A/N: I would like to thank SWMF for having my story on her site!! My "Twin" Michelle for being herself (and liking this story). Cherro Angel for e-mailing me, and speaking French! Last, but certainly not least, my two reviewers (Thanx for your insight. YOU ROCK!)
Ch. 3 Let’s Eat!
Ginny Weasley felt almost numb as she sat at the table among her fellow Gryffindor’s. What had just happened? One part of her mind asked. Duh, said the other, you made a new friend named Cross, had a civil conversation with Malfoy, and Ron didn’t care. Well, Ron was trying to keep it in his trousers around Hermione too. That was probably the reason he didn’t say much.
She sighed aloud as the first years walked in each with different expressions of horror, nervousness, and awe. Mentally, Ginny sorted them until her eyes fell upon Cross. He was standing among the first years looking around just as excited as the others.
His eyes met hers and he smiled and waved. She waved back. Then followed his gaze to Draco who smirked and nodded his head at Cross before winking at Ginny. She smiled a toothy grin back at him and turned, still smiling as she felt his stare on her back.
McGonagall announced she would be starting the sorting, saying: "This year we are lucky enough to bring a bit of the French culture back into our school which hasn’t happened since the Tri-Wizard tournament. Our first to be sorted is Mister... or should I say Monsieur... Cross Côté." She smiled at her own joke.
Cross removed his hands from his pockets, pushed a strand of hair from his eyes and sat 0n the three legged stool. Professor McGonagall set the hat on his head.
*~^In the Sorting Hat^~*
"Oh,French!" The hat exclaimed excitedly in his ear, "I like the French, I once knew this French woman, quite the fiery one she was!"
"Er...aren’t you supposed to sort me?" Cross thought.
"What? Oh... oh yes." The hat cleared his non-existent throat, "Well, I can see you don’t like to be idle, that much is obvious. Hmmm...but you don’t like physical exertion. Quite the odd one you are. Ah, classic elegance. That is one thing my French friend also liked. You are an intriguing person I will give you that much Mr. Côté! I see a strong ability to persevere; it is most obvious what you are... if it is all right with you, of course."
"Your job," Cross thought.
"Great! You are a... HUFFLEPUFF!" The hat shouted.
There was tremendous cheering (especially from the girls) at the Hufflepuff table. The other houses clapped politely. While Ginny and Draco cheered along with the Hufflepuff despite the looks they were given.
^~*Back With Ginny*~^
The rest of the sorting went on with out much excitement from Ginny; she held a quiet conversation with Nearly Headless Nick only breaking to applaud new Gryffindor’s. Soon it was done and Dumbledore stood.
"I welcome you all to another school year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As we all know, Voldemort and his ‘Death Eaters’ have been growing more powerful." He paused as nearly everyone in the room shuttered.
"Let this be even more of a reason to follow the rules, ("I’m hungry, Ron whined in the background.) They aren’t there for my health, although it may help." Dumbledore gave a special look to the twins, "I will talk more after the feast seeing as Mr. Weasley is in severe need of food." A few people laughed or smirked at Ron whose ears were growing redder with each passing millisecond.
"Weasley, hate to say it, but I agree with you!" Malfoy called out.
"Here, here!" Terry Boot of Ravenclaw called out.
"As they say in France, Bon Appetit!" The headmaster wove his arm and the golden plates and goblets filled with food and drink.
^~*At the Slytherin Table*~^
"So...Draco," Pansy started, "What’s with you and the Weasley girl."
"Nothing, why you jealous?" Draco glared.
"You know I don’t go for red-heads, besides I already have a girlfriend." Pansy said between bits of mashed potatoes. Pansy had come-out over the summer and was now dating a Hufflepuff named Susan Bones.
"Listen hon, if there is anything you need to talk about will always be here. Nothing is different than it was before." Pansy smiled cautiously at Draco.
"I don’t understand Pansy," He sighed, "Being around her, it makes me soft. Father would kill me if he knew."
"I’m sorry, but your father is too busy sucking Voldemort’s dick to care right now." She offered. He laughed a bit.
"Don’t give me any visions now!" He said still smiling.
"See, I knew I could make you smile! Now eat."
"Yes Mother." He said looking once more to Ginny. She was pushing her noodles around the plate. Suddenly the girl straightened and turned her head around.
Draco flashed what he hoped to be a melting smile. She did the same, turned and began to eat.
^~*At the Hufflepuff Table*~^
"So, you’re from France." A girl at Cross’s right stated.
"Yes."
"I have been on the coast of there before, where are you from?" She went on.
"I was born in Rouen and later moved to Cherbourg." He looked at the girl. She was short, average in weight and looks. Except for her eyes, they stood out like a hippie in Wall Street. A bright hue of green and lavender swirls danced around a dark pupil.She had honey blonde hair that was in Princess Leia buns at the side of her head.
"Cherbourg?" She asked excitedly, "I was there last summer on vacation. We could have seen each other and not even known."
"I’m sure I would remember if I saw a lovely lady like you." He smiled, "What is your name?"
"Hannah, Hannah Abbot." She smiled back, blushing at his statement. Back then she was overweight, extremely shy and would have been shocked to learn that she was actually talking to a boy other than Ernie or Justin. They stopped their conversation as Dumbledore stood once again.
"Now that Mister’s Weasley, Malfoy, and Boot are all properly fed and watered I think I will go on with my speech." Dumbledore smiled, "As some of you have un-doubly noticed, Professor Moody has not come back for another year of teaching. Although, he will be coming back to Hogwarts to check up on our welfare out of the kindness of his heart. I want you all to treat him with the utmost respect he deserves.
"Once again, we have a new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher here." Dumbledore indicated to the young man who was sitting next to Snape, "He is highly respected in his field despite his young appearance he has the knowledge and understandment of an old man. Please welcome Uilleam O’Rourke."
There was applause with some cat calls from the girls (especially Parvati and Lavender). Professor O’Rourke was a handsome lad with ear length curly blond hair and bright blue eyes. He wore a green robe, rich in colour, with Celtic knot-work Dragon’s as button claps. The robe was also of the latest fashion style with an open flowing bottom that revealed he was wearing dragon hide trousers.
"So Ron," Ginny heard Hermione say, "Why don’t you wear dragon hide trousers?" Ron mumbled something under his breath while Hermione giggled. Ginny rolled her eyes.
"The feast is over students please follow your prefects to your houses and have a good night, See you all at breakfast." Dumbledore sat back down as the plates were wiped clean and rubbed his furrowed brow.
"Professor Snape," Draco said casually, "Can I talk with you tonight?"
"Of course," Snape said, "Meet me after the password is out."
"Thank you, sir." Draco said and with a swish of his robe he was gathering the first year Slytherin’s toward the dungeons.
"The password is Butterbeer." Draco told a second year named George Winter, "Spread the word, I have other business."
"Y—yes, sir." George said shaking. It was only slightly of fright, the rest was that Malfoy, thee Draco Malfoy, had spoken to him.Draco smirked at him and walked toward Severus’ office.
"Hello Draco." Snape said without looking up.
"You know that time you said ‘I owe you one.’"
"Yes, go on."
"Well, I need to use your office for a night."
"Indeed, is there a female involved?" Snape raised a brow.
"Yes... but not in the way you think." He said hurriedly. Snape laughed. (Hard to imagine, I’m sure.) He was actually quite handsome with a smile on his face, but no woman ever knew this.
"I figured you wouldn’t want to tarnish your prefect image just yet." Snape said, "Well, in that case I think I will go to bed now." He rose from the dark cherry chair and went into the next room, "Don’t get hurt." He winked closing the large wood door behind him.
Draco sat down on the high-backed chair Severus had just left. Sighing, he ran a hand over his soft, fine silvery hair. Leaning forward, Draco rubbed his tired eyes. His always picture perfect hair and appearance have left him now. Although, a worried look on his handsome face may have enhanced his look to some, not many ever saw the look of concern on him.
That is not something he was even thinking about though. Draco was worried about Ginny. He had truly felt something when he looked at her at the station. A Weasley....a Weasley. The name went over and over in his mind, much in the way his studies would not.
A knock was at the door. Standing at once, Draco straightened his look to be perfect once again. Slowly he walked toward the door.
"Hello," he opened the door. And instead of Ginny and Cross he found some dumb third year boy.
"H—er...Hi is Professor Snape here?"
"Do I look like him?" Draco questioned menacingly.
"Er..." The young boy started shaking.Draco rolled his eyes, this dumb kid was standing here while Cross and Ginny are probably hiding around the corner waiting for the idiot to leave.
"Listen. I am not Snape, he isn’t here. Why don’t you talk to him....LATER!" Draco yelled.
The boy ran off down the hall. Yeah, Draco thought, run you little wussie. Just as he thought, Ginny and Cross walked around the corner.
"What the hell was that?" Ginny asked, "That was mean of you." She commented. Cross had a look of disapproval on his face, but said nothing.
"I... I don’t know, come in." He pleaded. Amazing as it is, these two had just broken him. Just like a little puppy, Draco thought. It was amazing what power the two had over him. And he had just become ‘friends’ with Ginny. He thought at this point that he was weak.
They walked silently into the room. Both were stunned as they saw the many trinkets Snape had collected over the years. Ginny walked slowly to a clear glass cauldron, an airy liquid, yellow in colour, was whirling around in it. It looked similar to a pensive, but wasn’t.
"Draco," She turned to find herself face to chest with him.
"Oh, I didn’t realize that you were right behind me." She took a step back. This was a most difficult thing to do, his smell was intoxicating. Not even a day’s travel could make it go away. (A/N Not like Alex :S) His eyes locked with hers, Cross didn’t exist anymore. It was just them.
Ginny looked over his body, it could be described as six feet of twisted steel and sex appeal, but Ginny would NEVER say that. His cheeks were hollow, chin was cleft. Her eyes rested briefly on Draco’s thick, slightly parted lips.
She was not the only one looking; Draco’s eyes travelled her body. He had wanted to do this since he first saw her. Ginny’s had wide, dark coco eyes, molten copper for hair, and one hell of a body. Suddenly, Draco shook himself. Draco looked back to Cross to see him playing with one of the trinkets. Not even sure of what he was doing, Draco took a step forward, kissed Ginny’s forehead, and walked toward Cross.
Ch. 4 A Letter
Breakfast. It was the first meal of the day, one that many said was the most important. Draco remembered the Billboard that was in Diagon Alley with the cheeky witch on it that said, "Eat your breakfast meal, only then will you find a man of steel." Next to her was Slone Roberts, a model/fashion designer from Scotland, who in fact was very popular with the ladies.
Since Draco didn’t exactly want to find "a man of steel," he pushed his scrambled eggs around his plate hardly eating a bite. He kept thinking about last night and why he had kissed Ginny Weasley. Had living in France, away from his Father really done that to him?
There was the sound of flapping wings coming into the Great Hall, most looked up expectantly. Some just sat eating their meal knowing very well that they wouldn’t be getting mail. Draco, who wasn’t expecting any suddenly was hit in the head with a letter from a black, official looking owl. On the envelope it said in thin, messy writing Mr. D. S. A. Malfoy. He opened it with great curiosity. Inside there were two things.
Dear Mr. Malfoy,
We are greatly saddened to inform you that Mr. Lucius Alan Malfoy has died in the custody of Ministry officials last night. He was found near a crime area and ran away when Head of the Arms Department asked him to stayfor questioning. He was hit with twelve different stunning spells and died from heart failure do to the spells. We are sorry and wish you the best luck in the future.
Sincerely,
Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic
Percival Weasley, Head of the Arms Department
Quistis Jurasin, Secretary of Minister’s Office
Draco dropped the letter, mouth open in shock. He quickly took up the other piece of paper, a newspaper clipping from The Daily Prophet. The headline was, "Suspected Death Eater, Dead." That was his father’s headline? It was true, but... No!! It was true Lucius Malfoy was not a good person, in fact, he was down right evil, but he deserved better. But why? A little voice questioned in the back of Draco’s mind.
A few people from around the room (who had The Daily Prophet) looked at him. Draco closed his mouth, swallowed, silently stood up and walked out of the Great Hall. Where would he go? It’s not like he had anybody to lean on. Cross, but he was in there eating... Draco sat on the steps with his head in his hands.
"Draco, I’m sorry." Came Crosses soft, yet strong voice. Malfoy looked up in surprise.
"Cross." His voice broke.
"Go on, it’s okay."
"I—I have hated the man for my entire life. I looked at him and said ‘That is the person I never want to be,’ and most people made me out to be him, like father like son. I don’t want to be like he was, but he’s gone. Lucius was my father... not my biological father, but the same anyway." He gave a dry sob.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa... not your biological father?" Cross asked gently.
"No,I don’t know who my real father is."
"I thought you said that you looked like Lucius."
"I do... somes aliquantus. Spell to make us look a little bit alike." Draco took a deep breath.
"Sounds like Frankenstein to me."
"Frankenstein?"
"Muggle book and movie, I’ll lone it to you sometime." Cross smiled slightly knowing he had Draco thinking of something other than his father’s death. That would keep him stable until he would have time to sort it out.
The doors to the Great Hall opened with a whishing sound. Snape walked though the door, looking as menacing as ever. Draco looked up into his eyes though and saw a little bit of warmth.
"Hello Mr. Malfoy, Mr. Côté, if you two would care to join me." He smiled slightly. Snape lead them through one of the main corridors and down a wide, stone, spiral staircase toward the dungeons. Severus turned sharply and led them into the back entrance of his office. He waved his cedar wand, conjoining another chair so the three could sit down.
"Now then, Draco, I realize this may be difficult about your father’s death." Snape said not sounding sorry at all.
"He was not my father."
"That’s true, but none the less, it may be difficult still. Emotionally, that is." Severus offered.
"I never liked him." Draco said right back. He knew Snape was trying to get somewhere, but right now he didn’t just feel like dealing with it.
"What I think ‘e is trying to say ez, that this could be difficult for anyone ‘o could possible be emotionally attached to Lucius, not only you. There ez your mother to think about and people, whether you like it or not, will expect you to be emotionally wrecked right now. You will have people giving their condolences and you will need to know what to say to them for one. Telling zem to bugger off won’t get you very far." Cross said in a sharp tone that gave him a bit more of an accent. Draco sighed.
"Yes, I know. I just don’t want to deal with it. It is my first day back at school and some guy that blackmailed my mother for years, tortured our souls, died. I should be thanking the heavens, not feeling sorrow."
"Well Mr. Malfoy, you will have to deal with it. It is expected and you cannot hide from responsibility like a child. "Severus said with a sudden air of authority.
"You call that responsibility? Dealing with a bunch of numskulls who pretend to know me, pretend to like me or just hate me exclusively? Well, if I knew that that was my responsibility I might have saved myself the time trying to cut myself off from them." Draco said with more venom than before.
"Bullshit," Cross yelled to him, "Don’t lie thorough your teeth, there is no one you need to impress here, I am already your best friend and you are Professor Snape’s favourite student. So stop acting like a baby, he’s right. Grow up." This was followed by a long silence.
"Well," Draco said in a hoarse voice, "If they expect me to be emotionally damaged, I guess I might as well be. I need to go to the funeral, help with arrangements, and cope with my mother. Play the role so it seems."
"All right," Snape clapped his hands together, "Let’s get started."
A/N: Please review. It is just a simple request. If it sucks, tell me why. If you like it, point out a strong point. I will greatly appreciate it! Lady_Arwen.
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