Going after family was the unforgivable sin as far as he was concerned.

Draco shrugged, but he did wonder if she was being entirely honest about not taking offense. “Besides, there are bigger reasons for me to dislike Potter and Weasley. Personal ones.” His expression contorted with the anger he felt. “They were responsible for what happened to my father.” ~

terribly boring prospect for Hogwarts.

The Slytherin found himself lost in the bizarre maze of this girl’s mind that her remark about blood purity startled him. Pureblood wizards numbered far fewer than half bloods, so her lineage wasn’t surprising.

“Most wizards and witches are half-bloods.” ~

those he felt were lesser than he or those who assumed some moral superiority like Potter.

“There would be no Quidditch without it.” This girl had strange ideas. “You really think removing competition would bring us together?” Draco posed his question with a sarcastic drawl. It sounded like a ~

Draco frowned at the notion that competition didn’t make people better. “My father says competition drives us to excel.” Undoubtedly, Lucius would deem everything this girl said a load of tosh, or something to that effect. For Draco, competition could motivate particularly when it meant crushing ~

between Slytherins and Gryffindors if you like.” Draco shrugged casually as if to dismiss his anger at the Weasleys as a very small thing.

being praised for just living.” He shook his head with disgust, barely registering the chocolate frog clasped in his hand.

“I could go on, but I imagine it wouldn’t be that interesting to you.” Though maybe it would given the amusement alight in her eyes. “Chalk it up to the bitter rivalry ~

they associated with like Granger.

“He’s always sucking up to that Potter.” Draco spat out the words with such bitterness that perhaps if he had the wherewithal to search inward, he might have wondered if this wasn’t getting closer to the heart of his issues. “Always pretending to be the heroes, ~

Muggle-loving traitors to wizard-kind.” The words might have been his father’s, as Lucius lauded every aspect of pure blood identity. In the elder Malfoy’s view, the Weasleys betrayed reverence for wizarding ways by their association with and defense of Muggles, as well as those of impure families ~

No one dared ask Draco why he despised Ron. Now faced with that very question, which veritably shocked the Slytherin, caused him to fail to recall the litany of reasons he loathed the Weasley clan. Consequently, his response was not as persuasive as it might have been.

“The Weasley clan are ~

stammered out his acceptance with a mumbled “thanks” included. “Draco Malfoy.” He added his name by way of introduction, looking expectantly at the Ravenclaw.

pretended not to notice. This particular Ravenclaw appeared wholly amused and completely unperturbed, which threw Draco off his usual rhythm, which included taking what he wanted from those weaker than he. How…surprising to discover this Ravenclaw offering to share.

“Oh, I…yeah, sure.” He ~

Instead of blurting out that no one asked her opinion, Draco found himself justifying the interaction. “I assure you…they deserved it.” And worse. The Weasleys always wormed their way out of consequences, much to his frustration. Usually, witnesses to his tense moments scurried away after or ~

of Gryffindors was the sound of laughter. A quick glance around confirmed it came from a brunette seated at the table over from his in the Great Hall. “Glad we could provide you with some amusement.” His words lacked their usual bite as he regarded her curiously.

Leave it to those red-headed Weasleys to get under his skin like no other. Draco sneered at the retreating back of Ron, always glued to the side of the chosen Potter as if it was his ticket to fame and fortune. What finally drew him back to the present and away from dark thoughts about the pair ~

the pair scrambled hurriedly around the nearest corner. Instead, his mind returned once more to the letter, making him unaware of the presence of a familiar Gryffindor.

distracted Draco Malfoy dodged a couple of first year Hufflepuffs, barely missing a collision with the startled students who cast apprehensive glances in his direction.

“Boo.” The single word was enough to send them scurrying away from the older Slytherin, but Draco derived no satisfaction as ~