Disclaimer- none of the characters are mine. Kay kay, peeps?!
Mouseeee- here's all of what you want rolled into one package, Ash and Mare's meeting, and...the excitement! Hope you like it.
Hermione looked where Marie was pointing. The boy certainly did look Malfoy-ish. He stood next to the stool looking curious for a little while, but finally got the sense to put the hat on. The boy was sorted in to Slytherin. Marie collapsed with relief next to Hermione.
"I don't know what you're so happy about," Hermione whispered. "There isn't a witch or wizard in that house that's good, besides, you're not home free yet, you'll still have to have classes with him."
Marie groaned. "Really? How the heck am I supposed to watch Malfoy if he and Ash are in the same room? This mission is going to hell in a hand basket."
Now that the Sorting was over, Professor Dumbledore stood up to make his usual start of term speech. Except this year, something different then usual was happening at Hogwarts, to the delight of the Gryffindors.
"...And further more, each house has a partner with whom they will be having classes all year. Gryffindor has matching timetables with Hufflepuff, and Slytherin and Ravenclaw likewise. I'm sure you all know this year's new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Lupin!" the applause for Remus was thunderous, and then, "That's all. Tuck in!"
What happened next almost made Marie's jaw drop in amazement. The plates filled themselves automatically! It was like the food came from nowhere! Now that her shock of seeing Ash at Hogwarts was dwindling, Marie found herself staring at her timetable. She was relieved she didn't have to have classes with Ash. That would make her job so much easier. But the bad part about it was, no classes with Ash meant no classes with Malfoy. How would she watch him? She stared down at her timetable. They had astronomy here? How cool was that? At least she knew that she could handle one subject without any trouble.
Her first day of classes went by without much trouble. By lunch time though, she was ready for a break. She, Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked scanned their schedules while eating to see what was in store for them that afternoon.
"Oy, potions," muttered Ron grumpily through a mouthful of Yorkshire pudding, "is it that time already?"
"What's wrong with Potions?" Marie asked, forgetting about her French accent.
"It's taught by Professor Snape. He has it in for Gryffindor."
"Yes, but look on the bright side Ron, at least now we don't have to worry about Malfoy splitting a seam every time something bad happens." Hermione broke in cheerfully.
After lunch, they gathered their bags, and headed down to the dungeons. Professor Snape arrived a few minutes after the students, and gruffly ordered them to get to work on a shrinking potion, and threatened horrible things if it didn't go well.
After the lesson, the Gryffindor had a break, so the four friends separated. Harry, Ron, and Hermione went back to the dormitory after showing Marie the way to the library.
Marie walked in slowly, her eyes trying to take in all the details at once. Finally, she found a desk to sit and read at. Hermione had recommended some books to her. She thought she would start out with Hogwarts: a History. She found the book among the numerous shelves and sat down. She was deeply into it when she thought she heard a rustle to her left. She looked up, and there, to her surprise, was Malfoy. When he saw her looking at him, he gave her a surprisingly sheepish grin.
"Like that?" he asked her, his voice lacking its usual bored drawl. "I'm Draco Malfoy, but I bet you already knew that didn't you?" he was beginning to sound a little too cocky for her liking, but Marie managed to keep her cool. Now she had to make a decision. Who was Marie Cartier? Was she smart, flirty, slutty, bold? Who was she? I should probably be the kind of person Ash wouldn't know me to be, she thought, bold, and flirty that's me.
She grinned cattily at him. "Yes, I 'ave 'eard of you. I 'eard it was your custom to ask ze new girl out on a date."
A look of surprise flickered in his eyes. She winked at him, waiting. He grinned. "I guess you're the new girl, so that would be right. You do know that we're allowed to go to Hogsmeade on the weekends, don't you?" Marie didn't, and luckily, she could ask him what that was.
"It's the only all-wizard village in Britain. They've got the best candy store in the whole world." As he told Marie about the joys of Honeydukes, he lost his cocky manner. After awhile, they parted with plans to meet the first Hogsmeade weekend.
When Marie got to the dormitories that night, she was eager to share her news.
"I know how to watch Malfoy!" she crowed gleefully.
Her three friends stared at her. "How?" Hermione asked curiously.
"Well, I know it will cost me my integrity, and possibly my friendships, but we have a date for the first weekend of Hogsmeade."
Ron, who had been sucking on a sherbet ball, spit it out. "You little genius!" he hollered, "Malfoy can't be mean to us now!"
Marie grinned at him. "I'm glad you don't hate me for it. I'm going to bed."
After that, the weeks went by quickly, including Marie and Draco's first date. The first one was followed by many more, and by Christmas, they were the most talked about couple.
Mare hadn't heard anything from Draco about Ash, but she knew he'd find out eventually. She just didn't know how right she was.
She had planned to stay at Hogwarts over the holidays, but then her "boyfriend" invited her to come spend Christmas at the Manor instead. Marie obliged, and before she knew it, they were on their way.
As they drove away from the castle and throughout most of the trip, Draco told her about his parents. Marie was a little worried about them accepting her. Draco told her not to worry. There actually was a rich, pureblood family in France named Cartier, so she was covered there. They would be having houseguests too, but she would meet them once she got there.
After a very long time, they reached a very large house, and the carriage stopped. Malfoy helped her out, and they walked to the front door where Narcissa and Lucius were waiting for them.
"And who's this?" Lucius asked.
"This is my girlfriend Marie," Draco answered.
"Well hurry up," Narcissa chided, "The rest of the Redferns arrived ten minutes ago. They're waiting in the kitchen."
The rest of the Redferns? Marie's heart plummeted about a foot. Is Ash here? and his parents and the girls too, oh God how will I pull this off?
She stepped inside, and to her dismay, there it was. The soulmate twang. Narcissa hurried ahead so that they would be properly introduced. As she and Draco neared the dining room, she could actually hear what Narcissa was saying.
"Yes Hawk, Draco brought his new girlfriend Marie with him. She seems really nice."
And then, they were in the dining room. Marie felt like she had no clothes on. She couldn't look Ash in the eyes. Kestrel, Rowan, and Jade were staring at her with open mouths. Desperately, she put a finger to her lips.
Ash's father grinned at her. "Hello Marie, I'm Hawk Redfern and this is my wife Doe, and our daughters, Rowan, Kestrel, and Jade. Our son Ash is over there." He gestured to his left.
"Nice to meet you, Monsieur." She figured that as long as she was doing it, she wouldn't do it halfway.
Finally, she got up the guts to look at Ash. His mouth was open, but the second she turned her gaze, he shut his mouth and squared his shoulders.
"You don't need to introduce us Dad. I know her. We screwed around when I was in France a few summers ago."
He was covering for her!
But before she could say anything, Draco had launched himself at Ash. They rolled around on the floor, punching, and kicking and pulling hair. When Draco ended up on top of Ash he hissed, "You apologize. She's not one of your common whores." Ash swore loudly and shoved Draco over, causing glass to shatter, and house elves to run.
Finally, after Ash gave Draco a bloody nose then hit him with an Obliviate charm; Hawk was able to pull the two boys apart. After the Malfoys left for the hospital, all was quiet. At least until Hawk came back.
"And just what in the fucking hell was that?!" he screamed. "What were you thinking, attacking each other like that?" he had to stop and breathe. Then Ash said quietly, "He insulted my soulmate Dad, what else was I supposed to do?"
A/n- Props to dogs die in hot cars for giving me the idea for the fight scene!
Silver-tigress71- I try and add humor. Thanks for the review!
