Chapter 8
Harry, Hermione, and Ron saw all the Slytherins were already here, along with most of the Gryffindors. A few seconds after they had sat down, Violet walked in, surveyed the classroom, and then took a seat near the front in the Slytherin section. She had unknowingly taken a seat next to Draco Malfoy. Since the teacher had not walked in yet, everyone took this time to converse amongst themselves.
"Ahh...I see we have some new blood in our midst." Draco said as he turned to Violet with a slick smile on his face.
He held out his hand.
"My name is Draco Malfoy."
Violet shook it and said, "I'm Violet Black."
Harry, Hermione, and Ron saw this.
"Disgusting! I'm not sure we should get involved with her if she associates with scum like Malfoy!" said Ron, very distraught.
"Ron! Calm down! You are attracting too much attention!" said Hermione.
Harry laughed inwardly at Ron as he fumed. Harry was about to help Hermione calm Ron down, but someone else walked into the room. It was a pretty woman with long black hair and raven black robes who was in her thirties. Her eyes were strict and cold, and her features were set in a no- nonsense look, reminiscent of Professor McGonagall. In spite of her hard features, she seemed to glide with her every step. She was indeed very graceful, even more so than her features seemed to allow. She stopped when she reached the front of the classroom. She began speaking softly, but, like Snape, had no need to raise her voice to be heard.
"I am Professor Nightshade. I am the new potions master and the new head of Slytherin house. I am here to help you understand the art of potion making. Now that you all are in your 5th year, you should be able to handle more difficult concoctions." Nightshade said, introducing herself.
While she had said this, Malfoy, believing she was just like Snape, continued whispering to Crabbe and Goyle about something or other while she was speaking.
"I will not tolerate any fooling around in this class. Any one student does not have the right to waste time that a sensible student may use to further their education. If it is clear to me that you know what I had covered in a past lesson, you will be well rewarded. But, if you cause any disturbances, you will answer to me."
Hearing this, Malfoy thought she was referring to only the Gryffindors, and gave a slight chuckle. This caused her to turn and face him directly. Malfoy looked back unflinchingly.
"Your name is Draco Malfoy, is it not?" she asked, almost threateningly.
"Yes, Professor." he replied, a smirk still on his face.
"I knew your father, Mr. Malfoy. He, just like you, thought himself to be above others. How wrong he was. I assure you Mr. Malfoy, I do not play favorites. Wipe that smirk off of your face. Do not speak when I am addressing the class. Cross me again, Mr. Malfoy, and you will regret it." Nightshade said.
Malfoy's grin left his face as he sat in shocked silence. She let the silence settle a bit before she continued. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were also shocked at Snape's replacement. They were not sure if she was better of if she would be worse.
Well...at least she put Malfoy in his place! thought Harry.
"Now before I begin instructing you on how to make a new forgetfulness potion, I would like for all the students who did the extra credit report on Phoenix tears over the summer to please hand it in now." Nightshade said.
Hermione was one of the few who jumped up and handed the paper in. Nightshade took a look at Hermione's 5 rolls of parchment.
"Impressive length, Miss Granger, but do well to keep to the point next time I assign a paper." said Nightshade.
Hermione sat down quickly, not wanting anyone to see how offended she was at the comment. Once everyone had sat down, Nightshade spoke again.
"Now let's begin..."
* * *
Sophia and Cho walked back to the Ravenclaw Common Room after completing their first day of classes. They had Care of Magical Creatures with Slytherin, Potions with Hufflepuff, and Herbology with Gryffindor. It was quite a long day for the both of them. Once they got inside, they both immediately decided to go to bed.
"Wow! I didn't think we'd get homework on the first day! Man, they're really putting it to the grindstone this year, aren't they?" said Cho, "Especially with the new Potions teacher..."
"Oh...yeah..." Sophia replied distractedly, still thinking about her encounter with Draco on the Hogwarts express.
"What did you think of Professor Nightshade? She sure beats Snape, but man, is she strict! At least she is fair..." said Cho.
"Hmm...that's true..." Replied Sophia.
Cho misinterpreted Sophia's short and distracted replies as tiredness, so she said, "Well, we'd better go to sleep then. We have to get up early tomorrow. Good night Sophia."
"Good night Cho." Sophia said.
With that, Cho got into bed and turned the light off in the room, leaving Sophia in darkness. She sat on her bed and drew the curtains around her. She fingered her dragon claw necklace. It was once her mother's, and now it was hers. She was certain that this necklace was a Dark Artifact with powers locked within it unknown to her. She had tried researching it, but to no avail. She was unable to find what powers lay inside, but one thing she did know was who the original owner of this artifact was. The person from whom her mother procured it from. The identity of this person is what caused her to be so certain of the artifact's Dark origins. This person was none other than Draco's father, Lucius Malfoy. But she and her mother shared another secret that connected them closer to his father and himself than Draco ever knew. Because his father and her father were one and the same. It was this secret that threatened her and Draco's lives as they knew them, if he revealed what he knew about the dragon claw necklace. She hated her father with a passion. She hated his lies, his treachery, and his self centered nature. But the one thing that she hated even more than all of those things was the fact that her mother still loved him, after all he had done to her.
Why can't she see that he doesn't care about her one bit? He was using her for his own selfish ends, and yet she still forgives him?!? How can she be so blind? She thought.
There was much more to this story than Draco knew. This story dates back to that one fateful day in Knockturn Alley two years ago. It was the day that she had received this necklace from her mother and it was also the day she found out who her father was. That day had not started out in Knockturn Alley, but in actuality, it started in Diagon Alley where Sophia was shopping for her school supplies. After she had picked up her essential books, parchment, and quills, her mother pulled her aside to a more quiet and deserted part of the alley to talk to her.
"There is one more place that we must go before we leave for home. Knockturn Alley. I have business there." She said quietly.
"Knockturn Alley? But what kind of business would you have there?" Sophia replied with surprise, remembering all the rumors she heard about that dark place.
It was only then that Sophia noticed the dragon claw necklace around her mother's neck. She had never seen this necklace before and this made her all the more suspicious of the nature of the business that her mother had in that place. Her mother gave Sophia a half pained look of sorts, but instead of answering her daughter's question, just turned and walked off quickly, forcing Sophia to set a brisk pace to keep up. Sophia was quickly lost in the twists and turns her mother made though the alleyways, but her mother seemed to know exactly where she was going. Soon her mother stopped in front of a particularly dingy looking shop. Apparently they had reached their destination. Her mother walked in without a word. She saw a man with strikingly silvery blonde hair waiting in the back of the shop for them. As she and her mother approached the man, she saw that it was Lucius Malfoy Before she could even wonder what this all was about, her mother turned to her and quietly told her to let them alone for a moment so that she could discuss something with him. She walked past them both, giving her mother a curious look and Mr. Malfoy a thinly veiled glare as she explored deeper into the shop. She had heard about the Malfoys and how deeply immersed in the Dark Arts they were. She wanted her mother and herself to have nothing to do with them. Little did she know how soon she would find out that the deed was already done. She and her mother were more deeply involved with the Malfoys than she could have ever imagined. She explored the strange shop she was in and soon figured out this was a shop filled with Dark artifacts. She did not feel safe here at all. But hearing her mother's voice drew her back to where she had left her with Mr. Malfoy. She did not want them to know that she was listening to them, so she stayed hidden in the shelves.
"Why have you called me here Serena?" Lucius said in a cold, cruel tone, "You knew that we were never to meet again."
My mother on a first name basis with Mr. Malfoy? Sophia thought with surprise.
His eyes strayed to her neck as he saw the necklace. He then smiled, but it was as cold and cruel as his voice.
"Ahh. I see you have kept that old relic. Much good it will do you now."
Her mother patiently took the abuse and she looked straight into his eyes.
"Lucius...I called you here because I didn't think it was fair to keep our daughter in the dark anymore. She needs to know the truth." Serena McArthur said.
Daughter?!? Sophia thought in surprise. How could I have not heard of this girl from my mother?
"Look, Serena, I don't have time for a silly heart to heart chat with the girl. I have business to take care of. And I can't take the risk of being seen talking about this to you in public." Lucius said harshly, "What do you want? Money? I'll gladly give it to you if you would kindly leave me to my family."
"I want nothing from you Lucius. I just want our daughter to hear the truth from your own lips. Sophia deserves to know." Serena replied with a slight edge in her voice.
What!?! I am Lucius Malfoy's daughter?!? Sophia thought, feeling herself going numb from the shock, I cannot be that vile excuse for a human being's daughter!
Lucius looked at Serena for a moment and then laughed coldly at her.
"I will do no such thing, Serena. That girl is not my daughter, she is yours. Only yours."
He turned to walk out of the shop, but then changed his mind. He saw Serena looking at him pain in her eyes.
"I ought to take that necklace back from you." Said Lucius.
Serena wordlessly took it off, and handed it to him, but he only held up his hand. Unknown to Serena and Lucius, Draco walked into the shop looking for his father. Only Sophia was aware of him, but she said nothing, still in shock and still curious about what would happen next. Draco was about to interrupt his father to ask if they were leaving, but sensing the importance of this situation, he kept quiet.
"But I really have no use for it anymore. It possesses dark magic and lately the Ministry of Magic have been doing searches in my house. They would find it highly suspicious if I had it, especially since I have great influence in the Ministry. But it would hardly matter if they found it with you. It's not like you have much to lose."
Draco decided it was time to let his presence be known.
"Dad...are we leaving now?" Draco said.
"Yes, Draco, we are leaving. Good bye Ms. McArthur." Said Lucius.
With that, Lucius walked out. Draco looked at Serena, and then sneered at Sophia before following him out. Sophia stepped out from the shelves and walked up to her mother without a word. Serena gave her daughter a knowing look, and then they both left the shop as well. In the two years that passed from that day, Sophia's life was forever changed. Her mother never mentioned that day again, but she had given Sophia the necklace as a gift. Sophia really didn't want it since it was originally Draco's father's, but she knew how important this necklace was to her mother, so she took it. Despite the people that it came from, it became somewhat of a good luck charm to her. She felt lucky whenever she wore it, and until Draco threatened to reveal the origin of the necklace, it gave her a sense of security.
What I wouldn't give for a family that wasn't half scum... she thought.
She lay in thought for a while, until she slowly began to fall sleep. She thought of what Draco said on the train, but then her thoughts shifted to Fred Weasley.
Wow, I was really fortunate to get to meet him...he is such an amazing beater! It's a shame we're not on the same team...I'd have gotten to know him better...Well, I guess there's no time like the present! she thought, drifting off to sleep with a smile on her face.
* * *
Finally the grueling week had come to an end and Hermione was glad. She just wasn't sure what she thought about the new Potions teacher, Professor Nightshade. On one hand she was more fair than Professor Snape had ever been, but on the other hand, she was just as strict as Professor Snape had been. As far as the week went, she felt less dread going to class than she had when Snape was the teacher. She was a hard worker, and Nightshade expected it from her, and all the other students. But even she needed a break every now and then. She was really looking forward to the school's trip to Hogsmede on Saturday and spending time with Ron and Harry. Especially Harry. Harry had been in her thoughts ever more frequently. She would often find her eyes wandering over to him during class when she zoned out.
I really hope Harry doesn't think I'm weird now with me staring at him all the time... Hermione thought.
She never knew exactly how Harry felt about her, or if he was even aware of how she felt about him. She was certain that if she told him how she felt, he would feel really uncomfortable around her if he didn't feel the same way.
Harry, Ron, and I have been through everything together...I would hate our friendship to end because of my silly feelings... Hermione thought.
But these weren't just silly feelings and she knew it. She had them for quite a while. And she couldn't deny them anymore at the end of the third task of the Triwizard Tournament when Harry and Cedric disappeared. No one knew how much she suffered when she thought that Harry could be gone forever and that she never got to tell him how she truly felt for him. She had planned to tell Harry what she felt before they left for home at the end of their fourth year, but she had lost her nerve at the last minute. She had only given him a kiss on the cheek. But that was more than she had thought she could muster up the courage for. She wasn't worried only about ruining her friendship with Harry by telling him, she was deathly afraid of getting hurt. The last thing she wanted was to be rejected by someone she cared about so much. She really didn't know what she would do if that happened.
Well, I'm not going to get ahead of myself now. I'm just going to go have fun at Hogsmede with Harry, and I'll just take things slow. She thought, But that's exactly what I keep telling myself! I need to get some courage!!
She knew this was not the weekend she was getting any courage.
This is just the first weekend here...if things don't go well, I'm going to have to face him the rest of the year until summer. I don't want to do that...I think I'll wait...she found herself rationalizing once again.
It was almost time to leave for Hogsmede. If she delayed anymore, she would miss the ride.
"Hermione!! Ron and Harry are waiting for you in the Common Room. They sent me to find out what's taking you so long!" said Lavender, rushing back down the stairs so she would not be late.
Hermione decided that she should do the same. She followed Lavender down the stairs and found Harry and Ron waiting for her like Lavender said. She was uncharacteristically late.
"Hermione! What took you so long!?! We're going to be late!!" Ron started complaining.
Harry just took one look at Hermione and felt captivated by her being just who she was. She wasn't like all the other girls who tried too hard to impress. She was his friend, and she was just herself. That's what he loved most about her. As Ron and Hermione bickered as they always did, Harry smiled, lost in his thoughts about her. All of a sudden, Ron and Hermione stopped arguing in light of their lateness, and noticed Harry staring off in the distance with a hint of a goofy smile on his face. Suddenly he realized that both of his friends were staring at him.
Trying really hard not to blush when Hermione gave him a quizzical look, he mumbled, "Okay, come on, let's go."
Then he quickly walked off before they could ask him what he was thinking about, or more specifically who, and they were forced to follow behind him.
* * * Violet sat alone in one of carriages taking everyone to Hogsmede. She had not made any friends yet and she was rather lonely. She thought a lot about Lydia and Arian and Notalans. She just wanted to go back home. She didn't even know why she came.
Oh well...practically every one else is here, and I don't want to sit in the Common Room all by myself...that makes me feel even more pathetic... she thought.
Then she started to think about why she was here in the first place. She was here because of that scepter! She had forgotten all about it in the excitement of getting left in a foreign place.
I've got to look it up in the library tomorrow morning. She thought.
Just when she thought that she would make the trip to Hogsmede in a coach completely empty except for herself, someone rushed in. It was that strikingly blonde boy that she had met in Potions. She had a distinct feeling that her house and his house did not get along at all. This reminded her of the house rivalries at Notalans between the Sekaran House and the Grendelon House. But she quickly pushed the thought out of her mind, she didn't want to think anything more about her home now. She turned her attention to the blonde boy who was now looking at her somewhat what appraisingly.
"You're in my Potions class aren't you?" Violet asked him.
He smiled slyly and said, "You are quite correct. It's quite a shame you had to be in Gryffindor. That's where they put all those good for nothing mudbloods – "
"Excuse me!?!" Violet was shocked.
My father is a Muggle! How dare he insult him?!? Violet fumed.
Draco looked at her in shock and surprise. It wasn't often that someone interrupted him this way. Violet then got up from her seat and approached him menacingly.
"My parents are Muggles." Violet said.
"Oh. So you are one of them. My mistake, they put you in the right house after all." Draco replied coldly with his eyes narrowed.
Violet quickly brought up her wand and pushed it hard into Draco's throat. He made a choking sound. She then grabbed his shoulder so he could not move.
"I do not appreciate people insulting my parents and people like my parents." She said very coldly.
Draco just sputtered in reply. He could not think of a smart way to reply because he had never been confronted in this fashion and certainly not by a girl like Violet.
Oh, god...what should I do now?!? There's no where to run! Draco stopped this train of thought and silently kicked himself. No, I don't have to run, I need to say something! My honor as a Malfoy depends on this!
"You can't do anything to me! I'll go straight to the headmaster!!" Draco said with a touch of fear in his voice.
Suddenly an evil smile broke out on Violet's face.
"You'll do that. But not until I'm finished with you. No one throws out insults like that around me and gets away with it. No one."
She muttered a few words of an incantation. Draco felt the wand getting hotter and hotter almost to the point of burning. When he was about to cry out in pain, the wand abruptly went cold. She removed it from his throat.
Draco rubbed his throat and asked, "What did you do?!?"
Violet kept smiling.
"Just a little truth telling spell that will cause you to tell the truth to anyone that asks you a question." She replied.
Just then the carriage unexpectedly stopped. Violet stepped down and looked up at Draco, who was still staring at her in shock.
She smiled and said, "By the way, it lasts for a month. Have a nice day!"
She walked away leaving Draco staring after her. Just then Pansy Parkinson walked up to Draco along with Crabbe and Goyle. She started hanging all over Draco. He felt more compelled than usual to tell her that she annoyed the hell out of him, especially by doing that, so he tried to avoid conversation by not looking at her face. She chattered on about something or another while he stared off into space, not even bothering to look interested or like he was paying attention.
She finally realized this and said, "Draco! Are you even paying attention!?! Did you hear anything that I've told you!?!"
Her voice was even more grating to his ears than it usually was. The truth was coming out now, and he could do nothing to stop it. The words just rolled off of his tongue, as natural as a friendly conversation. (as friendly as Draco gets...)
"No. I did not pay attention, nor did I even care to. I never pay attention to what you say. You are one of the most annoying persons that I know and the only reason I keep you around is to make other girls jealous. You have no other use to me, and quite frankly, you really are a nuisance."
Pansy first stared at Draco in complete shock. She just could not believe what she had just heard. Then when the words finally sunk in, a look of hurt crept upon her face. Then it turned to anger. She stepped forward and slapped Draco hard across the face and ran away crying. Draco held his cheek and watched her run. Crabbe and Goyle stared dumbly between the two.
I'm really not having much luck with women today... Draco thought, that mudblood will pay for this spell she cast on me!
Deciding that he didn't want to stand there and dwell on the subject any longer, he said, "Crabbe! Goyle! Let's go!"
* * *
Harry, Hermione and Ron had thoroughly enjoyed this visit to Hogsmede after being away a whole summer. Ron, of course, bought plenty of sweets at Honeydukes and was still eating them as they all made their way for the Three Broomsticks to get some butter beer before they had to leave. As they walked in, Hermione noticed that Violet was sitting at corner table all by herself.
"Hey you guys! The new girl is sitting by herself. I don't think she's really made a lot of friends yet. Also if we want to find out more about her, it would be way easier if we were friends with her." Hermione said to Harry and Ron.
"Yeah, you are probably right." Said Harry.
So the three walked up to Violet. Hermione spoke up first.
"Hi Violet! So how do you like Hogwarts and Hogsmede so far?" Hermione said.
"I like them fine. Thanks." Violet replied.
"I'm glad. Oh, by the way, these are my friends Ron and Harry." Hermione said.
"Oh, I've already met Harry." Said Violet, smiling and shaking hands with Harry after Ron.
All of them took a seat by Violet at the table. After that they just sat and talked to her about the school she came from and the comparison between teachers there and at Hogwarts, but she seemed a little uncomfortable talking about her family with them. This struck them as odd, but they figured that since they just made friends with her, she probably wouldn't tell them any detailed information just yet. They were also glad she was in Gryffindor and one of Hermione's roommates, so they would get to spend a lot of time with her. Finally it was time for everyone to leave. Everyone piled into the carriages that would take them back to Hogwarts. Harry, Hermione, and Ron invited Violet to ride with them. She gratefully accepted, remembering her carriage ride to Hogsmede.
Man, maybe I was too harsh on that Draco person...but he had no right to insult my parents that way...he'll just have to deal with it...
The four of them went up to their Common Room and then the girls and the guys went to their separate dormitories. Violet was glad that she wasn't quite so alone anymore.
* * *
Harry, Hermione, and Ron saw all the Slytherins were already here, along with most of the Gryffindors. A few seconds after they had sat down, Violet walked in, surveyed the classroom, and then took a seat near the front in the Slytherin section. She had unknowingly taken a seat next to Draco Malfoy. Since the teacher had not walked in yet, everyone took this time to converse amongst themselves.
"Ahh...I see we have some new blood in our midst." Draco said as he turned to Violet with a slick smile on his face.
He held out his hand.
"My name is Draco Malfoy."
Violet shook it and said, "I'm Violet Black."
Harry, Hermione, and Ron saw this.
"Disgusting! I'm not sure we should get involved with her if she associates with scum like Malfoy!" said Ron, very distraught.
"Ron! Calm down! You are attracting too much attention!" said Hermione.
Harry laughed inwardly at Ron as he fumed. Harry was about to help Hermione calm Ron down, but someone else walked into the room. It was a pretty woman with long black hair and raven black robes who was in her thirties. Her eyes were strict and cold, and her features were set in a no- nonsense look, reminiscent of Professor McGonagall. In spite of her hard features, she seemed to glide with her every step. She was indeed very graceful, even more so than her features seemed to allow. She stopped when she reached the front of the classroom. She began speaking softly, but, like Snape, had no need to raise her voice to be heard.
"I am Professor Nightshade. I am the new potions master and the new head of Slytherin house. I am here to help you understand the art of potion making. Now that you all are in your 5th year, you should be able to handle more difficult concoctions." Nightshade said, introducing herself.
While she had said this, Malfoy, believing she was just like Snape, continued whispering to Crabbe and Goyle about something or other while she was speaking.
"I will not tolerate any fooling around in this class. Any one student does not have the right to waste time that a sensible student may use to further their education. If it is clear to me that you know what I had covered in a past lesson, you will be well rewarded. But, if you cause any disturbances, you will answer to me."
Hearing this, Malfoy thought she was referring to only the Gryffindors, and gave a slight chuckle. This caused her to turn and face him directly. Malfoy looked back unflinchingly.
"Your name is Draco Malfoy, is it not?" she asked, almost threateningly.
"Yes, Professor." he replied, a smirk still on his face.
"I knew your father, Mr. Malfoy. He, just like you, thought himself to be above others. How wrong he was. I assure you Mr. Malfoy, I do not play favorites. Wipe that smirk off of your face. Do not speak when I am addressing the class. Cross me again, Mr. Malfoy, and you will regret it." Nightshade said.
Malfoy's grin left his face as he sat in shocked silence. She let the silence settle a bit before she continued. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were also shocked at Snape's replacement. They were not sure if she was better of if she would be worse.
Well...at least she put Malfoy in his place! thought Harry.
"Now before I begin instructing you on how to make a new forgetfulness potion, I would like for all the students who did the extra credit report on Phoenix tears over the summer to please hand it in now." Nightshade said.
Hermione was one of the few who jumped up and handed the paper in. Nightshade took a look at Hermione's 5 rolls of parchment.
"Impressive length, Miss Granger, but do well to keep to the point next time I assign a paper." said Nightshade.
Hermione sat down quickly, not wanting anyone to see how offended she was at the comment. Once everyone had sat down, Nightshade spoke again.
"Now let's begin..."
* * *
Sophia and Cho walked back to the Ravenclaw Common Room after completing their first day of classes. They had Care of Magical Creatures with Slytherin, Potions with Hufflepuff, and Herbology with Gryffindor. It was quite a long day for the both of them. Once they got inside, they both immediately decided to go to bed.
"Wow! I didn't think we'd get homework on the first day! Man, they're really putting it to the grindstone this year, aren't they?" said Cho, "Especially with the new Potions teacher..."
"Oh...yeah..." Sophia replied distractedly, still thinking about her encounter with Draco on the Hogwarts express.
"What did you think of Professor Nightshade? She sure beats Snape, but man, is she strict! At least she is fair..." said Cho.
"Hmm...that's true..." Replied Sophia.
Cho misinterpreted Sophia's short and distracted replies as tiredness, so she said, "Well, we'd better go to sleep then. We have to get up early tomorrow. Good night Sophia."
"Good night Cho." Sophia said.
With that, Cho got into bed and turned the light off in the room, leaving Sophia in darkness. She sat on her bed and drew the curtains around her. She fingered her dragon claw necklace. It was once her mother's, and now it was hers. She was certain that this necklace was a Dark Artifact with powers locked within it unknown to her. She had tried researching it, but to no avail. She was unable to find what powers lay inside, but one thing she did know was who the original owner of this artifact was. The person from whom her mother procured it from. The identity of this person is what caused her to be so certain of the artifact's Dark origins. This person was none other than Draco's father, Lucius Malfoy. But she and her mother shared another secret that connected them closer to his father and himself than Draco ever knew. Because his father and her father were one and the same. It was this secret that threatened her and Draco's lives as they knew them, if he revealed what he knew about the dragon claw necklace. She hated her father with a passion. She hated his lies, his treachery, and his self centered nature. But the one thing that she hated even more than all of those things was the fact that her mother still loved him, after all he had done to her.
Why can't she see that he doesn't care about her one bit? He was using her for his own selfish ends, and yet she still forgives him?!? How can she be so blind? She thought.
There was much more to this story than Draco knew. This story dates back to that one fateful day in Knockturn Alley two years ago. It was the day that she had received this necklace from her mother and it was also the day she found out who her father was. That day had not started out in Knockturn Alley, but in actuality, it started in Diagon Alley where Sophia was shopping for her school supplies. After she had picked up her essential books, parchment, and quills, her mother pulled her aside to a more quiet and deserted part of the alley to talk to her.
"There is one more place that we must go before we leave for home. Knockturn Alley. I have business there." She said quietly.
"Knockturn Alley? But what kind of business would you have there?" Sophia replied with surprise, remembering all the rumors she heard about that dark place.
It was only then that Sophia noticed the dragon claw necklace around her mother's neck. She had never seen this necklace before and this made her all the more suspicious of the nature of the business that her mother had in that place. Her mother gave Sophia a half pained look of sorts, but instead of answering her daughter's question, just turned and walked off quickly, forcing Sophia to set a brisk pace to keep up. Sophia was quickly lost in the twists and turns her mother made though the alleyways, but her mother seemed to know exactly where she was going. Soon her mother stopped in front of a particularly dingy looking shop. Apparently they had reached their destination. Her mother walked in without a word. She saw a man with strikingly silvery blonde hair waiting in the back of the shop for them. As she and her mother approached the man, she saw that it was Lucius Malfoy Before she could even wonder what this all was about, her mother turned to her and quietly told her to let them alone for a moment so that she could discuss something with him. She walked past them both, giving her mother a curious look and Mr. Malfoy a thinly veiled glare as she explored deeper into the shop. She had heard about the Malfoys and how deeply immersed in the Dark Arts they were. She wanted her mother and herself to have nothing to do with them. Little did she know how soon she would find out that the deed was already done. She and her mother were more deeply involved with the Malfoys than she could have ever imagined. She explored the strange shop she was in and soon figured out this was a shop filled with Dark artifacts. She did not feel safe here at all. But hearing her mother's voice drew her back to where she had left her with Mr. Malfoy. She did not want them to know that she was listening to them, so she stayed hidden in the shelves.
"Why have you called me here Serena?" Lucius said in a cold, cruel tone, "You knew that we were never to meet again."
My mother on a first name basis with Mr. Malfoy? Sophia thought with surprise.
His eyes strayed to her neck as he saw the necklace. He then smiled, but it was as cold and cruel as his voice.
"Ahh. I see you have kept that old relic. Much good it will do you now."
Her mother patiently took the abuse and she looked straight into his eyes.
"Lucius...I called you here because I didn't think it was fair to keep our daughter in the dark anymore. She needs to know the truth." Serena McArthur said.
Daughter?!? Sophia thought in surprise. How could I have not heard of this girl from my mother?
"Look, Serena, I don't have time for a silly heart to heart chat with the girl. I have business to take care of. And I can't take the risk of being seen talking about this to you in public." Lucius said harshly, "What do you want? Money? I'll gladly give it to you if you would kindly leave me to my family."
"I want nothing from you Lucius. I just want our daughter to hear the truth from your own lips. Sophia deserves to know." Serena replied with a slight edge in her voice.
What!?! I am Lucius Malfoy's daughter?!? Sophia thought, feeling herself going numb from the shock, I cannot be that vile excuse for a human being's daughter!
Lucius looked at Serena for a moment and then laughed coldly at her.
"I will do no such thing, Serena. That girl is not my daughter, she is yours. Only yours."
He turned to walk out of the shop, but then changed his mind. He saw Serena looking at him pain in her eyes.
"I ought to take that necklace back from you." Said Lucius.
Serena wordlessly took it off, and handed it to him, but he only held up his hand. Unknown to Serena and Lucius, Draco walked into the shop looking for his father. Only Sophia was aware of him, but she said nothing, still in shock and still curious about what would happen next. Draco was about to interrupt his father to ask if they were leaving, but sensing the importance of this situation, he kept quiet.
"But I really have no use for it anymore. It possesses dark magic and lately the Ministry of Magic have been doing searches in my house. They would find it highly suspicious if I had it, especially since I have great influence in the Ministry. But it would hardly matter if they found it with you. It's not like you have much to lose."
Draco decided it was time to let his presence be known.
"Dad...are we leaving now?" Draco said.
"Yes, Draco, we are leaving. Good bye Ms. McArthur." Said Lucius.
With that, Lucius walked out. Draco looked at Serena, and then sneered at Sophia before following him out. Sophia stepped out from the shelves and walked up to her mother without a word. Serena gave her daughter a knowing look, and then they both left the shop as well. In the two years that passed from that day, Sophia's life was forever changed. Her mother never mentioned that day again, but she had given Sophia the necklace as a gift. Sophia really didn't want it since it was originally Draco's father's, but she knew how important this necklace was to her mother, so she took it. Despite the people that it came from, it became somewhat of a good luck charm to her. She felt lucky whenever she wore it, and until Draco threatened to reveal the origin of the necklace, it gave her a sense of security.
What I wouldn't give for a family that wasn't half scum... she thought.
She lay in thought for a while, until she slowly began to fall sleep. She thought of what Draco said on the train, but then her thoughts shifted to Fred Weasley.
Wow, I was really fortunate to get to meet him...he is such an amazing beater! It's a shame we're not on the same team...I'd have gotten to know him better...Well, I guess there's no time like the present! she thought, drifting off to sleep with a smile on her face.
* * *
Finally the grueling week had come to an end and Hermione was glad. She just wasn't sure what she thought about the new Potions teacher, Professor Nightshade. On one hand she was more fair than Professor Snape had ever been, but on the other hand, she was just as strict as Professor Snape had been. As far as the week went, she felt less dread going to class than she had when Snape was the teacher. She was a hard worker, and Nightshade expected it from her, and all the other students. But even she needed a break every now and then. She was really looking forward to the school's trip to Hogsmede on Saturday and spending time with Ron and Harry. Especially Harry. Harry had been in her thoughts ever more frequently. She would often find her eyes wandering over to him during class when she zoned out.
I really hope Harry doesn't think I'm weird now with me staring at him all the time... Hermione thought.
She never knew exactly how Harry felt about her, or if he was even aware of how she felt about him. She was certain that if she told him how she felt, he would feel really uncomfortable around her if he didn't feel the same way.
Harry, Ron, and I have been through everything together...I would hate our friendship to end because of my silly feelings... Hermione thought.
But these weren't just silly feelings and she knew it. She had them for quite a while. And she couldn't deny them anymore at the end of the third task of the Triwizard Tournament when Harry and Cedric disappeared. No one knew how much she suffered when she thought that Harry could be gone forever and that she never got to tell him how she truly felt for him. She had planned to tell Harry what she felt before they left for home at the end of their fourth year, but she had lost her nerve at the last minute. She had only given him a kiss on the cheek. But that was more than she had thought she could muster up the courage for. She wasn't worried only about ruining her friendship with Harry by telling him, she was deathly afraid of getting hurt. The last thing she wanted was to be rejected by someone she cared about so much. She really didn't know what she would do if that happened.
Well, I'm not going to get ahead of myself now. I'm just going to go have fun at Hogsmede with Harry, and I'll just take things slow. She thought, But that's exactly what I keep telling myself! I need to get some courage!!
She knew this was not the weekend she was getting any courage.
This is just the first weekend here...if things don't go well, I'm going to have to face him the rest of the year until summer. I don't want to do that...I think I'll wait...she found herself rationalizing once again.
It was almost time to leave for Hogsmede. If she delayed anymore, she would miss the ride.
"Hermione!! Ron and Harry are waiting for you in the Common Room. They sent me to find out what's taking you so long!" said Lavender, rushing back down the stairs so she would not be late.
Hermione decided that she should do the same. She followed Lavender down the stairs and found Harry and Ron waiting for her like Lavender said. She was uncharacteristically late.
"Hermione! What took you so long!?! We're going to be late!!" Ron started complaining.
Harry just took one look at Hermione and felt captivated by her being just who she was. She wasn't like all the other girls who tried too hard to impress. She was his friend, and she was just herself. That's what he loved most about her. As Ron and Hermione bickered as they always did, Harry smiled, lost in his thoughts about her. All of a sudden, Ron and Hermione stopped arguing in light of their lateness, and noticed Harry staring off in the distance with a hint of a goofy smile on his face. Suddenly he realized that both of his friends were staring at him.
Trying really hard not to blush when Hermione gave him a quizzical look, he mumbled, "Okay, come on, let's go."
Then he quickly walked off before they could ask him what he was thinking about, or more specifically who, and they were forced to follow behind him.
* * * Violet sat alone in one of carriages taking everyone to Hogsmede. She had not made any friends yet and she was rather lonely. She thought a lot about Lydia and Arian and Notalans. She just wanted to go back home. She didn't even know why she came.
Oh well...practically every one else is here, and I don't want to sit in the Common Room all by myself...that makes me feel even more pathetic... she thought.
Then she started to think about why she was here in the first place. She was here because of that scepter! She had forgotten all about it in the excitement of getting left in a foreign place.
I've got to look it up in the library tomorrow morning. She thought.
Just when she thought that she would make the trip to Hogsmede in a coach completely empty except for herself, someone rushed in. It was that strikingly blonde boy that she had met in Potions. She had a distinct feeling that her house and his house did not get along at all. This reminded her of the house rivalries at Notalans between the Sekaran House and the Grendelon House. But she quickly pushed the thought out of her mind, she didn't want to think anything more about her home now. She turned her attention to the blonde boy who was now looking at her somewhat what appraisingly.
"You're in my Potions class aren't you?" Violet asked him.
He smiled slyly and said, "You are quite correct. It's quite a shame you had to be in Gryffindor. That's where they put all those good for nothing mudbloods – "
"Excuse me!?!" Violet was shocked.
My father is a Muggle! How dare he insult him?!? Violet fumed.
Draco looked at her in shock and surprise. It wasn't often that someone interrupted him this way. Violet then got up from her seat and approached him menacingly.
"My parents are Muggles." Violet said.
"Oh. So you are one of them. My mistake, they put you in the right house after all." Draco replied coldly with his eyes narrowed.
Violet quickly brought up her wand and pushed it hard into Draco's throat. He made a choking sound. She then grabbed his shoulder so he could not move.
"I do not appreciate people insulting my parents and people like my parents." She said very coldly.
Draco just sputtered in reply. He could not think of a smart way to reply because he had never been confronted in this fashion and certainly not by a girl like Violet.
Oh, god...what should I do now?!? There's no where to run! Draco stopped this train of thought and silently kicked himself. No, I don't have to run, I need to say something! My honor as a Malfoy depends on this!
"You can't do anything to me! I'll go straight to the headmaster!!" Draco said with a touch of fear in his voice.
Suddenly an evil smile broke out on Violet's face.
"You'll do that. But not until I'm finished with you. No one throws out insults like that around me and gets away with it. No one."
She muttered a few words of an incantation. Draco felt the wand getting hotter and hotter almost to the point of burning. When he was about to cry out in pain, the wand abruptly went cold. She removed it from his throat.
Draco rubbed his throat and asked, "What did you do?!?"
Violet kept smiling.
"Just a little truth telling spell that will cause you to tell the truth to anyone that asks you a question." She replied.
Just then the carriage unexpectedly stopped. Violet stepped down and looked up at Draco, who was still staring at her in shock.
She smiled and said, "By the way, it lasts for a month. Have a nice day!"
She walked away leaving Draco staring after her. Just then Pansy Parkinson walked up to Draco along with Crabbe and Goyle. She started hanging all over Draco. He felt more compelled than usual to tell her that she annoyed the hell out of him, especially by doing that, so he tried to avoid conversation by not looking at her face. She chattered on about something or another while he stared off into space, not even bothering to look interested or like he was paying attention.
She finally realized this and said, "Draco! Are you even paying attention!?! Did you hear anything that I've told you!?!"
Her voice was even more grating to his ears than it usually was. The truth was coming out now, and he could do nothing to stop it. The words just rolled off of his tongue, as natural as a friendly conversation. (as friendly as Draco gets...)
"No. I did not pay attention, nor did I even care to. I never pay attention to what you say. You are one of the most annoying persons that I know and the only reason I keep you around is to make other girls jealous. You have no other use to me, and quite frankly, you really are a nuisance."
Pansy first stared at Draco in complete shock. She just could not believe what she had just heard. Then when the words finally sunk in, a look of hurt crept upon her face. Then it turned to anger. She stepped forward and slapped Draco hard across the face and ran away crying. Draco held his cheek and watched her run. Crabbe and Goyle stared dumbly between the two.
I'm really not having much luck with women today... Draco thought, that mudblood will pay for this spell she cast on me!
Deciding that he didn't want to stand there and dwell on the subject any longer, he said, "Crabbe! Goyle! Let's go!"
* * *
Harry, Hermione and Ron had thoroughly enjoyed this visit to Hogsmede after being away a whole summer. Ron, of course, bought plenty of sweets at Honeydukes and was still eating them as they all made their way for the Three Broomsticks to get some butter beer before they had to leave. As they walked in, Hermione noticed that Violet was sitting at corner table all by herself.
"Hey you guys! The new girl is sitting by herself. I don't think she's really made a lot of friends yet. Also if we want to find out more about her, it would be way easier if we were friends with her." Hermione said to Harry and Ron.
"Yeah, you are probably right." Said Harry.
So the three walked up to Violet. Hermione spoke up first.
"Hi Violet! So how do you like Hogwarts and Hogsmede so far?" Hermione said.
"I like them fine. Thanks." Violet replied.
"I'm glad. Oh, by the way, these are my friends Ron and Harry." Hermione said.
"Oh, I've already met Harry." Said Violet, smiling and shaking hands with Harry after Ron.
All of them took a seat by Violet at the table. After that they just sat and talked to her about the school she came from and the comparison between teachers there and at Hogwarts, but she seemed a little uncomfortable talking about her family with them. This struck them as odd, but they figured that since they just made friends with her, she probably wouldn't tell them any detailed information just yet. They were also glad she was in Gryffindor and one of Hermione's roommates, so they would get to spend a lot of time with her. Finally it was time for everyone to leave. Everyone piled into the carriages that would take them back to Hogwarts. Harry, Hermione, and Ron invited Violet to ride with them. She gratefully accepted, remembering her carriage ride to Hogsmede.
Man, maybe I was too harsh on that Draco person...but he had no right to insult my parents that way...he'll just have to deal with it...
The four of them went up to their Common Room and then the girls and the guys went to their separate dormitories. Violet was glad that she wasn't quite so alone anymore.
* * *