Gemini Malfoy (a Harry Potter OC)

Ebullience

It takes two agonizing days of anticipation before the galleon heats up. I find myself using all my self control to not snatch it out of my pocket and inspect it in the middle of potions class.

7:00 today, 7th floor corridor

I read it five times before accepting that the secret location they'd be practicing was the 7th floor corridor.

Maybe they were putting up enchantments? Though I couldn't imagine how effective that could be. Granger at least wasn't this stupid. I take a deep breath and put the galleon back in my pocket. Holding on to hope I'd go tonight, if they were somehow that dumb or if it was a prank I'd simply retaliate accordingly; But I truthfully didn't think for a second that I'd need to.

I quickly tell Draco I'd be studying in the library after dinner and excuse myself. By the time I reach the seventh floor I'm taking the stairs two at a time. I read once that in certain situations you could convince yourself that nerves were actually excitement, so I wipe my clammy hands on the front of my robes and plaster a content smirk on my face.

Rounding the corner, not knowing what to expect, I find Granger chatting kindly with Luna Lovegood. I only recognize the blonde girl because my brother goes well out of his way to call her Loony, though he's far from alone in the act.

"Malfoy, you came." She grins at me.

"Of course I came." I say, accidentally sounding more offended than I'd like. "Lovegood."

"Hello Gemini." Lovegood greets in her pleasant dreamy voice.

"So, the 7th floor corridor?" Granger opens her mouth to answer when a tall ornate door materializes on the wall behind her, opening a crack to reveal the youngest Weasley.

"We're about to get started." Ginny looks at me with an expression I can't read.

"Come on then." Luna grabs me by the wrist and pulls me in the room after her.

It was incredible. Mirrors line the walls all the way up to the high ceilings, one corner is taken up by practice dummy's and a pile of discolored cushions, presumably for stunning, and the room seems to be filled with a keen hum of chatter from the members in it.

Counting quietly to myself, there are 25 students milling about, more than I'd expected. Mostly Gryffindors of course but I still find myself surprised by the number of Ravenclaw and Hufflepuffs.

Potter clears his throat. "Let's get started then."

We start with stunning and I'm especially grateful when Luna suggests we pair up. I do my best to ignore the stares, some angry, some curious, and some judging me more and more every time Lovegood manages to knock me over.

Potter appears next to me and gives me a hand up. "Thanks."

"You're distracted."

"Can you blame me?" I glance at a Hufflepuff boy I didn't know who was shooting me a dirty look.

"We put it to a vote to know." He explains. "You'd be surprised how many voted in your favor once Hermione pointed out it was just Draco everyone hates, you've never really done anything to us."

"Thanks." I find Hermione across the room dueling Weasley, she meets my eye for a brief moment before being thrown backwards by a stunning spell.

"Plus you didn't tell Umbridge." Luna observes kindly.

I smile back at her and hold up my wand. "Shall we?"

Near the end of the lesson Potter announces that we're going to start on the patronus charm. "It has to be your happiest memory. Allow it to fill you up, think of nothing else."

The room quickly fills with voices saying the spell, and bits of blue light. Hermione seems to achieve it first, an otter takes shape and seems to swim in the air around her beautifully.

"Expecto patronum!" A few wisps of magic extend from my wand but quickly fade. I'd thought of my 10th birthday when I'd received my first set of wizards chess. It was ornate and shiny with black and white marble pieces that reassembled themselves after each game.

That evening father had taught us how to play and Draco and I stayed up well into the night playing over and over again. Our parents had carried us up to bed after we fell asleep on the carpet, the enchanted chess pieces sitting bored mid-match next to us. The night I'd considered one of the best I'd ever had, was now tarnished by my newfound contempt for my father. I frown, realizing the first happy memory that came to mind was so upsetting.

"Expecto patronum!" The second attempt proves the same as the first. This time I'd thought about my first time seeing Hogwarts in first year. It had filled me with such excitement at the time, but I suppose it wasn't enough for such an intricate charm.

I try a few others but can't seem to manage more than the wisps of magic my first attempt had offered.

"Don't be discouraged if you can't get it yet, we'll be working on it again in the next few weeks." Easier said than done. "Otherwise that's all for today." Most of the group seemed disappointed it was over and I couldn't help but agree. "See you all next week."

I trail behind as people filter out of the room, and smile when Hermione approaches. "So, what'd you think?"

"Honestly it's brilliant." I smile. I spot her friends meandering over to us. "You're not a bad teacher Potter. Heck of a lot better than going over last years text book over and over again, which is what I'd been doing." I add awkwardly.

He chuckles lightly. "Thanks, Gemini." It was the first time he hasn't called me Malfoy.

"Gem." I correct. "Only my parents call me Gemini. Plus, I can admit it's a bit of a ridiculous name." Hermione grins and it's impossible not to grin back. "Could be worse though, at least it's not Draco."

"I take it we'll see you next time?" Hermione asks.

"Don't worry, there's no getting rid of me now."