ethereal {draco malfoy romance}

3.

 "So they're looking for Sirius Black? Why'd it attack you then?"

Harry shrugged in response to Ron, still looking shaken up. Hermione met Faye's eyes and they exchanged a worried glance. Faye could tell it was driving Hermione crazy to know as little as Ron did about everything.

"Don't worry too much Harry, I'm sure Professor Lupin will explain more soon." Faye reached out to comfort him, "and besides, we're almost at the castle", she peered out of the moving carriage they were in, through the heavy rain, to the majestic Hogwarts grounds above.

Hermione slung an arm around Harry, "Faye's right, I'm sure the Professor will have the answers. But nothing can harm you while you're at Hogwarts, you know that."

Harry averted his gaze to the storm battling the window.

"I hope so Hermione. I really hope so."

-

With the returning students all seated in the Great Hall, Faye stood outside the doors trying desperately to calm her nerves. Though she was generally skilled at masking emotions, her stomach felt as if someone had stepped on it, and all she could think about were the hundreds of students on the other side of that door, all more experienced and skilled with wizardry than her. All too soon, Professor McGonagall swept towards her, and with one final nod for reassurance, opened the doors. Faye walked beside the Professor, with the first years in tow, down between the large house tables. She didn't dare look at any of them. Dumbledore stepped towards his podium.

"Students, welcome to another year at Hogwarts! Before we start, of course, the sorting ceremony, which will begin with our new third year student. I trust you will all make the newest students feel welcomed into our school."

A brief whisper floated through the hall, Faye regretfully noted, knowing it was about her. But Professor McGonagall remained poised, reading clearly out from her scroll,

"Faye Callas."

As Faye sat down on the stool, she kept her eye line straight ahead and above the eyes of the other students. The sorting hat was placed on her, and quickly began speaking inside her head.

"Ooh an interesting one, aren't you? It's been a while since I've had someone like you, very curious indeed. How different you are to the others, how... special."

Faye shifted on the stool, gripping it with white knuckles. The hat sensed her discomfort quickly.

"Don't you worry though, I'm sure you will do great things. Alright then... GRYFFINDOR!!!"

There was a split second of silence, barely noticeable, before Fred and George stood up at their table and began cheering. Within a moment, the whole Gryffindor table was applauding, possibly the hardest were Harry and Ron, who seemed so happy they'd burst, and Hermione, who closely resembled a proud mother. Faye let out the breath she didn't realise she'd been holding, and gracefully hopped off the stool, quickly going to the trio and sitting down across from the two boys, next to Hermione.

After all the first years had been sorted, Dumbledore began speaking again. While speaking about a 'Professor Kettleburn', who was apparently losing limbs, a harsh whisper sounded from the Slytherin table.

"Hey Potter!"

It was Draco, of course. Faye had gathered from Ron and Harry's talks in the carriage that they were all mortal enemies. But something intrigued her about the blond, and she wouldn't hate him till he gave her a good enough reason to. It went against her whole nature.

Although he was getting pretty close right now.

"Is it true you fainted?" A boy next to Draco fake-collapsed, to the amusement of the surrounding Slytherins, "I mean, you actually fainted?"