Chapter Four: A New Addition (or Malfoy Dethroned)

They were lounging about the compartment they had chosen when the door opened and Draco Malfoy, head hanging, walked in. He handed Ben an envelope and waited as Ben read it aloud.

"Mister Tennyson, Miss Tennyson, Mister Levin, and Miss Yamamoto,

Following the capture and detainment of Lucius Malfoy by Plumber authorities for his role in the riot at the Cup, loyal followers took revenge on his wife Narcissa Malfoy. Draco will be hunted and an outcast, especially amongst his Slytherin peers. I am thus moving him into Gryffindor.

Draco has nowhere else to go; please forgive him for his father's upbringing and accept him into your protection.

A.D"

Ben looked to Malfoy and then to Julie before sighing and nodding, "Scoot over Harry, make some room…Malfoy, there will be rules…" Ben sat up straighter, clasping his hands together and leaning forward.

"Yes sir." Malfoy mumbled, staring at his feet.

"You will wipe any slurs against non-purebloods, non-Slytherins, and non-humans from your vocabulary."

"Yes sir."

"If we get word of you using them there will be repercussions."

"Yes sir."

"If you make a wrong move, anything that suggests you'll turn on us, there will be serious repercussions."

"Yes sir."

"You will do your homework."

"Yes sir."

"Alright." Ben nodded, leaning back.

Malfoy stayed quiet, curling into a corner; Ben and Gwen locked eyes, sighing and nodding. The boy probably had issues and…well at least they had had practice working with Kevin.

It was Harry who made the first move, offering Malfoy a chocolate frog. Malfoy glared but it was a puppy-glare before dropping it completely and biting his lip. Hesitantly he reached out to take it, withdrawing it as quickly as he could once it was in his hand.

With a sad, practiced air Gwen slipped out from underneath Kevin's arm and took a seat beside Malfoy. Ron moved to her former seat. With a gentle, soft voice she explained what she could do and what she wanted to do, promising him upon her badge not to reveal anything unless he gave the okay first. Slowly, but surely, just as she had been able to with Kevin, she gained his trust and he allowed her into his mind. She placed fingertips at his temples, relaxing and seeping into him. Her pink eyes widened and she gave a slight gasp. She broke the connection, tears in her eyes.

"Worse?" Ben asked, knowing she would not break her promise.

"Much, much worse." She shook, hugging herself.

Ben's eyes widened and he let out a gasp, smothered by his own hand. She looked towards

Kevin and he gave a nod. She began talking to Malfoy again, explaining what would happen. His silver eyes widened, disbelief obvious, but he gave a quick nod of agreement.

She then asked for permission to grab his school robes and alter them; again the blonde nodded. She stood and retrieved them from his trunk, asking, "Hermione, you wouldn't happen to have some extra Gryffindor patches would you?"

Hermione smiled, nodding, "Of course." She stood up and dug around in her trunk and found her sewing kit.

Gwen was already sitting down, the robes on her lap as she used her powers to un-sew the Slytherin patches from them. Her fingers moved expertly, dancing in the air and controlling the loosening threads like a puppeteer would her puppets.

The removed patches fell to the floor when freed, being replaced with gold and red Gryffindor ones supplied by Hermione. The green inner fabric was mutated to bright scarlet by a simple spell. While Gwen was sewing and spelling Hermione began teaching Ma-Draco all about Gryffindor. If he had any Slytherin tendencies at all he'd be eaten alive. He had to walk and talk like a Gryffindor to survive.

By the time they arrived at Hogsmeade station he almost had the needed Gryffindor mannerisms down pat. As he entered the Great Hall he was flanked by Harry and Hermione, backed up Kevin and Gwen and then Ben and Julie and finally Ron. They herded him to Gryffindor table and sat him down, encircling him on the benches and shielding him from view.

As soon as they had entered people began whispering, gossiping, and shooting him wary looks.

They led him up after feast and settled him, hoping the boys would be able to protect him.