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 and R/Lu
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. 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.
2. *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. Plus, I have found a new ship that I like and will include tidbits of it along the way.
Oh, you wanted to know who it is? *Everyone holds breath* Drum roll please! *Everyone starts turning blue* It's Ron and Luna Lovegood!! *Everyone falls over* Don't look at me like that! I think they are cute and there are certainly enough hints on her part in canon. *Everyone stares oddly* Oh come of it! I'm entitled to my ships and I like them! *Turns haughtily and walks into a door* Ouch.
3. 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.
4. 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 Five
Alora awoke with a start when a hand gently shook her shoulder. She looked around bleary eyed and noticed that she had fallen asleep by the fire. The others were yawning and stretching. Apparently she wasn't the only one who had dozed off. Draco stood above her and looked like he was about to fall asleep on his feet. "Come on, up you go. We better get to bed." He walked her to her staircase and kissed her hand, "Try to get some rest. Goodnight Alora." She blushed lightly as he turned and went to his own staircase. She watched him until he disappeared before traipsed up the curved stairs and going to her door. She turned the handle and stepped inside, it was beautiful. To the left of the door was a huge, king sized four-poster bed. Unlike the ones in the student dormitories, there were no curtains to give privacy from the others that shared the room, since she had the room all to herself. On the wall across from her was a vanity table complete with mirror and stool. She had always loved those. Just to sit there and comb her hair made her feel as if she were in a princess in a fairy tale. Next to the vanity table stood an open door through which she could see a large bathroom. To the right was a large wardrobe for her clothes and next to it stood another door. There was a door next to the bed as well. Both were closed. She was intrigued but at the moment just wanted to get cleaned up and sleep. She went to the door to the bathroom and stepped inside. It was the same size as her room and contained a sink, toilet and large tub surrounded by candles. There were flowers everywhere and she could smell the lilies. Her favorite. She stripped out of her dusty clothes and took one of the washcloths, wetting it in the sink and washing the dirt off her skin. When she was done she wrapped her body in one of the oversized plush towels hanging on the wall and went back into her room. Upon opening the wardrobe she discovered that it was filled with all kinds of clothing, none of it hers. Of course, her trunk was still at the train. Tears welled up in her eyes but she fought them away, randomly grabbing one of the hangers. She was surprised to discover that it was a satin nightgown. She pulled it over her head and sighed as the softness slithered over her skin. Closing the wardrobe, she climbed into bed and pulled the covers over her. In a few moments, she fell into a blessedly dreamless sleep.
***
The next morning, Draco awoke to the sound of singing. He rubbed his eyes and slung his legs over the side of the bed. It sounded as if it were coming from the door on the wall opposite his bed. He made a slight detour to the bathroom to wash his face before investigating. He opened the door to find himself in a small common room. It was well furnished and had a more romantic twist, lots of pillows and cushions, candles, couches for two, etc. He scanned the room quickly but found no one. A door was propped open and he made his way over. The singing was definitely getting louder. He stepped through and came to an abrupt stop, "Alora?!" She spun around and gasped, clutching at the towel secured over her chest. Draco's eyes darted up and down. She was dripping wet and that towel left little to the imagination. "I …uh…heard you singing and uh…I'll just leave you to finish…" Both of them were blushing furiously. His body was reacting in a way he didn't want her to know about and he quickly made his exit. He slumped onto his bed and groaned. A long cold shower was now added to his to-do list. In the other room, Alora was still standing where he had left her. At first she had been startled and embarrassed, but as soon as it passed she began to notice other things. Like the fact that he wasn't wearing a shirt. Ye gods that boy was built. All those years of playing quidditch had paid off. Her pulse had quickened and she had felt warm all over. She bit her lip and tried to remember what she had been about to do.
About twenty minutes later, everyone had gathered downstairs. Breakfast was waiting for them at the table and they piled their plates with the steaming food. Hermione sighed contentedly as she sipped her coffee. Harry was trying to stab at his eggs but they kept sliding away in the syrup from his pancakes. She tried not to laugh but only succeeded in choking on her coffee. He glared at her but returned to his mission. She turned her attention elsewhere and noticed something interesting. Draco and Alora seemed determined not to look at each other and you could cut the tension between them with the marjoram knife. 'Hmmm, something happened with those two'. A smile inched its way across her face and Harry, who had finally given up on his eggs, noticed. She glanced at him and shook her head. The question remained in his eyes but he let it go. Hermione leaned back in her chair and stated in complete innocence, "So, did everyone find the secret common rooms?" Alora paled and Draco choked on his toast. They glanced at each other, their eyes locking for a moment, before quickly looking away. Hermione noted the exchange and filed it away it before continuing, "There's one between each adjacent room. It's kind of nice actually. Anyway, I wonder what we are going to do today. There's not going to be any classes obviously."
Her question was soon answered as Dumbledore came striding into the room. "Good morning. I hope you slept well." They all nodded and Harry glanced around, "Where's Ron?" Hermione noticed his absence as well and looked slightly concerned. "Mr. Weasley has chosen to join his sister at St. Mungo's." Hermione's worry increased, "Is she alright?" Dumbledore smiled at her reassuringly as he reached across the table toward the toast, "Oh yes, she is quite fine. Miss Weasley has simply gone to visit Ms. Lovegood who was injured in one of the blasts. Her unconscious body was found under some of the rubble but I hear she is going to be fine in a few days. Just a concussion. Nothing a good potion won't fix." Harry and Hermione seemed relieved. "Do you know when school will start, professor?" Alora asked from her side of the table. Dumbledore swallowed his mouthful of raspberry covered toast before replying, "Professor McGonagall was quite injured yesterday but I am told that she will make a full recovery. I expect the term to start sometime in the next two weeks." Draco spoke up for the first time, "Professor, what are we going to be doing until then? Are we even allowed to leave the castle?"
"You will be allowed out on the grounds but no farther and you must always be in twos. As for what you will be doing, you will begin your extra classes tomorrow." Dumbledore ignored the groans that followed from everyone except Hermione. "You will receive special attention in Defense Against the Dark Arts, which I will mostly allow you to conduct yourselves considering how well you managed last year with Dumbledore's Army." There was a distinct twinkle in his eyes at the last part. "You will also focus on a different form of Divination, as well as History on each of the previous holders of your traits. They will be run differently than your other classed and therefore you shall not be tested on the material. At least not in the traditional sense. I have brought with me a list…" He paused to fish around in his robes for a few minutes before pulling out a neatly folded piece of paper, "Aw, here it is…A list of the books you will need. Just remember what I told you about the bookshelf and you may do whatever you please for the rest of the day. I request that you not venture out of Founder's Haven as of yet. I will return before dinner with any more news." He slipped away and Hermione dashed for the bookshelf, touching the bindings and muttering. She returned, grinning happily, and handed each of them three books. One for Divination, one for Defense Against the Dark Arts and one for History. Alora began poring through the Divination and History volumes while Hermione ignored the Divination book as if it didn't exist. Draco and Harry were both looking at the Defense book with mild interest and appeared slightly disgusted with the girls' obvious enthusiasm. Hermione headed for her favorite chair with Alora not far behind, both eager to start reading. Harry watched them go and glanced around the room hopefully before turning reluctantly toward Draco, "You want to play a game of chess?" Draco eyed him for a moment and smirked, "You're on Potter."