Outside Hogwarts gates
So maybe he was pissed off with her, she thought when he didn't come greet her at the gates while she waited for someone to fetch her.
A wavy haired brunette paced down the pathway. She was five foot five dressed in a plain white button down shirt, a red and gold tie, a charcoal grey V-neck jumper and a dark pleated skirt with back stocking. The uniform of Hogwarts was one that matched the one she wore herself.
Hermione Jean Granger, as the brunette introduced herself was the new Head Girl and her tour guide, shocked Savannah. She didn't need to be introduced. This girl was the war heroine and one of the Golden Trio who was with The-Boy-Who-Lived!
"I didn't think you'd come back to school," Savannah exclaimed, still shocked that Hermione-war-freaking-heroine-Granger was in front of her! It was different seeing her close up when she only got to see her on the Daily Prophet.
Hermione just laughed, seeming used to the question and maybe crazy fans. "I'm still the same as every other witch and wizards." She laughed again when Savannah gave a look of protest to the statement. "I still need my N.E.W.T to do what I want."
"What is it you want to do?"
She smiled shyly. "I want to work for the Ministry of Magic."
Savannah beamed. "That's great! I know you will do wonders!"
"Thanks, De Luca."
"Please call me Savannah, Miss Granger."
"Oh Merlin, call me Hermione!" she said in horror.
The two paused then burst out giggling. They walked slowly to the school and to Savannah's surprise it was a castle than a school.
"I wasn't expecting you to speak English fluently," the brunette admitted. "Even your accent isn't as strong as I imagined."
The young Italian smiled. "I was taught English since I was a child. Plus my cousin, who's moved here, speaks in English all the time that I began speaking more frequently."
The conversation turned to Hermione speaking about the other Golden Trio, Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley when she had asked about them. They weren't coming back to finish school because they have started their Auror training.
"So is the rumour true?" Savannah asked meekly.
Hermione frowned. "What rumour?"
"About you and Weasley."
The brunette went scarlet on the face. "We're just friends." She then carried on when the other girl gave her an 'I don't believe you' look. "No, seriously we're just friends. I did fancy him before and even kissed him after the war but I guess we never really went far because it went weird. The silly crush had evaporated and I only saw him as a friend like I do with Harry."
Savannah wanted to ask more about her friends but they had already reached the Head Mistress office. Professor Minerva McGonagall looked like a stern woman but when she welcomed the young Italian girl, it was nothing but warm and kind. Savannah immediately liked the older woman. After explaining about Hogwarts, which was more or less the same as her old school she went onto to talking about the sorting hat that can talk. She placed the sorting hat on her head and the sorting had claimed her a Gryffindor. The Headmistress sent Hermione and her off to breakfast.
On the way to the hall for breakfast Hermione explained there were four houses. Gryffindor values bravery, daring and chivalry. Its emblematic animal is a lion and its colours are scarlet and gold. Hufflepuff values hard work, dedication, patience, loyalty and fair play. Its emblematic animal is badger, and yellow and black are its colours. Ravenclaw values intelligence, knowledge and wit. Its emblematic animal is the Eagle, its colours are blue and bronze. And Slytherin values ambition, cunning and resourcefulness. Its emblematic animal is the serpent. Its colours are emerald green and silver.
Savannah frowned. The brunette noticed and asked her what was wrong. "I don't know why I'm in the Gryffindor house," she admitted. "I'm not brave or daring. I would have thought maybe Hufflepuff or preferably Ravenclaw."
Hermione laughed. "The sorting hat obviously saw something in you. Don't put yourself down."
The Italian girl couldn't help but still have the doubting feeling inside. The two girls stepped inside the Great hall and Savannah gasped in shock at the spectacular room. There were thousands and thousands of lit candles floating in mid-air, illuminating the hall. The ceiling looked magical and breathtakingly beautiful especially when it was enchanted to look like the autumn sun peering in. There were four long marble tables laid with glittering golden plates and goblets packed with students who were buzzing animatedly with each other.
To her surprise the Headmistress was already sitting on a throne-like chair at the centre of the high table with the other professors around. Behind them there was a ceiling high large window where the light also shone from. She had to admit this was better than her last school.
Savannah stopped when her heart began racing. She touched her chest and wondered just why her heart was beating so fast.
"You okay, Savannah?" she somehow heard her new friend's voice over the ringing in her head.
"Mmm," she hummed. The feeling became strong, along with the pulse in her veins. It had to be a spell, she concluded. It was the only explanation. Who could have placed a spell on her? She didn't know anyone here. Okay maybe one person but she knew her cousin wouldn't do anything to her.
Then suddenly her heart rate slowed down back to normal. It was like the feeling hadn't happened.
"You sure?" her friend asked with worry.
Savannah turned and smiled. "I'm sure, thanks. Let's go eat." Her eyes roamed around the room, ignoring the curious look she was starting to get, she finally spotted her dark skinned cousin. She began heading over when a hand on her arm stopped her. She twirled around. "What's wrong?"
"Our table is here."
"B-but..." she protested.
"All houses sit with their own."
Savannah glanced back at the table her cousin sat then back at her friend. She sighed and followed her to the Gryffindor's table. She'll just have to wait until he greets her first.
Draco ignored the hard gazes of the students around him as he picked his breakfast once again. How can he eat when he was receiving death glares from everyone? Even at the third day of school they were still full of hatred. He touched his chest where his necklace lay under his sleeveless jumper and shirt with his other hand. He always kept it hidden but always felt the need to touch it whenever he was feeling like shit.
Blaise Zabini, one of his best mates, had given him the necklace on the day before his trial for good luck charm. And on the first day of school he had attempted to return it but the Italian refused saying that he should keep it and keep it safe because it was a charm his cousin had made him when they were kids.
"You should eat more, mate," said Theodore Nott, another one of his best friend, and one of the two who didn't give him the glares.
"Theo's right, you definitely need to eat," Blaise, said with equal concern as the other.
Draco rolled his eyes. "I'm sorry, mother, father."
Blaise chuckled. "Speaking of your parents, how are they?"
"Still the same," he replied nonchalantly. "They're still on house arrest but that ain't stopping them from living large with their parties."
"Your father has been helping the Ministry to find the Death Eaters that had escaped. Only two remain right?"
"Yes," the blond haired guy's voice strained. "Father is only helping because it keeps him out of Azkaban."
The bitter tone in his voice made Blaise stare at his friend. He opened his mouth to tell him if his relationship with his father was good but Theo interrupted him.
"It's kind of scary that your crazy aunt Bellatrix Lestrange – no offence – is still on the loose out there and with none other than another crazy Death Eater, Barty Crouch Jr. The wizardly world isn't safe until they are caught."
"Well, my father believes the same thing especially knowing that they will come for him," Draco said. "We are after all blood traitors."
"You're not the only one though," Blaise pointed out. "We all are."
Theo clapped his palms on the table causing their fellow Slytherins to flinch, not that he noticed. "I'm just glad we're safe in Hogwarts. They can't come in here especially with the new and improved wards up." His mood changed quickly when he noticed who just walked in. "Oh Merlin who is that beauty with Granger!"
"Where?"
Draco wasn't listening. He tuned out his friend's voice as he felt the sudden sensation of pulling. He dropped his fork clattering on his plate and touched his chest as his heart began racing.
What's happening? He panicked. I never felt like this before. Did someone hex me? Am I going to die? Shit, I didn't think I let my guard down.
"...co? Draco? Malfoy!"
The blond jumped. He looked up to see his two best mates looking at him with concern. He shook his head, glad the feeling had disappeared. "Sorry, what is it?"
"You looked like you were going into a seizure," Theo said wearily. "Fuck you scared us!"
"Sorry. I'm all good."
"You didn't look all good two second ago," Blaise pointed out. He then stopped seeing his friend shifting on his uncomfortably. He sighed. "You'll tell us if anything is wrong, right?"
"Of course," Draco was happy to quickly reply, glad he wasn't interrogating him.
"Shit, the beauty is coming towards us!" Theo said, looking passed the two.
"Don't bother with that girl," Blaise told his friend, warning dripping in his voice.
Theo frowned. "Why?" Then cursed, "Damn it! She's going to the Gryffindor's table."
Outside Malfoy Manor
"Drats! The stupid wards won't let us in," Barty Crouch Jr cursed in frustration.
"Only a Malfoy can apparate inside. And an outsider must be invited in," Bellatrix said, annoyed with the old wards that she couldn't uplift without sounding the intruder alarm. "We'll have to get the blood traitors a different way."
"And how do you propose we do that? They can't possibly come out being house arrested and all. And they definitely won't be welcoming us with open arms. Alert us to the Ministry is what those blood traitors will do."
"You have forgotten, Barty dear. My cute little nephew is not house bound."
"No, you have forgotten. He is in Hogwarts another place we can't get inside."
Bellatrix cackled. "Kids don't always stay inside for long. He is bound to slip out at one point."
Barty grinned. "I do like it when kids fall right into a trap."