- Chapter 9 -
New Friends?
The murmuring finally died down a few minutes after Willow's shout. Willow looked again at Snape for a minute, trying to put as much apology in her eyes as possible. But it was too late. Cranky Pants was pissed. Willow then looked around the hall of students. All four houses were staring at her.
The Slytherin students were looking at her with mixed expressions on their faces. Some looked confused, others looked angry. But one expression caught her eye. It was the look on Draco Malfoy's face. Malfoy had a huge smirk on his face, as if he were very pleased with himself. And he was staring right at her. Somehow, Willow didn't see this as a good sign.
She quickly diverted her gaze to the Gryffindor table and immediately caught the eyes of none other than Harry Potter. She had expected him to look as disappointed as his friends did. Ron looked absolutely horrified, but not surprised. Hermione looked worried. Willow wondered if it was for her. Brandy just looked sad. She had her head bowed and did not even glance in Willow's direction.
But Harry. He looked satisfied. As if he had known beforehand where she would be sorted and was pleased by this.
Willow had known that due to her little stroll on the dark side that she would be a shoe in for Slytherin. But still, she had hoped. And now, here she was. The newest member of the house that single handedly supplied Voldemort with loyal Death Eaters, and The Boy Who Lived was looking at her as if he thought it was a good thing.
Willow slowly rose from the stool and started making her way over to the Slytherin table. She may have gotten to keep her sleeping quarters, but she had to relinquish her seat from the high table. It figured. And all the while, her eyes never left Harry's face.
Harry smiled at her gently, then mouthed the words It's alright. I believe in you. And suddenly, Willow felt a weight lifted from her shoulders that she had not known was there. With renewed confidence she lifted her head high and went to seat herself at her house's table.
Willow sat down and again looked up to the head table. Snape still wasn't looking at her, and she got the distinct impression that he was brooding. This made Willow smirk at the reminder of the dark and tortured vampire with a soul. She then looked to where Giles sat. He had taken her old seat beside Dumbledore. He was looking at her with a knowing look. She wondered vaguely if this had anything to do with that prophecy thingy. Giles smiled at her gently and Willow returned it.
The Sorting had come to an end and eveyone was waiting for the feast to begin, so Willow turned her eyes back to her plate. She had made sure to sit away from the group because she really didn't want to hear what thier expressions where clearly saying. They didn't like her. At all.
Well that was just fine and dandy with her. She wasn't looking to be best friends with any of them either. That was why it surprised the heck out of her when the person who came and sat down beside her, did.
"Well, if it isn't Spike Jr." Willow muttered, as none other than Draco Malfoy moved down to sit beside her.
She had said it in jest, and thought it low enough that he wouldn't hear. But apparently, his features wasn't the only similarity he held with William the Bloody.
Draco's brows crinkled together in confusion. "Pardon?"
Willow's ears grew hot in embarrassment. "Oh, nothing. You just remind me of a... well someone I know. From where I come from. And...not meaning to be rude or anything, but, what do you think your doing?"
"I thought it was quite obvious, I'm simply welcoming a new house member." Draco stated matter-of-factly.
"Yeah right, because you so want me here." Willow said sarcastically.
Malfoy looked afronted. "It's true. Look, I apologize about the way I acted during our little 'run in' at Diagon Alley. It was uncalled for." At Willow's unconvinced expression, he went on. "Listen, you're going to need friends in this house. It would be in your best interest if it were a Malfoy. You'd get into less trouble that way."
Willow didn't know what to say. Her first impression of Malfoy had been that he was a mean, spoiled brat. But the look on his face gave her the impression that he was being honest about wanting to be her friend. Willow's expression softened some.
"Okay. But don't give me a reason to really hate you, Mini-Spike. It would not be good for your health."
Draco grimaced at the nickname. "Do you mind my asking who this Spike bloke is?"
Willow smiled a little. "He's a... well, I wouldn't actually say friend. Uh, he's a vampire that I knew back in Sunnydale. You know, the Hellmouth."
Draco's eyes widened at this. "You know a vampire?"
"Yep. You sort of remind me of him actually."
Draco smiled a genuine smile. "Can't wait to hear about that."
~*~Harry kept looking over at the Slytherin table as Malfoy approached Willow and proceeded to talk to her.
Just what are you up to, Malfoy? He wondered to himself.
Hermione noticed him staring and elbowed him in the side.
"Harry, stop it. I'm sure she can handle herself against the likes of Draco Malfoy. Besides, I would hope that Malfoy would know exactly who she is and not want to get on her bad side."
"I know, 'Moine. But Willow is not evil. It's just the magic residing in her body that's dark. She does not need the likes of that arrogant git hanging around.
Hermione patted Harry's hand reassuringly with her own.
"Hermione's right, Harry. I'm sure Willow can take care of herself." Ron added from across the table.
"That's just it, Ron. I'm not rightly sure that she can." Harry said, shaking his head.
He hoped the feast would be over soon so that he could speak to Dumbledore. He was hiding the fact from his friends, but his scar was beginning to burn. And for some reason, he suspected it had something to do with a red haired Slytherin girl.
~*~Severus Snape sat in his seat at the head table, but was not eating. He had no idea why it bothered him so much that the girl was so horrified at being sorted into his house. But it did. It bothered him alot. They had all suspected that she would be placed in Slytherin. It was a given, what with all the dark power she held inside of herself. But when the words had actually been spoken, and her reaction made evident, Snape had regretted it.
For some insane reason he wanted to protect this girl from anything that might wish her harm. He did not relish the idea that Voldemort would try to harvest the magic from the girl. From what Rupert had said, Willow had to give herself over to the dark and then relinquish the power over to the Dark Lord willingly. Lupin had told them of her little stroll to the Forbidden Forest, and by her own admission, she had been dreaming of the evil wizard.
He had felt her gaze upon him and had had to force himself not to look at her. He was afraid he would not have been able to stop himself from going to her and comforting her. What was the matter with him? He had better sense than this. To get emotionally involved in something that should only be seen as a job. But damn it all, he had, and it was too late now. He had to be ready to face whatever was to come.
He lifted his eyes from his plate to only have them drawn to the Slytherin side of the Great Hall. He froze when he saw the person sitting and talking to the redhead. No, Draco Malfoy was the last person the little pixie needed to be associating with. Snape assumed that the youngest Malfoy would probably owl daddy dearest about the newest member of Slytherin at the earliest convienience. And if Lucius knew about Willow, then there would be no doubt that if Voldemort didn't already know about her, then he would. Snape figured a small discussion with young Mr. Malfoy on the subject of discretion was in order in the near future.
~*~After the sorting feast had ended, everyone drifted out of the Great Hall. Willow immediately went in search of Snape. She wanted to let him know that she had overreacted and that it had nothing to do with him. Although she had no idea why she felt she needed to do so, or why she thought he even felt that way. She saw a robed figure billowing down a corridor and started to follow, only to have her way blocked by Harry.
Willow sighed as she watched Snape disappear around a corner. Oh well, she supposed she could talk to him after her next potion's class. Turning to Harry she smiled. "Hey, Harry."
"Hey." Harry replied with a smile. Then his face turned serious. "Willow, you need to be careful around Draco Malfoy. He is NOT trustworthy or reliable."
"It's okay, Harry, I know. Jeez, you'd think you were my brother or something." Willow teased.
Harry blushed a bit before replying. "I just wanted you to know that if you're looking for friends, you don't have to look very far."
"Aww, that's so sweet." Willow was on the edge of tears again, causing Harry's blush to deepen.
"So, what is your first class?" Hermione asked.
"I have Charms, then Transfiguration. And after that, I've got DADA and last but not least Potions." Willow supplied.
Hermione's face lit up. "Oh, that means we will have Transfiguration and Potions together."
Willow smiled. "Yep. But right now, we'd better scoot, cause we'll be late otherwise."
With that Willow left the group to go to Professor Flitwick's class. Personally, she couldn't wait for Potions. Not only would she see Harry and the others, but she would also get the chance to make it up to Snape. She had no idea why it bothered her so, but it did. So, she was going to apologize to Snape as soon as the class was over.
~*~TBC...