Forged in Darkness (English) ON PAUSE

Chapter 2: The Shadow of Harry Potter

The idea of being a Slytherin had never been a problem for me, at least not until the Sorting Hat had uttered that word during my first year. "Slytherin!" it had shouted enthusiastically, while I struggled to smile. But my father, Albus Dumbledore, had lost his smile in that moment. He hadn't shown it openly, but I had seen it. And he had seen it too: Harry Potter.

From that day on, every time I crossed paths with Potter in the halls of Hogwarts, I couldn't suppress the envy that burned inside me. Him, the boy who had appeared out of nowhere and had immediately drawn my father's attention. Him, who seemed to have everything I desired: the affection and approval of Albus Dumbledore.

Sitting in the Slytherin dormitory, safe in the cold, damp dungeons of Hogwarts, I often thought back to that day. The Hat had remained silent for a long moment, as if it were weighing my qualities, and I had desperately hoped it would say "Gryffindor." I knew it would have been easier for my father, and maybe, he would have smiled at me the way he did for Harry. But when the Hat made its decision, I saw the disappointment in Dumbledore's eyes. He tried to hide it with a forced smile, but I had already understood everything.

And Harry was there, just ahead, while the Hat decided for him. Dumbledore hadn't stopped smiling for even a second as Harry sat under that old, tattered hat, and when the hat finally shouted "Gryffindor!", my father had applauded enthusiastically. That smile, that sincere joy, were meant for Harry, not for me.

Now, in my third year, that sense of inadequacy had never really left me. Despite being one of the best students in my house and in the entire school, I felt that nothing I did could ever be enough. My father was always too busy with Harry and his adventures. Even the fact that this year the Dementors were patrolling the borders of Hogwarts was because of him, because Sirius Black had escaped and Harry was in danger.

We were about to arrive at Hogwarts, and as the train slowed down, I could feel the excitement among my classmates. Fred and George were still joking, trying to ignore the growing tension. Blaise, Pansy, and Draco in the next compartment were speaking in low voices, probably plotting some prank or conspiracy against the Gryffindors. And then there was Hermione, trying to keep us focused on the academic year ahead.

But my thoughts kept returning to Harry. We had never spoken directly, and I doubted he knew who I was, except by name. I was just "Dumbledore's daughter," a shadow in his bright world. And no matter how hard I tried not to think about it, I couldn't help but wish that my father would look at me the way he looked at him.

As the train came to a stop, Draco gave me a glance. "Ready for another year of putting up with Potter and his gang of Gryffindors?" he asked with a mocking smirk.

"Forget the others, the only problem here is that damn Potter," I replied coldly and quietly, trying not to be overheard by my friends. "But don't worry, Malfoy. I know how to stay away from him."

We got off the train and headed towards the carriages, the castle lights shining in the distance like a beacon in the night. Hogwarts was once again my home, with its winding corridors and tricky staircases. But even in that familiar place, I felt like an outsider, always in someone else's shadow.

As soon as I set foot in the Great Hall, I felt my father's eyes on me. But as always, his gaze quickly shifted to Harry, sitting at the Gryffindor table with that usual slightly nervous smile. I sat at the Slytherin table, keeping my head high and my face impassive, but inside, the envy was poisoning me.

I would never allow Harry Potter to steal what was rightfully mine. This year, I would make myself noticed, one way or another. And my father would finally have to see me, not just the boy who lived.