Chapter 26

(Draco POV)

'Oi Draco. Who's your new side chick?' A few Slytherins sneered from their compartments as he and Ellie made their way to the heads compartment.

'Yeah she's mighty pretty.' Another yelled.

'Hey sweetheart, why don't you dump him and come over here? I can make your time worthwhile.' Draco watched as Ellie pretended to drop something but then had the guy's neck at her wand point.

'Say that again.' She hissed. 'I dare you to say that again.'

'No.' The guy whimpered. 'Please don't hurt me.'

'You coward.' She pressed her wand threateningly at his neck.

'Ellie. Leave him. He isn't worth it.' Draco said, trying to pull her back, remembering that she could throw a nasty right-hook punch.

'Marcus. Leave her alone.' Another voice joined the conversation but then soured. 'Oh, isn't this bloody precious. Draco standing up for a mudblood.' Exclamations of shock were heard throughout the carriage. 'Oh, come on. It's like you haven't even heard the word before. I know who you are, you're supposedly Eleanora Zabini. Granger's long-lost identity. How nice of you to grace us with your presence.' The other voice drizzled with ice said from the end of the carriage. She stood up and Draco's mood instantly plummeted. Pansy.

All the other Slytherins shrieked and went back inside their compartments leaving them alone. The guy – Marcus or whoever that Ellie had threatened profusely apologised and sat down as Pansy slowly made her way towards them.

'So, you think you can just join the pureblood race? Oh sweetie, it's going to take a lot more than changing your looks. But of course, you're the 'smartest witch of our age''. She mimicked air quotes with her hands and then scoffed. 'You probably thought you could get some benefit from becoming a pureblood. That maybe you'd be accepted if you weren't so garbage.' Draco's inner beast was roaring. How dare he speak to her that way. But he let her speak a little more, what did she believe Ellie did? 'So, you went to your little library and did a little bit of research. You realised that Blaise had a long-lost sister and then you conveniently made up a story about how you were his sister and that you were a Zabini. Didn't you? The Zabini's were so desperate to find some closure about their poor daughter, that they accepted you, foolishly, in the hopes that their family would be complete. And Blaise. Poor, stupid, Blaise. He wanted a sister so badly, that he put his reputation aside to accept you into his life…'

'Alright. That is enough Pansy. You leave my friends alone.' Draco pushed past Ellie and launched himself at the girl.

'Ah, Draco. I knew you would finally see the light. I knew you wanted me.' Pansy said sweetly, batting her eyelids at him. This guy was an absolute psycho if that's what she thought.

'Sod off, Pansy. I've never wanted you. Nor will I ever want you. Ellie had blood tests done. She is a Zabini through and through. You will never be anything but a lying, conniving hoe and I'd be glad to have Ellie as a friend any day. Now, let us through.' He pointed his wand at her menacingly. She gulped and stepped aside and Draco gestured for Ellie to go ahead of him, all the while making death glances at Pansy.

'She's just using you. She doesn't give a stuff about you. That's the sad thing Draco. She's brainwashed you. Just like she's brainwashed everyone else.' Pansy yelled as they stepped into the Head's compartment. He slammed the door behind them.

'Shut up Pansy. No one cares about your drama.' He heard someone yell behind the door and he smirked. At least people weren't gullible enough to believe her. He turned to see Ellie flat out on one of the lounges in the compartment.

'I just realised what it's going to be like all year.' She said out loud with a frustrated sigh.

'I wouldn't worry about Pansy n…'

'It's not just Pansy. It's your entire house. There will be others in other houses who will believe that as well. That I went to the Zabini's in the hope that they would make me more accepted in the wizarding world.' She sat up and looked at him.

'No, they won't. But even if they do, the people who matter most know that you didn't. All your friends know that you didn't. And if they're your true friends they would know that you would never do that. Don't let the others get to you. The Hermione I know wouldn't let herself be beaten down by others. Did she ever back down when Professor Snape called her out as a Brainiac? No. Did she back down when my vicious aunt tortured her? No. Did she let it stop her when a foolish little boy called her a retched name? No. She stood her ground and fought back. She was brave in the plight of adversity. She worked even harder to maintain who she was, she…'

He was interrupted by her lips enveloping his with emotion. He hadn't even realised that she had made her way over to him whilst he had been singing her praises. After the initial shock, he relaxed and wrapped his arms around her, returning her kiss with as much passion as she had given him. His ego was relishing the fact, that his feelings were reciprocated as he savoured her sweet strawberry taste. His hands involuntarily made their way to entangle themselves in her hair, the frizzy locks tying themselves around his fingers and solidifying their connection at this moment. This bond edged him closer to her, moulding their bodies together so that they were sharing their body heat. He could feel the blood pumping through his veins as his erection strained against his pants. Merlin this woman was beautiful. His tongue reached out begging for more and she moaned softly, her lips parting to allow him access. Time passed and he had no idea how long they had been standing there but he was completely drowning in her. Completely lost in her world. But when he thought life couldn't get any better, his world came crashing down with a knock at their compartment door. Ellie tore herself away from him, muttered a cleaning spell and went to answer the door. She turned around at the last second to gesture to his face. He must've had something on it. He muttered a cleaning spell and then she opened the door.

'Oh sorry. I was looking for Hermione Granger, have you seen her?' A fifth year Ravenclaw said. 'I thought she was head girl.'

'She is and you're looking at her. But it's Ellie now if you don't mind.' Ellie chuckled.

'Oh, so the rumours are true. You are a Zabini.' The girl said in awe.

'Can you just get to the point please, Alice? It's been a trying morning.'

'Right. Well, there are some fifth year Slytherins picking on some first years up in compartment three. Just thought you ought to know.' The girl, named Alice, explained.

'I'll handle this, thanks Alice.' Draco stood and walked out the door away from Alice and Ellie. He needed to get his head screwed on again after that amazing kiss and perhaps give Ellie some time to get changed into her robes for school.

He returned about twenty minutes later, having sorted the Slytherins out and calmed the first years down. Ellie was on the lounge in her robes, her head girl badge proudly displayed on her left side.

'Hey, that badge looks good on you. I always knew you'd be head girl.'

'Oh…thanks, how did it go?' She looked up from the book he had missed on her lap.

'All sorted. Told Flint if he messed around with the first years again that he would serve detention with Flitwick. He always makes you…'

'Clean out the broom cupboards, I'm aware. You do not want to get a detention from him, Peeves is always in those cupboards.' She replied.

'You're speaking as if it is from experience.' He smirked. 'What did you do to deserve that?'

'You don't want to know.' She replied. He nudged her shoulder. He was truly interested in what she had done to warrant detention from Professor Flitwick.

'Fine. It wasn't that bad but he found me in the abandoned charms room practicing out of hours when Sirius Black had been on the loose.' She explained.

'Ah, why am I not surprised that even if you did get detention it was for being an 'insufferable-know it-all?' He mimicked Professor Snape. She rolled her eyes and continued to read her book.

'So, what did Peeves do?' He asked. He wondered what the poltergeist would've done.

'Threw a tantrum for interrupting his nap. Then spat wads of chewing gum in my hair.' She replied. 'Took the girls at least five hours to get all of it out of my hair.'

He chuckled. Peeves was the worst. The situation then got silent. The question he had been wanting to ask couldn't be kept in any longer. 'Are we not going to talk about what happened?'

When she looked up to reply, her words caught in her mouth.

'What happened?' Blaise entered the room from the bathroom, already clad in his school robes, and nursing a box of Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans.

'Nothing that concerns you Blaise. Head things.' Ellie smiled at her brother. 'Please tell me you weren't eating those in there.'

'Ew. No. Absolutely not. But keep your secrets. But what I really want to know, is what exactly you had to tell us when you left us ever so eloquently without an answer. Bean?' He offered the box to them, and Ellie took one exclaiming her delight when she found out it was strawberry flavour.

'I will, but the others need to be here and I need to get changed into my robes first.' Draco replied, getting up to go to the bathroom.

'Fine, we'll go get them and come back.' Blaise raised his sister from the lounge and away from her book (which she was very reluctant to leave) and exited the room.

'Good luck out there, love.' He muttered and went into the bathroom to change into his robes.

'So, let me get this straight, they're using my old house as their hideout?' Theo exclaimed. 'That's just brilliant.'

'Does Harry know yet?' Ellie asked.

'I only found out this morning so I haven't run into him to tell him.' Draco replied.

'What in the world were you doing in the Northwest Avenue Alleyway anyway?' Daphne suddenly blurted out.

'Uh, my mother took me to some friend of hers. It wasn't important.' Draco lied.

'Then why are you blocking your mind?' Daphne asked again.

'Daphne, please don't start this again. It was a tea-leaf reader ok. Arabella Trelawney. Professor Trelawney's sister. Is that enough information for you? I'm really not in the mood.' He burst.

'Thank you. Sorry I pushed you.' She said quietly.

'Sorry, but we need some catching up here, what happened?' Neville asked. The Gryffindor was sat beside Hannah Abbott, Luna Lovegood and Seamus Finnegan.

'Oh right, we totally forgot to tell you.' Isobel said. 'Right, how do we put this simply? Draco went to Greengrass Manor and Mr. Greengrass is consulting with the people who blew up Milan. Milton Greengrass, a portrait of a relative was an apothecary and is sourcing demiguise blood to enhance the effects of Gwydion's Misguide. They require large quantities of the blood so the effects are not permanent. Now, Draco has heard that they are hiding at Nott Manor.' She explained. 'And that's what you missed on The Order versus the Death Eaters.' She muttered after and Ellie, giggled. Draco had no idea why as no one else in room laughed. Must have been an in joke, he assumed.

'So, does that mean that having Theo on our side could be an advantage?' Seamus asked. They all looked at him. 'I just meant that he'd might be able to get us lads in without alerting them.'

'I suppose I could. I do know my way around the Manor.' Theo mused, rubbing his chin. 'Actually, there are a lot of tunnels that run beneath the house from World War II but I'd have to sneak in initially to find a map.'

'Which sounds like it would definitely be too dangerous.' Ellie replied.

'Ok, that's just an idea. We'll have to throw it out to the order for them to decide what to do about it.' Blaise intervened. 'Actually, speaking of which, aren't Ginny and Ron meant to be in this room?'

'The Weasleys went on an impromptu holiday to Greece. Charlie is getting a dragon wrangling award.' Luna said wistfully.

'Oh…so when are they coming to Hogwarts?' Hannah asked.

'Molly said next Tuesday if all goes well.' Ellie replied. 'Draco, do you think we should go patrol the carriages now?'

'Yeah. We'll see you guys in a bit.' He agreed and they left the intensity of the room.

'Sorry, I just needed to get out of there.' She admitted when they were out of earshot.

'Is everything ok with you and Weasley?' He asked.

'No. He came to apologise for his outburst at the meeting but he ended up making it worse. It didn't help that he had just had an argument with Molly and Lavender. He was in an angry mood when he came. Now we aren't really speaking.'

'I'm sorry. But what did he say?' He asked, he was genuinely curious as to what he had said to her.

'He accused me of being in love with you.' She whispered as three fourth year Hufflepuffs walked past, talking about wizards chess. He blushed unknowingly and his throat went dry. Love? What an absolute joke. He may be incredibly attracted to her, but love was not on the table right now, if ever. He swallowed hard.

'And what did you say?' He pressed.

'I told him that it was preposterous. We're friends. That's all.' She replied. His ego was shot. So, what was that kiss about then? What were they? Friends? Friends with benefits? Lovers? Boyfriend/Girlfriend? Or was she just using him like Pansy had said.

Stop it, Draco. You know this girl. She wouldn't do that to you.

'So, what are we?' He asked out loud without even thinking.

'Oh…um, I don't know. Can we not talk about this right now? It's a bit private and we are in public.' She explained. He nodded. They were in a public place; it probably wasn't appropriate to talk about their relationship for everyone to hear. 'I promise we'll talk about this later. Regan. Matthews. This is a warning.' Ellie uncovered both of them with contraband. 'I'm sorry but it's school policy to not have these on your person. I'll let you go for now. But I will need you to dispose of these when we get to the station and don't think I won't check up on you because I will.'

'Geez. Bit harsh don't you think?' Draco asked when they exited the third years compartment.

'Not at all. Don't tell me you're going to favour your own house for not giving out detentions.' She replied. 'Because that is just not fair.'

'Want to make a bet?' He asked.

'Ok sure. What kind of bet are we talking here?' She countered.

'Whoever gives out the most detentions from their own house by the end of the year, will get…, I don't know, what do you want?' He wasn't actually sure on what to bet not knowing what she would actually like from him.

'You have to do anything I want for twenty-four hours?' She suggested. He thought about it. What could Ellie make him do that he wouldn't enjoy for twenty-four hours? Buy her books? He scoffed. That would easily be done. There were so many things he could get her to do as well. Oh, this would be evil. He loved it.

'You've got yourself a deal Granger.' He said.

'Zabini.' She corrected him.

'To me you'll always be Granger.' He smirked.

'Ok, well I have a few conditions to the bet first before we shake on it.' She added.

'Go on.' He persuaded.

'First. The detention must be warranted. You can't give it out just because you can. They must do something wrong.'

'Obviously.' He agreed.

'Second. The twenty-four hours will start from anytime the winner chooses to cash in on it.'

'Stands to reason.' He agreed. 'So, we got a deal?'

'You've got yourself a deal Malfoy.' She mimicked him and they shook hands on it. 'Get ready to lose Malfoy. I've never lost a bet and I'm not about to start now.' She teased.

'Well, you're looking at the bet winning master. I won three simultaneous bets where I had to sneeze every time I said the word and, eat an apple a day for a year and get three detentions from three consecutive classes.'

'Wait. I was in those three classes. Potions, Charms and Transfiguration. That was third year, right? I remember you sneezing a lot and I thought you had a cold. McGonagall nearly sent you to the infirmary.'

'Oh, don't remind me. I nearly lost 300 galleons for that.'

'300 galleons, who bet you that?'

'Ugh, Theo. It was actually 100 galleons per class to get a detention. Let's just say, I got a bit of beating from dad when Dumbledore called him in about it. He said I was an abomination if I remember correctly.'

'Oh. I'm sorry about that.'

'Don't be, it is in my past and I won't be going back to Malfoy Manor anymore so it won't happen again.'

'You won't?'

'My mother divorced my father yesterday. She moved out this morning.' He replied.

'Merlin. How did she manage that?'

'It was some violence clause that comes into effect the moment the woman files for divorce.'

'The man raises his hand and they are instantly divorced?' She interrupted him.

'Exactly.' He agreed.

'I wonder if your contract has that clause.' She uttered out loud.

'I'm not hitting Astoria, if that's what you mean.' He absolutely rejected the idea of violence having been subjected to countless rounds of it.

'No. I wouldn't condone that you do hurt Astoria. I was just wondering if the contract had one.' She replied.

'I suppose it would. But I wouldn't really know.' He shrugged. 'So, no luck with breaking it though?'

'Absolutely nothing apart from you know what. But it just seems ridiculous. I don't know what to do about it.' She sighed and opened the door of the nearest compartment. 'Hi Parvati, Lavender, Padma. How are we doing?'

'What do you want?' Lavender snarked at her.

'Hiya Hermione. Well I suppose it is Ellie now, isn't it? How were your holidays?' Parvati said.

'Great, spent a bit of it in Italy and yours?'

'Absolutely wonderful. Padma and I went to Niagara Falls with the family.'

'Sounds great. And how about yours Lavender?'

'Me and Won-Won had a great time at The Burrow, what's it to you?' She sneered.

'Sorry Ellie, Lavender is still not happy about what happened in sixth year.' Parvati soothed, she noticed him standing behind her. 'Oh, hi Draco. Didn't see you there.'

'Ladies. If you don't mind, I think Ellie and I should finish our rounds.' He wasn't ready for them to get into another fight not too long after they had faced Pansy and this Lavender girl, sure was looking for one.

'Oh, go ahead. See you around Ellie.' Parvati gave them a wide smile and went back to talk some sense into that Lavender girl.

'Won-Won?' He asked.

'Uh. It's her nickname for Ron.' She explained. He downright chortled. Won-Won? Oh, this was absolutely priceless. The Weasel would never live this down now. That is, if Ellie forgave him for his stupidity.

'I know, it's ridiculous isn't it?' She giggled with him.

'Draco! I've been looking for you everywhere. Why did you leave? I hated being so alone without you.' Astoria entered the carriage and launched herself onto him, winding him in the process. He rolled his eyes at her whining. 'Oh, who are you?' She glared at Ellie, having noticed her standing beside him.

'Astoria, this is Eleanora Zabini. Blaise's twin sister.' Draco said.

'Oh, so you're the elephant everyone has been talking about. Hmph. You're not as pretty as they described.' Astoria stood back and judged her.

Wait, did she just call Ellie an elephant?

'But you're just as whiny.' She muttered loud enough for them to hear and Draco chortled for the second time. Who knew Granger had a sense of humour?

'Draco! You're not going to let her talk to me that way are you?' She folded her arms across her chest and pouted.

'Astoria. It was funny okay. Take a joke.' He replied and went to brush past her.

'Where are you going? I'm not done with you. Uh Erica, could you give us some privacy please?'

'It's Ellie.' She corrected. 'I'm going to finish the rounds; I'll see you back at the heads compartment.' She walked off towards the end of the carriage and his legs yearned to run after her. He did not want to be stuck with Astoria right now – no matter if he were obligated to be or not.

'Finally. I thought she'd never leave. What the hell were you doing with Granger anyway? I thought you hated her. At least that's what I've always heard.' She held an accusative tone.

'She's head girl and I'm head boy that's all it is, I swear.' He lied. There was no way in hell she could ever find out that they were friends or potentially even more.

'Why didn't you tell me you were head boy? Oh, my goodness, you'll get your own dormitory and we'll be able to spend so much time alone together before the wedding. I want to get to know my husband more. I feel like you try to ignore me. Why do you ignore me Draco? Haven't you noticed that I'm wearing the necklace you gave me? Don't you just love the way it looks on me?' He was having a hard time keeping up with her mood swings. One moment she was happy, the other she was angry. He couldn't even care less about that necklace he had given her. Bellatrix truly had awful taste. He made a mm noise but it wasn't truly convincing, however, it hadn't seemed to faze her as she kept rambling on about her friends in a ditzy sort of manner. Why couldn't she just choose one personality? The Astoria who read books in the library during holidays seemed like a better version to the one she seemed to prefer. 'Draco. Are you listening?'

Oh crap, what had she been talking about?

'I said. We'll have to have high tea at the manor sometime soon again, perhaps your mother and father can join us.' She explained with a huff of annoyance.

'That will be a hard pass on Lucius' end. My mother just divorced him.' He said, casually.

'Divorced? When? Why? How is that even possible?' She sounded downright shocked. He smirked. Poor girl probably still believed in happily ever after and that relationships don't require work.

'I'd rather not get into the specifics but my mother didn't want to be with my father anymore.' He was getting rather bored with this conversation. 'If you'll excuse me, I have Head things to do.' He brushed Astoria off his arm and walked in the direction Ellie had walked in. He heard a little humph from Astoria as he did. Merlin, he could not stand this girl.

There was only one thing different about the train's arrival at Hogsmeade this year. The vast majority of students were now aware that the carriages to Hogwarts were not driving themselves – the thestrals now revealing themselves after the war. So many people had seen death that year previous and he assumed that the worst wasn't over yet. With Gwydion's Misguide in their possession and the order still not entirely knowing what it's powers were, gave the death eater co-operative an unfair advantage. Yet, they did now know where they had been hiding. He mentally made a note to send Potter a message with that information later. Aquilla had finally made her way back to her cage, so at least he could contact him now. Perhaps the wonder boy could come up with a solution on how to bring them down or at least know what they are planning next. Preferably before any more disappearances occurred. The disappearances that kept amounting everyday – all either muggleborns or those who had associated with muggles, made him truly concerned about the welfare of Ellie. She was the epitome of what the death eaters despised, making her and Blaise prime targets. He was just thankful that McGonagall had the sense to add extra security to the castle this year.

Ellie had also mentioned to him how many sleepless nights she had been having recently. She hadn't gotten any further with any of the predicaments they had been bestowed with. Every passing day, he got closer and closer to the impending doom of marriage to Astoria Greengrass. Every passing day, they got closer and closer to the inevitable war against the death eaters. But they never got any closer to finding a way to defeat either. On the train he had taken Blaise aside.

'Ellie hasn't been sleeping.' He was blunt.

'I'm aware. I haven't either. Dreamless sleep potion doesn't do a thing unless you actually go to sleep.' Blaise answered.

'I'm worried about how much stress she has, with being Head Girl, the prophecies, my contract and whatever else may happen with you know what.'

'And you think I'm not? I'm her twin brother. Her safety and health is my top priority. I've tried to help her to the best of my ability, truly. But the nightmares are too strong.'

'Nightmares?'

'She's having nightmares about the night in the manor. The…'

'I remember the one. How could I ever forget that night? It haunts me too.' Draco stopped him. There was absolutely no way he would forget that night.

'I don't think we are fully aware of the extent of torment those three went through on their mission to bring down you know who. The emotional scars are unimaginable. Ellie has opened up to me a bit through our sibling bond but I can tell she's hiding a lot of the details. I know she hasn't been talking to you about them either and with her strained relationship with Ron and Harry's pure neglect to talk about anything in the past, I think it's all taking its toll on her.'

'Should we go see McGonagall?' Draco asked.

'I see no other way. This is out of our hands Draco.'

'And how have you been handling everything since your trip to the apothecary?'

'About the same really. Nothing is certain these days. Isobel cries herself to sleep every night out of fear. Ellie and I do our best to help her but it's all futile. I'm constantly in fear for not only the livelihood of our friends but that our parents are not alive. Did we tell you that they had disappeared? Not even a trace of a struggle or anything.'

'I'm sorry to hear about that Blaise. I hadn't heard they had disappeared.'

'I'm not sure I want to even talk about it.'

'You don't have to I get it mate.' He slapped his hand reassuringly on Blaise's back. 'It will be ok, Blaise. We'll all get through this.'

'I see Ellie has been rubbing off on you.' Blaise chuckled.

'It's these darn Gryffindors. They're making me soft.' He joked.

'Come on mate, I think we need to find the trolley-maid. Nothing that a few pumpkin pasties can't solve.'

Headmistress McGonagall now stood in front of the crowd in the Great Hall. Anticipation was met by all the students – of which Draco noticed was a lot less than the year previous, perhaps not all families were willing to send kids back, had moved on to somewhere else or Merlin forbid had died.

'Welcome all of you to Hogwarts. It has been a trying few months as we've rebuilt the school but we hope that this year the school can get back onto it's feet. In a few moments, the first-year students will make their way into the Great Hall for the first time. I would like all of you, regardless of your house, to make them all feel welcome. Professor Flitwick! Could you please go collect the first years?' She yelled to the professor who was at the back of the hall. 'Sadly, the sorting hat endured quite a bit of damage during the war and sadly lost all it's magic. It was beyond repair. But thanks to the kind donation of the Department of Magical Artefacts we have been given a new sorting hat.' A round of applause went about the room. 'Alright, quiet down. I've just been informed that the first-year students have arrived. Please join in a round of applause as they enter. Professor we are ready.'

A round of applause sounded as about thirty students walked into the Great Hall – evidently this wasn't a very big cohort. Once they reached the podium, Professor Filtwick took over the Podium to speak to the students to be sorted.

'When your name is called, please step up to the sorting hat and place it on your head. The hat will decide your house.' He announced. 'But first, the hat has a little jingle it would like to sing to you all.'

Fe, Fi, Fo, Fum,
Play the old snare drum
Tonight some students will come
To be sorted with their fellow chums

Will you be Gryffindor, brave and bold
The house of bright red and gold
Chivalry is a trait, I'm told
Is this your house foretold

Or will you be Ravenclaw, wise and true
Where minds grow as smart as two
Their colours are bright bronze and blue
But their papers are never overdue

Yet, here is Hufflepuff, loyal and just
In here there is never one to distrust
To be hard-working is a must
And those who disagree, eat my dust

Finally, there's Slytherin, ambitious and strong
Now here is a house where leaders belong
They're cunning, that's all, this song is too long
Now to place you, let's hope I'm not wrong

Draco chuckled. The people at the Department of Magical Artefacts will probably get a talking to, this hat was even worse than the old one. Flitwick began to read out names and all the students began to be placed in their respective houses.

'Hey, what do you reckon about the new hat?' Theo whispered. 'Off it's rocker isn't it?'

'I reckon. McGonagall looked like she was going to spontaneously combust with the eat my dust line.' Blaise chuckled.

'Hey, how many do you reckon will be in Slytherin?' Daphne asked as another student went to join the Ravenclaw table.

'Not many if you ask me.' Draco said. 'We'll be a rare breed now that everything our house stands for is going down the drain.'

'Let's hope that's not the case.' Blaise replied. 'Pst. Ellie is looking at you.' He whispered in his ear.

He caught Ellie's eye over at the Gryffindor table and he gave her a weak smile, which she returned.

'What do you reckon she wants?' He asked Blaise back.

'I spoke to her on the carriage ride here. She had to talk to you about something after the prefects meeting tonight.'

'Oh right, yeah I know what it was about then. You're coming to that right? You're the Slytherin prefect.'

'Yeah I'll see you there. Ugh. Don't remind me. I have to spend an hour and half every other night with Millicent Bulstrode. Do you know how annoying she is?'

'Can't be worse than Pansy. Don't look she's giving us the evil eye from down there.' Draco replied.

'True that. Oh Merlin, what's going on with her? I've never seen her so bullfrog like, she normally looks like a…'

'Pug, yes. Will you guys listen?' Daphne frowned from across the table.

'Sorry.' They mouthed and looked back to the podium where the last few names were being called out. It turned out that the last five students ended up in Slytherin, three from big pureblood families – Yaxley, Flint and Shafiq.

'With all students finally seated, I will need to address some rules for this year. The first is that the Forbidden Forest is strictly off limits unless accompanied by a teacher. With our new security system, all Hogsmeade trips have been hereby cancelled and quidditch has been put on a probational trial period. I know this is disappointing but we have to ensure the safety of our students. Also, no student should be out of the castle by sun fall. Our prefects and heads will ensure this rule is abided. Our caretaker Mr. Argus Filch, has requested that all students be aware of the items of contraband that if they are in your possession will be confiscated. A list of which can be found outside Mr. Filch's office on the second floor. This is your initial warning so please abide by these rules for student and teacher welfare and safety. Thirdly, Hogwarts would like to announce the arrival of two new professors to the board. The new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Hugo Lupin.' He stood up and everyone clapped. Draco wondered if he was a relative of the other Professor Lupin. 'And we would like to welcome Professor Arabella Trelawney, our new divination teacher.'

Wait. What? Wasn't that the woman he saw this morning?

'Hey, Draco. Didn't you go visit her this morning?' Theo asked.

'Yeah. I had no idea she was going to be the divination teacher.' Draco's throat went dry. Something was iffy here but he had no idea what.

'Now I would like to announce our new Head Boy and Girl for this year. Mr. Draco Malfoy and Miss. Eleanora Zabini or Hermione Granger as she was formerly known.' They both stood up for all the students to see, they locked eyes and he gave her a curt nod. 'Our prefects are as follows: For Slytherin House, Millicent Bulstrode and Blaise Zabini, for Ravenclaw House we have Isobel MacDougal and Michael Corner, for Hufflepuff house, Hannah Abbott and Ernie MacMillan and for Gryffindor House we have Ginevra Weasley and Dean Thomas.' All of those students stood up for their houses to see before McGonagall finally got to what he had been waiting to hear about all night.

'Now, in light of recent events, the teaching faculty and the board of directors have seen fit to introduce a house unity project within the school. Every Wednesday night, a school wide study session will be held here in the Great Hall. In addition, every fifth to eighth year student will be buddied with a first to fourth year student from a different house and will be required to assist the student in any academic problems they have.' Sounds of protest erupted from around the room.

'Did you know about this?' Blaise asked him.

'Found out this morning but wasn't allowed to tell.' He shrugged.

'Settle down. I said, settle down. We know this is inconvenient for some people but we feel that certain hostilities between the houses have been going on for far too long and need to be settled right now. Therefore, if any student refuses to follow this rule, they will serve detention for each consecutive time that they refuse. Now, an envelope will appear in front of each student which will have the name, house, and year of the student that they are buddied with. I expect everyone to find this person this week and introduce yourself.' Envelopes appeared in front of all the students and they all began opening them. 'Now without further ado. Let the feast begin.'

Mountains of food appeared in front of them but they were all too interested in who they got for a buddy.

'Hey, Daph. Who'd you get?' Blaise asked and put down his envelope to put a chicken drumstick on his plate.

'Harrison Regan, third year, Hufflepuff. You?' She replied and began to eat the food as well.

'Linus Matthews, third year, Hufflepuff.' He answered.

'I heard they're best mates.' Draco blurted out remembering how Ellie had nearly given them a detention for having contraband without the year even starting yet.

'Awesome.' They high fived across the table. 'How about you Theo?'

'Some kid named Peter Prewett. He's a second year Ravenclaw. What about you Draco?'

'Dale Robins, Gryffindor, third year.'

'Hey, none of us got first years. Cheers to that.' They raised their pumpkin juice filled goblets to celebrate the fact that none of them had to teach kids remedial potions and charms.

When the feast was eaten and everyone had somehow found a second stomach for dessert, McGonagall dismissed the houses to their respective dormitories. Draco found Ellie waiting for him outside the Great Hall so that they could find their dormitory together.

'Apparently, it's on the fifth floor near the prefects bathroom. I read about it in Hogwarts: A History.' She muttered and walked ahead without even greeting him. 'McGonagall said we need to make our own password. So, what do you think it should be?'

'How about Frefossilo?' He suggested, the thought coming out of nowhere.

'Like the Grindylow from the fairy-tale?' She queried.

'Yeah, why not?' He asked. It was an easy enough password to remember but wasn't so easy that anyone would know it.

'Sure. We can change it as often as we need but that seems good enough for now.' She shrugged and picked up her pace.

'Ellie what is the rush? We've got a while before the prefects meeting at eight thirty.'

'There's no rush. Just come on, Draco.' She sounded annoyed and he wondered what had gotten into her since he had last talked to her. But then he remembered he had last seen her when Astoria had interrupted them. Could it have something to do with her?

He couldn't ask or rather didn't have time to ask her because she had already gotten so far ahead of him. He began to run after her but got caught on the moving staircases going in the opposite direction.

'Shit.' He said out loud.

'Watch your language boy.' One of the portraits muttered.

'Sorry.' He apologised and ran up the staircase to catch another one which was going in the right direction this time. When he finally caught up to her, she was waiting in front of a statue of Beedle-The Bard, her foot tapping the ground impatiently.

'What took you so long?' She asked.

'Got side-tracked on the moving stairs sorry.' He apologised.

'Come on, it won't let us in unless we both say the password.' She pulled him over to her right-hand side. 'On the count of three we'll say it together. Ok? Alright. One, two, three.'

'Frefossilo.'

Here is Chapter 26. Hope you enjoy. Until next time, Zozo :)