Disclaimer: As usual not mine, not of it.
AN: Hey guys, sorry for the long wait. I had this ready last week but then went on holiday sorry. On a happier note I hope to put out another chapter very soon. This is mainly because I want to put up my Christmas very close to Christmas. Selfish I know…
A huge thanks to my wonderfulBeta AmyakaLuke. However on that note, I am looking for another Beta Reader. Amy is amazing but won't tell me the stuff that is wrong because she is far too nice. Basically you would just read over each chapter before it is posted and send it back with any changes. It would also be great if you could nag me to keep writing :P Let me know in a review or PM me if you're interested.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy and don't forget to review!
Previously…
Before Blaise or the others could do anything however Draco opened the compartment door. Frowning when he saw someone sitting in his seat Draco stepped forward to say something just as the Cruoris stiffened then dropped down to land delicately on Draco's shoulder.
Draco whipped his head around as he felt something heavy land on his shoulder, if it was one of the Weasel twins' tricks again… when he saw what it was however he froze, his eyes wide. However his eyes soon narrowed as he watched it. The gyrfalcon simply sat on his shoulder watching him back, its claws slowly digging in.
Then, Draco stood frozen as the bird its leg out across his face, one sharp claw drawing a line of blood across his cheek, the blood seeping into its claw almost as soon as it appeared. When Draco saw what was attached to the gyrfalcon's leg he gave a sigh of relief. A small roll of parchment was would around the leg and tied with black string. He cautiously reached up and untied the string causing the parchment to fall into his hand.
As soon as it was freed from its burden the gyrfalcon pushed off Draco's shoulder and sped out of the window that was still open since its arrival despite the cold breeze that was whistling past. The whole compartment relaxed once the bird had disappeared from sight and Draco felt everyone's eyes on him, curious, as he looked down at the rolled parchment in his hand.
Draco, however felt that there was a much more serious job to be addressed – someone was sitting in his seat. Deciding that the boy was probably below him Draco instead turned towards the others in the compartment.
"What the hell is a puffball doing in my seat?" There were a couple of giggles at that which were quickly snuffed under the force of Draco's glare. Blaise finally seemed to decide that he better be the one to speak up if no one wanted to die.
"That," Blaise said trying to sound as calming as he could, "is Amy's twin brother Clark. And he was just moving." With this he sent a significant towards Clark that Draco missed but it didn't really matter anyway as so did Clark. Clark looked up at Draco disgruntled,
"What do you mean puffball? And why should I move? I was here first." Draco felt like laughing when he heard that. This Hufflepuff was obviously very dim-witted – a Mudblood no doubt. Wait, did Blaise say that he was Amy's twin? Not Mudblood then but still stupid. Then again if he was also a transfer, no wonder he didn't know what he was doing. The two didn't even look like twins though.
Clark had sandy blonde hair that looked as though it had just been dumped on his head and left to droop every which way. He was quite tall but also quite large – well padded would be the politically correct phrase but when had Draco ever had politically correct thoughts? He always studied the world critically before putting it into more polite tones. The male Blake's uniform was crumpled but not in any way that might be considered 'cool'. It was rather as if he had thrown it on from a jumbled pile and hadn't thought to tidy it up.
Amy's hair however was a deep brown and long with slight curls kept perfectly in place, no doubt due to some handy charm. Amy was shorter than Clark, shorter than everyone in the compartment but also thinner that her brother. The only thing that the siblings really shared was their hazel eyes – both pairs of which were flashing now. Hopefully they would differ in personality as much as they did in looks as Draco was just beginning to like Amy but he already detested Clark (this may or may not have had something to do with the fact that he was sitting in his seat).
Realising that he had been studying the Blakes for awhile now he cleared his throat and addressed the boy in his seat,
"Well Clark" he started before smirking at the fun he would have and changing his tone of voice to one that was more patronising, "I called you a puffball because I mistakenly thought that you were a Hufflepuff but now know that there is no doubt that that will be your house when we arrive at Hogwarts, just like there is no doubt that your sister will be in Slytherin like a proper pureblood." Here he nodded at Amy before continuing, "As for why you should move, well there are a couple of reasons for that too. Firstly, no you were not here first, I was I simply left to go to a prefect meeting before coming back and that leads us nicely onto point two. I am a prefect and therefore am above you and can take points off and assign detentions. Thirdly I was just visited by a Cruoris Gyrfalcon who did not kill me or even seriously maim me but instead brought me a letter. Fourthly it was the Dark Lord's Gyrfalcon and the letter is no doubt from him making me a very dangerous man to cross right now. Got it?" Here he paused and looked at Clark expectantly and when he got no reply from the dumbfounded boy continued on.
"I do however owe you the most minor of apologies. I have not introduced myself; I am Draco Malfoy, son of Lucius Malfoy and heir to the most pure Malfoy line as well as heir to the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black. I apologise for not introducing myself to you and also for not knowing who you were" Draco felt himself stand taller and his smirk become more pronounced as he looked down on Clark through his formal apology, oh this would be fun. "You see" he continued, "I was not aware that Miss Blake had a sibling, let alone a twin. It must have slipped both her and Mr. Zabini's minds when we met last week at Diagon Alley and before on the train when we talked. In fact I did not see you in either place so did not even suspect that you existed so great was their lack of you. I'm sure there was a reason for this." He finished with a knowing grin and waited to see what would happen.
It was Amy who acted first in the silence after his little speech. She stood up, turned to Clark and, taking his hand, pulled him to his feet.
"Maybe you should go now Clark" she said softly "Draco's right, he was here first and there isn't another seat. I'll see you when we get there though. Ok Clark?" This last was said with hope and she tugged him towards the door. Clark nodded but didn't look happy.
"Fine, I can see where I'm not wanted." He turned and glared and the rest of the compartment before looking back at Amy and Draco was glad to see concern on his face – the boy needed something redeeming and maybe care for his family was the closest he would get.
"Just watch out Amy," he continued, "you're getting into a rough crowd here and I don't want you to get hurt. I'm not sure if this is where you belong, Mum and Da-" Here Amy cut him off by pushing him none too gently out the door and turning to face Draco as she shut the door. Before Draco could say anything she launched into speech,
"Yes he is my twin and yes he has no social etiquette or manners and no we are not alike but please, don't be too hard on him. He has had a harder time adjusting to all this. Things are different here than to home. I can accept this and I like it but he can't and doesn't. He may be a pain in the arse okay but he's my pain in the arse. For my sake," here Amy paused and looked around the compartment he gaze slowing on Blaise and Draco, "don't hurt him, and just let him be."
Blaise gave Amy and indulgent smile and patted the seat beside him,
"Of course not Amy. He just needed to know where he stood with us. We won't bother him again." The glance that Blaise flashed towards the others belied this but Amy didn't really seem to want to notice so the rest of them nodded soothingly until Daphne spoke out,
"What was he saying about your parents Amy? I didn't quite catch it."
"Oh," here she paused, "just that they told him to look after me and he wants to follow their orders, nothing major."
Daphne nodded but there was only a small pause before her infamous curiosity and love of gossip caused her to speak out again, once again in a question,
"What do your parents do again? I haven't heard you mention them much. Pansy said that you are staying with Blaise while they are back in England but I don't know what they do."
Here Amy looked slightly panicked as she looked to Blaise for help. This, of course, piqued Draco's curiosity and he, with the rest of the compartment, lent forward in order to hear better.
"Just tell them the bare basics like you told me." Blaise reassured Amy and lent back to let her continue.
"Oh well, you see," started Amy hesitantly "they work for the Ministry in New Zealand but I can't really tell you much more than that as they work in… the top circles so it's all… top secret I guess. Sorry I can't say more than that." They students around her all nodded in understanding. They all knew what it was like to have parents whose work had to stay secret – it just usually wasn't with the ministry.
All this talk of parents reminded Draco of what his father said and he stood up off his newly reclaimed seat and beckoned to Crabbe and Goyle to join him.
"I think" he said, a grin forming on his face, "that it is time we paid a visit to our most loathed Gryffindorks. I have a few things to say that I feel would… shake them up a little." With another feral grin he turned and strode out.
Draco strode confidently through the corridors glancing in each one until he saw the familiar mop of bright red hair. He slid the door open and lent on the wall smirking at them.
"What?" asked Potter before Malfoy could even open his mouth.
"Manners, Potter, or I'll have to give you detention." Draco drawled back, "You see, I, unlike you, have been made prefect, which means that I, unlike you, have the power to hand out punishments." Here Draco smirked in at the three and waited for Potter's reaction. It wasn't long in coming.
"Yeah," said Potter, "but you, unlike me, are a git, so get out and leave us alone." At that all of the Gryffindorks laughed and Draco felt his lip curl, he was getting annoyed now.
"Tell me," He all but snarled, "how does it feel being second-best to Weasley, Potter?" That got the reaction he wanted,
"Shut up Malfoy" said Granger sharply. Malfoy laughed.
"I seem to have touched a nerve. Well just watch yourself Potter," Draco was on a roll now, "because I'll be dogging your footsteps in case you step out of line" The looks of pure astonishment on their faces made Draco regret that he hadn't brought and camera and wonder what his father had on these three that they would react that way to a single word. Suddenly Granger seemed to get herself together,
"Get out!" she said standing up. Sniggering Draco gave Potter one last malicious look before walking out, throwing a quick "'Till patrol then Mudblood" over his shoulder as he walked away and back to his compartment.
DSCDSCDSC
The train whistled as it pulled into the station and stopped with a lurch. Amy stood up smoothing her plain black robes down. She felt oddly conspicuous surrounded by black robes hemmed in green.
As she followed the others off the train she looked around at the milling bodies and was awed. Back in New Zealand their high school for wizards was only the last five years of their education – there was a different school for the first two years. And even if they were combined then there definitely wouldn't be this many people. Each year had a maximum of 40 people and more often than not that wasn't filled up. There were only 35 in her year back home and only 10 of them were girls.
Amy shook herself out of her thoughts. It would do no good to think of New Zealand as home now. She was stuck in this rainy country with backwards seasons and it was her new home. She became aware that the others had left and she was left standing next to Draco who was berating a small first year for 'standing disrespectfully'.
"I'll let you off lightly" he said after lecturing the poor boy on respect, "I'll only take 10 points from Gryffindor but let this be a lesson to you." Both Amy and the small boy opened their mouths to point out the flaw in this, who knew if the boy would even be in Gryffindor. However just then a bushy haired girl with red braiding on her robes and a shiny prefect badge marched up to them.
"What were you doing Malfoy, this boy has done nothing!" she snapped at Draco, who quickly retorted,
"Defending your own house Granger? Isn't that against favouritism and against the rules? Tsk tsk."
"What do you mean my house? That's a first year, he doesn't have a house. He hasn't been sorted!"
"Yes but he is obviously a Gryffindor, I mean look at him." Draco gestured to where the boy had been standing only moments before but he had scurried off terrified. Draco somehow managed to snort gracefully (Amy decided that she would have learn how he did that, it would be a great skill),
"Obviously, you scared him off Mudblood" he sneered at the Granger girl and Amy was shocked,
"Draco!" she exclaimed, "Don't be rude! Apologise now!" Now both Granger and Draco were looking at her in astonishment. "I'm Amy Blake by the way" she said to Granger holding out her hand "A new transfer and I'm ever so sorry for Draco's behaviour. I'm sure that he didn't mean that."
"Oh I'm sure he did" said the prefect with a sharp glance at Draco, "I'm Hermione Granger, Gryffindor prefect. Nice to meet you Blake. How did you even get mixed up with a slime ball like Malfoy?" Amy smiled but quickly corrected Hermione,
"He's only a slime ball when he wants to, he can even be charming sometimes if you'll believe me." She smiled as Draco scowled and shifted on his feet. "I stayed with a friend of his during the summer – Blaise Zabini – do you know him?" Hermione nodded slightly,
"Not well but slightly. You're in our year though?" She said gesturing between herself and Draco. At Amy's nod she smiled and said, "I hope to see you around then, though I doubt you'll be a Gryffindor if this boy has taken you in. You'll want Hagrid over there, the really tall man; he will send you to where you need to be."
With a quick word of thanks to Hermione and a smile and a wave to Draco who was trying to sidle off Amy headed towards the booming voice "Firs' years and transfers over 'ere" and tall silhouette she could see across the platform.
When she reached the man Amy saw that he was standing by a track down to a fleet of boats and that Clark was standing next to him. With a smile Amy walked over to Clark and gave him a hug.
"How was the rest of your trip bro? Not too bad I hope?" Standing heads and shoulders above all of the first years Amy would have felt like a giant if not for the even taller man next to her who surely must be at least part actual giant.
"It was okay," replied Clark giving her a smile, "I found some other fifth years that seemed quite nice. They seemed to find heaps of stuff funny though. That was weird." Here he looked up at the man, "Hey, Hagrid this is my sister Amy. I think that we're the only transfers." The man – Hagrid – nodded down at them before gathering the younger children like a mother hen with its chicks and herding them towards the boats.
"Four to a boat then" he said gruffly "you two on your own." This was to Amy and Clark who quickly clambered into a boat and waited to see what would happen next.
Amy smiled at the gasps that escaped from the young mouths as the boats started to propel themselves across the lake. However she couldn't help but to gasp herself when the castle came into view. It was majestic. A stone vision with rising towers and lights twinkling in the windows. It was beautiful. As the boats pulled up next to a jetty and the all clambered out Amy took Clark's hand. No matter what happened in this new world, nothing would rip them apart. They would stay together, united in a strange land.
DSCDSCDSC
Draco slipped into a seat at the Slytherin table and immediately got to work. In the carriage they had all decided on a plan of action to welcome Blake to their house. The word was spread quickly. When the female transfer was sorted into Slytherin they must cheer and clap as if their lives depended on it. In many cases their well being did, some of the older students weren't afraid to use force to back up their wishes. In contrast they were to be look for Draco's cue when it came to the male transfer. If he clapped they could clap but only with as much enthusiasm as him.
Draco was quite happy that everyone was going along with the plan. He had been a little unsure whether the older students would listen but was pleasantly surprised that they did, and without any bribes or threats.
He really shouldn't have been so surprised. Word had quickly spread out through Daphne's gossip networks that he had received a message on a Cruoris Gyrfalcon, THE Cruoris Gyrfalcon and he hadn't been hurt so it was a good message. This little titbit of information had gone out as Class A meaning that it was verified at the source. Everyone knew that when something was Class A from a Greengrass you could trust it so now people were very wary around Draco. He was powerful, powerful and an unknown. They would follow his plan.
Soon after this the procession of new students entered the great hall and stood waiting between the tables. Amy and Clark stood out like two sore thumbs from the crowd of little 'uns (Draco resolved to never speak or think of that phrase again when he realise what he had said). Draco zoned out as the first years were sorted, politely clapping whenever one ended up in Slytherin.
Draco briefly paid attention briefly when he noticed that the boy he had berated earlier – Hibiscus, Jonathan – had strangely enough been sorted into Slytherin. What the devil was that dumb hat thinking? The boy looked petrified and kept shooting worried glances at Draco. He was clearly not a Slytherin. No doubt Granger was going to have a field day with this at the next meeting. He sent a glare down to the boy for being such a pain then zoned out once again.
An insufferably long time later and McGonagall was explaining that they had new exchange students. And then,
"Blake, Amy."
"Slytherin!"
At once the Green table broke into thunderous applause, cheering and shouting as Amy made her way over to the table with her now emerald rimmed robes to sit between him and Blaise. Then,
"Blake, Clark."
The hat sat on Clark's head. Unmoving, unspeaking for a couple of minutes before, finally,
"Hufflepuff!"
At once Amy was up and clapping enthusiastically and, when she noticed that they weren't doing the same she dragged each of them up and they politely and disinterestedly started clapping. At this cue the rest of the table politely clapped as Clark made his way to the Hufflepuff table. As he reached the table the feast appeared. It was food time.
DSCDSCDSC
Half way through the meal Amy suddenly turned to Draco,
"I wasn't dreaming on the train was I? That was a Cruoris Gyrfalcon that brought you a letter, wasn't it? The Dark Lord's Gyrfalcon?" Draco nodded remembering and pulled out the letter it had brought to him. He hadn't even really thought about the letter, he had been too concerned about who was sitting in his seat. That probably wasn't the best of ideas considering who it was from though…
"Haven't you opened it Draco?" Asked Pansy incredulously, staring at the sealed parchment in his hands.
"I guess I was just more worried about who was sitting in my seat. That's been my seat then some random comes up and takes it. I was worried about the poor thing. Anyway I'm the only one who can sit in that seat." Draco tried to explain, he had to have that seat. Bow however Amy looked like she was both trying not to laugh and very concerned for his sanity.
"You what?" She asked, "You were worried about your seat? The friggin' Dark Lord sends his pet killer to you and you ignore him? Geez talk about OCD." The others all seemed to agree with her. Now Draco was getting annoyed, couldn't they all see how important that seat was.
"No, it's not just a seat," He said patiently, "it a symbol see. The perfect seat in all ways. It faces backwards meaning I'm always ahead of you, and when a window is open the wind doesn't annoy me. It's by the window so I can look outside if I feel like brooding or ignoring you guys but can still turn around and command the conversation if I wish to. And it's mine. Do you get it?"
"Brood Draco, really?" Asked Blaise.
"Yes brood Blaise!" Draco snapped back, "If Ancient African rulers could brood then so can I!" Draco doubted any of him knew what he was talking about but that wasn't the point. Choosing to ignore their smirking faces he snapped the seal on the letter and began to read.
All in all it wasn't too bad but Draco knew he would have to reply soon so as not to offend his Lord. Luckily at that moment Dumbledore stood up to release them and he was able to get up and lead the first years back to their dorm.
As tradition dictated Draco and Pansy led the juniors the longest way they could back to the dorms so that everyone else could make it back before them and wow the first years with the speed in which they managed it. Draco ignored them all the whole time, itching to race to the Owlery and reply to the letter he had just read. Finally though they had arrived and sent off the first years to their respective dormitories and he was free to leave.
Draco quickly strode off up to the Owlery, mentally penning the note in his head as he went. Soon the note was penned and sent off with Soren to his master.
Malfoy,
Congratulations on receiving the position of prefect for Slytherin house. I am sure you will continue preserving the values of our illustrious house and its founder.
Snape assures me that he was the one to pick you and not the fool who currently runs the school so you may rejoice that the old man only chose the words to go in your letter and that accomplished men believe that you have the potential to be worthy.
My sources tell me that Mudblood Granger and Blood-Traitor Weasley (the youngest boy that is) have also been made prefect by their head of house. I would advise that find some way to use this to your advantage.
You know your mission, complete it.
Lord Voldemort
My Dark Lord
Thank you for your congratulations. I hope that I am able to live up to our house's expectations. Your words hearten me as I admit I was concerned about what Dumbledore thought of me.
I had already acted on your advice before I was able to receive your message. As painful as it will be I have paired myself with the Mudblood for prefect duties although I made it seem like chance. Though she is so far below I feel that this will work to my advantage as she will be honoured that I would pay attention to her and I am sure that this will lead her to crack soon.
Your ever faithful servant,
Draco L. Malfoy.
AN: Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed it. Don't forget to review.