2«Draco Malfoy

It was lucky that Harry, Ron, and Hermione were in Justine’s classes. She found out immediately that she would’ve easily gotten lost. And she never would’ve known how to react to a ghost known as Peeves, who had been bouncing back and forth through the long hallway.

Their first class for the day was Herbology, with a friendly teacher called Professor Sprout. Sprout was a plump and cheerful woman, and she seemed to be fun to learn from. Already, Justine had met three teachers, and they all seemed extremely nice.

That, however, changed when she entered her first Potions class. Harry had warned her first thing that Professor Snape didn’t like any students except his own Slytherins, which he was the head of the house for. And, unlucky for the Gryffindors, the Potions class was also doubled up with Slytherin students.

The four Gryffindors took a seat at the middle table. There were cauldrons at each place, along with a few bottles of ingredients for a potion Justine figured they’d be putting together today.

Suddenly, the teacher burst through the doors, holding a rolled up parchment in his hand. He was thin, with shoulder-length black hair, and black eyes embedded in his pale face. He wore all black, which seemed to reflect his personality that showed on his face.

At first Justine didn’t notice, but it wasn’t until Professor Snape stormed through the doors and marched up to the front of the class that there was a familiar face sitting two rows in front of her. She didn’t see his face, but recognized the slick blonde hair. He seemed to be everywhere she went. And she knew this much about him, he was a Slytherin, which couldn’t be good.

“Don’t worry about it,” Hermione tried to tell Justine. “We all lose points at some time during Snape’s class. It’s impossible for us not to, with him being the head of Slytherin.”

“But my first class? I felt terrible!” Justine took a seat on a bench in the courtyard. At this time, they had a study period and then lunch.

“I lost points my very first day in Snape’s class too. Don’t feel bad,” Harry told her. “Snape hates me more than anyone, and I’ll bet you anything that I’ll lose more points from him than the three of you put together.”

“Its true,” Ron said. “Snape hates Harry’s guts!”

“Doesn’t he like anyone?” Justine asked, starting to feel better.

Hermione snickered. “Of course—anyone that’s a Slytherin. But his favorite student is Draco Malfoy.”

“Who?”

“Draco Malfoy,” Ron said in an unpleasant voice. “Surely you’ve spotted his ugly face out of the class today. He was sitting two rows in front of us.”

Justine thought for a moment. “You mean that kid with the blonde hair? He’s the one that bumped into me the first night.”

“I bet it was on purpose. He hates anyone that’s not a pureblood and that’s not in Slytherin. He thinks he’s the best thing to ever happen to the world, and his father lets it be known too. His father even bought Draco’s way onto the Slytherin Quidditch team!”

“He’s just a mean, dirty, no good jerk,” Hermione added, remembering the first time he made fun of her. “He called me a mudblood back in second year and ever since then that’s been his favorite name for me.”

“He doesn’t like muggle borns then, huh?” Justine looked at her feet.

“Hell no!” Ron exclaimed. “He hates them. His entire family is against muggles.”

“Well, then he wouldn’t like me very much I expect.”

“Why? Are you a muggle-born?” Harry asked.

“Yes. My parents are muggles.”

“Then you’re with me,” Hermione smiled. “Like sisters.”

Later that day, when all the classes were over, the four Gryffindors went to the Great Hall to do their homework and to study. Justine had liked all of her classes, except Potions, of course. She was now working on her History of Magic homework. But now that she thought of it, Professor Binns, (who was the only ghost teacher), was quite boring.

Harry and Hermione had been talking, while she and Ron were working. Then a shadow loomed over their end of the table. Justine looked up to see the deathly stare of Draco Malfoy. He gave a half smile, only not in a pleasant way.

“So, I see you gained another warrior, Potter,” he said. Sarcasm could be easily sensed in his voice.

“What’s it to you, Malfoy?” Ron asked giving another death stare at Malfoy.

Malfoy raised an eyebrow and looked up, thinking to himself what it did mean to him. Then he looked at Justine. “Just another loser to make fun of. Pity you had to lose points for you house, Tidewater. Especially on your first day.” He chuckled to himself as he joined what must be two of his friends who had just entered the Great Hall.

“See what a jerk he is?” Ron asked, closing his books. “You can’t even think straight after he’s graced you with his wonderful presence.”

Justine took Ron’s comment into consideration as she watched Malfoy sit down at the Slytherin table. He was right. Malfoy did cause you not to think straight after he made an appearance.

«««

A few days had passed, and Justine was almost finding it a bit hard to keep up with the everyday occurrences of Hogwarts. She had met some of the ghosts, including Nearly Headless Nick, Moaning Myrtle, and of course Peeves, but she had mixed reactions to all of them. The gamekeeper, Hagrid, was a definite favorite of hers. He was extremely nice and didn’t care if she was a muggle or a sorceress. And then there was Mr. Filch and his cat, Mrs. Norris. Another one Justine took note to stay away from.

By the end of their first week, Justine had learned all about her friends’ past adventures in the school. She had found them all fascinating. However, they were at the end of their story of the Chamber of Secrets when none other than Draco Malfoy appeared, adding his two cents.

“Trying to get her to worship you, Potter?” He snickered.

“Leave us alone, Malfoy,” Harry said, rolling his eyes.

“What’s a matter, Potter? Afraid she might not believe you?”

Justine didn’t know why, but she felt the need to stand up to the Slytherin. “For your information, I find their stories interesting. I’m sorry if you don’t have any dignity, but perhaps you could find it within yourself to keep that mouth of yours sealed and your nose out of our business.”

Harry, Ron, and Hermione were silent, their mouths hanging open. However, Malfoy gave a very different expression. His eyes narrowed and his lips formed a large smug frown. “Figures you had to be a little goody-goody like Miss Mudblood over there. Are you two cousins? Because you’re just as annoying.” He turned and marched off, his black robes swishing behind him.

When Malfoy had disappeared from sight, Ron jumped up. “Justine! That was amazing!” he shouted. “I never thought you’d be someone to tell Malfoy off like that!”

“Well, I didn’t really want to…”

“Nonsense,” Hermione said. “That was pure bliss. I think you just made Malfoy’s unhappy day.”