Chapter Two
Draco Malfoy, Ashriel realized, could be good company when he wasn't being a stuck-up snob. Although, he was the Heir Presumptive of the Malfoy Clan, so Ashriel supposed he'd be spoiled. Malfoy had manners though, and that was more than Ashriel could say about some of her brothers. The Twins were surprisingly well behaved about the customs. Percy, however, took it to far. Always strutting around like he owned the place. Charlie and Bill were by far the politest and well mannered. Ron, of course, did not know the meaning of manners. He ate like a pig, ignored customs, and was hypocritical. Ashriel made sure Ginny knew the customs and etiquette to a 'T'.
"So, Mr. Malfoy, have you enjoyed the trip so far, or" Ashriel smirked, "Would you prefer I left you to your own devices."
Malfoy frowned, "It's fine, Miss. Weasley. You don't have to leave," Malfoy's pale cheeks flushed, "Right now anyway, not as if I enjoy your company or anything."
Ashriel smiled, and when the compartment door opened, she barely glanced over. Not until a feminine voice idly commented, "Whoever made a Malfoy blush must be complimented. It is not an easy task."
Ashriel turned at the voice and was surprised to find a blonde-haired girl, perhaps a year older, standing in the doorway. The girl smiled politely, and said while outstretching a hand to Ashriel: "My name is Lona Wren, you may call me Lona."
Ashriel ignored the green and silver robes in favor of reaching out and grasping the girl's hand, "And I am Ashriel Weasley, you may call me Ashriel, or Ash if you prefer."
Lona's smile widened, "Very well, Ash." Lona stepped into the compartment, reaching out a hand to Malfoy and repeating the introduction to him.
Draco paused only for a moment, before accepting the hand, "Draco Malfoy, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Miss. Wren."
Looking between the two after extracting her hand, Lona asked, "Is it alright if I sit with you? My friends seem to be preoccupied with Lee Jordon's spider for my comfort."
Ashriel furrowed her eyebrows, "Lee Jordon has a spider? My brothers would be all over him to get a look."
Lona grinned, and sat next to Ashriel and across from Draco. "Yes, in fact they were the friends I was talking about. We've known one another since our first year when we stumbled into each other on the train." Lona looked at Draco, who had a frown on his face, "They are much smarter than people think."
Ashriel grinned, "Well they'd have to be, to create the pranks that they do."
Draco tilted his head, "Am I to believe that all Weasley's are different than I thought?"
Ashriel pursed her lips, "Not really. If I'm right, you probably think we're dirt poor, muggle adoring, idiots who dash head first into danger. That we have no respect for other pure-blood families or something similar, correct?"
Draco winced, "Yes, pretty much. I apologize for thinking that."
Ashriel shook her head, "Apology accepted. Although, Father doesn't see the danger of Muggles like others do, and Ron is rather rude. He talks before he thinks. Mother is very much the same, but she tries her best."
"And your financial problem?" Lona asked, before her eyes widened, and her hair flushed a bright reddish-pink in embarrassment. "I am so sorry! I did not mean to-"
Ashriel cut in before the apology could be finished, "You're an metamorphagus? That's amazing!" Here, Ashriel forced her hair to change from her natural orange to shades of all colors, which made Lona gasp. "I am too!"
"You're both metamorhagus'?" Draco asked in surprise.
Ashriel smiled, "It would seem so. I've never met another one, so it's just as interesting for me as it is you." She then turned to Lona, "And to answer your question, my family is unfortunately poor. And with the number of siblings I have, it doesn't help."
"Your brothers once said the same thing." Lona replied.
"Did they?" Ashriel asked in surprise, "I wouldn't think so."
Lona frowned at Ashriel, "Well of course they love their family, it's just that they once said your Mother and Father dote on the youngest, leaving the elder ones scrambling to do something worth noticing. They said you don't try though," Lona squinted, "Why is that?"
Ashriel frowned, and took this moment to examine the other girl. Lona Wren was an averaged height girl, with long blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes. She had pale skin, but not an unhealthy pale, and a decent amount of muscle on her bones. Her hair fell in slight waves, and almost seemed to curl at the tips. While appearances could be deceiving-especially with Metamorphagus'-Ashriel knew this was what the girl really looked like.
Ashriel locked eyes with Lona, and fought the urge to squirm. Ashriel knew that Lona was examining her with a keen eye.
And Ashriel was correct. Lona Wren looked at Ashriel Weasley with an impassive gaze, showing no real emotion as she took the time to examine the red-head. Ashriel was the same height as Lona, which meant she would probably end up being around 5'8''. Lona took in the slightly delicate features, and then the wavy red hair Ashriel sported. She had pale greenish eyes, almost blue, and pale skin dotted here and there with freckles.
Lona watched as Ashriel pursed her lips, and then sigh. "Well, what's the point in trying to get the approval that won't come?" Ashriel shrugged, "My family is weird. My parents are so focused on the youngest kids, that they won't notice if one of the others made Minister of Magic."
Lona blinked in surprise. "You're serious?"
Ashriel nodded, "I remember that Charlie got Head Boy, but it was my sister's birthday, so they were too focused on that to celebrate."
Draco frowned, "That doesn't sound like what my Father told me."
Lona shook her head, "I trust the Black family more than I trust the Malfoy's." Lona turned to look at Draco, who was now glaring at Lona with clear anger. Lona held up her hands in a calming gesture, saying "Hey now, I've got a good reason."
Malfoy sneered, "Is that so?"
Lona nodded, "The Malfoy's bought their title, but the Blacks-which is the family your Mother is from-earned the title of Most Ancient and Noble." She dropped her hands, "Although I will say this: The Malfoy's did earn the title of Ancient. They only bought the Noble part. So hey, you do get a lot of respect for that. Besides, your descended from the Black family."
Ashriel nodded, "Despite their reputation, they are almost as old as the founders of Hogwarts." Ashriel smirked, "If you want to flaunt influence, flaunt that."
Draco stared at Ashriel, then finally asked: "Are you a Slytherin? Maybe a Ravenclaw?"
Ashriel snorted, "No actually. You would think I was, but I was sorted into Gryffindor for-quote unquote- "bravery-it goes beyond the physical boundaries". I was almost sorted into Ravenclaw though."
Draco frowned, "Beyond the physical boundaries?" He quoted in confusion. "What is that supposed to mean?"
Ashriel shrugged, "I don't know. I guess I go against stereotypes? I mean I don't judge people by their families or anything like that. That alone draws attention, and not necessarily the good kind." Ashriel nodded at Draco, "I know my parents would be pissed if they knew I was talking to you."
Draco sniffed, offended. "And what exactly, is that supposed to mean?"
Ashriel flushed, eyes and hair tinting an embarrassed reddish-pink. "Well, I uh, I don't mean to o-offend you, but your father and mine, don't exactly, you know, get… along."
Draco opened his mouth to comment, when the compartment door slid open. It was the twins. George was on the right, and Fred was on the left. Ashriel immediately noticed how George glanced at Lona and how he straightened up.
Ashriel smiled to herself, noting to herself how George looked at Lona. Her brother had it bad. Ashriel tilted her head, "What is up big brothers?"
Fred grinned, "Get this: Harry Potter is in the train cart two doors done on our right." It was then he noticed Draco, "Oh hello there. I'm Fred Weasley, and-
-I'm George. His twin." George finished.
Draco paused, before he stiffly inclined his head and said: "Draco Malfoy." It was obvious that he was trying his hardest to be polite, and that whatever bigoted opinions his father instilled wanted to make itself known. Draco stood and brushed off his robes.
Ashriel tilted her head, "Where are you going?" She asked, although it was obvious.
Draco gave her a look, "To meet the Heir Presumptive of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter, what else?"
Lona giggled. "I would like to meet him, the rumors are all over the place about him, and I would love to see what's true and what's not."
Ashriel paused, then stood, "You've got a point there. I'll go too."
"Actually," Fred started, before George continued "Ron is already there, so if you two go,"-here the twins motion to Draco and Lona-"Be prepared for immature insults of some sort."
Lona smirked, "I'm corrupting you two, I can tell." She turned to Ashriel and Draco, "Shall we?" She asked.
Far away, A single butterfly flapped its' wings once.
A/N
SO Long a Wren has been introduced, and changes have already occurred. I will Stick mostly to canon regarding Draco and his family with a few AU touches here and there. Draco is obviously not as big q prat, but then again, Ashriel didn't make Fun of his name like Ron did.
Lona face claim: undecided. I will post the face claim in the next chapter.
I changed Ashriel's face Claim from Grace Holly to Holland Roden.
Love Cira
