Mauraders 2.0

The Sorting & The First Night

{Time Skip}

After dinner, Dumbledore announced that the house prefects were to lead the new first years to their respective dormitories. At this, I remember my situation. I'm not a Slytherin. I didn't follow family tradition and I ended up in Gryffindor. Don't get me wrong, I love that I'm in the same house as my friends and that I won't lose them to house prejudice. It's just... my father... he was adamant that if I didn't get into Slytherin... he'd disown me... the first oppurtunity he got...

My thoughts are interrupted (again) by the older Weasley from dinner, the one wearing the prefect badge.

"Welcome to Gryffindor. My name is Percy Weasley, and I am your house prefect. If you require help, don't be afraid to ask myself or any other student. Now, if you would please follow me. And stay together."

With that, Percy begins to lead us up countless stairs, along countless corridors, past countless paintings and doorways. I know Gryffindor is situated in one of the towers, but the walk there is ridiculously lengthy. At least I'll stay in shape, climbing all those stairs everyday. When we arrive at the tower, we are faced with a painting of a woman, The Fat Lady I believe.

"Password?"

Percy takes this as an invitation to step forward.

"Caput Draconis."

After receiving the desired password, the Fat Lady's frame swings forward, revealing the common room. Large sofas and armchairs are scattered around, some grouped around tables, others around the fireplace. Two doors, on opposing sides of the room, presumably lead to the dorms, which Percy then confirms.

"The door on the right leads to the girl's dormitory. The first floor you reach will be the first year dorms. If you ladies would like to go and get settled in..."

As the girls rush off to their room, Percy leads us boys to our dorms. As with the girls, our room is on the first floor of a small side tower. Percy tells us that there are 7 floors in total, and that as we progress through our time at Hogwarts our dorms will move up until we are on the 7th floor of the tower as seventh years. He then takes his leave, going back the way we came, as he has to inform Professor Dumbledore that we are all settling into the direct dorms.

As we enter the room, I can see 6 beds, 3 on each side of the room, with a trunk in front of each one. I discover that my bed is the furthest from the door on the right, with Harry next to me and Ron next to him. Opposite are the other boys in our year: Neville Longbottom, Dean Thomas, and Seamus Finnegan. Neville and Seamus keep glancing at me, sending dirty looks. I guess it's to be expected, what with my family's reputation. So I decide it's time to make amends, at least on my part. I decide to start with Dean, because he's the only one besides my friends who seems comfortable around me.

"Hi, my names Draco Malfoy. What's your name?"

"Malfoy, eh? You must be the one Seamus tried to warn me about. I didn't listen, clearly. Oh, my name's Dean Thomas, by the way. I don't know why everyone thinks you're bad. According to Seamus, everyone in your family was a Slytherin, but you became a Gryffindor. Therefore, you can't be that bad. And I'd like to be friends, if that's okay with you?"

Did... did I just hear that right? Seamus told Dean about me, and Dean still decided to talk to me. And ask me to be his friend. Amazing.

"Of course, I'd like to be your friend Dean."

Ok, now for the harder ones. I decide to do Neville last, since my family has done most wrong by him. So I walk up to the Irish boy and introduce myself, just as before. He takes a moment to respond, but when he does, he's rather polite.

"My name is Seamus Finnegan. I... I can tell you're different to your family. I mean, you willingly made friends with two muggleborns. And you are friends with Harry. There is no way that you are like your father if they are the friends you chose to have. On that note, I'd also like to be your friend, Draco."

After thanking Seamus for his blunt honesty, I walk up to Neville, deciding to use a different approach.

"Um hey, it's Neville, right? I, uh, just wanted to, uh, apologize for my family's actions. I know my Aunt has done majorly wrong by you, and I am sincerely sorry for what ha..."

"Draco. Don't worry. I never blamed you, only Bellatrix and the Lestranges. It was their fault and they can carry that burden. You don't have to apologize. And I'd like to be friends if you don't mind. You seem completely different to the rest of your family, and you've proved with Harry, Dean and Hermione that we have no reason to be prejudiced against you."

I... I mean... I don't... Everyone has forgiven me. They have agreed to put behind their original prejudice and be my friend. I've only just arrived at Hogwarts and things are working out amazingly. Except the whole housing dilemma... but who cares? If my father disowns me, it would further prove that I want to be different.

All around me, the other boys are getting ready for bed, setting out their robes for the morning and settling in for the year. I do the same, quickly changing from my standard plain black robes, now adorned with the gold and red Gryffindor lion, into my pyjamas, plain black bottoms and a white top. Climbing into my bed, I say goodnight to my dormmates and close the curtains. As I lay down I think 'what will my parents say' before succumbing to the peaceful void of sleep.