Chapter 1: The Final Details

Disclaimer: I own nothing. I probably only own the plot, so…Oh, I own Ricky and Kyle :-)

The Tradition:

Every year, 10 former Hogwarts students are chosen. Five from each House are chosen. The way the two Houses are determined is by reflecting on the two that got along the least. More often than not, it was Slytherin and someone else.

They are tricked into going to a secret, hidden Manor for six months. Hopefully, this period of time will get them to cooperate, and become friends. It was something that started after they realized that had Voldemort perhaps made friends, nothing would have happened. It was an effort to save the students from destruction.

Generally, the ten picked are great wizards or witches. This is in hopes that its ten more great wizards or witches will join the fight against Voldemort.

This year, the results are crucial.

~*~*~

Dumbledore gazed down at the list hopefully.

From Gryffindor:

Harry Potter

Ronald Weasley

Hermione Granger

Parvati Patil

Lavender Brown

From Slytherin:

Draco Malfoy

Blaise Zambini

Pansy Parkinson

Vincent Crabbe

Gregory Goyle

Crabbe and Goyle were chosen in desperation, and in hopes that Malfoy would be more responsive. But, as Dumbledore re-read through the list, he found that it was utterly worthless to have these two.

So he glanced back at the Slytherin House Previous Seventh Year roster.

Finally, the old Headmaster changed the last two names to:

Kyle Thompson

Richard Jackson

"Is it done, Albus?" questioned Minerva McGonagall.

He held up the parchment in response, and watched, amused, as Severus' face scrunched up.

"Harry Potter?" he spat. "That boy is troublesome enough, Headmaster. Don't want him messing this up!"

"Would you prefer Neville?" Dumbledore asked, grinning.

This shut Snape up immediately.

"Good idea, really…but these other ones are great too…" he mused, stroking his long beard.

"How's it going to be done this year, Albus?" McGonagall asked. "Malfoy will be rather hard to get. I don't expect that Kyle should be that easy, either."

"I don't know if you've heard, my dear professor, but Lucius Malfoy is in Azkaban as of now. As for Thompson…well, I've heard nothing yet of his parents, but we'll see."

"Yes, Minerva. I believe Narcissa will do anything to help her son, and as for the Thompsons, I don't think that should be too difficult. Shawn Thompson—his father—was never a smart bloke," Snape added silkily.

She rolled her eyes, and stiffly adjusted her glasses. "Even so."

Dumbledore leaned back, entertained. "Are you quite done? I have taken the liberty of asking Sirius, Harry's godfather, and it is ready on that part. As for Parvati and Lavender, it's set up as well. Who else? Ah. Mrs. Weasley has graciously agreed, as has Mrs. Parkinson."

"Parkinson?"

"Yes. Apparently, Pansy and Draco have had an arranged marriage. I'm afraid Draco's not very smitten, so they have agreed, beings as he'd be locked up with her."

Severus chuckled. "He'd be more likely to marry Granger than Parkinson. Honestly, I never thought she was that intelligent, but I suppose you know better than I, Albus."

Minerva bristled. "Granger is quite the student! Draco Malfoy would be lucky to have her even acknowledge his presence!"

"Favoring much, Minerva?"

Headmaster Dumbledore cleared his throat once more. "Blaise's father has been in Azkaban for some while now, so it was not rather difficult to get Mary to cooperate and let her daughter go. I believe that only leaves Richard, Kyle, and Hermione."

"Have you thought of how you're going to get them there?" inquired McGonagall after a few moments of silence.

"Most will be using Portkeys. Pansy has already agreed, so that's no problem. Ronald will be told he's won an award, and so will Draco. As for Miss Zambini, I'm afraid she's gotten herself into some trouble, so it will be offered as a sanctuary. The only one unaccounted for is, again, Miss Granger."

"I hear she works for the Ministry of Magic. Oh, and does some articles for the Daily Prophet too. So clear it with Fudge or Weasley, and tell her it's a job," Professor McGonagall suggested.

"Well, wasn't that surprisingly clever," Snape said in his oily voice.

"Fine, fine…excellent idea. Now, before you two leave to prepare for this year's crop of First Years, lemon drop, anyone? I have Bertie's Jellybeans, or Cockroach Clusters…" Dumbledore offered.

"No, that's quite alright, Albus," Minerva smiled.

"I'll pass, Headmaster."

"Suit yourselves. I'm rather partial to the Clusters myself," the Headmaster grinned, shoving one into his mouth. "Need to restock my supply, I'm afraid."

Professor McGonagall covered her mouth, fighting back her lunch. "Cockroach Clusters? That's too much, Albus!"

~*~

"Hermione, could you come in here for a moment?" Percy called.

Hermione rose, and entered the office curiously. "Yes? What's the problem?"

"No problem. I've just received news from the Prophet, and they want you to cover a story on this Manor," he responded, shoving out a picture.

She took it inquisitively, gazing at it. "It's gorgeous…"

"Yes. I have directions upstairs, and you'll be leaving at the end of the week," Percy added.

"The end of the week?! But it's Thursday already! I'll never be ready!"

"You may go now."

Hermione stood, and exited swiftly, deciding it was wiser to leave the decision be.

Percy grinned. "Oh, I don't think anyone could ever be ready for this…" he muttered.

Right after he had graduated, he was, of course, picked to do this. Not a bundle of fun, being stuck with Slytherins. But at least Oliver Wood was there, and although Quidditch obsessed, he was tolerable. Better than Flint, at least. Stupid oaf.

It was rather amusing, after taunting Flint and the other Slytherins…they had, after all, lost the Cup.

But…how Flint got into that deal, would always remain a mystery to them.

Hermione popped into the room again, startling him.

"I'm sorry…um, what's the name of that manor?"

"Er, it's not important," Percy lied. It might've been in some books, which meant Hermione might have read it.

"Knowing the name would be very important, Percy! Anyway, it looks rather familiar…"

"Erm, don't all manors?"

"Yes, but something about that one. Gods, why can't I remember? I know it was in a book somewhere…not the Malfoy Manor, I'm sure. Certainly no Death Eater's Manor. No, I don't think anyone actually lives in that one," Hermione mused.

Percy leaned back in his chair, twiddling his thumbs nervously.

"Why is it so important that it needs an article, Percy?"

"That's Mister Weasley, thank you. I'll be running for Minister soon, so I demand respect."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever Perce. Ugh! What is it?! Oh! Is it that Manor, where—"

"That'll be quite enough, Miss Granger. I need to work on this Goblin issue now," Percy interrupted.

Hermione looked suspicious, but left again.

~*~

"I believe you need some help, Blaise," crooned a voice.

She whirled around, eyeing the hooded figure warily. "I have no idea what you're talking about. How do you know my name?"

"Simple. I know that you owe a considerable amount of money to a pack of rather unfriendly creatures. I have a place for you to stay," it offered.

"What kind of place?" she asked suspiciously, raking a hand through her raven black hair.

"Only the best money can buy. Er, I shouldn't be telling you this, but Mister Malfoy is rather concerned, and has sent me."

"As in…Draco Malfoy?" Blaise inquired, her eyes widening.

"Yes."

"My Gods, I haven't seen him in months! Not since that Graduation Party, anyway. Alright, as long as it's from Draco. Don't need to be accepting shady deals these days," she murmured.

"Of course not."

"Fine then. Thank you…and tell Draco I'm grateful."

"Will do," the hooded man said.

She waltzed off, leaving the wizard alone, chuckling.

"Miss Zambini, you're rather lucky that I'm on your side," he mumbled, lowering his hood. "Always though she was smarter…well, I suppose she's safe for now."

Albus Dumbledore—sneaky old codger—turned in the opposite direction, to attend to the others.

~*~

Severus turned to Minerva, a look of disgust on his face.

"Who was that in the fire?"

"It was Arthur Weasley. Crazy disgrace demands that Ron gets exposed to the Muggle way of life," Severus spat, looking revolted. "Muggle loving freak."

"Severus, you're letting You-Know-Who affect you too much," Minerva replied, looking amused.

"Voldemort has nothing to do with this. I've hated that man for years."

"Well, did you tell Arthur that there will be lots of Muggle things? Like the TV, the computer, the electricity, the radios…?"

"No, I'm having some fun first. Rather indignant, the old prat," Snape replied.

With a tiny pop!, Albus Dumbledore was in the office.

"How'd it go?" Minerva McGonagall asked eagerly.

"That Blaise girl can be quite dim sometimes. She's lucky I'm not out to get her," Albus sighed. "But yes, it's all set. She believes the young Malfoy has set it up for her protection."

"And Hermione?"

"Percy informed her this morning."

"What about the rest?" Minerva asked, continuing her line of questions.

"Really, professor! I have managed to convince the Thompsons once again, and as for Richard Jackson, same goes for him. I just need to reaffirm that Lavender and Parvati will be there to pick up the Portkey in the shape of jewelry," Dumbledore concluded.

~*~

"Mother, I refuse to go to some musty old manor!" Draco yelled.

"Draco, dear, you have too! It's where you'll get that Order of Merlin for turning in your father," Narcissa said gently.

Won't my son be in for a rather nasty surprise when he finds that that's not all? she thought.

"Stupid git. I go to all that trouble, and I turn him in…and the Ministry of Magic is making me go to a manor to get some idiotic award. An outrage! I help run the Ministry. What are they playing at?"

"Darling, calm down. It's an Order of Merlin," she soothed, trying to hold back a laugh.

That exact event was how she met his father. A nice man then…pity he went so wrong.

"I know. Sorry, mum, that was uncalled for. It's just…I'm under a bit of pressure now. Shouldn't have taken it out on you," Draco muttered, looking at the shiny floor.

"That's fine, son. If you don't mind, I have a letter to write."

"No, no…of course not. I'll see you at lunch?"

"Certainly."

Draco stalked off, leaving Narcissa Malfoy alone in the living room.

Picking up an expensive quill from a rare owl, she began the note to Headmaster Dumbledore.

Albus,

Draco's complaining again. But I think I've fully convinced him. He wouldn't dare let me down; he loves me too much.

So, how are things on the Pansy end? I daresay he needs to fall in love with her, quickly. If only there were a way to get out of this pointless marriage Lucius arranged! I'm afraid I don't see Draco falling in love with any other girl that will be there.

Pansy's pushing it as it is…and Blaise is too old of a friend. Who else did you say was going? I believe you said Parvati, Lavender, and Hermione. The first two go out with dear Harry and Ron, correct? I don't think Hermione and Draco will be falling in love anytime in this lifetime. Or the next.

I've heard him talk about her, with the most venom in his voice. Of course, he saves his most venomous, savage voice for Harry and Ron. It's such a shame, Albus! Those boys are so polite.

Well, I'll be seeing you later,

Narcissa Malfoy

Narcissa rolled up the parchment, sighing absently. Draco was in a rather terrible position.

What the hell was her husband playing at, arranging that marriage? It wouldn't be so bad, but…he cast a Dark spell that killed Draco if he wasn't engaged by his 21st birthday.

The only loophole was Pansy wasn't involved in that. So he had to find someone.

He just had to.

~*~

"Harry, you prat!" Ron exclaimed, laughing.

Harry had just done a trick on his new broom, and stole a young witch's hat.

The girl whirled around, ready to yell at them.

"Hermione?" Harry said, looking thunderstruck.

"Oh, it's only you, Harry," she said, breathing with relief.

"Gee, thanks."

"Hullo, 'Mione! Or should I say Herm-own-ninny?" Ron asked, shooting her an innocent look.

"You'll never leave that alone, will you?" Hermione asked sharply.

"I'm afraid he won't. You see, poor Ron has the appearance of a 18-year-old, but the brain of a 3-year-old," Harry quipped.

"Do not!"

"Point proven."

Hermione laughed, and said in a teasing voice, "Where's your mummy?"

Ron stared at her, not amused. "Mum's at home, getting Ginny ready for Hogwarts, and no doubt receiving jokes from Fred and George in the mail. All I know is, if Percy hasn't moved out yet, he's rather pathetic. Evil prat."

"Percy has moved, Ron. Honestly, he's your brother!"

"He's your boss," he protested.

"I wonder if his old Head Boy badge is still charmed," Harry threw in, randomly.

"He fixed it. But then Fred and George found it again, and re-charmed it. Still sitting in Percy's old trunk, I'd reckon," Ron mused, his eyes twinkling.

"Speaking of Percy…I almost completely forgot! I'll be going away for a week or so, researching this hidden Manor for an article," Hermione informed them, looking pensive. "It sounds so familiar…"

"I'll reckon that of all people at least you have read it! I'll eat a cow if there's an important book you haven't read."

"Aside from your diary, you don't have to worry about that, Ron," she taunted.

Ron flushed all the way to the red roots of his hair. "Shut up."

A/N: If you're good little boys and girls, I'll update soon! Right now, I only have 3 chapters written, so don't expect an update everyday. We're talking once a week here, people.