Chapter 3
They sat there for about an hour when a tired Remus Lupin walked up to them, he frowned to see who was left- not many were alive... several were huddled over to the side. Lupin went to them first... "As you see kids, the school isn't safe anymore... we will be sending you home, well to the train station in London... Where a few wizards you are delivering you to your parents." Lupin held out a necklace, which were just a gold chain and a ball that was very colorful. "Children touch this..." Each student touched the necklace and was transported since it was a port key.
Putting the necklace in his pocket, he then walked calmly to the other group, which sat Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Neville, Draco and the rumored American who would be joining them. "You guys ok?" He asked concerned, seeing most injured... seeing Neville's arm he gathered the kids quickly and took out another necklace that had a blue stone on it.
"I say first a hospital visit and then we will meet up with Dumbledore." The children and he touched the necklace and were transported to the hospital- that the kids were taken care of. Neville was the only one that had to stay there overnight and Lupin said he would pick him up the next day.
Harry looked at Lupin as he pulled out another stoned necklace, this one green. They were transported to a street near Sirius' house. They quickly entered the house and were rushed into the kitchen by people they knew. Mrs. Weasley looked happy to see them ok. But to have Draco there... it was a bad idea. But Draco wasn't talking; he wasn't in the mood for it- since his back was still bruised- it was just a bit numb at this time.
Dumbledore motioned for the students to sit around the table, the kids followed his orders; Dumbledore noticed Molly's face. "Molly the kid has a right to be at this time, you must remember that they even attacked their own children this time." He said as he shook his head.
Draco looked up at Dumbledore and around the room looking at the people sitting around him, he knew all of them. And to be with the Weasely's- his heart sunk as he thought to himself... his father did this, they planned this. Hatred grew in his heart, as there was silence in the room. Harry was the first to talk after Dumbledore. "What happened, sir?"
Dumbledore sighed, "It appears and Deatheaters and Voldemort attacked the castle... most of the teachers were wiped out and students. The survivors were sent home and the castle will be closed for the time being- until the protection spells are put back on the school."
Ella looked at the older man, "You must be Dumbledore..." she mumbled, this wasn't what she thought would be her first day at Hogwarts. Dumbledore smiled, "Ella Andrews, our new student from the states... I'm so glad your ok. But this is surely not a good year to start in this school..." Ella smiled sheeply, "That's ok sir."
Hermione, Ron, and Ginny were tired from everything... Molly saw this, "For heaven sake, kids its bed time..." The twins who didn't show up at the train, because of some business stuff, showed up now. Molly rushed over to them; "Now George and Fred will take you guys upstairs... there is enough rooms for all of you. Ginny and Hermione share, Harry and Ron share..." She stopped to think for a moment, "Ella and Draco, you will have to share with Neville- when the poor boy comes here."
Ella and Draco looked at each other, with wide-eyes. What was Molly planning on doing to them? Why were they paired up? But they followed upstairs with the rest of them. Ella stood by the door as Draco sat on one of the beds in the room. The room was decorated simple like. She walked over to the other one, and sat on her bed. She watched Draco as he stared at the ground. "Are you so stupid you have to stare at me like that?" Draco snared at her meanly.
Ella eyes went to slits as her cheeks went slightly red. "Oh I'm just trying to categorize you into which wild ape species you are, so far you look and act like a Baboon." Draco's eyes went wide, this was the first time a girl actually insulted him, well beside Hermione, but she doesn't count.
Draco laughed at what she said, "Like I really care what an American girl thinks." Ella smirked as she saw that what she said really bugged him, "Well you asked."
The room went quiet as they both stared... finally Draco stood up and left the room with some clothing. That is when she noticed that they had their trunks in the room... she wondered to herself- was this planned in advance? She went to her trunk and started unpacking her stuff and grabbed her flannel pjs. Then Draco came back into the room as Ella left.
Draco watched as Ella leave, he sat there on his bed wearing black pjs. Why was he feeling this way to that girl? And if he liked her way why was he acting this way. "Must be her fault." Draco mumbled as he unpacked his stuff, placing his schoolbooks on his bed. Even though they were out in school they needed to keep up on their spells and charms even now. He remembered what his father told him, told him that if he didn't get he didn't get O's on his Owls then he will be beaten and disowned.
With the school closed would they even had the Owls, Draco just knew that his father will take out his own actions on him... He had to keep the façade up that the Malfoys were the best out there- but on the outside of his ice-cold heart there was droplets of water that fell from his heart... and he knew exactly who was causing this- the first person that he care for.
At that moment Ella came back in with her hair free around her face and combed. Draco was speechless as he watched her climb into bed and turn off her light. Draco himself climbed into his bed... and the last thought in his head was, how was I ever going to survive the year with her around?
