Draco Malfoy and the Girl Who Hid

3

Before Yn could protest Hermione had already hauled to the compartment, where Ron was shovelling Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans into his mouth while Harry was trying to explain something to him with furious passion. "Don't you see Ron," was all Yn caught the end of before Harry mouth snapped shut and eyes dilated, while Ron's mouth hung open.

Harry quickly jumped to his feet. "Yn," he said in surprise. "You're here. I thought it was just a silly attempt at a prank."

She repeated the soft smile that she had developed over the years that seemed to reassure people and act as an answer when she had nothing to say.

Yn had not known Harry very well at first. While everyone else was clamouring to get to know the boy who lived, Yn had stayed clear not wanting to stifle him. But as fate would have it, by the end of the first year they had become fast acquaintances when they were seated beside each other in transfigurations, potions, and charms. She often helped him avoid scolding's from Professor Snape and hastily cast a protection charm against the explosive charm that Seamus seemed to cast almost daily and who unfortunately sat adjacent to them. "It's good to have you back Yn."

"I found her in the first carriage," Hermione exuberantly noted. "Is Parvati not back yet?"

Ron silently shook his head, mouth still hanging open and eyes stuck on Yn. Hermione elbowed him discreetly. "Ow," he yelped in pain.

"Stop staring," Hermione harshly whispered.

"I can't," Ron replied absent-mindedly. "Fred and George are going to be so jealous that I saw Yn before they did. Ever since that article in the Daily prophet where Yn was in the background behind the mister and her father, they have been dying to find a way to bump into her." Ron yapped with his mouth full.

Yn shifted uncomfortably.

Luckily, Parvati sullenly rapped on the window of the compartment. "I couldn't see her. It looks like you were right Harry. Just a rumour."

Hermione audibly cleared her throat and jabbed her eyes in Yn's direction.

Parvati was confused. It wasn't until her sister Padma who had stepped up beside her gasped, and she realised. "Yn!" Parvati burst into the compartment and wrapped Yn in an embrace. "I heard from my mother who overheard Pansy Parkinson's mother telling Madam Milkin, who heard form Lucius Malfoy who found out from the ministry that your Hogwarts letter had been sent after all this time. I was beyond excited. I can't believe you are back."

"Nor can I," Yn muttered, plastering a brave smile on her face.

Padma saved Yn from Parvati's clutches and enveloped her in a gentle hug.

In the corridor, Yn could faintly hear the trolley witch, trudging down the aisle.

"Come on Parvati. Let's give Yn some space. I'm sure she has had quite enough of us. We need to buy some chocolate frogs before Justin Finch-Fletchley clears them all out again."

"Right yes," Parvati agreed. Then she jumped up and down on the spot after seeing Yn's face. "Oh, I am so excited. This is going to be a great year." And then she escaped out the door, being herded by Padma.

"Sit with us," Hermione urged, tapping the plush seat beside her.

Before Yn could answer, she was distracted by Harry's murmuring to Ron. "This only adds to my suspicions."

Hermione saw Yn's affliction. "Oh stop it Harry. I know where you are going with this." She continue to motion form Yn to sit. To which Yn had to comply.

"It's happened. He's one of them."

"On of what?" Ron pestered in confusion, mirroring what Yn was thinking.

Hermione sighed. "Harry is under the impression that Draco Malfoy is now a death eater."

Yn's eyes widened. Draco Malfoy! She remembered him of course. He was the only one that she had had the unfortunate opportunity to bump into several times. Especially since she spent more and more time with Lucinda and all the people that came along with her. Is that what Phineas meant? Is that what the stare was about?

"You're barking. What would you-know-who want with the sort like Malfoy?" Ron scoffed.

"Well, then what what's he doing in Borgin and Burkes? Browsing for furniture? It's suspicious. And his dad's interest in Yn returning to Hogwarts. You know none of us believe that crap about a spell gone wrong during a looting at Yn's house just days before she and her father were supposed to return home."

"Harry," Hermione shook her head.

"Yn, don't you think it's a possibility. Your god parents are familiar with the Malfoys. You might have seen something. There is clearly a reason why your father avoided sending you back to school all these years."

Yn stuttered. "I don't really know Harry." But even as the words came out of her mouth, she ran over the summer trying to piece together any inclination. But it had been a long time since she had been surrounded by so much chaos, she was finding it difficult to concentrate. Then she turned to Hermione. "Hermione, I think I just need a minute it's just a little over whelming." Yn hopped to her feet. "I'll see you after we get off the train. Or if not then, then during the feast."

Yn hastily stepped out the compartment and could hear Hermione rebuking Harry for his ambush.