It's the beginning of December which means it's the beginning of the the giving season so to honor that, there are going to be more chapters posted. I know, it's like Christmas!
I hope you enjoy Campbell being a little bit feisty.
I don't own Harry Potter, Just Campbell.
That was years ago, a lifetime ago. The war had changed so much in that time and now? Campbell wasn't the same girl. Neither was Theo. Their father, who was now thankfully rotting in Azkaban, had made Theo take the Dark Mark. He had said that Campbell would never be a Death Eater because she was just a girl, her only job was to marry a wealthy powerful pureblood boy and produce pureblood heirs.
They were back on the same train again, going to their 8th year, a made up year that was for all the children of the war. Campbell and Theo had agreed that they would both attend and see what exactly they were going to do with the rest of their lives now that there was no one to tell them who they were going to become.
They weren't in a compartment of their own this time though. They were sitting out in the open, with the rest of the 8th years, at a table in the back of the train. There were only about 50 or so students that chose to return, each with their own reasons.
"This is ridiculous," mumbled Malfoy across from them.
"What is?" Theo asked.
"Coming back," he clarified. "You've got to see that Nott, no one wants us here." Campbell shifted in her seat. It had always been this way with the boys. They talked like she wasn't there unless she had something to chip in and then Someone would usually tell her that her opinions were not needed.
Theo sighed and cast a glance at his sister. She met his eye and nodded slightly. They had their own unspoken language, as if they could read each other's minds. They both knew that Malfoy was just speaking because he thought that it was what they were all thinking.
"I actually am looking forward to it," Campbell chirped. She didn't look at anyone when she said that, addressing everyone. Her face was unreadable to anyone who wasn't her twin.
It was Blaise that spoke to her. He had always been so nice to her. "Of course you are," he teased. "You're almost as bookish as Granger."
"Mudblood," Crabbe mumbled under his breath. Theo and Campbell had never liked that word but they had heard it enough growing up that it never fazed them to hear it in conversation. Theo had even used it from time to time, but Campbell found it unlady like to do so.
"If only she had the drive to get the marks she might actually be top of the class," Theo smiled next to her, ignoring Crabbe as he always did.
Malfoy scoffed. "As if your sister could compete on my level." It was a jest to be sure but it was still a reminder to Campbell that it never mattered before if she was smart or not, she just had to look good.
"If I wanted to, I could kick your pomus arse Malfoy." All the Slytherins looked at her then. "On and off the field," she added with a smug smile then went back to inspecting her nails.
"Are you implying that you're competent on a broom Little Nott?" Blaise asked. She looked into his deep eyes. He was messing with her. Blaise knew that she was good on a broom and that she like quidditch but her father had never allowed her to play.
"Oh I'm sorry," Campbell said quickly, "It wasn't meant to be implied. It was explicit. I am a better Seeker than Malfoy could ever dream to be." Theo laughed at his sister's bold new attitude. She usually was only like this with him but it was nice to see her shine in public.
Malfoy choked on his tea. "Yeah right," he finally said. Theo rolled his eyes. He knew that Campbell felt like she had to prove herself this year. She wasn't just a pretty face and soon everyone was going to know it.
Once they made it to the castle they were escorted away from the Great Hall, away from the sorting ceremony. Headmistress McGonagall lead them to a new section of the castle that had been added when they were rebuilding after the war.
"This year," McGonagall started, "you will not be in houses. You are all just 8th years, and as such you will live in the 8th year dorms together as one. There is going to be an 8th year table set in the Great Hall for meals, and there will be no points awarded to any of you."
The old witch led them to a portrait of a pretty young victorian girl with a fan in her hand. She smiled down at the students showing off her fangs. A vampire.
"This is your entrance to your dormitories. The password is Cattiberry." The vampire bowed her head as the portrait swung away from the wall to a common room. There was a fireplace on one of the walls and several seating arrangements were scattered about. It had none of the space of the Slytherin common room. Everything seemed crammed together. The colors were a mix of all of the houses as if the furniture was in fact scavenged from all the other dorms and just scattered into the room.
"Girls," McGonagall started, "will be on the left and straight up. Boys will be on the right and up. I expect good behavior from all of you. It is a privilege that you are back behind these walls, not a right."
"Of course Headmistress," Granger piped as if the witch had only been talking to her. Theo rolled his eyes.
"There is no curfew for you lot," she continued, "but if a Prefect tells you to return to your dorm, I suggest you do so. Just because most of you are 18 doesn't mean that the rules no longer apply to you." There was a lot of mermering amongst the group. "Also, there will be an 8th year quidditch team this year. Madam Hooch will hold tryouts on Thursday. Any questions?"
Granger's hand shot into the air. Of course she had questions. "Headmistress, will there be practice N.E.W.T.s available for study purposes?"
"Sod all," Baise whispered next to Campbell.
"Yes, the new Ministry has suggested that practice exams should be available to anyone who would like to take them, but they are completely optional." Campbell thought that she might try it out and see what kind of score she could get before any classes really started.
McGonagall clapped her hands together. "I will leave you to either get settled or come down to the Great Hall for dinner. Either way please get a good night's rest as classes start tomorrow." With that she was off.
Campbell looked at Theo and simply stated, "I'm hungry," then took off towards the Great Hall. In truth it wasn't as much hunger as it was a curiosity to see the new students and to sit somewhere other than the Slytherin table. Theo trailed close behind her and Campbell noticed that most of the other 8th years were following her as well.
Not to be outdone, Malfoy came up beside her. "You're awfully assertive this term," he noted next to her. Malfoy had come a far way from the transparent boy she first met. He was taller than her and had scars that you couldn't see unless you looked closely. He was all lithe muscle and strong cheekbones. He wore a black suit like usual and it seemed as though his anger reverberated off of him in waves.
"I've always been assertive Malfoy," Campbell breathed, "I just never had the liberty to show it before."
Malfoy scoffed. "I'm surprised your brother lets you do as you wish." Theo cast him a look at the mention of him. Campbell looked over her shoulder to see an irate look cross his bored features. She just shook her head softly at him.
"He is not my keeper. And anyway, why would he be? I am my own person, and it's about time people saw that." Campbell stomped ahead and swung the Great Hall doors open with wandless magic. The entire hall fell silent as she strode in, all the 8th years at her back.
Every eye was on her as she made her way to the front where their table was set up. She took up a place in the middle of the table and people started to file in around her. Houses mainly sat together, especially the Slytherins but it was no matter, Campbell had claimed this seat for the year and she would be damned if anyone tried to take it from her. Malfoy took the seat across from her, much to her chagrin, but she didn't let it show. She was the picture of decorum.
Blaise slid in on her left and Theo on her right. Daphne and Pansy where on Malfoy's left and Crabbe and Goyle to his right. It looked like a very attractive meeting of young Death Eaters Campbell thought but then swiftly shoved the thought away.
"That was some entrance Little Nott," Blaise mused beside her.
She smiled at the boy, he had always made an effort to be her friend and include her in things, not just her brother or not just as an obligatory tagalong. "I think this year is going to be fun," Campbell said and scooped food onto her plate.
