Stood outside Hogwarts, the late spring sun shining down upon the castle Skyler Malfoy stood amongst her best friends in the world. Care Of Magical Creatures was being taught on the outskirts of the Forbidden forest.
"This is so boring" Rulan yawned next to her, several other students had sat down and were basking in the sun, Skyler, Rulan, Becky, Ryan and Zak where all still standing. It was a known fact that Professor Hagrid was slightly dim, and the Slytherin group had a plan.
Their plan was pretty much to sneak out of class and enjoy the day.
Although, it was a plan non-the-less.
"Professor" Skyler waved her hand in the air wildly, Hagrid turned to look at her, his grey hair blowing slightly in the breeze, "Can I go to the toilet?"
"That yeh can lil' Malfoy. But don' be to lon' now? Wouldn' want yeh to miss the best par' now would we?"
"Of course not Professor." Skyler smiled and waited for Hagrid to turn around. After she was sure, he was busy with the animals again, she tugged on Rulan's hand and the two made their way into the castle. They sat on the steps leading up to the main doors and waited for the others to sneak away.
"So, what you doing this summer?" Rulan asked, making conversation while stretching his legs out against the warming stone,
"Going home" she shrugged, as if it were the most obvious answer in the world, Rulan looked slightly offended,
"I was thinking-"
"Did it hurt?"
"That maybe" Rulan continued ignoring Skyler's little quip, "that we could all meet up and hang out or something. Your birthday's sometime over summer right?"
"Yep. June 23rd"
"And if I know you – you'll jump at any chance to get presents"
"Oh? You mean like a party?"
"Yeah"
"Sounds fun."
"Yeah" Rulan smiled.
"Yeah what?" Ryan asked, he was the next and now they just had to wait for Becky to ask Hagrid could she go and check on Skyler because she'd been an awfully long time and bring Zak along and they were completely free.
"Birthday party in honour of yours truly" Skyler smirked, leaning towards Rulan to find sanctuary in the shade that Ryan was casting.
"Oh, parties are fun. When's your birthday" he asked, Skyler scowled.
"23rd June" Rulan answered for his friend, Ryan nodded and shifted from one foot to the other,
"Anyone else surprised that Weasley brat didn't rat on us?" Ryan asked, turning to look at the final two making their way to the entrance.
"She wasn't even there" Becky filled in "see, even the goody-two-shoes Gryfindork's are missing lessons. It's just too hot,"
"That's weird, she's never missed a lesson before" Skyler added, then getting strange looks from her friends she shrugged absently.
"So, where we off too then?"
"No idea, I was thinking of sunbathing for a while" Becky answered, running her hands over her pale skin,
"Sounds good" Skyler agreed, nodding
"Wow, you girls are boring" Ryan exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air "come on boys, what do you say we go for a fly" Rulan shrugged his response and Zak merely stood there looking calmly between them all. They were all still debating when a tall hooded figure rushed passed them, up the stairs and into the castle.
"Who was that?" Skyler asked, standing up fully and moving towards the door. Ryan put a hand on her arm to hold her in place,
"Somebody who has to be very strange to be wearing a hood and cloak at this time of year." Zak added,
"Agreed" added Becky.
"Should we follow?" queried Rulan,
"As the nosey hybrid of Gryfindor/Slytherin I insist we must" Skyler smiled, they were about to move into the castle when a booming voice called from behind them,
"So tha's were you've all gone off ta, I figur'd you'd have gotte' lost the time ya've been gone for. Come on now or else you'll be missing the Hippocampus, took me ages ta try an' ge' him to come to the edge of the lake."
"Yes Hagrid" the students sighed. Skyler didn't really want to actually see a Hippocampus, they had been learning about them for days, Hagrid said that they had to be fully prepared to meet one and the more Skyler heard the more she disliked them.
Apparently it was a merhorse with the head and forequarters of a horse and the hindquarters and tail of a fish. The mere idea of it disgusted Skyler.
Reluctantly the five students followed Hagrid and rejoined their classmates at the edge of the lake, all staring at the surface for the mysteriously absent creature.
"Le' the show begin' yeah?" Hagrid announced, then the cool waters broke and with a splash that soaked every single student the show did indeed, begin.
Harry was pacing in his office. He was a very agitated headmaster. He'd had a nightmare that night for the third night in a row and as a result was incredibly edgy. The nightmares where blurry and inconsistent but they still left Harry with the feeling of dread building in the pit of his stomach.
His husband was disappearing two nights a week to tutor a student whose name Harry forgot.
To top it off, they had run out of coffee yesterday afternoon and the houselves had yet to produce some more.
"Would you mind not pacing my boy? You're giving me quite a headache" Harry looked up startled into the portrait of Albus Dumbledore.
"Sorry sir," Harry added, reflexively
"Now, now dear boy there's no need for formalities now is there? Please do call me Albus"
"Certainly Albus" Harry paused "sir" he added automatically, "sorry" the portrait laughed at him.
"Talking to yourself is the first sign of insanity" a voice drawled from the door, Harry turned his gaze away from the portrait and looked into the eyes of the man he loved.
"Now you're here I won't have to look to the portraits for entertainment" Harry winked at the portrait of his beloved headmaster then turned back to his husband.
"Should I be honoured that you choose me over a portrait?" Draco grinned, sprawling out on the chair opposite Harry's desk.
"Yes Professor Malfoy, I believe you should," remarked Harry, feigning professionalism.
"Note me honoured."
"Noted."
Then green eyes locked with grey and the two men smiled inanely.
"So how goes things being the headmaster of a prestigious school?" Draco asked, it had been too long since he and Harry had had a true conversation that did not lead to sex. Ever since the summer, they had been like two sex-crazed teenagers. Draco was still in denial that their daughter and her best friend had caught them.
"They're all well and good," Harry smiled, sitting opposite the blonde, "and how are you coping being a professor under the leadership of a fantastic headmaster?"
"I don't know, I'll let you know when I've worked for one" Draco stuck his tongue out childishly and Harry rolled his eyes. "Seriously," Draco smiled, "well, classes are great. NEWTS are even more stressful for the teachers, do you know I have to supervise the entire seventh year during their entire examination and co-mark them all?"
"Draco, darling, do you know I have to co-supervise them all?" Harry sighed, he had long since accepted that being headmaster was far to much responsibility,
"Oh you poor dear" Draco smirked, sarcasm almost tangible. The two smiled again, "well, how about you try tutoring a very persistent seventh year who is intent upon getting into your incredibly expensive pants,"
"Excuse me?" Harry straightened slightly,
"Relax Harry, there's only one person I'd let near my Armani's" Draco grinned,
"Really? I'd like to meet said person, because god knows I can't get near you when you're in those things." Draco chuckled slyly at the dark-haired man in front of him
"Maybe one day Headmaster Potter."
"Indeed." Harry looked down at his desk and grinned wickedly before picking up a blue crystal bowl and holding it to Draco "Sherbet lemon?"
"Oh my gosh, Dumbledore moment" the two sniggered again, Harry realised for the first time in a long while how much he truly missed just spending time with the man in front of him. When Draco had taken the candy, he placed the bowl down and brought his feet up onto the desk, promptly sticking out his tongue as a reply to Draco's disapproval. Draco scowled but said nothing more.
"Don't you just miss this?"
"Miss what?"
"Just," Harry paused and searched for the right word, "being."
"Yes." Draco kissed his fingers and made a motion as if blowing it to Harry. Harry just smiled and shook his head,
"My, my, are you flirting with me Professor?"
"Now would I do something so unprofessional?" Draco asked his facial expression the picture of innocence.
"I was actually thinking about summer this morning" Harry started, picking another sweet and sucking it gently into his mouth,
"Really?" Draco answered, only half concentrating as a good part of his brain was watching exactly what Harry was doing with that piece of candy.
"Yes, how does Europe sound to you?"
"Sounds great to me" Draco gulped loudly and shifted, decided to stop watching Harry's suggestive ministrations and continue the civilised conversation that they where doing so well at, "Skyler may find it a little tedious though"
"True" Harry considered, leaning back in his chair so that the front two legs where off the floor, "maybe - " Harry was cut off by the doors swinging open and a rather flustered Professor Snape stepping in,
"Potter, I tried to stop him he just wouldn't - " Snape was pushed aside as the cloaked figure rushed in, he lowered his hood and as soon as Harry caught sight of the bright red hair he jumped up from his desk and into a standing position,
"Harry – "
"You lost your right to call me that" Harry growled,
"Harry you have to help me" Ron breathed, his eyes red and puffy, ignoring Harry's comment "they've taken her," Harry and Draco looked at each other then back to the distressed Weasley,
"Taken who?" Harry asked,
"Hermione, Harry, they're going to kill her......"
-Notes-
Well, there you have it people, the beginning of the end. Relax though I still have a lot to clear up with this story and a few loose ends to tie up, so before you bombard me with questions that I have not yet answered, please just wait until the end.
Also, this will be somewhat of a trilogy. I was planning to make six sequels following Skyler's every year but instead I am only going to do this one, her fifth year and of course her final year. Therefore, there will be two sequels to this.
Aren't I wonderful?
I tried to pad out the fluff as much as possible and for all of you who study English at A-Level you've already probably sussed out that yes, in the past few chapters it has been the calm fluffiness before the storm.
All of you worried about Faye, I'm afraid she will not be playing a huge part, she was just a Mary Sue (a character based on a real-life person) that I added for one of my best friends, there will be a few popping up during the course of the three stories, but don't worry non of them will be playing major parts.
I've finally worked out who the bad-guy is going to be and their connection to Voldemort, although it took me and my beta hours for me to actually come to a conclusion. It'll be doosy I promise!
Another thing for any of you who read these notes (I congratulate you if you've come this far) I'm taking a poll on who you would like to see Skyler end up with, I of course already know who she's going to fall in love with.
I'd still like to see your views on the subject.
Please, please review this chapter as it is the beginning of the end and I'm very self-conscious about it. I've honestly never finished a story before, so even if you never have before, or you have a million times just drop in a word of encouragement.
Okay I'm going to shut up now.
Bye, Akasha xxxx
"This is so boring" Rulan yawned next to her, several other students had sat down and were basking in the sun, Skyler, Rulan, Becky, Ryan and Zak where all still standing. It was a known fact that Professor Hagrid was slightly dim, and the Slytherin group had a plan.
Their plan was pretty much to sneak out of class and enjoy the day.
Although, it was a plan non-the-less.
"Professor" Skyler waved her hand in the air wildly, Hagrid turned to look at her, his grey hair blowing slightly in the breeze, "Can I go to the toilet?"
"That yeh can lil' Malfoy. But don' be to lon' now? Wouldn' want yeh to miss the best par' now would we?"
"Of course not Professor." Skyler smiled and waited for Hagrid to turn around. After she was sure, he was busy with the animals again, she tugged on Rulan's hand and the two made their way into the castle. They sat on the steps leading up to the main doors and waited for the others to sneak away.
"So, what you doing this summer?" Rulan asked, making conversation while stretching his legs out against the warming stone,
"Going home" she shrugged, as if it were the most obvious answer in the world, Rulan looked slightly offended,
"I was thinking-"
"Did it hurt?"
"That maybe" Rulan continued ignoring Skyler's little quip, "that we could all meet up and hang out or something. Your birthday's sometime over summer right?"
"Yep. June 23rd"
"And if I know you – you'll jump at any chance to get presents"
"Oh? You mean like a party?"
"Yeah"
"Sounds fun."
"Yeah" Rulan smiled.
"Yeah what?" Ryan asked, he was the next and now they just had to wait for Becky to ask Hagrid could she go and check on Skyler because she'd been an awfully long time and bring Zak along and they were completely free.
"Birthday party in honour of yours truly" Skyler smirked, leaning towards Rulan to find sanctuary in the shade that Ryan was casting.
"Oh, parties are fun. When's your birthday" he asked, Skyler scowled.
"23rd June" Rulan answered for his friend, Ryan nodded and shifted from one foot to the other,
"Anyone else surprised that Weasley brat didn't rat on us?" Ryan asked, turning to look at the final two making their way to the entrance.
"She wasn't even there" Becky filled in "see, even the goody-two-shoes Gryfindork's are missing lessons. It's just too hot,"
"That's weird, she's never missed a lesson before" Skyler added, then getting strange looks from her friends she shrugged absently.
"So, where we off too then?"
"No idea, I was thinking of sunbathing for a while" Becky answered, running her hands over her pale skin,
"Sounds good" Skyler agreed, nodding
"Wow, you girls are boring" Ryan exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air "come on boys, what do you say we go for a fly" Rulan shrugged his response and Zak merely stood there looking calmly between them all. They were all still debating when a tall hooded figure rushed passed them, up the stairs and into the castle.
"Who was that?" Skyler asked, standing up fully and moving towards the door. Ryan put a hand on her arm to hold her in place,
"Somebody who has to be very strange to be wearing a hood and cloak at this time of year." Zak added,
"Agreed" added Becky.
"Should we follow?" queried Rulan,
"As the nosey hybrid of Gryfindor/Slytherin I insist we must" Skyler smiled, they were about to move into the castle when a booming voice called from behind them,
"So tha's were you've all gone off ta, I figur'd you'd have gotte' lost the time ya've been gone for. Come on now or else you'll be missing the Hippocampus, took me ages ta try an' ge' him to come to the edge of the lake."
"Yes Hagrid" the students sighed. Skyler didn't really want to actually see a Hippocampus, they had been learning about them for days, Hagrid said that they had to be fully prepared to meet one and the more Skyler heard the more she disliked them.
Apparently it was a merhorse with the head and forequarters of a horse and the hindquarters and tail of a fish. The mere idea of it disgusted Skyler.
Reluctantly the five students followed Hagrid and rejoined their classmates at the edge of the lake, all staring at the surface for the mysteriously absent creature.
"Le' the show begin' yeah?" Hagrid announced, then the cool waters broke and with a splash that soaked every single student the show did indeed, begin.
Harry was pacing in his office. He was a very agitated headmaster. He'd had a nightmare that night for the third night in a row and as a result was incredibly edgy. The nightmares where blurry and inconsistent but they still left Harry with the feeling of dread building in the pit of his stomach.
His husband was disappearing two nights a week to tutor a student whose name Harry forgot.
To top it off, they had run out of coffee yesterday afternoon and the houselves had yet to produce some more.
"Would you mind not pacing my boy? You're giving me quite a headache" Harry looked up startled into the portrait of Albus Dumbledore.
"Sorry sir," Harry added, reflexively
"Now, now dear boy there's no need for formalities now is there? Please do call me Albus"
"Certainly Albus" Harry paused "sir" he added automatically, "sorry" the portrait laughed at him.
"Talking to yourself is the first sign of insanity" a voice drawled from the door, Harry turned his gaze away from the portrait and looked into the eyes of the man he loved.
"Now you're here I won't have to look to the portraits for entertainment" Harry winked at the portrait of his beloved headmaster then turned back to his husband.
"Should I be honoured that you choose me over a portrait?" Draco grinned, sprawling out on the chair opposite Harry's desk.
"Yes Professor Malfoy, I believe you should," remarked Harry, feigning professionalism.
"Note me honoured."
"Noted."
Then green eyes locked with grey and the two men smiled inanely.
"So how goes things being the headmaster of a prestigious school?" Draco asked, it had been too long since he and Harry had had a true conversation that did not lead to sex. Ever since the summer, they had been like two sex-crazed teenagers. Draco was still in denial that their daughter and her best friend had caught them.
"They're all well and good," Harry smiled, sitting opposite the blonde, "and how are you coping being a professor under the leadership of a fantastic headmaster?"
"I don't know, I'll let you know when I've worked for one" Draco stuck his tongue out childishly and Harry rolled his eyes. "Seriously," Draco smiled, "well, classes are great. NEWTS are even more stressful for the teachers, do you know I have to supervise the entire seventh year during their entire examination and co-mark them all?"
"Draco, darling, do you know I have to co-supervise them all?" Harry sighed, he had long since accepted that being headmaster was far to much responsibility,
"Oh you poor dear" Draco smirked, sarcasm almost tangible. The two smiled again, "well, how about you try tutoring a very persistent seventh year who is intent upon getting into your incredibly expensive pants,"
"Excuse me?" Harry straightened slightly,
"Relax Harry, there's only one person I'd let near my Armani's" Draco grinned,
"Really? I'd like to meet said person, because god knows I can't get near you when you're in those things." Draco chuckled slyly at the dark-haired man in front of him
"Maybe one day Headmaster Potter."
"Indeed." Harry looked down at his desk and grinned wickedly before picking up a blue crystal bowl and holding it to Draco "Sherbet lemon?"
"Oh my gosh, Dumbledore moment" the two sniggered again, Harry realised for the first time in a long while how much he truly missed just spending time with the man in front of him. When Draco had taken the candy, he placed the bowl down and brought his feet up onto the desk, promptly sticking out his tongue as a reply to Draco's disapproval. Draco scowled but said nothing more.
"Don't you just miss this?"
"Miss what?"
"Just," Harry paused and searched for the right word, "being."
"Yes." Draco kissed his fingers and made a motion as if blowing it to Harry. Harry just smiled and shook his head,
"My, my, are you flirting with me Professor?"
"Now would I do something so unprofessional?" Draco asked his facial expression the picture of innocence.
"I was actually thinking about summer this morning" Harry started, picking another sweet and sucking it gently into his mouth,
"Really?" Draco answered, only half concentrating as a good part of his brain was watching exactly what Harry was doing with that piece of candy.
"Yes, how does Europe sound to you?"
"Sounds great to me" Draco gulped loudly and shifted, decided to stop watching Harry's suggestive ministrations and continue the civilised conversation that they where doing so well at, "Skyler may find it a little tedious though"
"True" Harry considered, leaning back in his chair so that the front two legs where off the floor, "maybe - " Harry was cut off by the doors swinging open and a rather flustered Professor Snape stepping in,
"Potter, I tried to stop him he just wouldn't - " Snape was pushed aside as the cloaked figure rushed in, he lowered his hood and as soon as Harry caught sight of the bright red hair he jumped up from his desk and into a standing position,
"Harry – "
"You lost your right to call me that" Harry growled,
"Harry you have to help me" Ron breathed, his eyes red and puffy, ignoring Harry's comment "they've taken her," Harry and Draco looked at each other then back to the distressed Weasley,
"Taken who?" Harry asked,
"Hermione, Harry, they're going to kill her......"
-Notes-
Well, there you have it people, the beginning of the end. Relax though I still have a lot to clear up with this story and a few loose ends to tie up, so before you bombard me with questions that I have not yet answered, please just wait until the end.
Also, this will be somewhat of a trilogy. I was planning to make six sequels following Skyler's every year but instead I am only going to do this one, her fifth year and of course her final year. Therefore, there will be two sequels to this.
Aren't I wonderful?
I tried to pad out the fluff as much as possible and for all of you who study English at A-Level you've already probably sussed out that yes, in the past few chapters it has been the calm fluffiness before the storm.
All of you worried about Faye, I'm afraid she will not be playing a huge part, she was just a Mary Sue (a character based on a real-life person) that I added for one of my best friends, there will be a few popping up during the course of the three stories, but don't worry non of them will be playing major parts.
I've finally worked out who the bad-guy is going to be and their connection to Voldemort, although it took me and my beta hours for me to actually come to a conclusion. It'll be doosy I promise!
Another thing for any of you who read these notes (I congratulate you if you've come this far) I'm taking a poll on who you would like to see Skyler end up with, I of course already know who she's going to fall in love with.
I'd still like to see your views on the subject.
Please, please review this chapter as it is the beginning of the end and I'm very self-conscious about it. I've honestly never finished a story before, so even if you never have before, or you have a million times just drop in a word of encouragement.
Okay I'm going to shut up now.
Bye, Akasha xxxx