Disclaimer: I do not own anything remotely related to the world of Harry Potter. If I did I would be rich, however I'm not. It belongs JKR and others affiliated with it.
A/N: I know this is not the story I have been righting but I am suffering from writers block on the other one and promise that the next chapter of it will be up as soon as my suffering ends. Enjoy this and tell me what you think.
Romance is a definite given, between actual characters and original characters. Some original characters used in story are based on actual people I know, myself included. Some of these people keep their actual name. As far as I know I have no objections to using these people. If you want to know which characters are based on actual people please inform me.
Rising TensionsChapter 1: Initiative
It was late evening, two weeks before the beginning of the term. Draco was in his room working on his essay for transfiguration. Suddenly there was a tapping herd on the widow. Startled, Draco jumped up from his place at the desk.
"What the hell?" he asked questioningly, and then looked toward one of the windows to see an owl waiting patiently to be let in. "Damn bird." He went over to the window and let the owl in, and it promptly dropped a letter at his feet. "What's this?" he questioned while opening it.
'Dear Mr. Malfoy,
First off let me thank you for your tip about the possibility of death eater activity in the United States during the next school term. I must say I am, and was, rather surprised that you no longer hold your fathers beliefs as strongly as before and want to help out however possible. Normally something such as I am about to do would never be done. As a result of your sincerity we (the staff, myself, and others) have decided to bring you into the resistance's inner circle and allow you to become a member of the Order of the Phoenix. This is a privilege and can, I repeat can be taken away at anytime. Thus if you do something to doubt us that you want to help the good cause you will be removed as a member and be taken off assignment. The assignment, you may be asking, involves the information you bestowed upon us. You, along with another member, will be going on a foreign exchange student program (something muggles originally created not long ago) with a school over there. Enclosed with the letter is a plane ticket to America. I assume that you will be staying in the Manor in Rockridge, because that is where you are being sent. If not please inform me of this. You will be briefed more on you mission after you arrive at the manor. I will take the responsibility of enrolling you in school there. Please be on time for you flight because it wont wait. I believe you wont have a problem with the other person working with you, and this person will also be staying in the Manor as well. If any problems arise feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Headmaster Albus Dumbledore
*Blink…Blink…Blink, blink, blink* "Ok, foreign exchange to America. Yeah. I wonder who I'm going with. Better not be Weasel, Potter, or the Mudb… Granger. Personally I prefer if it were Gin. (Ginny and Draco secretly stated going out toward April of Draco's 4th year) But knowing my luck if probably wont be." Suddenly he remembered something. The date on the ticket! It was before the Hogwarts express departure date and now Lucius would have to know. "Fuck!" Draco went back to his transfiguration homework, thinking about how to tell Lucius. "Just have to hope he's in a good mood tomorrow, or at least a good of a mood as he can get." He muttered to himself after finishing his work and changing for bed. While trying to sleep a thought struck him. Lucius was going to ask why he had to leave early. "Shit."
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Next Day, The Burrow"Ginny hurry up!" yelled Ron. "You've been in the bathroom for an HOUR now!"
It was you typical day at the burrow during the summer, two weeks before the beginning of the new Hogwarts term with Ginny starting her 4th year, the dream team their 5th, and Fred and George their last. Harry and Hermione had arrived for the remainder of the holidays as usual about a week and a half ago. Charlie was still in Romania, and Bill was home for the week before returning to Egypt.
"Oh I have not Ron." Said Ginny walking out of the bathroom, freshly showered and changed for the day. "Besides if you're so paranoid about it get up earlier and beat me to the bathroom. And for future reference I was only in there for twenty minutes. Now as much as I would love to listen to you complain I am going to go help mum make breakfast." Leaving Ron in shocked silence she headed down stairs.
Even after being witness to this new attitude for over a month now, it still shocked everybody that the littlest Weasley could grow an attitude, especially Ron.
Meanwhile down in the kitchen Ginny was talking to Harry (without blushing or stuttering gasp!) and Hermione who were already sitting at the table, while flipping pancakes onto a plate and setting them aside. Ten minutes latter everybody had gathered around the table with Ron being last (having been in the bathroom for thirty minutes) In the middle of breakfast, the loud conversation was interrupted by a tapping at the window signifying that Errol had arrived with the post. "Fred, fetch the post from Errol please." Said Mrs. Weasley and Fred walked to the window to let Errol in with the mail.
"Its our Hogwarts letter mum." Said Fred as he handed them out saying their names as he did. "Ron, Hermione, Gred, me Forge, Ginny, Harry and…wait there's another here, it for you Gin. Looks like it came directly from the headmaster."
"What? Let me see that!" said Ginny, snatching it from his hands.
"Alright, alright don't get so grabby." Muttered Fred, receiving a glare from Ginny.
Walking up behind Ginny said "So what's it about Gin-Gin?"
"Dumbledore wants me to foreign exchange to the States." She muttered still reading the letter.
"What! Why would he want my baby to do something as crazy as that!" cried Molly.
Putting down the letter Ginny responded "Apparently, as a member of the Order of the Phoenix I am suppose to go over there with another student who recently became a member, whose name I don't know, and work on a case related to death eaters on the rise over there for the term. Don't worry mum I'll be fine. I'm going and nothing you say will change my mind." Stated Ginny defiantly.
"You just be careful Ginny. Your mother and I don't want your hurt. So when do you leave?" asked Mr. Weasley
"Well according to Dumbledore I'm taking some sort of muggle transportation called an airplane…"
"Airplane! I've heard of those! Aren't they those big metal tubes that fly through the sky? Do you think they would let me inspect one?" said Mr. Weasley joyfully.
Speaking up with mirth, Hermione said "Yes Mr. Weasley that's what they are but I don't thing they would let you inspect one. So did Dumbledore send you a ticket or do you need to buy one?"
"No, Dumbledore send the ticket." Said Ginny pulling it out of the envelope. "It says I'm departing London International Airport for the JFK airport in New York City on Sunday August 25th at 8:00 pm. Thats less that a week away!" declared Ginny.
"Well I guess we should be getting your supplies on your Hogwarts letter sooner that expected. Obviously you'll need the same supplies there or the letter wouldn't have been sent." Said Molly.
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At Malfoy Manor:
Bright light shined through one of the windows of Draco's bedroom, directly onto the rooms sleeping occupant. Groaning, Draco said "Shit. I knew I forgot something last night, damn curtains." And rolled over to go back to sleep only to receive a rude awakening and be greeted by the hard floor. "Ow…oh fuck. Just my luck. Why did I have to fall out of bed?" his murmurings were interrupted as Zally, their new house elf after Dobby had been unexpectedly dismissed, popped into the room and ran over to Draco.
"Is Master Draco ok? Zally was in the library dusting and herd a loud crash come from Masters bedroom. Zally was so frightened and Zally hopes Master is okay. Please tell Zally what hurts!"
"I'm fine Zally, just rolled out of bed. Thanks for your concern. What time is it?"
"Why it is 10:45 Master. You overslept but Zally did not want to wake you from peaceful slumber." Said Zally seeing Draco smile at her; he was the only on who really treated her nicely in this house except for Narcissa when Lucius wasn't around. He didn't order her around, only asked except when overly angry, and then he apologized later.
"10:45!? Thanks Zally. Do me a favor and get me some cloths to change into while I untangle myself please." Responded Draco patting Zally on the head.
"What color would master like?" asked Zally heading over to the wardrobe gathering some cloths and waiting for a robe color.
"Better make it midnight blue. Thanks Zally." He said heading into his bathroom and emerging ten minutes later showered and dressed for the day. Walking over to his desk he noticed the airplane ticket. "Zally do you know where my father is?"
"Master Malfoy is in his study sir."
"Please inform him I need to speak with him in about half an hour."
"Yes Master Draco." Responded Zally and disappeared with a slight pop.
"Well here goes nothing." Said Draco heading down to the dining room for a quick bit to eat and then heading for Lucius' study. Knocking on the door he heard a gruff "Come in" from behind the door. Steeping cautiously inside and closing the door behind him Lucius spoke up at the sight of him.
"Yes, Zally said you would be coming Draco. Good morning. So what brings you here this morning?"
"I need to lave before the beginning of the term." Replied Draco.
"I am afraid I do not understand. Clarify LEAVE please."
"I must go to the London International Airport on the 25th for a flight to the United States of America father."
"You, as my son, are not going to be seen in any place packed with muggles. Why do you need to go to the United States anyway Draco?"
"The muggle loving fool Dumbledore has elected me to go the states on a wizard foreign exchange program for the school term along with another person of his choosing father. I am to attend the Salem Institute for Wizards." Replied Draco. "It was something Dumbledore approached me about last term, besides, I didn't think he was serious." Quickly lied Draco through his teeth.
"I see." Replied Lucius turning around in his chair to face the wall, leaving Draco standing in the middle of the room. "As a matter of fact," he said turning around with a sly smirk on his face, "I don't have the slightest problem with it."
"Y-you don't?" stated Draco, his mouth hanging open.
"Close you mouth boy. It's very unflattering. No, I don't have a problem with it, you see we are arranging a death eater rise over in the states and you can inform me of all the progress. My only problem is the damn muggle transportation. I'll have to talk with Dumbledore about it. See if you can't change the method to floo instead."
"I will keep you well informed father. However I'm afraid nothing can be don't about the transportation."
"Why is that Draco? Surely you don't want to be surrounded by low life muggles." Handing Lucius the ticket Lucius read over it, "I see. Well I am afraid there is nothing I can possibly do about it. Just don't mingle with the muggles. I will not be accompanying you as I refuse to be willingly within fifty feet of muggles unless it is to cause their timely destruction. Have your mother go with you. You are dismissed." Declared Lucius, turning around and going back to the papers on his desk. Once outside Draco leaned against the door.
"Well that was easier than expected. He must have a death eater assignment later." Hearing the soft sound of music from a piano float through upstairs corridor he continued, "Mother must be in the music room since we are upstairs. I should tell her about this now considering she convinced me to write to Dumbledore about the situation at hand in the fist place." He said, walking down the hallway to where he knew his mother would be.
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Well? What do you think? This is only the first chapter and I guarantee it will get better. I just finished the preliminary planning stage for the story witch took over 2 months! Let me know what you think and if I should continue posting the story. Thanks
*Dama_de_tinieblas*