A/N: As always, I don't own anything derived from the Harry Potter books.
The next morning Draco walked to his classroom feeling slightly on edge. He didn't know what to expect from Cara Weasley. It was disturbing how these two children had thrown him for a loop. It wasn't as though he'd never taught a former schoolmate's child before. Children with familiar last names had been trickling in for that last few years.
This was different though. He'd been rather excited to have even this very tenuous link to Ginny when he first discovered her niece and nephew were at Hogwarts. Just the thought that he might here bits of news about her from time to time raised his spirits sky high. Then the boy had made his rude inquiry and Draco realized that the resentment the Weasley family felt for him had not diminished over time. They were unlikely to allow him even second hand knowledge of Ginny's personal life.
Most of the students were seated when their professor arrived for class. Cara sat a few rows back and off to one side. She seemed to be trying to make herself inconspicuous, slouching in her seat or concentrating on her textbook. Draco began the lesson and forced himself not to give the girl any undue attention. Once in awhile he would catch her watching him intently but as soon as she realized he'd noticed her she would lower her eyes quickly. Not once during the class period did Cara raise her hand to answer a question and Draco could not bring himself to call on her and open the door to another uncomfortable confrontation in front of other students. Finally the class ended and Draco decided it would be best to get the awkward business over with rather than let it drag on throughout the school year.
"Miss Weasley, would you stay behind a moment?" he asked in what he hoped was a casual voice.
The young girl nodded. She waited in her seat for the other students to file out of the classroom before venturing forward to her professor's desk. Clutching her books tightly to her chest she waited for him to speak.
Draco studied her. Her straight red hair was pulled back on both sides into gold barrettes. She had wide, intelligent brown eyes and a dusting of freckles over the bridge of her nose. Her face was angular, almost pointed, with just enough feminine softness to avoid appearing harsh. She was slim and a bit shorter than Carter. She would likely make a good Seeker when she got older.
It was clear that Cara was not afraid of him. The tension in the way she held her books was from anticipation and curiosity, not fear. Now that they were face to face and alone she did not hesitate to meet his gaze. Draco even detected a slight impatience in her countenance. The sorting hat had made no mistake with this girl.
Taking a deep breath, he began.
"As I'm sure you are aware, Miss Weasley, I have something of a history with your family. It was brought up in class yesterday and I'm afraid I handled it rather awkwardly. It is my opinion that it is not appropriate to discuss personal matters during class and I was caught off guard by Carter's questions. I wanted to assure you that I am a fair teacher, although I do have high expectations of my students. My past relationship with your family will have no effect on my grading practices. Your work will be judged entirely on its own merit; I expect no more of less of you than of any other student."
Cara had listened attentively as Draco spoke. "I wasn't worried, Professor," she answered calmly, "My mum always told me you were a good person, no matter what Uncle Ron says." The smile that Cara wore at her last comment could only be described as teasing and Draco laughed in spite of himself.
"No, your Uncle Ron is probably not a very impartial judge of my character. Nor I of his," the professor admitted, "I'm glad you will not be ill at ease in my class."
Draco dismissed her and the red haired girl walked quickly to the door. Just before leaving, Cara turned to him.
"Professor," she called and waited for his eyes to meet her own, "Don't worry about Carter. He just wanted to see your reaction. He's a pain sometimes but he wants to do well. I doubt he'll bring the subject up again." With that she bounded out the door.
Draco stared unmoving at the open doorway for several moments after the girl had gone. It was a great relief that at least one of the Weasley children was not going to be a thorn in his side. In fact, he could see Cara Weasley easily becoming a favorite student with her easy confidence and genial attitude. She reminded him quite a lot of Ginny. His reflections were interrupted by the arrival of his next class and Draco turned his attention to his lesson plan.
Over the next few weeks Draco found that Cara had been correct in her assessment of her brother. Carter did not say any more about Draco's past with the Weasleys. He was indeed very focused on succeeding in his class. The assignments Carter turned in were impressively written and his practical work was sound. He did not, however, seem to enjoy the work. The energy that went into Carter's work was based on ambition and a desire for high marks.
Cara was equally intent on learning the spells but for her it was to appease her inquisitive nature rather than just to be at the top of her class. How the spells worked, what affected the outcome – these were the things that the red haired girl wanted to know. Whereas Carter wanted only to achieve the expected result; Cara wanted to dissect the process and understand why it produced the results it did.
Her determination to master the how and why of transfiguration often led Cara to seek extra help after regular classes ended. In fact, she came around so often that he wondered at first if the girl had developed a bit of a crush on him. Sometimes when Draco was explaining the particulars of a spell to Cara he would catch her studying him as she had that first day of class. The expression on her face was never the wide-eyed adoration that usually indicated a bad case of puppy love though. Ultimately, the professor reasoned that it was more likely just Cara's natural curiosity that caused her to pay such close attention to him. In any case, Draco was pleased with her swift progress in his class and enjoyed having such a bright, energetic student.