Chapter 7:

As Dumbledore rose to his feet in the Great Hall at breakfast the following morning, very few students noticed. Draco hushed his fellow Slytherins quickly, he had hardly slept all night and anticipation was rising inside him.

"Good morning, all of you. I trust you slept well" there were a few eager nods, a handful of grunts and a mix between stifled and full of stretched yawns "Hmm, good good. Well I have a few announcements to make; as you know entry into the forest is forbidden, this includes members of all houses" he said glancing at a fourth year Ravenclaw boy, who went pink around the ears "Slytherin's changing rooms by the quidditch pitch are temporarily out of use, you shall be sharing with Griffindor" there were outbursts on either side of the hall "No complaint. Okay that will be all, enjoy your breakfast."

Dumbledore returned to his seat, as Draco looked around bewildered. Have they sent her away? What is going on? Draco turned to face the head table, looking to Snape for answers. Snape was walking in a quick and steady pace along the table towards Dumbledore. He whispered urgently in the headmaster's ear, Dumbledore in what appeared to be reluctantly, returned to his feet.

"Let me disturb you just once more. I have today a new student to introduce to you." There was a clatter of knives and forks as Dumbledore got everyone's attention "She had transferred to Hogwarts and I trust you will all make her feel very welcome...oh yes, her name is Becci Ridack" as she entered the great hall, all eyes were on her. Harry grabbed Ron's arm suddenly, Ron was just staring mouth slightly open then he seemed to regain control and scrunched up his nose and closed his mouth.

"Ron, that's her. The girl I was telling you about."

"Well she is nice Harry but you may have gone slightly over the top" Ron shrugged Harry stared at him amazed.

"Miss. Ridack will, for a short while, be joining Gryffindor" Draco turned to the head table sharply his eyes angry; Snape wore a very similar expression on his face. Dumbledore continued appearing quite smug "Miss. Ridack arrived earlier than expected and although my intention is to sort her in the proper manner, the sorting hat needs time to prepare. Gryffindor will make you feel quite welcome for now" he turned towards the girl, whose eyes burned with anger yet stung with tears.

"Why..." she began her voice quivering slightly.

"You may take a seat Miss. Ridack" Draco watched her across the hall. 'Old fool' he thought angrily to himself 'doesn't he want her in Slytherin? Why not?'

She sat a few seats away from everyone, eating quietly. It was clear to everyone she wanted to be left alone, although that fact didn't seem to bother everyone. Hermione walked over and sat next to Becci who was fighting to hold back tears. 'That man has made a lot of promises, he best be able to keep a few'

"Gryffindor isn't all that bad you know" Hermione spoke with a welcoming smile.

"I'm sure it isn't" she tried to sound polite whilst also keeping the quiver from her voice "I was made a promise I was sure a wizard as great as Dumbledore would have been able to keep. And I suppose I'm finding it difficult being away from family and friends. I mean you've all known each other six years." She smiled

"Did you take potions?" Hermione said as she glanced at Becci's subject list "oh good, we're in dungeon 4/5 with Slytherin next" Hermione informed her politely, happy of the chance to have a female friend. Lavender and Parvati didn't bother with her much and Ginny wasn't in any of her classes.

"Thank you for your help Hermione. I'll cheer up later" she smiled; Snape would most definitely let her talk to Draco. She glanced up to see Hermione looking puzzled "I've seen you before, you're the only witch I know of that lives in my area of the city"

"You live by me." Hermione grew quite excited at the prospect of spending school holidays with another witch. She frowned "I think Malfoy lived near by, you know"

"Yeah he does" she smiled "I've seen him around too, but he's not a witch is he" after that the bell went and Hermione lead the way to the dungeons chatting happily.

Snape greeted the class at the door to the dungeon. "I have arranged a seating plan" he spoke in his usual drawl "wait until your name is called before entering the room" he opened his list and began "Front desk Pansy Parkinson and Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley and Millicent Bulstrode follow on to the two desks behind, Hermione Granger" Hermione smiled at Becci, hoping that they would be sat together although she wouldn't put money on it. She tutted as her partners name was called "Blasé Zambini" the list went on for a while and both Draco and Becci tried not to look at each other, it was clear Snape wasn't sitting the best of friends together, finally "Second row, front desk Becci Ridack and Draco Malfoy" they both smiled at their professor as they entered the room, Draco's smile quickly changing to a classic Malfoy smirk for the sake of his classmates.

"Professor?" came Pansy's voice as soon as Snape entered the room "You wouldn't mind if I swapped seats with the new girl, so she can get to know her" she had a disgusted look on her face the made her look hideous "her Gryffindor housemate?" Pansy looked hopeful, Draco's face showed he would prefer the answer to be a no.

"Actually Miss. Parkinson, I would mind" Snape said flatly "Sit down in that seat and remain there. Mr. Malfoy, Miss. Ridack get these items from my private stores. Thank you" he handed them a list and pointed them towards his office.

The pair sat searching the cupboard for the items on the list talking in a hushed whisper.

"Snape didn't like Dumbledore cancelling the sorting"

"Neither did I" Draco replied his tone of voice speaking volumes.

"He said it won't be until after Christmas, but I pushing for before" she whispered obviously still slightly upset she hadn't had her sorting as promised.

"Talk later" Snape spoke inside their heads.

"You sit on the side closest to Potter" Draco wrinkled his nose "he keeps looking over at us all weird and googly eyed, it's making me uncomfortable"

"Alright then. Is that everything?" he nodded; they walked back to the front of the class placing the ingredients down before returning to their seats.

Harry watched her carefully, she walked so gracefully, her hair flowed perfectly behind her and her eyes could light up a room, she sat down on the desk across on the seat closest to him, before he could day dream any further, there was a clatter. He had fallen from his stool, he clutched his head in his hands, his scar was burning white hot. He didn't understand Dumbledore had taken hundreds of extra precautions. Where was the danger?