The next morning, I was up and awake early. I ran a comb through my unruly hair, washed my face and brushed my teeth thoroughly. The last thing I needed was for someone to retreat because of my smelly morning breath. I read for a little while before my roommates woke up. I had listened carefully last night to their conversations and discovered that I was sharing with three other girls; Ava Reynolds, Lucy Alton and Ismelda Murk.

My roommates woke up, got dressed, and chatted for a bit.

Everyone had seen me come into the Great Hall last night. It seemed obvious to me that they were already pulling the pretend-like-she’s-not-even-here card. I would not try beyond that. Instead, I made my way down to the Great Hall for breakfast, book bag slung over my shoulder and what books didn’t fit in the bag, I held in my arms. After what felt like the longest walk ever, I had almost made it to the Great Hall.

Then a large body slammed straight into me.

Books went flying out of hand, and my butt came down with a hard thud on the floor.

‘Sorry about that.’ said a not so sincere voice.

‘Watch where you’re going,’ I growled.

I knew a staged collision when I saw one. In this case, heard one. Nobody is that insincere when they didn’t mean to do whatever they did. I didn’t see the collider’s face, though. I was too focused on getting all my books on hand again, and reading them in the Great Hall instead of having breakfast.

‘You should’ve known I’d get you back,’ the voice sneered.

‘Oh? And who exactly did I do to owe the pleasure-?’ I looked up.

The Slytherin boy from last night. Draco Malfoy himself.

‘Never mind, I remember who you are,’ I smiled. ‘Did I offend you last night?’

‘Well, if you really are that interested-’

‘-I’m not-’

‘-let me tell you about it,’ he finished, continuing like I hadn’t said anything at all.

I stood up, and started to walk away.

‘I’d prefer if you didn’t.’

Draco followed alongside me.

‘Well, I don’t really care about what you’d prefer, Miss America.’ Draco said. ‘This is about me.’

‘Y’know what, I have a feeling you think everything is,’ I said, not returning my eyes to him.

‘Got me there,’ Draco shrugged with a smirk.

‘Y’know, despite how utterly charming this conversation is, I think I’d like to study more than continue it.’

‘Studying? Already? We haven’t even begun class!’

‘Wait, you’ve been taught? To think, you had me fooled,’ I replied.

Draco was quiet for a minute, and I smiled. He could call me whatever he desired, but she could be a sly fox as well.

‘Right, this is coming from the person who probably doesn’t eat, sleep, or moan when it’s exam season,’ Draco sneered.

‘Well, you’re not wrong. I’ll do whatever it takes.’

‘You sound like one of those stupid Mudbloods,’ he said, rolling his eyes.

‘Got me there.’ I lied.

Draco seemed to do a double-take.

‘You’re still here?’ I asked, after some silence.

Draco racked his brain in confusion.

‘Well, if you’re done-’

‘Hold on, America, are you a Muggleborn?’

‘How’d you know?’ I replied, with fake-sarcasm.

In order to make it seem like he knew it all along and was an expert ‘mudblood hunter’, he smirked and narrowed his eyes at me.

‘I know filth when I see it.’

‘Yes, well, just a minute ago you had a vastly different tone of voice with me, so I have a hard time believing that,’ I smirked.

‘I’m a Gemini, we’re known to change things up.’

I refused to laugh and pressed my lips together. For an idiot, he was kind of funny. 

I sat down at the Slytherin table and slipped my book bag off my shoulders. 

‘Well, this is where I leave you, little fish. Now go back to the evil pond where you came from.’ I said.

Draco looked like he was going to reply. Then didn’t. And walked away to the opposite end of the table.

I tried to focus on the textbooks, but something about that made me  not able to. Such a jerk, I thought. The nerve he has. Calling me a mudblood like it’s something to write home about.

Later that morning, Professor McGonagall handed out all the student’s timetables. The parchment was rolled into a tight scroll, sealed with the Hogwarts crest. I unwound the scroll and cast a glance at my classes.