𝐀 𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐋𝐄 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄

Chapter 4

Chapter 4: "Chapter Four"

When Draco entered the schoolroom the next morning, it was to a chorus of whispers and murmurs from the other boys. By that time, every last pupil in the school had heard of the newcomer, and, predictably, were very curious about him.

"I'll wager he's a spoiled brat," pronounced Zacharias Smith, who was, at nearly twelve years of age, one of the eldest boys in the preparatory form. He was a rather bad-tempered young man, as he had worked hard to gain his spot in the school and at the head of the class, and was not pleased with the idea of someone just waltzing in and taking it from him.

"My father says his father was a real wanker," sneered one of the younger boys, a handsome, dark-haired rogue by the name of Orion Black. "Always walked around like he had a pole up his arse."

"Hush, Rion," hissed his companion, a smaller but older lad by the name of Harry Potter. His green eyes flashed in warning. "Mind your language. Remember what happened last time Fudge caught you swearing."

"I don't care about Fudge," Orion said pompously, but his cool image was completely shattered when an evil glare from Fudge caused him to squeak and dive back into his reading. Harry rolled his eyes a bit at his younger companion and picked up his own book, still continuing to gaze surreptitiously at the newcomer.

Draco tolerated their curious gazes with equanimity, offering up some interested gazes of his own as he took his seat at the head of the class. His father had told him a bit about some of these boys' fathers, as he had attended school with some of them, but, having never been around boys of the same age before, he was excessively interested in what they might be thinking, and how they might behave when not under a watchful eye.

After a few minutes of this, Fudge rapped smartly on his desk with his wand. "Attention, gentlemen," he announced, "I wish to introduce you to your new companion." The boys all rose, and Draco rose as well, clasping his hands behind him politely. "I shall expect you all to treat Mister Malfoy with the same respect with which you treat each other," and he cast a very severe glance at Harry and Orion, who tried not to snicker. "His family is old and well-respected, and you will grant him every courtesy while he is here."

The students bowed ceremoniously, and Draco responded in kind, and then they sat down and looked at each other again.

"Young sirs, attend to your lessons," Fudge instructed, and twenty heads bent over their books. Draco sat watching them for a moment before Fudge's voice pulled him out of his reverie.

"Draco," he said, "come here to me." He was holding a small birch rod in his hand. Draco went politely, although he felt somewhat nervous at the way Fudge was handling the rod.

"It is unfortunate that you have come to join us so late," Fudge began, "as there will be a test this afternoon to place those students who have advanced sufficiently into the full form. Your classmates have been practicing their wand movements, and some have learned some simple spells. It is not at all a failing that you have not had these opportunities as of yet. There are still many students who have not yet mastered the wand." He smiled in what was probably supposed to be a kindly manner. "Your father informed me that he has purchased you a wand. However, I must discourage that until you have been properly instructed."

Draco felt a little awkward.

"I have not yet had the opportunity to formally study wand motions," Draco said truthfully, "but—"

Fudge cut him off. "I am afraid," he said in a slightly sour manner, "that you have always been somewhat of a spoiled child and are used to doing things because you wish it. We are very determined that all of our students learn proper wand motions before they are allowed to handle a wand." He held out the rod. "You may practice with this until you have mastered the basics, and perhaps you will have progressed sufficiently by the next test in six months' time."