The Half-Blood Princess

Chapter 2

September 1st came with much less joy and anticipation than it normally held for students and teachers alike. Gwen, as usual, was on the Hogwarts Express when it left Platform 9 and ¾. She spent the whole ride with Draco in the Head Student Compartment, blinds magicked shut, door locked with many spells cast to ensure it would stay locked. Gwen was resting her head on Draco's lap. He stroked her long black hair out across his lap and the seat. They did not have to say anything, just the relief of knowing that everything was going to be all right now that they were together, away from most of Voldemort's Death Eaters. They were now free from a few of the bonds of servitude, bonds that would never break until the Dark Lord was gone forever.

"I'm so scared Draco." Gwen whispered shaking slightly. "I just keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. He scares me so much. The way that he just…."

"…kills." Draco said quietly.

"Yeah." She sat up and next to Draco. They put their arms around each other and held each other tight. Soon, they were both weeping quietly. The sadness of things in their past, their present and their uncertain future, coming quietly to a brim in the quietness of the compartment.

Severus had his duties to attend to with the last staff meeting (in which he was met with many glares and looks from all but the Carrows). The evening could not come quickly enough.

Gwen and Draco managed to grab one of the first carriages to themselves. The haunting sight of the threstrals sent shivers up and down both of their spines. They went up through the castle into the Great Hall.

"I'll see you later." She said kissing Draco goodbye as she went and sat down at the Gryffindor table, and Draco went the opposite direction toward the Slytherin table. As the second through seventh years began filing in, Gwen greeted those that she recognized and even some that she didn't. She put on a smile that could only be the furthest from the truth with the turmoil she felt inside. She hated the way that some of her year looked at her. When everyone but the first years and Professor McGonagall had come in and been seated, Gwen noticed that Harry, Ron and Hermonie were not present. Merlin may they succeed with whatever they are trying to doShe thought to herself. Professor McGonagall came in followed the first years, few as there were. The sorting took place and once each new student took their seat at their respective houses, Severus stood up and the hall went deathly silent.

"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts." He began. "We have two new professors this year. Professor Carrow will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts and the other Professor Carrow will be taking up Muggle Studies. Muggle Studies has now become a mandatory course for all years." He glanced at Gwen. "This year's Head Girl is Gwen Snape, and the Head Boy is Draco Malfoy. See them for any concerns that you may have. You may begin eating." The food appeared magically on the tables like it did at every feast. Gwen could tell that the house elves were under a lot of stress. In the years that she could remember from her childhood and earlier school years at Hogwarts, she had never seen the food looking so dismal and unhappy.

After everyone had finished eating, Severus stood up. The room went quiet as a tomb as he began to speak. "Students are forbidden to go into the Dark Forest at any time. Any students caught out of their dormitories after nine o'clock will be punished accordingly. Mr. Filch has asked me to remind students that all products from Weasley's Wizard Wheezes are strictly prohibited. If you have any questions of if an activity is permissible, ask either a staff member, or the Head Boy or Girl. That is all. Prefects take you house members up to your common rooms."

The hustle and bustle that normally comes with dismissal by the Headmaster was much quieter than it had ever been in previous years. Prefects quietly ushered their charges out of the Great Hall and off to their common rooms. Gwen met Draco's eyes. I'll meet you later. She silently sent to him as she left the Great Hall and went up to the Gryffindor Tower. When she arrived at the Fat Lady, she paused.

"Caveat." The portrait swung open to reveal the entire of Gryffindor house, minus those who had chosen not to return this school year. She cleared her throat and began to speak. "I know that many of you do not trust me, not only because my father is Severus Snape the head of Slytherin House, or that I am engaged to marry Draco Malfoy, a Slytherin. Perhaps the reason that some of you do not trust me is that you may have heard things about me and the life that I have led that just do not sit rightly with you. I don't expect your trust. But, maybe the time for trust has to come sooner than we all would like. The new password to our tower, Caveat, it means beware. I want you to all beware. Because of who I am and who I know, I am privy to some information. As many of you are obviously aware, our new Defense and Muggle Studies professors are the Carrows. I want you to all know that they are in fact Death Eaters. Please don't cross them. They will not feel badly about causing you pain, or even worse. Please trust me in this instance, for I have seen the ruthlessness and lack of any compassion that they show their victims. The Hogwarts we all knew and loved under Professor Dumbledore has come to an unfortunate ending. I too, miss him deeply. He was a close to a grandfather that I have ever known my whole life. I beg of you all to keep your heads down. I will not play around with you all; there will be a much larger dark presence at Hogwarts this year. Even now, Muggle Studies will be all about how muggles are much less human than we are. Don't expect to be learning Defense Against the Dark Arts. A Carrow is teaching the classes, it will be all about the Dark Arts. I am not trying to frighten any of you, but the issue has got to be addressed. I will be in the Head Dormitory. I will do my best to be here in the common room to help you all in any way that I can. Another reason to trust me is that I am one of the select few students that can disregard the nine o'clock curfew. Please come to me if you have any problems. If you see me in the hallway, or at lunch, or whenever, please come address any of your problems to me. To be honest with you all, your problems will mean much more to those in power if they come from my lips than from someone else's. Have a good evening and good luck with all of your classes."

With that, Gwen left the Gryffindor common room in stunned silence.

Disclaimer: JK owns everyone/thing except Gwen.

AN: Well, how was that? PLEASE, PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not only does that give me input, but I may use any ideas that you might have for me in future chapters.

Caveat means let him/her beware

Thanks so much,

Dumbles : )