THE ROWLING STONES

the scarlet steam train's billowing smoke, there was a signboard announcing that the Hogwarts Express would depart at eleven o'clock. A standard mu

ls and other unusual pets. Their parents leaned over them, spelling out dos and don'ts. A wrought-iron archway with the

rts robes from Madam Malkin's, but his seemed to be fancier, perhaps an exclusive set woven for an extra charge. He carried the most lavish basket, as pompous as galleons could afford, laden with

nance, was almost done explaining to his son

ages at his disposal, with servants and house-elves accompanying him to Hogwarts. It was the meddling muggle-lover Minister Gambol

rowing influence in the upper echelons of the Ministry of Magic. The Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge was a close friend of Lucius, and the Malfoy househ

bledore is a muggle-lover too. If you get any evidence that he

l, Father," Draco

oud, son,"

band's discourse. She was a tall, good-lookin

," she said in her deep, cold

f red-headed adults and children, a few yards to their right. The Weasleys, who seemed to always wear se

was a sentiment that he ne

t get sorted into Slytherin in order to prove that y

is approval when another,

ermine our magical superiority?" The voice belonged to Mara Malfoy, the older Malfoy twi

wasn't the Dark Lord a half-blood? The greatest, most powe

aining composure, he explained to her-"There are exceptions, of course, my dear, but there is no denying the fact that mixing of blood destroys ma

ounding how ignorant you are after ye

said Narcissa, shielding Mara. "

ore than what Father has fed him over the years." She eyed Dra

status. There is evidence that inbreeding within pure-blood families like the G

nd with rage and

ak against the pu

as an immediate rise in the bustle, as late-comers boarded hurriedly and families s

ch meant he would tend to her when

on the cheeks. Mara hugged her mothe

ll height, and posed at Draco- "Anyo

, deep-down he was nervous about his first year at Hogwarts. And worried about what trouble Mara may get into in

the grim faces of his parents, who stayed unt

, was joining Hogwarts. Draco wondered if Harry was already accomplished in Defense Against the Dar