Chapter Two: The Arrival of the Opposites
A/N: I have to admit: I was a bit upset that I only got seven reviews for my first chapter. This story might take some time to get use to, but hopefully it'll all work out in the end like with The Life of a Slytherin, right? Anyway, thanks for your positive feedback. I truly appreciate it…no lie. If you want a full disclaimer, just look at the first chapter. I won't be posting disclaimers for any chapters anymore, besides the first…unless of course, I use a song or something. Then, I will use a disclaimer, so I don't get sued. ^_~ Enjoy this second chapter!
And to answer your question, Saffron, Prisoner of Azkaban is my favorite Harry Potter book…even more so than Order of the Phoenix. I find that it was just the best school year…so far.
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Draco sat patiently on one of the large black armchairs in the Main Lounge of Malfoy Manor. It was placed on the second floor, perfectly spacious and comfortable. In fact, if he had to pick his favorite room in the whole mansion, the Main Lounge would have to be it. It was the absolute perfect place to read, think, hope, and dream…He always went to that particular room to relax and just find peace away from his mother and father.
The darkness of the sky shone through the curtains of the room. The bright moon and glowing starts gently lit the area by the windows, making everything seem just a bit peaceful, for a change. The room was brightly lit with chandeliers and floating candles.
A book was cracked open in his hands. He slowly scanned over the pages, reading each and every word carefully, absorbing everything. The book was of particular interest to him. It was filled with history. He never had enjoyed History of Magic class but when reading on his own terms, he always cracked open a book with historical content. But, he had been given tons of homework that summer and was, unfortunately, reading a book for HOM homework.
Thinking for a moment, Draco moved over to one of the oak desks in the Main Lounge. He got out a few scrolls of parchment, an raven-feather quill, and an inkwell. He placed his book (A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot) on the desk and sat down on a chair. He read the first few paragraphs of the chapter on Witch Burning in the Fourteenth Century. Draco took his raven-feather quill and dipped it into the ink. He sucked on the tip of the feather for a second before beginning to write his essay. Draco wrote:
During the medieval times, in the fourteenth century, Muggles were afraid of magic, even if they were rather unsuccessful in recognizing it. They would often burn a Muggle and not a witch or wizard at the stake.
Draco read the paragraph over again and continued writing.
What they didn't know that is if in the actual event that a real wizard or witch was caught, the witch or wizard could simply perform a Flame Freezing Spell. In using this particular spell, the caught person would pretend to shriek in pain while experiencing a light, tickling sensation.
Draco read on, continuing to write his History of Magic essay. The soft scratching of the quill broke the silence of the room. Thirty minutes later, he had already written four inches of his essay. The essay only called for eight inches. Glad that he was two inches away from finishing, Draco anxiously continued writing. After an hour of endless writing, he was finally done with his essay. He still hadn't started on his essays for Potions, Charms, and Transfiguration.
He was taking new subjects this upcoming year. Unlike Ron and Harry, though much like Hermione, Draco was very involved in his academics. You could say that was one of the many things he and Hermione had in common. He worked hard but he did find the time to act like a normal thirteen-year-old boy and hang out with his friends. Both Harry and Ron, to his knowledge, had signed up for Divination and Care of Magical Creatures. Draco had signed up for all of the extra classes. His mum had encouraged him to live life to the fullest so he wanted to get as much more knowledge as possible.
A week had passed since he had gotten his letters from Harry, Ron, and Hermione. He had replied to all three of them and by this time, no one had replied yet. He was anxious as to why. Ron and Hermione were both still vacationing but he had expected a letter from Harry far sooner. Gathering his essay and his leather-bound book, Draco traveled up the many staircases leading up to his room.
When he opened the door, he saw a single snowy white owl he immediately recognized as Hedwig standing on his windowsill. She was drinking from Deity's water bowl. Deity was probably off catching a mouse or something. He wondered when she'd be back. Draco always had been extremely fond of his eagle owl. He walked over to the windowsill and took the letter that Hedwig held out on her leg. She hooted happily before taking off.
Draco carefully unopened the letter, recognizing Harry's writing on the envelope. He read:
Draco,Sorry for not having written any sooner. I haven't had any time at all to write. My dreadful Aunt Marge came to stay with us. I think I've told you about her, haven't I? I might've last Christmas holiday when I went to Malfoy Manor with you. Well, maybe I haven't so I'll just tell you again. She's Uncle Vernon's sister. Even if we don't share the same blood, I've always called her "Aunt." It's bloody annoying, just to tell you. She's a total witch, in a bad way…an extremely bad way. She came two days ago and she's staying for the rest of the week. So, don't think I'm dead or something if I don't reply quickly. She squeezed her wineglass too hard at dinner tonight. Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia think I did magic because, well…I did. Hopefully, the next four days will go by quickly.
I heard on the WWN that Sirius Black murdered thirteen people or something with a single curse. Is that really true? When did this happen? I wouldn't have asked but that's really all that the reporter on the WWN said. I noticed that the Wizard Wireless Network is a lot like Muggle news radio. Can you tell me anymore about it all?
I've got to get to going. I expect a letter from you by tomorrow morning. At the latest, you can expect a response by lunch. Aunt Marge and everyone else are going out for the day. They're locking my door shut, of course.
Harry
Draco remembered Harry telling him about his awful Aunt Marge last year. He had never liked the sounds of her and felt horrible for Harry, having to spend a week with that old bat. Draco got out parchment, a bottle of ink, and a spare eagle-feather quill. Still standing up, Draco began writing a letter. After a few moments, he had finished scrawling. He wanted to get the letter to Harry as soon as possible.
He read over the letter…
Dear Harry,Oh, I remember you telling me about your old bat of a relative Aunt Marge. She sounds bloody dreadful. I feel so sorry for you. Tell me how everything turns out…
- Things have been so boring here at the manor. All I've really accomplished this summer is doing a good job on my History of Magic essay. I haven't even started on the other essays. I better start working on them. I've also taken my Nimbus 2001 out in the backyard a lot. Flying out there is so great. You should really come back here Christmas holiday.
- Harry had already asked his mum about going to the Burrow for the rest of the summer holiday. She had always been much kinder and gentler than her husband, even before Draco had been Sorted into Gryffindor. She had given him permission to go. Draco would most likely be Flooing over to the Burrow or something. Draco didn't know if Harry was going to the Burrow as well but he was sure that Hermione was going. He smiled slightly at the thought and shook his head nonchalantly.
- All I know about Sirius Black is that he's my mum's cousin and what you already said. My mum's maiden name is Black…I don't think I've told you until now. I also know that he's a dark wizard, that Sirius Black. Supposedly, he was one of You-Know-Who's most loyal Deatheaters. Hope I could help in some way.
- I found out who the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher is, ever since that old prat Lockhart got hit with his own Memory Charm. Someone named Lupin or something. I overheard father discussing it with the school governors when they came over for dinner last night. I also heard them say that he was a werewolf! The school governors are a little nervous to hire a werewolf, for obvious reasons, but supposedly Dumbledore trusts Lupin.Maybe Lupin's young as well. He probably looks scary too.
- Draco's one fear was of werewolves. It had increased when he had entered the Forbidden Forest with Neville, Hermione, and Harry during their first year.
- Tell me what you think of all of this. I need as much interaction with the outside world as possible.
- Draco
Draco sealed the letter in a crisp white envelope and quickly scribbled Harry's name and address onto the front of it. He looked up and saw Deity flying toward the window. He grinned thankfully and tied the letter onto Deity's leg. She took a few gulps of water before taking off. Draco's eyes stayed on Deity as she flew off into the distance. A few seconds later, he could still see her distantly. After a few moments, she had vanished into the dark sky.
- Draco turned away and walked away from the window. He walked over to his king-sized bed by wall. He laid down on his bed, looking up at the ceiling. Like the ceiling of the Great Hall at Hogwarts, the ceiling of Draco's room had been enchanted to show the day or night sky and how it actually looked at that moment. He looked over to the wall that his bed leaned against. There were a few Gryffindor banners up. He also had a few posters of his favorite Quidditch teams on the wall. The Wimbourine Wasps and the Irish team were his two favorites. He also liked the Chudley Cannons, even if they weren't the best Quidditch team in the entire wizarding world.
- Draco lay still as thoughts poured into his head. He was mostly thinking about school, his friends, and life in general. He breathed in deeply, closing his deep silver eyes. He simply couldn't wait to go to the Burrow and see Ron, Hermione, and possibly Harry. He opened his eyes wide. He had a sort of emptiness in his stomach…actually, it was in the region where you usually kept your feelings for a person.
- And, dare he even say it, those feelings were kept in his heart for one person: Hermione Granger. As pathetic as it sounded, he had liked her ever since she had been Petrified by the basilisk during the previous year. After thinking about it for the longest time, Draco had finally realized the feelings he held for Hermione. They had so much in common: they had the same hobbies, liked the same things…And, this crush had developed slowly. It wasn't to say that he was in love with girl…because he wasn't…at least not in that way, yet.
- Draco blinked a few times, realizing he had, once again, admitted to himself that he liked Hermione the way he did. She was special…underneath her slightly rough exterior was a bright, loving girl that anyone could fall in 'like' with…that anyone included Draco. He sighed heavily, deciding to stop thinking about Hermione. If he started again, he didn't think that he could ever stop.
Draco got off of his bed, standing up. The sky was now pitch black, though it was still lit with stars. Draco looked up at his ceiling as it turned pitch black, like the night sky. The glowing of the stars dimmed slightly, the room slowly growing darker. He let out a small sigh before changing into his bedclothes. He looked at his clock and saw that it was only 10:30 p.m. but for some reason, Draco felt tired. His day had been everything but exhausting but he just felt drowsy. He was a bit confused by this but shook it off. Without a single thought, he blew out the candles and turned off the lights, which were powered by the Lumos spell. Draco climbed into his bed, and closed his eyes.
- Within fifteen minutes, Draco was resting peacefully, without a care in the world. He turned a few times, laying still. In a few moments, he resumed twisting and turning. The dream he was having at that moment was one of his worst fears: Ron and Hermione becoming a couple…
- "Draco…I'm sorry! But I don't love you…I'm in love with Ron," Hermione said, truthfully, looking at Draco sadly. "I'm sorry that I never told you before but I've loved him ever since I first met him."
- "What?! Hermione! No! You don't love him…you told me that you loved me," Draco said, shocked and confused. He looked at her, a puzzled look on his face. To him, Hermione looked older. She must've been two or three years older than she was now. "Hermione! Please…don't leave me now. I need you…I love you." Then, suddenly, Ron appeared out of nowhere.
- Hermione looked over to Ron, a sincere smile on her face. Draco watched both of them, his jaw dropped slightly. The two both leaned in and started snogging each other. Draco turned away, furiously. The next thing he knew, Draco was running away in the distance…
- Draco's eyes opened wide opened. He sat up in his bed, a cold sweat on his forehead. He breathed deeply, wondering if his dream was somehow a prediction of the future. Draco shook his head. It couldn't be. He was just thinking crazy thoughts. Ron and Hermione would never be a couple…he was certain about that. Draco blinked a few times, shaking his head. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Draco laid back down, taking another deep breath. He closed his eyes but couldn't get back to sleep.
- A few hours later, Draco eventually fell asleep. He had a few dreams, though they were none he could remember. That night, all of his dreams had to do with Hermione…
- ***
- The next four days slowly passed at Malfoy Manor. Rain poured from the sky, which was slightly odd on summer days but perfectly normal all the same. Draco received two more letters from Harry, further complaining about his Aunt Marge. The most recent letter he had gotten had been earlier that morning, saying how he was so excited that Aunt Marge would be departing from Surrey the next day. Draco felt glad for Harry.
- The week after next, Draco would be leaving Malfoy Manor and go to the Burrow. He was so excited about that. He wanted his next week at the Manor to be as smooth and peaceful as possible. Within the week of arriving at the Burrow, he, Ron, and Hermione as well as the other Weasleys would be going to Diagon Alley to get school supplies. Draco had already started packing, being a little too overexcited.
- Draco stood over his largest suitcase, which was on his bed, carefully folding his black school robes and placing them into the suitcase. He put his red and yellow Gryffindor scarf in his suitcase. He put his winter cloak, black pointed hat, and dragon hide protective gloves inside the suitcase. While he was at it, Draco stuffed some quills, bundles of parchment, and a thin schoolbook or two inside of the suitcase, completely filling it up.
- Draco decided to just pack the rest of his school supplies later in the week, in case he had some spare time…which he always had. Draco zipped his suitcase and lifted it, putting it beside his bed. Letting out a deep sigh, Draco walked over to his window and opened the curtains. No sunshine peered through though. The skies were darkly blue, covered not clear blue, but covered with big, dark clouds. Draco bit his bottom lip, looking out into the darkness. It was only an hour or two after noon and the sky was already filled with darkness.
Draco was about to turn away when he saw two dark figures at the tall gate of Malfoy Manor. It was a distant sight and along with the darkness, Draco didn't know who the two were. He tried to get a better look but simply saw cloaks over the peoples' heads. The two opened the gate and entered Malfoy Manor. It was a long walk to the front door. Draco noticed that the shorter one was carrying two suitcases.
He blinked a few times, watching the two figures approach the front door. The last he saw of them, they had reached the front door. Draco was curious as to who these two figures were. He turned around and when he did, the door opened and Tiffles walked in.
"Mr. Draco, sir?" Tiffles said questioningly, a touch of nervousness in his squeaky voice. Draco approached Tiffles, a well-shaped eyebrow raised at the house-elf.
"Mrs. Ashlyne and Ms. Taryn are on the first floor, Mr. Draco, sir," Tiffles squeaked, delightfully.
"Taryn?" Draco said, a mix of shock and surprise in his voice. He grinned broadly. Tiffles nodded his head enthusiastically. Draco quickly walked out of his bedroom, and walked down the many staircases as quickly as possible. Tiffles, a bit puzzled, snapped his fingers and Apparated down to the kitchens.
After several moments, Draco finally reached the first floor and saw Taryn standing with her mum, talking to Lucius, who was Taryn's mum's brother. Taryn's eyes were on Lucius but she turned and almost instantly, a broad grin was on her delicate face. Mrs. Ashlyne gestured toward Draco. With one last look at her mum, Taryn quickly walked over to Draco, still smiling brightly.
"Hullo Draco!" Taryn exclaimed brightly. She gave her cousin a quick hug. "How has your summer been? I have loads to tell you!" Draco exchanged grins with Taryn.
"Hey, Taryn," Draco said. "I can't believe that I haven't seen you since the Easter holiday. My summer's been great. Let's go up to the Main Lounge. We can have a better talk there." Taryn nodded her head and the two headed up the stairs that led to the second floor.
Draco led Taryn over to one of the large black couches by the crackling fire. It was particularly cold that day and the heat from the fire would warm them up. After a few seconds, Draco finally spoke.
"So, what do you have to tell me?" Draco said, looking directly at Taryn's bright hazel eyes. Her golden blonde hair was pulled back in an elegant twist. Taryn looked like she was about to burst from all of the excitement.
"I'm going to Hogwarts!" Taryn exclaimed happily, her broad grin becoming even wider. Draco's jaw immediately dropped. He was so surprised but extremely happy at the same time.
"You're going to Hogwarts!? Really?" Draco said, happily. Taryn nodded her head, grinning at her younger cousin. She was older than him by a few days. She never let him forget that.
"Isn't that great news?" Taryn said, calming down a bit, even if it wasn't working. "I only found out last week. I would've Owled you but the weather has been horrible in France. I didn't want Maddox to get lost out in the rain. But, from what I can see, the weather hasn't been so great here either."
"You're going to love Hogwarts, Taryn…you really are," Draco said excitedly. "You have to get Sorted into Gryffindor. We need to be in the same house."
"Well, hopefully, I'll be a Gryffindor," Taryn said, smiling slightly. "I was Sorted into Mardona at Beauxbatons and from what I've heard, that's the equivalent of Gryffindor House." Draco looked like all of his dreams were coming true. First, his favorite cousin and close friend was transferring to Hogwarts. The next thing that needed to happen was for Draco and Hermione to get together as a couple…
But, Draco was getting in a little over his head. What if Hermione didn't feel the same way about him that he felt about her? What if he was just imagining things?
"This is so wicked!" Taryn said truthfully.
"Yeah…wicked."
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A/N: So, how was that chapter? Please review…I need all of your feedback, positive or negative. ^_^
