Disclaimer: Once again I do not own anything that has to do with the Harry Potter books or movies. J.K. Rowling owns it all. Also, I haven't searched it, so I am not aware if there are any other stories like mine out there, so I apologize if there is anything cliché. This is for my own good fun anyways and also because I have had a story like this in my head for a while. I want to thank my few reviews for the encouragement and compliments! That certainly means a lot to me and really helps to motivate me. Thanks again. One more thing, I want to apologize for the short first chapter. I am attempting to make future chapters much longer. Here is the second chapter! Cheers!
Chapter Two
Getting It All Sorted Out
Draco strolled into the Great Hall with grace, like he owned the place. Maybe one day he would, he entertained. If he did his duty to the Dark Lord, he may get whatever he wanted. He just hoped that he would never look like Voldemort. He shuddered internally at the thought. He certainly took care of himself with hygiene habits that left him pristine and smelling handsomely. Of course his deadly sin of vanity kept him worrying. Dark wizards were known to eventually look as evil as they were on the inside; warped posture, twisted wiry beards, with beady, sometimes red eyes, and splotchy skin. As long as he doesn't go around creating horcruxes, Draco knew he could never actually come to be like Voldemort, but becoming the epitome of a dark wizard was not exactly something he wanted on his to-do list. Yes, he was materialist, bred to be a sustaining leader of upstanding society, so he enjoyed possessing his own things of particular value, and he definitely enjoyed earning them, but he often was condemned to wonder if this was the life he truly wanted. In the end, what would he be truly happy possessing? He wasn't sure yet, but he kept smiling through it all. No one will ever know he suffers. He wouldn't dare show anyone his pain, the real him.
Next on his to-do list, besides stuffing his starving face, is to see where that cute new girl gets sorted. He spotted her on his way in sitting patiently with the first years waiting to adorn the old, raggedy hat. He really couldn't help but wonder about her. So mysterious, in the middle of a bloody war to switch schools. He was curious and wouldn't lie to himself, he yearned to know more about her. How strikingly beautiful she was, with a slightly generous sprinkle of freckles, long hair a shade lighter than deep raven, and glittering blue eyes, he was enraptured. He had never really known his type of woman until he saw her after their mishap of a meeting. He always had Pansy Parkinson pining for his affection, but he wasn't incredibly into her. She wasn't hideous, but she didn't strike his fancy. This girl however, Rosie, he wouldn't mind getting closer to.
He remembered though, he had to focus. He couldn't let a female distract him from what he had to do whilst first term; find out anything he could about the possible whereabouts of the Trio - Pothead, sniveling Weaslebee, and know it all Granger were going to regret being on the wrong side of the war. How annoyingly Gryffindor of them to pick up and leave right before school starts to search for horcruxes. 'Do they even know what they're doing?' he thought as he sat down next to Blaise Zabini. 'Doubtful the two idiots have a clue but I'm sure the bookworm knows a bit of something.'
"Attention everyone!" a shrill voice piped from the front of the Great Hall. Professor McGonagall stood beside the new students waving her arms excitedly with wand in hand. "Listen up students of old and new! It is just about time to begin the sorting assembly! Sit quietly and let each student go forth to their destinies without clamor, and we shall all eat our feast in a timely manner! Let's give a round of applause for all of our new students!" Everyone cheered and either stood up wailing their arms or clapping their hands discreetly from their seats. Draco clapped, a small smile on his face as he watched McGonagall pat Rosie on her back with a welcoming stance. Professor Snape appeared to almost glide across the floor like ghost as he quietly brought forth the old bucket of a hat, which somehow had been kept in great condition for centuries. He had his typical solemn frown and narrow glare but curiously amazing posture. "Alright, students, as you must already know, you can be either sorted into Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, or Slytherin," she said the last with a slight grimace. Zabini yowled out a "Woo!" and all at the Slytherin table were happy about it despite the look she gave them. "First student, Rosie Riverpool!" Since she was the eldest of the new students, she would be the first sorted, then the rest of the first years would be alphabetically called.
Rosie considered herself a brave person, but she had to admit, Swanfern was nothing like Hogwarts. Which she was thankful for, however, she was slowly realizing that this group was a rowdy bunch. And since she was smack dab in the middle of a war the lot was as loud and rebellious as ever. She had only a smidgeon of an idea until she was on the train, riding in a compartment with a small group of girls who would be in her year. They welcomed her in after she boarded the Hogwarts Express and was frantically searching for a spot to sit since she had been late arriving. "I'm Ginny Weasley," a claret haired girl greeted as Rosie took her seat next to a blonde girl. The blonde smiled at her with warm blue eyes. "I'm Luna, Luna Lovegood." She stated. "Hannah, Hannah Abbot." Another blonde sitting in the corner exclaimed. "Welcome aboard to Hogwarts! It's not often it gets new students this late in the years."
"Wow, you all are so nice," Rosie said, but stammered when she saw the look on their faces. "Not that I'm incredibly surprised, it's just, where I went, at Swanfern, the girls there weren't always so sweet naturally." The three girls chuckled. "Oh, it's no big deal." Ginny told her. "To be honest, we are just a little caught up admiring your amazing looks." Rosie blushed and Luna chimed in, "It's true, you are quite stunning." "Oh, my, why thank you. I've never gotten such a compliment before." She thanked, genuinely taken aback at their kindness. Hannah peeped, "What is your name, mystery goddess?" she nicely joked. "I'm sorry, I totally forgot! It's Rosie, Rosie Riverpool." Luna gave out her hand for her to shake. "It's very nice to meet you, Rosie."
"Riverpool?" Ginny asked with a far off look in her eyes. "Why, yes," Rosie said, unsure of what Ginny could be thinking. "We all saw that name in the paper." The crimson haired girl replied. Rosie shuffled her feet and peered down at the carpeting of the compartment. "Your parents… I am so sorry. And I am sorry for bringing it up. Most of us here have been unlucky enough to have been through the darkness this war can bring. We have fought against that darkness. If you ever need anything, you know, anything, advice, or a hand with something, we can provide for you." Ginny leaned in closer and began to whisper. "We have a pretty good thing going, a good ol' secret, if you will." Rosie's ears wiggled with anticipation and wonderment. Ginny continued, "If you wish to discuss it further, do not be afraid to find me. I'm in Gryffindor. I'm also a Prefect this year, so I'll have access to a lot of resources."
"Thank you, Ginny, that means a lot." Rosie wasn't sure what she was getting herself into with that one, but she was glad to have made some quick friends. Rosie thought back to the tall silver haired boy she met before in the street. She wasn't sure if she should mention him or not, something told her not to, but her curiosity got the better of her. "I met this boy," Rosie started. "What, a boy?" Hannah chimed. "From Hogwarts? Who?" "He said his name was Draco." "Draco Malfoy?" Ginny said with disgust. "Oh, no! You do not want to be anywhere near that wanker!" Rosie didn't know what to say. "Trust me, he's bad news. He is not on our side, if you get what I'm saying." Ginny was very heated. "Was he mean to you? I'll kill that little ferret."
"Now Ginny, calm down, we will get to the bottom of this," Luna was the voice of reason. "Oh, it's hard to calm down with Mr. Ferret walking around freely to do as he pleases. He should be thrown in Azkaban with the lot of the Death Eaters." Ginny continued with utter resentment in her voice. "Shh!" Hannah hushed from the corner. "We mustn't speak of such things in such close corridors."
"It's fine, really, he was actually quite… gentleman-like." Rosie told them.
"Draco Malfoy, gentleman-like? Ugh, I'm gonna vomit!" Ginny made a fake hurling face.
"Well, he was nice at first, helped me with my bags and such, but he definitely seemed quite peculiar."
"More than peculiar I'd say," Luna said, "but then again, that is what they call me." She was smiling. "Really? Are you in Hufflepuff? He told me I'm wacky and that the wacky ones usually get housed into Hufflepuff." Rosie laughed nervously. "Actually, I'm in Ravenclaw, and he's wrong because I am proud to say I'm one of the wackiest witches at Hogwarts." "Interesting." Rosie said. "I'm in Hufflepuff! And I adore it!" Hannah exclaimed with joy. "Don't be afraid of the sorting. The hat speaks to you and it's not all as bad as they say." Rosie was glad to hear it. "Well, thank you, I'm not all that nervous anymore!" The girls laughed, even Ginny, though furiously thinking of Malfoy.
Rosie sat down in the rickety old chair as she was asked by Professor McGonagall. Almost at once she smelled a muskiness in the air and old hat was placed on top of her head. There was a moment of silence as the crowds of students in the Great Hall were all focused on her. Rosie drew a deep breath and peered out to the sea of faces looking back at her, only to zero in on one pair of steel blue-gray eyes.
"Ah hah!" The hat spoke and scared the bejesus out of Rosie. "This one… ohh… I like this one. This one is… very special!" "Um… what?" Rosie stuttered. "Yes, I'm talking about you down there. You… yes youuu… where do you belong…?" This time Rosie stayed silent. She hadn't no need to reply. She was a bit too scared to say anything back to the old garment. A warmth melting over her head drowned out the dull noise of the grand room and she closed her eyes, letting the hat envelope her soul, searching for the place she was meant to go. "Your destiny plays an important role in this lifetime… you have a lot to do… so it's decided," the hat paused. "HUFFLEPUFF!" Its voice strained as it yelped out that of the mighty house of the badger.
There was a roar of cheers and applause from the Hufflepuff table and the weight of the hat was lifted off of Rosie. She smiled and got up. How did she know? Of course she would be sorted into Hufflepuff. As she walked to her new table she felt the strings in her heart being pulled towards the opposite side of the Great Hall and she looked over that way to meet Draco's gaze. She gasped. Why did she feel this way when she looked at him? Like she was drowning, suffocating in some kind of haze of which she never felt the likes before. She found herself thinking she wanted to get to know him, to figure him out. She wanted to see if he really was on the dark side of this war, and if he was, would she hate him? Or maybe, he could change? She would have to see in due time. Until then, she would meet her new classmates and learn her place at Hogwarts.