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:
1. One thing that bothers me in the movies is that they make Professor McGonagall look so much older. Especially with Maggie Smith's grey hair. In the books she has black hair and I never got the impression that she was that much older. In my story she is only about four years older than Snape. Probably in her late thirties to mid forties.
2. 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.
3. Shout out to Aero0617 for being the only person to review!! I really appreciate the feedback! You make me want to continue, hope you like this chapter as well!
4. I have been really busy lately and haven't really had time to write. Sorry for taking so long. I rushed to finish it and I'm not sure if it is up to par because of it. I hope you like it and I will try to get the fourth chapter out there soon. I promise there will be much more of Draco and Alora.
5. 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: There may also be a few spoilers for OotP, so if you haven't read it yet, don't read this!!!
Chapter 3
Draco's heart was thundering as he raced through the train, vaulting over anything in his path. His mind was screaming at him to go faster, 'you must go faster!' He stumbled once but righted himself and continued onward. His legs screamed at him in protest but he couldn't stop. He couldn't…He bolted into the open door of their compartment, glancing inside frantically. His eyes immediately focused on Alora, standing in the farthest corner from the door, staring down in horror. Her wand had been dropped and lay discarded on the ground but she didn't seem to notice. Draco followed her gaze and saw a Death Eater lying face down on the ground, unmoving. Draco inched around him and rushed to Alora's side, "Alora! Thank Merlin! What happened? Is he…Alora?" The whole time he had been talking she had continued to stare at the ground, seemingly unaware of his presence. "Alora? Alora answer me!" He grabbed her by the shoulders and forcibly turned her to look at him. Her eyes didn't focus but looked straight through him as if he wasn't there. For the second time that day he began to panic. "Damn it Alora, please! Answer me!" She seemed to shake herself awake and finally looked him. Her eyes flitted across his face and filled with tears. "Draco?" He nodded, a sigh of relief escaping him as he pulled her into his arms, cradling her against his chest. She latched onto him and buried her face in his chest, sobbing, "I think I killed him. Oh Merlin, what have I done? He's dead…" Draco held her tighter, "Shh, it's ok. It's ok. You did what you had to do. It's alright." She tore herself away from him, her body racked with sobs. "You don't understand! He's dead and you'll never forgive me for it! He's dead and I killed him!" Draco looked at her in utter confusion. 'Why would she think he would be mad at her for defending herself against a Death Eater?' He finally turned to the body that lay on the compartment floor and crouched down beside it. He placed his hands on its shoulders and with a heave, turned it over. The cowl fell back from its face. Draco gasped and fell backwards, "Oh Merlin, no!" It was Lucius.
***
Harry, Hermione and Ron stared after Draco in confusion. "What was that about?" Ron mused out loud. Harry shrugged his shoulders. "I have no idea but we should probably start getting the wounded together." He didn't say it but Hermione knew what he really meant. 'Get the wounded together and separate them from the dead.' She was still leaning on Harry for support and despite how nice it felt to be held in his arms, she knew that this was one of the few times she would ever be held like this by him. She had to pull away soon otherwise she would never let go. Harry did love her but he wasn't in love with her. The sooner she resigned herself to that fact, the sooner she could get over him. 'Liar', a little voice whispered in her head, you know that you won't get over him, you love him and nothing is going to change that.' She hushed the voice and looked up at Harry, blushing slightly from her thoughts, "I think I'm ok now." Harry glanced down at her in concern, "Are you sure?" She nodded and Harry released her reluctantly. She had nearly given him a heart attack earlier after performing a spell way beyond what her strength could handle and promptly collapsed. Images of her falling at the ministry last spring had rushed through his mind and he had panicked. He rushed to her side as she struggled to get up. Her spell had been what finally sent the Death Eaters packing and they were alone on the field with the students that were still standing. Harry had helped her to feet only to have her sway and nearly fall again. He had wrapped an arm around her and supported her as Ron rejoined them and they had spotted Draco.
Harry shook his head to clear his thoughts but kept an eye on Hermione, making sure she really was all right. Ron had walked over to check on Ginny and despite their surroundings was grinning slightly. Once the horror of the day had passed they would never hear the end of how it was Ron's sister that had led the attack on the Death Eaters. They would have to curse his mouth shut just to have some peace and quiet. They all began to help the wounded back into the train by means of levitation and simple muscle. When they reached their destination, they found that Neville had set up a makeshift infirmary and was separating the students into different compartments due to the severity of their injuries. "Here's another one for you Neville." Ginny removed Dean Thomas's arm from around her shoulders and helped him sit down in the nearest open seat. Neville examined his side carefully and shook his head, "Looks like a couple broken ribs. You'll just have to try not to move too much." Ginny helped him up again and led him next door to the "non-severe ward". Ginny quickly returned and Neville told her to go and help Angelina who was dealing with the critical students. Harry approached him as he wound a torn piece of shirt around a first year's arm, "How's Colin?" Neville stopped for a moment before finishing the bandage. He didn't speak for a few moments and when he did, Harry had to strain to hear him. "He didn't make it." Tears poured from Hermione's eyes and she buried her face in Harry's shoulder. He automatically put his arms around her as what Neville had said sunk in. Colin was dead. They would never see him in the halls again, brandishing that annoying camera. He immediately regretted all those times he wished Colin would just disappear. Now he had. There were so many that would never return to Hogwarts. Things would never go back to how they were before.
They were torn from their mourning when they heard a familiar pop. Everyone tensed. "Oh Merlin, they're back…" They would never survive another wave of Death Eaters. Harry could see resignation in all of their faces. He nodded to them and turned to the door. It swung wide open and their defeat turned to instant relief as a familiar figure strode in. It was Dumbledore. Behind him were Madam Pomphrey and Arthur Weasley. The latter immediately rushed over to Ron, embracing him, "Thank Merlin you're alright!" Ron hugged him back for a moment before becoming embarrassed and pulling away. "I'm ok Dad. So is Ginny. She's next door helping the ones that were hurt." Arthur immediately rushed next door and they could hear a cry of "Daddy!" ring through the wall. Madam Pomphrey spoke with Neville for a moment before hurrying to do what she could. Most of them would need to go to St. Mungo's. Dumbledore approached the trio and bid them to sit down. "I know that you all want answers as to why this happened but I'm afraid I can't give them to you. At least not now. The information we have managed to gather is sketchy at best but I believe I have a vague idea. I will inform you once we have returned to the safety of Hogwarts. For now we need to focus on helping each other through this catastrophe." They nodded in understanding although Harry was still a little angry that Dumbledore wouldn't give them a straight answer. At least he had promised to tell them soon. They heard several more pops and Dumbledore stood to great the new arrivals. It was a large group of Ministry officials and Aurors. Fudge was among them and upon seeing the destruction, promptly fainted. Ron rolled his eyes, "Heart of a lion that one." Harry's mouth quirked up slightly at his statement. Ron had said the same thing about Professor Lockheart when they were in the Chamber of Secrets their second year. That was when everyone had thought he was the heir of Slytherin. Even Ron had been slightly suspicious. Only Hermione had believed in him. He glanced at her briefly out of the corner of his eye. She was talking to someone who he couldn't see. He started in surprise when they turned to him. "Professor Lupin!"
Remus Lupin walked over and smiled tightly at him, "Hullo Harry. Glad to see you all are ok." Harry opened his mouth to respond when Madam Pomphrey came bustling back into their compartment. She tutted at the prone form of Fudge and passed him by. Hermione chuckled slightly, but froze in guilt. She glanced about in shame for making a noise of merriment in this place of sadness. Harry walked over and put a reassuring hand on her arm. The train was starting to be cleared as the adults sent off groups of students, the critically hurt first. Most of the portkeys were for St. Mungo's. He watched as Snape walked by carrying the limp body of Professor McGonagall in his arms. Her jet-black hair was falling out of its normally severe bun. It framed her face, making her look younger. Snape was cradling her against his chest with more tenderness than Harry had seen him give his potions. The pained and worried look on Snape's face made him look human for once. For the second time in his life, Harry didn't hate him but felt a slight empathy. Snape disappeared around the corner, heading for the nearest portkey to St. Mungo's.
The last group of students were heading off when Dumbledore bolted upright. He glanced around and spoke hurriedly, "Where are Draco Malfoy and Alora Marcellus? They didn't leave with any of the groups." The trio looked at each other in confusion. "Malfoy ran back into the train after the Death Eaters left," Harry replied. Come to think of it, he hadn't seen him since. Dumbledore set off down the corridor toward the back, coming to a halt in front of an open compartment. The others peered around him and peeked inside. Draco was sitting on the floor, cradling his dead father in his lap. Alora was huddled in the corner, staring down at the father and son. Dumbledore carefully moved inside and kneeled down beside Draco. "Lucius." He placed his hand on the elder Malfoy's chest and pressed. He stood up and slowly moved to Alora. He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. As she looked up at him, a tear escaped down her cheek. He turned and began issuing orders, "Mr. Weasley, tell Remus to procure us a portkey to St. Mungo's immediately. We will also require one to Hogwarts but the injured are our first priority." Ron rushed off to do his bidding. Hermione cautiously crept over to Alora and sat down beside her. Harry looked at Dumbledore questioningly. "Who is the portkey for? The last of the students have already left. Lucius is dead and both of them look fine if not a little shook up," He gestured vaguely at Draco and Alora.
Dumbledore answered without turning, "That is were you are wrong, Harry. Lucius is very much alive." Alora's head snapped up, hope shining in her eyes. Lupin rushed in and took Lucius from Draco, activating the portkey. They were gone in an instant. Hermione helped Alora up and they moved to stand with the rest. Draco stared up at Dumbledore, "How can he be alive? He was dead." Dumbledore ignored his question and picked up the other portkey Lupin had left, "Portus."
He turned to them, "We need to get you to Hogwarts. You all know the drill." Each of them placed a hand on the portkey and felt the familiar tug behind their bellybuttons. They disappeared but each knew that this day would never disappear from their thoughts.