Chapter Text
I stand in the Great Hall nervously, waiting for my turn to be sorted. One by one, the students’ names are being called and sorted out, each announcement earns a round of applause. I look around, and my brother is still nowhere to be found. I snap my head to Professor McGonagall when my name is called out and the crowd opens up to have a look at me. I walk and stand before the four House tables. Everyone quiet down as they anticipate my turn. The name Potter does not go unheard. The Sorting Hat is placed on my head and I try my best to calm down.
“Hmm. another Potter? You are a lot tough to decide than your brother. Same wits, bravery and mischievousness. And yet, you heart obviously belong to,” it pauses and everyone hold their breath, “Slytherin!”
The entire hall falls silent. Professor McGonagall ushers me to the Slytherin table and continues to call out students’ names. Though, no one seems to be paying that much attention to her anymore. I can feel the eyes watching me as I make my way to my seat. A few students whisper as I pass by them, already creating gossips. I sit as far away as possible from everyone else. I pay no mind to the other students as I’m busy looking for Harry. When I fail to see him anywhere, I try to distract myself by taking a look around and taking in the sight before me.
With my eyes darting around, I accidently catch the stare of the one I intend to avoid the most, Draco Malfoy. He smiles when our eyes meet, but it seems more like a threat than an attempt to welcome me. I avoid his gaze after and duck my head slightly. I know of his strong influence within the House. Not to mention, his obvious hatred towards my brother and his friends. I can only hope to be out of his way as much as possible.
The Feast begins and I continue to ignore Malfoy’s stare on me. I try to act as casually as possible. I am just another student. I am just a witch. Everyone around me is talking amongst themselves, already making new friends. But I can feel it. The tension in the air. The Slytherin table is filled with ambitious students, eager to make their mark. And I have no doubt that to do so, they would start with me. I keep my guard up as I grow more anxious. Where is Harry now that I need him?
“Looks like we have another Potter joining us. As if one is not enough to make our lives miserable, and now one of them is in Slytherin? The world has become a joke!”, a voice can be heard above the chatters. I look over and see Malfoy laughing with his friends. Although his body is facing the other way around, with how loud he is talking, it is no surprise that he wants the whole table to hear his mockery. And heard they did. Some of them scoff in agreement while others just simply snicker, excited that Malfoy has started the insult train.
I keep myself quiet. I can see Malfoy smiles smugly as he waits for my reaction, but soon realized that I have no intention to give him the satisfaction. Students begin to mutter at the situation. Besides, one simply does not ignore the young Malfoy. The boy in question flushes at this and resorts to being petty. He takes one of the meatballs from the bowl in front of him and spell it to drop in my soup. The dish splatter all over my robe, leaving the fabric drenched, and everyone laughs. I bite my lip in frustration, still refusing to further entertain the boy. He scoffs and turn back to talk to his friends. People around me still look over and some are whispering while giggling, clearly still amused about what had just happened.
Time passed and the Feast finally comes to an end. I didn’t bother waiting for anyone and rush out of the hall to avoid any more possible taunts and go straight to the dormitory. However, luck is clearly playing tricks on me. In the Common Room, stands Malfoy. When did he even get here, really? His arms are crossed and an arrogant smile on his face. To get to my room, I have to go around him. With the way his eyes are locked onto me, I know that will be impossible.
“What do you want, Malfoy?”, I hiss. The boy has the nerve to shrug.
“I am just checking to see the little Potter who’s got the whole Slytherin table laughing their heads off,” he takes a step closer. This time, he drops his smile and stares straight into my eyes. “You have a lot of nerve showing up here,” he speaks in a low but fierce tone. “What could someone like you possibly have to offer to a House like Slytherin?”.
I calm myself down despite the anger rising in me. I smile sweetly at him and reply, “more than just a few daddy’s money, obviously.” I try to go around him, but he steps in front of me just a second faster.
Malfoy narrows his eyes at me. “Is that so?” he mocks and straighten up. “My father will hear of this,” his voice becomes angry, “once this reaches his ears, you will be a laughingstock in Hogwarts.” He glares with his usual air of smugness. “Who do you think you are anyway?”, he continues. “a little nobody who’s only claim to fame is having the boy wizard as an older brother.” He takes another step forward. “The Potter name means nothing in Slytherin. You better remember that well,” he turns and begins to walk away.
I sneer at the back of his head, “I don’t need a name to earn myself respect. I get the things I deserve, Malfoy,” he turns back to me with one of his eyebrows raised. “You wouldn’t know how that works though, do you?” I taunt him back. Two can certainly play this game.
His smile drops as anger flash in his eyes. He stares at me for a while before speaking. “So, you think you’re special, do you?” he says, his voice deadly quiet. “You think you’re deserving of respect because you’ve earned it?” At this point, students have already arrived in the Common Room. They must have realized the tension between us and stare. Some scurry away at Malfoy’s glare. While others pretended to lounge on the couches, ears keen on hearing the fight between us. At least some of us find this entertaining. Malfoy shakes his head and laugh softly. “Don’t be mistaken, Potter. You’ve already made a big mistake by simply existing in Slytherin house,” he huffs out.
“Let’s just see about that, Malfoy. Don’t be surprise if I ended up being the Pride of the House,” I laugh mockingly in response. That was a lie. I never plan on being anything significant while I am here in Hogwarts. Being a Potter is enough to put the spotlight on me. And most of the time, the attention is unwanted. However, Malfoy’s reaction is too amusing to simply ignore.
“Pride of the House, huh?” he raises his eyebrow at that. His face twisted in a sneer. “You think you can be a bigger name than me in Slytherin?”, he narrows his eye as a mock laughter escapes his lips. “I’ll make your life miserable here before you can even think of do so.”
Just as Malfoy is about to start speak again, the doors open and Professor Snape walks inside the Common Room. Malfoy shuts his mouth and looks over Snape’s direction.
“Well, well, well,” the professor says in his cold, harsh voice. The other Slytherins took notice and falls silent. Everyone finally minding their own business. “Potter and Malfoy, what an amusing pair,” he continues. He looks over at Malfoy before turning his gaze to me. I can feel myself shrinking under his intense stare. Finally, he walks away in a hurry without another word. I take this chance to get away from the place. Malfoy takes notice of this and immediately turns to block my path once again.
“Don’t think Professor Snape will save you next time,” his tone threatening and he walk off towards the boys’ side of the dormitory.
I walk quickly to my room, leaving behind students who are whispering to themselves. I arrive to the door of my room and quickly enter it, shutting the door behind me. I look around and see that none of my roommates are there yet. I doubt they would be here at all. They would probably run out of the room the moment they realized they are roomed with a Potter. I take a deep breath and slump down on my bed. Finally, a chance to relax. I look around the room, finally taking in the interior. I notice my trunk at the foot of the bed. Guess it is time to unpack.
The door suddenly bangs open and I turn to look. Three girls around my age stops as soon as they see me. We stare at each other for a moment.
“Hi,” I greet in a small voice. That is all it takes for them to snap out of it. They move quickly into the room and silently. Each of them goes through their trunks, take out a couple of clothing and are out of the door before I can say another word. I am not surprise that someone offers them a place to stay for the night. Or maybe even throughout their entire time here in Hogwarts. I sigh and continue taking out my robes. At least I got one thing right tonight.