Ruby Dellamark arrived at Hogwarts in year three. There, she met the arrogant, but also torn Slytherin Prince, Draco Malfoy. She learns a few things about Draco, and also herself, as Hogwarts prepares itself for the return of the Dark Lord.
*I...
The weeks passed, and soon a thick layer of snow fell upon the wizarding world. The school day had ended, so some of the sixth years went to Hogsmeade. They were bundled up in their coats and hats, and trudged through the snow; Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ruby.
"For weeks, you carry around this book. Practically, sleep with it, and yet you have no desire to find out who the Half-Blood Prince is," Hermoine huffed.
"I didn't say I wasn't curious and I don't sleep with it," Harry replied.
"Well, it's true. I used to get a nice chat before I went to bed. And all you do is read that bloody book. It's like being with Hermione," Ron said. Ruby laughed at his comment.
"Well, I was curious. So, I went to–"
"The library?" the other three asked Hermione.
"And?" Ruby asked.
"And nothing. I couldn't find a reference anywhere to the Half-Blood Prince," she replied.
"There we go. That settles it, then," Harry replied. As they neared the village, they spotted Professor Flitwick hurrying through the snow as he spoke with Professor Slughorn.
"Ah! Professor! Hoping to find you in the Three Broomsticks," Slughorn said.
"Uh–no, emergency choir practice, I'm afraid Horace," Flitwick replied quickly. Harry watched the potions professor trudge through the snow, then he had an idea.
"Anyone fancy a butterbeer?"
-
They went inside the Three Broomsticks, finding Slughorn was already chatting happily with another wizard about some tobogganing trip down a hill. The other three were about to join them, but Harry held them back.
"No, not there," he said.
"Where?" Ron asked. He led them to a table just behind a wooden staircase, the perfect table for four. Ruby was about to sit down with Hermoine, but Harry stopped her.
"No, Ruby. Sit over here," Harry grabbed a chair from another table and placed it at the edge.
"Okay then..." Ruby sat down, sandwiched between Hermione and Ron.
"Something to drink?" a waiter asked them.
"Four butter beers, and ginger in mine please," Hermoine replied. As Ruby got settled, she turned her head to look at Slughorn, but instead she saw Draco. When he saw her, he froze for a brief moment. They stared at each other for a few seconds, then Draco turned and went the other way.
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"Why is he here?" Ruby asked.
"Who?" Harry asked.
"Malfoy," she said.
"Probably just taking advantage wallowing about like everyone else," Ron replied. She had to convince herself of just that, but something told her that it wasn't the butterbeer and peanuts that Draco was after.
