Mr. Malfoy.

Hogwarts. Sixth year.

You're in Slytherin, even though half the school is convinced the Sorting Hat made a mistake. Too brave to be the "perfect" Slytherin.

Draco Malfoy hates you more than anyone.

Every day he calls you a Mudblood, and Tom Riddle, Matteo Riddle, Regulus Black, Lorenzo Berkshire, and Theodore Nott just laugh and support him. Astoria Greengrass and Pansy Parkinson hang out with both of you, and rumors about Draco and Astoria have been circulating around the school for a long time.

During Friday dinner, you waved at Hermione Granger. Malfoy immediately nudged you with his shoulder.

— A Mudblood greeting a Mudblood? Pathetic.

• At least come up with something new, Malfoy.

After that, the bullying got even worse. Dirty notes would appear on your desk: "People like you don't belong in Slytherin." During breaks, they'd deliberately bump into you, block your path, and make taunting remarks.

On Friday after classes, Malfoy stopped you at the entrance to the faculty common room.

• Be careful, mudblood.

With a single spell, he ripped open your bag. Books, scrolls, and quills scattered across the floor, and ink stained your notes. Laughter echoed through the hallway.

— Even things try to escape from you.

You looked at him calmly.

— Have you finished your presentation?

• For now, yes.

"Then enjoy the applause. Without an audience, no one is interested in you."

Without waiting for an answer, you left.

The next morning, Malfoy looked terrible: disheveled hair, dark circles under his eyes, and an irritation no one had ever seen before. He even cut Astoria off abruptly at breakfast and became aggressive with his friends. It was the first time he'd ever behaved like that.

In the evening, almost everyone went to Hogsmeade, but you stayed in the castle.

On the empty third floor, you were suddenly pressed against a cold wall.

Malfoy stood in front of you.

• I dreamed about you today, mudblood!

He grabbed your shoulders tightly.

— What did you do to me? All night… you were in my head.