Chapter Thirty-Two, Rising Sun
---
...hey guys, miss me? I'm so, so sorry about not updating this story in what must be forever. I can't say I've been really busy, because that'd be a lie. I just haven't.... well, my muse disappeared on me, I suppose you could say. *shrug* Anyway, here's a chapter that's relatively important, but not extremely. More stuff coming up soon, hopefully. At the present time, FDTMA is under the whole "story not found" bullshit, which has happened before, so I don't think I should be concerned. If it's not there by tomorrow afternoon I'll be worried. Chamber of Secrets rocked the house, of course... I saw it Thursday, because one of my friends got tickets to the sneak preview and needed a ride. *grin* I love being able to drive sometimes. Anyway... therefore, I'm not able to answer reviews, I'm sorry. Next chapter, I promise!!
Aimée
---
Much later that day, I stood in the entrance hall of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for the first time in over eight years. My hands shook as I approached the double doors leading into the Great Hall, my mind assaulted with all sorts of memories from the past. Before I could step up to the doors, however, I heard a cough behind me. Surprised, I whirled around to face the before who had snuck up behind me, wand drawn.
"Aren't we a little jumpy this evening, Professor Malfoy?"
The cracked voice belonged to none other than Professor McGonagall, her black hair pulled tightly into a bun per usual, and her beady eyes appraising me as if I were a piece of art on auction. I immediately dropped my wand, embarrassed to be caught in such a vulnerable position with nothing but nerves to back me up.
"Headmistress," I smiled slightly and nodded my acknowledgements to the formidable witch. "How positively ravishing you look this evening."
Professor McGonagall raised an eyebrow, her stern expression faltering slightly with the compliment I had paid her. "Still charming as ever, I see, Professor. Might we?"
She gestured toward the entrance to the first floor corridors, implying that I walk with her. I complied, taking the old woman's arm as she led me through the rest of the foyer and into the abandoned hallways.
"I hear you've had quite an interesting few years after Hogwarts," she mentioned as we walked down the corridors arm-in-arm.
"Indeed," I answered as casually as possible. I was no longer the spoiled child she knew me as during my seven years at the school, and I was determined to make her understand I no longer possessed the hormone-riddled mind I once had during my teenage years. "This is the first job I've committed myself to in several years, Professor, and I want you to know I intend to keep my position as Defense Against the Dark Arts professor for as long as I am still fit to teach."
"Good to hear it, Professor," the Headmistress nodded firmly. "The Board of Governors wouldn't have seen to hire you otherwise, I'm sure."
"At least, let us hope so," I smiled tightly as we rounded a corridor occupied by a translucent ghost who immediately disappeared through a solid stone wall.
"Draco?" Professor McGonagall suddenly said quietly, dropping all pretenses. "I heard about your situation with Harry Snape, and I'd just like to say, if you need anything or at any time feel the need to talk—"
"Thank you, Professor," I said quietly, my stomach tightening as she spoke Harry's name. "I've had to live with this for three years now though, and unfortunately I'm getting used to life without him."
"We all are," the Headmistress answered honestly, her dark eyes turning toward me with sparks of pity evident within the irises. "That doesn't mean you or any of those who Harry was close to has to like it."
"He told me he'd be back," I admitted softly as we rounded yet another corner and came upon the foyer of the castle once again. "I don't know when he'll be back, but I trust him and believe him."
Professor McGonagall nodded. "As do I, Draco." With a sigh, she glanced over toward the entrance to the Great Hall, admiring the decorations the caretaker had taken the time to put up for the start-of-the-year feast. "I assume the students should be arriving at any moment in Hogsmeade."
With a start, I realized she was right and immediately dropped the woman's arm to make my way back toward the entrance doors. "Excuse me, Professor, but I told the twins I'd meet them at the station when they arrived."
She nodded swiftly, gracing me with the smallest hint of a smile as she gestured for me to go and meet Castor and Pollux for their first trip to the castle.
My first glance of the Hogwarts Express for the first time in years brought back memories I would have rather left in the abyss of my subconscious mind. As Castor and Pollux stepped off the train, both paler than usual and quite obviously nervous, I saw in them myself and Harry seventeen years ago as we both departed the train for the first of what was to be seven times. Pollux's dark red hair went scarlet against the setting sun as he spotted me, and then tugged on his twin's robes to grab the boy's attention.
"Draco!" they exclaimed in chorus, darting through the crowded platform as the two made their way quickly toward me.
"Hey guys," I greeted the two as a massive giant of a figure turned up near the front of the platform. Hagrid, the groundskeeper at Hogwarts, yelled for all first years to follow him, most likely to make their way across the lake for their first awe-inspiring glimpse of the place they would call home for the next seven years and beyond. "How was the train?"
"Loud, cramped, and noisy," Pollux assessed, his bright blue eyes following the trail of the giant. "Who's that?"
"Hagrid," I replied in an almost lazy tone of voice. "Don't worry about him, he's got half the brain of a dead flobberworm, but dead useful in sticky situations."
"Sounds interesting," Castor commented, raising an eyebrow. His own black hair was modeled after his father's, the length peaking out beneath his chin.
"Follow," I commanded the two, motioning toward the group of first years who were now following the half-giant. "I'll see you back at the castle."
Without another word, the two waved goodbye and complied, following their peers down the length of the platform and toward the boats that would soon bear them to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
I sat in the privileged position of the seat up at the head table to the right of Headmistress McGonagall's, much to my amusement and quite a few other professor's envy. It was testimony to the power I had; while not willing to show it, I was equally as powerful as Harry in the matter of an ordinary wizard. While he had quite a few special gifts, surviving the Killing Curse being one, I was his equal in a duel or battle, and Professor McGonagall wanted to make that perfectly clear to both staff and students alike.
The Sorting ceremony was first; names and faces drifted by for well over three-quarters of the ceremony. It was when Castor's name was called that I finally began to sweat.
"Snape, Castor!"
The black haired boy made his way up to the stool, hands shaking and breathing uneven. He sat down gingerly after a quick glance my way for reassurance, which I readily gave him. The tattered hat was placed on his head, and almost immediately we had our answer:
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Once the hat was removed from his head, Castor glanced back toward me once again, a slight panic evident in his eyes. Only Harry had been in Gryffindor before him, and Castor was well aware of the parallels between himself and his older half-brother.
Pollux was next; he was a bit less nervous than his twin, his face a normal color and a sort of calm settled over his features. The hat was placed on his head and, surprisingly, took nearly half a minute to decide. I watched Castor's own face grow paler and paler as he ignored his new housemates and watched as one of his worst fears came true.
"SLYTHERIN!"
---
Love is not strong
Love is not stable
I tried to hold it
But I wasn't able
I never thought that I'd be
Saying this to you
But what else could I do?
Love leads to loss
And words condescending
Love is the pathway
To unhappy endings
And if I keep my chin up
I still see clouds that look like you
So look down is what I do
You know it's all right
If you cry a little
If something inside you
Has died a little
You don't have to hide
But you gotta move on
You gotta move on
Love leads to tears
Tears lead to sadness
Sadness to memories
Memories to madness
I never thought of all
These things that love could be
But look what it did to me
You know it's all right
If you cry a little
If something inside you
Has died a little
You don't have to hide
But you gotta move on
You gotta move on *
*Verve Pipe, Gotta Move On
---
...hey guys, miss me? I'm so, so sorry about not updating this story in what must be forever. I can't say I've been really busy, because that'd be a lie. I just haven't.... well, my muse disappeared on me, I suppose you could say. *shrug* Anyway, here's a chapter that's relatively important, but not extremely. More stuff coming up soon, hopefully. At the present time, FDTMA is under the whole "story not found" bullshit, which has happened before, so I don't think I should be concerned. If it's not there by tomorrow afternoon I'll be worried. Chamber of Secrets rocked the house, of course... I saw it Thursday, because one of my friends got tickets to the sneak preview and needed a ride. *grin* I love being able to drive sometimes. Anyway... therefore, I'm not able to answer reviews, I'm sorry. Next chapter, I promise!!
Aimée
---
Much later that day, I stood in the entrance hall of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for the first time in over eight years. My hands shook as I approached the double doors leading into the Great Hall, my mind assaulted with all sorts of memories from the past. Before I could step up to the doors, however, I heard a cough behind me. Surprised, I whirled around to face the before who had snuck up behind me, wand drawn.
"Aren't we a little jumpy this evening, Professor Malfoy?"
The cracked voice belonged to none other than Professor McGonagall, her black hair pulled tightly into a bun per usual, and her beady eyes appraising me as if I were a piece of art on auction. I immediately dropped my wand, embarrassed to be caught in such a vulnerable position with nothing but nerves to back me up.
"Headmistress," I smiled slightly and nodded my acknowledgements to the formidable witch. "How positively ravishing you look this evening."
Professor McGonagall raised an eyebrow, her stern expression faltering slightly with the compliment I had paid her. "Still charming as ever, I see, Professor. Might we?"
She gestured toward the entrance to the first floor corridors, implying that I walk with her. I complied, taking the old woman's arm as she led me through the rest of the foyer and into the abandoned hallways.
"I hear you've had quite an interesting few years after Hogwarts," she mentioned as we walked down the corridors arm-in-arm.
"Indeed," I answered as casually as possible. I was no longer the spoiled child she knew me as during my seven years at the school, and I was determined to make her understand I no longer possessed the hormone-riddled mind I once had during my teenage years. "This is the first job I've committed myself to in several years, Professor, and I want you to know I intend to keep my position as Defense Against the Dark Arts professor for as long as I am still fit to teach."
"Good to hear it, Professor," the Headmistress nodded firmly. "The Board of Governors wouldn't have seen to hire you otherwise, I'm sure."
"At least, let us hope so," I smiled tightly as we rounded a corridor occupied by a translucent ghost who immediately disappeared through a solid stone wall.
"Draco?" Professor McGonagall suddenly said quietly, dropping all pretenses. "I heard about your situation with Harry Snape, and I'd just like to say, if you need anything or at any time feel the need to talk—"
"Thank you, Professor," I said quietly, my stomach tightening as she spoke Harry's name. "I've had to live with this for three years now though, and unfortunately I'm getting used to life without him."
"We all are," the Headmistress answered honestly, her dark eyes turning toward me with sparks of pity evident within the irises. "That doesn't mean you or any of those who Harry was close to has to like it."
"He told me he'd be back," I admitted softly as we rounded yet another corner and came upon the foyer of the castle once again. "I don't know when he'll be back, but I trust him and believe him."
Professor McGonagall nodded. "As do I, Draco." With a sigh, she glanced over toward the entrance to the Great Hall, admiring the decorations the caretaker had taken the time to put up for the start-of-the-year feast. "I assume the students should be arriving at any moment in Hogsmeade."
With a start, I realized she was right and immediately dropped the woman's arm to make my way back toward the entrance doors. "Excuse me, Professor, but I told the twins I'd meet them at the station when they arrived."
She nodded swiftly, gracing me with the smallest hint of a smile as she gestured for me to go and meet Castor and Pollux for their first trip to the castle.
My first glance of the Hogwarts Express for the first time in years brought back memories I would have rather left in the abyss of my subconscious mind. As Castor and Pollux stepped off the train, both paler than usual and quite obviously nervous, I saw in them myself and Harry seventeen years ago as we both departed the train for the first of what was to be seven times. Pollux's dark red hair went scarlet against the setting sun as he spotted me, and then tugged on his twin's robes to grab the boy's attention.
"Draco!" they exclaimed in chorus, darting through the crowded platform as the two made their way quickly toward me.
"Hey guys," I greeted the two as a massive giant of a figure turned up near the front of the platform. Hagrid, the groundskeeper at Hogwarts, yelled for all first years to follow him, most likely to make their way across the lake for their first awe-inspiring glimpse of the place they would call home for the next seven years and beyond. "How was the train?"
"Loud, cramped, and noisy," Pollux assessed, his bright blue eyes following the trail of the giant. "Who's that?"
"Hagrid," I replied in an almost lazy tone of voice. "Don't worry about him, he's got half the brain of a dead flobberworm, but dead useful in sticky situations."
"Sounds interesting," Castor commented, raising an eyebrow. His own black hair was modeled after his father's, the length peaking out beneath his chin.
"Follow," I commanded the two, motioning toward the group of first years who were now following the half-giant. "I'll see you back at the castle."
Without another word, the two waved goodbye and complied, following their peers down the length of the platform and toward the boats that would soon bear them to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
I sat in the privileged position of the seat up at the head table to the right of Headmistress McGonagall's, much to my amusement and quite a few other professor's envy. It was testimony to the power I had; while not willing to show it, I was equally as powerful as Harry in the matter of an ordinary wizard. While he had quite a few special gifts, surviving the Killing Curse being one, I was his equal in a duel or battle, and Professor McGonagall wanted to make that perfectly clear to both staff and students alike.
The Sorting ceremony was first; names and faces drifted by for well over three-quarters of the ceremony. It was when Castor's name was called that I finally began to sweat.
"Snape, Castor!"
The black haired boy made his way up to the stool, hands shaking and breathing uneven. He sat down gingerly after a quick glance my way for reassurance, which I readily gave him. The tattered hat was placed on his head, and almost immediately we had our answer:
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Once the hat was removed from his head, Castor glanced back toward me once again, a slight panic evident in his eyes. Only Harry had been in Gryffindor before him, and Castor was well aware of the parallels between himself and his older half-brother.
Pollux was next; he was a bit less nervous than his twin, his face a normal color and a sort of calm settled over his features. The hat was placed on his head and, surprisingly, took nearly half a minute to decide. I watched Castor's own face grow paler and paler as he ignored his new housemates and watched as one of his worst fears came true.
"SLYTHERIN!"
---
Love is not strong
Love is not stable
I tried to hold it
But I wasn't able
I never thought that I'd be
Saying this to you
But what else could I do?
Love leads to loss
And words condescending
Love is the pathway
To unhappy endings
And if I keep my chin up
I still see clouds that look like you
So look down is what I do
You know it's all right
If you cry a little
If something inside you
Has died a little
You don't have to hide
But you gotta move on
You gotta move on
Love leads to tears
Tears lead to sadness
Sadness to memories
Memories to madness
I never thought of all
These things that love could be
But look what it did to me
You know it's all right
If you cry a little
If something inside you
Has died a little
You don't have to hide
But you gotta move on
You gotta move on *
*Verve Pipe, Gotta Move On