Chapter 23
The students filled the Great Hall and were chatting loudly about their Christmas Holiday. There was a mixture of excitement and sadness in the air now that school was back in session. As the feast began Ginny looked over at Draco who was talking to some of his Quidditch players. She could tell he was going over strategy by the movements of his hands and the expression on his face. His player's eyes were glued onto him as they were listening intently. Ginny loved to watch him address his team in such a commanding way. Draco must have felt her watching him because he stopped speaking suddenly and looked directly at her. His entire team turned their heads to see what he was looking at and realized it was Ginny. Before anyone could put it together, the doors of the Great Hall opened and slammed shut loudly.
Everyone in the Great Hall stopped and stared at the new girl who was walking quickly towards the staff table. Dumbledore stood and waived the girl over. It was obvious that she was Draco's cousin. Anyone could have known it. She bore the same soft blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. She was short and petite but walked with even more confidence than Draco. Her hair was long, straight, and reached her waist. In Ginny's opinion, she was rather pretty. Harry leaned back behind Ron to get a better look at her and fell off the bench onto his back. Ron grabbed his arm and helped him back up as a few Gryffindor's laughed at him.
Dumbledore door beckoned her over to where he was standing next to the stool that held the sorting hat. "If I could have your attention for a moment. I would like to introduce our newest seventh year student transferring from Durmstrang, Emmery Malfoy." The entire Great Hall erupted in whispers as many looked over at Draco who ignored the attention and smiled at his cousin. She smiled back confidently and winked at him. "Miss Malfoy if you would please have a seat, you will be sorted into your house." Dumbledore then leaned in and whispered into her ear. "And yet I daresay I have a hunch of where you will be sorted."
Emery laughed silently and sat on the stool as Dumbledore placed the hat on her head. "Slytherin!" The Slytherin table cheered and clapped loudly as Emmery walked to their table. Draco stood and offered her his seat after kissing her on the cheek. He towered over her but still there resemblance was intriguing. Ginny had never seen Draco treat anyone other than herself with so much respect. Seeing him interact with Emmery pleased her very much.
As the Great Hall emptied, Hermione excused herself to go introduce herself to Emmery. Ron began to protest. "What do you want to go meet her for Hermione? She'll just call you something terrible."
"Because I'm Head Girl Ronald and it's the proper thing to do. And it's not fair to judge her so quickly. You haven't even spoken a word to her yet." Hermione snapped.
"Yet? What do you mean yet?" Ron began to lower his voice. "One Malfoy is more than enough for my lifetime."
"Rubbish! Goodnight." Hermione said as she headed for the Slytherin table. Draco noticed her coming and stood.
"Emmery, this is Hermione Granger, the Head Girl." Draco said politely but with an anxious tone.
"You mean the Big Hair Girl!" Pansy shrieked making the left over Slytherin's laugh.
Before Hermione could respond as she was shocked that Draco said her first name, Emmery spoke sternly. "So that would make you just the Big Girl would it not? I daresay your mouth is as big as your backside. " Pansy's jaw dropped as Draco laughed and the rest of the table giggled nervously. "It's a pleasure to meet you Hermione. I can't imagine the torture you must go through having Draco around trying to run things."
Hermione laughed. "He is quite a challenge but I just try to ignore him."
"Ha! Good luck with that. I've been trying to do that since birth and it doesn't seem to work. Anyhow, I am tired Draco. Could you show me to my dormitory?" Emmery said as she yawned.
"You think I would show you anywhere after that?……Alright fine. This way. I'll be back for our rounds in a bit Granger." Draco said as he and Emmery headed for the Slytherin dormitories.
Harry was also on his way out having just finished speaking to Dumbledore when he caught sight of them leaving. Harry tripped over his own foot and ran into the wall barely missing Emmery. Draco chuckled. "Better watch yourself Potter. I wouldn't want you breaking a leg before our next match."
"Harry Potter? Forgive me but I pictured you much differently. I'm Emmery Malfoy." Emmery said as she grabbed Harry's hand and shook it. Harry just stared down at her with a shy grin across his face.
Draco cleared his throat. "Potter. Potter!"
Harry shook his head and began to stutter. "Um yyes I I am. Harry Potter, that's me."
Emmery laughed softly. "Well! I can see you've had just as long of a day as me Mr. Potter."
Harry spoke as if in a trance. "Yes…Long day….What? Oh yes, I am a bit tired. I um um hope you like Slyth-Hogwarts. Oh! And it's just Harry."
Draco gave a look of disgust at the both of them noticing some sort of attraction. Emmery began to bat her eyes and stepped closer standing on the tips of her toes. Harry could smell her wonderful scent. She whispered flirtatiously. "Well it was wonderful to meet you just Harry. You're much more charming than the people I know say you are."
Draco rolled his eyes and cleared his throat. "Come on Emmy. I've got to get back for my rounds some time this century."
Emmery smiled and walked quickly out of the Great Hall. Draco waived his hand over Harry's face. "Snap out of it Potter. She's my cousin remember?"
Harry suddenly blushed. "I know she is. I was just trying to be polite."
"Right Potter." Draco leaned in and whispered. "Just keep your guard up." Draco left the Great Hall after her. Harry stood there for a moment wondering what had just happened. He couldn't help but admit that she was probably the most beautiful girl he had ever met next to Ginny and Hermione.
Dumbledore walked up to Harry smiling. "Do you need an escort to your dormitory Harry?"
"What? Oh no Professor. I just, well I don't know what's wrong with me to tell you the truth. The new girl uh, Draco's I mean Malfoy's cousin." Harry blushed again.
Dumbledore grinned widely. "Yes Harry. Emmery Malfoy."
The sound of her name made Harry's heart leap. "Yeah her. Is she part Veela Professor?"
"I'm afraid not Harry." Dumbledore said as he studied Harry's expression.
"Are you certain Professor?" Harry asked hopefully.
"I make it my business to know these things about my students Harry. If she were part Veela, you wouldn't have been the only one tripping over your feet." Dumbledore said in his usual gentle tone. Harry looked down in embarrassment. "There's nothing to be ashamed of Harry. Sometimes we all get a glimpse of our future and stumble at the sight of it."
Harry had no clue what Dumbledore meant by that but pretended as if he did. "Of course. Um, goodnight Professor." Harry left the Great Hall and headed for Gryffindor tower.
Draco led Emmery into the Slytherin common room where everyone went silent as soon as she walked in. Emmery looked at Draco and smirked. "Well they're not the liveliest crowd are they?" She said loudly.
Draco laughed and beckoned her over to the girl's dormitory. He whispered as he kissed her cheek. "Be careful Emmy. You don't want to make enemies with all the Slytherin's do you?"
"It would make it interesting though wouldn't it?" Emmery said playfully and looked around the room.
Draco smiled at her and shook his head. "Suit yourself. You know you'd really get along with Granger. She's just as feisty as you are."
"I think you're right. Any Gryffindor who is brave enough to introduce themselves to a newly sorted Slytherin is okay in my book. And to do it front of that horribly large girl!" Emmery said pointing right at Pansy. Draco pulled her hand down quickly but Pansy heard what she said.
"Emmy please. You haven't changed a bit have you? You're always looking for trouble." Draco said trying not to laugh at the offended look on Pansy's face.
"Alright, alright. I'll try to behave myself. So tell me about Harry Potter. Do you know him well? Does he have a girlfriend?" Emmery said quickly.
"Are you serious? I know our parents haven't spoken in years but….Are you serious?" Draco said in disbelief that his cousin didn't know much about Harry's past.
"Well I know who he is and what he's done if that's what you mean. I know your parents absolutely hate him. But, my Father hasn't really kept in touch with things ever since your Father called him a blood traitor." Emmery cleared her throat nervously as Draco suddenly remembered why their Father's had stopped talking.
"I forgot about that. It was a long time ago wasn't it?" Draco said replaying the argument he had witnessed years before.
"Yes. I believe we were about ten. After we left your manor that night, well things changed drastically. Father dismissed all the house-elves and well I really shouldn't say anymore." Emmery said as she began to fidget.
"Why not?" Draco wondered.
"Because our Father's believe in different things Draco. Look, I don't want to talk about it. We were getting along so well." Emmery snapped and looked down the stairs.
"You're right we shouldn't talk about it. It doesn't matter anymore. Goodnight." Draco said and headed out of the Slytherin common room.
Draco met up with Hermione in the Great Hall. "You ready Granger?"
"Yes. Goodnight Professor." Hermione said to Professor McGonagall.
Draco and Hermione walked in silence for quite some time until Hermione couldn't bare it any longer. "You're cousin seems very nice."
"Ten minutes. I knew it." Draco said looking at his watch.
"You knew what?" Hermione yelled.
"How long you would go without speaking. It's quite a fun game and I'm getting rather good at my predictions. Maybe I could replace Trelawney." Draco said sarcastically.
Hermione smacked him on the arm as he flinched and laughed. Just then he saw Pansy heading straight for them with a look of fury. "You evil little mud blood! How dare you touch him!"
Pansy drew her wand but Draco stepped in front of Hermione to block her. "Lower your wand Parkinson. I can fight my own battles." Draco warned her coldly. Hermione stayed behind him in shock of his actions.
Pansy looked utterly confused and her voice began to crack. "But Draco! She touched you! A filthy mud blood! You can't let her get away with it!"
"I don't plan to Parkinson but what you need to do is turn around right now and go back to your dormitory." Draco said in a tone as if she was a small child.
"But, but I don't understand. Have you gone mad? Let me hex her for you Draco….Please?" Pansy begged.
Draco walked up to Pansy and stood only an inch from her face. He spoke in such a cold and cruel tone it gave Hermione the chills. "I'm only going to tell you this one last time Parkinson. We're through. I don't want to have anything to do with you. And you know I never did. Go find yourself another pure blood to annoy. If you even attempt to speak to me or interfere with my life again I will use that Dark Magic my Father raised me with on you." Pansy took a step back with a look of fright on her face. "That's right Parkinson you know exactly what I'm talking about."
Pansy was trembling and dared to speak again. "But Draco, you're a pure blood and and so am I. We're meant to be together. There's almost none left."
"The only thing pure about you Pansy is the evil blood in your veins. Everything else is foul and tainted. Why do you think there's almost none left anyway?" Draco said unable to stop himself. "The evil purebloods are a dying breed because no one cares what kind of blood is running through your veins anymore. Well no one that matters that is."
Pansy continued to step back and covered her mouth. "But Draco! Your parents…Everything you were raised to believe….To do! What are you saying?"
Hermione realized the danger he had just put himself in and stepped forward. "Ha! You're such an idiot Pansy! I placed him under the Imperius curse. I can't believe you fell for it! So much for your knowledge on Dark Magic."
"What? Draco?" Pansy stepped forward and looked at Draco who was looking at Hermione in confusion. He didn't know what to say as he wasn't sure Pansy even believed her. He threw his hands up and shrugged awkwardly. Pansy stood in confusion as Hermione tried to think of another plan.
"Obliviate!" Hermione yelled. Pansy suddenly looked over at Draco with a dazed look.
"Um…That's right Pansy thank you for telling us about the first years wandering the corridors. We'll take care of it." Draco said quickly. "Now run along to bed."
Pansy was stilled dazed and turned and walked away. Hermione sighed heavily. Draco leaned up against the wall and placed his hands on his knees. "I don't know why I said all that. I know better! This is getting really difficult. Thank you by the way."
Hermione smiled. "You're welcome. I almost blew it with the Imperius curse bit. That was a little far fetched if you ask me. But then I thought about just wiping her memory of what you said so I did. I do hope I made it strong enough for her to forget the whole conversation. I wonder if I should go find her and do it once more. Just in case. You never can be too careful, especially with a spell like that. No, I'm sure it's fine. What do you think?"
Draco chuckled. "I think you've done enough talking for tonight Granger. I'll finish the rounds by myself."
"Are you sure? I really don't mind. I'm not even tired really. Especially after that little incident. I-" Hermione noticed Draco smiling. "Oh, I'm doing it again aren't I?" Draco nodded. "Sorry! Goodnight."
"Goodnight. Oh, if you see Ginny let her know….Um just tell her I said goodnight will you?" Draco said quietly.
Hermione grinned widely. "Of course I will." She turned and headed for Gryffindor tower leaving Draco to mull over the nights events. Was his cousin worthy of his trust or was she just as manipulative and shrewd as he? After his rounds were complete he took the secret passage to his dormitory to avoid being seen. He lay on his bed and once again replayed the chilling night his Father argued with his Uncle which changed their family forever.