Draco

Alex was speechless. No one had ever stuck up for him the way that Hermione just did.  More yet, this was the second time that she had done it. His mother and father always told him to ignore what other people said. His dad insisted that the other children were just jealous of him and their family’s success. Alex wasn’t so sure about that last part now, but that’s what he had been brought up to believe. Hermione’s arms were flailing about her and she still looked furious as she marched away with Alex trying to keep pace.

           

            “Wait up Hermione!” Alex called. She was moving at such a quick pace that she had put a considerable between herself and him. She turned around and held a considerable scowl on her face. She was stuck somewhere between fury and despondence.

 

            “I CAN’T BELIEVE I ACTUALLY WANTED TO BE FRIENDS WITH HIM!” Screamed at no one in particular. She was pacing in a tight circle, her hands balled into fists at her sides. She looked as though she may jinx anybody who came near her. “WHY DO PEOPLE HAVE TO BE SO STUPID? WHY?”

 

            Alex couldn’t help but smile at how upset Hermione got when EJ attacked him. Alex was used to people like EJ, but it was nice to see how much she cared for him. She noticed Alex staring at her and quickly regained her composer.

            “I’m sorry. I probably sound like a crazy person.” She apologized.

            “No, no it’s ok”. Alex quickly responded. “It’s just. I’ve never had…well what I mean is…” Alex was struggling to find the right words. “You’re just a really good friend Hermione. Thank you.”

 

Her mood took a complete one eighty. “Oh it’s not nothing Alex. You would have done the same for me.” She said timidly.

           

            And Alex did honestly feel that would have done the same. It was kind of a new concept for him. All of this “friends” back home (and by friends he meant the kids of his dad’s associates) would gladly step on you if they thought it would elevate their position.

           

            “Come on” he heard himself say. “Let’s go check out the school store.” She smiled and allowed him to lead the way.

           

            They walked around the store both marveling at the assortment of products. Hermione’s eyes would light up every time she noticed something she fancied. They were searching around an assortment of house gear when she let out a gasp. She stared unabashed at a bronze eagle pin, the symbol of Ravenclaw, with striking blue gems for eyes. She exclaimed how beautiful it was. Finally she pulled herself away as they crossed the isle to the novelty charms section. She came across a sign for a necklace that changed colors depending on your mood. The container was empty however and there was a sign that read “Out of Stock”.

            “I used to have something like this. I was six,” she said wistfully. “My parents and I were held up in this little basement of a BT’s house.”  

            “BT?” Alex asked confused.

           

“It’s short for Blood Traitors. I’m sure you know that wizarding families who support muggles and muggle borns are called blood traitors. Well, they kind of took to calling themselves BT’s so they could refer to each other without Loyalists knowing what they were talking about. Anyways, my family and a couple others who ran were hiding in on the BT’s basements. It was my birthday and my father called me over and had me close my eyes and hold out my hands. He put something small in my hands I opened them to find this little ring. He told me that it was magic and would change colors to match my mood. This was before I knew I was a witch. I was so little and I saw how much better it was for witches and wizards. I thought maybe, I mean it felt like I was finally part of the world rather than just hiding from it.

            Her eyes started to tear up as she recalled the story. Her lip quivered and she seemed to be teetering on the brink of completely losing it. Alex put his hand on her shoulder know that he should just be quiet and she would go on if she wanted to. She let out a big sniff and continued, her voice barely above a whisper.

           

“My parents went out that night to nick some extra food for my birthday. The family whose house we were staying at was generous, but they didn’t have much. I was so happy with my ring I barely noticed them leaving. I never saw them again.”

 

            Alex stood in stunned silence for a few seconds. He wasn’t sure how he should respond. He felt foolish for complaining about his life. Here he was complaining about his super rich dad being too powerful, when Hermione hadn’t seen her parents since she was a kid.

 She was purposefully looking away not letting Alex see her this vulnerable. Finally he just wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug and she started sobbing into his chest. After about a minute she pulled away.

            “It was just a silly muggle ring. It wasn’t even real magic. It’s just…it was the last thing I had of my parents.

            “What happened to it?” Alex ventured out cautiously.

           

“I got angry at them a couple years ago for disappearing. It was my birthday again and I threw it in a lake. I spent the entire next day in there searching for it, but I couldn’t find it.”

“Alex wanted to ask more, but tact dictated he should wait and not push her when she was already in this fragile state.

“Do you mind if I have a minute Alex?” Hermione asked.

 

Alex nodded in agreement and turned to let her regain her composer. He was walking through the isles when he saw the familiar face of Draco Malfoy. He was slightly taller than Alex, with hair that was so blonde, that it looked white. He face held a permanent smirk on it, as if everything was beneath and therefore funny. Draco noticed Alex and strode his way.

           

            “Hello Snape” he uttered.

            “Draco” Alex responded curtly. Malfoy was the last person that Alex wished to see right now. He especially didn’t want her noticing Hermione. He instinctively looked over in her direction when he thought of her. He tried to stop himself, but it was no use. Draco followed his gaze and spotted Hermione. 

 

            “Ah I see you’ve already got a pet as well.” He sniggered and glanced back at two burly looking boys standing just outside the store. “Crabbe and Goyle. They’re dumber than giant oaf who brought to the castle last night, but they do whatever I say. Their fathers used to work for my father. Both purebloods, but near yours or mine’s station. Enough to carry my books around eh Snape.” He chuckled. His voice was arrogant, born from centuries of undeserved self-entitlement.

 

            “What about yours Snape? What is she pure or half?”

 

Alex was feeling a mixture of anger, resentment, and panic. Part of him however, somewhere in the back of his mind was saying just go with it. He could fake a laugh at Draco’s jokes and play along with him and avoid a confrontation. His father had told him to keep his head low this year and getting on the wrong side of one of the most powerful families in England, was certainly not keeping your head low.  Besides Hermione was on the other side of the store, she would never even know.

No he thought. Hermione had stuck up for him earlier. She was his first real friend and he was not going to treat her like the Malfoys treated people.

 

“At least we know she isn’t a filthy mudblood.” Draco joked. “Our fathers have made certain those kind don’t disgrace these halls anymore.”

 

The anger was churning heavily in Alex’s stomach now. He wanted to punch stupid Malfoy in his stupid pale face. He was losing control of it and had to take a deep breath in order to calm himself. Hermione had told him on the train how offensive that word was to her. He realized that he didn’t think vey much of it either. Fighting back the urge to hit him, Alex simply said, “I wouldn’t care if she was”.

 

He didn’t shout it, but instead poured as much iciness into his words as he could. Malfoy, looked slightly taken aback. He had not been expecting that kind of answer coming from the son of Severus Snape. Somehow, thinking of that made him happy. It was the first time he really felt like he separated himself from his father.

 

            Draco collected himself and returned to his usual annoying, arrogant self.

            “I see why the sorting hat didn’t think you were worthy of Slytherin, Snape. My father and I had a good laugh about that when I told him. I’m surprised they didn’t just throw you into Hufflepuff.”

            “Why don’t you and your father go have a nice laugh with Lord Voldemort, Draco Everyone knows they were buddy buddy”.

Malfoy’s mouth curled into a deep scowl. “You overstep Snape. I shan’t forget this”. And with that he turned on his heel and marched off clearly furious.

 

            Hermione had just walked back over to Alex. Her eyes were still red, but it looked like she was doing much better than a couple of minutes ago.

           

            “Ready to go? She asked.

 

            Neither of them spoke about the moment they had shared. He knew that nothing more needed to be said on the topic unless she wanted to share more with him.

            “Who was that boy you were talking to?” She chimed nonchalantly. She feigned normal conversation, but Alex could tell she was actually very interested in the boy for some reason. “Is he a friend of yours?”

 

            “Friend of the family I suppose”, Alex retorted. “He’s an absolutely dreadful person. Pure blood type that thinks they have the right to govern the world because of their name. His father um…. sort of works for my father.”

 

            “Oh-thank-goodness-I-thought-he-was-a-friend-of-yours.” Hermione spoke so fast she didn’t even pause. “He was absolutely awful to me at Kings Cross Station. I was walking through the station when he bumped into me. Then he started berating me like it was my fault. Called me some awful names.”

 

            “Doesn’t surprise me. His father is one of the wealthiest persons in Europe. They think they’re better than everyone else because of their pure bloodline and money. I’ve always disliked him. Their whole family has been in Slytherin for generations. Unfortunately, it looks like we’ll be seeing a lot of them this year.”

 

            “Why do you say that?” Hermione asked.

 

            “His father teaches the Combative Arts class here and guess which house we’re sharing that class with.” Alex grumbled.          

 

            Hermione looked as thought she was going to be sick. “At least it’s at dueling class, maybe we can get a couple good shots at Draco over the course of the year.” Alex sighed.

 

            That seemed to cheer Hermione up. “Well we better find our Tuesday and Wednesday classes. Let’s go. The walked out to find the rest of their classes, hoping they didn’t’ run into any more excitement.

 

            “Oh I forgot my bag in the store. I’ll be right back.” Alex lied. It wasn’t so much that he forgot it in there, but more that he left in there on purpose so he could have the chance to go back in there without Hermione being able to see. He emerged from the store a couple minutes later, hoping his face wasn’t giving away his secret. After finding their last three classes (Potions, Muggle Studies, and History of Magic) they made their way back to the Ravenclaw common room.

 Hermione let Alex answer the riddle this time, even though it was the same as before. The common room was almost deserted. There a few first years standing around, looking unsure what they should be doing. There was an older boy and girl in the corner by the fireplace, sucking on each other’s faces. Alex purposefully turned his back towards them.

            Alex was rather confused by the lack of people in the Ravenclaw common room. Whenever his dad took him into the Syltherin common room, back when he was head of the Slytherin house, it was always filled with students talking, laughing, playing pranks on each other. The Ravenclaw room was rather tame compared to that. This was where everybody was supposed to hangout and spend their free time.

            Just then he noticed the prefect Ronnie walking from the boy’s dormitory, towards the exit. Alex got his attention just before he reached the door.

 

            “Where is everybody?” Alex asked him.

            “Oh hello Alex and you’re Hermione correct? They’re all at the common room of course.” He chuckled.

Alex looked around the room confused. He was certain there was almost nobody in here, unless all the Ravenclaw students could turn invisible. Ronnie noticed his confused expression and let out a healthy laugh.

            “They’re in the library Alex. That’s the running joke of our house. We spend so much time in there, that the library is actually our common room.” He smirked and made his way out the door.

           

            “Do you want to go the library and study as well?” Alex asked her.

           

“I was worried about how loud it would be in the common room and whether it would be distracting.” She replied. “Seems like I was worried for nothing. It’s quiet enough in here and I’m exhausted. Let’s just stay here.”

 

They sat down in a nice set of comfy armchairs. The sun was setting which made the common room much darker. Luckily lamps going around the room automatically turned on to the perfect brightness. The temperature was starting to cool as well, so the fireplace blazed to life sending a warm cozy feeling throughout the room.

 They decided to read the first chapter of their transfiguration book since they had that class first thing tomorrow morning. Hermione had just opened the book when Alex stopped her.

            “Before we start, I wanted to give you something. I got it for you at the store, I hope you like it.” He blurted out and pulled a small gift-wrapped parcel from one of his pockets.

            Hermione looks surprised. “You didn’t have to do that Alex,” but the soft tone of her voice made him very glad that he did.

           

She took the gift and unwrapped it to reveal the bronze eagle pin that she had been admiring earlier. She studied it for a second and Alex thought maybe had hadn’t really liked it as much as she’d been letting on. Then a huge smile lit up her face. “I love it!” She burst out and pinned it on the right side of her robes. “That was really kind of you.”

 

Alex smiled as she went to go examine it in a mirror. He wasn’t very happy to be a Snape most of the time, but his family fortune did come in handy here. The Pin itself had cost him fifteen galleons, half of what he had brought with him to school. It was absolutely worth every galleon to see Hermione’s face light up, especially after how sad she was earlier. After a couple seconds, she came back over and sat down. She had a slight mischievous look in her brown eyes.

 

“I actually got you something too, Alex.”  She stated happily. “I picked it out while you were talking with that boy, Draco. It’s not as nice as your gift, but I hope you like it”, and she handed him a wrapped parcel as well.

 

“I’m sure I’ll love it Hermione.” Alex assured her. He opened the box to reveal a feather quill and inkbottle. The feather was jet black, which must have come off either a raven or a crow. The inkbottle was a round and circular in shape. It was the same midnight black color as the feather. Alex was very touched that Hermione had thought of him.

“It’s wonderful”, he proclaimed.

“It gets better as well,” she quipped excitedly. “Watch this”.

She took the feather from him and rotated the pointed end, like you would turn a key. The feather suddenly started collapsing in on itself. It kept shrinking until only the nib was left and then started to curl. Alex stared in shock as a black ring had wrapped itself around Hermione’s finger.

           

            “To turn it back, you just press into this indent”, and she pointed out and indented section on the ring. “The bottle transfigures as well.” Hermione placed the lid onto the bottle. She then pushed the tip of the lid handle down and it started to shrink as well until it had become a matching black bracelet.

 

            “So what do you think?” She asked nervously.

Alex loved it. He had never been a jewelry type of guy, but this seemed to fit perfect with him. Plus the fact that Hermione got it for him, made it ten times more appealing. She looked at him with a nervous, but expectant look and Alex realized that he hadn’t answered her yet.

 

            “I think it’s brilliant” he spurted out smiling. Hermione was positively beaming.

 

            After Alex had tested his new quill and inkbottle himself, they sat the rest of the night studying for the coming weeks worth of classes. After a couple hours of quality book time, they decided to head up to bed to rest before their first day of classes. After wishing her goodnight, Alex headed up to the boy’s dormitory. Alex opened the door to his room and found all the beds were vacant except one which had the curtain drawn already.

 

            He changed out of his robes and into his pajamas. He was about to pull the curtain on his bed when he heard a voice coming from in the room.

 

            “Alex?” the voice ventured out.

Alex looked over and saw that the curtain had been drawn back on the previously closed bed. A boy slowly made his way towards his bed. Alex turned on his lamp and was shocked to see EJ’s face staring at him.

 

“EJ, I’m not in the mood to fight. If you want to tell me off again, just do it tomorrow.” Alex grumbled.

           

            EJ seemed to consider this for a moment but then his face hardened again.

            “Look Alex” He was shifting uncomfortably as he spoke. “I’m sorry about earlier.”

 

Alex sat there shocked for a moment. He had not been expecting EJ to apologize. He was so taken aback, he blurted out something like “Uhhwha?”

 

            “I was a jerk earlier”, he continued. “I just assumed that you were exactly like your dad, but I realize that I was wrong. I followed you guys from the Great Hall to try and apologize to Hermione and I overheard your conversation with the blond hair kid. It was really good of you to stand up to him. I know you must hate me right now, but I hope someday we might be able to be friends, because I could use a friend like you.”

 

            Alex still harbored a little resentment for how EJ treated him earlier, but he realized how hard it was to apologize and admit you were wrong.

            “We’re ok EJ”, Alex said and stuck out his hand.

 

            EJ looked a little surprised by the gesture but grabbed Alex’s hand and shook it. Nothing more was needed to be said, so EJ retreated back to his bed and pulled the curtain closed again. Alex closed his curtain as well and fell asleep happy at the how things turned around between him and EJ.