DRACO POV

Draco sat at his table chatting and laughing with his friends when Dumbledore's voice boomed loudly in the mess hall drawing everyone's attention.

"Ladies and Gentleman I have an announcement to make, today we have a new student joining us. Everyone give a warm welcome to Isabella Potter!"

Everybody in the mess hall was too stunned to clap and he couldn't help but snicker at their dumbfounded expressions. He looked up at his father seeing him smirk probably thinking the same thing. It was a good thing he Godfather had already warned him of the new arrival or he probably would have freaked out as well.

The banging of the doors opening made him turn in time to see the girl. Snape had described her briefly but she was prettier than he imagined. In walked a short but petite beautiful brunette. Her hair was down to her waist and she held her head high, something he knew Snape had told her to do. Apparently the girl was lacking in confidence though he couldn't exactly imagine why.

For her and Harry to be twins they really didn't look much alike. He wondered if they acted anything alike, besides a brief description, a request to help the girl catch up in her studies and a brief warning to keep an eye out for her, his Godfather hadn't mentioned much else. The girl was a bit of a mystery.

I wondered how Harry would take the news that there was another Potter. The expression on his face had me covering my mouth to hide my chuckles. I didn't want to draw any attention and let them know he knew about her before anyone else.

My eyes darted up to the stage to see Mcgonagall pull out a chair and ask the female Potter or Bella to sit.

"It is time to sort Miss Potter into her house." Mcgonagall announced.

This part was going to be interesting since he and Snape had made bets about what house she would be in. His Godfather had said she was nothing like Harry. Much shier and kinder so he placed a hundred galleons on Hufflepuff. No matter what though she was still a Potter so I had of course bet on Gryffindor.

"SLYTHERIN!"

What

The

Fuck

He looked up to see Snape just as shocked at the outcome. Damn so much for those galleons.

"Move down Pansy." I whispered

"What the hell for Draco?"

"Just do it." I groaned. Pansy was a good friend but damn the girl loved to argue.

Luckily she listened and moved down just in time as Isabella was about to walk past us.

"Isabella right?" When I caught her attention she smiled warmly at me. She must of recognized me from my Snape's description.

She took my hand shaking it. "Call me Bella. You're Draco right?" Her smile was friendly and not fake unlike most Slytherins and it made me wonder if the sorting hat had made a mistake and HufflePuff was actually where she belonged.

I nodded and smiled back as she sat beside me and stayed rather close. I remember hearing that she was easily startled though I didn't know why. It was just good that she seemed comfortable near me. Something I was not used to.

"Potter right?" Pansy asked haughtily causing me to sigh.

Damn it, Pansy was going to run her off, I glared at my friend but Bella looked at her and smiled softly. "Swan actually if that's alright. I never knew the Potter's or my brother. My mother's name is Renee she said I had to enroll as Potter because of the magical paperwork or something like that."

Pansy seemed a little confused though I wasn't sure if it was because Bella was nice or because it was obvious that she didn't claim the Potter's as family. Still Pansy nodded.

"I have to admit I'm glad you're not close to Harry, we can't stand Potter's little group." I said and nodded my head in the direction of him and his friends.

Bella turned slightly and glanced quickly at where Potter, Granger and the Weasley boy was.

When she turned back around she sighed, "Why is the girl that's next to him glaring daggers at me? I've never even met her." She sighed again. "This day is starting out great." She mumbled sadly, for some reason it pissed me off knowing Granger was making Bella uncomfortable.

"That's Granger, don't mind her. She likes knowing about everyone and everything. She's probably just irritated because your enigma to her." I whispered

"What about the red head?" She whispered leaning towards me.

So I leaned closer, "That ginger headed twit.." I winked and she smiled with a blush. "Is Ronald Weasely. He's just plain stupid." I chuckled when Bella giggled. "There's an entire bundle of Weaselys in this school but Ronald is the worst. His twin brothers Fred and George you'll like. They love to play pranks and are always up to mischief."

"Are they in Gryffindor as well?"

"Actually their in Slytherin with us. A fact their family was very displeased with."

"All because they ended up in a different house? That's kind of ridiculous." Bella said sounding confused.

"Which house you're in is a big deal in Hogwarts and pureblood families."

"I see and you're a Malfoy so you're a pureblood right?" I nodded. "Sorry I only found out I was a witch three months ago." She whispered and blushed.

That took me by surprise as I was taking a drink of my pumpkin juice causing me to choke. Godfather didn't mention that.

Bella patted me on the back, "Sorry."

"You're going to be so far behind!" I'm sure my shock was obvious when she laughed nervously.

"I've been studying nonstop since I found out and practicing like crazy. I know I'm still probably behind but I'm planning on studying hard. I want to learn. I need to learn." She whispered the last part.

Something about the desperation in her voice worried me. Like she was hiding something but I barely knew her so I couldn't expect her to just spout out all her secrets to me.

"Well it's a good thing I'm going to tutor you."

"You really don't mind?"

I smiled gently, she seemed so afraid. I wanted to ease her worries.

"First of all, it'll annoy the trio over there." I said tilting my chin towards Potter and his friends. "Secondly the better students do the more points there houses are rewarded and I'll take any opportunity to crush Gryffindor into the ground."

She giggled, "Thanks Malfoy, I'll try not to hold you back."

Before we could speak much longer the Headmaster stood up and dismissed us so that we would go to our dorms and common room.

I led Bella to the door that led to the Slytherin common room.

"You have to use the password to get in." I whispered and she nodded in understanding. "PUREBLOOD." I spoke clearly and we watched as the stone door slid open.

"Wow." She gasped causing me to chuckle. Bella really hadn't seen anything yet.

We came to a stop at stairs that split two ways.

"To the left is the boy's dorms, to the right is the girl's." I told her and watched as she nodded listening. "Today is just about getting comfortable and our rooms set up. Tomorrow classes will start, the school is huge and easy to get lost in so if you want to meet here in the common room each morning at 7am I'll show you to your classes till you get the hang of it."

Bella looked at me with a bright smile. "Thank you Draco, I really appreciate it. That would be a great help."

I shrugged, "It's not a big deal, we have to go to classes at the same time anyway. Let's go find Professor Snape and get your schedule, he'll have it since he's the head of our house."

Bella followed quietly next to me as I lead her to Snape's potions classroom.

We knocked and waited for his answer.

"Enter." Came from inside after only a moment.

I held the door open for her as she walked inside, we stopped at his desk to wait for his attention.

He turned and greeted us, "Draco Welcome back. Bella." He nodded

The smile that lit up her face was the brightest I had seen yet. "Sev…. I mean Professor Snape! It's good to see you."

I couldn't help but chuckle at his surprised expression to her cheery greeting and I'll be damned if I didn't see a twitch of his lip.

"You as well Bella. Be more careful when you greet me around other's however. It's inappropriate for you to call me by my first name, don't want them to think I'm playing favorites." He chastised her lightly with a lift of his brow.

"Sorry Professor, I'll be more careful."

"I have every faith in you Miss Potter."

She smiled. "Do I have to go by Potter?"

"I'm afraid so my dear. It's just how things are here."

She sighed but nodded.

"Do you have her schedule Godfather?"

"Yes, I made sure that you both have all the same classes so that you can tutor her more proficiently Draco." He said handing her the class schedule. "I was quite surprised to see you placed in Slytherin Miss Potter but also pleased. Welcome to our house."

"Thank you Professor. I was hoping for Slytherin." She blushed and my eyebrows shot up to my hairline when his eyes softened in her directions. I wasn't even aware the man had a soft look. Well a slightly less terrifying look anyways.

"Go on you two." He ushered us out of the classroom so he could prepare for tomorrows lessons.

On the way back to the common room I couldn't help my curiosity any longer.

"Bella?"

"Hmmm." She answered while glancing over her schedule

"How did you meet my Godfather?"

She stopped in her tracks suddenly and glanced up at me while chewing on her lip. Why would she look so nervous?

"He saved my life. I'd be dead now if it wasn't for him."

"What.. how? When?"

"It's a long story I'd rather not get into right now but I nearly died because of someone else's mistakes. Snape saved my life than I found out I was a witch. I came here to learn how to be stronger. I know I'm miles behind everyone else but will you help me Draco? I don't want to feel weak like that again and I want to do the best for Slytherin I can to show my gratitude. I only have this chance because of him and it's the only thing I can think of to do to repay him, is to show him that I'm taking this second chance at life to do better. Be better. Help me be the best witch I can?"

Her eyes were pleading though she didn't need to. Bella's confession sold me on helping her immediately. I already liked the little witch and didn't want to see her hurt or scared.

I threw my arm over her shoulder and dragged her along with me smiling, "Don't worry little witch you can't fail with me by your side. Let's make sure the next rankings of the best wizard and witch is us in first place. Slytherin is going to kick ass this year."

Bella giggled and grabbed my hand pulling me towards the common rooms.

"Than let's get started now!" She leaned in and whispered. "Let's kick Gryffindors ass."

We both laughed and raced back to our houses lounge. This year might not be so bad.