Disclaimer: I only own Eliza and her parents. All other characters are adapted from the Harry Potter books.

Chapter One- The Village

"I'm going for a walk," Eliza shouted as she opened the front door.

She knew no one was really paying attention. Her father had left early that morning after a quick breakfast for his first d at the Ministry. Her mother was overseeing the house elves and maid's unpacking in the living room. It had only been a few days since her family had arrived to England from America and even using magic there was still a lot to do before the party the next day. It had been arranged and planned for months to welcome her family to the country and to help her father make more connections for his new Ministry job. She knew it was best to stay out of her mother's way, since she was stressed about having everything done and perfect for the party.

Eliza knew there was a small wizarding village about one mile down the road and she didn't mind the walk because it was less time wandering around the strange new house her parents had bought. As she put in her earbuds and pressed play on the iPod one of her no-maj born friends had bought for her as a going away present. As she walked down the street she hummed the song and looked absently along the street.

Many of the houses on the street were like her new home, huge mansions on sprawling properties. Although her family had always had money, it still wasn't something she liked to advertise to her friends at school.

Down in the wizarding village she bought a book at the small bookshop Hogwarts: A History trying to give herself some idea as to what to expect at her new school, which would be starting in just a few days. She had walked over to the small pub and ordered a butterbeer and some lunch when she settled down at an empty table in the corner and began reading her book.

She was half-way through her lunch when a group of teenage boys around her own age came into the pub laughing at some joke one of them had told. They walked over to a table near hers and sat down without grabbing menus, they seemed comfortable, lounging in their chairs and waiting for the barman to take their order.

As their laughing and conversation got louder she glanced over at them a few times. The group consisted of four boys. Two of them were rather large and large and looked like the stereotypical thugs that typically flocked to spoiled rich kids. One of the others was a thin and attractive black boy with high cheekbones and wore a confident smile. The last boy slim with white blond hair that fell down into his bright blue eyes. She could tell from the way that the other boys looked to him that he was the leader of their little group.

Eliza sighed and took another swig of her butterbeer before going back to her book. The boys chatted loudly for a while before their tones quieted a little. Eliza tried not to look up from her book, but she could almost feel their eyes on her. After a hushed conversation one of the chairs at her table was pulled out and the blond sat himself at her table.

"I've never seen you around here," he stated leaning back on his chair.

Eliza stifled a sigh and looked up from her book. The boy gave her a dazzling smile as he folded his hands on the table. "My family and I just moved here," she said simply giving him a polite smile.

"Oh, you must be the American's father was telling me about. I'm Malfoy, Draco Malfoy," he said with a grand smile as he extended his hand to her across the table.

"Elizabeth Turner," she said giving his hand a firm, but polite shake.

"What's that you're reading?" he asked glancing down at the book in her lap.

"Oh just some book I found about Hogwarts at the bookstore down the street," she said shrugging her shoulders.

"Why don't you join us? We can tell you all about Hogwarts," he said winking at her.

She opened her mouth, trying to think of some excuse when the door to the pub opened and she saw one of the maids enter and look around. She saw the look of relief on her face as she made eye contact and walked over to where she sat.

"Miss," she said timidly, blushing slightly. "I apologize for disturbing you. Your mother asked me to fetch you. She would like you to accompany her on some errands in town."

"All right,' Eliza said smiling at her. "I'll just pay my bill and be right out."

"I shall do that for you, Miss. The car is just outside." She gave her a small bow of her head and turned to settle the bill with the bar man.

"It was nice to meet you, Draco. I'll see you around I guess," she said giving him a polite smile as she gathered her things.

"I'm having a party tomorrow night. You should come. I do it at the end of every simmer and my parents will be at some dinner or something all evening," he said standing as she did.

"I wish I could but I have… a family thing," she said shrugging.

Before he could respond she hurried outside and climbed into the awaiting car, tossing her things on the vacant back seat. As the car slowly pulled away from the pub she saw Draco looking out the darkened window at her car as it pulled away. She felt a twinge in the pit of her stomach as she watched him stare moodily out the window. She wondered idly if the dinner his parents were going to the following night was the same one her parents were holding.

Hours later she was standing in the dress shop being fitted into a formal black dress while her mother watched and gave orders to the young seamstress who was using her want to attach jewels to the bodice.

"How was your trip into the village?" her mother asked.

"It was fine, I found a book on Hogwarts, I just want to read up on what I'm walking into," she said shrugging slightly, looking at her mother through the mirror in front of her.

"That's nice, dear. I really hope you like it here. I know it has been difficult for you to leave your friends," she smiled sympathetically at her.

"Yeah," she said. Eliza hesitated, biting her lip and wondering if she should ask the question that was gnawing at the back of her mind since she had left the pub.

"Are you nervous about school, Honey? We have heard such good things about Hogwarts," she said stepping forward and putting a hand on her shoulder.

"I'm sure it will be fine, Mom," she reassured her. "Hey mom," she began.

"Yeah, Sweetie?"

"Does Dad know a family named, Malfoy?" she asked trying to sound casual.

"I'm not sure Sweetie, The name sounds familiar though. Why do you ask?" she asked.

"Oh, just wondering. I met some kids earlier today and one of them said he had heard about us already from his parents."

"He?" her mother asked raising her eyebrow suggestively.

"Mom," she said rolling her eyes.

"We can ask your father when he gets home if you like," she said.

"No it's not a big deal, I was just curious if Dad maybe knew him from work or something."

Eliza looked back at her reflection in the mirror as the seamstress put the finishing touches on the black fitted dress she would wear to the party.