malfoy

Flashback 1: Year 1

"Gryffindor!" The hat shouted at Harry. Harry visibly relaxed and a smile broke out across his face as he walked to the table. From what she heard during the Sorting Hat's song, Harry was the perfect fit. Brave, daring, and he most definitely was not lacking nerve as he had gotten in quite a few arguments at the Dursleys when she was treated unfairly.

"Potter, Esme!" called Professor McGonagall. Esme's heart quickened, but she stepped forward and onto the stool. Esme knew in her heart of hearts, that she was not going to be sorted with Harry. He was the brave one, he was the boy who lived, he was the one who defeated some evil wizard when he was just a baby. Esme on the other hand, in this new world she had been thrown into, was just his sister. It didn't bother her when she found out, she had always known her brother was someone special. She now found herself wishing she could have done something brave too, just to be with Harry. Although something deep within her told her that Gryffindor was not for her and that was okay.

When the hat was placed on her head, it let out a little gasp, "It has been over a century since I last sorted a Potter woman. You are unlike the rest, all undeniably Gryffindors. You value friendship like the girls before you, yet you aren't afraid to use people to help you get what you want. You're bright and have an ambitious mind. Will you protest my initial thoughts the same way your brother did? No? It better be, SLYTHERIN!"

A quick series of gasps filled the hall before the Slytherin table erupted in yells. Even when she looked at Harry and Ron's now shocked faces, she broke out into a smile. She mouthed a quick "it's okay," to the boys and ran off towards the sea of green and silver.

She sat next to the girls named Pansy and Daphne that were sorted before her and gave them a small smile.

She returned the smile with equal fervor and shook her hand, "There has never been a Potter in Slytherin! Congratulations!" squealed Daphne.

"The hat said I was the first non-Gryffindor Potter. I'm a bit nervous, to be honest," she said her eyes flickering to the two boys across from her. A brown-haired boy named Theodore Nott smiled and stuck his hand out. The other boy was the blonde boy from earlier, Draco Malfoy. He looked at her hesitantly, no doubt remembering the confrontation on the train.

Esme took a deep breath and held her hand out, "Might I remind you I'm not the Potter that almost incited a fight with you," He lifted an eyebrow in response, "let's start over shall we? Potter, Esme Potter."

He smirked slightly at her using the same line as he did on the train. He only shook her hand and said "Draco." With that, they came to an unspoken truce and she quickly fell into conversation with the girls again.

Once the last boy, Blaise Zabini, was sorted into Slytherin the feat began and Esme's eyes widened. She can't remember the last time she saw so much food as was allowed to eat any. She quickly looked over to Harry who was biting into a piece of chicken with a grin plastered on his face. If there was one good thing about Harry being sorted into Gryffindor is that he had that nice boy Ron to sit with.

Theo's question turned her attention back to her own table, "Esme, I have always wondered, who raised you and the boy who lived? I always thought it would be someone super powerful." asked Theo.

"I wish. Harry and I were raised by our dreadful Aunt and Uncle. They're Muggles." The other five Slytherins looked at her like she had three heads. She immediately flushed a deep scarlet and remembered the conversation Harry and Draco had at Madam Malkin's, "We didn't have anyone else to raise us I suppose. I wish Harry and I could have grown up with magic, we were always getting in trouble for accidentally doing weird things."

Daphne shook her head incredulously, "Getting in trouble for accidental magic? It happens to every kid, Esme. That must have been absolutely awful. I know for at least all of us, getting in touch with our magic was special."

"That must have been wonderful. Harry and I used to sleep in a cupboard and I've even gone a week without a full meal." She said, shuddering as she remembered what that severe hunger felt like. "Not every Muggle is bad though. Now that I look back at it, I just think they didn't like us because they knew we would be magical. I had a few Muggle friends at my old school though who were always kind to me."

They all uncomfortably looked amongst themselves before Daphne spoke up again and rested her hand on Esme's, "Well no more Muggle friends for you, nor mudbloods for that matter. We're all purebloods."

Esme felt incredibly embarrassed not knowing what those terms meant but knew she would have to ask to find out. Pansy explained to her that people who don't have a muggle in their bloodline are called "purebloods," people like Esme with mixed heritage are called, "half-bloods" and that people with no magic in their family except for them are called, "mudbloods" because their blood is dirty. Esme had a sneaking suspicion that the term was not one meant to be a term of endearment and made a mental note to be careful not to say it.

"Don't worry though Esme, we like you despite your blood status!" piped Pansy.

She quickly registered that as a little insulting but decided to mutter a thanks to avoid a confrontation. She realized there was a lot more that she needed to learn here at Hogwarts other than casting spells and brewing potions. Esme never liked feeling inferior, especially now when she was surrounded by people who knew probably ten times the information she did. She made a mental note to study extra hard during History of Magic and to make a trip to the library. That girl with bushy hair, Hermione, she remembered, seemed like the bookish type. Maybe she would study with her.

When dinner finished, she looked over at Harry who was already staring at her with anxious eyes. They had never been separated before and truthfully they could stand to be too far away from each other. Even nights when one of them slept in the cupboard, the other would silently check on them in the middle of the night. Harry was her other half and it pained her to know they probably wouldn't see each other as often as they would like.

As the first years filed out of the cafeteria, she made sure to get near Harry and Ron.

Ron was the first to speak, "Bloody hell Esme! I thought we were going to be friends."

"We can't be friends?" Esme asked, panic evident in her voice.

"I mean you're a Slytherin."

"That doesn't mean she's like Malfoy. She's my sister." Harry said his voice, immediately getting defensive.

Ron put his hands up, "Well Gryffindors and Slytherins don't typically get along, but you were nice before you got sorted into Slytherin, so I guess it doesn't matter."

Esme and Harry visibly relaxed and she smiled back at Ron, "I have about a billion questions to ask you, Ron. You're a lot less... snobbish than the Slytherins and I'll bet you can give me better information than them. We'll talk tomorrow!"

She turned to Harry and embraced him in a hug, "We'll talk after dinner if we don't have any classes together okay?" He nodded his head and headed off with Ron.

When she finally caught up with the Slytherins she spotted a flash of slicked back, blonde hair.

"Draco," she whispers, trying not to get anyone else's attention. She knew this conversation would likely not go the way she hoped if she drew a crowd.

"Yes?"

"I personally would like to be friends with you, but I think it's important I make this clear. I might not be the Potter that almost fought you, but if you so much as utter another foul word about my parents to anyone there will be an issue. Deal?"

He looked briefly at her and the smirk she now recognizes as his signature flashes across his face, "You're a lady and a fellow Slytherin, there's no need to taunt you. Although I do not find myself wanting to be particularly kind to your brother or his weasel friend."

She rolled her eyes in response, "I'm not asking you to. Just stay away from the topic of my parents."

"You have got yourself a deal." He responded, "Although I would like you to tell me more about how you would like to be my friend."

"Don't make me regret saying that, Malfoy." she flashed him a fake glare before catching up to Pansy and Daphne.