Summary: Sixth year begins with a new arrival at Hogwarts, Alora Marcellus. She is a relative of Draco Malfoy's but that doesn't stop Ron and Harry from taking an interest, much to Draco and Hermione's annoyance. A new prophecy brings Death Eater attacks and changes at Hogwarts. Can they survive much less fall in love? D/OC, H/Hr, slight SS/MM
Disclaimer: I don't own anything except for Alora Marcellus, her family, and this story. It's all mine and you can't have it!! *Huggles Screen*
Story Info: Please be nice to me, this is my first fic. I am actually a Draco/Ginny fan but this story has been in my head and I can't get rid of it. Alora Marcellus started out as my character in a Harry Potter RPG, and managed to wriggle herself into a story. She is Draco's second cousin, and in the same year. In book five, it is mentioned that all the pureblood families intermarry. Therefore I don't have problem with there being romance between them. Second cousin's in distant enough. If you have a problem with that, don't read it! Alora didn't attend Hogwarts for years 1-5. She attended a different wizarding school each year, some of which I have made up. First: Beauxbatons – France, Second: Durmstrang – Northern Europe, Third: Magia Encanto – Spain, Fourth: The Salem Witches' Institute - U.S.A, Fifth: Roma Magico- Italy. I also took the liberty to make up Draco's ancestry. Lucius is a Roman name and I have let myself run wild with it. If anyone wants a family tree for Draco and Alora, e-mail me and I will send it to you. Now, on to the story! Enjoy!
Author's Note: I would like to give a special thanks to aero0617 for being the first to review!!! Thank you so much!! I literally got up and did a happy dance when I read it!! *Huggles* It made me feel all warm and happy inside! I got this chapter out there as fast as I could just for you! Ok, I just want to say that I have nothing against any of the characters that may end up dying. I hate killing people but it just seems too unrealistic when nobody dies. If anyone has any questions about the story line or anything else, feel free to e-mail me. I'd be happy to answer them, even if they are asking when the scientists will be done examining my brain to see what went wrong. I'll just answer with, "As soon as they figure out how yours got stuck up your arse." Love to all!
Warning: This chapter is quite a bit darker than the first one but I don't intend on making the whole thing like this. It had to be this way to make Draco's change of heart realistic. You need to feel how he, and the rest of the characters, feel upon witnessing what happens. Just to be safe I am going to make this chapter rated R. There are also a few spoilers for OotP, so if you haven't read it yet, don't read this!!!
Chapter Two
Just a few compartments down, the Trio were dusting themselves off from their sudden ejection from their seats. Harry reached down and offered Hermione a hand. She excepted it with a smile and he pulled her to her feet, holding her hand a little longer than necessary. Ron was in the corner trying to untangle himself from his robes, his muffled voice coming through clearly, "I just knew something was going to happen! I just knew it! Can't have one perfectly calm summer without all bloody hell breaking loose! Bloody prats! Can't they just take a year off and go to Bermuda or something?! Wankers!" Harry rolled his eyes and helped Ron untangle himself. Another explosion rocked the train and the lights flickered ominously. "At least it isn't Dementors this time." Harry's face paled slightly and nodded in agreement, "Must be Death Eaters." Hermione shook her head in disbelief, "But why attack the train? They had plenty of time this summer to do something. The train is protected, why take the risk?" Ron peaked out the door into the hallway, which seemed to be clear, "Obviously not protected enough." Screams filled the air for the third time and Ron slammed the door shut. "So what are we going to do?" Hermione and Ron both turned to look at Harry. Exasperated, Harry threw his hands in the air, "Why do you always look at me?" They opened their mouths to answer but he stopped them. "Never mind. Let's go kick some Death Eater ass."
They started out into the corridor, wands at the ready. All three tensed when the door between cars flew open and a third year scrambled out. Ron grabbed him and began to shake him, "What happened? Where are the teachers? Is it Death Eaters? Which way?" The boy was visibly shaking as he fought Ron, "D..d..d..don't go b..back there!" More screams filled the train and the boy began to whimper. He tore himself loose from Ron and took off in the other direction.
"Bloody coward," Ron muttered. Hermione gave him a reprimanding look, "Don't say that until you've seen what…." She was cut short as the door flew open again. They relaxed when they saw Neville Longbottom rush through and slam it behind him. He placed both hands on his knees panting. Harry patted him on the back, "All right Neville?" Finally regaining some of his normal breathing, Neville managed to gasp out, "Death Eaters! Ginny sent me to get you. She's leading the DA members against them." He paused for air. Ron looked pleased, "Ginny, huh?" Neville nodded but his face grew grim, "McGonagall wasn't very happy about it but when she saw that we weren't leaving, she gave up. It's a good thing too, because three minutes later she was hit. I swear I've never seen Snape move so fast. He caught her and blasted the Death Eater who hit her. Guess he's not a complete prick." The Trio glanced at each other in alarm. McGonagall had been injured toward the end of last year and it had nearly killed her. Being hit today might finish her off.
When Neville was completely recovered he led them back the way he had come. Their faces continually grew paler as through each compartment they passed, they saw more destruction and injuries. First years crying for their mothers, a boy searching desperately through debris calling a girl's name. The worst was that they recognized most of the faces. Some they would never see again. It looked like a war zone. Periodically they would find someone who wasn't badly hurt and Harry would tell them to help the wounded to the back of the train. The closer they got to the front, the worse the destruction. They had to climb over twisted doors and seats, duck under parts of the ceiling that had given way and fallen in. It looked more like a tomb than a train. To some that day, that's what it would be. In the distance they could hear spells being yelled and cries of rage. They exchanged a glance and moved faster.
They were getting closer. As they stepped over what used to be a door, a hand suddenly reached out from beneath a pile and grabbed Hermione's ankle. She screamed and fell forward, only to be caught before she hit the ground. Harry had whirled around at her cry and darted forward, supporting her in his arms. Hermione kicked frantically, trying to make the hand let go. A soft broken voice slipped out from under the debris, "Help m..me. Please, som..somebody help me." Harry pried the hand off her ankle and grabbed her under her arms, lifting her to her feet. Ron was staring wide eyed at the pile, "That…that sounds like Colin." Harry swore and began digging, trying to dislodge him before he was buried alive. The others joined in and they were able to remove enough to slip out the tattered body of Colin Creevey. Blood oozed freely down his face from a gash on his forehead and one of his legs was twisted at a sickening angle. "Merlin," Ron whispered. Harry swallowed hard and looked away. Hermione held a hand over her mouth and turned to retch on the floor. She wiped her mouth with a trembling hand, "How could they do this. They're only children." Harry turned to Neville, who had sat down heavily on the floor. "I want you to take him to the back of the train. Can you do that Neville?" Neville dragged his eyes away from Colin and nodded shakily. He climbed to his feet and muttered a hover charm with a trembling voice. Colin's battered body rose in the air and they set off. Harry's face hardened as he watched them go, "They won't get away with this." He started forward again, the others trailing behind. None of the students they saw now were moving and Hermione doubted they would ever move again. Tears slid silently down her cheeks. She didn't even bother to wipe them away. Harry stopped so suddenly that Ron, not paying attention, walked right into him. The front of the train had been completely blown away, leaving the end of the compartment entirely open to the air. "What…" Ron froze as he stepped out from behind Harry. Hermione gasped, one hand darting up to cover her mouth in shock. They just stood there, frozen. "My God."
***
Meanwhile, Draco was coming upon the same destruction the trio had witnessed. His eyes were as hard as granite as he saw the devastation. His father was a Death Eater and he had been raised to support the Dark Lord's cause, but they had gone to far. This pointless killing was beyond any reasoning. Every once in a while he would stop to help some of the injured. They would thank him profusely and then shrink away in fright when they saw his face. A Malfoy. Draco's heart hardened to what he had been raised for. This was not what he wanted. Fear and death was not what he wanted to pass on to his children. It would stop with him. He looked up as he heard someone call out to him. "Malfoy?" It was Neville, dutifully following Harry's orders. Draco nodded at him in greeting, "Where's Potter, Weasley and Granger?" Knowing Potter's hero complex, he would be where ever the Death Eaters were. "They're heading to the front. Ginny's up there leading the student offensive." Ginny Weasley, huh? Guess one of that lot was worth more than their Gringott's account. Draco walked around Neville and continued on his way, "Thank you." Neville stared. Draco Malfoy had actually said thank you. To him. He turned in bewilderment and nudged Colin forward with his wand.
Draco hurried along the destroyed compartments, speeding up when he could hear curses being thrown. He stopped short as he reached the front of the train, slowly approached the backs of three students he instantly recognized. He came to stand next to them and looked at the scene that lay before them. Bodies littered the grass. Children lying bleeding at odd angles. Some unmoving, charred beyond recognition. Others crawled about blindly calling for Merlin or their mothers to save them. Draco stared in horror at the death that lay before him. His stomach lurched and he fought down the urge to vomit. "My God."
It took the three a moment to tear their eyes away at the sound of his voice. Harry took one look at his stricken face and nodded. He knew that he had nothing to do with this. Anyone who had any remnant of a soul could never lend themselves to this slaughter. Hermione seemed to take Harry's acceptance as a sign but Ron's face twisted in rage. He launched himself at Draco, catching him around the neck, trying to choke the life out of him. "Did you know about this Malfoy?! Huh?! Did you and your father sit around with your Death Eater friends and laugh about this?! Did you?!!" Harry leaped forward and pried him off of Draco. Ron struggled and spit curses at him. They did little good since Hermione had grabbed his wand. Draco gasped for air and slumped against the wall. "How can you think I could laugh at this? My father would never participate in such a massacre. We may be Slytherins, but we still have souls." Ron scoffed and fought harder. Hermione stood between them and faced Ron, "Ron, that is enough! You've had your tantrum but now we have more important things to worry about than your personal feelings toward Malfoy. You may not like him but you don't have to. You just can't kill him. He hates what happened here as much as we do. So suck it up and tolerate him while we help the others." Ron looked slightly ashamed and relaxed. Harry let him go with a wary look. Ron darted a scathing glance at Draco but didn't start throttling him. Hermione reluctantly handed him his wand back. She was tempted to keep it just in case, but she knew he would need it later.
Draco jumped the four feet down from the train onto the grass, Harry and Ron following suit. Hermione looked a little apprehensive, fiddling with her skirt. Harry noticed her predicament and smiled crookedly, "Here, let me." He reached up and placed his hands on her waist. She dutifully put her hands on his shoulders as he lowered her down. When her feet touched the ground he held her close for a moment. She blushed softly and looked into his face. Harry's voice was low and hoarse, "Be careful out there, ok? I don't want to loose you." She nodded and hugged him tightly. Draco coughed pointedly and they separated sheepishly. He smirked, "Well, now that that is taken care of, shall we continue?" Harry frowned at him, "Sod off, Malfoy." Draco arched one brow, his smirk widening, "Did I hit a sensitive spot Potter? Sorry if I don't take kindly to having to watch this mushfest with your girlfriend." Harry took a threatening step toward Draco. Ron rolled his eyes, "And you complain about me getting sidetracked. Just remember Harry, you don't have to like him, but you can't kill him until after we kick Death Eater ass." Harry nodded reluctantly, looking rather sheepish. Hermione was still blushing but tried to ignore Draco's knowing look.
They glanced to the right where they had heard curses being thrown. A small group of about twenty students were facing an army of a hundred Death Eaters. Despite the odds, they seemed to be doing well. Ron glanced toward the front anxiously, his eyes focusing on Ginny. He let out a sigh, she seemed to be fine. They broke into a run, joining the ranks to the front. Ginny glanced at them in relief while firing a curse at the nearest Death Eater, "Thank Merlin you're here. We're holding them off but we're tiring quickly." Her scarlet hair was tangled about her shoulders and there was a small cut on her cheek. Dean Thomas was to her left, down on one knee holding his side, but he was still adamantly yelling curses. Harry heard a familiar yell and glanced across the group, dodging a "Stupefy" thrown his direction. Snape's face was clouded over with rage as he bellowed out across the field, the fallen McGonagall at his feet. Harry jogged to join him, the others following. "About time you got here, Potter." Snape growled without even looking at him. Hermione bent down to check on McGonagall. Her face fell. "Is she…?" Harry asked frantically. Something in his voice made Snape look down, his eyes filled with anxiety and fear. Hermione shook her head, "No, she's alive but she won't be for long if we don't get her to Madam Pomphrey quickly." Snape swallowed hard and went back to viciously attacking the enemy.
As they fought back, Draco noticed something odd. Although the Death Eaters were throwing unforgivable curses toward the main body of students, they seemed to be using only stunning spells towards Harry, Hermione, Ron and himself. Now wasn't the time to be worrying about that though. The struggling students seemed to take heart when Harry arrived and fought back with new strength. Taken by surprise, the Death Eaters began to fall back. More and more of their numbers fell to curses and some gave up and ran away. Draco began working his way toward the leaders. One of them had thrown back their hood and he recognized her as Bellatrix Lestrange. She was a favorite of Voldemort's and had escaped with him that spring when they fled the Ministry. She was also the one who had killed Sirius Black, Harry's godfather. Draco knew all about Black, the truth that is, not what the Ministry told everyone. He had been put in prison for the deaths of Lily and James Potter, even though it was Peter Pettigrew who was guilty. He had also betrayed his family and his birthright by joining the fight against the Dark Lord. Draco had always sneered at the traitor but now he realized that he was doing exactly what he did. Turn his back on his heritage and fight for what he knew to be right. Draco cringed inwardly, 'You're starting to sound like Potter.'
He turned his attention back to the battle and watched as Bellatrix glanced at the train for the fifth time. She yelled at the Death Eater beside her, "What is taking him so long?! He knows that we need all four or this will all have been for nothing!" Draco advanced on her, blasting others as he went. They were giving up more and more ground as their ranks turned and fled. She swore and glanced at the train one last time before calling a retreat. One of the other leaders stopped her and hissed, "What about the other girl?" She swore at him as she prepared to Apparate, "Forget her, we'll just have to come back later. The Dark Lord is not going to be pleased." And she was gone, along with the remaining followers. The students stood quietly for a moment as if not quite sure whether they were really gone. Then suddenly the field was filled with the sound of cheers as they hugged each other. Most were crying, happy to be alive. The trio approached and Harry held out a hand to him. Draco shook it, feeling a bit light headed. Hermione was beaming tiredly, leaning on Harry for support as her body gave out in exhaustion. He stroked her cheek gently and smiled, "We did it, they're gone." Ron nodded, glancing around, "Do you think Dumbledore knows about this by now?" Hermione sighed, "I really hope so. A lot of people need help." They continued discussing what to do but Draco's mind was on something else. There was a gnawing at the back of his mind. A warning that something wasn't right. Something one of the Death Eaters had said…
Harry glanced at Draco in concern, "What is it? Is something-" But he never got the chance to finish. Draco's eyes had widened in realization and his breath caught in his throat, 'what about the other girl…we need all four…the girl'
"Alora!" He turned and bolted back into the train.