Disclaimer: What! I don't own any of the original Harry Potter characters! When did this happen? Denial! I tell you I don't believe it! JK.

A/N: Woohoo, second chapter! Sorry the first one was kinda lame and short, but over the course of plotting the story, my main events and characters have gone through some drastic changes. Of course, I could always use some help, so don't hesitate to critique and give suggestions for things you would like to see happen. Please read and review!

Bella woke with a start as a white jaguar leapt out of the trees in her dream and pinned her to the ground. She shot up in the seat, disoriented for a moment as she stared out the window and then remembered that she was on the train to Hogwarts. Her relief was only a momentary respite as a soft snicker sounded from the seats across from her.

Her dark azure gaze collided with a pair of cold, blue-gray eyes that were set in a very handsome, fine boned face. For an instant she felt a mild fear, and the stirrings of some other emotion that she wasn't willing to delve into at the moment. She recovered quickly and a mask of indifference slid over her features. The boy – no, young man – had pale blond hair that carelessly slicked back, with strands already falling loose to graze his forehead. He was tall, probably a little over six feet, and she could tell by the way his wizard robes stretched slightly at the shoulders that he was muscular yet lean.

Bella observed the two other young men on either side of the blond. They were large, and a bit intimidating, but their eyes lacked the sparkle of intelligence. Just a pair of thugs, Bella thought with some disdain. People who wouldn't think for themselves were somewhere close to the top of her dislike list.

"Who are you?" Bella asked, her wariness resounding in her voice.

The blond boy smirked, thoroughly enjoying watching the play of emotions over her face. "The name is Draco Malfoy, and these are Crabbe and Goyle." He gestured to the hulking, overgrown apes seated beside him.

Bella just stared at them silently. What in hell do they want with me? She could tell that the boy in the middle wasn't someone who would do something without an ulterior motive. There was something that he wanted from her, but Bella wasn't someone who could be pushed around or bullied. She arched an elegant eyebrow, waiting for an explanation. All Malfoy said was:

"The proper thing to do would be to reciprocate and provide your name as well."

She wanted to snarl at the arrogance in his tone that clearly shouted that he came from an upperclass family. Aristocracy always got on her worst side. Arrogance wasn't the only thing emanating from him; there was also a sense of power, old money and everything about him screamed spoiled. "The proper thing to do, Malfoy, is to vacate my compartment and leave me in peace."

His infuriating smirk drew bigger. "Afraid?"

"Not on your life."

"Then tell me your name," he coaxed, though the way he said it made iti sound like she didn't have a choice in the matter.

Isabella felt her lips twitch in a grin as a plan formed in her mind. No doubt he thought her weaker than he, being raised in a circle where women are considered inferior to males. Oh boy, this is going to be fun. "All right," she consented. "But only if you send Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb out into the hallway."

He seemed to be considering it for a moment and agreed. Crabbe and Goyle lumbered out into the hallway of the train car, looking more gorilla-like than ever as they had to stoop to fit through the doorway. Isabella almost laughed at how easy it was to pull the wool over someone's eyes when those people thought that they were the ones in charge of the situation.

When the compartment door slid closed again, Malfoy turned his attention back to her, waiting expectantly. Not yet ready to end the game of cat and mouse, Bella turned toward the window and gaze at the scenery as it sped by. The sky was slowly darkening with the promise of rain, maybe even a storm. "Have you ever noticed that the sky is quite dismal here in the United Kingdom? Well, maybe not dismal. I think that a more accurate description would be more like a subdued wildness."

Malfoy just watched her, listening to the strange sound of her American accent. It would have seemed flat and somewhat annoying had her voice not been smoky, low-pitched and incredible seductive.

"Your name," was all he said.

She turned to look back at him and he could swear that there was a hint of malicious intent in an otherwise dazzling smile.

"Isabella Maren Vito."

"Isabella," he said aloud, testing how the name rolled off his tongue. "I rather like the name."

Bella leaned toward him, masking the movement of her hand reaching for her wand. "Too bad you aren't allowed to use it. Call me Vito. Nothing personal, I just don't like you."

Malfoy sneered. "I'll call you whatever I damn well please. I don't care –"

He never got anything else out because Isabella had whipped out her wand and a jet of blue light hit him square in the chest. No longer was she looking at a handsome young man with platinum blond hair, instead Isabella sat looking eye to eye with a white duck. Unable to hold back any longer, she let loose a husky laugh and rested her head back against the seat.

"Oh my, Malfoy. It seems that you aren't as quick as I thought. Silent spells are much more efficient, I must admit." Once again in control of herself, she looked at the bird whose feathers were quite literally ruffled. "Now, now. Don't be getting angry at me. It's your own damn fault for being so arrogant. Now, I'll pass you on to your friends and let them know that they'd better find a teacher when we get to school."

So saying, she scooped him up just as she would any regular farm animal, and hugged him close to her so as not to inadvertently injure him.

Even in his current situation, Draco could admire the fact that she had a magnificent breasts. Even in a trapped in the form of a water fowl and angry as a snake, he wanted her.

Bella open the door and handed the duck to a very astonished Crabbe. Turning to Goyle, she said, "You might want to find a teacher to change him back later. Oh, and do be careful. Ducks are rather fragile creatures, and I don't think Mr. Malfoy would be too happy if he were to be injured in his current state."

With that she flounced back into the compartment and sealed the door shut with a couple of charms. A wonderful start to the school year, Bella. You're making friends all ready, she thought sarcastically. Then she settled back to enjoy the remainder of the ride to the Hogsmeade station.

A sign escaped her lips as rain suddenly started to pound against the window. She wished it would lightning. Nothing was more exhilarating than watching the power of a thunderstorm.

This is certainly going to be an interesting year. But I have a feeling that this is only the beginning.