A/N: I hope this chapter answers some of your questions about the last chapter. Happy reading! x
Disclaimer: Queen Rowling rules over this world. :)

Chapter Three: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

'Chèr (Dear) Maman et (and) Daddy,
You know that I have been looking forward to going to Hogwarts ever since Victoire got her letter. I enjoyed the stories of Daddy's time here, and the recounts of your visit, Maman, but I don't have very good news to report for myself. Hogwarts hasn't been particularly kind to me this last week, that is to say, my first week has been absolutely horrible. People talk about me and gossip about me, everywhere I go. Victoire makes sure that our conversations are end quickly, Teddy minds his own business, I haven't even seen Fred, and Roxanne tried to apologise for what she said, though always privately. She still continues to put me down in front of her friends, so I have not yet forgiven her. Je ne comprends pas (I don't understand), I didn't ask to be put in Slytherin. I just want it all to stop because I want to have a good time here. In saying that, I do have a few friends that I can depend on...but it would be nice to have the support of ma famille (my family). Je suis desolée (I am sorry) for bothering you, Maman and Daddy. J'espére que vous êtes bien (I hope that you are well). Send my love to Louis. Vous me manquez (I miss you).
Gros bisous (Big kisses), Dominique.'

A week had passed since Dominique had sent that letter out to her parents, and she was very worried that they either hadn't received yet, or had already received it and were now refusing to speak to her.
"I'm sure there'll be an explanation," Alexandra said kindly. She had been very supportive ever since Roxanne had lashed out. Dominique was grateful that she had Alexandra. Nathan Everton (the boy who had asked Dominique about her sister, and the brother of their fifth-year prefect, Lucas) nodded. They were sitting in the Slytherin common room, some finishing up a Potions essay due the following morning, others practicing Switching spells for Transfiguration.
"You know what you need, Dom?" Cassidy, one of her fellow Slytherin first-years, said out-of-the-blue.
"What's that, Cass?" Dominique asked, a little miserably.
"A distraction," Cassidy replied.
"That's not a half bad idea," Nathan said.
"Sorry to burst your little bubbles, but what are we going to distract her with?" Ethan asked. Everyone turned to look at him.
"Well, what are you passionate about, Dom?" Alexandra asked.
Dominique thought for a while before replying, "Quidditch."
"Aren't try outs happening sometime soon?" Nathan asked. He stood up and walked to the noticeboard to check. "Yep, this weekend."
"Aren't you meant to be training so you can make the team?" Ethan asked. Everyone ignored him. Dominique really wanted to tell them all that she was confident and that she didn't need to train because she was practically brought up on a broom, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. Not because she thought it would sound incredibly arrogant, but because she didn't think she'd make the team based on her skill. She thought that the elitist Slytherins would have a problem with her because she was a Weasley.
"I think I'll go to bed," Dominique stood up and walked towards the girls' dormitory before anyone could stop her.

When she reached the dormitory, she sat down on her bed, with no intentions of sleeping. She reflected on her time at Hogwarts, and how people were treating her. Her family had always told her that the Slytherins were bad people, even Hagrid, a close friend of the family, had told her that "there's not a single witch or wizard who went bad who wasn't in Slytherin" in the Dark times. But they were so nice to her! Maybe they really had all changed after all, she thought to herself. She had, of course, heard the stories firsthand of how the Malfoys were a part of Voldemort's Inner Circle, and though the Parkinsons were never proved to be part of that Dark alliance, they paraded around the school and Ministry, flaunting their purebloodness in everyone's faces. She had also listened very intently to the arguments that Uncles Harry and Ron had about Draco Malfoy changing for the greater good. Uncle Ron didn't believe it, but Uncle Harry did. Dominique changed into her pajamas. Yes, she believed that the Slytherins had changed, for she was one of them, and she had seen firsthand how kind they were...to her. After all, Slytherins were known to stick together, Alex had said it as one of their traits...Dominique fell asleep with this thought in her head.

While Dominique had had a lovely sleep, the other Slytherin first-years had been awake half the night. Dominique didn't enquire, but this was evident by their constant yawns and bags under their eyes.
"Terrible sleep?" Dominique nudged Spencer amusedly at the Slytherin table during breakfast. Dominique had hoped that they had all forgotten the conversation from last night.
"More like not enough sleep," Spender replied grumpily. Dominique laughed.
She watched as the owls swept into the Great Hall from the rafters, but didn't spot her family owl. Sighing, she went back to her breakfast.

In Potions, she sat with Callum, the boy she had been partnered up with from the first lesson. She got on with her work quietly and efficiently. He noticed that something was up, but didn't pry. If she wanted to tell him, then she would, if she didn't, it wasn't his problem.
"Callum? I've just had a thought," Dominique said after copying the properties of moonstone off the blackboard.
"Hm?" he looked up from his own work.
"Is your sister's name Maddy?"
Callum was surprised, but replied good-maturely, "Yeah. Maddy Nicholson. How'd you find out?"
Dominique gave him a small smile. "You have the same nose."
Callum touched his own nose and then shrugged, "I guess we do."
"She's been keeping an eye on me, you know," Dominique said casually. Dominique had noticed that their fifth-year prefect hovered over the first-years every night before heading over to her own friendship circle.
Callum avoided her eye when he answered her, "Oh really?"
"Oh come on, Cal, I know you asked her to," Dominique pat his arm. "You didn't have to."
"I wanted to, you've had a rough week," Callum shrugged.
"Well...thank you. You're a good friend," Dominique smiled at him, before frowning. "More than I can say about my parents."
Callum took this as an invitation to pursue the subject. "Why? What did they do?"
Dominique told him her suspicions that they were ignoring her because she had been Sorted into Slytherin, and that she was a disappointment to the family. Callum frowned a little before replying.
"Mail gets lost or intercepted all the time. Maybe they haven't received your letter yet. You shouldn't worry, Dom."
Dominique sighed, "I know. I just can't help but wonder...you know?"
"I know," Callum said, sympathetically.
"Thank wizard god it's Friday," Dominique muttered as she copied down the method of the Forgetfulness Potion from the board.

The Slytherin Quidditch team try outs were on the next day, and Dominique couldn't wait to get out on her Firebolt. Even though she had flown during their flying lessons, it wasn't the same. There was no adrenaline rush as she searched the grounds for the Golden Snitch, no crowd cheering her on. Yes, she couldn't wait to prove herself. This determination clouded over her worries about being excluded because of her name, and for the first time during her time at Hogwarts, Dominique really concentrated on something that she wanted. She went to bed early on Friday night, partly to avoid her very persistent friends, and to get a good night's rest.

Dominique awoke very early on Saturday morning. She checked her watch, five in the morning...she doubted the sun had even risen. Nevertheless, she got out of bed, put on her robes and headed out to the Quidditch Pitch with her Firebolt in hand. It was eerily silent, but Dominique didn't mind. She loved the roar of the crowd, but sometimes, she loved being alone, and this was just one of those times. She kicked off hard from the ground and heard the wind whistling in her ear. She smiled contentedly as she swerved around the goal posts and did loops around the pitch. Once the sun had risen, she headed to the Great Hall for some breakfast.

"Where have you been?" Nathan asked her when she sat down next to him, a big smile on her face.
"Quidditch Pitch," Dominique answered shortly before buttering a piece of toast with some butter.
"Oh, of course, tryouts are today. Best of luck, Dom!" Cass called from across the table. Dominique smiled at her.
"I'm trying out too," Nathan told her.
Dominique narrowed her eyes. "Which position?" she asked. She was a very competitive person, and friend or not, if he was trying out for the same position as she, then she was sure to fight to the finish.
Nathan chuckled, "Chaser. You?"
"Good," Dominique wiped her mouth with a serviette. "I want the Seeker position."
Ethan whistled, "That's ambitious."
"Why?" Alexandra rounded on him. "Ignore him, Dom. We'll support both you and Nate all the way."
"Thanks," Dominique said appreciatively. She stood up. "Time to go."
Nathan followed her out of the Great Hall.

There were five people trying out for Seeker against Dominique. The first and second people lost the Snitch and had to be called in after searching for half an hour each.. The third person caught it after searching for at least twenty minutes. The fourth person was knocked out by a Bludger. The fifth person caught it in fifteen minutes, but managed to knock the Keeper off his broom. It was now Dominique's turn to show them what she was worth.
She heard a whistle and saw the little golden ball flutter out of the Captain's hand. She kicked off hard, and began scanning the sky. She dodged Chasers and hurdled over the passing of the Quaffle, before spotting a glint of gold on the other side of the pitch. She accelerated and within seconds, she had the little ball wrapped in her right hand.
"Yes!" she punched the air. That had to be ten minutes, maximum. Uncle Harry would have been proud. She landed next to the Captain and handed him the Snitch.
"Excellent flying," he told her. He directed her over to where all the other hopefuls were standing. The girl who was knocked out by the Bludger still looked a little dazed.

When the Chaser try outs were over, the Slytherin team members huddled to discuss who would make the team. Lucas Everton, who played as Keeper, winked at his brother and Dominique, who were standing together. The Captain, Travis Goyle, nodded at his team and then went to stand in front of the crowd. He cleared his throat.
"This is by far the best turn out I've ever seen to a try out," he said loudly. "But as you know, we are only looking for two people to join Lucas, Amy, Jane, Declan and myself on the team. A Chaser and a Seeker, and though there were some brilliant performances today, two definitely stood out."
He stepped forward to shake Nathan's hand. Nathan looked shocked, but very happy.
"Well done, kid," Travis said. "Introduce yourself?"
However, Lucas stepped in proudly, "My little brother everyone, Nathan. We are definitely keeping the tradition of Quidditch in this family."
Everyone clapped, Dominique cheered for her friend.
"And there was a unanimous decision as to who will be the new Slytherin Seeker," Travis pointed to Dominique. Her mouth fell open. She could hardly believe it. What would happen when they found out who she was?
"Um thank you," she muttered meekly.
"What's your name?" Travis asked kindly. She had heard that the Goyles had a bad reputation, but Travis didn't seem so bad. Then again, he didn't know who she was.
"Dominique...Weasley," she said in a small voice.
"Weasley?" she heard the crowd gasp. Travis had gone pale.
"Excuse me," he hurried back to his team.

"She has skill!" the boy named Declan Bulstrode said loudly. He was one of the Beaters on to team.
"But she's a Weasley!" Travis said in a carrying whisper. "We've a reputation to uphold!"
"Well, what are we going to do? We can't kick her out of her own house!" Amy Henderson, the sixth-year prefect and a Chaser on the team, said angrily.
Dominique sat on a bench, listening to them rambling on about her fate on the team. She was just about to stand up to tell Travis that if her consideration for the team was causing them so much trouble, she would just back out and they could give the position to somebody else, when the team huddle broke apart. Travis, followed closely by Lucas and Amy, walked over to her.
"Congrats, Weasley, you've made the team," he stuck out his hand for her to shake. She shook it gratefully. "Play like you did today, and we've got the Quidditch Cup in the bag. Practice starts on Wednesday," he told her. She nodded to show she understood. Before turning to leave, he added, "Prove to us why we chose you." He turned on his heel and marched off into the castle.
"Well done, Dom," Amy smiled at her. "Travis is still a little prejudiced against um...Weasleys. His father didn't get along well with one of them, you know, but Travis has always been more open-minded than his father, so give him some time."
"This should be an interesting year for Quidditch," Lucas grinned widely. "Come on," he flung his arm over Nathan's shoulder. "I'm hungry. Let's go eat."
Dominique followed the two brothers to the Great Hall feeling like a huge weight had been lifted off her. This was a huge step forward for her - her team accepted her for her skill, and though at first they did, they didn't really care that she came from the Weasley family. Yes, this was definitely a step forward for her.

"Dom!" Tessa Lovett almost crashed into the table as she hurried to Dominique's side. Following Tessa was Cassidy, who looked excited, and Alexandra, who looked grim.
"Yes, Tess?" Dominique turned to face her fellow-Slytherin.
"Someone from the Ravenclaw house thought of something so brilliant - an inter-house unity club!" Tessa said. Cassidy nodded, Alexandra groaned.
"Uh...that sounds great, Tess," Dominique said slowly. She looked over to Alexandra. "What's the catch?"
Tessa paused for a brief moment. "You could so join! You know, a Weasley in Slytherin...that could help bring all the other houses and Slytherin together."
"Oh no, I couldn't, Tess. They all hate me!" Dominique cried. "Especially the Gryffindors." She had lowered her voice to a whisper, but it still carried. Some Gryffindors who were walking by their table sniggered.
"We'd hex you if there weren't teachers around," one of them said. The other two laughed nastily.
"Shut it," Alexandra growled.
"Alex, don't push them," Dominique glared at their retreating backs.
"I told you this was a bad idea, Tess," Alexandra said. "Now Dom's back to square one."
"But we could try...your cousin could help us!" Tessa pushed.
"I'm really sorry, Tessa. I'm with Alex on this one, it's not going to work. My cousin publicly humiliates me, I don't want to be a part of that. You'll have to find someone else to help you," Dominique told Tessa. "I'm really sorry."
She walked away, leaving Tessa and Cassidy staring after her.

The rest of the weekend was dedicated to homework, and by Sunday night, Dominique was exhausted. She had finished all her essays, mastered the Switching Spell, and practiced the Shield Charm. She was curled up on an armchair, talking to Alexandra and Spencer about their Herbology homework, when she was interrupted by Madeleine.
"Dom? A letter has just come for you," Madeleine said holding out a fat envelope for Dominique to take.
"Thanks, Maddy. I wonder why it showed up this late?" Dominique looked inquisitively at the older girl.
Madeleine shrugged, "All I know is that an owl tried to get in but it was taken to Professor Slughorn and he called me to take this you."
"Well thank you," Dominique smiled at Madeleine. Madeleine smiled back before heading to the portrait hole.

"What is it?" Spencer asked. Dominique had taken a look at the front of the letter when Madeleine left and stood there staring at it.
"It's from my parents..." Dominique said slowly.
"Open it," Alexandra encouraged her. "You've been waiting forever to find out."
Dominique flipped the envelope over onto its back. Her eyes widened.
"What is it now?" Spender asked.
"It's not just from my parents. There are letters from my whole family in here," Dominique said quietly.

She opened the envelope and took out the first piece of parchment. She canned through and then sighed with relief.
"My parents are alright with this," Dominique began smiling. "They're okay with it! And they said that it took so long to get back to me was because all my aunts and uncles wanted to write to me too." She looked at her friends with tears in her eyes.
"I told you there was an explanation," Alexandra smiled at her. "Do you mind if...?" She gestured to the unopened pieces of parchment in the envelope.
"Go ahead," Dominique said, still smiling brightly.
Alexandra and Spencer opened up each envelope and read out little snippets from Dominique's family
"Uncle Harry says he's extremely proud of his little Seeker," Spencer said. Dominique smiled, she knew that Uncle Harry would accept her no matter what. It was he, after all, who bought her the Firebolt and introduced her to Quidditch.
"Uncle George and Aunt Angelina say that things happen for a reason...and they apologise for Roxanne's behaviour," Alexandra read and then scoffed at the last bit. "Yeah right."
"Uncle Ron says he's both disappointed and surprised that a Weasley could ever be Sorted into Slytherin..." Dominique said. The other two looked at her wearily. "But he says he'll accept it and he won't disown me." Dominique began to laugh. "Thank goodness for that!"
As she collected the parchment that her family had written their words of approval on, she couldn't help but think that maybe things were taking a turn for the better. Everything was going to be okay.

A/N: You may be wondering why first-years are trying out for the house Quidditch teams...well, just assume that after Harry got onto the team in his first-year, Dumbledore scrapped that rule. I mean, Draco Malfoy practically smuggled a broom in anyway. :) x

Do you think everything will be okay for Dominique? Next chapter, we see her in a family environment.