Elemental

Draco Malfoy

I wake up in the morning with a sense of dread before I even consciously remember what happened. Juliana. Oh, gods. I'm so busy worrying about her that I don't even focus on my classes. I just do, I don't even think about it. Then comes detention. Great, I think to myself. On top of everything else.

But here's the thing—twice, I get hit. The impact nearly throws me out of my chair. But other than that, I don't feel a thing. I'm too devastated to think of anything but my best friend and what could happen to her.

I find Beth afterwards. "Beth, I don't know if you've heard, but-"

"Of course I've heard. It's all over the school. You've talked to her?"

"More than that. She gave me an image. And there's a boy who looks about your age. Do you recognize him?" I send her the image. Send—like a...what's the word? Email. I don't use technology, being a demigod and all.

Beth gasps. "This is not good!" she cries as soon as the image pops up on her brain.

"You recognize him?" I ask.

"Only a first-year wouldn't! That's Draco Malfoy! He tried to kill Dumbledore and almost succeeded, too!

"No," I say in disbelief. "That is just not possible. Not Dumbledore. No teenager could have even come close. No Hogwarts student would ever want to."

"I wish that were true."

If Draco Malfoy nearly killed Albus Dumbledore—who, based on what Beth told me, is one of the most skilled wizards of all time—then he must be more than capable of killing a first-year. I don't even want to think about it, so I head to my next class.

I'm so lost in thought trying to think of a plan that I run into this seventh-year gorilla. "Sorry," I mumble and try to continue on my way.

"Not so tough without your friend, are you?" he laughs. I ignore him. "Hey, did you hear me, runt?"

I look up. "I'm sorry, are you talking to me?" I ask.

"Yeah, you!"

"Oh." I look him right in the eye. "So you think you can walk all over me. You think you can crumble me up and tear me apart like a piece of paper." I don't know where my sudden courage—or stupidity—comes from, but I use it.

The guy almost nods. We've attracted a crowd. They've formed a little circle around us. I guess first-years don't stand up to seventh-years every day.

"Well, guess what?" My voice rises with every word. "You're wrong! I—"

"CRUCIO!" he shouts out of nowhere. It's so sudden that I almost don't even notice it.

I let out a cry of surprise and somehow manage to duck. "Stupefy!" I yell.

He leans to the right. Then his face becomes a mask of absolute terror. "She tried to kill me!" he cries.

"Well, well, well. Fighting, are we?" says a voice.

This can't be good. I slowly turn around, preparing for the worst.

"Oh, dear," says Professor Snape.

Well, here we are again, at the end of another chapter. Here's your question of the day:

What's a good question of the day? I am lost for ideas, so if you comment a question, I will do my best to reply!

~~Sasha