What Should've Been…
Chapter 3: An Old Enemy and A New Friend
Previously on What Should've Been: Ron finally tells Hermione how he feels.
The following week passed quickly. Ron, Hermione, and Harry spent their days in Harry's bedroom talking and studying. Ginny and Aiden liked walking around the neighborhood and shopping in the village.
One Friday morning in mid August, a barn owl delivered five letters from Hogwarts. Hermione was, obviously, Head Girl. She was to stay in a separate dorm room and share a common room with Head boy, whoever it was. Ron and Ginny were still prefects and Harry was still Quidditch captain.
Also, Ginny and Aiden's OWL results came. They both passed everything except Divination. They were, however, not going to continue with History of Magic or Care of Magical Creatures.
"Mum, are we going to Diagon Alley?" Aiden asked after breakfast.
"I suppose. You're old enough to go by yourself?"
They all nodded vigorously.
"Good. Your father and I have to go into work."
Harry, Aiden, and Ginny walked down the busy street of Diagon Alley. Ron and Hermione had gone off on their first official date after getting all of their school supplies.
After only a few minutes of walking, someone came up behind Ginny, put their hands over her eyes and said, "Guess who?" Ginny began swatting at the person's arms and, once they let go, swirled around to see Dean Thomas cowering under her glare. Seamus Finnigan stood beside him, smiling at Aiden.
"Don't do that, Dean! You almost gave me a heart attack. Are you insane! You can't sneak up on people like that. Not with You-Know-Who and his Death Eaters everywhere!" Ginny shouted at him.
"Sorry, Ginny," Dean replied quietly.
"It's okay just don't do it again."
"Hey, Harry, Aiden," Dean said turning to them.
"Hey, Harry. Hi, Aiden," Seamus added.
"Hey," they replied.
Seamus glanced at his watch and sighed. "Sorry guys. I have to go. Tell Hermione and Ron I said hey. Where are they by the way?"
"Oh, out on a date," Aiden said.
"So Ron finally told her how he felt?" Dean asked.
"Yeah."
"Took long enough. Well anyway, see you on the first. Bye, Aiden," Seamus said.
"Bye," she replied, smiling seductively.
"You guys wouldn't mind if I stole Ginny away for a while would you?" Dean asked taking his girlfriend's hand in his.
"What if I mind?" Ginny asked, sliding her hand out of his grip.
"Excuse me?" Dean asked looking at her concernedly.
"Nevermind. Let's go. I'll meet you guys in the Leaky Cauldron in about half an hour okay?"
"Okay."
Ten minutes later, Aiden and Harry say at Florien Fortescue's, eating ice cream cones.
"Isn't this lovely? Sitting in the middle of Diagon Alley with my kid sister," Harry said sarcastically.
"Shut up. You should feel privileged to be in my presence. I, on the other hand, feel as if I'm going to be ill. However, I would like to ask you something. I saw your face when Dean came to get Ginny. It had disappointment and jealousy written all over it. So tell me, brother. Do you like Ginny?" Aiden retorted, finishing off her ice cream.
"Of course not. She's my best friend's little sister. She's my little sister's best friend. She's like family. Although, I can't say she isn't nice and funny and pretty," Harry said smiling. Aiden had her answer.
"Okay, that's all I need. Thank you."
The bell over the door rang and Neville and Luna walked in.
"Luna!" Aiden jumped out of her seat to hug her friend.
"It's good to see you, too."
"Sit down. You too, Neville."
"So, seventh year. It's pretty big," Neville said to Harry.
"Yeah. I'll miss Hogwarts so much."
"I can't even think of leaving."
"I know."
"Have you seen anyone else from school?"
"Well, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione are staying at our house. We also saw Dean and Seamus."
"Yeah, we ran into Seamus on his way out. And we saw Ron and Hermione walking around together. I'm so happy for them," Luna replied. (A/N: Take that, Katie!)
"Well, isn't that lovely. Come on, Luna. Bye guys," Aiden said standing up.
"Wait. What?" Luna asked looking confused.
"We're going for a walk."
"Oh. Well, bye Harry. Bye Neville."
"Bye."
Once they got outside, Aiden got straight to the point.
"What's going on with you and Neville?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, you've been with him all day."
"No, I've been with him for about an hour. We were looking for you guys."
"So there is nothing between the two of you?" Aiden asked sounding a little disappointed.
"We're just friends. Besides, I think he has his eye on Susan Bones."
"The Hufflepuff?"
"Yeah."
"Do you have your eye on anybody?"
"No."
"You're boring."
"Why?"
"You're sixteen years old and you've never had a boyfriend."
"You haven't either."
"Oh, but that's different. If Harry wasn't always scaring the boys off, I would have one," Aiden replied, rolling her eyes.
"I can't say I don't like anyone but who would want to go out with Looney Lovegood?"
"Don't say that! Tell me who it is. I might be able to put in a good word."
"I don't know. I mean what if-"
"Tell me."
Luna sighed and closed her eyes. "Fine but don't tell a soul."
"Can I tell Ginny?"
"Sure. Okay. Here goes. Justin Finch-Fletchley." (A/N: And that!)
"Really? He's gorgeous. And really nice. A seventh year Hufflepuff. So, you like those older men, huh?"
"Shut up. He's only a few months older than me."
"I know. I'm just messing with you."
"Who's your latest crush?" Luna asked quickly changing the subject.
"Seamus was looking very good today."
"And a friend of Harry's. Maybe-"
Luna was cut off when someone ran into her. Aiden looked up to see who it was and met steel gray eyes that could only belong to one person: Draco Malfoy. At 6'2'', he towered over her. His white blonde hair was slicked back and she couldn't help but notice the way his black shirt clung to his chiseled body. As her brow furrowed, his lips twisted into his usual smirk.
"Watch where you're going, Malfoy," Aiden said firmly.
"Aiden, you really don't have to-" Luna started.
"You know, Baby Potter, I don't see your big brother anywhere. Are you sure you want to use that tone with me?"
"I'm not afraid of you and I DON"T need my brother to protect me," Aiden retorted, pulling her wand out of her coat pocket.
"You're not allowed to use magic outside school. You're not seventeen yet. It's against the rules," Draco said, though he didn't seem worried.
"One thing you should know about me, Malfoy: I'm not one to follow the rules. Let's go, Luna. This idiot isn't worth the air it would take to mutter a curse." Aiden turned and walked away, Luna close behind.
"You know, you didn't have to do any of that," Luna said.
"No, I had fun teasing the amazing bouncing ferret boy," Aiden replied, smiling over at her friend. Both girls burst into fits of giggles. Suddenly, something small and black stopped in front of them, almost tripping Aiden. An annoyed-looking witch, running from the Magical Menagerie, quickly followed the animal. She stopped in front of Aiden.
"I'm so sorry. It's this new cat. We got her a week ago and she's been nothing but trouble. But…she seems to like you," she said, looking toward the ground.
Aiden and Luna also looked down. The cat was walking around Aiden's feet and nudging her legs. Aiden kneeled down and picked the cat up. She fit in the palm of Aiden's hand and had shiny black fur and beautiful black eyes. As Aiden held her, the cat licked her thumb and snuggled to her chest.
"She's never been this calm before," the witch said.
"You know, I think I'll take her off your hands. How much is she?" Aiden asked, not taking her eyes from the cat's.
"This one's on the house. She seems really happy with you."
"Thank you," Aiden said watching the witch return to the shop.
"Are you sure your parents will be okay with this?" Luna asked.
"Who cares? Besides, I'll be at Hogwarts for most of the year anyway. Isn't she beautiful?"
"She is."
"Well, I have to go I'm supposed to be meeting the others in the Leaky Cauldron to Floo back home."
"Okay, I think I'll come, too. I'm done with my shopping."
"I can't believe you would buy an animal without our permission. Aiden, this is irresponsible even for you," James reprimanded his daughter.
"I'm sixteen, Dad. I think I can handle a pet. It's not like I could forget to feed this amazingly gorgeous creature. Isn't she precious?" Aiden asked her mother.
"She is very beautiful," Lily replied, admiring the cat Aiden had just brought home from Diagon Alley.
"Lily! Don't encourage her! That cat is going back tomorrow."
"That cat has a name. It's Isis. And she isn't going back. It isn't fair that Harry gets a pet and I don't."
"Well, one, we didn't buy Hedwig. She was a gift from Hagrid. Two, Harry's pet is an owl and a lot more useful than a cat."
"Mum!" Aiden complained.
"Really, James. I think Aiden should keep Isis. She'll be able to learn some responsibility. Doesn't that sound like a good plan?" Lily said sweetly to her husband.
James sighed and thought for a few seconds. "Fine but Aiden has to buy the food herself and I'm not paying when it needs a vet."
"Thank you. I'm going upstairs to hang out with Ginny."
"You have five minutes!" Lily shouted up the stairs. September first had arrived and, although they had plenty of time before they had to be at King's Cross, she always did want to be on time. All of the kids' luggage was already in the car (James had performed the charm to enlarge the trunk and seats) and now she was just waiting for Aiden, Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Hermione.
They came slowly down the staircase and walked out the door.
"James!" Lily shouted into the kitchen. He came out and followed her to the car.
"Do you have everything?" she asked the five students.
"Yes, now tell Aiden to put that cat in the back," Harry said.
"Her name is Isis and I will not put her in the trunk! That would be animal abuse!" Aiden said, stroking the tiny cat in her lap.
"You know for a fifteen year old, you are very immature."
"I'm sixteen as of three days ago you genius and I'm more mature than you were at this age."
"Shut up the both of you," James said from the front. "Now are you sure you have everything?"
"Yes," the five of them said.
"Good, we're going now."
The drive to King's Cross Station was long and quiet. Aiden listened to her Walkman that Sirius had rewired to play on magic instead of batteries. Ron and Harry slept while Mione read and Ginny talked with Lily.
When they arrived at King's Cross, it was 10:15 so they took their time getting to platform 9 and ¾. Once through the barrier, they found an empty compartment to put their trunks in. They said goodbye to Lily and James then Ginny went to find Dean and the Golden Trio went to find their own carriage, leaving Aiden alone with Isis. She didn't mind too much as she planned on spending the entire trip listening to CDs. And she did until about 1:30 when Ginny came into her carriage looking utterly pissed.
"What's wrong?" Aiden asked taking her headphones off.
"Dean is an idiot."
"Well, I could've told you that. What did he do?"
"He doesn't want me hanging around Harry anymore."
"Why?"
"He thinks I still like him."
"Do you?"
Ginny hesitated a little too long before answering.
"Oh. My. God," Aiden said, a smile sliding across her face/
"Aiden-"
"You do! You like Harry! You like my brother!"
"Aiden, be quiet someone might hear you."
"This is so sweet. First Luna then you?"
"Luna likes Harry?"
"No she likes Justin Finch-Fletchley but don't try to change the subject. I thought you said you'd gotten over him?"
"Well I had for a long time but spending all this time with him over the past few weeks kind of…I don't know…rekindled the feelings I used to have for him."
"I understand. As much as I hate to admit it, my brother has a lot of loveable qualities. Anyway, what are you going to do about Dean?"
"Oh, I've already dealt with him. We just broke up."
"Am I supposed to feel happy or sad for you?"
"Happy, I guess."
"Well, then, I'm happy for you," Aiden said, the smile growing wider.
"Thank you. I think it is a good time for change since we're starting a new term," Ginny replied sitting down.
"I think so, too. Now what are you going to do about Harry?"
"Nothing, he doesn't like me. I'll just have to try and get over him."
"You'll do nothing of the sort. I have good evidence that my brother is developing feelings toward you."
"Aiden, this isn't funny. Don't mess with me."
"I'm serious." Aiden proceeded to tell Ginny about her little talk with Harry at Florien Fortescue's.
"Tell me you aren't making this up," Ginny said, scooting to the edge of her seat.
"I'm not making this up. But you have to let him make the first move. It's just the way Harry is. Give him time. Okay?"
"Okay."
The Hogwarts Express came to a slow stop in Hogsmeade Station. Aiden and Ginny stepped off the train and made their way to a carriage. Suddenly, Isis, who was hidden from the rain in one of Aiden's cloak pockets, jumped out and ran back toward the train.
"Isis!" Aiden ran off through the mud and water in hot pursuit. By the time she caught her cat, the carriages had started pulling away. Aiden panicked and opened the door of the last carriage. She hopped in just before the thestral began the journey to the castle. She immediately regretted her actions.
Draco Malfoy was sitting on the cushion across from her.
"Baby Potter. What are you doing in here?" he asked, his cold eyes narrowing.
"Trust me I don't want to be here anymore than you want me here. Isis got away and yours was the last carriage left," she replied.
"What's Isis?"
"Not what. Who. Isis is my cat." Aiden held up the troublemaker who was now wearing an innocent look on her face. It was then that she noticed the badge on Malfoy's chest. So he was Head Boy.
"Hermione is going to be pissed," Aiden said more to herself than anyone else.
"Excuse me?" Malfoy asked.
"Hermione made Head Girl. She's going to be pissed that she has to share a common room with you."
"Damn. An entire year with that filthy little mudblood? I'd rather die," Malfoy said, looking Aiden straight in the eye.
"That can be arranged. Everte statum." Aiden pointed her wand straight at Malfoy as she spoke the charm. There was a loud bang as he hit the carriage wall and broke through. Luckily, they had just come to a stop. Aiden hopped out of the large hole he had made. The entire school was on the steps and they were all staring at her. She looked down to where Malfoy lay, sprawled in the mud and unconscious.
"Miss Potter!"
"Here we go," Aiden mumbled to herself as Professor McGonagall ran down the stairs.
"What have you done!" She kneeled down and checked Malfoy's pulse. Then she conjured a stretcher and levitated his body on top of it. "Go wait in my office. I'll be in after I take Mr. Malfoy to the hospital wing. You might want to be praying I don't expel you."
Aiden waited in McGonagall's office for almost forty-five minutes. Finally, the door opened and McGonagall sat at her desk.
"I won't ask you why you would do something like this. There is no excuse for attacking another student. Ever. If Mr. Malfoy did or said something, you should have come to a teacher and one of us would have handled it. I believe whole-heartedly that you should be on the train home tomorrow. However, you'll be happy to hear that Professor Dumbledore has asked me to give you another chance. Fifty points will be taken from Gryffindor house. You will also have four detentions. If you miss one of them, you will be packing for home before you can blink and I have a good feeling that your parents wouldn't be pleased to have to take you back. Do you understand?"
"Yes, professor. When are my detentions?"
"As soon as Mr. Malfoy gets out of the Hospital Wing."
"Is he getting detention too?" Aiden asked hopefully.
"Of course not. His first duty as Head Boy will be holding your detentions." Aiden was positive she saw a trace of a smile on her Head of House's face.
"Right."
"Now, if you want something to eat-"
"No, I'm fine. I'm just going to go to bed. Long day, you know. Good night, professor." Aiden left the office, grinning wildly.
A/N: Sooooooo! Long chapter. Finally, we're getting into the whole Aiden/Draco thing. I hope you liked it. There was a lot of information to process. I loved writing this chapter and the next few are going to be even better. Please leave a review! Thanks!