Meeting Old Rivals
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Star opened her dark blue eyes groggily and sat up; what she opened her eyes too was not what she was expecting to see. Sitting up slowly, she took in her surroundings. The room she was in was enormous. It had long green drapes in front of the windows (one of them opening to a balcony), and silver molding around the walls. The writing table, vanity, dressers, and bookcases were all stained oak. The bed Star sat in was also stained oak but with green satin bedding.
She jumped being startled by the sudden creaking of her door opening. She was relieved to see it was only a House-elf; unfortunately, the house elf was not so relieved. Seeing her awake caused the elf to throw the laundry baskete it was holding into the air being startled and run out of the door squeaking at the top of it's lungs, "She's awake!!"
Star probably would've been fearful of what would be coming to get her if the creature hadn't been so humorous. A smile had barely started to grace her face when a young man came running into the room holding the house elf by its ears. He was incredible; around 6'3", very muscular build, wispy blonde hair that reached the top of his neck, and ice blue eyes. His outfit wouldn't have been very interesting on anyone else but him; he wore black pants, a black tank that his muscles displayed themselves through, and black combats boots from what she could tell, 'I'm in the presence of a god... wait.. I hope that doesn't mean I'm dead.'
He started to walk over to her, "We were starting to think you'd never wake up. You've been unconscious for almost two weeks. We've tried everything from potions to charms to wake you up but you've been down for the count."
Star almost swooned at his deep, British voice, "...I..I don't mean to sound rude. But who are you and where am I?"
He smirked, "Draco Malfoy. You're at the Malfoy Manor. Are you a witch?"
"Are you a wizard?"
"Yes."
"Yes."
Draco stopped at the deg of the bed, "I'm-my mother is very grateful for what you did But I must ask what were you doing there?"
"I'm an exchange student from Salemston Institute for Aspiring Magical Beings. I was waiting for my ride that was supposed to take me to a place I was supposed to board while I got my school supplies, The Leaky Cauldron. I got bored so I started to walk around, I was not expecting to come upon a bunch of wizards harassing a woman, your mother. She looked so scared so I decided to try and help her," Star suddenly looked around the room they were in, "Where are my things? My trunk my wand?"
"They're being brought up by the other servants," he held up a house elf to show her, "My apologies if my servant startled you. My mother would like to know you think you could handle accompanying-" Draco seemed to drone on without actually asking the question.
Star quirked an eyebrow, "spit it out Draco"
Draco blinked, 'My own parents don't even talk to me that way.'
After he got over the initial shock of her attitude he smiled, "Would you like to come with us to Diagon Alley for school supplies? School starts in a few days that reminds me, this arrived for you by owl Ms. Star Trivius. Dumbledore must know you're here, the miserable crazy old bat."
Star smirked as she took the yellowed parchment envelope he held out to her, "I'd like to come. There are quite a few things I need to pick up."
All right, we travel by Floo in a bout an hour. I'll send some house elves up with breakfast and I'll come back to get you in about an hour, " he told her and walked of the room still holding the house elf by its ears.
Star paced in front of the large doors for her room checking her reflection every now an then in the mirror that hung on the wall.
"You look fine, Lovey," her reflection told her in a high angelic voice.
It had only taken Star about fifteen minutes to eat so she had used the rest of the time to make a list of the things she need to get at Diagon alley and to get dressed. She had picked out one of her favorite outfits; a short black pleated skirt, a light blue long sleeved shirt that said 'just save us both some time and assume I know everything', black heels, dark green wizarding robes, and had her auburn hair tied up in a high ponytail with a green ribbon tied in a bow around it.
She stopped pacing when her door opened and Draco entered. He was still in his outfit from earlier but had added black wizarding robes. Star didn't notice his stares as his eyes raked her body.
"My-my father would like to meet you when we're finished getting our school supplies," he held the door open for her, "We'll have to go together. My mother went over to a friends' home and father is at Diagon Alley on business."
Star smiled, "then, let's go."
They both started walking down the spiral marble stairs. Star got her first look at the gigantic manor. Catching the look on her face out of the corner of his eyes, Draco was pleased to see how in awe she was. Getting downstairs, he led her to an ornate marble fireplace large enough for someone to stand in and held out a small silver pot of Floo Powder; but Star was staring at all the snake sculptures.
"Your family must really be into snakes," she stated running her hand over one, "Don't get me wrong, I love snakes. I have an oriental wooden cobra in my loft at home. I've just never seen so many."
She turned around and took a small amount of powder. Draco accidentally brushed her hand as he took some powder for himself making them both jump slightly; he stared at her,' Why do I react this way when I'm with her?' He watched as a slight pink tinge crept up on her cheeks, throwing his powder into this fireplace, he grabbed her and pulled her into the fireplace with him, "Diagon Alley!!"
Draco smiled to himself as he felt Star grab hold of him being startled as they spun out of the fireplace at the beginning of the street. Star stepped back and slugged him in his chest, "Don't ever do that again!"
He steeped back slightly shocked, her punch definitely hadn't hurt but this was the second time she'd treated him like this and he was pretty sure he was beginning to like it. He smiled and helped dust her off. Star struggled to stay mad when he smiled, 'he's only smiled at me a few times but it's such a incredible smile.'
"Still mad at me?"
"I don't think anyone could stay mad at you with a smile as charming as that one," she replied reaching up and getting the soot out of his hair, which was feat in itself since she was 5'3" and he was past 6'.
Draco's smile grew and he offered her an arm, which she took. They walked arm in arm down the street talking about random subjects. He told her about Hogwarts and his Quidditch team for Slytherin, and she told him about Salemston. Draco stopped outside of Quality Quidditch Supplies, "Wait here. I'm going to get some money out of Gringotts. I'll be right back." With that he walked to the bank and left her standing on the street.
Star walked around the small area of the street for a little while, and then spotted a shop called Weasley Wizard Wheezes. Thinking Draco would still be a while, Star walked in and to her surprise a loud squawk announced her presence in the store. She briefly glanced at the other customers; there were only five at the moment; a tall red haired boy, a bushy haired girl, who had their arms around each other, a smaller red haired girl, a boy with dark brown hair and glasses, and a taller girl with long blonde hair. The blonde haired girl was talking to a man with red hair that looked like he was the proprietor. He looked up at Star and smiled, "Hi, I'm George Weasley. Can I help you find anything?"
Star provided a small smile in return and shook her head, "No, I'm just looking while I wait for my friend."
George's brow furrowed in thought, "You from the U.S.?"
"Yes, I'm an exchange student from Salemston to Hogwarts."
The bushy haired girl walked over and extended her hand, "I'm Hermoine Granger. I'm Head Girl at Hogwarts this year," she motion for the rest of the group to come over.
"Ron Weasley. We're all in Grffyndor," said the tall boy with red hair, "George is my older brother, you'd be able to meet Fred but he's setting up the store in Hogsmeade."
"I'm Ginny Weasley, youngest in the Weasley family," the smaller red haired girl was holding hands with the dark haired boy with glasses.
"Harry Potter," he said and stood there as if waiting for something.
Star quirked an eyebrow and thought for a moment, a look of dawning came across her face, "Oh yeah! I've read about you in my history book. It's very nice to meet you.
Everyone suddenly had very shocked expression on their faces. Harry was more delighted than shocked, this was the first time he'd veer been introduced to someone and not had to deal with the whole 'famous Harry Potter' stuff. Sat looked as though she was afraid that she'd offended someone. The tall girl with long blonde hair stepped up to Star and smiled, "Don't worry about them. Lune Eris is my name."
Star noticed that she had a faint French accent. With sky blue eyes, semi tan skin, and being around 5'7", she had an exotic look about her, "Nice to meet you all. I'm Star Trivius."
Hermoine smiled, "What house do you hope to be sorted into?" "I dunno. I guess whatever house my friend is in. He's been really sweet to me and I like hanging out with him, " shrugging Star looked around the shop at things such as fake wands, canary creams, Ton Tongue toffee, things like that.
Harry popped a couple of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans in his mouth from his newly opened box, "Who's your friend?"
Another squawk emitted from the store as someone else entered. Everyone's faces (except Star's) grew wide-eyed, and Ron's became livid.
"What'd you want Malfoy?" he spat venomously.
Star turned to face Draco and was startled by the look on his face. It was a look of pure hatred but there was something behind the look. Star sighed, 'Yet something else to figure out about Draco Malfoy.'
"As if it was any of your business Weasley, " Draco spat back, his look softened immensely as he looked at Star, "You ready?"
Star nodded and walked over to Draco not wanting to create any kind of problem but Ron seemed determined to pose one, "What's this Malfoy? Couldn't get a girl here so you had one come from a different country? Wonder what street she works at night?"
Star drew in a quiet breath at the sharp insult but she turned and tried to get Draco to leave with her. But he lunged at Ron and fists started flying between the two rivals.
"I will not have you tarnishing her name Weasley!" Draco promptly punched Ron right in the face almost knocking him out and making his nose start to bleed.
"Ron!! Stop!!"
"Draco!!"
"You break it, you buy it!!"
Star, Hermoine, and Harry all rushed forward to pull the two brawlers apart; Star pulled out her wand and pointed it at Ron, "Immobulus!"
Ron's fist froze mid swing as the rest of froze completely on the ground, Star quickly pulled Draco out of his grasp and stood him up. Hermoine performed the counter spell; she and Harry pulled Ron to his feet and retrained him. Star watched as the two stood and glared at each other, she sighed and dragged Draco out of the store to a bench outside. She sat down next to him and looked up at him. He had a nasty cut on his temple, which was bleeding down the right side of his face. She pulled out her wand and pointed it at his temple, "Kiru Naosu."
Draco felt the cut heal and looked at her, "Why'd you go in there?"
"I thought you'd still be a while, and I wanted to see what was in it. I'm curious by nature. My mother used to tell me it'd be my downfall one of these days," Star smiled, "She's probably right."
"Used to?"
"My parents are dead, and since they had no relatives being only children and me being an only child with no living relatives I've lived by myself for almost five years."
Draco stood up and held out his hand. He started walking hand in hand with Star towards Flourish and Blotts, "So then how do you support yourself?"
"I own a Quidditch store company. I'm actually buying out one of my competitors. I was planning on taking some time to look around here and see about moving my company here to Britain."
"What company are you buying out?"
"Quality Quidditch Supplies."
Draco almost ran into the door to Flourish and Blotts at that statement, "Quality Quidditch Supplies!?"
Star walked up and opened the door walking in followed by Draco, "Yup," she pulled out her school supplies list, that had been in the envelope from Hogwarts, out of one of the small pouches that hung from the waistband of her jeans. She looked down the list to see what she needed to buy that day.
Course Books
Standard Book of Spells (grade 7) by Miranda Goshawk
Advanced Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
Monster Book of Monsters
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
The Encyclopedia of Dark Forces by Alastor Moody
Star walked up the creaky spiral stairs of the shop searching for her books; Draco snuck behind her and grabbed the list out of her hands, "Hmm, you need more books than I do. Probably because you're an exchange student and all."
"Draco! Give that back! I need it to find my books!" Star stood on the tips of her toes trying to reach the piece of parchment that Draco held out of reach. Draco smirked as she got closer and closer to him; he ran down the stairs up the front desk followed closely by Star, " I need all the books on this list. Doubles on 'Advanced Transfiguration' & 'Standard Book of Spells' grade seven."
"Of course, Master Malfoy," the shopkeeper took the list and hurried about the store.
Star half scowled, "I was perfectly capable of finding those books. There was no need to bother him"
"It's his job. Besides we have loads of other things to do, plus meeting my father for lunch. So, all I did was speed things up a bit," he smirked at her.
Star shook her head and smiled, "Would it be prudent of me to ask exactly why you and Ron got into a fight? I've been insulted worse than that before, but you two seem to have an age old rivalry going on between you."
Draco sighed, "The Weasley family and mine have been rivals ever since I can remember. Our fathers work together at the Ministry. My father has no use for Muggles and Ron's father loves them. I suppose we hate each other because we're supposed to. At least that's my story. We've been harassing each other since we met on the Hogwarts Express in our first year," Draco quieted his voice. Star smiled, "Just because your families don't like each other? Well that seems silly."
Star pulled out some coins to pay for her books while Draco paid for his. After Flourish and Blotts, they went to the Apothecary to replenish potions supplies. Draco then took her to Madam Malkin's to get her Hogwarts robes. While sitting behind Madam Malkin and Star he gestured to Madam Malkin to tighten the robes just a little to show off her figure. Seeing her reluctance to do anything Star hadn't asked herself Draco flashed a little gold her way and she did as asked. Now that they were both laden down with parcels, Draco stopped in at a small shop called Parcel Sitting.
"Mr. Malfoy, back again. I've told you time and time again your father as asked us not to show you your gifts to be delivered to Hogwarts now that you're Head Boy," stated a tiny man that in a way seemed afraid at just saying the name of Malfoy.
Draco laughed, "Don't worry Mr. Wobbles. I have no intention of asking you to show me my Head Boy parcels. I want you to watch these parcels for a few hours so my friend and I don't have to drag them to lunch."
He handed the bags and boxes over to the tiny little man, who handed Draco a bit of parchment stating his name, the time, and so forth. "We'll be back in a few hours."
With that Draco took hold of Star's hand again and started back down the alley. Star had no qualms whatsoever about holding his hand, she even entwined her fingers with his as they walked down the street. Star noticed that as they got to Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, that they turned right down a street called Knockturn Alley.
Star became increasingly uncomfortable at how dark and spooky the alley became the farther they walked down it. She gasped when a hag suddenly grabbed her arm and tried to sell her what looked like human finger nails.
"No, I'm fine thanks." Star took her hand out of Draco's and held on to his arm instead.
Draco smiled and pried the hag's hand off of Star's arm, "that's enough Mimsy. Let go."
Walking a little farther, Draco entered a Dark arts store with Star. Spotting his father he walked over careful not to interrupt the discussion going on between his father and some other wizards Draco recognized as fellow Death Eaters from the Revel. He stood quietly with Star behind the group waiting to be noticed by his father. He caught the eyes of a wizard he knew as Mr. Lestrange and smiled slightly. "Lucius, seems your son has made his appearance with quite a fetching young lady," Mr. Lestrange commented smiling at Star.
Draco watched as Star blushed at the compliment and stood up straighter when his father turned around, "Draco is this the young lady who appeared at the Revel?"
"Yes father. This is Star Trivius," he nudged Star forward towards his father, "Sorry if she's a little tense. She was practically accosted by Mimsy outside."
"Yes well Mimsy can be a little frightening from time to time," Lucius turned and held out his hand for Star's.
Star slowly put her hand in his, which he promptly brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it, "Please, Ms. Trivius have a seat. I would like to thank you for saving my wife from those wizards. I am deeply in your debt my dear."
Draco pulled out a chair for Star to sit in then placed himself on her left side while his father sat on her right side. During their brief meeting, Star was introduced to Mr. Lestrange, Mr. Dolohov, and Mr. Macnair. Hours later, Star was starting to feel a little pushed aside. Draco's friend Gregory Goyle had showed up with his father who had joined the group with Mr. Malfoy. Mrs. Lestrange had also arrived with Mrs. Goyle. Star just stood by the window of the shop watching the freaky looking wizards that passed the window to go to other shops in Knockturn Alley.
"I'll talk to you later Greg," Draco leaned over to his father," Father? Sorry to interrupt but I was wondering if it would be all right to go ahead and take Star back towards home…she looks quite bored." Lucius looked over towards Star just in time to see her run excitedly out of the shop they were in and down the street, "If you can catch her Draco. You're more then welcome to."
Draco looked up and saw that Star was gone. He stood up and quickly ran out the door to see where'd she gone. A second later and he'd have missed her running into a store called Ancient Relics. Draco ran down the alley to try and catch up with her.
Star entered the store and was delighted to see relics from ancient wizarding civilizations ranging from the Egyptians to Viking to Medieval wizardry. She quickly took towards the back of the store seeing old dueling outfits wore by Godric Grffyndor and Salazar Slytherin themselves. Totally engrossed in what she was reading about the outfits she didn't notice someone come up behind her. And she certainly wasn't expecting the hand on her shoulder as she jumped and turned around prepared to defend herself.
"Would you mind telling me next time before you run off?"
Star sighed with relief when she saw Draco's face, "I wish you would stop doing that. That's the second time today you've startled me."
A small smirk played on his lips as he tried to control a laugh, "What're you looking at? ……Dueling outfits?"
"Mm-hmm. I love dueling, it's one of my favorite past times."
"Really? We have a dueling club at Hogwarts, it was started back in my second year but it was closed when the professor running it left. But Professor Snape started it up again just last year. He's the head of my Slytherin House, my house. He's also the Potions Master."
"Potions is my other favorite past time, along with Quidditch."
"Did you go to the World cup last year?"
"No, there were problems in my company. But I went to the one a couple years ago. Ireland vs. Bulgaria, Britain hosted. Did you go?"
"Yeah I was in the top box with my family."
" I was just below the top box, my friend only had the money for those seats, and so I sat with her."
Draco smirked as he looked around the store with Star. Star pulled out her pocket watch from one of her pouches, "Do you think we should get back to the Manor? I need to repack my trunk and get to the Leaky Cauldron to stay the next few nights."
"Leaky Cauldron?"
"Of course, I don't want to burden you or your family with staying the next few nights. It'll be okay for me to stay at the Leaky Cauldron."
"Oh no, it won't. You're staying at the manor, and that's final."
"But-"
"That's final. But you're right we should get back to the manor."
Draco quickly found that Star was becoming his best friend, someone he could talk to seemingly about everything. The next few nights they stayed up late talking about every subject under the sun, playing wizard's chess, exchanging spells, and playing pranks on the house elves. The night before they were to starts the journey of another school year; Narcissa Malfoy found the two in the library. Draco had Star's head in his lap and he was leaning against the wall with an open book, they were fast asleep quite comfortable with each other.