Disclaimer: JKR owns it all, I just like to play.

Hmmm no comments yet? I know I have been horrible at updating all my other stories. I am home on medical leave and just got back into writing. Throw me a crumb, please?

Chapter 2

"So what are we supposed to do about Umbridge? I mean, the class is a bloody joke! Only using theory...you know He wouldn't approve of that," Terrence Higgs added haughtily, flopping back in the soft leather armchair, his sandy blonde hair in its usual disarray.

"And since when do you have intimate knowledge of what He would approve of?" Cassius Warrington questioned, his icy blue eyes narrowed in disgust.

"Oh come off your high horse, Warrington, we all know what Higgs is talking about. We're supposed to be preparing for War and instead we are reading some snot-nosed drivel out of a third rate primer." Aidan MacDougal gulped down the last of the amber liquid in his cut crystal glass and reached for the bottle of Ogden's Blue to pour himself another measure.

"Go easy on that shit MacDougal, we have early morning practice tomorrow," Alexander Montague ordered.

"I'm Scottish for Salazar's sake Montague. I have more whiskey than blood in my system on an ordinary day."

"Yes, I heard his dear old Mam used to fill his bottle with it when he was just a wee lad," sing-songed a female voice. Ellis Rosier swept into the Head Boy's Common Room and shook her head at the sight before her. Aidan, Tarquin Bole, and Will Derrick lounged in different states of undress on the black leather sofa, all swilling down Montague's private stock. The Head Boy himself sat in an armchair by the fireplace, his shirt sleeves rolled up, his Dark Mark shining in the firelight as he perused a sheaf of papers filled with notes on the Ravenclaw Quidditch Team's latest practice. Captain of the Slytherin team, Alexander Montague took his role seriously and was determined to lead his team to winning the House Cup. Warrington, as his second in command, stood looking over his shoulder, occasionally pointing and remarking upon the notes. Terrence and her brother, Elias, sat at the large black table, a deck of cards spread out between them.

"Ah, if it isn't the sweetest rose of the House of Rosier," Aidan quipped. "Tell me Ellis, when will you put me out of this misery and agree to be mine?"

"Over my dead body," muttered Elias as he selected three cards from the draw pile.

"Oh Aidan I love you too much to marry you! It would be such a pity to see you buckle under my thumb and wither away," she said breezily as she sashayed across the room.

"Why are you here Ellis? I thought it was girl's night or some such shite." Montague growled.

"I made them do my nails first, so I could be gone before I had to listen to Callidora gripe about Cassius and Camilla whine about you not paying enough attention to her."

"She wants to talk about our future," Alexander snorted.

"Oi, this should be rich! What grande plans did you lay out for her mate?" Tarquin laughed, his green eyes twinkling with mischief.

"The truth of course. While she would make a splendid mistress, I can't bring home a slag to tea with Mother."

Warrington chuckled and shook his head. "So, that's why she was crying at dinner!"

"I told her not to open her legs so freely," Ellis added. "However, I am not hear to chat about all of you and which bird you are playing bed swap with this week. Elias, a word in private please?"

Her brother raised his head, his identical cornflower blue eyes assessing hers. Satisfied with whatever he saw, he nodded and folded his cards. "If you'll excuse me gentlemen, I've learned never to keep my twin waiting."

"Awww, are you scared she will rub your face in mud again?" Higgs chortled.

"It was only once Terrence and no, I am afraid she would do much worse," Elias replied as he stood and grabbed his cloak from a nearby chair.

"Ellis, before you go, what happened in the dungeons tonight?" Montague put aside the papers and folded his hands in his lap.

She gaped at him. "Seriously, how do you fucking do that? It's been twenty minutes tops. I'm going to figure it out one day Montague." It never failed, Alexander Montague always seemed to know what was going on inside Hogwarts. It was uncanny. He had to have the ghosts reporting the goings on to him. He simply stared at her, his dark blue eyes boring into her own. "Fine, a new girl showed up. Sixth year Slytherin by the name of Everly Wolcott. Story is she's a pureblood, both parents are dead, and she's been living with her Uncle and Aunt. If her accent is anything to go by, she's from the States."

"And..."

Ellis sighed. "And, the Aunt and her don't get on. The Uncle decided to send her to Hogwarts and Dumbledore let her enroll late."

"Wolcott? I think I'm related to some Wolcott's. Muggle sympathizers though, so Grandmama blasted them off the family tapestry," Bole supplied.

"Who hasn't your Grandmama blasted off the family tapestry? That thing has more holes than a block of Swiss cheese."

"Very true Will, but lucky bastard that I am Granny loves me and since she hates pretty much everyone else in the family, I'm set to inherit the lot!"

"You always were a lucky sod, Tarquin," MacDougal muttered. Glancing up, he inquired, "So, is the newest Slytherin She-Devil hot?"

"If you like my looks then yes," Ellis answered enigmatically. Both Montague and her brother quirked their heads in curiosity.

"Did you probe at all?" Elias' voice whispered in her head.

Ellis shrugged. "She's been trained well. She slammed downed her defenses immediately." Ellis gave her brother a knowing look. "You know he's listening, right?"

"Montague's always listening. It's his speciality. Come on, we'll go down to my room and we can discuss the situation in depth." Elias gestured for her to precede him out of the room. He nodded at Montague and followed his sister out.

"What was that all about...more twin speak?" Terrence yawned.

"You know if you had managed to actually pay attention to your Occlumency lessons this summer, you would be able to eavesdrop as well."

"Psssht, lessons in summer, absolute rubbish if you ask me. Summers are meant for the South of France, the beach, women, and shagging!"

"In that exact order Ter?" Tarquin enquired cheekily.

"Well I don't suppose the beach is a deal breaker." Terrence tossed down the rest of his drink. "By the by, what was all that top secret communication about anyways?" Everyone's eyes swiveled to Alexander.

"If Ellis is to be believed it would seem a previously unknown member of the House of Rosier has arrived at Hogwarts."

hr

"So, what's got your knickers in a twist, dear sister?"

"Oh shove it Elias. This is serious. Wait until you see her, this Miss Everly Wolcott, as if that is her real surname. It's plain as the nose on my face, that she is one of us." Ellis puttered around her brother's room, rearranging knick knacks on his bureau. "From who's loins I can't figure out. I don't remember Father ever mentioning a Wolcott or any such connection. Do you?"

"It doesn't sound familiar, but I'll begin researching the family. You said they were American? And do stop fidgeting with my things, you know it annoys me so."

"Do forgive me Elias, you know I hate to vex you, darling brother," Ellis replied sarcastically. Elias rolled his eyes and indicated that she should pour herself a glass of wine. Grabbing up the bottle, she examined the vintage and sniffed the stopper. "Hmm, smells quite lovely. I do think I shall have a glass after all. Shall I pour you one as well?"

"Yes, do. Now, back to Ms. Wolcott."

"I said she spoke with an American accent, but I'm not sure that is her birthplace. She's quite prickly when it comes to questions, so I didn't get much information."

"That tends to happen when your hiding something. I'll have to write to Uncle Elliott about it. He didn't mention any new names appearing in the family lineage book when you saw him last?"

"No, and I think that would have been rather big news. Well, if she is of the direct line and has not appeared in the Rosier History, she must be untouched." The House of Rosier, like any good Pureblood Family, had a rich history and proud ancestors of the past had ensured through curses and other magical rituals that all future heirs could be identified by the tattoo of the Rosier Coat of Arms that appeared on their backs once they reached "woman or manhood", ie lost their virginity. Their name would also then appear in the family lineage book. It was rumored that their Great-Great-Great Grandfather Evergard had cast the spell upon his children, in order to prevent any bastards or muggle-born mistakes.

"So what do we do?" Elias asked, unknotting his tie and reclining back against the sofa. He took a long drink of wine as he cast his tie aside.

"Well, you could always..."

"Fuck off Ellis. I may not have many morals, but I do draw the line at incest."

"Well you better ask Montague then. He's the only discreet one of your mates. We'll need him to check and see if the Mark appears on her back after. And I don't want it all over school that a new Rosier has arrived at Hogwarts, until we know what she's hiding."

"As usual you seem to have all the answers sis," Elias smirked and raised his wine glass to her.

"Try and be somewhat serious Elias. This isn't you average everyday familial issue. You heard Bole, this Wolcott could be a sympathizer. With Him returned, we don't need any trouble in the family."

"All right, calm down. I'll speak with Montague tomorrow. Think Ms. Wolcott will be receptive to his attentions?"

"Please Elias, she's been stuck at home with some beast of an Aunt watching her every move. One crook of Alexander's finger, and she'll be begging for it. Girls like that are so predictable."

"Yes, they do tend to be. Speaking of relations, what's this little rumor I've been hearing about you and Garrick from Ravenclaw?" Elias mentally counted to ten, waiting for the imminent explosion.

He wasn't disappointed. Ellis' face colored, twin scarlet spots blooming on her elegant cheek bones as her blue eyes turned stormy. "It's nothing for you to concern yourself with. I stay out of your business brother dear. I haven't written home about whatever it is you've been doing with Violetta." The threat was implicit.

"I would just remind you that as Head of the Family, Elliott has plans for you upon graduation. He would be quite put out if there was any stain on your name."

"I am quite aware of what is expected of me, Elias. As the prize cow, I get to be bartered for prestige and power." Ellis glared down at the wine goblet in her hand, her thoughts a swirling mess.

Reaching out, Elias rubbed his twin's knee affectionately. "Come now, no frowns. You're too pretty for that. It might not be all bad. I promised you I would do my best at pushing Uncle toward's someone that you might actually get on well with."

"There's only one person I want," she whispered.

Elias shook his head and sighed. "Well, unless the Dark Lord has plans to liberate Azkaban, you best be on the lookout for a different husband." Elias stretched and then downed the rest of his wine in one gulp. "Well, I'm for bed. I'll speak with Montague tomorrow and let you know what he says. You know he'll expect something in return..."

"Of course he will...he's a Slytherin for Salazar's sake. I would be horrified if he didn't," chuckled Ellis. "Well goodnight brother of mine. Sweet dreams." Blowing him a kiss, Ellis left her empty glass on the table and slipped out the door.