Fear Of The Water ~ Draco Malfoy

Chapter 6

"Stay safe, both of you." Narcissa Malfoy smiled down at the two teens, eyes cold to some but welcoming to the two of them. "Stay out of trouble. I'm sure you will both make Slytherin proud, but don't forget about..." She cut herself off and pulled them into a hug, both scrambling to get away: one because he was embarrassed, the other because her bones were on fire from her touch.

After spending a dismal three weeks stuck in her new room with only Hoskey for company, Apolline thought it a good idea for her and Ottiliana to spend the last week of summer in Malfoy Manor. She had told her daughter it was to console Narcissa, for Lucius Malfoy had been sent to Azkaban, but it was really just a chance to natter about anything that bothered them - usually their husbands.

"You had both better hurry, the train is leaving soon." Draco pulled away, glancing around the station before lugging his trunk to the storage compartment. Ottiliana followed after thanking the woman, keeping the platinum blonde in sight. They both stepped onto the train, Draco closing the door forcefully behind them both. "Come on." He spoke gruffly. "Slytherin carriage is down here." The girl followed Draco as the people crowding the corridors moved aside quickly, letting him strut like he owned the place. He slid open a door, revealing an open carriage with seats that could fit up to three on each side, a table in the middle. He led her over to a group at the back.

"Who's this, Malfoy?" A tall boy with dark skin asked, looking up from his copy of The Daily Prophet that he had been reading with a notable lack of interest.

"A transfer from Beauxbatons. She's a... family friend." He stated simply, causing her to roll her eyes.

"Ottiliana Delacour."

"Blaise Zabini." He introduced, leaning forwards and whispering, "Sorry about him, he's a prat."

"I heard that, Zabini!"

"Finally! Another girl!" A loud voice said from behind her. She turned to see a student her age walking down towards them. "My name's Pansy Parkinson. Merlin, you're stunning!" Pansy linked arms with her and pulled her over to sit opposite Blaise, immediately bombarding her with questions. Malfoy huffed and sat next to Blaise, both boys starting a conversation.

"Um... excuse me?" The four Slytherins looked up to see a nervous second year holding two scrolls of parchment, each tied with a violet ribbon. "I've been told to give these to Blaise Zabini and... Ottiliana Delacour." She gulped, turning to the girl in question, the young girl's mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. "I-Is that you?"As soon as Blaise took them from her she scurried away, speed-walking down the middle of the carriage as quickly as possible. He passed the blonde her piece of parchment.

"Ooh, open it up!" Said Pansy.

They both pulled on the ribbons, unscrolling the parchment that read:

Miss Delacour,
Professor Dumbledore has told me all about you - I would be delighted if you would join us for a bit of lunch in compartment C in order to get to know you - as well as other students.
Sincerely, Professor H.E.F Slughorn.

"Who the hell is Professor Slughorn?" Pansy asked, but Ottiliana shrugged and Draco frowned.

"Best to go and see what he wants, come on." Blaise gestured for her to follow him as they both stood, sliding open the door and walking a few corridors down, opening the door for compartment C.

They were greeted by an ageing man with a silver moustache who jumped up to shake them by the hands. "Ah! You two must be Mr Zabini and Miss Delacour! Welcome, welcome! Please, take a seat, we are waiting for two more people. They should be here any minute..." Ottiliana skittered past his outstretched hand and took a seat next to Blaise, just in front of the window. She looked around the table, three other students were sitting with them. Two were boys who she had never seen in her life, but a girl with flaming hair was glaring at her, Ginny Weasley.