Summary: Welcome to the life of Fiona Black. Hardly normal on a good day, but now that her father has escaped Azkaban, she has begun to wonder if her life will ever return to normal. What secrets will she discover? And will she be able to keep her own secrets hidden? This story is slightly AU, with my OC, lots of Ginny, a bit of Draco, lots of Remus, and of course, Padfoot.
Disclaimer: I own none of this. If I did, then I would be the one rollin' in the mad cash. Instead, the greatness that is Missus J.K. Rowling is. Oh well, onward towards this meager fan's fiction!
A/N: So what's going to happen to Draco? Anyone think Fiona's going to intervene? Enjoy!
Chapter Two: The Aftermath
THE SORTING FEAST took entirely too long, at least that's how it felt to Fiona. Everywhere around her, students were smiling and laughing. Summer had drug on forever, and most students were thrilled to be back at school, and surrounded by their friends. However, Fiona and her best friend Ginny seemed to be exempt from the excitement. Ginny, was of course still reeling from the traumatizing experience that had been her first year at school. And this was also part of Fiona's dismay at being back at Hogwarts. More than that though, was the thee matter of her father being at large. Since Fiona had started the train ride in seclusion, save for Ginny's company, she had been spared the accusing stares and rude whispers. Now as she sat in the Great Hall, half-heartedly picking at her mashed potatoes, Fiona was finding it nearly impossible to ignore the attention. Every house table was swapping the newest gossip about her father's whereabouts, the talk occasionally coupled with a look in her direction; some students even had the gall to point her out to others.
Fiona sighed, and shot a look at the silent Ginny. "Gin, this is bloody ridiculous." Fiona spoke in a low voice, trying her best to not give the students any more fodder for ridiculing her. Ginny sent a sympathetic look at her friend, as she sat the biscuit she had been picking at down. "I know, Fi. It'd be amazing if people would just mind their own damn business for once, wouldn't it?" The girls grinned at each other, and instantly the tension that they had both been feeling dissipated. They each scooted closer to the table, and began to discuss what classes they were taking, who was dating who, and of course Hogsmead. When Ron had starteed lording the fact that he would be going to the infamous wizarding village and Ginny would not over her head, the girls had begun to plan. It just seemed a bit wrong to them, that first and second year students weren't allowed to make the trips. Really, who decided these things? Now Fiona was determined to find a way to go to the village, regardless of the means.
The girls were pulled out of their conversation, by the appearance of the Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts and their head-of-house, Professor McGonagle. She stood behind Fiona, and pointedly cleared her throat. "Hello miss Black, miss Weasley." The stern woman regarded the two girls with a slight inclination of her head and a small smile. "Miss Black, the Headmaster requests you at his office after you have finished your dinner. You know what this is about." Professor McGonagle and Fiona made eye contact, holding each other's gazes until the older witch finally looked away. "Have a good evening miss Weasley." And with that, the woman headed back to the staff table. The two friends looked at each other with bewildered expressions. "Well," Ginny said, "she was a bit cold." Fiona nodded her agreement. Her and the Gryffendoor heard of house had never been close, but they had always been at least friendly. "I wonder if she's angry about what happened on the train." Ginny snorted loudly. "I think she may be a bit more pissed about what she thinks you're going to do, than about what you have already done." Fiona looked at her friend quizzically. "What are you on about Giin? What is it that McGonagle thinks I am going to do?" Ginny stopped toying with the fork she had been scraping along her plat, to roll her eyes Fiona. "She thinks you are going to do exactly what you're planning on doing, Fi! I know why you told Remus you wanted to be there when Dumbledoor speaks to Malfoy." Fiona deadpanned at her redheaded friend. There was no way that Ginny knew what Fiona planned on doing; Fiona herself wasn't even sure about it yet!
"Gin…I don't know what to tell you. I know that what Draco did was completely uncalled for, and almost killed me, but - - I don't know. I'm not angry about it, because really it was my own fault - -" Fiona was cut off by an indignant Ginny. "You're mental! How in the hell was that little stunt your fault?" Fiona struggled to voice her thoughts to her friend. "I threatened him, Gin - - and then I humiliated him. Other than the spell being uncommonly nasty, the boy didn't do anything that I wouldn't have done!" Fiona threw a pleading look at her friend, as she stood from the table and began to walk away. "I'll see you later Gin, we can talk more tonight."
FIONA AND DRACO sat in two over-large leather wingback chairs. In front of them, seated behind his desk, was Albus Dumblledoor, Headmaster off Hogwarts. The ancient wizard stroked a hand through his three-foot-long white beard, as he regarded the children in front of him. To either side of the Headmaster, stood Professors McGonagle and Snape. The two heads of houses were alternating between shooting contemptuous looks at each other, and then at their students. The last person in the room was Remus, Hogwarts newest professor. The man sat quietly, with his chin propped on his fist. Even though he sat half in shadow, Fiona could tell that something was slightly off. With a start, his niece realized for the first time just how angry he was. That isn't good, the girl thought. That isn't good in the slightest. Finally, after a silence that seemed to drag one forever, the headmaster spoke.
"Miss Black, there is some rather impressive talk circulating throughout the school about you tonight." The old man spoke lightly, but his eyes were trained to the girl's face. Fiona replied, slightly confused. Which part was impressive? The part where she kicked Draco's ass, or the part where he returned the favor tenfold? "I'm not sure that I understand what you're referring to, sir." The old man made a sweeping gesture. "You're Patronus, my dear. Most - - nay I say all - - witches your age would not have been able to say the incantation, much less conjure even a wisp of smoke. From what I've been told, not only did you perfectly perform the spell, you also conjured a complete Partonus. A dragon, I believe. Am I correct?" The old man's eyes danced as he said the last, leaving the witch in front of him - - once again - - slightly confused. Tentatively, she nodded. Dumbledoor continued. "You are a very talented witch, Miss Black. Dare I say, both of your parents would be immensely proud of you." Fiona licked her suddenly dry lips, and forced herself to make a small nod.
"Now, I suppose we should get down to business, as they say. The late hours of the night are fast approaching, and tomorrow will be a busy day for all. Usually in this type of situation, Mr. Mayfoy's parents would have already been notified of his actions, and his immanent expulsion would have already been decided upon." Next to her, Draco tensed slightly. Without thinking about it, Fiona snaked her foot out a few inches to the left and found his. She nudged it slightly, trying to provide some sort of comfort. "However, I feel that - - since you were the one on the receiving end of Mr. Malfoy's curse - - your account should be heard before any further action is taken." All eyes then came to rest on Fiona. Well, she thought glumly. Here goes nothing.
"My account is quite simple, headmaster. Draco made me angry, and I threatened him. We then dulled, and he unintentionally attacked me a bit more brutally than he had intended to. I am just as much in the wrong here as he is ,sir." Four sets of eyes now stared in disbelief at the young witch. The Griffendoor head of house and the Defense Professor both made noises of protest, but they were silenced by a waving motion of Dumbledoor's hand. Professor Dumbledoor and Fiona sat staring at each other, both faces impassive. The headmaster looked between the two students, his eyes again coming to rest on Fiona. "So that is your story, then, so to speak? Both of you are guilty, and it was all an accident?" Fiona licked her lips again, and felt a nudging against her left foot. Draco was returning the gesture of comfort she had offered him. "That's right sir." Across the room, Remus glared at his niece. The headmaster nodded. "Very well, then. The two of you are to report directly to the library every evening after dinner, and every Saturday morning at nine o'clock. You are to complete any task given to you; this will serve as a type of detention. This punishment will continue until the Christmas holiday. I know that this may all seem a bit harsh, but I cannot - - nor will I - - condone the type of behavior that the two of you demonstrated earlier today. Are there any questions?" Dumbledoor's harsh look was softened, by the kindness that could be heard in his voice.
The students in front of him shook their heads. "Well then, I bid you both a good night, and a wonderful day tomorrow." "G'night, sir." Fiona and Draco muttered the same words as they filed out of the room. As their feet landed on the stone floor in front of the stairs, the gargoyles to either side jumped in front of the flight, blocking it off from the corridor once more. Silence hung think in the air between them, as the two stood side by side. Fiona glanced at the Slytherin, and saw that his hands were stuffed deep in his pockets, and he was looking hard at the ground. They stood there for at least a full minute, each one waiting for the other to say something. Eventually, Fiona just walked away, not seeing the look that passed over the boy's face as she left him in her wake.
A/N: Chapter Two! Woot, woot! Considerably shorter than the others, but it's late, and I should be memorizing about six different pathways. Oh, and 206 bones. Yays. I promise, chapter three won't be far away. Review? Anyone? Please?