Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or creations by J.K Rowling etc etc

The first day is finally over and the plot is starting to get somewhere. I know in this I skipped the whole of Umbridge's speech she made in the great hall before the feast because she's not an important part of the story and I didn't feel the need to get into that.

A/N: Edited 29/11/08

The castle doors were thrown wide open in greeting for all of the new and returning students as the crowds all flooding up the steps and into the vast entrance hall. Rayne's eyes widened at the stunning interior of the castle, beauty to rival even the view from outside. Gleaming marble floors led to the foot of a vast staircase, the ceiling seemed impossibly high as the white stone wall climbed up, dotted with alcoves and carvings and numerous portraits. One wall was lined with four huge hourglasses, each one bore a different crest and was filled with a different colour of glimmering jewels.

Rayne felt Draco tug on her arm, drawing her out of her reverie as she gazed at her new surroundings and he moved to lead her amongst the crowd that was swarming towards the Great Hall. They joined the jostling students as everyone pushed and shoved their way through the double doors, eager to get to their house tables and reacquaint with their friends if they hadn't already done so on the train. Then of course there was the feast. As they slipped deep into the crowd Draco couldn't fail to notice how everybody seemed to unconsciously give Rayne a wide berth of space even despite the close knit crowd. Perhaps the demonic nature was far more obvious than he had first realised.

The hall was set with five long tables, each glimmering with dishes, platters, goblets and cutlery all waiting to be filled with food. The enchanted ceiling was a deep, velvety blue dotted with hundreds of glowing white stars. Rayne marvelled at the stunning effect of the ceiling, how it perfectly mirrored the sky outside, and she longed desperately to be out there so she could experience the night first hand.

The atmosphere within the hall was noisy, happy and buzzing with excitement, which set Rayne on edge. Huge surges of emotion coursed through her. It was like a newly ignited fire burning through her veins. Rayne took several deep, steady breaths, shaking with the mass of power that threatened to erupt from her body. Swallowing hard she forced back the primal instincts inside of her that were screaming for blood. How could they have sent her here? All of the people, their life forces and emotions invading her en-masse, she was like a time bomb waiting to explode.

Draco noticed Rayne's obvious tension as he led her to the table nearest the doors where many of the other Slytherins were already seated. He frowned as he saw her visibly shake, "Are you okay?" he asked trying to stifle the snort that threatened to escape his lips, she's actually nervous, he thought foolishly to himself.

Rayne locked her wide eyes on Draco's as his voice echoed strangely through her ears, it sounded muffled as if she were fighting to hear him through wads of cotton that were lodged in her brain. Shaking her head she forced herself to calm the raging power, it was just like suppressing her temper right? Taking another deep breath she nodded, "Yes I'm okay. I just need to get used to so many people being in the same room." She said, managing a calm tone of voice that surprised even her. Forcing a small smile to her lips she added, "I'll be fine, lets just sit down." She took the nearest seat quickly before her knees gave way and the calm and collected mask she had created was ruined.

Draco sank onto the seat beside her and looked on with concern as she fought the inner battle between her baser instincts and her better judgement. Rayne could feel his eyes resting on her and became concerned with how many other students might have noticed her peculiar behaviour. In order to save face she thought it would be best to strike up a conversation, it may even take her mind off of the screaming inside her head that was begging her for bloodshed. She fixed her amethyst gaze onto Draco's and said, "So tell me who all of the teachers are." She nodded towards the staff table where there was an array of very different staff members all seated and waiting for the festivities to commence.

He arched an eyebrow at her, thinking that she was trying to distract him from enquiring further about what was troubling her, but he vaguely shook his head and turned to look up at the staff table. "Well," he began haughtily, "The large, blundering oaf on the end is Hagrid. He teaches Care of Magical Creatures, and I use the word teaches in the loosest possible sense. I wouldn't advise taking his class unless you want a serious injury. A couple of years ago I was viciously attacked by a Hippogriff and you know my arm has never been quite the same since." He paused and looked back at Rayne, she wondered if he was looking for sympathy.

Rayne merely nodded slowly and replied, "Well I may just take my chances if it means being out in the grounds."

He smirked at her; "Yes I've noticed how you seem to like the outdoors."

"We all do," she replied, not liking the smirk that was curved on his lips, "we don't do well being cooped up, unless it is the middle of summer. All of the stereotypes are true we like the dark, the damp and the cold, that's why I was put into Slytherin they thought I'd like it better in the dungeons." Her gaze was harsh as she locked eyes with him causing the smirk to melt off of his face.

"I see." Draco said with a slight cough before he turned back to the staff table to resume his narrative on each professor. "Well then you'll probably like Herbology too then. Professor Sprout teaches that, she's the short, dumpy woman there," he said pointing towards her, "always has dirt under her fingernails that woman. The one who should be seated next to Hagrid is Professor McGonagall. Not an altogether bad teacher but she's head of Gryffindor house so of course she always favours them." He exaggerated, "Then I'm not too sure about who that stubby, toad like woman is," his lips curled at the sight of her before he came to a conclusion, "but she must be the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, they never last more than a year. Next to her, you must know already, is that barmy old fool Dumbledore. Then the little man is Flitwick, he teaches charms. But most importantly is Professor Snape." Draco said pointing towards a stern, grim faced, black haired man near the end of the table. "He's the potions master and head of Slytherin. By far the best teacher in the school and a personal friend of my fathers." Draco boasted whilst Rayne merely nodded.

The sudden re-opening of the halls double doors cut off their conversation and, a figure who Rayne assumed to be Professor McGonagall appeared leading a long line of terrified looking first years up to the front of the hall, it was time for the sorting.

***

After each first year had stepped forward, nervously put on the sorting hat and been given over to their respective houses Professor Dumbledore rose from his seat and the hall fell in to silence. "I would like to welcome you all back to another year at Hogwarts. I shall make my words brief, as I know you are all eagerly awaiting the start of the feast. We give welcome this year to Professor Umbridge who will be taking over the post of Defence Against the Dark Arts, I am sure you will all make her feel welcome." He gestured to the squat; toad faced woman beside him and grinned a little too enthusiastically to be considered genuine. He then continued on, his soft voice ringing throughout the hall. "I would also like to inform and remind you that the Dark Forest in the grounds is out of bounds to all students and as usual a revised list of all of the banned items can be found on the back of Mr Filch's office door. Now without any further ado, let the feast begin."

With those words all of the platters and dishes on each table filled with glorious amounts of food and the level of chatter began to rise again as everybody ate their fill.

Once the plates had all been cleared and the chatter was beginning to slow as the want for sleep began to invade most of the students, Dumbledore rose once again from his seat. "Now that we have all filled our stomachs I shall waste no further time in bidding you all a goodnight. Sleep well and wake tomorrow refreshed and ready to begin a new term. Prefects will you please escort the first years to your common rooms and then report to your head of house for any further notices and instructions."

There was a sudden mass rattle of moving benches and a regular call of 'first years this way' as people began to file out of the Great Hall.

***

Draco leaned in towards Rayne, "Follow me, I'll show you how to get to the common room and then you should probably come and see Professor Snape with me." He gestured for her to stand and follow as he herded a frightened string of first years out of the hall and down a flight of steps towards the dungeons.

Rayne stood and followed gratefully without a word, glad to be leaving the atmosphere of the hall behind. Though she had successfully fought back her instincts they were still screaming inside her head begging for bloodshed. She followed as Draco led them all swiftly down various passages and staircases into deeper parts of the dungeons, regularly looking back to check that Rayne was still following in between the harsh shouted commandments he directed towards the first years. She smiled to herself, glad that he was watching out for her all the stairs and corridors had her confused and all of the demonic power in the world wouldn't help you get to class on time if you happened to get lost.

Suddenly Draco halted in his stride before what seemed to be a dead end, "Right," he drawled loudly, "This is the entrance to the common room, through here you'll find your dormitories. The password is 'Emerald Moon'," at those words a door slid open revealing the entrance to the Slytherin common room though Draco continued to block the doorway not finished with his speech yet, "Don't forget it and don't get lost." He commanded before stepping away from the doorway and pushing his way through the gathered crowd of first years. He grasped a hold of Rayne's arm, "Come with me, we'll go and pay Professor Snape a visit." He said with a grin.

Not giving Rayne a chance to reply Draco steered her back along the corridor and through a door into yet another dungeon passage, it was going to take Rayne forever to learn all of these routes around the castle and she'd still only seen the dungeons. Draco walked swiftly and Rayne struggled to match his stride and keep up, her certainly was keen for her to meet this Professor Snape.

Abruptly he came to a halt in front of a dark wooden door and raised his hand to rap sharply on the wooden surface with his knuckles, they then stood silently waiting to be admitted.

"Come in Draco," a chillingly smooth voice echoed through the wood of the door and Draco smirked as he pushed it open.

"How did you know it was me sir?" Draco asked in an insincere questioning tone, either already knowing the answer or not really caring, to the tall, dark figure that stood with his back to the door.

"Because all of the other Prefects have been to see me already. They tell me you enjoy commanding the first years." Snape replied turning from where he was examining various rows of glass jars that lined his shelves to look at the two of them. His dark eyes narrowed when they set upon Rayne having not expected to see anybody but Draco in his office.

The characteristic smirk still playing on his lips, Draco shrugged and replied, "Well Sir, they learn quicker if you start teaching them early." His airy tone melted into a cruel chuckle before he noticed where Professor Snape's eyes had come to rest; damn he should have introduced her already. "Professor this is Rayne the new Slytherin addition."

Snape sneered at her, "Then why is she not in the common room with the rest of the first years?" he asked in a silkily patronising tone of voice that set Rayne's temper flaring.

She couldn't take much more of this today, anymore snide remarks passed her way and she would be after blood. It was becoming all too much to cope with. She bared her teeth in irritation and hissed, "Do I look like one of the first years? Surely you have been informed of my coming Professor." She practically spat the final word in her irritation.

Snape scowled at her, "You want to watch your mouth and show me some respect, I am your Professor, not to mention your Head of House." He snapped.

Rayne sighed, biting her tongue to prevent the reply that she really wanted to give from spilling over her lips. "I apologise sir. But I ask that you also show some respect to me and my boundaries, I'm sure you can appreciate the unusual position I have been put in here." Her tone was biting and she showed no fear in looking him directly in the eyes, she was accepting but not easily forgiving.

Holding her strong and stern gaze for a few seconds he nodded curtly and said, "Very well miss…?"

"No Miss, just Rayne." She said simply to his questioning look.

"Rayne." He didn't look at all comfortable addressing by her first name, but he accepted it none the less. "I have indeed been forewarned of your attendance at the school and I must say I think it a bad error of judgement to have you here. But nonetheless whilst you are here you shall be welcomed as a part of my house. I take it that Draco was the one who suggested you come here with him?"

"Thank you sir." Rayne said briefly and insincerely before nodding, "yes, he seemed to think you'd want to see me." She answered him whilst Draco nodded in agreement.

"Quite. Well I must admire your good choice in companions and I am sure that Draco will do his very best to acquaint you with life here at Hogwarts." Snape said as he sank gracefully into the chair behind his desk and gazed over the tips of his steepled fingers.

"Of course Sir." Draco agreed with a smirk.

"Good. Now perhaps Miss, er Rayne you could give me and Mr Malfoy a moment or two to discuss a few things." He said gesturing her to the door with a nonchalant wave of his hand.

Rayne turned and breezed out of the room without a word, her temper was still cooling and she didn't trust what she might say in reply. Shutting the door forcefully behind her she leaned against the cool wood breathing hard. She was not enjoying this experience at all and would really have to get a hold on her temper and emotions if she was going to last at the school for long enough to get things done. Many more days like this one and the wizarding world would be reminded of why the demons were banished in the first place.

As she breathed to calm the fiery rage that was coursing through her Rayne found that she could hear their voices through the thick wooden panel of the door. Standing silently she listened in on what Snape and Draco were discussing.

"So what do you think sir?" Draco asked eagerly.

"Of what?" Came the silky reply.

"Of Rayne?"

"She seems interesting. Not quite what I'd been expecting but she is a demon not anything spectacular." Snape answered in a board tone of voice and Rayne scowled at his words.

"The power she has though is incredible." Draco replied, desire husking his voice.

"I'd hardly think so Draco," Snape dismissed, "at her age she'd have little more power than the average witch."

"No, it's nothing like that at all I felt it. I felt the power she has surge through me." Draco explained earnestly.

"What do you mean you felt it?" Snape inquired.

"I felt it. Something pulsed through my fingers and crawled over my skin when I touched that strange glyph on her arm." Rayne's breath caught in her chest as she heard Draco's words. It had been a mistake to show him that, he didn't understand it's significance but she was sure that Snape, considering his age and probable experience and knowledge of the world or magic, would have some idea of what it meant.

"A glyph on her arm?" Snape repeated making sure he understood correctly, "what do you mean, what did it look like?" Rayne closed her eyes in dismay. Snape did know something or he suspected at least, if he worked it out it could ruin everything.

"It was a circular shape with five straight lines running through it at the points of a star. Why do you know what it's all about sir?"

"I may have some idea yes Draco. Go on, you say that you felt her power when you touched this glyph." Snape prompted.

"Yes. It was an incredible sensation like nothing I've ever felt before. She mentioned something about an order, the Blood I think she called them." Rayne bit her lip hard to resist the rage that was building inside of her once again. It was her own stupid fault for telling him all of that but did he have to go and brag about it to his teacher? Especially one that gave the impression that Snape did, he wasn't one to be trusted.

"I see." Snape said silkily running all the facts that Draco had given him through his head. Something about it all was very familiar, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what it was. "Well Draco you had probably better go. Keep a close eye on her and keep me updated will you?"

"So you think so too then sir? That she may prove to be a valuable asset?" Draco asked.

"Perhaps." Came the simple, smooth reply before Rayne moved away from the door.

The next second Draco stood before her and met with Rayne's fiery gaze. "Valuable asset?" She spat viciously, "Valuable asset? What do you think I am Draco a fucking pet? A toy you can play with and then dispose of when I'm no use to you anymore?" Rayne questioned angrily. "You disappoint me Draco Malfoy you really do!" She said with a shake of her head before turning on her heel and storming off down the corridor.

He wanted her to be an 'asset' to whatever it was they had planned? No it would not happen, she couldn't be an asset to somebody else's plan it would spoil everything. She'd been hoping that Draco would take an interest in her, desire her power and prove to be trustworthy enough to be let in on the reality behind her being there. She'd obviously been delusional to believe that he would accept and not have his own motives, not a character like Draco.

Sighing Rayne stopped walking and found that she had somehow reached the entrance to the Slytherin common room. Not quite sure how she managed to get there when she'd been paying no attention at all to where she was walking but now that she was there bed sounded incredibly appealing. "Emerald moon." She said dejectedly and she stalked through the fairly empty common room to the foot of some stairs leading to the dormitory labelled '5th year girls'. Climbing the stairs Rayne swung open the door and sank onto one of the large four-poster beds, at the foot of which lay her ornate carved black trunk. Drawing the deep green hangings around her she sighed in the pleasant seclusion, today had not gone as planned, I just hope tomorrow proves to be more successful.