Chapter 2: Formal Introductions (Or as Formal as They Get)
Aquaria MacNamara sighed happily as she rolled over in her bed. It was Saturday morning, so she had been able to sleep in, putting her in her good mood, which was nearly never a rarity. Just then, Hermione Granger walked in, carrying her cat Crookshanks. Her cheeks were flushed and her hair was a little windblown; Aquaria guessed she had been outside, probably at Hogsmeade with Ron Weasley and Harry Potter.
"'Lo, 'Mione," Aquaria greeted her, yawning. She and Hermione had become good friends since last quarter of last year, since Aquaria had switched dormitories.
"Been to Hogsmeade, have you? Thought you had to study?" Hermione grinned.
"Yeah well...Ron really wanted me to go," she explained, looking a little sheepish. "And I couldn't say no to his puppy dog eyes." The two girls laughed. Since the middle of fifth year, Ron and Hermione had officially become a couple.
"So what do you plan on doing today, Aqua?" Aqua was Aquaria's nickname, partly from her name, and partly from the fact she loved swimming.
"Not much, I suppose," Aquaria mused thoughtfully.
"Well, why don't you come down to Hogsmeade with Ron, Harry and me? It'll be fun, come on!" Hermione persuaded.
"Well, all right then. Give me a bit to get ready."
"We'll be in the common room," Hermione told her as she left the dorm. Aquaria got ready quickly and hurried downstairs, knowing she was about to have a good time.
A short while later, the four were coming out of Honeydukes, popping Every- Flavor Beans into their mouths and laughing.
"You should have seen Snape's face when you nearly collided with him before getting the snitch, Harry!" snickered Ron. They were talking about the recent Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff. Harry had gained the position of captain, still the Gryffindor seeker.
"Really; you'd think he'd have learned to keep out of your way when you're on the broom by now," laughed Hermione.
"Ooh, he looked ready to spit venom!" giggled Aquaria.
"It's nothing, I don't have a great talent; Snape just doesn't have any at all," joked Harry modestly. He never liked being showy about Quidditch, or really anything else. The four bustled into the Three Broomsticks, all still laughing.
They sat down at a large empty table and ordered bitterer. Ron, Hermione, and Harry were having a conversation, but Aquaria wasn't paying attention. Last night's late night swim was nearly a fiasco, considering she was almost caught. By Draco Malfoy, too, and then she knew he would have told everyone her secret. Aquaria shook her head in a shiver, and reached up to her locket nervously. It was a silver locket, with an emerald gem in the middle that matched her eyes. Her mother gave it to her the day she was born. Aquaria could barely remember her mother anymore, except that she was quite beautiful, with long golden hair and big blue eyes. She had been told her mother was dead, but there was something about the way people told her that made Aquaria think maybe it wasn't true.
"Especially if...well, I'll know soon enough," Aquaria thought determinedly.
"Hello, Aqua, you still with us?" teased Harry, tapping her on the shoulder. Aquaria snapped back and grinned.
"Just going over the answers in my head for Professor Binns's test Monday," she made up quickly, as Harry rolled his eyes, knowing Aquaria barely studied. Just then, the door opened, and in walked Draco Malfoy, flanked, of course, by Crabbe and Goyle.
"Eek," squeaked Aquaria, and quickly turned her face away so Draco wouldn't see her. Hermione and Ron didn't notice, but Harry did.
"Aquaria? What's wrong?" he asked curiously.
"Nothing at all, what ever gave you that idea?" Aquaria tried to reply casually, keeping her head down. Harry gave her a look.
Draco glanced around the brightly lit pub, and narrowed his eyes at seeing Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Harry Potter at a big table...sitting beside Potter was another girl...there was something familiar about her, but Draco didn't know what, and he couldn't really see her face clearly either.
"Well boys, shall we harass Potter and his little friends?" Draco asked Crabbe and Goyle, a mean glint in his eye. He knew what the answers would be, "duh, yeah okay boss". These two lugs were tiresome to be around sometimes, considering their stupidity was remarkable. Draco honestly believed the only reason he hung around with them was because their families were close; and that was only because their fathers were Death Eaters, too.
"Well, if it isn't famous Harry Potter himself," smirked Draco. "And the other two stooges." If looks could kill, Draco would have been dead three times. Ron's arms were already tensing up, and Hermione was holding on to one, trying to keep him seated.
"Really Malfoy, I didn't think you kept up with old muggle television shows," Hermione retorted calmly. Inwardly, Draco fumed. The little Mudblood had gotten the better of him that time. Instead of retaliating with her, he decided to move onto Potter and the other girl.
"Your new girlfriend, Potty?" Draco sneered, nodding at the girl. She still refused to look up at him. Potter glared at him.
"You only wish you could do as well as Aquaria," he shot back. Draco snorted.
"Do I?" he replied. "Does Aquaria speak for herself, or are you voice, Potter?" Aquaria, her temper getting the better of her, finally looked up.
"Yes Draco, I do have a voice," she answered heatedly. "Now please go and leave us in peace." Her voice had a regal tone to it, and Draco had to admit to himself he was almost impressed. Then he looked at her face closely, and recognized Aquaria from the lake last night. Aquaria's eyes widened as Draco's narrowed; she realized he knew who she was now. Well, he really can't report me, because how could he explain to Professor McGonagall how he knew I was out of bed if he wasn't as well?" Aquaria reassured herself. She noticed the look on Draco's face turn from angry to sly.
"No, no! We should really stay and talk, get to know each other. I mean, really, should we be enemies forever?" Draco said, his voice turning sarcastic. His pale eyes passed over the four of them, freezing on Aquaria the longest, glinting silvery in a cunning way. Aquaria shivered and lowered her eyes away from his.
"C'mon boys; let's leave these Muggle-lovers to themselves," Draco said disgustedly, sneering at Ron as Ron bristled. He glanced quickly back at Aquaria, who was looked back at him, a weak smile on her face. Draco smirked back. "I'm sure I'll see you around again soon," he added smugly. Then he, Crabbe, and Goyle went to their own table and ordered food, Draco never taking his stare of Aquaria. Aquaria...very familiar. Now that he thought about it, he did remember Snape saying her name several times...Aquaria MacNamara, that was it. But that wasn't why it sounded so familiar. Well, Draco would find some way to make her pay for humiliating him last night, even though they were the only two witnesses. And when he was done, Little Miss MacNamara would be sorry. Draco smiled nastily.
~*~
Aquaria could feel Draco's stare on her, it wasn't comfortable at all. She knew he must still be very angry with her from last night. Aquaria didn't think he'd take it as bad as he had, but then Draco was very arrogant, and hated losing any dignity to anyone or thing.
"Aqua, you all right?" Harry asked, becoming concerned at the frightened look on her face she didn't realize was there. Aquaria looked around at him and found Ron, Hermione and him all staring at her, somewhat curious and nervous. Aquaria cracked a small smile.
"Please, I'm fine! Really you guys; why so worried-looking?" I can take care of myself," she added a bit defensively.
"Well, what exactly did he mean by 'I'm sure I'll see you again soon' ?" Ron persisted. Aquaria shrugged.
"Maybe he's got a crush on me because of my stunning good looks," she quipped sarcastically, tossing her hair. They all laughed. Aquaria was very pretty indeed, with big emerald green eyes, and curly medium brown hair that reached her hips, and in the sun shone with natural reddish-gold highlights. But the chance Draco Malfoy would like a close friend of Harry's was incredibly slim; he rarely went out with Gryffindors, with the exceptions of Parvati Patil and Lavendar Brown, who were known for their promiscuousness with the boys.
"Yeah, and I'm Snape's favorite student too," snorted Harry. Aquaria looked back over at Draco's table as the other three became lost in conversation again, gazing at Draco thoughtfully. He had now stopped staring at her and looked lost in thought, a wistful look on his face. Aquaria's heart softened instinctively for a split second, there was a part of her that hated seeing anyone miserable; but then she remembered Draco was a horrible nasty little prat to her friends. Suddenly Draco turned his eyes back on her again and Aquaria looked away, embarrassed.
"Well, I really should get going. I have to study for potions; I'm near to failing," Aquaria told the other three.
"I'll meet you up in the common room in a bit and we can study together, if you want," Hermione offered.
"All right! If I'm not there, I'll be in the library," Aquaria said. Ron groaned.
"Oh no, Aquaria's catching the library bug from Hermione," he teased. Hermione gave him a pout.
"Hey," she said, pretending to be mad. Ron put his arm around her and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"Aw, 'Mione, you know I wouldn't have you any other way," he said sweetly. They kissed, and Aquaria's eyes wandered elsewhere. Glancing at Harry and catching his eye, the gave each other little smiles. Aquaria looked away, hoping she didn't blush, and looked back at Ron and Hermione; it was so obvious they were love. Aquaria was happy for them, but at the same time, jealous. It had been forever she dreamed of a fairy tale romance. She had had a few boyfriends, but none of them were special; they didn't make her heart beat wildly, her temperature rise, her knees weak, or have her continually smiling around them or at the thought of them. Aquaria stood up quickly, putting on her robes again.
"See you all later, then!" she called over her shoulder as she left the pub. But instead of heading towards the school, she went on a walk through Hogsmeade. Little did she know she was being followed.
Aquaria MacNamara sighed happily as she rolled over in her bed. It was Saturday morning, so she had been able to sleep in, putting her in her good mood, which was nearly never a rarity. Just then, Hermione Granger walked in, carrying her cat Crookshanks. Her cheeks were flushed and her hair was a little windblown; Aquaria guessed she had been outside, probably at Hogsmeade with Ron Weasley and Harry Potter.
"'Lo, 'Mione," Aquaria greeted her, yawning. She and Hermione had become good friends since last quarter of last year, since Aquaria had switched dormitories.
"Been to Hogsmeade, have you? Thought you had to study?" Hermione grinned.
"Yeah well...Ron really wanted me to go," she explained, looking a little sheepish. "And I couldn't say no to his puppy dog eyes." The two girls laughed. Since the middle of fifth year, Ron and Hermione had officially become a couple.
"So what do you plan on doing today, Aqua?" Aqua was Aquaria's nickname, partly from her name, and partly from the fact she loved swimming.
"Not much, I suppose," Aquaria mused thoughtfully.
"Well, why don't you come down to Hogsmeade with Ron, Harry and me? It'll be fun, come on!" Hermione persuaded.
"Well, all right then. Give me a bit to get ready."
"We'll be in the common room," Hermione told her as she left the dorm. Aquaria got ready quickly and hurried downstairs, knowing she was about to have a good time.
A short while later, the four were coming out of Honeydukes, popping Every- Flavor Beans into their mouths and laughing.
"You should have seen Snape's face when you nearly collided with him before getting the snitch, Harry!" snickered Ron. They were talking about the recent Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff. Harry had gained the position of captain, still the Gryffindor seeker.
"Really; you'd think he'd have learned to keep out of your way when you're on the broom by now," laughed Hermione.
"Ooh, he looked ready to spit venom!" giggled Aquaria.
"It's nothing, I don't have a great talent; Snape just doesn't have any at all," joked Harry modestly. He never liked being showy about Quidditch, or really anything else. The four bustled into the Three Broomsticks, all still laughing.
They sat down at a large empty table and ordered bitterer. Ron, Hermione, and Harry were having a conversation, but Aquaria wasn't paying attention. Last night's late night swim was nearly a fiasco, considering she was almost caught. By Draco Malfoy, too, and then she knew he would have told everyone her secret. Aquaria shook her head in a shiver, and reached up to her locket nervously. It was a silver locket, with an emerald gem in the middle that matched her eyes. Her mother gave it to her the day she was born. Aquaria could barely remember her mother anymore, except that she was quite beautiful, with long golden hair and big blue eyes. She had been told her mother was dead, but there was something about the way people told her that made Aquaria think maybe it wasn't true.
"Especially if...well, I'll know soon enough," Aquaria thought determinedly.
"Hello, Aqua, you still with us?" teased Harry, tapping her on the shoulder. Aquaria snapped back and grinned.
"Just going over the answers in my head for Professor Binns's test Monday," she made up quickly, as Harry rolled his eyes, knowing Aquaria barely studied. Just then, the door opened, and in walked Draco Malfoy, flanked, of course, by Crabbe and Goyle.
"Eek," squeaked Aquaria, and quickly turned her face away so Draco wouldn't see her. Hermione and Ron didn't notice, but Harry did.
"Aquaria? What's wrong?" he asked curiously.
"Nothing at all, what ever gave you that idea?" Aquaria tried to reply casually, keeping her head down. Harry gave her a look.
Draco glanced around the brightly lit pub, and narrowed his eyes at seeing Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Harry Potter at a big table...sitting beside Potter was another girl...there was something familiar about her, but Draco didn't know what, and he couldn't really see her face clearly either.
"Well boys, shall we harass Potter and his little friends?" Draco asked Crabbe and Goyle, a mean glint in his eye. He knew what the answers would be, "duh, yeah okay boss". These two lugs were tiresome to be around sometimes, considering their stupidity was remarkable. Draco honestly believed the only reason he hung around with them was because their families were close; and that was only because their fathers were Death Eaters, too.
"Well, if it isn't famous Harry Potter himself," smirked Draco. "And the other two stooges." If looks could kill, Draco would have been dead three times. Ron's arms were already tensing up, and Hermione was holding on to one, trying to keep him seated.
"Really Malfoy, I didn't think you kept up with old muggle television shows," Hermione retorted calmly. Inwardly, Draco fumed. The little Mudblood had gotten the better of him that time. Instead of retaliating with her, he decided to move onto Potter and the other girl.
"Your new girlfriend, Potty?" Draco sneered, nodding at the girl. She still refused to look up at him. Potter glared at him.
"You only wish you could do as well as Aquaria," he shot back. Draco snorted.
"Do I?" he replied. "Does Aquaria speak for herself, or are you voice, Potter?" Aquaria, her temper getting the better of her, finally looked up.
"Yes Draco, I do have a voice," she answered heatedly. "Now please go and leave us in peace." Her voice had a regal tone to it, and Draco had to admit to himself he was almost impressed. Then he looked at her face closely, and recognized Aquaria from the lake last night. Aquaria's eyes widened as Draco's narrowed; she realized he knew who she was now. Well, he really can't report me, because how could he explain to Professor McGonagall how he knew I was out of bed if he wasn't as well?" Aquaria reassured herself. She noticed the look on Draco's face turn from angry to sly.
"No, no! We should really stay and talk, get to know each other. I mean, really, should we be enemies forever?" Draco said, his voice turning sarcastic. His pale eyes passed over the four of them, freezing on Aquaria the longest, glinting silvery in a cunning way. Aquaria shivered and lowered her eyes away from his.
"C'mon boys; let's leave these Muggle-lovers to themselves," Draco said disgustedly, sneering at Ron as Ron bristled. He glanced quickly back at Aquaria, who was looked back at him, a weak smile on her face. Draco smirked back. "I'm sure I'll see you around again soon," he added smugly. Then he, Crabbe, and Goyle went to their own table and ordered food, Draco never taking his stare of Aquaria. Aquaria...very familiar. Now that he thought about it, he did remember Snape saying her name several times...Aquaria MacNamara, that was it. But that wasn't why it sounded so familiar. Well, Draco would find some way to make her pay for humiliating him last night, even though they were the only two witnesses. And when he was done, Little Miss MacNamara would be sorry. Draco smiled nastily.
~*~
Aquaria could feel Draco's stare on her, it wasn't comfortable at all. She knew he must still be very angry with her from last night. Aquaria didn't think he'd take it as bad as he had, but then Draco was very arrogant, and hated losing any dignity to anyone or thing.
"Aqua, you all right?" Harry asked, becoming concerned at the frightened look on her face she didn't realize was there. Aquaria looked around at him and found Ron, Hermione and him all staring at her, somewhat curious and nervous. Aquaria cracked a small smile.
"Please, I'm fine! Really you guys; why so worried-looking?" I can take care of myself," she added a bit defensively.
"Well, what exactly did he mean by 'I'm sure I'll see you again soon' ?" Ron persisted. Aquaria shrugged.
"Maybe he's got a crush on me because of my stunning good looks," she quipped sarcastically, tossing her hair. They all laughed. Aquaria was very pretty indeed, with big emerald green eyes, and curly medium brown hair that reached her hips, and in the sun shone with natural reddish-gold highlights. But the chance Draco Malfoy would like a close friend of Harry's was incredibly slim; he rarely went out with Gryffindors, with the exceptions of Parvati Patil and Lavendar Brown, who were known for their promiscuousness with the boys.
"Yeah, and I'm Snape's favorite student too," snorted Harry. Aquaria looked back over at Draco's table as the other three became lost in conversation again, gazing at Draco thoughtfully. He had now stopped staring at her and looked lost in thought, a wistful look on his face. Aquaria's heart softened instinctively for a split second, there was a part of her that hated seeing anyone miserable; but then she remembered Draco was a horrible nasty little prat to her friends. Suddenly Draco turned his eyes back on her again and Aquaria looked away, embarrassed.
"Well, I really should get going. I have to study for potions; I'm near to failing," Aquaria told the other three.
"I'll meet you up in the common room in a bit and we can study together, if you want," Hermione offered.
"All right! If I'm not there, I'll be in the library," Aquaria said. Ron groaned.
"Oh no, Aquaria's catching the library bug from Hermione," he teased. Hermione gave him a pout.
"Hey," she said, pretending to be mad. Ron put his arm around her and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"Aw, 'Mione, you know I wouldn't have you any other way," he said sweetly. They kissed, and Aquaria's eyes wandered elsewhere. Glancing at Harry and catching his eye, the gave each other little smiles. Aquaria looked away, hoping she didn't blush, and looked back at Ron and Hermione; it was so obvious they were love. Aquaria was happy for them, but at the same time, jealous. It had been forever she dreamed of a fairy tale romance. She had had a few boyfriends, but none of them were special; they didn't make her heart beat wildly, her temperature rise, her knees weak, or have her continually smiling around them or at the thought of them. Aquaria stood up quickly, putting on her robes again.
"See you all later, then!" she called over her shoulder as she left the pub. But instead of heading towards the school, she went on a walk through Hogsmeade. Little did she know she was being followed.