Sorry, this took longer than I thought it would due to my internet not working after a storm.
Thank you everyone who's read this, I appreciate it - please let me know what you think by reviewing, it would mean a lot to me :)
I'm not JK Rowling, unfortunately, meaning I don't own Harry Potter.
Chapter 2: The Trio and Mascot
Draco was bored. He sat in the room he was appointed, cross-legged on the bed staring at the wall – noting every crack and damp patch. It had been five hours since he arrived and most of the Order had left. Only Lupin, Tonks and the two eldest Weasley brothers remained - Molly and Arthur had gone home – they were returning later on with the Golden Trio and their mascot, the Weaslette. Although most of Draco's attitude was over-exaggerated during school as he didn't want the Death Eaters' children to be suspicious of him, his hatred of the Gryffindors was something he actually felt. They were stupid for searching out fights and their reckless behaviour pissed him off, as well as the fact they thought they ruled the school (and that went for every single Gryffindor he knew, spare one).
He had just received a letter from his mother telling him that the Dark Lord was starting to lose interest in him and was planning to give the mission that was meant for him to Theodore Nott. Draco didn't even want to know what it was; he just thanked the stars he would be kept out of it all. He worried for her though, his mother. She wasn't as strong as he and his father, she was breakable. He just wished Bella would have some sympathy for her sister of all people and leave her alone – although Voldemort was the real issue.
Sighing, he got up to his feet and decided to look around the house. He took care to be quiet, his cousin had informed him of the portrait of their great aunt – he didn't fancy being called a blood traitor today. He made his way through the dusty house until he reached a room that picked his interest. Inside was a giant tapestry of The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black – he recognised the family motto 'Toujours Pure' – it made him sick. Having 'pure blood' had nothing to do with being a good wizard, he'd seen evidence of that first hand. He saw his name, as well as his cousins (although burnt). Unsurprisingly, the Weasley family were distant relatives to him – he knew most pure-blooded wizards were related after eons of inter-breeding. He had to admit, he found it all fascinating. His father always taught him about the Malfoy family history, but his mother rarely talked about her side of the family – the Blacks. It must be because of the… entire… well, the complications. Despite being a prideful line, the Blacks were notorious for their brutality and, some would say, insanity.
Draco felt someone enter the room.
"Hard to believe we're related, eh, Malfoy?" Charlie Weasley spoke.
"Hard enough to imagine that you're pure blooded, let alone that we're related, Weasley." Draco rolled his eyes at the red-head, instantly retreating back to his act – his safe place, almost.
Charlie shrugged, "It's distant enough for no one to care."
"True. So when is your family of red-headed lunatics arriving?" Draco questioned, feeling slightly more relaxed.
Charlie ignored the insult, "In about half an hour. Mum wants to be here in time to cook dinner. We received an Owl from Dumbledore; the others will be arriving tomorrow. Dumbledore arrived from his trip early, therefore is able to escort them."
Draco didn't manage to conceal his happiness – he hadn't seen the other three properly since last summer. They were the only real friends he had, seeing as they were the only ones able to relate to everything he'd been through, and he missed them tremendously during the school-year when they're unable to act on their friendship.
Charlie left then, needing to be downstairs to let in his family when they arrived. Draco decided to check out the Black library. Of course, it was full of Dark books, but he managed to find a few good reads amongst them. He took one with him to his room, figuring there was nothing else for him to do – besides, he was Ravenclaw's heir… which meant that he found joy in doing anything that involved extending his knowledge.
He was diligently reading when his head snapped up upon hearing the door slam open. The next thing Draco was aware of was the fact Ron Weasley had him pinned against a wall.
"Ron! Let him go!" Draco heard Hermione Granger shout. Weasley didn't give her any attention as he glared at Draco.
"You better not be an undercover Death Eater or I swear, Malfoy – I will kill you in the most painful way possible." He hissed.
"Why would I be an undercover agent for someone I hate even more than you, Weasley?!" Draco spat. Ron blinked at this, and loosened his grip at the surprise. Draco took the opportunity and freed himself, pushing Ron backwards. Draco eyed the new occupants of his room with contempt as he regained his breath – damn them for ruining his peace.
Hermione took the chance to speak up. "So you're really the heir of Slytherin?"
Draco snorted – of course they would go for the obvioius, "No… I'm Ravenclaw's heir." He looked up at all the occupants of the room, noting their surprise, and smirked.
"Yeah… right…" Ginny Weasley rolled her eyes.
"Yes, I am. I have the tattoo on my shoulder to prove it." Draco muttered, picking up the book he had been reading off the floor and frowning, trying to find the page he was on, inwardly cursing the trio and their mascot.
"Then who the hell is Slytherin's heir?!" Saint Potter looked confused, and Draco realised this gave him great pleasure.
"You wouldn't know her." Draco shrugged.
"Her?!" They all grasped at this new information. Draco nearly laughed at their eagerness, but he kept up his demeanour and instead rolled his eyes.
"She doesn't go to Hogwarts, and her name is Ellora Ruburn."
Draco had to admit; out of all the heirs he missed her the most, mostly because she didn't go to Hogwarts, so he couldn't even exchange secret smiles with her in the corridors. He saw all of the others every day in school, and sometimes even managed to speak to them – but all he could do with Ellora was Owl her, but he couldn't do that really, without arousing suspicion.
"So what about the other heirs? Who are they?" Ginny asked. Draco knew what they all meant – who was Gryffindor's heir?
"You all know them." Draco smirked, "Actually, I believe you're friends with Hufflepuff's… Luna Lovegood."
There were gasps around the room.
"No way…" Ron breathed out.
"B-But she's in Ravenclaw." Hermione frowned.
"And I'm in Slytherin." Draco shrugged.
"I can't believe she kept that from me." Ginny muttered.
"We weren't allowed to tell anyone… at all." Draco shrugged.
"So… c'mon, whose Gryffindor's heir?" Harry asked.
Draco really looked forward to see their reaction to this, he knew they wouldn't believe him.
"You'll never believe me if I tell you." Draco smirked, sitting on his bed. They all looked at him expectantly and he told them, "Neville Longbottom."
They all stared at him in silence.
"Are you sure?" Hermione broke the silence, crossing her arms across her chest.
"I've known them all since I was one… I think I know who they are." Draco said snidely.
"No… It can't be Neville… He's too…" Ron trailed off.
"Cowardly? Stupid? Awkward?" Draco offered. He saw them all start to deny it, but he shut them up before they even spoke, "You must be aware by now that we all act a little differently to who we actually are so that people get thrown off our tail? I mean… I'm only second in class – we all know Ravenclaw's heir should be first, and I could easily beat you when I'm asleep normally, Granger."
"You could not!" Hermione denied.
"Yeah, you tell yourself that, Granger." Draco scoffed.
"That still doesn't explain why you're in Slytherin." Ron accused.
"Could you imagine what Voldemort would do if he found out his loyal servant's son was an heir?" Draco said darkly, "I was put in Slytherin and taught to be a pure-blood mad asshole for my own protection. And now if you can all leave my room..?"
They all stared at him for a moment before complying with his wishes and leaving the room. Draco grumbled profanities at them before settling back into his book.