NOVEL NEXT Chapter 17: Draco
Draco Malfoy's first days at Hogwarts were a whirlwind of emotions. He had been excited to finally attend the prestigious school and learn to become a true wizard, just like his father. Yet, beneath that excitement lay a lingering sadness and resentment. He had always imagined going to Hogwarts with Dante by his side, but his brother had refused, choosing instead to stay at home claiming to do some research. Something even their parents were skeptical about.
Draco had grown up idolizing his older brother. Dante was everything Draco aspired to be—strong, skilled, and intelligent. Even their father, Lucius, who rarely showed approval, heeded Dante's words and treated him with a level of respect Draco had never experienced. Their godfather, Severus Snape, a master potioneer and one of the most respected professors at Hogwarts, also held Dante in high regard. To Draco, Dante was more than just an older brother; he was a figure of admiration, someone who stood above others.
But then, everything changed. Dante stopped attending Hogwarts in the middle of his first year and vanished into the muggle world cutting off connection to their family completely. Draco was left confused and hurt. He didn't understand why his brother would abandon their family and the wizarding world for lowly muggles. His parents seemed just as lost, and Draco had watched his mother oscillate between sadness and anger, often arguing with Lucius about Dante's behavior.
Draco knew he could never match Dante's raw talent and intelligence, but he was determined to make his parents proud. He would be the obedient son, the one who stayed true to their values and upheld the Malfoy name.
On his first day, Draco boarded the Hogwarts Express with a mix of excitement and determination. He had heard about the famous savior, Harry Potter, and was eager to meet him. When he finally did, Draco tried to act civil and friendly, observing the boy closely. But he couldn't see what made Harry so remarkable and famous. To Draco, Harry looked scrawny, cowardly, weak and had no knowledge of the magical world. And to make matters worse, Harry seemed to get along with Ron Weasley, a boy from a family Draco had been taught to look down upon.
Later that day, Draco was sorted into Slytherin, just as he had expected. Harry and Ron, however, were sorted into Gryffindor. Draco knew then that they would be at odds for the rest of their time at Hogwarts.
The first few weeks at Hogwarts were pleasant for Draco. He excelled in his classes, earning points to his house and praises from the professors for his skill, knowledge, and talent. His father had trained him well since childhood, and even Dante had stepped in to teach him occasionally. That early preparation made all the difference, and Draco quickly became the top student in his year with no competition.
But then, one day, Professor Flitwick made an offhanded comment that flipped his life in Hogwarts. "You are doing exceptionally well, Mr. Malfoy," the professor said. "The only student I've seen perform better than you is your older brother. It's a pity he left Hogwarts. He would have made a great wizard had he stayed."
The comment opened the floodgates. Soon, everyone in the first year knew about Dante Malfoy—the prodigy who had left Hogwarts to live with muggles. Draco felt the weight of their stares, especially from his fellow Slytherins. They looked at him as if wondering if he, too, would one day abandon the wizarding world.
The worst came when Ron Weasley mocked him openly. "With all your pure-blood talk and money," Ron sneered, "your brother became a muggle. What does that say about your family?"
Draco's face burned with embarrassment and anger. A fight broke out, and though Draco had beaten Ron thoroughly, the sting of Ron's words lingered. He felt a growing resentment toward Dante. Why had his brother left? Why had he brought this shame upon their family?
Draco's resentment only deepened when he received a letter from his mother. She asked how he was doing and hoped he would make friends in Hogwarts, the letter briefly mentioned that Dante was still holed up in his workshop, rarely leaving. The letter was a painful reminder of the divide in their family, and Draco began to hate his older brother for bringing shame and causing so much pain.
Then, one morning, everything changed again. As the students gathered in the Great Hall for breakfast, the daily edition of The Daily Prophet arrived. The front page bore an unexpected headline: 'Dante Malfoy Unveils Revolutionary 'Magic Circuits'—A New Era of Magic Begins'
The article outlined how the once-famous potion prodigy, Dante Malfoy, had resurfaced after years of silence to unveil a groundbreaking new field of his own creation: "magic circuits." These circuits, the article claimed, had the potential to revolutionize the magical world forever. Renowned scholars and magical theorists had already validated his work, marveling at the young boy's ingenuity. One expert was quoted as saying, 'This is the kind of innovation that comes once in a millennium. Dante Malfoy has redefined what we thought was possible with magic.' Draco read the article in disbelief. Was this what his brother had been doing for the past two or three years?
Draco looked around the great hall, students and professors alike were talking about Dante's achievement. Draco felt a mix of emotions—pride, confusion, and a lingering resentment. His brother had done something extraordinary, something that would undoubtedly bring honor to the Malfoy name.
The news of Dante's groundbreaking discovery spread like wildfire through Hogwarts. By the end of breakfast, every student in the Great Hall was buzzing about the "magic circuits" and the prodigy who had created them. Draco, however, found himself at the center of attention in a way he hadn't anticipated.
"Draco, is it true? Your brother really created something that could change magic forever?" A group of students approached him as he was about to leave the great hall.
Before Draco could respond, a Ravenclaw chimed in. "Do you know how it works? Did he ever talk to you about it?"
Draco hesitated, unsure of how to answer. He had no idea what Dante had been working on, and the sudden attention took him off guard. "I… I don't know much about it," he admitted, his voice tinged with frustration. "He's been busy with his research."
The questions didn't stop there. Throughout the day, students from every house approached him, eager to ask about Dante and his work. Even the professors seemed intrigued. During the charm class, Professor Filtwick began by asking, "Mr. Malfoy, has your brother shared any details about his research with you? His work on magic circuits is most intriguing."
Draco shook his head, feeling a mix of pride and irritation. "No, Professor. He hasn't."
By the end of the day, Draco's resentment toward his brother had begun to fade. The constant questions and admiration for Dante's work made him realize just how extraordinary his brother truly was. But it wasn't until he ran into Ron Weasley that everything clicked into place.
As Draco walked through the courtyard, he spotted Ron and Harry sitting on a bench, whispering about something. Ron noticed Draco and smirked. "Hey, Malfoy! Heard your brother's gone mad scientist. What's next? Is he going to start building muggle cars or something?"
Draco's eyes narrowed, but instead of feeling embarrassed, he felt a surge of confidence. He walked over to Ron, a smug smile on his face. "You know, Weasley, my brother did in two years what your entire family couldn't do in centuries. He just revolutionized magic while you're still struggling to cast a simple Levitation Charm."
Ron's face turned as red as his hair, and he opened his mouth to retort, but no words came out. Harry glared at Draco, but Draco didn't care. For the first time in weeks, he felt a sense of satisfaction. The resentment he had felt toward Dante melted away, replaced by a newfound pride in his brother's achievements.
For now, though, Draco was content to bask in the reflected glory of Dante's success. And if that meant shutting up Ron Weasley in the process, all the better.