The Hogwarts Express had just pulled into Hogsmeade Station, at the completion of a specially requested journey. Two beautiful girls had alighted onto the platform, carrying their trunks. They were both tall with dark luscious hair, almond shaped eyes and soft rouge lips. Waiting to greet them was loyal Hogwarts gamekeeper, Rubeus Hagrid. "Over 'ere you two!" he shouted, and both girls jumped as they had previously mistaken him for a ticket machine. "Follow me then," he called over his shoulder in his deep gruff voice, as he stooped down to divest them of their luggage. He turned and began the long walk back up to the castle, with the girls jogging behind him to keep up with his giant strides.
At this time of the evening, the Hogwarts Great Hall was full of noise and movement, as friends updated each other on the events of their day. At the Slytherin table, Pansy Parkinson was involved in an intense discussion with Blaise Zabini, and her simpering laughter could be heard all the way over at the Gryffindor table where it was causing Hermione Granger to mutter repeatedly under her breath. "Honestly Hermione," said Ron Weasley, "If you have such a problem with it, do something!" As he finished his sentence, he shot a glance at his best mate Harry Potter, who was trying desperately and failing terribly to suppress a smile. "Unfortunately Ronald, the headmaster has not yet banned conversations by those who have less than two brain cells to rub together!" snapped Hermione waspishly.
With a loud bang, the doors of the Great Hall burst open, and Hagrid strode in with the two girls interrupting, Hermione mid rant. Every face in the hall turned to stare at the new arrivals. The girls were clearly not in first year, and anyway, term had started three weeks ago. At the staff table, Professor Dumbledore had risen to his feet and clapped his hands together for silence. "I would like to welcome two new students into fifth year. Professor McGonagall, the Sorting Hat if you please."
Professor McGonagall strode he forward, the familiar battered old hat and stool clutched in her hands. She placed them both on the dais before the staff table, and pulled a scrap of parchment from the pocket of her tartan robes. "Bennett, Cassandra" she called in her ringing Scottish accent. Cassandra Bennett, the slightly taller of the two girls, stepped forward purposefully and sat on the stool, indicated by Professor McGonagall. The moment the hat was placed on Cassandra's head: "Gryffindor." Cassandra rose smiling happily, and began to walk towards the Gryffindor table. She was beckoned over by Ron, who had a spare seat next to him. "Hey Cass!" he said, but before he could continue, Professor McGonagall shot him a warning glare as she prepared to call the second girl's name. "Bennett, Victoria" The second girl looked very similar to the first, with the only major difference being her startling, electric blue eyes. She followed in the footsteps of her friend, and as the hat fell over her eyes, it gave a loud, ringing cry: "Slytherin!"
Victoria walked calmly over to the Slytherin table, all trace of emotion vacant from her face and took a seat next to Draco Malfoy. "Miss Bennett" said Draco, proffering his hand to Victoria, "pleased to meet you." At this exclamation by Draco, Pansy turned and shot Victoria a look of pure loathing. Dea Silvanus, noticing Pansy's glare, brought her out of her moment of hatred, with the remark: "Jealous Parkinson? Can't see why, he was never yours to start with!" By a wave of his elegantly manicured hand, Draco silenced the bickering of the two girls. Pansy ceased immediately, but with a roll of her elegant eyes, Dea turned away from Draco and began another conversation.
Victoria, noticing that she held Draco's undivided attention, decided to capitalize on the moment and find out more about this elusive character, however, before she could question him further, Professor Dumbledore rose to his feet again and dismissed the school. "Come with me," said Draco to Victoria "I'll show you to our common room."
They rose from the Slytherin table and walked towards the exit of the rapidly depleting Great Hall. The corridors they passed through gradually became darker and danker as they sloped towards the depths of the castle. As the lights from the torches on the walls dimmed and the number of people surrounding them rapidly decreased, Draco came to a sudden stop, pulling Victoria in close. "I know about your parents," he whispered, tickling her ear softly with his breath. "My father told me. It's nothing to be ashamed of, you know; you should be proud."
"My parents disgust me! Azkaban is too good for them; they deserve to die!" hissed Victoria, as she turned around and stormed off. She had only got about ten paces before she was called to her senses by Draco: "You really don't know where you're going do you?" He sniggered. With a sigh, Victoria was forced to concede defeat, and follow three steps behind him down to the dungeons and the Slytherin Common Room.
"Pureblood" said Draco as they approached the entrance hidden behind a blank stone wall. With a disconcerting groan of stone on stone, the door appeared, and with a smirk in Victoria's direction, Draco pushed the door open and strode inside.
Victoria stared in amazement at the sheer size of the room. From her place by the door; the corners were deep in shadow. The walls were hung with large banners of green and silver and she could tell by the slightly damp and musky odour that they were deep under the lake. The floor was uncovered stone, and about the room stood many green leather armchairs, with a large cluster before the unlit fire. "What do you think?" asked Draco, grinning slightly at her amazement. She was saved from thinking of a reply by the appearance of Pansy and Dea through the hidden door. "Pansy and Dea can take you up to your dorm," said Draco. Dea gave a slightly uninterested but polite smile, whereas Pansy looked like she'd prefer to strangle Victoria, rather than take her anywhere. "Goodnight" said Draco, "Miss…" and he paused, before saying quietly "…Bennett." Victoria turned and followed Pansy and Dea up the staircase to the girl's dormitories.