An Unexpected Flame
A/N: Hey there, I haven't written a fic in ages and recently felt like getting back on the horse and giving it a go. So please let me know what works and what doesn't and of course what you think. Let me know if it is worth continuing or not. So in other words read and review! :D Ok enough of that, hope you enjoy it.
P.S I apologise for bad spelling and grammar.
Aristocat
Chapter 1 – A Promise Made
Leaning against a pillar on platform nine and three quarters, Draco watched the buzzing crowd of excited witches and wizards with disdain. It usually got a sneer out of him when he watched the shocked first years coming through the barrier or the rare pile ups but not this year. He didn't even taunt Longbottom when his trunk flew open after he crashed into a nearby wall. No he was definitely out of sorts but it wasn't new, he had been like this all summer. He couldn't quite put his finger on the reason for the change but he knew what the difference was. He was bored. None of his usual games seemed to interest him; it was all getting too repetitive. The taunting and torturing was all well and good but it was too easy. He needed a new challenge something to spice things up. He sighed as his stare caused a few second years to squeak and hurry onto the Hogwarts Express. Definitely too easy. Hearing a grunt behind him Draco turned to find Goyle waiting.
"What is it Goyle?" Draco snapped as turned to look at the ape of a boy. He enjoyed the fact that most of the Slytherins waited on hand and foot for him but it did grow tiresome.
"Um we have a compartment. Oh and your stuff is all taken care of." Goyle replied slowly. He could hardly believe that he hung around people so dense sometimes. But then again they weren't really his friends just his lackey's and it suited him fine that way.
"Well it took you long enough. Now get out of my sight, I will board when I'm good and ready." Relaxing against the pillar again, Draco smirked as Goyle quickly lumbered onto the train. Ah same old, same old. Running his fingers through his blonde hair he cast his gaze to the clock. The train would be leaving momentarily so he couldn't put off waiting any longer. Pushing himself off the pillar he began to make his way toward the train when he was stopped by a persistent tapping on his shoulder. Turning around with a scowl he found Hermione Granger with a matching sour expression.
"Malfoy didn't you read the letter? As Head Girl and Boy…" she looked as though she had a bad taste in her mouth as she continued. "…we must sit at the front of the train with the other prefects." Hermione glared at him with her arms folded. How dare she address him like this and who did she think she was? Practically reciting the letter like the know it all she is and then having the nerve to ask him if he had read it!
"Like I would actually lower standards enough to sit near a filthy mudblood like you?" Draco spat as he hurried away. He could vaguely hear her scream in frustration behind him which caused him to break out in his first smile in weeks.
/\/\/\/O\/\/\/\
The Weasleys were running late which was not unusual but it annoyed the hell out of Ginny. She couldn't wait to escape to Hogwarts, the summer had been horrible. It had mainly consisted of her being ignored or fought with. Everyone was too obsessed with themselves and her parents were too busy with everyone else. Then again she had always been one of the quieter ones in the family but she was sick of not being acknowledged. It wasn't like there was anything new for her to achieve either, everything had been done by at least one of her brothers and the worse part was that no one seemed to understand. She started to tell Ron one day but he just ignored her and said he was busy, it was infuriating! The car came to an abrupt halt outside the station.
"Hurry up children or you will miss the train!" Molly Weasley screeched as she flew out of the car with surprising speed. "Oh how could we be running so late?" Ginny rolled her eyes as she began pushing her trolley, they were always late and half the time it was her fault because of all her fussing. Ah but soon it would all be over. With the barrier in site Ginny began to pick up speed.
"Bye Mum!" she called out just before going through. She figured her mum would think that they were running too late for a proper goodbye which suited her fine. Handing over her luggage she hurried to board the train as the whistle blew. She was in such a rush she didn't even see him until they collided.
"Watch where you're going Weasley! Eugh, now I have to change my robes." Malfoy straightened his robes with distaste clear on his face.
"Trust me Malfoy, the feeling's mutual. Seriously are you ever going to get over yourself?" she scowled as she pushed her way past him roughly. Finding the compartment she was looking for she left him alone in the corridor uncharacteristically surprised.
/\/\/\/O\/\/\/\
What the hell was going on? He was sitting in his usual compartment with the Slytherin's. Pansy was draped on his arm whispering rather disturbing things in his ear but his mind was already occupied by a certain red haired Gryffindor. That blood traitor dared to talk down to him and she even pushed him. If he hadn't have been caught off guard he would have hexed her right then and there!
"Does that sound good Draco?" Pansy smiled attempting seduction but only managing to look sick and uncomfortable.
"Can't you see that I don't care?! Get off me." He roughly pulled his arm out of her grasp and moved to the other side of the compartment. She annoyed him so much sometimes and she never got it through her head that he wasn't into her. So all that there was left to do was to be harsh and it fitted his mood anyway.
"Whoa Draco, what's gotten into you? She only wanted a little kiss and tickle if you know what I mean. Probably just wanted you to join the H. Express Club." Blaise laughed hard as Pansy turned scarlet and left the room.
"I'm sick of her crap and am not in the mood. But you feel free to help yourself to my leftovers. Sloppy seconds have always been your thing." Draco grinned as he leaned back in his seat.
"Well if you insist, after all I'm always keen to join new clubs." With a wink and a wicked grin Blaise quickly left the compartment in pursuit of Pansy. The thought made Draco ill but it didn't stay in his mind long, Ginny Weasley was not going away. With a groan he got to his feet, he needed a walk to clear his head.
/\/\/\/O\/\/\/\
Ginny was in a much better mood after being reunited with her friends. Alex and Claire had barely stopped talking since they had left the station. They both had good summers and though Ginny had heard about most of it through their letters there were plenty of new saucy bits.
"Oh so are you going to write to this handsome French wizard?" Claire leaned in eagerly; she was always up for boy talk.
"Ah maybe, he was just a summer fling." Alex leaned back with a grin, her blue eyes sparkling mischievously. "But who knows, could be fun." The girls all giggled. Alex was one of the prettiest girls in the school and she always had a line of boys after her so it was no surprise she had many interesting stories from her holiday. Ah it felt so good to laugh again and to be happy.
The rattle of the compartment door opening cut the giggling short as Ron entered with a grumpy expression on his face followed by a nervous looking Harry. Great just what she needed, a lecture and a reminder of all the pain from the holidays.
"Hey Ginny what was up with you? Mum was really upset that you didn't say goodbye." Ron folded his arm while Harry seemed to hide near the door, never taking his eyes off her.
"What are you talking about, I said bye. Just didn't want to miss the train." she answered defensively folding her own arms in front of her. This caused some interesting looks between Alex and Claire, Ginny and Ron didn't usually fight like this. Petty bickering was fine but this was on a different level, the room was icy.
"You know what I mean and there was plenty of time. What's going on?" There was a long awkward silence and all eyes were on her. She was so sick of this, she didn't have to explain herself to him and especially when she had tried to earlier and he had brushed her off.
"Nothing is going on and can you mind your own business. Just get out of my face." With that Ginny got to her feet and briskly left the compartment, she wasn't going to sit there and get questioned like a criminal. As she began walking down the corridor Harry grabbed her arm.
"Ginny wait, I want to talk to you." He called softly. That was it; she needed to get this built up aggression out of her system. Get it over and done with, like ripping off a band aid. Throwing his hand off her Ginny turned around in a rage. Her red hair flying as she did causing Harry to take a step back.
"Really you want to talk now? Well guess what I'm done waiting and I'm in no mood to talk, especially to you. Why don't you do what you do best and walk away because that's what I'm doing." Turning her back on him she realized she had caused quite a scene as several heads were poking out of their compartments. Glaring at every face she passed she made her way down the corridor. Anything to get away.
/\/\/\/O\/\/\/\
Draco couldn't help but laugh, the look on Potter's face was priceless. He had been fortunate enough to see Potter and Weasel enter the compartment and of course he had to listen in. It had been an enjoyable show. Weasley girl was going up in his book; well only as far as a Weasley could go of course. He had never really noticed Ginny Weasley before but he was beginning to like this fiery side of her and of course the drama it caused. Potter turned to see him sniggering and his face quickly changed from shock to anger.
"What do you want Malfoy?" Harry brought his wand up trying to look tough which only caused Draco to laugh harder. Did Potter seriously think that he was intimidated by him? Death didn't even make in flinch at this point, he didn't seem to care about anything anymore and there was nothing keeping him here. So no fear, it did make things more interesting.
"Nothing, I was just enjoying the show. How does rejection feel Potter?" He stepped forward challengingly. The only noise was the jolting of the train as everyone watching held the breath in anticipation and by now quite a crowd had grown.
"Shut up Malfoy. You should know how that feels more than anyone. How is your father by the way, Azkaban treating him well?" Draco couldn't hide the flash of anger that crossed his face; he wanted to hurt Potter and hurt him bad. No one talked about his father like that. Gathering composure he grinned cruelly.
"Just fine thanks Potter; I will send him your regards. Well I would ask the same of your parents or even your godfather but they are all dead aren't they." It had worked perfectly; Potter's eyes bulged with rage causing him to tighten his hand on his wand which just amused Draco further. Even Potter was too easy. He was about to send a hex Potter's way when the trolley lady appeared.
"What on earth is going on here? Put those wands down this instant!" They both slowly lowered there hands to their side glaring at one another.
"Now all of you get back to your compartments immediately, we will be arriving shortly and if I see any of you in the corridor again before the train stops I will be reporting you to the headmaster. Now off with you." She hurried them along in a huff.
Smirking Draco eyed Harry off for a good minute before heading toward his compartment. With a last look down the corridor he noticed Weasley girl hurrying to her compartment, head down trying not to be noticed. Entering his compartment he grinned, he had finally found the challenge he had be looking for and not only that but it was the best way to get at Potter. It wasn't going to be easy but he was Draco Malfoy and he always got what he wanted and in this case he would stop at nothing to get it.
"I will make Ginny Weasley fall for me and Potter will pay. This I promise." He said quietly to himself. The grin never leaving his face he sat down and began planning, finally his boredom had ended and it felt good.