A/N: What I'm trying to achieve here, is the point of view from someone else in the Harry Potter series. Hope you like the idea, though, and enjoy.
Disclaimer: All recognisable characters, places and events credit to J.K. Rowling.
Chapter One: Arranged Marriage
"Dad, you know I really don't think I need you to set me up with someone. I can do it fine by myself."
"Well I don't see a boyfriend yet, do I?"
"Dad. Listen to me. I'm ten. I'm not supposed to have a boyfriend yet. Do you know how embarrassing it is to talk about this?"
"Yes, well … I was hoping you'd go for the young man I brought in today. It would really bring our families together."
"Is that all you care about? Wealth and ranking in whatever? I'm going to my room."
"Marissa, come back …"
"No, Dad. I'm not going to fall in love with whoever you brought in just to 'bring the families together'. I'll be outside if you need me for something important."
Marissa threw her best robes off and grabbed her broomstick, heading towards the fields surrounding their manor. Her father shook his head and headed the opposite way, towards the drawing room. "If she's not going to agree, I'll have to force her. It's the only way."
--
"Remember, don't talk to anyone beneath you. I believe Severus Snape is the Head of House. He's respectable, albeit a little greasy …"
"Dad! What if I'm not in Slytherin, though?"
"Nonsense! Our whole family has been in Slytherin."
She looked down sadly. "But I'm not like you. I don't think I'm cunning, or ambitious."
"You may not see it, but it's there, Rissy. It's there."
A moment later, Marissa was gasping for breath at Platform 9 ¾, clutching her father's arm.
"Did we have to apparate? It's so uncomfortable."
He looked sternly down at her. "You had better learn to deal with it. Life's a lot harsher." Then he was gone, a soft pop left in his wake. Marissa sighed and began to drag her trunk towards the scarlet train. A group of red-haired people walked past her and she winced as something solid collided with her arm.
A minute later, she wasn't making any progress. Her trunk was far too heavy for someone of her size to lift. She let go of the end, making a loud noise and causing people to stare at her as she sat on it. "This is stupid," she muttered.
"Need some help?" asked a female voice from behind her. She spun around. A red-haired girl was smiling at her. "Hi. I'm Ginny Weasley. Are you new to Hogwarts too?"
Marissa stood up. Weasley … She had heard that name somewhere. Ignoring it, she smiled back. "Yeah, I'm a first-year too. I'm Marissa Blackthorn, nice to meet you."
They each seized an end of her trunk and heaved it into an empty train compartment. Marissa shook her hair out of her eyes and smiled at Ginny again. "Are you going to stay here?"
Ginny shook her head. "No, I'm going to meet my brothers. They're annoying, but they're family, so I guess I'll see you later at the Sorting."
Marissa's smile flickered. "Yeah. Sure. At the Sorting."
"You can join us if you'd like, you know. My brothers won't mind extra company."
She shook her head. "I don't want to intrude …"
Ginny grinned. "If you're sure. Well, bye!" She left and Marissa's smile disappeared completely. She cursed herself. Why did she have to be so anti-social? Talking a deep breath, she stood and went to find Ginny and her brothers, whoever they were.
Five minutes, three 180 degree turns and seven deep breaths later, she was still wandering around the moving train. She leant against what she thought was supposed to be a wall, but fell backwards through the newly opened compartment door and smashed into the people walking out of it.
"Sorry, sorry," she repeated and she stood upright and smoothed her robes down until she realised that they were laughing. Her grey eyes shone bright as she glared at them. "And pray, what do you find so funny?"
The dark-haired one gasped. "Oh my. She looks like you, Draco."
"So she does," agreed the blonde one. "So she does."
"I'll have you know I look nothing like you. Heaven forbid. I know who you are," she said as she narrowed her eyes at the one called Draco. "Draco Malfoy, am I right?"
He nodded, smirking. "Pleased to meet you. And you are …?"
"Marissa Blackthorn. I have no idea who you are," she added, looking at the dark-haired boy.
He smirked too. "But I know exactly who you are." He moved towards her and put an arm around her shoulders. She shook him off.
"That's because I just told you."
His smirk grew, if possible, even wider. "Oh but I knew you before that. Remember, last year? Your father wanted you to meet a young man. You refused. Is your memory coming back?"
Astonished eyes met amused ones as she stuttered, "How … how did you know? Have you been following me or something?" She was steered into the compartment the two boys had left and pressed into a seat.
"I have not been following you. You see, Marissa, I was very disappointed that you did not wish to see him. He had heard a lot about you. He wanted to meet you very much."
"But, how did you know?"
"Because, my dear Marissa, that young man was me."