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 ObSidian10 and harrypotter's luvr for being my second and third reviewers!! *Huggles* I really appreciate the feedback! There aren't many of us Minerva/Severus shippers out there and it is always good to hear from another one. I hope you guys like this chapter. More Draco and Alora to come.
4. I personally find it kind of cliché to do the heirs of the houses thing, so I came up with my own idea. I still think it is kind of weird but it was the only way I could think of. Plus it helps with the room arrangements. If anyone is confused let me know and I will e-mail you and try to explain it better.
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 Four
Alora stumbled upon their arrival at Hogwarts but caught herself against a wooden desk. They were in Dumbledore's office. The others had landed beside her and were surveying their surroundings. The trio sat down on a long couch and tried to relax. It wasn't easy to do after the day they had just had. Alora peeked at Draco, who was standing off to one side by himself. She approached him slowly and reached out to tentatively touch his arm, "Drake?" He jerked away and she flinched as if struck. He turned around with a sigh, remorse filling him at the look on her face, "Hey, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." He stepped toward her and placed a gentle hand on her cheek. "I don't blame you." Her eyes filled with tears and she choked back a sob, "Oh Draco, I didn't know what to do when I saw him lying there. I didn't realize it was Uncle Lucius until I had already struck and he was falling. Then I thought he was dead and I just knew you would hate me forever." Draco pulled her to him and hugged her tightly. They stayed like that until Dumbledore arrived a few minutes later. Harry sat up and addressed him, "Now can you tell us what you know professor?" Dumbledore nodded and sat down behind his desk. "I will tell all that I know. I learned my lesson last year." He looked pointedly at Harry. Harry had nearly died of annoyance and curiosity last year when nobody would tell him anything. Because of Dumbledore keeping his shut mouth, some things that could have been avoided weren't.
Dumbledore reached over to one of the bookshelves and pulled down a very old looking volume. He flipped through the pages until he found the one he was looking for and turned it around so they could all see, "I'm assuming you know who these people are." They all nodded, even Alora. It was a painting of the Founders of Hogwarts. Godric Gryffindor, Rowena Ravenclaw, Salazar Slytherin, and Helga Hufflepuff. What surprised them though was that they weren't moving. It was a muggle painting. "Everyone here at Hogwarts has heard about the heirs to each house. Only one has been identified, Tom Marvolo Riddle. Voldemort, the Heir of Slytherin. While everyone has been worried about who the heirs are, I have been doing research on something far more important. What you need to understand is that each of the founders carried within them a spirit, a personality trait if you will that helped govern how they would live their lives. Bravery, Wisdom, Cunning, and Justice. Their houses have been based on each and I am sure you know which belongs to whom. They were not the first to carry these spirits however. There were four before them." Dumbledore paused to take down another dusty book before continuing, "The first that we know of were Merlin, Vivien - Lady of the Lake, Morgan le Fay, and King Arthur, a muggle born. In fact, he didn't even now that he carried the spirit. It was not discovered until after his death." He opened the book and inside was another painting. "Merlin was the first carrier of Wisdom, Vivien - Bravery, Morgan - Cunning, and Arthur - Justice. Each are strong apart but strongest together. I believe that you four," Here he pointed at Harry, Hermione, Draco, and Alora, "are the third carriers of these spirits." Ron was staring at each of them as if they had suddenly jumped up wearing bloomers and were dancing around singing 'God save the Queen'. The others seemed quite shocked as well.
Dumbledore gave them time to let it all sink in before marching on, "You, Harry, are the next carrier of Bravery, you can always be counted on to run to the aid of those in need. Hermione, your Wisdom is known to your friends, especially in times of need. Draco, you possess the most dangerous of the traits, Cunning, for it is the easiest to be led astray. And last but certainly not least, Alora you carry an inner sense of what is right in the world, Justice is your spirit. Each of you have a partner spirit. Your traits feed off of each other and make you stronger. Bravery always needs Wisdom before rushing headlong into the fray and Cunning needs Justice to keep it from turning down the wrong path. You need each other. These traits do not give you any special abilities that we know of at the moment. Unfortunately, Voldemort seems to know more about it than I. It appears that he has not even chosen to enlighten his followers. Professor Snape has been privileged with no details and therefore is of little help in this situation. I have heard rumors of a prophecy concerning the Four but our contacts can yield no information. We possess the prophecy about you and Voldemort, Harry; while they possess the Prophecy of the Four. We are at an impasse it appears. That is why they attacked the train. They knew that if you were to get to Hogwarts they would loose their chance. There are only two places on earth were you will be safe from them. Hogwarts was the Founders' haven and as such is yours as well. Unfortunately, the other has disappeared with time. We no longer know the location of where Camelot once stood. Until we know the content of the new prophecy I am afraid that you can not leave the grounds of Hogwarts which means no Hogsmeade and no winter breaks. I am sorry but it is the only thing I can do to keep something like what happened today from happening again."
No one spoke when Dumbledore had finished. They all stared at their laps or at each other. Ron was still a bit frazzled and was muttering to himself under his breath. Suddenly Alora's head snapped up, "How long have you known that we were the next carriers?" Dumbledore turned to face her, "Since you were born. Yes, that is why you have been kept away from England for so long. Voldemort didn't know who the second girl was and we thought it best that you were kept as far from here as possible." It was Draco's turn to look up in realization, "Our parents knew about this? If my father knew, then why didn't he tell the Dark Lord a long time ago instead of coming to attack the train today?" There was a bitterness in his voice that had not been there before when speaking of his father. Dumbledore closed the second book and replaced it on the shelf. "Yes, your father knew but refused to tell Voldemort. I believe, although I can not be certain, that your father knew nothing of what was planned today. He was simply summoned and once there did all he could to keep you safe." A stricken look crossed Alora's face, "He came to help me? He came to help and I struck him down…" Her face had turned ashen and Draco was afraid she was going to pass out. Dumbledore seemed to agree, "I apologize. It has been a very trying day and you all need to rest. You will no longer be sleeping with the rest of your houses. You will be staying in the private chambers of the Founders, which have been hidden away. The location has been passed down from Headmaster to Headmaster and is unknown even to the rest of the staff." Dumbledore stood up and turned to Ron. "Forgive me Mr. Weasley. I am afraid that you can not stay with your friends. I will however give you the right to come and go in their chambers as you wish. I know you can be trusted." He turned and headed out the door.
They slipped along passageways and seemed to climb for minutes at a time and then descend again. The continual up and down had them utterly lost. In all their years at Hogwarts, they had never realized that any of these corridors existed. In fact, they passed through several paintings and through hidden halls behind statues, taking them in what they thought were circles until they came upon something utterly new. Hermione was worried that they would never be able to find their way on their own. Alora was completely unfazed, as she had never been to Hogwarts in the first place. She assumed someone knew the way. Dumbledore finally stopped in front of a very old looking tapestry depicting the coronation of a Welsh King and whispered a password. Instead of simply moving aside, the tapestry seemed to shimmer and shift until in its place stood a door. Dumbledore uttered yet another password and the door swung wide, torches bursting into flames to light their way down a narrow corridor. He led the way and after a few feet they found themselves in a huge common room the size of the Great Hall. Dumbledore gestured grandly, "Welcome to Founder's Haven." It was richly furnished and thick brocade drapes framed the huge windows directly across from the door. One side of the room was completely taken up by a giant fireplace, lounges and cushions spread artfully around it in a half circle. To the right of the door, in one corner was what seemed to be a library and in the other, a beautiful chess set sat on a table between two plush chairs. Instead of the traditional black and white pieces, in their place stood ivory and gold, jade and onyx. Ron and Draco had immediately made their way over and were inspecting the board. Hermione had made a beeline for the shelves of books and beamed in utter happiness as she studied their covers. Alora warmed her hands in the glow of the flames and reclined on one of the lounges, sinking into the many pillows. Harry had ventured to look out the windows at the scene beyond. He took a sudden step back in surprise as the landscape shifted and instead of looking down at the lake from what had to have been three stories up, he was eye level with Hagrid's cabin. "What in Hades…" He muttered. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as he came to stand beside Harry. "I see you have noticed the windows. The room is always moving within the castle. It is a safety precaution. I have also noticed that if there is someplace that you desperately want to see, it will show it to you. Otherwise it simple gives a view of the outside. Although, I haven't quite figured out what happens when it is completely inside the castle and no where near the walls. It still seems to be the outside but I have no idea how it decides what to show." Dumbledore shrugged his shoulders in bewilderment and went off to talk to Hermione. He explained to her that if there was a volume she needed, all she had to do was think of it and touch one of the books.
She was utterly absorbed in her new treasure when Dumbledore turned and cleared his throat to get their attention, "I will take my leave of you now. Each of you has a private bedroom and bath upstairs." None of them had noticed the gently curving staircases that led upward from each of the four corners. Above, circling around the room, was a banister and they saw that there was a second level. Near each corner was a large door engraved with vines and symbols. Ron was staring upward and looked decidedly jealous. "Come along Mr. Weasley, you may visit them in the morning. I will have Dobby bring up some supper for all of you. He will be the only house elf allowed in here." They glanced at each other in surprise and noticed that they were all hungry. They hadn't realized what time it was and had skipped lunch in all the disorder. Ron followed Dumbledore out reluctantly and the door closed quietly behind him. They turned to look at each other and the quiet was broken when Harry's stomach growled. He smiled sheepishly, "Guess I am hungry." Hermione yawned and sat down on one of chairs near Alora. She smiled at her and held out her hand, "I don't think we have properly met. I'm Hermione Granger and that, I'm assuming you know, is Harry Potter." Alora shook her hand, "Alora Marcellus. It's a pleasure to meet you both, although I do wish it had been under different circumstances." Harry walked over and took her hand as well, smiling down at her, "I'm glad we've finally been introduced." Hermione shot him a strange look and Alora raised a mental eyebrow. 'Hmmm, interesting.' A sly smile flashed across her face, she would have to do something about that. Draco had caught her expression before she artfully hid it. He gave her a questioning look but she just shook her head, later. They all relaxed against the cushions and tried not to fall asleep while they waited for their supper.
About fifteen minutes later, Dobby the house elf appeared, teetering sideways from all the platters he was carrying. Harry rushed over and helped him put them down on the long table in the center of the room. "Thank you Harry Potter, sir. It is good to see you again, sir." The others had gathered around and were inspecting the food. Instead of the normal start of term feast foods, there were soups, breads, cheeses, and pitchers of milk. Comfort food. They all thanked Dobby, even Draco, which nearly gave the poor elf a heart attack. He used to work for the Malfoy family after all and they were never nice. "Thank you Mister Malfoy, sir." It took him a moment to calm down. "Mister Dumbledore sir said to tell you that you must pick a new password for the door. He also said that you will each find a surprise when you go to your rooms. Goodnight sirs, misses." Dobby disappeared with a pop. They turned back to the table and Draco pulled out one of the high-backed chairs for Alora. She smiled up at him and sat down gracefully. They dug in, none of them speaking until they were all full and had moved back to their places around the hearth. "Any suggestions for the password?" Hermione questioned as she absentmindedly snuggled closer to Harry on the couch they were sharing. After a few moments Alora spoke up, "What about Roma Hogwartus? Rome has been my home for the past five years and Hogwarts has been yours." The others nodded in agreement.
"Roma Hogwartus it is."