Chapter 8
Home Away From Home

''Ginny. Ginny, wake up... We're at Hogwarts...'' Draco gently shakes her shoulders and she flutters her eyelids open. Draco smiles down at her and steps back. ''How kind of you to join us...'' He smirks at her as she straitens her clothing, trying to wake herself. She glances around to find the Slytherin boys all watching her with amusement. Pansy could be heard out in the hall already, bellowing impatiently for people to move.

Draco pulls Ginny to her feet and she stumbles sleepily, falling against him. His first reaction is to catch her of course and he locks his hand around her waist, resting on her lower back, and one on the wall to hold both of them up. Draco catches his breath as a tingling shoots up his spine. Ginny's eyes shoot up to meet his in the same shock. Her body feels like a live wire beneath his fingers, sending little tingling pulses up his fingers and through his body where she is pressed up against him. She can feel some sort of magic surround the two of them and pass between them, tugging her closer... despite the fact that they are already crushed against each other by her weight. The feeling lasts for only a moment but it feels like an eternity. Ginny's doe like cinnamon eyes glitter back into his own, and Draco vaguely feels someone tugging on his robes.

''Hellooo... anyone still in there?'' Blaise says impatiently Draco suddenly snaps out of his little trance and drops his hand from Ginny's waist, looking dazedly at his best friend and stuttering his return.

''Um... yeah... we're good. To the carriages then?'' Draco shakily steps from the compartment, wading in amongst the other bodies, followed by Crabe and Goyle. Ginny watches him go and only when she cant see him anymore does she finally turn to his best friend who is looking at her quite seriously.

''Be careful little Gryffindor, you might not like dancing with snakes...'' He says cryptically. Ginny stares at him for a moment in shock but he quickly returns to his previous, playful persona. ''Shall we away then my lady?'' He holds his arm out to her and she timidly links her arm through his, still thrown off by the sudden happenings after such a sudden awakening.


Draco makes his way down the train corridor, away from the compartment that he had shared with his Slytherin friends and that blasted Weasley girl... Draco shivers. He can still feel the tingling in his veins, his eyes slipping in and out of focus as his mind wanders from absolutely loving the sensation of what happened, to hating himself for letting it happen. Ever since that night in the dungeon with his father, Draco had been feeling a bit odd. He seemed to do alright as long as he isn't around Ginny but as soon as she comes anywhere near him... he is as good as Gryffindor. He pushes through the crowded passageway, toward the exit. He suppresses the urge to bash his head against things and continues through the crowd. Draco worries for a moment about weather or not that tingling sensation really was what he is thinking it is... If so... then things would not be doing well for him.

Draco steps out of the train and into the crowd of first years that had congregated around the train. He looks around. Normally that oaf, Hagrid would be bellowing for them all to go with him but... it seems that no one but students are around ...Sodded bastard. Draco thinks to himself. Probably got eaten by one of his blasted monsters... Draco looks around again to make sure before rolling his eyes. Oh well, he had neglected his prefect duties this long, he might as well help with what he can...

''Alright, First years follow me!'' Draco calls halfheartedly, pulling himself up to his full hight and waving his arm to catch attention. A few faces look up at him and begin making their way over, Draco rolls his eyes. There are a damn lot more first years than that...

''Oy!'' Draco bellows ''I said, First years follow me!'' Several more faces look up, some in fear of him and some in relief at having found someone to help them. Draco pushes through the crowd and heads for the lake, hoping to find a teacher there. He makes his way to the edge of the crowd and waits for everyone to catch up. He watches as several older students glance around at the tiny faces flocking over to Draco, smiling all the way. Bloody hell... What am I? A mother hen? He complains to himself...

As soon as Draco is sure that he has all the first years with him, he leads them all down to the lake where he finds the boats all lined up, exactly as they were in his first year. He scowls around at the little faces following him and shakes his head. Merlin... was I ever that young? He wonders, rolling his eyes.

''Alright. Welcome to the Hogwarts grounds. Please get into these boats here, only four of you to a boat unless you wanna end up at the bottom of the lake... which I can assure you that you don't...'' He orders,watching the little first years crawl into their boats. ''Good, now stay put... while I try to find a bloody teacher.'' He adds, saying the last part more to himself as he runs a hand over his face tiredly. A few of the closer first years smile at his last words and they all begin climbing into the boats. Draco looks around him again as the students crawl into the boats. He look over his shoulder at Hogwarts and squints hopefully at the entrance way. The sun has already nearly set completely and Draco can barely see the doors but he notices a little black dot that seems to be flying their way. He watches and waits for a moment. After about 5 or so minuets, the figure that Draco had been watching comes into view and touches down about 5 feet in front of him.

'''Rudy cleansweeps! Slow as hell they are... Hello Draco. Thanks for taking care of the little ones for me. Seems I owe you twice now.'' Draco stares in shock at the broad shouldered red head standing in front of him.

''...Charlie?'' He says in shock. Charlie grins.

''Yep that would be me... You might wanna go catch a carriage by the way... before your friends leave without you.'' Charlie suggests. Draco looks back and sees Blaise waving him over frantically. With one fleeting look at Charlie and the first years, he sprints over to the waiting carriage. As soon as Draco reaches the carriage, Blaise claps him on the back and pushes him towards the carriage door.

''-Bout bloody time... Almost left without you we did.'' He says cockily. Draco pulls a face at his friend and climbs into the carriage, pulling Blaise up behind him and flopping down in the seat.

''We didn't believe that our Princess was actually helping the lil' firsties did we Red? We thought he'd run off with Pansy.'' Blaise says, addressing the other person in their carriage. Draco looks over at the laughing Ginny sitting across from him and feels his stomach do an odd sort of flip-flop. He didn't think she would be sitting with them again. Draco sneers at Blaise to hide the shock on his face.

''Only in her dreams Blaise-y-dear... I just figured that since I had neglected my prefect duties all through the train ride, the least I could do was help the firsties. Especially since no one else wanted to.'' He replies defensively.

''Aw... Is my little Princess actually growing a conscience?'' Blaise coos, leaning over to pinch Draco's cheek, causing new fits of laughter in Ginny and a swat on the head from Draco. Blaise ducks away, cackling evilly.

''Shut it you. You're just jealous cause I got the badge and you didn't.'' Draco says.

''Na, I just love you.'' Blaise reassures him pleasantly. ''And you know you love me too so there's no use in denying it...'' He continues, picking apart the last cauldron cake. Draco rolls his eyes.

''Oh yes Zabini, I just want to rip your clothes off and ravish you right here... with Ginny in the carriage and all.'' He says, rolling his eyes as Blaise bats his eyelashes at him.

''Nothing stopping you Draco... avert your eyes Ginny dear, you might not wanna watch.'' Blaise replies playfully. Ginny giggles and pats Blaise on the knee briefly.

''Nonsense Blaise, love. I told you I wouldn't mind watching. You two go ahead and have fun...'' She grins evilly at the pair as they stare at her for a moment, trying to decide if she is serious or not. She just pulls out a chocolate frog out of her robes and bites down on its head, her eyes glittering in amusement.

''You really are an odd one Weaselette.'' Draco says in a ho-hum voice. Ginny lets out a short laugh, tossing her fiery curls over her shoulder with a flick of her head. She grins at Draco and lowers her eyelids playfully.

''You don't know the half of it ferret-boy...'' She takes another bite out of her chocolate frog and sits back, tucking her feet up on the seat and smiling unwaveringly at her carriage mates. Blaise breaks into a sparkling grin.

''Well then. I think you and I will get along quite well Ms Red.'' He says in a playfully seductive tone. Ginny giggles quietly and Draco and Blaise smile back at her. A few minuets later, Ginny speaks up again.

''I have a question.'' She says, earning both male's attentions. ''I understand why the two of you are friend but why do you hang out with those other three?'' She asks curiously. Blaise and Draco glance at each other briefly before turning back to her.

''Well, if you really get to be around them long enough they're not that bad.'' Blaise starts. Draco nods.

''Crabe and Goyle aren't that smart but their loyal to those they deem worthy...'' Draco continues for him. ''It was really their parents that told them to be friends with us in the first place but at the beginning of sixth year... when they discovered Blaise and I no longer approved of the dark lord, they stayed instead of avoiding us like they had been told.'' Blaise nods.

''And as for Pansy... Well, Pansy is actually very intelligent but just really horny and more than a little possessive.'' Blaise says, smirking. Ginny nods and goes back to eating her chocolate frogs.


''Welcome back for another year at Hogwarts, my dear students. I trust the summer has allowed you to thoroughly empty your minds for another year of filling it again, Yes? Good. Now please Professor McGonagall, we will begin the sorting...''

Ginny Weasley sits at Gryffindor table, alone as always, watching the frightened first years line up in the center of the great hall. She watches as Professor McGonagall sets the large, torn up sorting hat on a stool. Ginny watches closely, waiting as one of the numerous tares in the pointed hat opens into a mouth and begins its song...

Siting at the Slytherin table, Blaise glances at his best friend.

''You're staring.'' He says blankly. Draco silently shifts his attention to the sorting hat, pretending not to have heard his friend's comment. Blaise rolls his eyes and glances in the direction that Draco had been staring. The only vaguely interesting object in his line of sight seems to be the Gryff that had sat with them on the train. She had acted more like a Slytherin than a Gryff but she was still more brazen than any Slytherin would consider being. Blaise makes a mental note to ask about the girl's sorting.

''Your staring.'' Draco returns sarcastically. Blaise turns his glare to the gloriously smirking Draco for a moment before regarding him with a look of false innocence.

''Just sizing up my competition...'' He replies lightly. Draco rolls his eyes at Blaise.

''You know Zabini, sometimes I really have to wonder about your sexual orientation...'' Draco bites back at him.

''Only in your dreams Princess... Especially the ones that have you screaming my name in the middle of the night. Y'know, 'oh Blaise! Don't stop, don't stop!' '' Draco lowers his eyelashes flirtatiously.

''You wish I had fantasies about you Zabini.'' Blaise grins mischievously at his friend and chuckles evilly.

''Wouldn't you like to know...'' Draco rolls his eyes and stares pointedly at the front of the hall. He claps as another first year gets sorted into Slytherin. He chances a glance at the Gryffindor table and finds three very familiar faces glaring back. The dream team, the golden trio, Draco's worst enemies since first year. Draco matches their glare with one equally as deadly, if not more so. Draco nudges Blaise, who follows the line of his gaze and combines glares with Draco against the three Gryffindors. Blaise and Draco are glaring so intently at the Gryffindors that they barely notice that Dumbledore had started his pre-school year speech until they hear a thundering all around them. Applause. Draco's attention centers back on the teacher's table and he sees Charlie Weasley standing with Dumbledore's hand on his shoulder. Beneath the glittering candles and lamps Draco makes a quick assessment of Charlie. Many of the young women in the room obviously shared in this assessment since the grand hall had suddenly been filled with the admiring chatter of many feminine voices.

The vest being worn by the young dragon keeper appears to be Dragon-hide, darkened by use and multiple scorchings. The sleeves, having been cut off to reveal the result of his working with Dragons for nearly 5 years, are jagged and crisped from stray fire blasts and the front of the vest is held together by leather lacings. The arms revealed are dark bronze, rippling with muscles and thoroughly scarred, creating a rugged appeal for the Dragon keeper and adding to the aura of strength that seems to permeate the Weasley already. The effect is quite impressive but, decidedly, the most alluring factor of the entire outfit in Draco's opinion would be the skin tight leather pants. Not many people could get away with pants like that, but obviously Charlie Weasley can.

''Well then. Our new teacher has left no questions unanswered has he?'' Blaise says approvingly. Draco looks up curiously.

''New teacher?'' He asks.

''Oh honestly Draco, weren't you listening?'' Blaise asks with slight annoyance lacing his tone

''Do I ever?'' Blaise sighs.

''Good point... Yes, New teacher. Professor Hagrid is off somewhere and this Charlie Weasley fellow is taking his place in Care of Magical Creatures for the year... Lets just hope he's a bit better at it than that bloody half-blood oaf.'' Blaise explains.

''Hmh... I think anyone would be better than the half-breed.'' Draco replies.

''Another fine point.'' Blaise concedes. ''Now, about those trousers...''

''Merlin's beard isn't he sexy...'' Pansy announces. Draco visibly flinches and sighs in disappointment. The girl is positively disturbing with her annoyance some times.

'' 'lo Pansy.'' He says heavily.

''I think its the leather trousers. What do you think?'' Blaise asks conversationally, not even bothering to greet her.

''Well of course its the leather trousers. It certainly isn't the red hair and freckles.'' Pansy exclaims, plopping herself down on the bench across from them.

''I don't know... the red hair is sort of fetching in its own, sandy colored sorta way... and the freckles are barely visible considering how sun-browned he is.'' Blaise comments lightly. Draco reels back with his hand on his chest, faking shock.

''Blaise! My heart is wounded! Are you saying you fancy our newest teacher?'' He asks breathlessly. Blaise smiles back at him.

''Of course not! You know you are the only one for me!'' He declares dramatically. Draco snorts and glances over the teacher's table. The normal crowd, excluding Charlie of course, but Draco soon notices another empty seat at the table.

''Oy, Where is the new DADA teacher?'' Draco asks suddenly.

''I haven't the slightest clue.'' Blaise returns unconcernedly.


Across the hall, sitting all alone at the end of the Gryffindor table, Ginny listens as well as she can to Professor Dumbledore as he introduces the first years sorting, tho she is quite unsuccessful. As the first year students walk into the hall, a flash of recognition lights Ginny's eyes. Charlie! She sits up straiter and glances over at her brother to see if he had noticed as well. Ron, Harry and Hermione however are all to busy glaring over at the Slytherin table to notice anything. Ginny glances in that direction and sees Draco and Blaise returning the glare with even more vehemence. Ginny rolls her eyes and turns back to the front of the room. She watches as each new first year is sorted into their house and is amazed at how many first years there are this year... nearly twice as many as last year. She watches happily as her brother goes and sits in Hagrid's usual seat, smiling. She had noticed before that Hagrid wasn't at the train but hadn't really thought to much about it. As the last first year, a girl, is sorted into Hufflepuff, Ginny looks at the ceiling and finds heavy black clouds covering the skies.

''Ah, thank you Minerva.'' Dumbledore says, intent on continuing his speech. ''Welcome! Welcome to another year at Hogwarts. Now before we eat I have a few of our usual announcements... First off I would like to remind everyone that the Forest on the edge of the grounds is strictly forbidden, As the name suggests. Also, the list of items forbidden to have on grounds has been increased marginally to include several of the new Weasley's Wizard Wheezes and, for reference, a full list can be found in Mr Filches office... Also I have a couple introductions to make. First I would like to introduce Professor Charles Weasley. Professor Weasley will be taking over as our Care of Magical Creatures professor while Hagrid is away...'' Charlie is now standing at Professor Dumbledore's side and is beaming around at the students as they all applaud him. Ginny waves up at him and he winks down at her. Once the applause has quieted and Charlie is sitting down again, Professor Dumbledore continues. ''Also this evening I have one other person to introduce but it appears that she is...''

''Running a bit late. I'm sorry professor, our carriage got stuck in the rain.''

Every eye in the hall turns toward the entrance doors. Standing there, dressed from head to toe in a heavy looking crimson dress and soaked through with rain is their new teacher. Several voices in the room gasp at the sight but other than those few, there are no other sounds. The woman is gorgeous. Her hair is luxuriant black and shimmers... shimmers like dragon scales, drawing a multitude of colors into it and reflecting them all back to her admirers. The woman steps forward and the hall watches as a young girl steps out from behind her.

''Ah, good. Marie, Lily, It is wonderful to have you both here. Everyone, I would like you to meet your new DADA teacher, Professor Marie Boudroux. Lily, if you could please come up here we will have you sorted...'' Dumbledore says cheerily.


An hour earlier, during the new teacher's
coach ride from Hogsmeade station...

Marie gently strokes the hair of the little girl leaned over in her lap. She had refused to leave the girl behind at Beauxbatons. She did not trust many people with the safety of the girl so she had decided to bring her to Hogwarts, especially since there is a new head mistress running Beauxbatons ...Marie is not a very trusting person. The carriage lurches suddenly in a hole but Marie ignores it as the carriage continues. She hears the rain begin pouring down on the roof of the carriage and breaths deep. The smell, the sound, the taste of fresh rain had always calmed her and now is no different. She could never figure out how she had gotten drawn into this whole mess. The girl in her lap stirs slightly and turns her face up.

''Ma-mère ...is 'zer rain?'' the little girl murmurs.

''Yes love it is raining. '' Marie replies.

''Hmm... 'ze carriage will get stuck. We will be late to 'ogwarts.'' The girl says in a thick French accent, readjusting her head and drifting back into sleep. Marie stares for a moment before sighing heavily. The premonitions had been more frequent recently, disturbing the girl's sleep and often frightening her... Marie had neglected to tell her master, knowing that to do so would be to doom her daughter to being another pawn for him. Marie strokes the girl's hair again.

In the distance, Hogwarts rises high above the cliff side, shadowing the carriage in the bright red sunset. She vaguely remembers the last time she had been here. There had been four young men, all who had loved her at some time or another, even if briefly. There had only been one however whom she had loved in return... The one she had seduced, the one she had hurt beyond anything else she could have done. She remembers his face as clearly as if it were yesterday. Raven black hair, a kind smile, and the most startling amber colored eyes she had ever seen. She looks down at her daughter. The same raven colored hair, the same startling eyes, tho they could not been seen now as they are closed. Marie sighs again but is cut off as the carriage shudders to a stop. Marie glances around in shock but remembers her daughter's words. She gently wakes her daughter and begins pulling their overnight bags together. They would leave the trunks for someone to get later.

''Come on my love. It's time to walk. It'll be alright, the rain is warm tonight and the castle isn't far.''