Summary: Sixth year begins with a new arrival at Hogwarts, Alora Marcellus. She is a relative of Draco Malfoy's but that doesn't stop Ron and Harry from taking an interest, much to Draco and Hermione's annoyance. A new prophecy brings Death Eater attacks and changes at Hogwarts. Can they survive much less fall in love? D/OC, H/Hr, slight SS/MM

Disclaimer: I don't own anything except for Alora Marcellus and her family. She is my character and you can't have her!! *Huggles Alora*

Author's Note: Please be nice to me, this is my first fic. I am actually a Draco/Ginny fan but this story has been in my head and I can't get rid of it. Alora Marcellus started out as my character in a Harry Potter RPG, and managed to wriggle herself into a story. She is Draco's second cousin, and in the same year. In book five, it is mentioned that all the pureblood families intermarry. Therefore I don't have problem with there being romance between them. Second cousin's in distant enough. If you have a problem with that, don't read it! Alora didn't attend Hogwarts for years 1-5. She attended a different wizarding school each year, some of which I have made up, Magia Encanto & Roma Magico. First: Beauxbatons – France, Second: Durmstrang – Northern Europe, Third: Magia Encanto – Spain, Fourth: The Salem Witches' Institute - U.S.A, Fifth: Roma Magico- Italy. I also took the liberty to make up Draco's ancestry. Lucius is a Roman name and I have let myself run wild with it. If anyone wants a family tree for Draco and Alora, e-mail me and I will send it to you. Now, on to the story! Enjoy!

Chapter One

It was another year at Hogwarts. Harry, Hermione and Ron were standing on Platform 9 ¾ waiting to board the train. Molly had kissed them all goodbye, and darted off to run some errands, while Ginny had gone to join her friends. Fred and George had decided not to return to Hogwarts, as their joke shop was taking off with a bang, literally. They had blown it up the second day it was open. Fortunately, one of the bystanders had been so impressed that he ordered 200 of their fireworks. Now, it was just the three of them again. "Well, nothing horrible happened this summer, unless you count mum finding out it was you, Harry, that gave Fred and George the money for the shop," Ron stated as he struggled to get Pig back into her cage. "Bloody bird," he muttered. Hermione glanced at Harry, "That's what worries me. Nothing happened, and it makes me wonder…" Harry's eyes locked on hers and spoke as if reading her mind, "The calm before the storm." Hermione nodded, looking uneasy.

Ron finally managed to stuff the tiny owl inside and slammed the door shut. He glanced up and promptly scowled, "You were right about the storm, look who's heading this way." Draco Malfoy had just arrived with his parents and unfortunately for them, had spotted them right away. His trademark smirk flashed across his face. Just as he began to walk over, another family arrived through the barrier. Ron stared open mouthed at the girl and her family. She was short and had honey brown hair. She looked to be about in their year, maybe Ginny's, but he didn't recognize her. Ron would definitely have remembered a face like that. One thing was for sure though, she was bloody rich. Malfoy reached them and followed Ron's stare. His eyes narrowed. "A little out of your league don't you think Weasel. I suppose you could always ask her if she does charity cases." Harry scowled at him, "Sod off Malfoy." Draco's smirk widened, "What's the matter Potter. Do you prefer to think of Weasley as your charity case? Not in the same sense I hope." Draco sauntered away, Ron glaring at his back. "Bloody prat, that one." He seemed to forget it though when he noticed the girl looking their way. She smiled at them and her eyes seemed to apologize for Malfoy. Ron brightened considerably and even Harry was looking at her with interest. Hermione noticed their looks but chose to ignore them, "She seems nice."

Just as Hermione spoke, a shrill cry broke the early morning air, "Lucius! Narcissa!" The Trio stared in surprise as the girl's mother rushed over to the Malfoys. If that wasn't shocking enough, what happened next nearly knocked them over. Lucius actually smiled, not one of his usual malicious ones, but a real smile. He leaned forward and kissed her cheek. "Lucia! How have you been? Back from Rome I see." Lucius shook hands with the girl's father as her mother embraced Narcissa. When they parted, Narcissa embraced the girl and held her at arm's length to look at her, "Alora, dear child. Look how much you have grown. I hardly recognized you."

Ron's jaw had dropped to his feet and Harry was watching in confusion and a little fascination. Hermione glared at Ron, "Close your mouth, you're beginning to catch flies." She glanced at Harry and a look of hurt flashed across her face at the way Harry was studying the girl. She placed a hand on his arm and Harry immediately looked at her. "We better get moving if we want to find an empty compartment." Harry nodded and smiled slightly as he grabbed a hold of Ron, who was still staring, and dragged him along onto the train.

***

Draco joined his parents, and greeted the couple, "Aunt Lucia, Uncle Gaius, pleasure to see you again." Lucia wasn't actually his Aunt, but it was easier than saying second-cousin-once-removed. Lucius and Lucia's mothers had been sisters. They had spent most of their life together and Lucius was rather fond of his cousin. It came as a shock to anyone who saw it, obviously shown in Ron's case, but Lucius was very affectionate when it came to his family. Especially Narcissa. Their marriage had been arranged by their parents but they hadn't complained then or since.

Draco turned to Alora, "So you finally decided to come to Hogwarts. After all those years skipping from one school to another, it's about time you finally came home. I'm assuming you will be placed in Slytherin." Alora nodded in agreement, "Most likely. Although, Father was in Ravenclaw. I suppose we shall find out when we get there."

Lucia and Narcissa had been talking quietly together when suddenly the whistle blew, warning stragglers to climb aboard or else. Narcissa turned to Draco, "I want you to help Alora with her things and inform her on all that needs to be known." Draco smiled, "Of course, Mother." She kissed him goodbye. Gaius clasped Draco on the shoulder and spoke in his ear, "Make sure she's taken care of," Draco nodded and turned to levitate Alora's trunks as well as his own. Because of his turned back he failed to see the sly look that passed between Narcissa and Lucia. Alora bid farewell to her parents and accepted Draco's hand up onto the train.

Luckily, they found an empty compartment near the end. Draco secured the trunks and sat down across from Alora. "So, were exactly have you been all these years. I was surprised when you didn't attend Hogwarts for first year." Alora glanced out the window as the train began to move, "I attended Beauxbatons for my first year, Durmstrang for my second, Magia Encanto for third, The Salem Witches' Institute fourth, and Roma Magico for my fifth year. Mother and Father thought it best if I spent time abroad. They thought it would build character. They also wanted to strengthen my languages. 'A proper lady is always well educated'. At least that is what mother says. I've often wondered when I am going to use all the languages I have learned." She glanced away from the window, "How many did Aunt Narcissa and Uncle Lucius make you learn? Besides the obvious Latin and Italian that all rightful heirs of Rome are to know." There was a twinkle in her eye as she spoke the last part. Both of their parents were quite proud of their Roman ancestry. In fact, they could trace their lineage back to a few Emperors, one of which was Marcus Aurelius.

Draco's mouth quirked up in a half smile, "Besides the obvious, they insisted I be tutored in Gaelic, Portuguese, and to honor Mother's lineage, Greek." While both of Alora' parents were of Roman decent, Narcissa's family were Greek. "I have to admit that I am glad to be coming home for my last two years. Of course I never told Mother and Father about this, but I wish that I had attended Hogwarts with you all seven years," Alora admitted as she looked out the window again at the scenery. She hadn't been back to England in five years. Her parents had a second home in Italy that they stayed in while she was off at school. It was there that she had taken her summer and winter breaks. She had missed England.

Still looking out the window, Alora spoke, "So, tell me. What are the teachers like and which students should I avoid?" He chuckled and she glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. "Well, as I'm sure you know Dumbledore is Headmaster, even after everything Fudge did you get him out. The only teachers really worth hearing about are McGonagall, who teaches Transfiguration and is Gryffindor Head of House. Don't want to mess with that one. Got a broom stuck up her arse." Alora tried not to laugh and gave him a scolding look. He ignored it. "Snape is Head of Slytherin House and Potions Professor. Let's just say he takes care of his own."

"Who were those students you were bothering earlier?" She questioned. Draco leaned back and placed his hands behind his head. "Ah, those would be what Hogwarts 'affectionately' has dubbed 'The Trio'. Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger." Alora's face took on an interested look, "Harry Potter. The Harry Potter. What's he like? Won't the girls in Italy be jealous when I tell them I'm going to school with him." Draco glanced at her sharply. He didn't like the interest she was showing in Potter. "Well, he's everything a Gryffindor strives to be. Brave, courageous and a pain in the ass." This time Alora did laugh. "Hmm. I take it he is not a favorite with you. I wondered if the other was a Weasley when I saw the hair. How many do they have now?" Draco leaned back again, "Seven in all. He's the sixth. Got a younger sister one year behind us. Only girl in the bunch. Multiply like rabbits those ones." Alora smiled, bringing her legs up beside her on the bench. "What about the girl with Potter and Weasley? What's her story?" Draco snorted, "Hermione Granger is Gryffindor's resident wonder Mudblood. There isn't a spell she can't read about and perform. Makes us Purebloods look bad. Enough about Gryffindor's pride, let's move on to our own house. Pansy Parkinson,"at the name he gave a shudder, "you want to watch out for that one. She latches on and doesn't let go." Alora raised one delicate brow, "Speaking from experience are you Drake? Having a bit of a problem with the fan club?"

Draco just glared at her but he couldn't stay mad, especially when she called him Drake. Alora was the only one he let call him that and she knew it. "Goyle and Crabbe pretty much do anything you tell them too. Speaking of which, I wonder how they're getting on without me. Probably eating each other's shoes about now. Anyway, if you want intelligent conversation there aren't many options. Blaise is the only one that doesn't act like a ninny half the time, thank Merlin." Alora quickly glanced out the window again, "Your girlfriend?" Draco opened his mouth to answer her when a knock came at the door to their compartment. "Time to get changed loves!" A voice called through the door. Draco and Alora stood and began rummaging around in their trunks for their robes. "She isn't my girlfriend." Alora's head snapped up at his statement and smiled. They pulled out their robes and slipped them on. "These are so different than the ones I wore at the other schools. More comfortable."

Just as they turned to sit down again an explosion shook the train and it lurched to a stop. Alora flew across the compartment as Draco grabbed a hold of a railing and snaked an arm around her waist, catching her against him. "What the bloody hell…" Draco murmured. They heard screams coming from a few compartments down. "You all right?" Alora glanced over her shoulder at him and nodded, "What's happening?" Draco released her and pulled out his wand. "I don't know but I'm going to find out. Stay here." He darted out of the compartment and was gone. She locked the door behind him and pulled out her wand, trying to catch a glimpse out the window of what had happened. Another explosion rattled the train and more screams erupted in the air. "I should have stayed at Roma Magico," Alora muttered to herself.