Forever Home | Draco Malfoy

Chapter 5-4: Harry's Hearing

The days at headquarters were slow but Desiree never failed to find something to do. Desiree found herself repairing friendships that weren't as close in the last year. Though she was still friends with Ron, Harry, and Hermione, fourth year their friendship seemed to drift a bit. Now however, it seemed as though no time elapsed at all.

"Wow, everything smells delicious," Desiree smiled as she entered the kitchen for breakfast.

"Ah, Desiree there you are. I've made french toast today. Your mother says that it's your favorite," Mrs. Weasley smiled.

"Well she was right. And I'm sure yours will be amazing as always," Desiree sat down at the table.

"Molly you must let me help you in the kitchen sometime. You already have enough mouths to feed without my family being in the mix," said Mrs. Alcyone.

"Nonsense Ayla. I enjoy it," said Mrs. Weasley.

"Oh look at the time. Harry we must be going now," Mr. Weasley stood up from the table.

"I guess that means it's time for us as well," said Mrs. Alcyone standing up with Mr. Alcyone.

"Good luck Harry," said Desiree.

"Good luck," said Ginny and Hermione in unison.

"Thanks," said Harry before leaving with Mr. Weasley.

"So, what do we do now?" asked Desiree.

"As long as it doesn't destroy the house you can do anything you want," said Mrs. Weasley glaring to Fred and George.

"What? Us? But we're absolute angels," Fred batted his eyelashes to his mother before she left the kitchen. Desiree laughed to herself at his remark. "What?"

"Sorry I just thought that was really funny," she laughed to herself again.

"If you keep it up then we might just find out why you were sorted into Slytherin out of all houses," said Fred.

"Slytherin is not a bad house. Everyone just stereotypes us because Voldemort was a Slytherin," she paused. "But it would be my pleasure to show why I am," she laughed.

"You'd be surprised how she acts when someone crosses her," said Hermione.

"You remember when she hit Malfoy in the face for calling Hermione that name second year?" Ron laughed.

"Oh yeah, I forgot about that. To bad there weren't many other altercations like that," George laughed. Desiree had forgotten that other people didn't know the real Draco. The Draco that was kind. The Draco that was hurting. That however, didn't justify him calling Hermione a mudblood. In fact, Desiree would probably still hit him if he said it today. The things she felt wouldn't get in the way of her views of the treatment of people and others like house elves.

"You should have seen her the night Harry and I snuck into the Slytherin common room. She was about to hit him again just for saying the world mudblood," said Ron.

"That's because he was using the word for the purpose that many others use it for. I can't stand the purebloods that think they're superior just because they happened to come from a magical family that had no traces of muggles," said Desiree.

"Okay moving on from Desiree hitting Malfoy. Why don't we play a game?" asked Hermione.

"A game? What kind of game?" asked Ron.

"A card game. The game is usual played with chips but since we don't have any, we can use something like peanuts," said Hermione.

"Why do we need peanuts for a card game?" asked George with a skeptical look.

"That's what you use to place bets on your cards. Oh come on, don't tell me you've never played poker," Hermione looked to each of them.

"I haven't. I think my father has but I don't think we call it that," said Desiree.

"Is that a muggle game?" asked Fred.

"Yes but I'm sure there's a wizard version of it. After all, how would Hagrid have won Norbert if there wasn't?" asked Hermione.

"Is it easy to play?" asked Ginny.

"Oh it's really easy. I've been playing with my parents for years," said Hermione.

"How are we supposed to get the cards?" asked Ron.

"I have a set in my trunk," said Hermione.

"Well then what are you waiting for? Go get the cards," said Fred.

"I'll get the peanuts while you're at it," said Desiree as the two girls stood up from the table. They returned just a few moments later with everything that was needed for the game. After Hermione explaining how the game worked for about twenty minutes, the game was off. Ginny and Desiree seemed to have a real nack for playing; they were tied with the most chip, or peanuts in their case. Fred was close behind them only because he would cheat by looking to George's cards.

"Seems as though it's just the two of us left," said Fred after everyone else folded.

"Seems like it," said Desiree. "Tell you what, I'll raise your bet by five."

Fred took a short glance down to his cards. This was all Desiree needed to know that she had him. "I'll do you one better," he shoved all of his peanuts to the center of the table. Everyone's mouths opened as Fred went all in.

Desiree let out a little smirk. "I'll call you," she shoved the matching amount of peanuts into the middle. "Whatcha got?"

Fred placed his cards down, "Straight flush. Let's see what you have then."

Everyone's attention shifted to Desiree. She let out another smirk as she placed her cards down, "Royal flush."

"Woah Freddie, it seems as though you've just lost," George patted his brother's shoulder.

"How did you?" Fred stopped as his face grew confused.

"I guess I'm just good at reading people," she said matter of factly.

"Good at reading people or not, that was brilliant!" said Ron. "Hermione we have to play this more often."

"Oh we have to! But we'd have to do it in the Great Hall so Desiree can play!" said Ginny.

"Play what exactly?" Harry emerged into the kitchen.

"Harry!" Desiree and Hermione called out excitedly.

"How was the hearing?" asked Desiree.

"I've been dropped of all charges. I get to go back to Hogwarts," Harry smiled.

"Oh this is wonderful! I knew it would never hold up," said Hermione.

"If it wasn't for Desiree's father and another woman I probably would have been expelled," Harry looked to Desiree in gratitude. "So, what game were you playing?"

"Oh Harry you have to play with us!" said Ginny excitedly.

"I've taught them how to play poker," Hermione chuckled.

"I've never played poker. I've heard of it but Uncle Vernon always played it elsewhere," said Harry.

"Well then you're about to learn. Come, sit down," Desiree waved Harry over to the table. "We'll even start a new game so Fred can continue to play," she chuckled along with everyone else.

"Careful Harry, she's better than she looks," Fred looked from Harry to Desiree then back to Harry.

"Alright enough chit chat, let's play," Ginny laughed. And so the game started all over again; this time with Harry. Desiree had actually had so much fun playing with them. She knew she would have to show Draco, Pansy, and Blaise how to play someday.