ATTENTION EVERYONE: Please reread the last paragraph of chapter five. Thank you, and sorry for the inconvenience.
This chapter is dedicated to Shannan, in honor of her birthday. ^_^
----------
Special thanks go to D-chan, and Sailor Ronin Usa-chan, for their own above-and-beyond private help in making my
writing better.
----------
Thank you to everyone
who reviewed in this and past chapters, especially those who were so kind as to point out any errors, etc. I really
appreciate the assistance!
In response to reviews (and please excuse the format):
Katoki (Glad you like it!), Aoi no Tenshi (I updated to include the honeywine explanation. ^_^), Sailor Ronin
Usa-chan (Glad you like it. As for Harry and Ron attending the quidditch match unaccompanied, I figured that
since they are in fourth year already, 15 years old is old enough to go to the game by themselves, especially since only
two tickets were won (by Ron, incidentally)...Bunny Winner (You flatter me... ^_^... I admit, it is difficult (even so as I
attempt) to keep everyone in character...), elisabeth the ultimate harry/u (Harry's gonna get busted....), D-chan (Arigato!
Evilish Malfoy *_*), Heart Soul (I'm glad you like it... I'll try to make the chapters longer...I suppose I meant to say
that Draco a) averted his eyes from her gaze, or b) Draco avoided her gaze. Arigato for pointing it out, I'll fix that
straight away!), Shannan (I'm seriously having a dilemma over the pairing; see my note below. 'appy Birthday!),
KeeperOfTheMoon (What happened? It may have been a spell, or something else... Minna-san will just have to read below to
find out...),Silver Moon Goddess (Arigato!)
---------
TO EVERYONE!!!
1) I'll try to make the chapters longer.
2) It seems that the pairing in this story is a rather relevant issue to some of its readers. While I earlier said to a
select few (who will please choose to remain in anonymity) that the couple in this fic would be a certain pairing, it is
to my regret that the pairing is of yet ambiguous. Please understand this... I will include further romance between Usagi
and Harry, Usagi and Draco, but the pairing is completely uncertain... This is not at all because of what readers do or
do not wish for, but simply because the way the story is going so far limits the possibility of a particular pairing.
I sincerely appreciate everyone's continuing support of my story! ^_^
---------
Please continue to read, and review, everyone!
---------
I do not own Harry Potter or Sailor Moon.
---------
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
"Heartless: Games of the Mind" Chapter Six
by August Sere
-------
"What in the name of the Dark Lord is *this*?!" Lucius Malfoy slammed the newspaper onto the kitchen table, and fixed his
cold glare upon his son. It was rather early, and Draco yawned slightly. Having been waiting for the kitchen servants to
finish making his morning cup of tea, the teenaged boy still hadn't thrown off the lingering effects of sleep. He hadn't,
that is, until he looked down at the paper, which was identifiable as the Daily Prophet.
It was hard to resist the urge to laugh at the concept of his father reading the "Celebrity Gossip" column of the popular
newspaper, until the humor of the situation was overcome by the content of the column itself. Draco looked slowly up at his
father, and then back down at the Prophet again. His silvery-blue eyes widened considerably as he read.
-------
Daily Prophet, Issue 642. August 12, Gamma Decade.
~~~~~~~~~~
Playboy Potter?
It appears that even celebrities find love, as evidenced by Harry Potter's recent exploration of romance with an unknown
young witch. Potter was seen with the young woman at yesterday's England vs. Ireland quidditch home game by none other than
this reporter, writes Rita Skeeter, Special Correspondent. When asked about their seemingly close relationship, both Potter
and the anonymous young woman refused the opportunity to comment. It is unknown whether or not the young witch will be
attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry come September. If she does, she would be well advised to be wary of
her mail there- it is no secret that Harry has many other female admirers. More on Mr. Potter's romantic escapades and the
identity of this young woman as events unfold.
~~~~~~
Beside the article was a picture of Harry and Usagi talking rather intimately beside a railing. Quidditch players were
zooming in the backround. Every once in awhile Harry would touch the side of Usagi's face gently as she smiled at him, and
it was at these moments that Draco's hands would clench particularly tight around the paper. The young Malfoy looked up at
his father, his eyes narrowed in anger. 'That bloody git....' Draco shook imperceptibly with hatred as he voiced his
answer.
"...I don't know."
"Wasn't she at the game with you, then?!" Lucius Malfoy's voice sounded oddly sarcastic.
"She was. I don't know when this could have happened..." Draco shook his head, and forced himself to release the Daily
Prophet from his tight grip. "Unless..."
"Unless what?" Lucius had calmed down slightly, regaining a bit of his cold exterior.
"She did go to use the ladies' room, once..." Draco trailed off, as his father looked at him oddly.
"Are you suggesting that Potter went into there with her?" Draco's father looked mildly disgusted, and Draco shook his head.
"No, but he might have followed her, or some bit..." At this, Lucius Malfoy nodded slightly, then closed his eyes in
agitation.
"This is unexcusable, Draco... I don't care what you have to do, but this," Lucius tapped the picture of Harry and
Usagi angrily, "will not- must not- happen again! The Lord is extremely angry- it took all of my sway with him to convince
him not to curse you. Do better!" The older Malfoy nodded with finality, snatched up the paper, and stormed
out of the room. Draco nodded slightly. He had never felt much affinity towards the Dark Lord, but he certainly was
proud of his pure bloodline, of his family...
Just then Usagi flew into the room.
"Draco, Draco!" She enveloped him in a hug, which he returned awkwardly. "I've just got a letter, from Hogwarts!" Usagi's
eyes sparkled merrily, and Draco inwardly frowned. 'If Usagi goes there, she'll see more of Potter,' he thought, scowling.
Usagi frowned lightly at his expression. "Aren't you happy? I'll be going to school with you..." She looked slightly hurt,
and Draco nodded.
"That's good, Usagi." He said, after a pause. "But, won't you be behind? It'd be your fourth year..." Draco had to
stop himself from smirking. 'A way to keep her away from Potter,' he thought.
"The letter says I've already learned most of what I need to know during the summers; and that I can get a tutor at school,"
she responded, grinning. Draco raised an eyebrow questioningly.
"Summers?" Usagi nodded.
"Yes. When I studied magic with my Auntie M." Draco nodded, remembering his father's brief explanation of the girl's
magical tutorage. Just then the servants appeared with Draco's tea, which he directed towards Usagi.
"Really, Usagi," Narcissa Malfoy said, having swept into the room during Usagi's last statement, "You oughtn't to say
'Auntie.' It makes you sound like a small child." She looked Usagi once over, nodding in approval at the girl's posture,
which had much improved over the past month.
"Be back in a bit, Usagi- I'm going to go tell father..." Draco frowned slightly, "Of the good news."
"Alright, Draco..." Usagi nodded and sipped the cup of tea, watching the Malfoy heir as he left the room.
-----------
Draco approached the door of his father's library, knocked twice quickly, and entered. Taking care not to disturb anything,
he slunk about until he found his father on a lower level of the room preparing a letter to send to the Ministry of Magic.
His father glanced up at him, but did not stop writing.
"Yes?"
"Father, Usagi's got a letter- from Hogwarts." Draco eyed his father nervously.
"Hogwarts?" Lucius put down his quill, and looked towards his son. Draco nodded, and the elder Malfoy
frowned. "Isn't Usagi 14? A bit old to start at Hogwarts, I should say."
"Yes, well, they've accepted her, anyhow." Draco scowled, and his father smiled derisively.
"Well, there's nothing to be done about it. Saying she can't go would make her suspicious." Lucius nodded at this.
"She'll just have to come with us to get supplies at Diagon Alley tomorrow." Draco nodded in resignation, and went to
tell Usagi.
--------------------------------------
Diagon Alley was crowded, to say the least. Three days before term started and it seemed to be bustling with nearly half of
the students who would be attending Hogwarts that year, along with their families.
Draco and Usagi were currently being led about Diagon Alley by Draco's father, who was being treated with much deference
by all of the shopkeepers and passersby. Currently they were in Olivander's shop, having their wands serviced. Usagi was
glad that Draco had been able to locate her wand- apparently it had been lost in some of her luggage during an earlier trip
that summer, which, incidentally, was yet another experience that the young lady did not remember.
Usagi smiled as she handed her wand to Mr. Olivander, who examined it for a moment before looking at her curiously.
"What did you say your name was, my dear?"
"She didn't," Draco said, scowling at the wizened old wizard. Usagi ignored her fiance, and curtsied toward the shopkeeper.
"Usagi Moon."
"...Moon?" The bunned one nodded affirmatively, looking a bit bewildered. Olivander smiled widely. "Why, I never thought
that-"
"Draco." Lucius Malfoy coldly interruped the wizard's voice, scowling. "I will wait for the wands. Go get the girl a pet or
something."
"Yes, sir." Draco and Usagi left the shop together, and approached the Creature Emporium, flanked by a servant who was
carrying many shopping bags. Usagi had tried to be of some assistance with the bags, but both Draco and the attendant had
stoutly refused.
Inside the shop, Usagi was having a hard time deciding what kind of a pet to buy. Draco already had an owl they would
be able to use for post, and she certainly didn't want a toad. While as a fourth-year she was allowed other types of
pets, Usa decided finally upon a silver cat with an odd marking upon its forehead, and named it Demilune. It was a bit
unnerving, the way the cat kept staring at her- but Usagi figured she'd get used to it, and left the shop to wait outside
while Draco paid for the animal.
When Draco came outside, he was covered with scratches. Usagi giggled, and quickly covered her mouth to block the sound.
She ran over to him from her location next to the servant girl, whose name was Judith, and looked at him worriedly.
"What happened?!"
"Your bloody wretch of a cat attacked me, is what happened," Draco responded, scowling, and thrust the irritated feline
towards Usagi. The animal jumped up onto Usagi's shoulder, in the process scratching Draco once more for good measure. It
proceeded to clean off its paws, as if questioning Draco's own hygiene. Usagi smiled with mirth, the smile quickly
converting into an overly serious frown as the blonde boy glared at her.
She looked at him affectionately, brought two fingers together to her lips in a kiss, and pressed them against the most
obtrusive of scratches on Draco's face.
"There, all better," she said, smiling. He looked at her, and, unable to fully resist the urge to smile at her affection,
frowned deeply in false embarassment, an expression which Usagi did not take in offense. Draco then took Usagi's cat-free
arm within his own, before leading she and the attendant Judith to meet up with his father.
Outside the wand shop, Draco received his wand from Lucius Malfoy, and looked for the offending marks in his reflection
on the store window, preparing to spell them away. Oddly enough, there were no scratches to be found on his face...
--------------
Three days later, September 1st
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Usagi and Draco stood outside the Hogwarts Express train, their bags having already been loaded by Crabbe and Goyle.
Usagi gave last hugs to Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy, both of whom received them awkwardly- though not with entire dissaproval-
before she was helped onto the train by her fiance.
Draco returned to his parents to bid them goodbye, and stood at a safe distance (one which hindered the giving of hugs) in
front of them. After bidding his mother farewell, Draco was pulled aside by his father, who looked down at him before
addressing Draco in a dictatorial tone.
"Keep her away from Potter." With a final nod, Lucius Malfoy said goodbye to his son, and moved to stand by Narcissa.
Draco affirmed his obedience to his father with a movement of his own head and entered the train. The whistle blew as
the clocks all turned to read eleven o'clock precisely, and Draco nearly stumbled as the train lurched into motion. He
cursed and began searching for Usagi in the many train compartments, finally finding her sitting in a compartment with
Ginny Weasley, the Weasley twins, and a few other people. Usagi was blushing madly as George flirted with her,
and Draco scowled.
"What do you think you are doing carrying on with my *fiance*, Weasley?"
"Fiance? You mean...?" George gaped.
"That's right." Draco said smugly. "Usagi, *my* future wife."
"Oy! You mean someone actually said they'd marry you??" Fred said mockingly, and grinned.
"Better luck next time, eh, Usagi??" George continued, laughing, and sending the entire room, save Usagi and Draco, into
stitches. The slytherin scowled and pulled a confused Usagi to her feet and out of the compartment, only to be faced with
Harry Potter and Ron Weasley in the outside aisle. Draco continued scowling and glared at them profusely, spun in the
opposite direction, and, looking more irritated by the minute, went to find the seating which Crabbe and Goyle had saved.
Usagi, the worse for wear after being tugged left and right by Draco, smiled and waved a bemused hello-and-goodbye
to Harry and Ron.
--------------
The sorting went on uneventfully, with the usual remarks from Ron that he was hungry and Hermione's insistant reccomendation
that he ought to shut up. Harry, of course, merely grinned at his friends' antics, and was rather removed from the
ceremony... That is, until the attention of he and everyone else in the hall was commanded by Professor McGonagall's
voice calling out, "Usagi Moon."
The hall became noisy with hushed whispers.
"Did he say Usagi Moon?" "But she's supposed to be dead!" "I thought Voldemort..." And of course, the mandatory, "Wow,
she's pretty..."
Usagi walked nervously toward the front of the Great Hall, sat as gracefully upon the stool as her lessons with Narcissa
Malfoy afforded, and waited as the Professor placed the sorting hat upon her head.
After a rather lengthy internalized conversation between Usagi and the hat, the sorting hat spoke, and everyone in the hall
immediately shut up.
"All right. Miss Moon will be in... Gryffindor!!"
And, as most of the Gryffindors burst into applause, it did not go unnoticed that somewhat odd reactions were emitted from
a few of them... No one would understand for quite some time why several people at the Gryffindor table burst into laughter,
or why one Draco Malfoy chose that exact moment to slam his forehead upon the Slytherin table.
-----------------
The next chapter should be out soon... Please read and review, everyone!! ^_^
Virtual hugs to anyone who goes about it constructively!
-August Sere
This chapter is dedicated to Shannan, in honor of her birthday. ^_^
----------
Special thanks go to D-chan, and Sailor Ronin Usa-chan, for their own above-and-beyond private help in making my
writing better.
----------
Thank you to everyone
who reviewed in this and past chapters, especially those who were so kind as to point out any errors, etc. I really
appreciate the assistance!
In response to reviews (and please excuse the format):
Katoki (Glad you like it!), Aoi no Tenshi (I updated to include the honeywine explanation. ^_^), Sailor Ronin
Usa-chan (Glad you like it. As for Harry and Ron attending the quidditch match unaccompanied, I figured that
since they are in fourth year already, 15 years old is old enough to go to the game by themselves, especially since only
two tickets were won (by Ron, incidentally)...Bunny Winner (You flatter me... ^_^... I admit, it is difficult (even so as I
attempt) to keep everyone in character...), elisabeth the ultimate harry/u (Harry's gonna get busted....), D-chan (Arigato!
Evilish Malfoy *_*), Heart Soul (I'm glad you like it... I'll try to make the chapters longer...I suppose I meant to say
that Draco a) averted his eyes from her gaze, or b) Draco avoided her gaze. Arigato for pointing it out, I'll fix that
straight away!), Shannan (I'm seriously having a dilemma over the pairing; see my note below. 'appy Birthday!),
KeeperOfTheMoon (What happened? It may have been a spell, or something else... Minna-san will just have to read below to
find out...),Silver Moon Goddess (Arigato!)
---------
TO EVERYONE!!!
1) I'll try to make the chapters longer.
2) It seems that the pairing in this story is a rather relevant issue to some of its readers. While I earlier said to a
select few (who will please choose to remain in anonymity) that the couple in this fic would be a certain pairing, it is
to my regret that the pairing is of yet ambiguous. Please understand this... I will include further romance between Usagi
and Harry, Usagi and Draco, but the pairing is completely uncertain... This is not at all because of what readers do or
do not wish for, but simply because the way the story is going so far limits the possibility of a particular pairing.
I sincerely appreciate everyone's continuing support of my story! ^_^
---------
Please continue to read, and review, everyone!
---------
I do not own Harry Potter or Sailor Moon.
---------
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
"Heartless: Games of the Mind" Chapter Six
by August Sere
-------
"What in the name of the Dark Lord is *this*?!" Lucius Malfoy slammed the newspaper onto the kitchen table, and fixed his
cold glare upon his son. It was rather early, and Draco yawned slightly. Having been waiting for the kitchen servants to
finish making his morning cup of tea, the teenaged boy still hadn't thrown off the lingering effects of sleep. He hadn't,
that is, until he looked down at the paper, which was identifiable as the Daily Prophet.
It was hard to resist the urge to laugh at the concept of his father reading the "Celebrity Gossip" column of the popular
newspaper, until the humor of the situation was overcome by the content of the column itself. Draco looked slowly up at his
father, and then back down at the Prophet again. His silvery-blue eyes widened considerably as he read.
-------
Daily Prophet, Issue 642. August 12, Gamma Decade.
~~~~~~~~~~
Playboy Potter?
It appears that even celebrities find love, as evidenced by Harry Potter's recent exploration of romance with an unknown
young witch. Potter was seen with the young woman at yesterday's England vs. Ireland quidditch home game by none other than
this reporter, writes Rita Skeeter, Special Correspondent. When asked about their seemingly close relationship, both Potter
and the anonymous young woman refused the opportunity to comment. It is unknown whether or not the young witch will be
attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry come September. If she does, she would be well advised to be wary of
her mail there- it is no secret that Harry has many other female admirers. More on Mr. Potter's romantic escapades and the
identity of this young woman as events unfold.
~~~~~~
Beside the article was a picture of Harry and Usagi talking rather intimately beside a railing. Quidditch players were
zooming in the backround. Every once in awhile Harry would touch the side of Usagi's face gently as she smiled at him, and
it was at these moments that Draco's hands would clench particularly tight around the paper. The young Malfoy looked up at
his father, his eyes narrowed in anger. 'That bloody git....' Draco shook imperceptibly with hatred as he voiced his
answer.
"...I don't know."
"Wasn't she at the game with you, then?!" Lucius Malfoy's voice sounded oddly sarcastic.
"She was. I don't know when this could have happened..." Draco shook his head, and forced himself to release the Daily
Prophet from his tight grip. "Unless..."
"Unless what?" Lucius had calmed down slightly, regaining a bit of his cold exterior.
"She did go to use the ladies' room, once..." Draco trailed off, as his father looked at him oddly.
"Are you suggesting that Potter went into there with her?" Draco's father looked mildly disgusted, and Draco shook his head.
"No, but he might have followed her, or some bit..." At this, Lucius Malfoy nodded slightly, then closed his eyes in
agitation.
"This is unexcusable, Draco... I don't care what you have to do, but this," Lucius tapped the picture of Harry and
Usagi angrily, "will not- must not- happen again! The Lord is extremely angry- it took all of my sway with him to convince
him not to curse you. Do better!" The older Malfoy nodded with finality, snatched up the paper, and stormed
out of the room. Draco nodded slightly. He had never felt much affinity towards the Dark Lord, but he certainly was
proud of his pure bloodline, of his family...
Just then Usagi flew into the room.
"Draco, Draco!" She enveloped him in a hug, which he returned awkwardly. "I've just got a letter, from Hogwarts!" Usagi's
eyes sparkled merrily, and Draco inwardly frowned. 'If Usagi goes there, she'll see more of Potter,' he thought, scowling.
Usagi frowned lightly at his expression. "Aren't you happy? I'll be going to school with you..." She looked slightly hurt,
and Draco nodded.
"That's good, Usagi." He said, after a pause. "But, won't you be behind? It'd be your fourth year..." Draco had to
stop himself from smirking. 'A way to keep her away from Potter,' he thought.
"The letter says I've already learned most of what I need to know during the summers; and that I can get a tutor at school,"
she responded, grinning. Draco raised an eyebrow questioningly.
"Summers?" Usagi nodded.
"Yes. When I studied magic with my Auntie M." Draco nodded, remembering his father's brief explanation of the girl's
magical tutorage. Just then the servants appeared with Draco's tea, which he directed towards Usagi.
"Really, Usagi," Narcissa Malfoy said, having swept into the room during Usagi's last statement, "You oughtn't to say
'Auntie.' It makes you sound like a small child." She looked Usagi once over, nodding in approval at the girl's posture,
which had much improved over the past month.
"Be back in a bit, Usagi- I'm going to go tell father..." Draco frowned slightly, "Of the good news."
"Alright, Draco..." Usagi nodded and sipped the cup of tea, watching the Malfoy heir as he left the room.
-----------
Draco approached the door of his father's library, knocked twice quickly, and entered. Taking care not to disturb anything,
he slunk about until he found his father on a lower level of the room preparing a letter to send to the Ministry of Magic.
His father glanced up at him, but did not stop writing.
"Yes?"
"Father, Usagi's got a letter- from Hogwarts." Draco eyed his father nervously.
"Hogwarts?" Lucius put down his quill, and looked towards his son. Draco nodded, and the elder Malfoy
frowned. "Isn't Usagi 14? A bit old to start at Hogwarts, I should say."
"Yes, well, they've accepted her, anyhow." Draco scowled, and his father smiled derisively.
"Well, there's nothing to be done about it. Saying she can't go would make her suspicious." Lucius nodded at this.
"She'll just have to come with us to get supplies at Diagon Alley tomorrow." Draco nodded in resignation, and went to
tell Usagi.
--------------------------------------
Diagon Alley was crowded, to say the least. Three days before term started and it seemed to be bustling with nearly half of
the students who would be attending Hogwarts that year, along with their families.
Draco and Usagi were currently being led about Diagon Alley by Draco's father, who was being treated with much deference
by all of the shopkeepers and passersby. Currently they were in Olivander's shop, having their wands serviced. Usagi was
glad that Draco had been able to locate her wand- apparently it had been lost in some of her luggage during an earlier trip
that summer, which, incidentally, was yet another experience that the young lady did not remember.
Usagi smiled as she handed her wand to Mr. Olivander, who examined it for a moment before looking at her curiously.
"What did you say your name was, my dear?"
"She didn't," Draco said, scowling at the wizened old wizard. Usagi ignored her fiance, and curtsied toward the shopkeeper.
"Usagi Moon."
"...Moon?" The bunned one nodded affirmatively, looking a bit bewildered. Olivander smiled widely. "Why, I never thought
that-"
"Draco." Lucius Malfoy coldly interruped the wizard's voice, scowling. "I will wait for the wands. Go get the girl a pet or
something."
"Yes, sir." Draco and Usagi left the shop together, and approached the Creature Emporium, flanked by a servant who was
carrying many shopping bags. Usagi had tried to be of some assistance with the bags, but both Draco and the attendant had
stoutly refused.
Inside the shop, Usagi was having a hard time deciding what kind of a pet to buy. Draco already had an owl they would
be able to use for post, and she certainly didn't want a toad. While as a fourth-year she was allowed other types of
pets, Usa decided finally upon a silver cat with an odd marking upon its forehead, and named it Demilune. It was a bit
unnerving, the way the cat kept staring at her- but Usagi figured she'd get used to it, and left the shop to wait outside
while Draco paid for the animal.
When Draco came outside, he was covered with scratches. Usagi giggled, and quickly covered her mouth to block the sound.
She ran over to him from her location next to the servant girl, whose name was Judith, and looked at him worriedly.
"What happened?!"
"Your bloody wretch of a cat attacked me, is what happened," Draco responded, scowling, and thrust the irritated feline
towards Usagi. The animal jumped up onto Usagi's shoulder, in the process scratching Draco once more for good measure. It
proceeded to clean off its paws, as if questioning Draco's own hygiene. Usagi smiled with mirth, the smile quickly
converting into an overly serious frown as the blonde boy glared at her.
She looked at him affectionately, brought two fingers together to her lips in a kiss, and pressed them against the most
obtrusive of scratches on Draco's face.
"There, all better," she said, smiling. He looked at her, and, unable to fully resist the urge to smile at her affection,
frowned deeply in false embarassment, an expression which Usagi did not take in offense. Draco then took Usagi's cat-free
arm within his own, before leading she and the attendant Judith to meet up with his father.
Outside the wand shop, Draco received his wand from Lucius Malfoy, and looked for the offending marks in his reflection
on the store window, preparing to spell them away. Oddly enough, there were no scratches to be found on his face...
--------------
Three days later, September 1st
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Usagi and Draco stood outside the Hogwarts Express train, their bags having already been loaded by Crabbe and Goyle.
Usagi gave last hugs to Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy, both of whom received them awkwardly- though not with entire dissaproval-
before she was helped onto the train by her fiance.
Draco returned to his parents to bid them goodbye, and stood at a safe distance (one which hindered the giving of hugs) in
front of them. After bidding his mother farewell, Draco was pulled aside by his father, who looked down at him before
addressing Draco in a dictatorial tone.
"Keep her away from Potter." With a final nod, Lucius Malfoy said goodbye to his son, and moved to stand by Narcissa.
Draco affirmed his obedience to his father with a movement of his own head and entered the train. The whistle blew as
the clocks all turned to read eleven o'clock precisely, and Draco nearly stumbled as the train lurched into motion. He
cursed and began searching for Usagi in the many train compartments, finally finding her sitting in a compartment with
Ginny Weasley, the Weasley twins, and a few other people. Usagi was blushing madly as George flirted with her,
and Draco scowled.
"What do you think you are doing carrying on with my *fiance*, Weasley?"
"Fiance? You mean...?" George gaped.
"That's right." Draco said smugly. "Usagi, *my* future wife."
"Oy! You mean someone actually said they'd marry you??" Fred said mockingly, and grinned.
"Better luck next time, eh, Usagi??" George continued, laughing, and sending the entire room, save Usagi and Draco, into
stitches. The slytherin scowled and pulled a confused Usagi to her feet and out of the compartment, only to be faced with
Harry Potter and Ron Weasley in the outside aisle. Draco continued scowling and glared at them profusely, spun in the
opposite direction, and, looking more irritated by the minute, went to find the seating which Crabbe and Goyle had saved.
Usagi, the worse for wear after being tugged left and right by Draco, smiled and waved a bemused hello-and-goodbye
to Harry and Ron.
--------------
The sorting went on uneventfully, with the usual remarks from Ron that he was hungry and Hermione's insistant reccomendation
that he ought to shut up. Harry, of course, merely grinned at his friends' antics, and was rather removed from the
ceremony... That is, until the attention of he and everyone else in the hall was commanded by Professor McGonagall's
voice calling out, "Usagi Moon."
The hall became noisy with hushed whispers.
"Did he say Usagi Moon?" "But she's supposed to be dead!" "I thought Voldemort..." And of course, the mandatory, "Wow,
she's pretty..."
Usagi walked nervously toward the front of the Great Hall, sat as gracefully upon the stool as her lessons with Narcissa
Malfoy afforded, and waited as the Professor placed the sorting hat upon her head.
After a rather lengthy internalized conversation between Usagi and the hat, the sorting hat spoke, and everyone in the hall
immediately shut up.
"All right. Miss Moon will be in... Gryffindor!!"
And, as most of the Gryffindors burst into applause, it did not go unnoticed that somewhat odd reactions were emitted from
a few of them... No one would understand for quite some time why several people at the Gryffindor table burst into laughter,
or why one Draco Malfoy chose that exact moment to slam his forehead upon the Slytherin table.
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The next chapter should be out soon... Please read and review, everyone!! ^_^
Virtual hugs to anyone who goes about it constructively!
-August Sere