Yet again; I do not own any original HP characters they belong to JK Rowling blah, blah, blah. So this chapter started off about half the length, and mostly filler. But the more I read it the more ideas I started getting. In any case; most of this will come into play a little later in the story, and I couldn't really mesh up this with the next chapter, so I let it be. :] Not many characters in this one -_-
Feel free to criticize I am open to new ideas. ^-^
The song is: So Far Away by Crossfade [I always wondered; does anyone actually listen to the songs? (: because I don't remember what story it was, but a few years back an author put up songs that fit the chapter and I'd always type in that song and I don't know why I'm rambling on, but I always wondered does any one do that too? …Not with my story specifically, but in general?]
Anyways, sorry I rambled on for so long, on with the story:
It was the second day of school and poor Rachel Sawyer had zero Slytherin friends so far. She tried to talk to Harry, Ron, and especially Hermione, but her House had strict rules against it. These unwritten rules made it very hard to keep contact with anyone she previously spoke too. It was then that Rachel realized being her grandmother's perfect angel would take a little more than her usual charm. Sitting down at the Slytherin table she watched all the different kids interact with one another, yet she seemed to be excluded from all forms of communication. Silently eating her breakfast the eleven year old Slytherin felt a tap on her shoulder. Turning around, she a saw a short looking girl with brown hair and sparkling green eyes. But then again, at age eleven almost everyone was short. She never really saw that girl in her house, but then again…Rachel didn't know many people at the moment.
"Hi," smiled the brown haired girl. "I noticed you were sitting alone, so I thought you would need someone next to you. I'm Danielle Carmichael by the way."
-Present-
It's weird how different things were back in my first year. When I was eleven, I wasn't exactly the loudest or most noticeable person…yet, from the quiet girl, I turned in to the 'Slytherin Princess'. Strange, how life seems to change so drastically, dragging you along the way.
"I don't understand, how could…why?"
I took a silent breath of frustration, "Danielle, honestly, he isn't worth it. He's a good friend, not so much a good boyfriend."
"You're not helping Rachel!" Her voice echoed through the empty dormitory, creating a silence of awkwardness and despair. Thank Merlin everybody else was eating dinner, and whoever wasn't, well they were doing a damn good job at not making themselves visible.
"Look," I took another sigh to collect my thoughts. "I know how much it hurts" Bullshit. "And I know how hard this is for you" Bullshit. "But he isn't the only guy for you. Believe me. It's been a week, you are a strong girl, don't let one boy be the downfall of you." If only I could say what I really wanted to…If only I could tell her to suck it up and get over it. But, I didn't. Instead, I sat there for another night, and watched her cry herself to sleep.
Weird…poor girl…she is completely conflicted. It still takes me a good hour and a half to put the girl to bed and convince her she needs her sleep. Her usually bright eyes, dimmed to a shade of muck green. If she smiled, it was rarely genuine. Funny, how a girl so strong and self assured would collapse from a blow like this. Things like these…they never hurt me. Danielle, the one who was usually so optimistic crumbled under the actions of one boy. I honestly didn't know Blaise had that in him; but then again he was put into Slytherin for a reason; not to mention he is a horny, sixteen year old boy. I found no reason to really weep over a such things either. I was never one to cry over little things, in fact, I was never one to cry in general. Even as a child, crying was forbidden in my household, it showed a sign of complete weakness. I wish I could help Danielle, help her get passed this, but how can you help someone when you don't care?
I care for her; at least I make myself believe I do. She is the closest thing to a friend I have, but I can't bring myself to make her pain subside in any way, shape, or form. I understand her pain, relative to the fact that is there…but I don't feel it. I don't feel her pain, her sadness, her heartache. I just see her with all those emotions, yet the best I can do is sit and pat her back; whispering kind words that honestly, don't mean a thing.
Still being pretty early, I turned off the lights and went to the Common Room. Taking out a book, I sat down on the black leather couch and began to read. People shuffled in and out of the room, but I paid no mind to them, until I felt the couch shift a bit to the opposite end. I looked up from the book and saw a head of pale blonde hair. He didn't look to well, and I could only guess why. His hair was a mess, his eyes were bloodshot, and his skin matched the color of a corpse. Guess? I take that back. I knew the exact reason why. Draco's initiation has begun. The Lord has branded a new 'member'…I closed the book I was holding and stared at him, waiting for a word to come out. But nothing.
"…Why?"
His head snapped to my direction, as if not expecting the meekness of my voice. "You bloody well know why Sawyer, don't play dumb. You know the same fate waits for you too, so I don't see why you're so shocked…." He looked away from me and into the fire. "This has nothing to do what you or I want. We were made to serve." I still didn't say a word, but just scooted over to him. Taking his frail form, I leaned him in to me. Nobody saw this side of the infamous Draco Malfoy. Rarely will they ever, but I knew all too well that my input, no matter how much I wanted, was unnecessary. I also knew, his words held some truth…if not all, but until the day came, I refused to believe them. "You know, Danielle still feels like crap from what Blaise did to her."
"Do I look like I fucking care? He screwed her over. Big fucking deal, she needs to suck it up that's what she needs to do." I shook my head, but I couldn't disagree. Not when I held the same ideals. I don't know what kind of friend I really am at this point…We sat there for another thirty minutes before I felt Draco dozing off.
"Draco" I said, no answer. "Draco" Nudge. "Draco" Nudge. Nudge. "Fucking ass…MALFOY!" I felt him shift and open his tired eyes. "Come on you lazy prick, get up, and go to bed."
He got up and walked up to the stairs leading up to the boy's dormitory. He turned around and gave me one last look. "Don't do anything stupid when you get the letter Sawyer, just do what you are told."
It was almost two in the morning by the time I got back to my bed and sleep was not an ally of mine tonight. The room was silent and calm, something I have wanted for the past few years, to bad that was yet another distraction that was keeping me from sleep. Draco's words echoed through my brain, and I couldn't get them out. Just like Ron's did on the train ride to Hogwarts. Both haunted my dreams and plagued my thoughts. It took me a while, but I finally realized that I might as well do something productive then lie around. Standing up from the bed, I put my feet on the cold, concrete floor, sending a shiver through my body. The Slytherin common room and dorms were a lot cozier than most think, but they were never ones for a great view. After all, it is the dungeons. Grabbing a random sweater from my trunk I got up and snuck out of the dorms, past the poorly lit common room, and the cold, lifeless dungeons. If you get freaked out here during the day, you do not want to be caught venturing around these parts in the middle of the night.
As hard as I thought getting out to Hogwarts grounds would be, it really isn't. With the right knowledge of the place and the right hiding spots that squib Filch wouldn't even think of finding you… Stepping out on to the grass I felt a cool breeze, for once I was thankful for bringing my cloak. Closing my eyes I took in the smell of the grass, trees, and the forest in general. Walking to the lake I sat down and stared at the black water as the moon and stars reflected off of it. This was peaceful, it was nice. Moments like these were ones that I cherished the most; the feeling of being the only person on the planet. This has been my spot since I had started in Hogwarts. The lake was possibly the thread I was hanging off of, the one that keeps me from going insane. It was teacher free, work free, student free, and most importantly grandmother free. Everything just stops for you, or so it feels. Like a little breather. The cool breeze and sound made by the branches and leaves as the wind pushes them back forth was perfect. Closing my eyes I sat for what seemed like an eternity. My thoughts halted and there was a sudden wave of relaxation in my head…until I felt the grass shift. Opening one eye I stared at the hooded figure next to me. Now a normal person would have enough brain power to realize this isn't a good situation, but then again it's almost four in the morning. You can't possibly expect me to think logically. Not that it really mattered to me at this point.
The figure was just sitting there, staring and truthfully, he was really starting to tick me off. "Do you mind?" I scowled at him.
The figure tilted his head at me. "No, not at all," A deep, American voice answered to me. I don't think I know anyone with that kind of voice. "So why is a girl like you here so late?"
"A girl like me? Why is a boy like you out here?" I received no response, just a chuckle. I rolled my eyes and leaned back against my tree. Maybe if I said nothing, he would leave. Maybe if I took out my wand, he would leave. I could send a few threats his way…or I could just sit here and pretend he doesn't exist.
I heard him shuffling around a bit, trying to find a comfortable spot…as if I invited him. Nobody invited his arse here…"You're in Slytherin right?" He said pointing to my green and silver cloak.
This boy held no threat, he was just a nuisance. "No, I'm just a small Gryffindor girl who likes to wear Slytherin clothing…" I let out an exasperated sigh and pulled the hood of my cloak even lower so I was completely incapable of seeing.
A deep chuckle resonated from his body and echoed through the open air. There was a bit of a silence and a rustling of clothing. Curiosity, obviously getting the best of me, I peaked up from under my hood and saw the boy had removed his. Considering the circumstances I didn't get much of a view, but he had a mess of dark hair and the moon light brought out his brilliant blue eyes…maybe green; he looked so familiar. I know I saw him before somewhere, but I couldn't figure out when or where for that matter. "You know I was just wondering, most girls aren't out this late."
This boy is either really daft or unreasonably bored. If I make no interest to speak to you, you would think the hint would be taken…"Maybe I'm not most girls."
"Figured, I was told to stay clear of you…" I arched my eyebrow and gave him a long hard look from under my cloak. "…heard your kind was …dangerous?" he continued.
"I'm sure."
He looked away from the sky and looked at me. "…heard a lot of nasty stuff about Slytherins" He took a pause, and cocked his head to the side while giving me a lopsided smile. "You don't look very harmful, to me."
I chuckled and closed my eyes again. He didn't seem like much of a danger, in fact there was something about this boy that made it that much better to be around him. "Looks can be deceiving…"
Another deep chuckled was emitted from him, only this time a bit lower than before. "So, what…you going to attack me, Ms. Slytherin?"
"Not today…" After my comment there was a comfortable silence. This guy really wasn't that bad after all. He wasn't like any of the boys from Slytherin. I couldn't sense even a hint of ulterior motive…however that still beckoned for one question in my head. "Why are you here?"
The grass shifted again and he lied down on his back putting his hands behind his head. "Shouldn't you?" I didn't answer him.
"I really don't know…to think I guess; when I came in to the school this was the first spot I saw, guess I wasn't the only one…" I sighed at his response, not really knowing what to say. So instead, we just sat there in complete silence. I felt him move a little, and as the breeze picked up the smell of pine trees and lemon hit my nose, a sort of outdoor like smell.
We didn't talk about much, there's not much we could have talked about, but it was comforting. I didn't need some Slytherin façade nor did I need to intimidate him. I didn't have to hear about my future from him and not once has he told me on how much of a bitch I am. He didn't know me and I sure as hell didn't know him. And it was the fact that we didn't know each other made it that much better.
No more waiting for the end
Of every day that I will spend
Wishing that I only had a choice
