The Prince's Daughter

Class

My first class was with my father, potions. I was the first in the room, picking a table in the back, off to the side. According to my schedule, I was going to be with the Slytherins and the Gryffindors. As the students poured in, I saw that Draco, Harry, and Ron were in the class. Harry and Ron didn't even see me there, and sat at a table some ways away. I slumped, looking down at the table. I knew they hadn't meant it to be hurtful, but it was, still.

Soon the room was filled, and I still sat alone. I told myself it wasn't a big deal; surely few people had as good friends as Ron and Harry on the first day. But as I looked around, everyone seemed to be chatting very amiably with their seat mate, and still I sat alone.

Suddenly, the seat next to me screeched as it was pulled back. I jumped.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."

It was the mean blonde boy from before. Draco Malfoy. I turned away from him.

"Leave me alone. I don't want to be friends. You're mean."

He frowned, a hint of hurt glittering in his eyes. "I think we got off on the wrong foot. My name is Draco. Draco Malfoy. I'm a Slytherin, and my father works at the ministry of magic while my mother stays home and takes care of the estate. Now, you know as much about me as I know about you. You could share more, if you were inclined."

I took a long, measured look at the boy. His interest seemed sincere, but who was I to guess at his true motivation?

"As you know, my name is Alyssa Snape. I don't have a house. My father is the potions professor here, and my mother is dead. At night I wander the halls and make friends with the spirits, teachers, and animals around the school. I also like banana ice cream." I babbled quietly. Draco smiled, and opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted by the door slamming open as Father strides in, his cloak swishing menacingly behind him. He seemed very unlike the father who had encouraged me to make friends at the station.

As he went through announcing the class, he started picking at Harry for writing notes. Hermione was trying her best to answer the questions, but father brushed her off and took points away for her answering, even though she was correct.

"But that's not fair!" I said insistently, standing up at my place. His cold glare snapped to me.

"Excuse me?"

I shrank under the power of his gaze. "T-that's not fair. S-she was right."

He drew himself up to his full height, glaring down his nose at me. "You would do well to hold your tongue. You may be my daughter, but this is my classroom. Here, I am in charge and may do as I please, is that clear?"

With every word, I shrank in my seat, quaking in fear. Father had never yelled at me like this before....

"IS THAT CLEAR?!"

"Yes sir!" I squeaked, fully cowering in my chair.

"Twenty points from Gryffindor," He said sharply, "since you have no house to take from."

Every Gryffindor in the room glared at me, and tears sprang unbidden to my eyes. As father turned away, Draco gently took my hand under the table, squeezing it gently. His quiet support steadied me, and I made it through the class without breakdown or incident.

As soon as it was over, however, I sprang from my seat and ran out of the room before father could call me back, racing up the stairs and into the courtyard. I sat on a bench behind a shrub to take a breath, and I was just about to go back to my room when Ron and Harry appeared.

"Honestly, she's so annoying. She seemed nice enough on the boat, but she's so weird, and just lost us twenty points! It's no wonder no one wants to be her friend," Ron said to Harry, unaware of my presence. Heat and shame rushed through my face, and I tried to gather my things up quietly and hurriedly so I could leave in peace. As I turned, however, my foot got caught on a cracked paving stone and I went down, books and papers scattering everywhere. There was a sharp crack as my ink bottle hit and cracked, spilling darkness all over my works. They turned to see what had caused the commotion, and promptly went white. I gathered my spilt things as quickly as possible, slicing my hand on my broken ink jar in my haste, and tried to stand. A sharp pain split my ankle, and I went down again.

"Alyssa!"

I looked up quickly, recognizing the familiar voice. "Cedric?"