----iii----

There seemed to be an odd buzz in the air as the students made their way to the great hall for the evening meal. Harry looked up at the head table and met Hagrid's smiling gaze. He returned the wave of the large Professor of Magical Creatures. His gaze then turned to Dumbledore, who gave him a discreet nod. Harry finished sizing up the table and noticed that Professor Snape was not in his seat.

He pondered the Professor's absence as he took his seat beside Ron. He leaned over to his friend, "Notice who's missing from the head table?"

Ron glanced up then shook his head. "No, who?"

"Professor Snape," answered Harry. "No one has seen him since he left class yesterday. Odd, don't ya think?"

"What? Oh… well I would think that you, of all people, would be relieved that he isn't here. You're always complaining about how he stares at you and makes you uncomfortable."

"Yeah, I know. It's just strange that he wasn't there to teach class today and now he's not here for dinner. Very strange…" Harry stopped mid-sentence as the rear door to the hall opened and Snape entered, leading two girls that Harry guessed were about the same age as he was.

The hall fell silent as the three entered the room and Bailey and Lake shifted uneasily from foot to foot as they felt all eyes settling on them. Dumbledore waved to them, inviting them to join him at the front of the head table. The girls cast a questioning glance at their uncle, who nodded and nudged them forward. Hesitantly, they walked up to join the headmaster in front of the fully assembled school.

"Students, I'd like you to join me in welcoming Miss Bailey and Miss Lake Snape to Hogwarts. The two girls are from the United States and will be spending the year studying here." Dumbledore smiled at the girls and clapped his hands together. The hall burst into shouts and applause as everyone welcomed the new students.

Ron watched with great interest as Professor Snape stepped up and guided the girls over to the Slytherin's table. "Wow," he whispered in Harry's ear. "Think they're related to Snape?"

"Yeah," nodded Harry. "I'd say so. They have the same last name."

"But who would think that girls as pretty as that could be related to Snape? I mean look at them. They're so tall and lithe. And that long, raven black hair and their blue eyes. They're gorgeous."

A sharp elbow to his ribs brought Ron to his senses. Hermione leaned in close. "And they are related to Snape and being placed in Slytherin. That can't make for a good combination. They are probably as snobbish as the rest of the knits in Slytherin."

"Oh, someone's got her knickers in a twist," chided Ron.

"Move," growled Draco Malfoy at his friends, Crabbe and Goyle. He pushed them away from him, making room for the new arrivals to sit on either side of him. He ran his fingers through his hair and grinned beguilingly when the professor escorted the girls over to the Slytherin table.

Snape glared at him and snapped his fingers. Draco immediately scooted to one side, leaving room for the girls to sit together. Draco glanced across the room and caught the stares of Ron and Harry. He nodded and his grin turned feral as he stood and indicated the space made for the girls.

"Over here ladies, I've made room for you," he said in a falsely sweet voice. He addressed Professor Snape. "Sir, as prefect, let me offer my services to the young ladies. I would be happy to show them about."

"Thank you, Draco," said the professor as he turned to his nieces. "Girls, I'm entrusting you to Mr. Malfoy's care. If you need anything, you come to me."

The girls thanked their uncle and took their seats. They felt very self conscious as they glanced about the room and realized that most of the students were still staring at them.

Dumbledore tapped his crystal goblet with the handle of his fork and caught everyone's attention. "In honor of our new arrivals, I've ordered a special feast. Come now, let's eat."

Bailey and Lake watched in amazement as food magically appeared all along the tables. There were platters piled high with hamburgers and hot dogs. Large silver bowls, their sides noticeably chilled, were filled to the brim with potato salad and coleslaw. Finger bowls appeared beside each plate filled with dip as baskets of potato chips and pretzels popped up between the other bowls. Many of the kids grumbled and poked at the strange looking food, which caused the girls to giggle.

Draco jabbed Goyle in the ribs as the heavy-set boy grumbled about the strange stringy stuff in the bowl in front of him. Draco turned to the girls and held out his hand. "Let me introduce myself properly. I'm Draco and these," he pointed to his friends, "are Crabbe and Goyle."

"Crabbe and Goyle," repeated Lake, looking from one fat, pimple-faced boy to the other. "What did you do to your parents to make them hate you so?"

Bailey was in the middle of chewing a bite of hamburger when her sister said that and she spit the half-chewed food across the table. It landed right in the face of a big boned girl with flat, dark hair and wide set green eyes. She immediately grabbed her napkin and was reaching across to help her hapless victim, when the girl began to shout.

"Why, you idiotic cow," screamed Millicent Bullstrode as she jumped to her feet. She swiped the food off her face as she drew her wand and threw a hex at Bailey.

Bailey was quick though and threw up a block that deflected the spell back at her attacker. Millicent's outraged scream quickly turned into a horrified bellow as she began to blow up and moo like a cow.

"Nice block," complimented Draco as he leaned in close and tried to hold back his laughter.

"Back off, Lizard Breath, or your next," hissed Bailey as she noticed several of the professors from the main table rushing toward them.

"What happened?" demanded Professor McGonagall as she skidded to a stop beside the bawling Millicent.

"She was going to hex me and I deflected it," defended Bailey as her uncle wrapped his hand around her upper arm and jerked her up.

Snape looked down at Malfoy, who nodded in confirmation. "Well, then it was a simple matter of self defense."

Millicent's face turned red as she mooed more loudly and shook her head.

"Oh for heaven's sake," sighed McGonagall. "Reversium!"

Millicent Bullstrode quickly returned to her normal size and her bawling protests turned to shouts of rage. "That cow spat food all over me! She deserves a week's detention for such an insult."

"Miss Bullstrode, that will be enough," scolded Professor McGonagall. "Now, I'm sure there's a logical explanation for what happened. Miss Snape?"

Bailey hung her head. "I'm sorry professor," and she turned her pale blue eyes up to the tall witch who stood across the table. "I was laughing at something my sister said and unintentionally spit my food at Miss Bullstrode. I was offering to help her when she raised her wand at me."

"See, it was all a simple misunderstanding," agreed Snape. "You girls must be weary after your trip. Draco, why don't you go ahead and escort them to the dormitory?"

"It would be my pleasure, Professor." Draco rose and offered his elbows to the twins.

Lake rose to stand beside her sister. They both wished Professor McGonagall a good evening and took their leave of their uncle. They brushed past Draco and headed for the large wooden doors.

Millicent had dropped back onto the bench and crossing her arms on her chest, she glared after the newcomers. "This isn't over by a long shot," she muttered as she allowed the girls about her to offer comfort.

Once in the outer hall, they followed Draco as he led them to the Slytherin dormitory. He stopped in front of an ancient suit of armor and called out, "Purple Pimple Pox!" The armor walked out of its alcove and stepped aside to allow the students to pass. Draco grinned as he ushered the girls into the Slytherin's common room. "Remember that password so that you can get into the dorm. Why don't you two make yourselves comfortable and I'll get us a little treat."

The girls looked at each other then settled down on the smaller of the two leather couches. Draco quickly returned with a tray of sweets and confections and three golden goblets full of pumpkin juice. He placed the tray on the coffee table and turned to offer each girl a cup. He took up the third then held the tray out to them. "Help yourselves girls. These are just a few of the perks of being the son of Lucius Malfoy. Stick with me and you'll have treats like this all the time."

Both girls waved away the tray as they sipped at their juice.

"Maybe later then," said Draco as he settled himself snuggly between them on the couch. He leaned forward and placed the tray on the table. With a self-satisfied smile, he glanced from one sister to the other. "So, you two are from the states? My mother said that we might visit the states after I graduate. I think it would be interesting. Maybe you could come with us and show us around?" Draco feigned a yawn and stretched his arms over his head. As nonchalantly as he could manage, he settled his arms across the back of the couch. Slowly, he slid themdown the sleek leather till his hands rested on their shoulders.

The girls had been trying to ignore his less than subtle advances, but this was the last straw. As one, they pushed up off the couch. Lake looked ready to curse him, so Bailey spoke up. "Please, could you direct us to our room? It's been a long journey and we'd like to get some rest so we're fresh for our classes tomorrow."

Draco seemed undaunted as he smiled back up at them, "Of course, how inconsiderate of me. You take that hall there, go up the steps and turn to the left. You should find a marker beside the door to indicate which room is yours. If you need anything, anything at all, you come see me. I have many connections," he gave them a wink as he raised his goblet to toast them before downing its contents.

They followed his instructions and found the door marked with their names. They were relieved to find that they had been assigned a room of their own. Once within its confines, Lake finally let loose her agitation. "Did you see that? How presumptuous, the pig, thinking that he could tempt us with a few sweets and a big name. Who the hell is Lucius Malfoy anyway?"

"The man who spawned a pig," suggested Bailey with a giggle.

"We'd better get some rest," suggested Lake as she fell onto her bed.

"Tomorrow is another day," said Bailey through a yawn.