After Professor McGonagall finished speaking, Draco Malfoy introduced himself and his cronies Crabbe and Goyle to Harry Potter. Hearing Draco's name, Ron snickered, prompting the proud Malfoy to strike back at Ron Weasley.
Then, to defend his friend Ron Weasley, Harry Potter had an unpleasant run-in with Draco Malfoy, which was interrupted by the appearance of Professor McGonagall, cutting short the smokeless skirmish while the gears of fate kept turning incessantly.
Professor McGonagall led the first-year students to the Great Hall for the Sorting Ceremony, which was preceded by Headmaster Dumbledore's customary speech. He announced that certain restricted areas were strictly off-limits: the Forbidden Forest, the third-floor corridor, and the right-hand corridor—places no one should ever go unless they wanted to die a miserable death. He also introduced Mr. Filch, the caretaker specifically responsible for catching students who violated the rules.
Chapter 31