DS- I don't own Harry Potter, Draco Malfoy, Oliver Wood, Hogwarts
ect...That all goes to J.K. Rowling. Mich Lupin goes to Michele Cooke. Jass
Black goes to Jass Feather. Rae, Athena, Moriah, Celest, Tony also all go
to other people that I know. they are not mine, But I can't think of their
last names right know; i've got the flu, and I'm extremely tired. Ebony is
mine however.
AN- please don't yell at me for missing words, or spelling mistakes, i;m sick and don't have spell check on my computer, and nobody around my house can be bothered to go over so...i'm sorry.
Chapter five: Encounters
Oliver and Ebony ran into Michele, a pretty blond girl and an Italian girl with chin length black hair, in the clutter of people residing in the corridor of the train. "Oh my god!" Ebony exclaimed. Michele introduced the blond girl as 'Celest Moonshire' and went to name the other girl, when Eb cut in, "Rae! Rae Fox! Oh my...what are you doing here?" Rae also voiced her surprise and joy at seeing Ebony. The two gave each other a warm, friendly hug. The four girls then found an empty compartment and made themselves comfy. Oliver, however, had no desire to be trapped in a little box with four sixteen year old girls. Even if Michele was among them. Therefore, he excused himself, and set off to find some of his MALE buds. Rae and Eb were answering one another questions when the train began to move. Michele and Celest were inquiring how Rae and Eb knew one another, and were starting to hear about Balinor, and very basic details about the explosion, when Moriah came bursting in with a tall, female, red head behind her. Ebony recognized the girl as Jassmine from the plane, but decided not to say anything unless Jass did. Moriah seemed very excited, "You will never guess what's happened! Look what I've found?!" She shoved Jassmine in front of her, as if to show her off. Jassmine was very confused, but gave no sign of it to the girls before her, "Hey! Be careful with me!! Hands of the merchandise!" Jassmine harped. Celest laughed and directed her words to Jass, "No offence intended towards ya," she turned her attention to Moriah, "but...Mo, she's just another new student transferring to Hogwarts. What are you trying to get at? What's your point?" Moriah was annoyed with Celest's rude intrusion, "If you'd shut up and let me talk, I could tell you my point." No one spoke, so she continued, "My point is, this is Jassmine BLACK!" Celest and Rae's mouth's dropped. They had both heard many things about Sirius Black, as well as his WILD daughter. But Michele just laughed and replied, "Hey Jass! Take a seat."
Moriah was the one who was now confused so Mich explained, "Mo, think about it. Jass is Sirius' daughter and I'm Remus'...our parents are best friends! Do you really think we wouldn't have seen each other a few times?" Moriah blushed, "Oh, Ya I guess you would have. But it's all SO exciting. I mean he only got pardoned six months ago, and not a lot has been said about what he's been doing," Moriah then turned her eyes on Jassmine and looked at her black leather ensemble, and thought; *Where did she find such ridiculous clothes?* "So your from America? Right Jass? Where in? And is that what everyone wears?" Moriah asked. Rae, Michele and Ebony laughed, but Jass didn't think it was funny. Rae was the one to continue, "No, not everyone wears them. But they are in style, so whatever. Plus she can actually pull off the look! Don't you just hate in when your walking downtown, and you see someone wearing leather pants? It's can be just so sad...and can be majorly gross!!!" Michele and Eb nodded yes. Ebony was about to tell Jass that Adrian, from the plane, was also attending Hogwarts, but was interrupted be the compartment door opening, and a familiar, but unexpected voice ringing through her ears.
A tall, blond guy waltzed into the compartment and looked only at Michele, "Well, well. Look who we have here." the guy said. Michele just stared at him, "What the fuck are you doing here? I thought you were in America." But before the guy could answer Rae was out of her seat, screaming excitedly, "Draco!" and wrapped her arms around his neck. The blond guy, Draco, was stunned at the sight of Rae, "Rae?! What are you doing here, luv?" He pulled her away from him, as to get a better look at her, to make sure he wasn't seeing things, "Ok, let me get this straight. Rae and Michele are here, at MY school. Right? Anymore surprises I should know about?" Michele smiled mischievously, "Oh yes! There is! Jassmine is here. You remember Jassmine, don't you? Sirius's daughter. She was at my house, last time you came over. Remember?!" Draco shivered as he remembered the last time he encountered Jassmine, "Great! Two of the people I despise most, are going to my school! Rae, when did you decide to come to England?" Moriah spoke coldly to Draco, "YOUR school? You left Mister, and Michele was here ALL last year, while you were off, across seas, doing god knows what!" Michele was the one to pipe up then, "So you went to Balinor too?" Draco nodded, "Damn straight! Rae and me were amongst the popular group, you of course wouldn't know anything about that, now would you?! We caused a lot of mayhem and did some sweet pranques, getting these goodie goodies in trouble, it was a blast, and our Head master..." Draco thought of his head master, and didn't finish his sentence so Mich continued, "You know what? I wouldn't be surprised if you were the one to blow up the school!" Draco went stiff and cold, "You don't know what you're talking about! So why don't you just shut, your half blood, werewolf mouth, up! I can see I was wasting my time, coming in here, trying to liven up your pitiful lives! So I'll be leaving you pathetic losers, Besides Rae, to do whatever it is you do..." But Rae was cutting in now, "Wait! Wait! Ebony is here too!" Draco was shocked, he looked around, *Celest; what good times we had. Jassmine, crazy and psyco. Michele, wacko. Rae, old friend and more good times. Moriah, goodie goodie. And.* "Eb? W-what? When? HOW?" He stopped himself from rambling, *Deep breath* "Why are you here? No, obviously you're going to school. Can I talk to you? Alone?" He asked. Ebony just stared at the ground.
Oliver, and two of his friends, were coming down the hall, and saw a blond, male standing at the entrance to the compartment that Ebony and Michele were in. *Draco Malfoy! What the hell is he doing back here?!* He picked up his pace, went directly to him, and pushed him away from the door. "Malfoy! What are you doing here? Come back to harass the new girls? You're sick! Leave them alone!!" Oliver shouted. Michele told Oliver to calm down. Draco got up, "Ya! Jesus Christ! Do you treat all the guys this way? You should listen to that half blood!" Oliver punched Draco in the jaw. Rae and Celest screamed, while Moriah and Jass laughed, "Finally, he gets some of what he deserves," they both said. Oliver's friends pulled him off of Draco. Michele glared at Malfoy, "How did you become such an asshole? I mean is it genetic or just something you picked up? Actually after knowing your dad was a friend with my step dad I think I can guess that it was genetic. I feel sorry for your mother. I mean TWO Malfoy's to put up with, how does she cope?" Draco batted his eyes, and replied, "Gosh Michele you flatter me! I never knew you noticed how much of an asshole I am. I should try harder seeing as you obviously like it so much" He then ran a cold, pale finger down her cheek, and chuckled to himself. Oliver pushed Draco's hand away and hit him again. Draco got up, and hit Oliver back. Oliver's friends restrained him so he didn't hit Draco again. Michele just laughed, "Oh Draco, you're so funny!" She glared, "Now would you please piss off!" "I know! I'm just so damn hilarious not to mention good looking. The devil would be jealous" Draco said and slicked back his blonde hair. "Yes I'm sure your dad would be jealous. Now Piss off!" Mich snapped. Draco continued to play along, "Ya I bet he would be since I'm so ruggedly handsome!" He grabbed Michele's hand and placed it on his chest, "Feel those pecks!" As Michele pulled her hand away, Oliver again hit Draco, "Back off! You jackass!" He demanded. Draco wasn't about to be told off by the likes of straight arrow, Oliver Wood, "You better stop touchin' me like that, or I might start taking it personal. Besides I don't want anything from Michele, I want to talk to Ebony." Draco explained and looked at Ebony, who was standing just inside the compartment doorway, eyeing both Oliver and Draco carefully. Draco extended his hand, "What do ya say? Coming?" Oliver was quick to jump in front of Ebony, "Over my dead body!" But Ebony squeezed in front Oliver to face him, "Oliver! Please just chill." Oliver was appalled, "No! I won't just 'chill'! I am not letting you out of my sight with him around!" "Why?! Cause I'm your chore!!! Too bad! I would like to talk with Draco, he went to Balinor with me. I'm sorry if you have a problem with that." Ebony took Draco's hand, Rae felt left out, "What about me?" she asked. Draco used his free hand to lightly squeeze Rae's, "Don't worry luv, I'm sure you'll be in my house, we can talk as long as you want later, promise." With that, Draco and Ebony left the others behind, to find an empty compartment to talk in.
The two stepped inside an empty compartment. Ebony went and sat by the window but looked only at her feet, while Draco locked the door and muttered a silencing charm. He came over to the window and stood there watching the field pass by. It took a few moments but then he spoke, "I see Oliver is still trying to play hero. You two seem close, how long have you known Super Oliver?!" Ebony didn't quite know what Draco meant by 'playing hero' so she shrugged it off, but she answered him politely, "Um well, as you know my parents are English, and I was born here. The Wood's are my parents' closest friends, and in turn, I've known Oliver my entire life. So ya I guess you could say we're close." Draco looked down at her, "How close? Has he hurt you?!" Ebony looked up in surprise, "What? Oliver? No! Though I'm sure he'll ask the same thing about you" She looked out the window and thought a moment before answering the other half of his question, "Well we're good friends, but nothing more." She said. He sat down and even though she was looking out the window he looked straight at her, "Well I'm glad to see you aren't involved with that prick! However I meant how much have you told him?" Ebony startled by his question, turned to see his cool blue eyes filled with concern, it all brought her back to that night in the South tower and she wanted to cry, she quickly looked down at her feet again, "Nothing! I haven't told anyone anything!" regaining a bit of her nerve she looked up, "How about you?" "No." Was his only reply. "Good. Then let's just forget about. It's better that no one knows, though I doubt that they would even believe us!" Draco suddenly got up and paced, "Forget it?!! FORGET IT!!! I don't know about you, but no matter how hard I try, no matter how much I wish for it, will it to happen, I CAN'T FORGET about it!!" Ebony watched him; he walked back and forth, true anguish on his face, he sat down across from her and took a long breath, "I have thought a lot about this, and maybe we could look into things. I don't know, find more out about our ex-headmaster. I could tell my father about it and maybe he'd help. He's got lots of connection and stuff. I want to know why Balthazar did it!! But you know what bothers me more?! What the other guy there that night said. I can't get the words out of my head! You know the 'It's not their time yet.' And the 'They were not to be here tonight. we need her, we need them both.'" Ebony felt the stupid tears coming again; she pushed them back and looked at Draco, "Yes. I unfortunately remember! But no Draco, you can't! Why do you have to do this?! Why can't we just leave things alone? Why bring other people into this?! There is really no need." Draco looked at her, hurt but no longer naïve, he took her hands in his, "Tell me, do the nightmare's haunt you, as they do me?!" She looked up at him, saw that sadness in his eyes, she looked away and closed her eyes to fight back the tears once again, when she looked back at him she opened her mouth to speak, but the words she could not form so she looked out the window. "From the expression on your face and the look in your eyes I know you've been having them too." He said, then finally she spoke, "Yes, I have many nightmare's, all from that night, all too real!" She looked him in the eye, "But tell me, what will this hunt of yours prove to you?! What if the answers you find aren't the ones you're looking for?!" She got out of her seat to kneel on the ground in from of him, "Please Draco, drop this foolish search! It will lead nowhere but to more trouble and misery. Please! Tell me you'll drop it?!" He gazed down at her, so full of truth and concern. And pain he thought. He thought about everything she had said and knew it was no good to ignore her warnings, "Ok, there is probably no reason to go snooping around now, that was what got us into that mess in the first place. Besides, father would only be upset if I were to waste his time with my 'frivolous problems' as he would call them." Ebony threw her arms around Draco, "Thank you!" She then withdrew and sat back in her previous seat. They sat in silence for a few moments until Draco got out of his seat and sat next to Ebony and turning her to face him, "I got your letter and no, I wasn't right. I might have been about Balthazar, but not about other things." She looked at him, "Oh. Why didn't you write back?" He rubbed his shoulder, "Family affairs kept me busy." Ebony's eyes widened and her gaze fell to his shoulder where he was rubbing, "He's been hitting you again hasn't he?" Draco put on a big smile, "Don't worry about it, I'll live. I survived being in a school while it exploded, I'll survive my fathers ways of displaying love." She frowned; Draco had told her once of his father's bad habits and of how his favorite punching bag was his only son. She knew Lucius Malfoy was not a good man, and that his torment of Draco would continue, and she wondered if the explosion was really the end of the Balinor mess and Balthazar's displays of affection. But he snapped her out of her thoughts with talks of summer travels, adventures and pranks. Ebony dozed off; when she woke up she looked around to find Draco gone. She went to get up but her hand felt a piece of paper under them, it read:
Sorry I had to go, and you looked at peace sleeping. By the way, I missed you too. We'll talk soon. Promise. Draco Malfoy.
So Ebony left the compartment to return to her friends. When she got back to her friends, alone, both Michele and Oliver asked what she and Draco had talked about. But she didn't answer, for she was taken by surprise by the sight of Mich and Oliver's hands entwined. She silently swore at Michele, but Oliver looked incredibly happy, so she pushed her feelings aside and congratulated them. When they again asked her what she had talked about with Draco, she simply said "Nothing much," though she knew it was a lie. She sat down and soon Hogwarts was in sight. It looked so mysterious sitting on top of the hill, with the windows all lit against the black of night. Ebony was mesmerises by the sight and hardly took her eyes off of it until the train stopped at the Hogsmead station and a voice spoke over the intercom, "Leave all your stuff on the train, it'll be taken care of," it said.
At one end of the platform, that Ebony stepped onto after getting off the train, there was a gigantic man waving a lantern in one hand and using his other hand to echo his already booming voice. *That must be Hagrid* Ebony said in her mind. Oliver had told her about the extremely large, bearded man who had a heart so huge it rivalled his body size. He was games keeper and a professor a Hogwarts. Hagrid's voice was loud bout clear, "Firs' years! This way! Transfers! You too! Firs' years! Transfers! This way! Follow me! C'mon now! Transfers n' firs' years!" Jassmine, Draco, Rae and Ebony, along with a handful of other students, joined the first years and followed Hagrid to a still black lake, where boats awaited the new additions to Hogwarts. "Four to a boat!' Hagird called. Jass, Draco, Rae and Eb shared a boat. Draco stared at the water blankly, he had done this already, way back in his first year at Hogwarts, and he saw no point in repeating it. *That stupid, dirty, old hat is going to say the same thing as it did last time. Why wouldn't it!? It's going to say I was a born Slytherin, and that one year away wouldn't change that...right? ... Right! No point in worrying... cause I'm not worried. Nothing to worry about.* these thoughts, and many more like it, plagued and confused Draco's head. The boats floated through the opening in the cliff that led under the school. Once they had hit the gravel, they all stumbled out of the boats. There was nothing of interest around them, except for two large wooden doors, that Draco knew Professor McGonagall waited behind. Hagrid knocked twice, and sure enough, McGonagall, a tall women in red robes with her hair tied back in a tight bun, opened the doors to greet the new students.
She thanked Hagrid for assistance and introduced herself to the students. Draco mumbled something to Rae, causing her to laugh. Prof. McGonagall snapped at him telling him to use this new year as a fresh start and to not fall into the path of his old ways. Draco just mumbled to himself. The group of students followed her upstairs to yet another pair of large doors, where she stopped and turned around to address the students, "In a few moments you will all enter the Great Hall and join the rest of the student body. The school houses are Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin. They are to be your family while you are here. The Sorting Ceremony, which will decide which house you will be in, will begin shortly." She also explained to the students that their triumphs would earn their house points and that rule breaking would cause them to lose points and that at the end of the year, the house with the most points would be awarded the house cup. After saying all that, she told the transfer students to wait in the corridor, and that they would be called in after the first years were done. All the first years went in and were sorted. After like forever, McGonagall came into the hall and got the transfers.
They walked in, there were four long tables, which all the students sat at, and at the far end there was another long table where the teachers sat, going the other direction across the room then the Student tables. There was a four-legged stool in front of the teacher's table, with a scruffy hat on top. When they neared the Hat spoke:
"I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat, And there is nothing in hidden in you head That I cannot see. So put me on. Don't be afraid. And I'll take a look around, So that I can tell you where you ought to be. You might belong in Gryffindor, Where dwell the brave at heart, Their daring, nerve and chivalry Set Gryffindor's apart: You might belong in Hufflepuff, Where they are just and loyal, Those Hufflepuff's are true, Patient and most hardworking; Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw, If you've a ready mind and cleverness follows you Where those of wit and learning, Will always find their kind; Or perhaps in Slytherin You'll make your real friends, Those cunning folk use any means To achieve their power lusting gaols.
When the hat was done, McGonagall spoke, "Now when I call your name, you will come up, sit down and put the hat on." After listening to a talking hat Jass thought she must have heard wrong, "You're kidding right?" McGonagall stared at her, "No I most certainly am NOT." As McGonagall called up one Second year boy and named the school from which he transferred, Jassmine whispered to Eb and Draco, "Can anyone say unsanitary?!" Rae also heard and laughed aloud; McGonagall gave her such a piercing glare it was as if she was shooting daggers at Rae's head. McGonagall continued by calling two third year girls, no fourth years, two fifth years, then came, "From America's North Stone Magical High School, Jassmine black". Many gasps filled the room; Jass ignored them and went up to the hat, and cringed at it before taking a deep breath and putting it on. ***Inside the Hat*** Hat: "Ah, finally another Black. I see the same courage and the humor as your father, but more anger, if it's possible. But inside your head..." Jass's mind: Oh shut it already! Just tell me where I'm going to be! I don't need you to go on and on about jack shit!" Hat: "Well alright, since you are but one of the few who have ever had the courage to tell me off I know exactly where you're going to go. Oh and Jass, don't doubt her. She'll come to you, you are a lot like her; you're truly your mother's daughter." Jass: "What? My mother?!!! What of my-" Hat: "Oh but you didn't want to talk. Know that your mother did what was best, and she is always near you. But now to place you, you are a definite..."***Outside of the Hat*** "GRYFFINDOR!!" the hat yelled out to the rest of the school. All of the Gryffindor's stood up and cheered.
As Jassmine took a seat next to Michele and asked where the showers were, McGonagall called the next student, "From America's Balinor Academy, Rae Fox." Rae came up and sat down with the hat on her head, "SLYTHERIN!!" it called to everyone. Rae took off the hat and took a seat next to Celest, who was also a 6th year Slytherin. McGonagall called another student and then, "Draco Malfoy, also from Balinor Academy" McGonagall said and told everyone that even though Draco was once sorted, it was a school rule that he must repeat it after being away for a year. Draco looked questioningly at the hat, but forced himself to put it on. Both Ebony and Michele noticed Draco's hesitation and nervousness, *What is he worried bout?* They both thought. But the hat never made it to his head, once again, before the had had touched it shouted out "SLYTHERIN!!" Draco let out a long, deep breath, smiles and took his spot next to Marcus Flint.
The next to put on the hat was "Conner Reed, from Magella School of American Sorcery." Conner put the hat atop his head, and within second came the hat's voice, "GRYFFINDOR!!" Again all the Gryffindor students cheered.
McGonagall called one more students and then the last sixth year, "Yet another from Balinor, Ms Ebony Shadow." Ebony came forward, sat upon the stool and placed the hat on her head. It took a very long time, but eventually the Hat's voice came, "GRYFFINDOR!!" it shouted. All the Gryffindor's cheered, and Ebony sat her butt down across from Mich and Jass. They both saw her confused face and asked what was up, but she put on a smile and said that it was nothing. The Headmaster Dumbledore, stood up and welcomed all the new faces to Hogwarts, he told everyone, that as usual the Dark Forest was off limits. A magnificently delicious dinner appeared in front their eyes, and everyone dug in. After Dinner, the Prefects of each house took their 'family' to their common rooms, and showed the first years and transfer's to their new dorms. Ebony just lay on her large, new bed and stared at the ceiling.
AN-Thank you to everyone who reviewed. Your opinions and complements are much appreciated!!! THANK YOU! I hope enjoyed this ch.
AN- please don't yell at me for missing words, or spelling mistakes, i;m sick and don't have spell check on my computer, and nobody around my house can be bothered to go over so...i'm sorry.
Chapter five: Encounters
Oliver and Ebony ran into Michele, a pretty blond girl and an Italian girl with chin length black hair, in the clutter of people residing in the corridor of the train. "Oh my god!" Ebony exclaimed. Michele introduced the blond girl as 'Celest Moonshire' and went to name the other girl, when Eb cut in, "Rae! Rae Fox! Oh my...what are you doing here?" Rae also voiced her surprise and joy at seeing Ebony. The two gave each other a warm, friendly hug. The four girls then found an empty compartment and made themselves comfy. Oliver, however, had no desire to be trapped in a little box with four sixteen year old girls. Even if Michele was among them. Therefore, he excused himself, and set off to find some of his MALE buds. Rae and Eb were answering one another questions when the train began to move. Michele and Celest were inquiring how Rae and Eb knew one another, and were starting to hear about Balinor, and very basic details about the explosion, when Moriah came bursting in with a tall, female, red head behind her. Ebony recognized the girl as Jassmine from the plane, but decided not to say anything unless Jass did. Moriah seemed very excited, "You will never guess what's happened! Look what I've found?!" She shoved Jassmine in front of her, as if to show her off. Jassmine was very confused, but gave no sign of it to the girls before her, "Hey! Be careful with me!! Hands of the merchandise!" Jassmine harped. Celest laughed and directed her words to Jass, "No offence intended towards ya," she turned her attention to Moriah, "but...Mo, she's just another new student transferring to Hogwarts. What are you trying to get at? What's your point?" Moriah was annoyed with Celest's rude intrusion, "If you'd shut up and let me talk, I could tell you my point." No one spoke, so she continued, "My point is, this is Jassmine BLACK!" Celest and Rae's mouth's dropped. They had both heard many things about Sirius Black, as well as his WILD daughter. But Michele just laughed and replied, "Hey Jass! Take a seat."
Moriah was the one who was now confused so Mich explained, "Mo, think about it. Jass is Sirius' daughter and I'm Remus'...our parents are best friends! Do you really think we wouldn't have seen each other a few times?" Moriah blushed, "Oh, Ya I guess you would have. But it's all SO exciting. I mean he only got pardoned six months ago, and not a lot has been said about what he's been doing," Moriah then turned her eyes on Jassmine and looked at her black leather ensemble, and thought; *Where did she find such ridiculous clothes?* "So your from America? Right Jass? Where in? And is that what everyone wears?" Moriah asked. Rae, Michele and Ebony laughed, but Jass didn't think it was funny. Rae was the one to continue, "No, not everyone wears them. But they are in style, so whatever. Plus she can actually pull off the look! Don't you just hate in when your walking downtown, and you see someone wearing leather pants? It's can be just so sad...and can be majorly gross!!!" Michele and Eb nodded yes. Ebony was about to tell Jass that Adrian, from the plane, was also attending Hogwarts, but was interrupted be the compartment door opening, and a familiar, but unexpected voice ringing through her ears.
A tall, blond guy waltzed into the compartment and looked only at Michele, "Well, well. Look who we have here." the guy said. Michele just stared at him, "What the fuck are you doing here? I thought you were in America." But before the guy could answer Rae was out of her seat, screaming excitedly, "Draco!" and wrapped her arms around his neck. The blond guy, Draco, was stunned at the sight of Rae, "Rae?! What are you doing here, luv?" He pulled her away from him, as to get a better look at her, to make sure he wasn't seeing things, "Ok, let me get this straight. Rae and Michele are here, at MY school. Right? Anymore surprises I should know about?" Michele smiled mischievously, "Oh yes! There is! Jassmine is here. You remember Jassmine, don't you? Sirius's daughter. She was at my house, last time you came over. Remember?!" Draco shivered as he remembered the last time he encountered Jassmine, "Great! Two of the people I despise most, are going to my school! Rae, when did you decide to come to England?" Moriah spoke coldly to Draco, "YOUR school? You left Mister, and Michele was here ALL last year, while you were off, across seas, doing god knows what!" Michele was the one to pipe up then, "So you went to Balinor too?" Draco nodded, "Damn straight! Rae and me were amongst the popular group, you of course wouldn't know anything about that, now would you?! We caused a lot of mayhem and did some sweet pranques, getting these goodie goodies in trouble, it was a blast, and our Head master..." Draco thought of his head master, and didn't finish his sentence so Mich continued, "You know what? I wouldn't be surprised if you were the one to blow up the school!" Draco went stiff and cold, "You don't know what you're talking about! So why don't you just shut, your half blood, werewolf mouth, up! I can see I was wasting my time, coming in here, trying to liven up your pitiful lives! So I'll be leaving you pathetic losers, Besides Rae, to do whatever it is you do..." But Rae was cutting in now, "Wait! Wait! Ebony is here too!" Draco was shocked, he looked around, *Celest; what good times we had. Jassmine, crazy and psyco. Michele, wacko. Rae, old friend and more good times. Moriah, goodie goodie. And.* "Eb? W-what? When? HOW?" He stopped himself from rambling, *Deep breath* "Why are you here? No, obviously you're going to school. Can I talk to you? Alone?" He asked. Ebony just stared at the ground.
Oliver, and two of his friends, were coming down the hall, and saw a blond, male standing at the entrance to the compartment that Ebony and Michele were in. *Draco Malfoy! What the hell is he doing back here?!* He picked up his pace, went directly to him, and pushed him away from the door. "Malfoy! What are you doing here? Come back to harass the new girls? You're sick! Leave them alone!!" Oliver shouted. Michele told Oliver to calm down. Draco got up, "Ya! Jesus Christ! Do you treat all the guys this way? You should listen to that half blood!" Oliver punched Draco in the jaw. Rae and Celest screamed, while Moriah and Jass laughed, "Finally, he gets some of what he deserves," they both said. Oliver's friends pulled him off of Draco. Michele glared at Malfoy, "How did you become such an asshole? I mean is it genetic or just something you picked up? Actually after knowing your dad was a friend with my step dad I think I can guess that it was genetic. I feel sorry for your mother. I mean TWO Malfoy's to put up with, how does she cope?" Draco batted his eyes, and replied, "Gosh Michele you flatter me! I never knew you noticed how much of an asshole I am. I should try harder seeing as you obviously like it so much" He then ran a cold, pale finger down her cheek, and chuckled to himself. Oliver pushed Draco's hand away and hit him again. Draco got up, and hit Oliver back. Oliver's friends restrained him so he didn't hit Draco again. Michele just laughed, "Oh Draco, you're so funny!" She glared, "Now would you please piss off!" "I know! I'm just so damn hilarious not to mention good looking. The devil would be jealous" Draco said and slicked back his blonde hair. "Yes I'm sure your dad would be jealous. Now Piss off!" Mich snapped. Draco continued to play along, "Ya I bet he would be since I'm so ruggedly handsome!" He grabbed Michele's hand and placed it on his chest, "Feel those pecks!" As Michele pulled her hand away, Oliver again hit Draco, "Back off! You jackass!" He demanded. Draco wasn't about to be told off by the likes of straight arrow, Oliver Wood, "You better stop touchin' me like that, or I might start taking it personal. Besides I don't want anything from Michele, I want to talk to Ebony." Draco explained and looked at Ebony, who was standing just inside the compartment doorway, eyeing both Oliver and Draco carefully. Draco extended his hand, "What do ya say? Coming?" Oliver was quick to jump in front of Ebony, "Over my dead body!" But Ebony squeezed in front Oliver to face him, "Oliver! Please just chill." Oliver was appalled, "No! I won't just 'chill'! I am not letting you out of my sight with him around!" "Why?! Cause I'm your chore!!! Too bad! I would like to talk with Draco, he went to Balinor with me. I'm sorry if you have a problem with that." Ebony took Draco's hand, Rae felt left out, "What about me?" she asked. Draco used his free hand to lightly squeeze Rae's, "Don't worry luv, I'm sure you'll be in my house, we can talk as long as you want later, promise." With that, Draco and Ebony left the others behind, to find an empty compartment to talk in.
The two stepped inside an empty compartment. Ebony went and sat by the window but looked only at her feet, while Draco locked the door and muttered a silencing charm. He came over to the window and stood there watching the field pass by. It took a few moments but then he spoke, "I see Oliver is still trying to play hero. You two seem close, how long have you known Super Oliver?!" Ebony didn't quite know what Draco meant by 'playing hero' so she shrugged it off, but she answered him politely, "Um well, as you know my parents are English, and I was born here. The Wood's are my parents' closest friends, and in turn, I've known Oliver my entire life. So ya I guess you could say we're close." Draco looked down at her, "How close? Has he hurt you?!" Ebony looked up in surprise, "What? Oliver? No! Though I'm sure he'll ask the same thing about you" She looked out the window and thought a moment before answering the other half of his question, "Well we're good friends, but nothing more." She said. He sat down and even though she was looking out the window he looked straight at her, "Well I'm glad to see you aren't involved with that prick! However I meant how much have you told him?" Ebony startled by his question, turned to see his cool blue eyes filled with concern, it all brought her back to that night in the South tower and she wanted to cry, she quickly looked down at her feet again, "Nothing! I haven't told anyone anything!" regaining a bit of her nerve she looked up, "How about you?" "No." Was his only reply. "Good. Then let's just forget about. It's better that no one knows, though I doubt that they would even believe us!" Draco suddenly got up and paced, "Forget it?!! FORGET IT!!! I don't know about you, but no matter how hard I try, no matter how much I wish for it, will it to happen, I CAN'T FORGET about it!!" Ebony watched him; he walked back and forth, true anguish on his face, he sat down across from her and took a long breath, "I have thought a lot about this, and maybe we could look into things. I don't know, find more out about our ex-headmaster. I could tell my father about it and maybe he'd help. He's got lots of connection and stuff. I want to know why Balthazar did it!! But you know what bothers me more?! What the other guy there that night said. I can't get the words out of my head! You know the 'It's not their time yet.' And the 'They were not to be here tonight. we need her, we need them both.'" Ebony felt the stupid tears coming again; she pushed them back and looked at Draco, "Yes. I unfortunately remember! But no Draco, you can't! Why do you have to do this?! Why can't we just leave things alone? Why bring other people into this?! There is really no need." Draco looked at her, hurt but no longer naïve, he took her hands in his, "Tell me, do the nightmare's haunt you, as they do me?!" She looked up at him, saw that sadness in his eyes, she looked away and closed her eyes to fight back the tears once again, when she looked back at him she opened her mouth to speak, but the words she could not form so she looked out the window. "From the expression on your face and the look in your eyes I know you've been having them too." He said, then finally she spoke, "Yes, I have many nightmare's, all from that night, all too real!" She looked him in the eye, "But tell me, what will this hunt of yours prove to you?! What if the answers you find aren't the ones you're looking for?!" She got out of her seat to kneel on the ground in from of him, "Please Draco, drop this foolish search! It will lead nowhere but to more trouble and misery. Please! Tell me you'll drop it?!" He gazed down at her, so full of truth and concern. And pain he thought. He thought about everything she had said and knew it was no good to ignore her warnings, "Ok, there is probably no reason to go snooping around now, that was what got us into that mess in the first place. Besides, father would only be upset if I were to waste his time with my 'frivolous problems' as he would call them." Ebony threw her arms around Draco, "Thank you!" She then withdrew and sat back in her previous seat. They sat in silence for a few moments until Draco got out of his seat and sat next to Ebony and turning her to face him, "I got your letter and no, I wasn't right. I might have been about Balthazar, but not about other things." She looked at him, "Oh. Why didn't you write back?" He rubbed his shoulder, "Family affairs kept me busy." Ebony's eyes widened and her gaze fell to his shoulder where he was rubbing, "He's been hitting you again hasn't he?" Draco put on a big smile, "Don't worry about it, I'll live. I survived being in a school while it exploded, I'll survive my fathers ways of displaying love." She frowned; Draco had told her once of his father's bad habits and of how his favorite punching bag was his only son. She knew Lucius Malfoy was not a good man, and that his torment of Draco would continue, and she wondered if the explosion was really the end of the Balinor mess and Balthazar's displays of affection. But he snapped her out of her thoughts with talks of summer travels, adventures and pranks. Ebony dozed off; when she woke up she looked around to find Draco gone. She went to get up but her hand felt a piece of paper under them, it read:
Sorry I had to go, and you looked at peace sleeping. By the way, I missed you too. We'll talk soon. Promise. Draco Malfoy.
So Ebony left the compartment to return to her friends. When she got back to her friends, alone, both Michele and Oliver asked what she and Draco had talked about. But she didn't answer, for she was taken by surprise by the sight of Mich and Oliver's hands entwined. She silently swore at Michele, but Oliver looked incredibly happy, so she pushed her feelings aside and congratulated them. When they again asked her what she had talked about with Draco, she simply said "Nothing much," though she knew it was a lie. She sat down and soon Hogwarts was in sight. It looked so mysterious sitting on top of the hill, with the windows all lit against the black of night. Ebony was mesmerises by the sight and hardly took her eyes off of it until the train stopped at the Hogsmead station and a voice spoke over the intercom, "Leave all your stuff on the train, it'll be taken care of," it said.
At one end of the platform, that Ebony stepped onto after getting off the train, there was a gigantic man waving a lantern in one hand and using his other hand to echo his already booming voice. *That must be Hagrid* Ebony said in her mind. Oliver had told her about the extremely large, bearded man who had a heart so huge it rivalled his body size. He was games keeper and a professor a Hogwarts. Hagrid's voice was loud bout clear, "Firs' years! This way! Transfers! You too! Firs' years! Transfers! This way! Follow me! C'mon now! Transfers n' firs' years!" Jassmine, Draco, Rae and Ebony, along with a handful of other students, joined the first years and followed Hagrid to a still black lake, where boats awaited the new additions to Hogwarts. "Four to a boat!' Hagird called. Jass, Draco, Rae and Eb shared a boat. Draco stared at the water blankly, he had done this already, way back in his first year at Hogwarts, and he saw no point in repeating it. *That stupid, dirty, old hat is going to say the same thing as it did last time. Why wouldn't it!? It's going to say I was a born Slytherin, and that one year away wouldn't change that...right? ... Right! No point in worrying... cause I'm not worried. Nothing to worry about.* these thoughts, and many more like it, plagued and confused Draco's head. The boats floated through the opening in the cliff that led under the school. Once they had hit the gravel, they all stumbled out of the boats. There was nothing of interest around them, except for two large wooden doors, that Draco knew Professor McGonagall waited behind. Hagrid knocked twice, and sure enough, McGonagall, a tall women in red robes with her hair tied back in a tight bun, opened the doors to greet the new students.
She thanked Hagrid for assistance and introduced herself to the students. Draco mumbled something to Rae, causing her to laugh. Prof. McGonagall snapped at him telling him to use this new year as a fresh start and to not fall into the path of his old ways. Draco just mumbled to himself. The group of students followed her upstairs to yet another pair of large doors, where she stopped and turned around to address the students, "In a few moments you will all enter the Great Hall and join the rest of the student body. The school houses are Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin. They are to be your family while you are here. The Sorting Ceremony, which will decide which house you will be in, will begin shortly." She also explained to the students that their triumphs would earn their house points and that rule breaking would cause them to lose points and that at the end of the year, the house with the most points would be awarded the house cup. After saying all that, she told the transfer students to wait in the corridor, and that they would be called in after the first years were done. All the first years went in and were sorted. After like forever, McGonagall came into the hall and got the transfers.
They walked in, there were four long tables, which all the students sat at, and at the far end there was another long table where the teachers sat, going the other direction across the room then the Student tables. There was a four-legged stool in front of the teacher's table, with a scruffy hat on top. When they neared the Hat spoke:
"I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat, And there is nothing in hidden in you head That I cannot see. So put me on. Don't be afraid. And I'll take a look around, So that I can tell you where you ought to be. You might belong in Gryffindor, Where dwell the brave at heart, Their daring, nerve and chivalry Set Gryffindor's apart: You might belong in Hufflepuff, Where they are just and loyal, Those Hufflepuff's are true, Patient and most hardworking; Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw, If you've a ready mind and cleverness follows you Where those of wit and learning, Will always find their kind; Or perhaps in Slytherin You'll make your real friends, Those cunning folk use any means To achieve their power lusting gaols.
When the hat was done, McGonagall spoke, "Now when I call your name, you will come up, sit down and put the hat on." After listening to a talking hat Jass thought she must have heard wrong, "You're kidding right?" McGonagall stared at her, "No I most certainly am NOT." As McGonagall called up one Second year boy and named the school from which he transferred, Jassmine whispered to Eb and Draco, "Can anyone say unsanitary?!" Rae also heard and laughed aloud; McGonagall gave her such a piercing glare it was as if she was shooting daggers at Rae's head. McGonagall continued by calling two third year girls, no fourth years, two fifth years, then came, "From America's North Stone Magical High School, Jassmine black". Many gasps filled the room; Jass ignored them and went up to the hat, and cringed at it before taking a deep breath and putting it on. ***Inside the Hat*** Hat: "Ah, finally another Black. I see the same courage and the humor as your father, but more anger, if it's possible. But inside your head..." Jass's mind: Oh shut it already! Just tell me where I'm going to be! I don't need you to go on and on about jack shit!" Hat: "Well alright, since you are but one of the few who have ever had the courage to tell me off I know exactly where you're going to go. Oh and Jass, don't doubt her. She'll come to you, you are a lot like her; you're truly your mother's daughter." Jass: "What? My mother?!!! What of my-" Hat: "Oh but you didn't want to talk. Know that your mother did what was best, and she is always near you. But now to place you, you are a definite..."***Outside of the Hat*** "GRYFFINDOR!!" the hat yelled out to the rest of the school. All of the Gryffindor's stood up and cheered.
As Jassmine took a seat next to Michele and asked where the showers were, McGonagall called the next student, "From America's Balinor Academy, Rae Fox." Rae came up and sat down with the hat on her head, "SLYTHERIN!!" it called to everyone. Rae took off the hat and took a seat next to Celest, who was also a 6th year Slytherin. McGonagall called another student and then, "Draco Malfoy, also from Balinor Academy" McGonagall said and told everyone that even though Draco was once sorted, it was a school rule that he must repeat it after being away for a year. Draco looked questioningly at the hat, but forced himself to put it on. Both Ebony and Michele noticed Draco's hesitation and nervousness, *What is he worried bout?* They both thought. But the hat never made it to his head, once again, before the had had touched it shouted out "SLYTHERIN!!" Draco let out a long, deep breath, smiles and took his spot next to Marcus Flint.
The next to put on the hat was "Conner Reed, from Magella School of American Sorcery." Conner put the hat atop his head, and within second came the hat's voice, "GRYFFINDOR!!" Again all the Gryffindor students cheered.
McGonagall called one more students and then the last sixth year, "Yet another from Balinor, Ms Ebony Shadow." Ebony came forward, sat upon the stool and placed the hat on her head. It took a very long time, but eventually the Hat's voice came, "GRYFFINDOR!!" it shouted. All the Gryffindor's cheered, and Ebony sat her butt down across from Mich and Jass. They both saw her confused face and asked what was up, but she put on a smile and said that it was nothing. The Headmaster Dumbledore, stood up and welcomed all the new faces to Hogwarts, he told everyone, that as usual the Dark Forest was off limits. A magnificently delicious dinner appeared in front their eyes, and everyone dug in. After Dinner, the Prefects of each house took their 'family' to their common rooms, and showed the first years and transfer's to their new dorms. Ebony just lay on her large, new bed and stared at the ceiling.
AN-Thank you to everyone who reviewed. Your opinions and complements are much appreciated!!! THANK YOU! I hope enjoyed this ch.