Thanks to everyone who reviewed!
to LostStralight1: thanks for your suggestion, but unfortunately I have to stick to arrows for dialogues: quotations are already used for thoughts and italic for foreign languages
to SilverMoonbeam1: I've checked: Blaise is a French male name.
to Catmint: I'm sorry: I hadn't noticed it was wrong.
to Casey, Raiining, Phobe and Anya Malfoy: thank you very much! Here's the third chapter, I hope you'll like it
Now, let's start with the…
SECOND YEAR
While the students took a seat at the tables, whispers and murmurs ran thorough the Great Hall. Have heard about Harry Potter and Ron Weasley?
…on a flying car!
Unbelievable! How could they do it?
I saw it arrive, really! It came out of the clouds like a rocket!
Hey, Blaise, have you heard? asked Orson Derrick going near his friend. About Potter and Weasley? I dare say I have the whole school is talking about it
No, not about them… Blaise turned to look at him. He was very pale and nervous.
It's about… he cast a glance toward Draco Malfoy, who sat at the opposite end of the table They told me he wants to show up for the Quidditch's tryouts.
What?! cried out Blaise, attracting the glances of a couple of fourth-year girls sat nearby. But he can't do it! he added, still in shock, trying to keep his voice down.
Derrick made a face: He has already done it.
We can't allow it at all costs.
And how? Sabotaging his broom? Knocking him out? Derrick lowered his voice Remember, if you touch just a hair on his head, than you'll have to face Lucius Malfoy…and he's not the kind of man I want to deal with.
Blaise's features darkened: So…we can just hope he doesn't pass or else…
Our probabilities to win the Quidditch Cup and the House Cup will go below zero. completed Derrick before being hushed by a Prefect because the Sorting Hat had already begun his song.
Further, at the same table, Draco Malfoy wasn't listening to the song as well; he was thinking about Blaise and Orson -- his old schoolmates. He had seen them talking thickly and didn't need to rack his brain to understand what they were talking about. Distant voices filled his mind and he couldn't suppress the shudder that shook his body. For the first time after a long time, he found himself praying. "Lord, please…" he thought. "Everything but that. Please, don't let it happen again…I couldn't bear it." But the prayer didn't comfort him. Sighing, he focused on the Sorting. Instead of staring at the guy on the stool (He never did it. He remembered too well how it had been for him…how he had felt his stomach writhing in front of all those staring eyes…his silent prayer to be a Slytherin, or else his father would be mad at him…), he let his gaze glide up and down the line of waiting students. He smiled comprehensively at their frightened faces. In a certain way, sitting there looking at them made him feel older, but at the same time he couldn't help but wondering about their future. A girl with long, straight dark brown hair and violet eyes caught his gaze. She seemed less nervous and frightened of the others, but it was clear she was making a great effort to dominate her nerves. "I wonder in which House she'll be sorted…" thought Draco while Ida Barton sat down at the Ravenclaws' table. The Sorting went on, but Draco only half-listened; he kept staring at that girl. Every time a feminine name was called he held his breath, waiting to see her stepping forward, but she always stood still in her place.
In the end, after Brian Cromwell, who was sorted into Gryffindor, Professor McGonagall called out; Cross, Victoria and violet-eyed girl marched decidedly toward the Sorting Hat. While it was lowered upon her head, he saw her clenching her fist on the skirt of the school uniform.
After a few seconds, the Hat hollered Slytherin and the girl stepped down toward their table smiling kindly.
She sat exactly in front of him. Hi. she started off in a shrill voice with a foreign accent. I'm Victoria Cross…but I guess you've already heard it…
He should have been deaf to not hear it interposed Pansy Parkinson. Draco gave her a dirty look and she hurriedly drew back. It was the kind of look that told her she had gone too far.
For some strange reason, that girl moved his curiosity. Nice to meet you. I'm Draco Malfoy. He studied closely her face waiting for a reaction, but he didn't see any. You're not from around here, are you? he asked then, referring also to her strange accent.
Victoria nodded: I was born and grew up in Italy: my parents work there but they preferred to send me to Hogwarts so I could receive "a typical English education." she spoke in an exaggerated haughty tone. Draco laughed softly. Inexplicably he liked that girl, and it was quite strange considering he had never really liked anyone, maybe Professor Snape…but it was different with Victoria. Inexplicably different.
After a beginning full of promises, the relations between the two Slytherin chilled suddenly when Victoria saw how Draco acted toward the other people and heard his acid comments. She couldn't understand this sudden transformation and Draco didn't have much time to think about Victoria -- he was too busy training for the Quidditch tryouts. He wasn't the only one worried about the tryouts. Blaise Zabini and Orson Derrick were more worried than him. One evening, in the dormitory, Zabini cornered him metaphorically. I heard you want to try to get a place in the Quidditch team he hissed in a low voice I hope it's not true…
What if it is? replied warily Draco It's my right to do so.
Wasn't making us lose last year enough? Do you want to repeat your enterprise this year as well? he growled ferociously.
I've already told you, Zabini: it-wasn't-my-fault! Try to get it into your thick head and let me be!
I won't! You… he roared grabbing his arm You are a public menace and I won't let you ruin also this House.
Oh, forgive me if I exist! replied Draco furious, setting himself free from his hold and walking toward the door. When he reached the threshold, he turned around: It's not me who ruin this House, Zabini… he said slowly, with a voice dripping anger and venom …it's the superstitious idiot like you!
Do as you wish… murmured Blaise threateningly But Derrick won't let you join the team. Draco was already gone. Irritated and wounded by his two Housemates' behavior, he got away from the Common Room and began wandering around the castle. All that mattered was going away, he didn't care where. Miraculously, he didn't find Filch or his damned cat on his way. In a passage, he heard Peeves coming his way, and, to not fall right in his arms ("That would be really the only missing thing to complete a horrible day." he thought) he preferred to repair into the nearest corridor. He was at the fourth floor in a dusty corridor that led to several empty classrooms. The floor was covered with a thick layer of dust and his steps echoed through the empty walls in a sinister way. All those details formed a quite desolating picture. He stopped to look around when suddenly he heard a strange noise…there was somebody in one of the classrooms.
Thinking it was a couple of older students looking for a little bit of privacy, he turned to leave because, in that moment, he didn't feel like bothering somebody, not even Potter and his gang. The noise was repeated, this time louder. It sounded like sob no more held back, like someone crying…Has Moaning Myrtle left her bathroom? he wondered. No…quite improbable. It could mean just one thing -- another student had withdrawn there to pour out his or her sadness. If he had been Harry Potter or had belonged to another House, he would have rushed into the classroom and tried to console that student, whoever he may be. But he was Draco Malfoy and belonged to the House of Slytherin, so it didn't concern him.
Once this was clear, he had nothing left to do but leave, and yet, half-way, he came back to close the door of the classroom from which the sobs came. Even if he was quite annoyed that somebody else had already occupied what looked like the perfect place to hide, he could at least prevent someone else disturbing the other student's outburst. He came near the classroom door and moved as to close it, but he couldn't help to cast a swift glance inside and stopped literally frozen by astonishment. With her back leaned against the wall and her face half hidden on her knees, there was Victoria Cross. Draco, hesitating, entered the classroom and approached the girl. Hey… he murmured when he came near her. Victoria looked up. Her eyes were red and her cheeks streaked with tears. What happened? he asked sitting down beside her. What did they tell you?.
Victoria stared at him with her violet eyes. H-how do you. know that…that… she murmured between the sobs.
I went through the same thing before you. said Draco slowly, staring at the dusty floor. He moved his gaze back to the girl by his side. So, what happened?
I-I was going to c-class when I p-passed by a group of Hufflepuff… she said, trying to stop her sobs. The bag of one of them t-tore and w-while she was picking her books up, I s-saw her purse on the floor and…and I picked it up…I w-wanted to give it back to her, I swear, I just wanted…
Calm down, whispered Draco, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. It's all right. I'm not accusing you of anything..
You aren't, but they…they did! another fit of tears cut her off. I-I didn't have time to take a step that…that they all jumped at my throat. T-they said I was trying to steal it, that I was a thief, a dirty Slytherin…they said people like me can't be trusted…
I know… said softly Draco making her lean her head against his shoulder. …I know. If you're a Slytherin, it's always like this…
B-but I didn't mean to steal it…
Draco shook his head: It doesn't matter what you mean to do…what matters is what you have to do.
I…don't understand…
Draco sighed. Victoria came from a place far away, she was a stranger. You see… he started patiently. According to the…well, okay, let's call them "popular beliefs", every House of Hogwarts can be told from the others for its particular trait… He started to explain what things distinguished Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Gryffindor …and then there's the House of Slytherin. You still don't know but our House is famous because it has produced the higher number of Dark Wizards.
So we deduce that Slytherins are all a pack of criminals ready to go to the Dark Side…am I right? said softly Victoria. Draco nodded. But this is a real prejudice! she cried out scandalized.
What did the Sorting Hat tell you when they put it on your head? asked Draco.
He told me he saw ambition, ability to fight, many dreams to fulfill…and that I would fit well in Slytherin, I would found other people like me…I didn't know anything, so I thought Slytherin was okay…and he shouted it out loud.
You really got yourself in trouble, Torey, murmured Draco. In the House of Slytherin, many people have dreams to fulfill…the problem is that they often remain dreams. Because when the other people discover you were a Slytherin, immediately, they look at you with suspect. Gryffindor are preferred to us, because in the collective imaginary we are the evil and they are the cure. Nobody spoke for some minutes. Then Draco moved his hand to caress Victoria's cheek, wiping away a surviving tear. You have to learn to be strong, Torey. Being a Slytherin means fight, always fight, against everything and everyone…Every school day is a battle. Maybe we aren't exactly friendly with the students from the other Houses but, like you have experimented on your own skin today, neither are they. He slipped two fingers under her chin and gently forced her to look at him in the eyes If you want to survive, you have to learn to be the toughest of the toughs.
You succeeded…becoming the toughest of the tough, I mean.
Draco looked away and returned to stare at the floor. I've been well trained… He closed his eyes, while scenes from his old primary school came back to his mind.
Draco… Victoria's faltering voice snatched (or maybe saved) him from his thoughts.
Yes, Torey?
I was wondering if… if you and me could be … friends.
Draco smiled softly: Well…I dare say we can. Victoria smiled at him. So… said Draco shifting slightly. Which dreams do you want to fulfill, Miss Cross?
Well…I want to be Minister of Magic. Draco let out a low whistle.
Quite an ambitious plan…Do you have others? Victoria started telling him, forgetting the accident with the Hufflepuffs.
A few days later, Derrick came panting into the Common Room. Blaise almost had a heart attack when he saw him. What are you doing here? he asked him, sitting down beside him. I've just come back from detention. I've had a…little argument with the Weasley twins and Professor McGonagall caught us. Marcus told me I could spare going to the tryouts. They'd have done by now.
That's a damned bad luck! swore Zabini. Come on, let's go to see what happened. They ran out of the room, failing to notice that a first-year girl sat nearby doing her homework had casually overheard their conversation. That girl was Victoria Cross. The two conspirators were half-way to the Quidditch pitch when they saw Marcus Flint walking euphorically toward them:
Oh, Derrick, I was looking for you. I unofficially inform you that we have a new Seeker.
Derrick felt an icy sweat beading up on his forehead, but managed to produce the rough draft of a smile: Really, Marcus? Who is he?
Draco Malfoy, a second-year guy. Zabini and Derrick almost fainted.
Adrian Pucey, a Chaser, came near them: You should have seen him, Derrick! That boy is a real champion.
I'm sure… replied Derrick, his smile now reduced to a frozen grin. Marcus, can we speak in private?
Flint looked at him astonished: Yeah, of course…Warren, Adrian, Guthlac, you go ahead: I'll catch up with you later… While Zabini, the two Chasers and the other Beater went off, Derrick and Flint started walking in the opposite direction, going away from the castle. So, what did you want to tell me? asked Flint after a few seconds.
It's about Malfoy… started Derrick nervously. I don't think it would be a good idea to have him in our team.
Are you kidding? replied Flint. That boy is a champion. Of course, maybe he's not as good as the Gryffindors' Seeker, Harry Potter…but I'm sure he can improve a lot.
It's not a matter of skills… Derrick cut him off. The matter is that the boy brings a terrible bad luck.
Flint half-closed his eyes and studied his teammate like he had never saw him before.Are you telling me he's a kind of saboteur?
No, not at all…but that boy is a hoodoo, I can grant you. We went to the same primary school, do you remember St Gwilym Institute? Well, a short time after Malfoy came in, the Headmaster died…And at school there was all kind of troubles, there was even a fire…then he comes to Hogwarts, and, for the first time in seven years, the House Cup is stolen right under our nose and handed to those snotty Gryffindors…Trust me, Marcus. It's better if he doesn't play. Kick him out.
Nuts! Nobody can bring luck or bad luck…It's just Muggle superstition.
But it's true! Derrick dug his heels in. You'll realize it if you insist on having him in our team!
I don't wanna hear this crap, is that clear, Derrick? Malfoy will play and that's all. With these last words, Marcus Flint started to head back.
You'll regret it, Marcus! Orson shouted after him.
Marcus turned around to look at him: Make sure you'll keep your mouth shut about this…this kind of superstition, or else you'll regret it. Is it clear, Derrick?
Perfectly growled darkly the Beater. While this dialogue was taking place, in his dormitory a seventh-heaven-delighted Draco Malfoy was writing his father and his mother to give them the good news.
The dormitory door opened and a girl slipped inside: Hey, Drac. said Victoria Cross approaching him.
Hi, Torey replied the boy, barely lifting his gaze from the roll of parchment.
I've heard you are the new Seeker…
That's true. he replied dipping his pen in the ink. Victoria stated to look around distractedly. Come on, Torey, spit it out.
Sorry?
Something's bothering you…Come on, tell me. he ordered, turning his chair.
Victoria sat down on the nearest bed, her eyes fixed on the floor. It's about a second-year guy, Blaise Zabini…And Slytherin Beater, Derrick. she raised her gaze. They have something against you. I heard them talking downstairs.
Oh. commented Draco, lowering his eyes.
Victoria looked at him closely: How come it doesn't surprise you?
Let's say I suspected something…
I see…On the other hand, you've been here for a longer time than me…
Just a year.
It's always a longer time. They fell silent. After a few minutes, Victoria got back on her feet. I'd better be gone before someone catches me in the boys' dormitory.
The ghost of a smile quirked Draco's lips up: Yeah, right…Hey, Torey?
The girl, who had already reached the threshold, turned round looking at him: Yeah? Thank you for warning me.
Oh, you're welcome. The smile disappeared from her face, replace by a frown. Please, Drac…Be careful. And watch your back.
I will he nodded.
But not from what you're thinking… he added in a low voice as soon she walked through that door.
Later the same week, Orson Derrick entered the Common Room and, after briefly glancing around, approached Marcus Flint, who was studying in a corner. Have you seen Adrian? he asked him. Flint closed his book. Yeah, he's helping Draco practice.
Derrick was frozen. Are you telling me… he articulated with difficulty. That you've sent him out there with Malfoy? Marcus, are…
No, I'm not crazy, unlike you. he cast him a stern glance. That boy needs to practice and I want him to do it with someone who's not afraid of flying near him. Marcus was referring to an episode happened during the first Quidditch practice. Derrick had received the task to keep the Bludgers away from Malfoy to let him breathe a little. However one of them had almost thrown the new Seeker off of his broom. Once they landed, Marcus had got angry at Derrick and had rightfully reproached him for allowing a Bludger to hit the Seeker and not flying close enough to him. Orson had insisted they were close enough, even if he knew perfectly well it wasn't true.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, Flint. Those broomsticks Malfoy's father sent you have made you lose your brain! If something happens to Adrian, I'll…
Today you can save your threats, Derrick. Here he comes he said, pointing to the passage that lead to their Common Room. Adrian Pucey, a fourth-year guy, came out of it with Draco. What was the practice like, Adrian? Flint asked.
Wonderful! cried out the Chaser ruffling Draco's hair, who faked a disgusted face This guy know what he's about damned well! We have some good chances to beat Gryffindor.
Good commented Flint smacking Draco on his back. In that moment, the eyes of the Seeker met the icy glare of Orson Derrick and his smile died on his lips.
Draco's first match as Seeker ended with a resounding defeat for Slytherin. After being solemnly rebuked by Marcus Flint, the Seeker disappeared, but nobody bothered to notice it or to look for him. Well…not exactly. Adrian Pucey and Victoria Cross, each without the other's knowledge, went all over the castle for hours trying to find him. But first they found each other in a corridor of the second floor. They didn't need to talk, just a look was enough to understand. You're looking for him as well, aren't you?
Yeah. You couldn't hear it from the stands, but Marcus was pretty harsh to him…
He shook his head. I don't understand…Two years ago Terence Higg, the old Seeker, did a huger mistake during the match against Ravenclaw and he didn't take it so badly…
Victoria shook her shoulders: I'll keep looking for him. She found him almost an hour later on edge of the lake. Hey Drac, she said, sitting down by his side.
Hey Torey, he replied in his usual voice.
Do you feel better?
Now I do. They stayed silent for a while, then Draco rolled on his side to have a better look at her. Why did you come looking for me?
What a dumb question, she replied looking at him astonished. Because you're my friend, aren't you? Inexplicably, those word brought tears to his eyes.
When the attacks began, at first everybody suspected Harry Potter being Slytherin's Heir…except Blaise Zabini and Orson Derrick. Every time someone started talking about the attacks and the guilty, instinctively their eyes turned to Draco Malfoy, who always felt his pierced by those accusing glares. One night, coming back to the Common Room from a detention, Victoria found Draco sitting on a sofa, staring at the flames that danced into the fireplace. He had done his best to keep his face expressionless. However, the deep sadness he felt at that time shone clearly through his mask. The girl sat down next to him with caution and waited a few seconds before manifesting her presence. Hey she whispered very softly, barely audible. Is everything all right? Draco turned to look at her. Why aren't you in your dormitory? You shouldn't stay out so late seeing what's happening…
I had a detention… she answered shrugging her shoulders then her voice changed. What's the matter, Draco? You're…acting strangely.
What do you mean with "strangely"?
Strangely in a way I don't like.
The boy resumed his fire-watching duty for a while, than spoke again. Who do you suspect? I have no clue. she answered, lowering her gaze.
You…you don't think I'm Slytherin's Heir, do you?
Victoria looked up suddenly, because of the question and also because of the tone of voice which he had used to formulate it. What? Of course I don't! Why should I think such a thing? she burst out vigorously.
Because I'm a heartless Muggle-hater bastard whose family has been sorted into Slytherin for generations?
First, you're not a heartless bastard. Second, I can't stand Hufflepuffs, but nobody did blame me when somebody knocked out that guy, what's his name…Justin Fletcher or something like that. You don't like Muggle-born very much. I can't say I agree but… What does it mean? Absolutely nothing. Who can believe such an idiocy?
Guess who… murmured sadly Draco lowering his gaze.
Zabini and Derrick.
Exactly. Plus a bunch of other people.
Victoria moved in front of him and forced him to raise his gaze. I don't think you're the mad homicidal who's behind all this mess, Draco.
And how can you be so sure?
Well…you're not bad enough to be him. Whoever thinks so doesn't know you not even a little bit. She rose and started to walk to the girls dorm when Draco's voice stopped her.
I think you're the only person who believes I'm "not bad enough".
Victoria turned around: Then I'm the only one who knows you. She blushed mildly. I have to go. Goodnight, Draco.
Sleep tight, Torey he replied, half-smiling to her. That conversation helped Draco keep bearing Zabini and Derrick's dirty looks. When all finally came to an end…they still didn't stop glaring at him. Draco started to count down the days that separated him from his return home. He could bear two whole months at home with his father and his mother, but those dirty looks were more he could endure. It was a weight too heavy for him to bear by himself and he had nobody to share it. His only friends – his only real friends – were Adrian Pucey and Victoria "Torey" Cross and he wouldn't risk to lose them. They were all he had. Tiredly, he managed to survive until the day they all got on the train that would bring them back home. After enjoying her company during all the train ride, he submitted to say goodbye to Victoria on platform 9 and ¾.
See you next year at Hogwarts, she said euphorically, throwing her arms round his neck Don't think about those two… she murmured in his hear.
I won't he assured her, trying to smile.
And please, write me she asked for the millionth time at least. Normally, Draco would have lost his temper at the sixth…but not with Torey.
I will. And you…
Draco! A high-pitched feminine voice cut them off. A blonde woman walked toward them. I have to go Draco sighed reaching for his cart Have fun in Italy.
I will. And don't forget to write me! Draco waved at her and set off.