"Then, as our world stagnated, those born to muggles started to demand, yes demand, that they be given the right to govern our world. Is that fair? Is it fair that your families have spent centuries proving themselves worthy, and were denied that privilege, only to have these… people who know nothing of our world swoop in and demand what you have spent generations earning?"
The bored aristocratic tone was gone. Though well articulated, Draco's words dripped venom. He was impressed. Such righteous indignation on behalf of a group that he was not technically of - Draco's occlumency was obviously more advanced then he'd expect for a boy of his age.
"For the last one-hundred years, we who are pure of blood, have sought to change the system. To allow any family that has learned the ways of our world some measure of the influence they should have. But that effort has been constantly forced back. For every victory we achieve, we are forced to give up twice as much."
"The rise of the two Dark Lords of our century were the bright points for us. For two brief ten-year stretches, we were starting to win. But both times, our ultimate goals were snatched from us."
Draco eyed him with not a small amount of resentment. He tilted his head in apologetic acknowledgement.
"We were being forced back, but we now have a breathing space. With the Gray blocking all new laws, we can regroup, rearm, and get ready for the next advance. The return of Lord Slytherin is a calm before an almighty storm. And it is a storm that we will win."
Draco paused, took another deep breath and continued. "I believe the Gray are closer to us than they are to the Light. They are lead by Lord Slytherin. Tonight, many of us will be sorted into Slytherin house. As will many of the Gray. They must be made to see the rightness of our cause!"
Draco stood and made a double fisted jerk downwards, as though smashing an invisible staff into the floor. "They WILL be made to see the rightness of our cause!"
Clapping, acknowledgements, and hear-hears erupted around him. He joined in too, clapping politely, a faint smile playing around his lips.
Draco sat back down and slipped back on his bored aristocrat Slytherin mask.
"Yeah, Draco! We'll show them!" Pansy shouted.
Su Li bit her lip, her cheeks tinged with red. "Uhh, Heir Malfoy?"
Draco turned to her with a raised eyebrow.
"My family is over five-thousand years old, but we've only been in Britain for fifty years, where do we stand in your vision?"
Draco frowned. "I'm not fully sure… I'd have to ask father, but… I'm pretty sure you wouldn't have been invited to join us here if your family wasn't considered worthy."
Su Li perked up. "Oh, that's okay then."
Nott smirked. "What about Potter's family?" The boy jerked his thumb towards him.
His 'I'm fine' mask became rather fixed.
Draco rolled his eyes. "They were acceptable two generations ago, but blood traitors now, the lot of them. They lost themselves when Lord Potter married that whore of a mudblood."
All eyes shot to him. If they expected him to react with anger about this slight to his mother, they were disappointed. He shrugged.
"I never knew my mother. She might be a whore for all I know."
"Wow, Potter, you really do not give a toss do you?" Nott looked impressed.
Draco picked his quidditch book back up and eyed him with a calculating look. "Potter… you told me before you were going to join the duelling club, didn't you?"
"Well, I didn't actually say that but as it happens, yes."
"So you're not trying out for the quidditch team then?"
"Nope."
Draco nodded and seemed to lose interest again.
Nott on the other hand… "Sorry, Potter, but if you're in Slytherin, our year slot belongs to me." Nott grinned a toothy grin.
His stony smile cracked into a grin of his own. "We'll see."
Nott glowered. "Might I remind you that you are merely a dirty half-"
A knock at the door silenced Nott.
Draco sat a bit straighter and affected a particularly drawling voice. "Enter."
The door opened to admit a much older, taller, and bulky boy dressed in Hogwarts robes with a yellow tie. He looked to be a sixth or seventh year. He was sweating, his eyes dilated."
"Heir Malfoy of the Noble House of Malfoy?"
"Yes?"
"I… I am Richard Quincy of the House of Quincy. I've been asked by my father to present these to you," he flourished a box of some kind of food, "and to extend both my and my families gratitude to you and your father for awarding us the shipping contract."
After his initial stutter, the older boy said this in one long breath.
Draco waved the boy to deposit the food on the table.
"My father chose your family because it was the best choice, Richard, and your thanks is appreciated. If I have problems with Hufflepuff in the future I know I can come to you for help."
"Y-Yes. Of course." The older Hufflepuff bowed and excited the compartment without turning around.
Pansy looked into the box. "Cauldron cake anyone?"
Nott's eyes gleamed towards him. "I think our resident food taster should try first."
....
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