Not Just Our Story

Chapter 23: First Day Fails

September 2, 1993

Draco Malfoy

The news began to spread faster than water on paper. Soon, not only Hogwarts knows of Black's supposed innocence, but the entire wizarding community of England. A trial was announced to determine the validity of the amounting claims in favor of Sirius Black. While the Ministry and all the wizards and witches were abuzz with the incurred excitement of the rumor, school went on and we studied our new course schedules.

Breakfast was boisterous business, and there was more talking than eating. The first years were notably spurred by the pleasant whips of exhilaration, and their whispers to one another rose like steam and bubbles of a charming, boiling, amortentia. 

"Imagine what they all went through last night," Blaise said. "First Black, then the dementors, then Hagrid, then Snape, and not to mention, they crossed the lake through a bloody storm." 

"No kidding," Crabbe agreed.

"They'll be boasting about how they survived all this." I then imitated a high-pitched first-year voice. "I single-handedly fought Black in the train and knocked him out with my new pewter cauldron." They all chuckled as I went on. "I realized too late he was innocent. Professor Dumbledore only said it after we crossed a monster-infested lake in the middle of a raging storm." I paused. "Me? Scared? Never. What's that? They told you I peed my pants?" Amused convulsions scattered across the table. "That was from the lake and the rain. I did get wet and everything. What? They saw me do it in the entrance hall? Oh that was my twin brother." Everyone roared with hysterics as they clutched their stomachs.

"No, no, I didn't cry, and I most certainly didn't collapse. There was a pretty girl who did, though, and I managed to catch her. She was like..." I did a theatrical impression of a swooning fit when I saw Potter pass us. She seemed to have recovered from last night because her utopian rose glow was back. I seemed to have bent too far because the next moment was---CRASH!

I practically fell off the bench. My friends roared with laughter.

"Hey, Potter!" Pansy suddenly shouted. "Potter! The dementors are coming, Potter! Wooooooo!"

By the time I got up, she was already at the Gryffindor table with her friends. 

"What was that for?" I disgruntledly asked Pansy.

"What was what?"

"Why did you insult her?"

"Oh, sorry, I forgot that was your job," she coolly said as she took a sip from her goblet. I was about to reply when Warrington shouted.

"Hey Malfoy, if you were a first year, how would you react?"

I switched back to my first year voice. "Ooh, I'm scared! There's a giant fifth year who thinks I'm a bloody third year!" I pretended to faint with terror again, and the table laughed in unison.

The day went on without much excitement. However, I spoke too soon. 

After lunch, we headed to the gamekeeper's hut for our first-ever Care of Magical Creatures class. "What a class, eh?" I said. "Must be nice taking care of uncultured beasts. Our teacher could've passed off as one, bet Potter wouldn't mind taking care of him."

Crabbe and Goyle snickered. Then, Blaise nudged me and nodded his head to something behind me. I peered over my shoulder and saw Potter and the other Gryffindors walking down the sloping lawns. Oops... she must've heard me.

The gamekeeper was waiting for us at the door of his hut with his dog at his heels. "C'mon, now, get a move on! Got a real treat for yeh today! Great lesson comin' up! Everyone here? Right, follow me!"