FLAMES TO DUST

By bee-witch

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters in the book or film that you all recognise. The only things that I lay claim to is the plot and names that are not recognisable in this story.

Chapter 3

The two head students made their way towards the great hall, both not looking forward to the prospect but for different reasons.

"Granger, can you walk any slower? At the rate you're going we'll be travelling back in time." Draco spat out with the sarcastic drawl we're all used to.

"What's your hurry? It's not as if there's a prize for the first sat at the table." She answered.

"If I have to eat with you at least let me be the first to choose where I sit at the table. Away from Weasley and Potter. That way I don't have to watch Weasley shuffle food into that big trapof his as if it were going out of fashion."

"Mcgonagall said we had to eat together. She didn't say that we had to sit together to eat. It's so that she knows where you are at all times, you Dodo." Hermione couldn't help laughing. "Maybe in transfigurations class you should consider using as your animagus."

"Granger, the Dodo is extinct"

"Yes, so why can't you do us all a favour and be the same?" Hermione said with a straight face.

"What is your problem? Have I offended you in some way? You know, since we have to..." but before Draco could finish the sentence, Hermione cut in, "Do me a favour, If you have nothing nice to say to me, don't say anyhing at all. In fact, unless McGonagall is around, stay away from me."

"Isn't that disobeying McGonagalls order? She said..."

"I know what she said. I don't see why I have to spend my final year stuck with you." she shouted through gritted teeth

"And I love being stuck with you." Draco shouted as they both walked through the Great Hall. The room became silent and all eyes were focused them. Hermione could feel her cheeks flushing, she rushed over to the Gryffindor table and sat between Harry and Ron.

All eyes from the table was still on her. "What just happened there?" Ron asked knodding his head towards the slytherin table.

"Nothing, Just Malfoy being his usual arrogant self." Hermione said as her eyes followed where Ron was looking. At that moment Proffessor McGonagall asked for the attention from everybody in the hall.

"Welcome, students. To the new and the old. For some of you this will be the begining of a great adventure, for others it's a time to prepare for bigger and better things. We all feel sad and some anger for the things that happened last year but we have to stay focused on the future. Many of you may have noticed that a certain student has returned back with us. It was Professor Dumbledores wish. Anybody, who has negative actions towards this student will see themselves in my office with severe consequences. On a more lighter note, there will be a new student joining us. She has transfered from Beauxbaton. Her name is Lily Stanton. Miss Stanton, please come up to the front. Like all new students, she will be sorted into a house."

McGonagall pointed to the stool.. Lily sat down as she placed the sorting hat on her head.

"I see Courage." The sorting hat started to say "Ah, but there's a lot of passion in what you want. Sometimes there's too much of it. Merlin help thoses that get in your way. You have a need to be recognised for the things you do, you want an identity."

"Oh, for crying out loud, will you just pick a house. Any house." Lily shouted.

"There's no need to be so rude young lady." The sorting hat retorted back. "Choosing a house for a student isn't the same as picking a holiday destination. You can't change your mind halfway through the college year and decide you don't like the designated house I put you in.

"Fine, just stop nitt picking at my character." Lily fumed.

"Right you are, I know just where to put you. SLYTHRIN." The mentioned house shouted loudly and cheered.

"What?"

"Didn't you say 'Pick a house'?" The Sorting house laughed.

Lilly jumped off the stool and snatched the hat from her head and plonked it on the now vacant stool. "No points for guessing which house you'd have been in if you were human. You evil, vindictive piece of..."

"Miss Stanton." McGonagall tapped her on the shoulder and raised an eyebrow.

Lilly turned and walked towards the Slytherin table. The only vacant seat was next to Blaise. As she sat down, she felt a hand on her knee. He on the other hand felt her wand on his crown jewels.

"Touch me again Zabini and you'll be breaking glass with your voice." She said in a voic that wasn't altogether quiet.

Draco snorted. "Seems there IS a girl that isn't affected by your charms. Tell me Miss Stanton, how did you know his name?"

"Lily shrugged her shoulders. "It's a family thing."

"You and Blaise are family?" Crabbe and Goyle asked at the same time

"I thought you needed to be quick witted to be in this house. Was the sorting hat on strike when you were both sorted?" Lily asked. They both looked at her non-plus. "They are so slow on the uptake." She mumbled.

'Maybe this isn't going to be a boring year after all.' Draco thought.

"No, it isn't." Lily said and started laughing to herself..

Draco looked at her. 'Was she talking to me?' he thought. He was so intent on finding out what secrets this new girl had that he hadn't realised that he was staring at her with a frown on his face.

"As honoured as I am to have someone pay so much attention to me, I prefer it if you would refrain from staring so much that your eyes will pop out."

Back at the podium

There are two new Professors I would like to introduce to everyone. As I have taken the position of Headmistress, I have had to appoint a professor to take over my teaching post. Your new tutor for transfigurations is; Professor Malfoy."

There was a lot of murmuring throughout the Great Hall. Whispers of:

"Lucius is teaching us Transfigurations?"

"That isn't Lucius, Is it?"

"It looks a bit like him."

"Maybe he's had plastic surgery."

"What's plastic surgery?"

"It's a face lift."

"How do you lift his face?"

"I can't see anything lifting his face, is it invisible?"

"Quieten down everyone." Professor McGonagall shouted She turned to her side. "Professor Malfoy, would you be so kind as to say a few words to clear up a few misunderstandings."

"Yes of course Professor" Marcus Malfoy stepped forward to the podium. "Good afternoon students," turning to the staff table, he nodded head. "Proffessors. My name is Marcus Malfoy."

Again there was a rush of whispers, he cleared his throat loudly. "Lucius Malfoy is my brother. Contrary to believe, not all Malfoys are bad. I hope you would all give me a chance and get to know me for the person I am and not judge me by my name.

At the sytherin table, Pansy turned toDraco and asked. "Is that the uncle your father doesn't speak about?"

Draco glared at her. "Shut up Parkinson my family affairs don't concern you."

"I was just asking. and anyway , he looks so young. There can't be that much age difference between the two of you. You know, he is kind of hot."

"Parkinson!" This time Draco gave a deathly glare that challenged her to even dare utter another word.

"She's right, you know." Blaise mused. Everyone at the table looked at him in shock. He realised what he had said then shook his head violently. "I don't mean the 'Hot' thing. I meant the age gap. For a proffessor he is young.

"He's not that young. Early Thirties, we Malfoys just look young." Draco couldn't resist smiling. At least I have transfigurations. I can take my time with the subject and still get good marks."

There was a lot of murmuring amongst the students. Someone had just walked into the Great Hall.

"Who's that?"

"Don't know."

"Why isn't she wearing her school robes?"

"Wow, new student, no robes, and she's late. McGonagall's going to be spitting feather."

"Ron, you don't know for sure if she's a student." Hermione nudged him in the ribs.

"Of course she's a student, she'll be in Gryffindor. She's got courage doing what she's just done. My kind of girl."

He wasn't the only one doing the ogling.

"Draco, stop staring." Pansy whined as she draped an arm across his shoulder.

"Get off me, Parkinson." He flung her arm away. "She looks familiar."

"Oh my god, Why didn't she tell me." Lily said with wide eyes. All eyes at the slytherin table looked directly at her.

"You know her? Are we gonna get another good looking girl in our house?" Draco smirked.

"Ha, you wish. You into older women?" She laughed.

"What?"

Blaise started laughing. "By the looks of things, I'd say that she's a new Professor. He nodded towards the podium.

The lady in questions walked towards Professor McGonagall. " Ah there you are. I thought we were going to have to start your welcome without you."

"I am so sorry Professor McGonagal, Julian wouldn't settle." She held her hands out to clasp them into the Professors. He's facinated by all the fuss he's recieving from all the house elves, but when I tried to leave he kept grabbing onto my arm.

"Thats quiet alright, better late than never."

As she smiled at McGonagall, she felt an uncomfortable feeling of being watched. "My Dear, you haven't met our new Transfigurations Proffessor, have you? Just like you, this is his first teaching post at Hogwarts. McGonagall took a step bach to let Marcus into veiw. Grey eyes locked onto brown.

"Students, your potions tutor is, Professor Stanton." McGonagall stepped back and let Professor Stanton take her place at the podium.

"Good afternoon everyone. I am really honoured to be a member of the teaching staff at such a wonderful establishment. I look forward to getting to know each and every one one of you." At final statement she looked directly at Draco.

McGonagall stepped up again, " I think that's enough talking for now. Let the feasting begin." She said as she clapped her hands twice. The tables became laden with food and everyone started eating.