Author Notes: So far I would like to thank everyone who has reviewed. Your reviews are greatly appreciated. Right, so in light of one particular review I received, I have decided to rethink my story. I'm going to fuck the fifth book and do my own little story. Hurray. Just forget about the stuff involving the fifth book in the last chapters. I really don't want to rewrite it. So that's that. Hope this chapter amuses you.
BTW: I said this before but I'm going to say it again. I'm giving Malfoy blue eyes. I think his actual eye colour is grey or something, but blue and grey are essentially the same things and I can come up with more synonyms for blue.
BTW: Yeah, Draco's cousin is being dropped from the story. She's mentioned in the first paragraph of the chapter just to start up some dialogue. I might throw her in later but for no more than a few paragraphs. But rest assured she won't be there for long.
Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling, not I.
******~Harry's POV~******
"This is just what we need: another Malfoy in Slytherin!" Ron exclaimed, mirroring my thoughts exactly. There were so many things going on; the return of Voldemort, Hagrid's disappearance and a new professor with a very pale complexion. And now a new Malfoy!
"Seriously, I wonder if she's any worse than Malfoy...the other one," I said. "Shit!" I cursed, trying to free myself of the trick stair. The castle was full of them and by now I knew where all of them were and could easily skip over them without even thinking. "I swear this one was not here before..."
"Of course it was there, you've stepped in it before," Ron laughed, pulling me out of the stair. "C'mon, we're holding up the crowd."
I glanced at the rest of Gryffindor house, waiting impatiently on the marble staircase, anxious to get to the Gryffindor common room. I blushed slightly and hurried up the stairs.
"You quite fancy her?"
"Who?"
Ron smirked, "You know who: the new Malfoy."
I stared at Ron in amazement. "No. What the hell gave you that idea?"
"You couldn't take your eyes off her the entire meal."
My eyes widened as a red glow slowly spread across my cheeks. I lowered my gaze to the floor. It hadn't been her I was staring at, but the platinum blonde to her right: The original Malfoy. I don't understand what's so interesting about him. So he changed his hair and clothing a bit, who cares? He's still the same bastard I met back in Madam Malkins' shop all those years ago, just a little hotter. Hotter? Well, there's no point denying it. He definitely is hot now.
"Is that all you think about?"
Ron and I turned to look at Hermione. We hadn't spoken to her since we left the Great Hall because she looked deep in thought, and neither of us wanted to disturb her; we had learned on several occasions the repercussions of doing that. Besides, she would tell us all in good time if it concerned us.
She stood on the step below us, arms crosses, eyebrow raised: classic Hermione stance. The other Gryffindors muttered impatiently, annoyed at being delayed for no reason. But Hermione would not be budged.
"Hey, will you stand aside so the rest of us can get by!"
The demand came from one of the seniors. He was an impatient bloke and stood several inches taller than anyone. When he asked you to move, you move. We pressed ourselves to the rail as the rest of the house climbed the stairs, some deliberately pressing us painfully into the rail. When the last had passed, we resumed our stance on the stairwell.
"What is it Hermione?" I asked; my voice tinged with only a slight amount of annoyance I was feeling.
She glared at me and walked between Ron and I. We were following her up the stairs, grumbling, when she spoke.
"Did either of you happen to notice anything odd about the new teacher?" She paused at the word 'odd', as if seeking the proper word to use. There was no contempt in her voice, and she wore a strange expression when she turned to face us.
Ron and I stopped, looking at each other. This was a little weird. Ron looked at Hermione, a little confused.
"He was really pale," he said simply.
Hermione sighed. "There was more than just that."
"What are you trying to say?" Ron asked.
"I don't know," she said softly, gaining a faraway expression. "It's just...Oh I don't know."
I studied her face, concerned. I hadn't really gotten a good look at the new professor; I had been staring at Malfoy for most of the banquet. But I did notice that his skin was almost white; I've never seen anyone that pale before. Not even Malfoy was that pasty! "Hermione..."
She started, seemingly surprised by my voice. She smiled, obviously forcing it, and said, "Oh I'm sure it's nothing! We should be getting to the house, school starts tomorrow. We should get an early night."
With that she turned around, bounded up the stairs and just caught the door as it was closing. I turned to Ron, who bore the same expression. We didn't know what had just happened. Hermione had been acting downright odd, even for her. We stood on the stair for a while, but were brought out of our reverie by Hermione's voice calling to us. We climbed up the stairs, not saying a word.
It was when I had lain down in my bed, trying to get to sleep that I was able to identify Hermione's expression earlier: Fear. Hermione had been afraid of something, but what? Surely not the new teacher? I rolled onto my side, puzzled, and I thought to myself:
Harry, this is going to be a year to remember.
******~Draco's POV~******
I scanned my schedule for any classes that I had with Gryffindor and thus with Harry Potter. How fortunate: back to back Potions on the first school day. I folded the schedule and slipped it into my pocket, collapsing into an armchair. I began to plan my day. Ok, I have double Potions with Potter; I could talk to him then. But, what would the rest of Slytherin think if I began talking to the enemy? Also, I had the boy's friends to contend with. I highly doubt they'd welcome me with open arms. It's also so hard to not insult them. I have to get him on his own. But how? Potter and his friends are always together, and if they're not then they aren't far away. This is going to prove quite difficult. I bit my lip, thinking hard. Maybe the answer still lies in Potions. It's obvious that Snape hates Potter (with good reason) and has it in for him. Maybe Potter will really fuck up and he'll get a detention. In which case I could talk to him afterwards, play the whole 'sympathy' act and get on his good side. That could work. But I can't take the chance that he might not get in trouble. I rested my head against the back of the armchair, staring up at the ceiling with unseeing cobalt eyes. My thoughts were still on Potter when my eyes slowly drifted shut and I succumbed to sleep.
******
End notes: So that's that. I sincerely hope you liked it; I live to please. *WINK WINK*. Anyway, this chapter really isn't all that long but I didn't want to start the first day in this chapter. I fear it would take too long. I didn't proofread this, not really anyhow. So there are probably many mistakes that I'll notice after I post this. Oh well, c'est la vie! And I live in a French province so I have the right to say that. Olay.
BTW: Please review. I really enjoy having review, positive or no. Though I prefer positive, naturally. And please, and constructive criticism you have I would very much appreciate. I'm always looking to make my story better.