To two of my biggest HP darlings - Kady and Aly, I know I've already dedicated chapters to you guys, but you both were the only ones that knew about this story and its foundations, so its only fair that I dedicate it to you :)

All the students had gathered into the Great Hall to await the first years and sat near Harry, Ron and Hermione. She found herself getting really close to the three since having a relationship with Fred and being good friends with Hermione prior to that. "So, how was the train ride without me?" she asked them.

"Gabbie…" Ron began "don't take offence to this when I tell you, because you're my friend and all…"

"Don't snog your brother infront of you?" Gabrielle queried. Ron nodded as his ears turned red "Oh Ron, you say that all the time and your brother doesn't listen" she poke her tongue out "but, I will make a conscious effort to not make that happen"

"Thank you" he smiled, then his stomach made a rumbling noise "blimey I'm hungry"

"Ron!" Hermione scolded and whispered "you ate on the train!"

"Well it's a long bloody time from the train ride to now, isn't it 'Mione?" he said as he held his stomach. Gabrielle smiled at Ron's response. She couldn't help but feel someone's eyes watching her. She looked within her line of sight and there was Draco's eyes watching her. He immediately looked away, hoping she didn't see.

Hermione was sitting next to Gabrielle who saw what what she had seen as well. "Gabbie, was Draco Malfoy…was he staring at you?" Hermione wrinkled her nose in disbelief and disgust.

"What?" Gabrielle laughed "no, why would he? He'd never look at me" she shook her head "he hates us remember? He has no business looking over here" she shifted slightly so that Ron was blocking her view of Draco "he's just starting the torment early and I'm the first target"

Over at the Slytherin table, Pansy had situated herself almost to be glued to Draco's side, leaving no space for any gaps. Draco had continued his gaze on Gabrielle, this was the first time he again took full notice of her. She wasn't ever loud or was the type to try and get attention. He couldn't even recall her being in his classes, although he did have majority of his classes with the Gryffindors. Gabrielle who had once blended in the crowd was no so invisible to him anymore. "Drakie," Pansy said as she played with his hair "what are you looking at?" she tried to focus on where he was looking and caught Gabrielle de Famille in her line of sight. Pansy wrinkled her face in disgust "Ew! de Famille is certainly looking rather pathetic this year" she snorted. There were a few shared snickers in amongst the inner circle of friends that surrounded them; but all that came to a halt when Draco gave Pansy a seething look. She sat back and moved away from him slightly. Draco continued his gaze on Gabrielle pondering what type of person she had become in the five years he hadn't spoken to her.

The Sorting Ceremony was over and the feast had begun. Gabrielle was now aware that Draco was watching her which made her very uncomfortable considering he hasn't said anything to her since five years. She then remembered what happened the night the Malfoys came over for the dinner and she found out that he was a Death Eater. She ignored those thoughts running through her mind and looked down at her dinner and began to eat, making sure that Draco was well away from her sight.

Once dinner was over, the students headed over to their respective Common Rooms. Gabrielle headed into the girls' dormitories followed by the others "I am SO full" she said as she lied in bed "I think I ate as much as Ron did" she laughed as she sat up. Hermione, Lavender and Parvati were looking at her "What?" she looked at them confusingly. "Guys, I'm not going to talk about my relationship with Fred" she laughed at them.

"We don't need to know about Fred" Lavender chuckled "we want to know what the deal was with you and Draco Malfoy"

"You noticed that too huh?" she looked at her friends. They all nodded "Guys, you know my history with him, my family. How we were friends and we aren't anymore because I was in Gryffindor and he was in Slytherin? Which then in turn made me basically a pariah to my father and every other Slytherin?" she looked at them all. They all looked at her waiting to continue on with her story "Draco and his family came over for dinner a few nights ago…and I guess he hadn't seen me the way I am now in ages. I mean, to be real guys, he basically ignored me up to this point" she sighed "I don't know, I couldn't tell you what's going on" she said as she lied back in bed "I'm just as confused as all you guys are" Gabrielle stared at the ceiling.

Draco was pacing in the Slytherin Common room wondering what had gotten into him. He got annoyed at himself, he had done such a wonderful job at avoiding Gabrielle and from that night when he saw her, he couldn't get her out of his mind. He didn't know what the year was going to be like for him now. He rolled up his left sleeve and looked at his Dark Mark. He then rolled it back down, he needed to focus on the task at hand. But it was going to be tricky, since Gabrielle took over most of his thoughts now and it was hard to concentrate.

First class of the year was Ancient Runes with the Ravenclaws, it was a pretty straight forward class. Gabrielle and Hermione managed to get a grasp of what they needed for the year. Harry and Ron struggled to stay awake. Despite being poked and prodded by the girls several times in order for them to pay attention.

Next up was Defence Against the Dark arts, it was something that every student had dreaded considering it was classes with Snape. But it was well known that he wanted this job for a really long time, so they guess he would be more pleasant. It was an interesting lesson where they learnt about nonverbal spells, it was imperative that it required a lot of concentration and mental control to be able to conjure a nonverbal spell. By the end of that class, everyone was mentally drained from the class. Snape was pleased with it.

Last class of the day was with the Slytherins. Even better, the class was Potions. But it wasn't all too bad because they had a new teacher Professor Slughorn. Gabrielle, Hermione, Ron and Harry were sitting at the Study Hall having lunch. Gabrielle was taking her time eating her food and making delaying not a moment less until she had to go to Potion's class. "Gabbie, are you done creating a Picasso art piece with your food? Or are we going to head down to class soon?" Hermione asked her friend.

"We have class with the Slytherins, I'm not in a great rush to get there" Gabrielle looked at her friend.

"We always have potions with the Slytherins, you'd be used to it by now, wouldn't you?"

"Nope, never, nada" Gabrielle shook her head "not that all keen to be within the same room with them, especially Draco Malfoy"

"You've ignored him for a good solid while, you can do it again" Hermione encouraged her friend.

"Thanks" she smiled, as she got up and got everything she needed for Potions. "Are you gentlemen going to be joining us?" Gabbie looked at the two boys who looked dumbfounded.

"We don't have any of the reading material" Harry shook his head.

"Why's that?" Gabrielle looked at them

"When Snape was Potions Master, Ron and me weren't allowed to participate in the N.E.W.T.S this year, but since Slughorn is teaching, he gave us a clean slate so we can. But the thing is…"

"You don't have any of the necessary equipment" Gabbie finished in understanding "I get it now" she smiled "come on guys, I know Professor Slughorn is a fan of your Harry, I'm sure he'd be happy to oblige"

"We'll meet you there, we'll save you a seat" Hermione nodded as her and Gabrielle headed out of the Great Hall. As they made their way down the Great Hall, Draco had gathered his things and followed somewhat within listening distance of Gabrielle and Hermione, the two girls were so engulfed in conversation that they didn't even notice that someone was listening in. "So, how are you going with Fred and everything?" she asked.

"We're going, great" Gabrielle smiled "I didn't think I would fall so hard for Fred Weasley, but hey, here we are" she chuckled.

"I can't believe that you kept that a secret that he asked you to the Yule Ball" Hermione laughed at her friend "I remember seeing you two together on the dance floor and I was shocked!"

"Shocked that we were together? Or that Fred is actually quite the dancer? Or both?" Gabbie laughed. She remembers when he had asked her. Fred had always picked on her, in the cute way. It annoyed her at first, they developed some sort of sarcastic, mocky flirtationship. But when he had asked her, he was so shy compared to the trickster that he was.

FLASHBACK

"Gabbie"

"What is it Fred?" she looked at him annoyingly. He had just pulled a not so elegant prank on her and she was more than peeved at his actions.

"Gabbie…I"

"Spit it out, Weasley. You have three seconds before I make you dance" she said as she pointed a wand to his feet.

"I-was-wondering-if-you-could-go-to-the-Yule-Ball- with-me" he said in one big breath.

"You…you wha?" she looked at him as if he was talking a different language.

"I said will you go to the Ball with me, de Famille" he said as he awkwardly stepped forward. "I…I know I joke alot, and I pull alot of pranks on you…but, it…was the only way to kinda…hang out with you, in a weird way. Because…I…kinda, sorta, like you, alot"

Gabrielle smiled at him and took a step forward and held his hand "Yes"

"Yes?"

"Yes I'll go to the Ball with you" she smiled "…and…if I do say so Fred…you're not that bad for me to like you too" she said as she let go of his hand and walked away.

FLASHBACK END

"He was a sweetheart then, he is a sweetheart now" Gabrielle smiled as she spoke of her boyfriend. "She then snapped out of it and then turned her attention on Hermione "So, what about you and Ron?"

"What about me and Ron?" Hermione looked at her friend.

"When are you guys going to get together?" she asked.

"Oh shut up, Gabrielle" Hermione nudged her blushed.

"The one thing I can tell you about dating a Weasley is that…well, they're not creatures of subtly. They won't really know unless you, well, kinda tell them" she smiled. "I did, and it was the best decision I have ever made"

"Get off it" Hermione nudged her friend once more.

"Alright, alright, I'll shut up" she smiled wryly.

Draco felt himself getting angrier by every second he listened to Gabrielle speak about Fred Weasley. He always knew they they would inevitably have partners as they grew. Draco had fun stringing along his pack of rabid fangirls in Slytherin purely for the ego boost but Gabrielle was in a real relationship and was happy with Fred Weasley. He didn't want to think about it any long as he scowled and said "Can you walk any slower?! Out of my way" Draco cut in between the two of them.

"Slimey git" Hermione scowled "honestly Gabrielle, aren't you glad you're not friends with that ferret?"

Gabrielle watched him walk paces in front of them. "Yeah…" she trailed off. She couldn't help but wonder whether or not he had heard every part of that conversation between her and Hermione. She couldn't help but feel guilty, although she didn't know why.

Everyone was waiting for class to being in Potions class. Hermione sat with Gabrielle, Harry and Ron sat in front of her not before running over to the shelf to grab some Potion Books that Professor Slughorn let them borrow for the year. Ron had a brand new book, whereas Harry's…had seen better days. The class of the day was to brew Felix Felicis. Gabrielle opened her book and took one look at the potion, yep, she was going to struggle. She looked at Hermione who looked as petrified as she was "Goodluck" was all she could say.

"I see what you did there" Hermione smiled.

"I'm glad you appreciate my joke" Gabrielle laughed. She headed over to the ingredients table to gather what she had needed. Draco made his way there. Gabrielle took her cauldron with her to put all the ingredients in there so she didn't have to keep going back. She had her book with her on the left hand, reading ingredients she needed as she took them with her right hand and placed them in the cauldron. "Ok, I just need rose petals…" Draco reached for the Rose petals as she did and their fingers touched momentarily. She looked up and saw him and she quickly withdrew her hand and walked away. Hermione and her were already struggling at the first few steps. They looked over at Harry who looked like he was having no trouble at all. "Harry! Let us in on your secret"

"I'm just following the instructions" Harry smiled at her.

"Boo" she sighed as she looked at her cauldron "Professor?" she raised her hand up.

"Miss de Famille" he approached her "and what do we have here then?" he looked into her cauldron.

"Is it supposed to be green?" she said as she scratched her head. She then realised she had forgotten the rose petals because of what happened with Draco. She never felt more stupid than she did at that very moment.

"Definitely not" he looked and then a huge puff of smoke shot up to his face "and I can tell you that wasn't supposed to happen either"

"Sorry Professor" she said trying not to laugh "I'll just throw this away and help Hermione out" she walked over to Hermione's table "Hows it…" she trailed off. Hermione looked at her looking more frazzled than ever. "How?…" she then looked at Harry who was still looking calm, collected, not even once frazzled. Draco had watched Gabrielle joking around with Hermione and laughing. He was stirring his potion angrily because he was so distracted by her that his potion failed. By the end of the class, everyone had basically failed making their potion except for Harry who managed to perfectly brew the potion. "Wow Herm, he wasn't even supposed to be in this class and he's off to a flying start." The class has ended and it was time to head out, put their things away and head to dinner. Gabrielle got her books and walked out of class followed closely by Hermione. Gabrielle then fell over, she looked up, Pansy and a bunch of Slytherin girls were there standing in front of her, laughing at what happened.

"Are you ok?" Hermione said as she helped her friend up and helped pick up her books.

"I'm fine" Gabrielle dusted herself off. Her knees were slightly stinging but she didn't want to give them the satisfaction of her pain.

"Did you have a nice trip, little blood traitor?" Pansy smirked at her.

"Did you?" Gabrielle looked at her.

"What?"

"Did you have a nice trip when you fell on your face?" Gabbie looked at her "I imagine a face like that didn't happen naturally" she said as she started to walk away followed by Hermione.

"You are going to go straight to hell for that, de Famille"

"Oh Pansy" Gabbie looked at her "I'm not going straight to hell…I plan to make a pitstop to Paris first before I do" she continued to walk with Hermione laughing along side her.

"That…that bitch!" was all Pansy could yell out. Draco was on the side watching the whole thing transpire. He was very impressed with how Gabrielle managed that situation. But he could only imagine what Pansy had instore for her, and he was going to make sure that he was going to protect her.

So I tried to do my research on the Felix Felicis ingredients and Rose petal seemed to be a prominent stand out on the very little information I had on it. So, I used that.

Let me know what you think.

Blue x