Falling for a Mudblood

Top of First Year

The great hall was buzzing full of the students, cheers and smiles as the Gryffindor students were awarded their house trophy from Professor McGonagall. She smiled proudly at her house table as the Weasley twins hoisted the trophy high walking up the grand table. The students from Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw hollered and congratulated them, while the Slytherin students sat in disappointment. 

Draco rolled his eyes and glared at the trio and Neville for pulling those points so conveniently at  the last minute. The old fool Dumbledore just did not want Slytherin to win since he had been a Gryffindor himself once he thought. His father would not be delighted to hear this on top of the fact that he got a detention. He looked back to the headmaster as he was trying to calm the students for their attention once more.

"And now we have the top of the class to announce for each year," Dumbledore said once the room had fell nearly silent. 

Draco smiled, he had gotten the highest marks he could get in every class, and excelled in Potions with Professor Snape. He was sure his name would be called and gleamed with the thought of how happy his parents would be.

"Starting with the seventh year, Margo Abernathy," the rows of students clapped as the Ravenclaw Student walked toward the professors, shaking each other their hands and stopping beside Dumbledore to look out into the sea of students continuing to clap. "The top of the class for year sixth, Thomas Flame." The boy from Slytherin jumped up giving high fives to his friends and other Slytherin students as he went to the head table of professors. "From fifth and forth year we have Jessica and Nathanael Brook," he said smiling at the Ravenclaw siblings. "Third years top student, Gregory Wicket, second years top student, Whitney Null." The two rose from their seats and walked toward the professors, they too shook each hand, then Dumbledores and each other the other top students.

Draco could hardly contain his smile, he was excited to get the honor and for the hall of students to cheer him on. He practically stood before Dumbledor announced the name of the first year top student.

"And the top student for first year, with the most impressive scores I have ever seen in all my years of being at Hogwarts," Draco smiled wildly at his friends as they smiled back at him, "Miss Hermione Granger!" The deafening cheers of the students roared, Draco sat defeated in his seat.

How? Why? His father had specifically told him he was expecting the honor of top of class to be Draco every year he attended. He watched as Hermione walked towards the professors, the blood draining from his face. What would he tell his father? How could he tell his father that not only did he not make top of class, that he was beat out by  mudblood. By a girl that before the school year had even started had no idea magic ran threw her veins. 

There was just no way. He watched as the curly haired Gryffindor found her seat again and was congratulated by the whole table, giving her high-fives and patting her back. 

Dumbledore asked for a round of applause as he announced the students who fell just a few marks short of being the top of the class for every year. Draco did not even stand when his name had been called. 

Second place.

Not something he was used to. Certainly not something his father was used to. He could only hope that this was not something that was going to be published in the back of the Dailey Prophet, and maybe if he was lucky Lucius would not even remember to ask. 

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Hermione was ecstatic, and was glowing with pride. She knew if she worked hard that it would pay off. All those hours studying and forcing Ron and Harry to study were all worth it in the end.