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 a problem with there being romance between them. Second cousins is 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 am so sorry to everyone who has been waiting for me to update. My computer was offline for two weeks and then school started and I just didn't have time. Peeks out from behind screen* Sorry?
2. Thank you so much ObSidian10, beenieweenie, fleur07, kittylin, Sami, and especially Laurel Elven for reviewing. Your feedback really means a lot. It makes me feel all happy inside.
3. 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 Six
Dumbledore had been right, and school started again exactly two weeks later. But it didn't feel like school. The halls were empty most of the time, children choosing to stay in their common rooms instead of going out. There was very little laughter, and when someone did let a giggle escape, they would run back to their rooms in tears, eyes following them the whole way. Classes were about half the size they were before, with part still in St. Mungo's and some never to return. Snape was in a foul mood as always but he seemed preoccupied. Sometimes he would catch himself scratching his arm and quickly stop, pointedly looking at Draco and Harry, who were to only ones to notice and know why. The others were too busy with their work, even Neville seemed to be doing better. Everyone tried to bury themselves in school, hoping to forget that this year had started differently than the others. Not even the Slytherins mentioned the Death Eaters or the Dark Lord anymore. They seemed confused and angry most of the time. Things just weren't the same anymore.
In addition to all this, the occupants of Founder's Haven found themselves having to deal with the extra work awarded them. Even Hermione began to feel slightly bogged down, although she enjoyed them just the same. Draco often found Alora asleep on her favorite couch by the fire, books spread out around her. He would carry her up to her room and tuck her in. Sometimes staying to watch her sleep. Hermione had caught him at it once but she just smiled and nodded. He was prepared to fend off any remarks sent his way by Harry but when none came at breakfast he just glared and was rather sour the rest of the day while Hermione smiling knowingly. She had kept his secret and he wasn't sure what to do about it. There was another person who had a secret though. The truth was, most of the time Alora would awaken when she felt Draco lift her into his arms, but she liked it so much that she couldn't bring herself open her eyes and reveal the fact that she was no longer asleep.
To keep them from going mad from the inner turmoil spreading throughout Founder's Haven, Dumbledore allowed Ron and Ginny to visit once a day as they liked. Unfortunately for Ron, this also meant having to deal with Draco who had taken to the idea that since Ron had visited Luna in the hospital, he now had a girlfriend. It drove Ron up the wall, especially since it was partially true. Luna had shown a bit of an interest last year but it had taken Ron until this year, being the oblivious boy he had always been, to finally notice. Hermione thought it was adorable and Ginny just thought he was weird. Which truthfully wasn't much of a change.
It was nearing Halloween before McGonagall was finally released from St. Mungo's and allowed to come back to school. Snape seemed a little less preoccupied but this wasn't good news for his students who suddenly had his full wrath and attention again. The depression of the student body was starting to worry the professors who had hoped they would have improved by now. Seeing this, Dumbledore decided to throw a Halloween Masquerade ball. It was the first time that year the children actually seemed to get excited about something. Even quidditch had been on the down low for a while. Everyone just flew around with no real will to win or even to try. Harry and Draco were the only ones to keep their competition but even that was slightly muted compared to years past.
Hermione and Alora had grown close and for the first time Hermione had a close friend that was a girl. It was wonderful. There were so many things she could talk to her about that she could not tell Harry or Ron. In fact, the guys weren't exactly sure what do with them now that there was the secret code known to all girls knew being used in Founder's Haven. It was one of the few things that Harry and Draco agreed on. Sometimes the girls would just look at each other a certain way and smile knowingly or burst out laughing. It had the boys utterly bewildered and confused. It seemed harmless enough though until a few days before the ball. Double screams came from Alora's room, sending Draco and Harry pelting up the stairs only to find them buried in a pile of costumes, giggling so hard they could barely breathe. The laughter immediately stopped though at one look at the boys. Harry glared at Hermione and just walked out of the room. She untangled herself and followed after him calling his name. Draco stormed over to Alora and began to yell in her face, "Never do that again!! Do you hear me?! You scared us half to death! There could have been Death Eaters here for all we knew!" Instead of shrinking away she rounded on him, "Just because you can't move on after what happened isn't our fault! Do you expect us to live like this forever?! Constantly afraid of being happy?!" She shoved him out of her room and slammed the door in his face before flinging herself onto her bed.
Meanwhile across the hall, Hermione was still chasing Harry, "Wait! Harry! Harry, wait! Please! Just wait a second!" She finally caught up to him and grabbed his arm, pulling him around to face her, "Just tell me what's wrong!" His face was still hard but his eyes were full of worry and pain. When he finally spoke, it was so soft she had to lean forward to hear him, "Do you have any idea what that did to me? To hear you scream after all that we have been through? After all the people I've lost? It almost killed me to think that I might loose you too." Her eyes filled with tears and she lifted a hand to his cheek. "Harry I am so sorry, we didn't think. We were just having fun and we didn't think. Please forgive me. I can't stand to have you mad at me…" He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. His worst fear had always been loosing her or Ron. And now that Sirius was gone, it was stronger than ever.