"So tell me about your family."
They were sitting in the Gryffindor spectator box on the Quidditch pitch. Harry didn't believe her when she told him she didn't know the game- that they didn't have a team at her former school. They'd spent an absorbing hour on the pitch while he explained the game to her. Now, they were resting in the shade, chatting.
"Well, I told you all about my parents. My mom went to Hogwarts, then to Princeton. She married my dad there. He went into the Ministry as a diplomat. They moved to Canada a couple of years before You-Know-Who gained power; Mom actually worked as an Auror for a while, then gave it up to be a diplomat's wife and a mother."
"Is it just you, then?"
"No. I have an older brother and a younger sister. Llew is out of school, working for the Ministry with Dad. Betsy's still at the Academy, but I think Mom's thinking of sending her here next year. If things work out for me, that is." She looked away, across the pitch, troubled.
Harry touched her arm. "Are you okay? I mean, I don't want to be nosy, but you seems kind of...sad." Worry was clear in his gentle voice.
Her throat seized up. She could feel tears welling up in her eyes, and struggled to hold them back. "I guess I just miss my family. I spent the summer away from home- I didn't even go home to get my things. Mom had them shipped and I came straight here. Now I'm here, and I thought it would be easy to just start over, you know?"
He squeezed her arm gingerly. "Why didn't you go home?"
"I was visiting my Gran in Edinburgh. It was just easier to come directly." Not to mention that Mom wanted me to stay out of town as much as possible. All summer, and last term too, just to keep away from him...
Harry looked at her speculatively. There's something there that she's not telling me. I wonder if she had a fight with her parents? Maybe she got expelled and they're ashamed of her...
He opened his mouth to ask, when a soft, smug voice cut into his words.
"So, Potter. What're you doing at the pitch? And who's this lovely creature?"
Draco Malfoy stepped into the observer box. His finely chiseled face curled into an expression of unmistakable interest as he examined Ann. Harry glared at him, daring him to speak again.
"Well, well. It looks as if the pickings in Gryffindor have improved exponentially this term. You don't look like Potter's usual company- aren't you concerned with the family name at all?" Draco stood mere inches from Ann, scrutinizing her closely. Harry surged to his feet.
"Malfoy, back off her-" Ann grabbed his arm and forced him down into his seat, levering herself up to stand nose to nose with Draco. Harry was astounded; Ann seemed to grow in height, her back ramrod straight and her head tilted proudly toward Draco.
"Mr. Malfoy. So kind of you to be concerned with my family's name. I do think I am capable of choosing suitable company for myself, thank you." Her voice was as icy as her eyes.
"Evidently not, my dear. What would your parents think, seeing you so chummy with a Muggle-born like him? Come, Ann, you know he's not in your league. The old families should stick together, to preserve the blood." He sneered toward Harry, extending a hand to Ann.
"I beg your pardon, sir!!" Ann struck Draco's hand away from her. "Since when does a lineage entitle you to command me? Let me remind you, Malfoy, as long as we're comparing titles and families, that your precious line is nothing but a group of power-hungry upstarts! My mother would be far less pleased with your company than with Harry's. Now, run along." She waved her hand dismissively and sat down next to Harry.
Draco's face twitched as he turned his back on them. He whipped around and pointed at Ann. "Just don't be surprised if your choice of friends comes back to haunt you one day. I warned you." And he stalked away.
Harry gaped at Ann, who seemed to melt back into her former shy self. "What was that about?"
"I won't be bullied or judged by a Malfoy," she spat. Harry drew back, startled by the venom in her voice.
"Explain, please? I'm not sure what just happened," he said, softly. "Remember, I'm Muggle-born. And raised too-- that's two strikes against me already." He grinned, but Ann was deadly serious.
"That doesn't have anything to do with anything, Harry Potter. I don't care if you were raised by wolves. You're worth more than the whole Malfoy line put together!"
Oh. Oh dear. That was a mistake. That was so obvious, he couldn't miss that.
She snuck a look at him. He's blushing!! Incredible...
"Look, Harry, you know there are some ancient wizarding families out there. They're called the Great Families-- all of them that have been around for four hundred years or so. They tend to be really... conservative and really exclusive. That's what Draco meant. He thinks I'm shaming my family by keeping company with someone that isn't from a Great Family."
"I take it you are, then. From one of the Great Families." He studied her face.
"Oh yes, Harry. Most definitely. One of the oldest and most powerful, to be honest. Then there's people like the Malfoys, who are infants by comparison. They think that keeping the blood pure is the way to become powerful enough to last."
She looked at him, angry again. "That's not enough anymore. Our family would never have survived if we hadn't intermarried with Muggles and the Muggle-born, if we hadn't opened ourselves up new blood. And people like Draco hate us for tainting our lineage even while they desperately want to be part of it. That's another reason why Draco cares who I keep company with-not because he cares, but because my parents might care."
"I lost you there."
"Look, a son of a Great Family can do what he wants. No one would care if he socialized with prostitutes or little boys. A daughter's worth is measured by her virginity and reputation. If either one is damaged, she can't be bargained effectively to increase family holdings. And if she can't be bartered..."
"I see. If she can't be bargained with, she can be snapped up by someone else who maybe isn't so picky."
"Right. So if Draco can discredit me in any way, he'll try it. He wants in, badly." She sighed, and sank back into herself. Harry shook his head incredulously.
"Wow. I had no idea of the politics. It must be hard, being in one of those families."
She sighed tiredly. "It is. You can't imagine how tedious it can be, being nice to people that you know only want to be your friend because of your family." She stopped and shot him a look of comprehension. "I guess you could, actually. It's probably the same thing you deal with."
"You sound like you know the Malfoys pretty well."
"Yes." Her face darkened again. "Draco's uncle was a professor at the Academy." She ducked her head.
They were silent for a long moment as what she said sank into Harry's brain. "Was he the professor you have..problems..with?"
"Yes." She rose, dusting off her robes. "I'd like the rest of the tour, now, please, Harry."