In Arx Aurea
This story is dedicated to FALLEN PHENOIX, because she is not only a really good friend, but also an amazing writer, so check out her stories! Also, last week was her birthday, so this is a sort of a present to her. SoooâE¦ this is as good as I can possibly get, so please don't flame me, I'm trying my hardest!
Now about the story: It's D/G, because I think Draco is the best of them all, and the beginning will be Hogwarts, though later on the location will be something quite different (though similar). The story starts at the end of the school year in which Harry, Ron, Hermione and Draco are in fifth year, and Ginny is in fourth year. Oh, and forgive all the Latin I'm putting into this. I have to study it, so it's just stuck in my brain! Plus, I think it's really cool, actually. So, without further ado, the first chapter:
***********************
Not a baby
'At the Arx Aurea Institute of Magic, our students get the best education possible in a variety of different aspects of the wizarding world, including subjects such as Spells, Levitational Dance, Mythological Magic, Divination, etc. We value all of the arts highly and teach a selection of them in combination with ordinary magical skills. A lot of our students are presently working in several different ministries of magic around the world, as well as being in the educational field of wizardry, and we have our own Quidditch team as well as our own Levitational Dance Company, both of which have won international acclaim. We do not reinforce any of the Dark Arts in any imaginable way, and they are highly rejected at our - Mr Creevy, if you can't stop making your pet miniature frogs hop about the classroom while I'm reading an important brochure, then I suggest you don't take them to classes with you!'
Professor McGonagall glared intensely at the young boy, now looking slightly guilty. His two miniature frogs, each of them bright red, hopped down from the brochure she was reading to the class, and disappeared in his bag.
Minerva McGonagall still didn't look very pleased, but she contented herself by glaring at Colin Creevy one last time before addressing the class again.
'Now, remember, this transfer opportunity is only available for the students who will be in fifth or sixth year next year. The younger students are too young to be going to an entirely different school, and the seventh years must prepare for their graduation from Hogwarts.' She paused, looking at the faces of the students before her. 'I will speak to the fifth year Gryffindors in their Transfiguration class after lunch, so that all of the Gryffindors who will be within the age limit (15-16) next year are informed. Any questions regarding a plausible transfer?' she asked her fourth year students.
Kevin, Colin's best friend, raised his hand immediately.
'What the hell is Levitational Dance anyway?' he demanded, without even waiting for the Professor to call on him. The class laughed at his audacity, while the teacher pursed her lips disapprovingly.
'I myself have never seen a Levitational Dance production', she admitted, hesitantly. 'But they say there is quite a lot of skill involved. Though frankly - I don't see how it could possibly be of much importance in everyday life.'
A girl put up her hand.
'Yes, Miss Timbrels?'
'Why is the school called Arx Aura, or whatever it was? I don't see the point.' the girl said.
'Yeah, give me a good name like 'Hogwarts' anytime!' came a shout from the other end of the room, which sounded suspiciously like Colin Creevy.
This time, McGonagall ignored him. 'The reason for calling the school Arx Aurea', she explained, with added emphasis on the 'e', 'is because it is Latin for 'Golden Castle'. I suppose that the school does look similar to a golden castle, though I can't verify that point, seeing as I have never been there. Alright, any last minute questions? The lesson will be over in a minute.'
Another girl raised her hand, cautiously.
'Miss Weasley?'
Ginny Weasley hesitated a little. 'Do you need your parents' permission?' she asked defiantly.
Professor McGonagall was shocked; usually Ginny was a very sensible student who wouldn't ask questions like this.
'Miss Weasley, of course you need your parents' permission. An exchange trip like this is something that is not to be taken lightly, as it is for a whole year. I thought you, of all people, would know that.'
The young redhead's face darkened, as if the teacher had pointed out a very unpleasant fact about her. As the bell rang, she was the first to jump up and leave the classroom, with McGonagall still staring after her in a surprised way. What had gotten into little Ginny?
******************************
Ginny Weasley sat dismally at the lunch table, listening to the aimless chatter around her. She had purposely chosen to sit near her brother and his friends instead of her fellow fifth years.
Hermione Granger turned around to her kindly, obviously thinking she was depressed because they were leaving her out of their conversation. 'So, Ginny, did you start studying for the end-of-term exams yet?' she asked pleasantly.
Ginny played around with her fork a little, and shook her head, occupied with other matters. Finally she spoke.
'Have you guys heard that there's going to be an exchange trip to this other Institute of Magic?' she asked casually.
Ron looked up from his casserole, mildly interested. 'No', he answered. 'Probably McGonagall is going to tell us about it in our Transfiguration class. Hope she doesn't get to quiz us on our test reviews.' he added, looking hopeful. Hermione shoved him and glared at him severely.
Harry, to distract Ron and Hermione and keep them from fighting, remarked: 'That might be neat; all those people from another school coming here. They'll probably be really different, and it's interesting to see what their uniforms look like. Remember the people from Beauxbaton and Durmstrang?' At this, he looked over at his friends and grinned.
Ginny spoke up quickly. 'No, it's not like that; it's only one way. We go there, but they don't come here.'
'What? That's boring!' Ron complained. 'It's not like any of us are going over there.'
'If - if one of us - wanted to - well, go to that school for a year -' Ginny trailed of, catching the puzzled look on her brother's face. 'Would mom and dad let us go?' she asked in a rush, glad to have gotten the words out.
Ron looked startled. 'Well, I suppose they would', he mused. 'But then, it doesn't really matter, does it? I mean, I don't want to go, and that would only leave you, and you don't want to go, do you?' He looked at her quizzically.
'It might be kind of fun', Ginny said in a small voice.
Hermione jumped in to support her. 'Yes, I think it would be fascinating, going to see an entirely different school. I'd like to go, but I'd miss all my friends.' She smiled at Ron and Harry, who grinned back, a little embarrassed.
'Plus, we're already so close to graduation. I really don't want to miss anything important at all. I want to graduate really well.' Hermione added, with a worried frown.
Ron reached over and started on his chocolate pudding dessert. 'That would be the least of my problems. But Ginny, you aren't seriously considering going there, are you?' he asked her suspiciously.
His little sister just shrugged. 'I think it would be a fun change', she insisted.
'If you say so, but I don't think mum and dad will let you go if none of us three are going', Ron informed her.
'Why not?' demanded Ginny, her brown eyes displaying the fierce anger inside her.
'Well, you're still a little baby, there's no way Mum would be comfortable with the idea of you all alone at some other school', Ron remarked casually, not knowing what effect this would have on her.
Ginny sprang up and slammed her fork down onto her plate forcefully, so that a jarring clang emitted.
'I am NOT A BABY!' she shouted furiously. Then she whirled around and strode out of the Great Hall, her red hair streaming behind her.
Ron turned to his friends, confused. 'What did I say?' he asked them, totally bewildered.
'Geez, what's gotten into your ratty little sister these days, Weasley?' a sneering voice asked, making the word 'Weasley' an insult.
'For once mind your own stinking business, Draco Malfoy!' Ron told the fifteen-year-old Slytherin forcefully.
'I'm sure my business smells a lot nicer than yours, Weasley, but that insult still doesn't answer my question. What's with your sister these days?' Draco asked again.
Ron narrowed his eyes at his arch-enemy. 'What do you mean? There's nothing wrong with her!' he told Draco spitefully.
'Oh, yeah? Then I have better eyes than you do. Well, I have better eyes than you do, anyway, but you must be really blind not to notice something that's going on right in front of your ugly nose.' Draco retorted coolly, then turned around and walked away, flanked by Crabbe and Goyle.
'You don't think there really is something wrong with Ginny?' Harry asked, still watching Malfoy's retreating back with hatred. 'If even Malfoy has noticed something -'
Ron shook his head determinedly. 'No way, she's just under stress or something. Malfoy is just trying to put us in some sort of trap, I'm sure.'
Hermione was thinking. How come Malfoy would have wanted to know what was wrong with Ginny? Why would he care?
********************************
After their last lesson, Ron, Harry, and Hermione trooped up the stairs and into the Gryffindor common room. There, Hermione gave the two boys each a list of what they had to study and an immense stack of books, much to their displeasure. As they were starting to flip through the pages, Ginny came down from her dormitory and faced them with a determined look on her face.
'What is it now, Gin?' Ron asked irritably, since he was just trying to memorize a complicated potion. 'Shredded newts' tails, Gillyweed - what was the third main ingredient? And then all the side ones! 'll never remember all of this!' he said angrily.
Ginny wasn't side-tracked. 'I want to go to the Arx Aurea Institute of Magic', she announced firmly.
Ron's jaw dropped. 'Mum won't let you', he told her quickly.
Ginny tossed her head. 'I'll make her let me', she told him unwaveringly.
'But - you're too young', Ron protested. Ginny's eyes flashed dangerously. 'No', she contradicted him. 'Professor McGonagall said next year we and you would be the only ones that are allowed to go.'
Harry interrupted. 'Why do you want to go to this school, Ginny?' he asked. 'Aren't you happy at Hogwarts?'
Ron hoped, considering Ginny's admiration for Harry, that she would listen to him, but she didn't.
'Yes, I'm happy here, but I want some change away from overprotective family', she told them blandly. 'I thought it would be better once I was at Hogwarts, but then there were all my brothers to keep me out of trouble', she said mockingly. Then she sighed. 'Oh, please, I just want to know what it would be like to be almost totally independent. I have to learn sooner or later, right?' she pleaded.
Ron couldn't think of anything more to say. 'OK, but I still don't think Mum will be happy with it', he warned her.
Ginny looked at him with superiority. 'I don't care. She'll see my point sooner or later.' With these words, she flounced out of the common room. Ron gazed after her.
'What has gotten into her?' he wondered aloud.
**********************************
Draco dipped his quill in ink thoughtfully. What else was there to write to his father? He was always very picky and wanted to know everything that was going on at the school. If Draco chose not to tell him something, and Lucius Malfoy found out, he would be taken away from Hogwarts secretly every night and tortured for a week.
Suddenly he remembered about the transfer trip. He wrote carefully, in Latin, of course, so almost nobody except his father would know what it meant. (A/N: No, I am NOT going to write the whole paragraph in Latin; frankly, that is way too bothersome for me)
'Also, we have been informed that we have the opportunity to go to another school for a year; the Arx Aurea Institute of Magic. It sounds like a very soft school; no Dark Arts, etc. I doubt they even teach Defence there. I certainly don't want to go.'
As Draco paused, he thought of the curious behaviour of Ginny Weasley he had been noticing for a few weeks now. She was not as gentle anymore; in fact, she often snapped at people, especially if they were trying to help her. She also seemed less friendly to the teachers. Should he tell his father about it? Draco sighed. Either way, there was the likelihood of punishment. If he did write about it, his father would probably chide him for watching dumb things like a Weasley girl, while if he didn't, his father would think he was keeping things away from him. He decided not to put it down. His father didn't like to hear about weak little girls.
Though, lately, Ginny hadn't really been such a 'weak little girl'. She seemed very aggressive, though he didn't know why.
What he also didn't know, was that his father already knew about the transfer school, and was writing this very minute, ordering him to sign up for it. He also didn't know the very grave reason for this.
**********************
I know this isn't a cliffhanger, but if I would wait for the next exciting bit to come up, I would be writing at least five more pages. So, this is the start! Boring, I know, but I have to put down all the important blah- blah stuff. Hope to reach more exciting bits in the next chapter (if there will ever be one; the way I know it, I probably won't get one single review on this story)! Oh, and just so that you know, up to now nothing belongs to me except Arx Aurea and some minor characters. Arx Aurea is thought up entirely by me, as well as the classes, uniforms, etc. It sucks, actually, but let's ignore that fact, shall we? Thanks!
S.J.
This story is dedicated to FALLEN PHENOIX, because she is not only a really good friend, but also an amazing writer, so check out her stories! Also, last week was her birthday, so this is a sort of a present to her. SoooâE¦ this is as good as I can possibly get, so please don't flame me, I'm trying my hardest!
Now about the story: It's D/G, because I think Draco is the best of them all, and the beginning will be Hogwarts, though later on the location will be something quite different (though similar). The story starts at the end of the school year in which Harry, Ron, Hermione and Draco are in fifth year, and Ginny is in fourth year. Oh, and forgive all the Latin I'm putting into this. I have to study it, so it's just stuck in my brain! Plus, I think it's really cool, actually. So, without further ado, the first chapter:
***********************
Not a baby
'At the Arx Aurea Institute of Magic, our students get the best education possible in a variety of different aspects of the wizarding world, including subjects such as Spells, Levitational Dance, Mythological Magic, Divination, etc. We value all of the arts highly and teach a selection of them in combination with ordinary magical skills. A lot of our students are presently working in several different ministries of magic around the world, as well as being in the educational field of wizardry, and we have our own Quidditch team as well as our own Levitational Dance Company, both of which have won international acclaim. We do not reinforce any of the Dark Arts in any imaginable way, and they are highly rejected at our - Mr Creevy, if you can't stop making your pet miniature frogs hop about the classroom while I'm reading an important brochure, then I suggest you don't take them to classes with you!'
Professor McGonagall glared intensely at the young boy, now looking slightly guilty. His two miniature frogs, each of them bright red, hopped down from the brochure she was reading to the class, and disappeared in his bag.
Minerva McGonagall still didn't look very pleased, but she contented herself by glaring at Colin Creevy one last time before addressing the class again.
'Now, remember, this transfer opportunity is only available for the students who will be in fifth or sixth year next year. The younger students are too young to be going to an entirely different school, and the seventh years must prepare for their graduation from Hogwarts.' She paused, looking at the faces of the students before her. 'I will speak to the fifth year Gryffindors in their Transfiguration class after lunch, so that all of the Gryffindors who will be within the age limit (15-16) next year are informed. Any questions regarding a plausible transfer?' she asked her fourth year students.
Kevin, Colin's best friend, raised his hand immediately.
'What the hell is Levitational Dance anyway?' he demanded, without even waiting for the Professor to call on him. The class laughed at his audacity, while the teacher pursed her lips disapprovingly.
'I myself have never seen a Levitational Dance production', she admitted, hesitantly. 'But they say there is quite a lot of skill involved. Though frankly - I don't see how it could possibly be of much importance in everyday life.'
A girl put up her hand.
'Yes, Miss Timbrels?'
'Why is the school called Arx Aura, or whatever it was? I don't see the point.' the girl said.
'Yeah, give me a good name like 'Hogwarts' anytime!' came a shout from the other end of the room, which sounded suspiciously like Colin Creevy.
This time, McGonagall ignored him. 'The reason for calling the school Arx Aurea', she explained, with added emphasis on the 'e', 'is because it is Latin for 'Golden Castle'. I suppose that the school does look similar to a golden castle, though I can't verify that point, seeing as I have never been there. Alright, any last minute questions? The lesson will be over in a minute.'
Another girl raised her hand, cautiously.
'Miss Weasley?'
Ginny Weasley hesitated a little. 'Do you need your parents' permission?' she asked defiantly.
Professor McGonagall was shocked; usually Ginny was a very sensible student who wouldn't ask questions like this.
'Miss Weasley, of course you need your parents' permission. An exchange trip like this is something that is not to be taken lightly, as it is for a whole year. I thought you, of all people, would know that.'
The young redhead's face darkened, as if the teacher had pointed out a very unpleasant fact about her. As the bell rang, she was the first to jump up and leave the classroom, with McGonagall still staring after her in a surprised way. What had gotten into little Ginny?
******************************
Ginny Weasley sat dismally at the lunch table, listening to the aimless chatter around her. She had purposely chosen to sit near her brother and his friends instead of her fellow fifth years.
Hermione Granger turned around to her kindly, obviously thinking she was depressed because they were leaving her out of their conversation. 'So, Ginny, did you start studying for the end-of-term exams yet?' she asked pleasantly.
Ginny played around with her fork a little, and shook her head, occupied with other matters. Finally she spoke.
'Have you guys heard that there's going to be an exchange trip to this other Institute of Magic?' she asked casually.
Ron looked up from his casserole, mildly interested. 'No', he answered. 'Probably McGonagall is going to tell us about it in our Transfiguration class. Hope she doesn't get to quiz us on our test reviews.' he added, looking hopeful. Hermione shoved him and glared at him severely.
Harry, to distract Ron and Hermione and keep them from fighting, remarked: 'That might be neat; all those people from another school coming here. They'll probably be really different, and it's interesting to see what their uniforms look like. Remember the people from Beauxbaton and Durmstrang?' At this, he looked over at his friends and grinned.
Ginny spoke up quickly. 'No, it's not like that; it's only one way. We go there, but they don't come here.'
'What? That's boring!' Ron complained. 'It's not like any of us are going over there.'
'If - if one of us - wanted to - well, go to that school for a year -' Ginny trailed of, catching the puzzled look on her brother's face. 'Would mom and dad let us go?' she asked in a rush, glad to have gotten the words out.
Ron looked startled. 'Well, I suppose they would', he mused. 'But then, it doesn't really matter, does it? I mean, I don't want to go, and that would only leave you, and you don't want to go, do you?' He looked at her quizzically.
'It might be kind of fun', Ginny said in a small voice.
Hermione jumped in to support her. 'Yes, I think it would be fascinating, going to see an entirely different school. I'd like to go, but I'd miss all my friends.' She smiled at Ron and Harry, who grinned back, a little embarrassed.
'Plus, we're already so close to graduation. I really don't want to miss anything important at all. I want to graduate really well.' Hermione added, with a worried frown.
Ron reached over and started on his chocolate pudding dessert. 'That would be the least of my problems. But Ginny, you aren't seriously considering going there, are you?' he asked her suspiciously.
His little sister just shrugged. 'I think it would be a fun change', she insisted.
'If you say so, but I don't think mum and dad will let you go if none of us three are going', Ron informed her.
'Why not?' demanded Ginny, her brown eyes displaying the fierce anger inside her.
'Well, you're still a little baby, there's no way Mum would be comfortable with the idea of you all alone at some other school', Ron remarked casually, not knowing what effect this would have on her.
Ginny sprang up and slammed her fork down onto her plate forcefully, so that a jarring clang emitted.
'I am NOT A BABY!' she shouted furiously. Then she whirled around and strode out of the Great Hall, her red hair streaming behind her.
Ron turned to his friends, confused. 'What did I say?' he asked them, totally bewildered.
'Geez, what's gotten into your ratty little sister these days, Weasley?' a sneering voice asked, making the word 'Weasley' an insult.
'For once mind your own stinking business, Draco Malfoy!' Ron told the fifteen-year-old Slytherin forcefully.
'I'm sure my business smells a lot nicer than yours, Weasley, but that insult still doesn't answer my question. What's with your sister these days?' Draco asked again.
Ron narrowed his eyes at his arch-enemy. 'What do you mean? There's nothing wrong with her!' he told Draco spitefully.
'Oh, yeah? Then I have better eyes than you do. Well, I have better eyes than you do, anyway, but you must be really blind not to notice something that's going on right in front of your ugly nose.' Draco retorted coolly, then turned around and walked away, flanked by Crabbe and Goyle.
'You don't think there really is something wrong with Ginny?' Harry asked, still watching Malfoy's retreating back with hatred. 'If even Malfoy has noticed something -'
Ron shook his head determinedly. 'No way, she's just under stress or something. Malfoy is just trying to put us in some sort of trap, I'm sure.'
Hermione was thinking. How come Malfoy would have wanted to know what was wrong with Ginny? Why would he care?
********************************
After their last lesson, Ron, Harry, and Hermione trooped up the stairs and into the Gryffindor common room. There, Hermione gave the two boys each a list of what they had to study and an immense stack of books, much to their displeasure. As they were starting to flip through the pages, Ginny came down from her dormitory and faced them with a determined look on her face.
'What is it now, Gin?' Ron asked irritably, since he was just trying to memorize a complicated potion. 'Shredded newts' tails, Gillyweed - what was the third main ingredient? And then all the side ones! 'll never remember all of this!' he said angrily.
Ginny wasn't side-tracked. 'I want to go to the Arx Aurea Institute of Magic', she announced firmly.
Ron's jaw dropped. 'Mum won't let you', he told her quickly.
Ginny tossed her head. 'I'll make her let me', she told him unwaveringly.
'But - you're too young', Ron protested. Ginny's eyes flashed dangerously. 'No', she contradicted him. 'Professor McGonagall said next year we and you would be the only ones that are allowed to go.'
Harry interrupted. 'Why do you want to go to this school, Ginny?' he asked. 'Aren't you happy at Hogwarts?'
Ron hoped, considering Ginny's admiration for Harry, that she would listen to him, but she didn't.
'Yes, I'm happy here, but I want some change away from overprotective family', she told them blandly. 'I thought it would be better once I was at Hogwarts, but then there were all my brothers to keep me out of trouble', she said mockingly. Then she sighed. 'Oh, please, I just want to know what it would be like to be almost totally independent. I have to learn sooner or later, right?' she pleaded.
Ron couldn't think of anything more to say. 'OK, but I still don't think Mum will be happy with it', he warned her.
Ginny looked at him with superiority. 'I don't care. She'll see my point sooner or later.' With these words, she flounced out of the common room. Ron gazed after her.
'What has gotten into her?' he wondered aloud.
**********************************
Draco dipped his quill in ink thoughtfully. What else was there to write to his father? He was always very picky and wanted to know everything that was going on at the school. If Draco chose not to tell him something, and Lucius Malfoy found out, he would be taken away from Hogwarts secretly every night and tortured for a week.
Suddenly he remembered about the transfer trip. He wrote carefully, in Latin, of course, so almost nobody except his father would know what it meant. (A/N: No, I am NOT going to write the whole paragraph in Latin; frankly, that is way too bothersome for me)
'Also, we have been informed that we have the opportunity to go to another school for a year; the Arx Aurea Institute of Magic. It sounds like a very soft school; no Dark Arts, etc. I doubt they even teach Defence there. I certainly don't want to go.'
As Draco paused, he thought of the curious behaviour of Ginny Weasley he had been noticing for a few weeks now. She was not as gentle anymore; in fact, she often snapped at people, especially if they were trying to help her. She also seemed less friendly to the teachers. Should he tell his father about it? Draco sighed. Either way, there was the likelihood of punishment. If he did write about it, his father would probably chide him for watching dumb things like a Weasley girl, while if he didn't, his father would think he was keeping things away from him. He decided not to put it down. His father didn't like to hear about weak little girls.
Though, lately, Ginny hadn't really been such a 'weak little girl'. She seemed very aggressive, though he didn't know why.
What he also didn't know, was that his father already knew about the transfer school, and was writing this very minute, ordering him to sign up for it. He also didn't know the very grave reason for this.
**********************
I know this isn't a cliffhanger, but if I would wait for the next exciting bit to come up, I would be writing at least five more pages. So, this is the start! Boring, I know, but I have to put down all the important blah- blah stuff. Hope to reach more exciting bits in the next chapter (if there will ever be one; the way I know it, I probably won't get one single review on this story)! Oh, and just so that you know, up to now nothing belongs to me except Arx Aurea and some minor characters. Arx Aurea is thought up entirely by me, as well as the classes, uniforms, etc. It sucks, actually, but let's ignore that fact, shall we? Thanks!
S.J.