Aliah Snape (Book 2): Love and War

CHAPTER THREE: Return To Hogwarts

The last few weeks of her stay at Malfoy Manor were tense. At every turn, Aliah felt as if she was being watched. She understood that Draco's parents didn't accept her, and though it didn't settle well with her, her heart clenched for her new boyfriend. 

When the holiday ended, Aliah was happy to be sitting on the Hogwarts Express with Draco. The two found an empty cabin near the back of the train. The two wanted to share a moments peace for the last time before the rush of the school term. 

Aliah took advantage of the free space and sprawled herself out on the seat. She folded her jumper as a makeshift pillow. She smiled to herself as Draco folded one leg over his knee, resting his Potions book in his lap. She stared as his crisp black suit moved like water as he flipped through pages.  

"Aliah,"

"Hm?" Aliah snapped out of her thoughts. 

"Now you know the truth about your real family, how are things going to be?"

"I've been thinking about that, I don't know," Aliah sat up and crossed her legs underneath. Her eye caught the amethyst ring on her finger, the one that had belonged to her mother. "My true background is to remain a secret - to protect me according to Snape. As far as anybody knows,  I'm supposed to be dead."

A small silence hung in the room. Draco shifted forward when he heard the trolley lady call out to students.

"Would you like anything off the trolley?" 

"Chocolate frogs please, and something sweet," Aliah yawned. She leaned over her side to her head met her jumper.

"Go to sleep, you look tired,"

Aliah nodded and rolled over so her back was towards Draco. She closed her eyes and allowed the rocking of the train to lure her into a deep sleep.

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"Aliah wake up. Come on love, we are almost there," Aliah opened her eyes from someone shaking. Her dark eyes were met with cold grey eyes. She reached for Draco's hand and carefully sat up. "You have to change your clothes."

Aliah nodded and rubbed the sleep away with the palms of her hands. Draco reached up to grab her onboard luggage.  Carefully, she rummaged through her belongings before finding her Hogwarts uniform. "I can't believe girls can't wear pants," Aliah mumbled. "I really like pants."

"I'll wait outside the door. Let me know when you are ready," Draco said.

"Why can't I just go to the bathroom?"

"Too long of a walk?" Draco said reluctantly. Aliah furrowed her eyebrows. 

"Alright," 

Draco smiled and exited the compartment to give Aliah privacy. She quickly stripped herself of her clothes. Aliah jumped into her tights with the pleated skirt over the top. Though she hated the skirt, it did look that bad. She preferred pants as she didn't have to be as careful when sitting down, or worry about the wind flicking up the material.

Once she was dressed, Aliah wrapped her hands around the cool metal of the compartment door. She pushed the door open was greeted by a deep laugh. "What?"

"You can't tie a tie?" Draco laughed as he leaned against the door frame with his arms crossed. 

"Don't be mean!" Aliah frowned as she looked down to fix her tie which looked like a two year trying to wrap a present. 

"Here," Draco carefully moved her hands away so he could untie the long material. Aliah lifted her eyes to study his face. She was mesmerised at his concentration. His tongue poking out a little, his eyebrows furrowed and he also sucked his cheeks in. Draco's cheekbones were distinctive as ever.