Begin Again (George Weasley/Draco Malfoy)

Nine.

This summer was by far the most eventful I've had since school started. It started when I got a letter from Draco telling me that his parents have agreed to let me spend a day with them at Malfoy Manor. In the letter he explained that his parents knew I was his girlfriend, but they didn't know who my father was, and he asked that I not tell them, either. I understood that. I have heard enough about the Malfoy's to know how to act around them. I basically have to be the opposite of who I am. It was easy enough for me, honestly. 
   
My mum thought I was at Jude's. There was no way she would have allowed me to go to the Malfoy's, especially since she has no clue that Draco and I were even friends let alone dating. She'd freak out on me. So I went to the Malfoy's early, through the Floo Powder channel, before my mum woke up so she wouldn't know where I had gone.
   
Draco's mum Narcissa was actually kind towards me, since her son seemed happy with me. I was polite, I played their game acting like I was Pureblood supremacist like they all were, and I am technically a Pureblood Witch. I checked off all her boxes of criteria to be Draco’s girlfriend for right now. Draco's dad Luciius Malfoy didn't like that I didn't know my father, but that seemed to be the only thing he didn't like about me, so I will take it for now.
   
It was a good day, all in all. And if I'm being honest I was surprised that he told his parents about us. But then I found out that they only found out because they wanted to know who he kept writing to. That's the only reason they knew. We hung out a few more times like that. It was very nice, actually. I was happy to actually see him in his home, outside of school.
   
I also spent a lot of time with my dad. He taught me that same Patronus Charm that he taught Harry, and unlike Harry my dad said that I picked it up rather quickly. That was probably due to me having way more happy memories to draw up than Harry has.
   
But then it was almost time for the Quidditch World Cup. My mum and I were invited by the Weasley's to share their box seats that Mr. Weasley got from his work. He did a lot of work putting the event together with some other departments of the Ministry.
   
We met them at their tent, where we caught them saying goodbye to fellow Hufflepuff and Captain of the Hufflepuff Quidditch team, Cedric Diggoy, and who I can assume is his father. "Adelaide," said Cedric happily, "I wasn't expecting to see you. You excited for the game?"
   
"Very excited," I say, smiling at him. He was so handsome it was hard not to smile back at him. "This is my mum."
   
"Nice to meet you," says Cedric, holding his hand out for her to shake, "Your daughter is a great asset to our team."
   
"She's been flying since before she could walk," my mum says, a smile on her lips.
   
Cedric and his father leave us then, and I say hello to my friends. I noticed George Weasley's brown eyes on me a lot more than usual. Every time I caught him looking at me I looked at him and he would turn away quickly and get all shy. I didn’t know what it was all about, it made me kind of uncomfortable honestly. He just kept looking at me, it was awkward.
   
Mr. Weasley sent Ron, Hermione, Harry, and I on a little trip up the field some more to get us some water while the rest of them went and gathered some wood for a fire. We ran into a fellow fourth year Gryffindor, Seamus Finnegan, on our way back to the tent. He and his mother were very excited that Ierland was playing in the World Cup, and we didn’t have the guts to tell them that we were all rooting for Bulgaria to win.
   
We saw that Ron's older brothers Charlie, Bill, and Percy were now here as well when we returned to the tent. Ludo Bagman, head of the Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports at the Ministry of Magic, came by our tent along with Barty Crouch. Mr. Weasley jumped to his feet and introduced all of us to them. The twins made a bet with him against Ierland winning, before he left us, he alluded to the fact that something is going to happen this term at Hogwarts that he would be there for, which made us all very confused.
   
Ron, Hermione, Harry, and I all took a walk around the arena while we waited for the game to start that night. I didn’t want to be anywhere George’s eyes were anywhere near me so I gladly took some time away from him to walk around with my friends.
   
While walking around, we bought trinkets and souvenirs. I caught a glimpse of Draco and his father walking around the souvenir shops together. He was dressed in what he would call his Muggle Best. Which for Draco means dawning all black. He was wearing a plain black shirt with a blazer over it, and nice black trousers to complete the look. His father, however, probably thought that the idea of wearing Muggle clothes was the most horrendous thing he’d ever heard so he was wearing his normal, long balck robes with his walking cane that housed his wand inside of it next to him at all times.
   
My stomach filled with butterflies at the sight of him, he was so beautiful. I couldn’t wait until school started back up and we could see each other every day again. I just couldn’t stand being away from him anymore. I knew what going back to school had in store for us. We were finally going to go public. I knew we would. I have patiently waited for a year to go public with him, and after what we got even closer to each other this summer, I knew that he would finally be ready. I didn’t care if Harry, Ron, or Hermione hated me for it. I loved Draco, and he loved me, and that’s all that mattered to me. If I could just hold his hand while walking to classes, that’s all I would ever need.
   
When we were finished shopping, we headed to the box to watch the game, a work perk of Mr. Weasley’s. Mr. Weasley kept giving off information about the stadium and how many people it could fit and all of that. He told us all about the charms he used on this place to keep the Muggles a way while we were here. He’s for sure put a lot of work into this job this year and he’s been rewarded perfectly for it. While in our box we met a house elf that seemed to be sitting alone waiting for her Master called Winky. Harry thought she might have been Dobby at first, but he was sadly mistaken. Then, to my surprise, Draco Malfoy entered the box with his mother and father.
   
Draco stared wide eyed at me. I gulped. I knew that his parents knew that we were a secret, and that was because he wanted to keep us one. He told me that himself, his mother and I even talked about it for a good moment while I was staying with them. I knew they weren’t going to say anything if Draco didn’t. Plus, they would have to admit that the girl that their son is in love with is friends with the Weasley- family who they all considered to be Blood Traitors- and a friend of Harry Potter- who Draco despises- and also a friend of Hermione Granger- who they consider to be a Mudblood because she has Muggle parents.
   
Barty Crouch informed Mr. Weasley that Lucius Malfoy just donated a very generous donation to St. Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries and Barty brought him and his family up to the box as his guest. Draco had his eyes looking directly at me, and I felt the butterflies again looking back at him. Draco stayed next to his parents the entire time, not saying a word to me.
   
The Bulgarian team mascots entered the field then, it was a group of Veela women. They had a fun dance routine that every man and teenage boy in here was enthralled by. That’s what Veela did though. They were very, very attractive to men, more so than other women were. Hermione, of course, being of Muggle descent, didn’t understand what Veela were and what they do to men, thought that they were just being perverted.
   
Ireland were already ahead by 130 points to 10 not even 20 minutes into the game, another 10 minutes after that,Ierland had 170 points when the Bulgarian Seeker, Viktor Krum, got the snitch, thus ending the game. “Why would he do that?” I ask, standing up and running to the edge of the box to get a better look. I didn’t have control of my body when I got up, I just did it.
   
Ierland had won the Quidditch World Cup, and the Irish cheers were echoing through the arena like mad. “He knew they were never going to catch up,” said Charlie Weasley. “The Irish Chasers were too good.”
   
He was right, Bulgaria didn’t actually have a real chance at winning. Since the game was won rather quickly, we still had a lot of the night left to ourselves. We had hot cocoa and we couldn’t help but notice all of the noise outside of the tent coming from celebrating wizards over the result of the cup. Mr. Weasley said he was glad he wasn’t on duty to have to deal with them. You don’t tell the Irish to stop celebrating, everyone knows that.
   
When we turned in for the night, we weren’t in long, when we were rushed out of bed by Mr. Weasley telling us to get up and that it was urgent. We did as we were all told, and we followed Mr. Weasley outside of the tent. We watched as people made their way into the woods, fleeing something that was moving towards them from across the field. Whatever it was, it was emitting odd flashes of light and loud noises like gunshots. Loud, jeering noises of laughter and drunken yells were drifting towards us; then came a burst of light, which illuminated the scene.
   
A crowd of wizards, packed tightly and moving together with wands pointed straight upward, was marching slowly towards us. I squinted to get a better look at them from away, they didn’t seem to have faces, but then I realized that their heads were hooded and their faces were masked. High above them, floating along in midair, four struggling figures were being contorted into grotesque shapes. It was as though the masked wizards on the ground were puppeteers, and the people above them were marionettes operated by invisible strings that rose from the wands into the air. 
   
“That’s sick,” says Ron, sounding just as disgusted as we all probably felt looking at this scene.
   
Mr. Weasley finally joined us, his three oldest sons following close behind him. “We’re going to help the Ministry. “You lot get into the woods and stick together. I’ll come fetch you when we’ve sorted this out!”
   
My mother took me by the hand and said, "We're leaving," and she apparated us home. I didn't even get to say goodbye to anyone. She just got us out of there.
   
I contacted Ron and asked what had happened after we left. Apparently Harry lost his wand and they got separated and they found the others outside of the tent. While it was stolen, Harry's wand made the Dark Mark over the woods. They accused Winky, the house elf that was in the box with us during the game, and Barty Crouch actually gave her clothes, thus releasing her from his care. She was distraught and Hermione was enraged at how he had treated her. Percy, of course, stuck up for his boss and said that he did the right thing and Hermione needed to calm down, which only made her angrier. I was for sure glad that my mum got us out of there when she did.
   
Then the day came that I have been waiting for. September 1st. It was time to go back to Hogwarts. Charlie was with the Weasley’s and Harry when I arrived at King’s Cross Station with my mum. Dad wanted to come, too, but since he was our teacher last year he didn’t want to be bombarded with questions from his past students and all about why he wasn’t coming back to school, even though Professor Snape “Accidentally” let it slip to the entire Slytherin common room after he was angry and jealous that we helped Sirius get away. The entire school was bound to know the truth about my dad by now. 
   
Charlie Weasley said, “I might be seeing you all sooner than you think,” before we began to board the train and we were all very confused about that. What did that mean? Was he coming home for Christmas or something? He usually doesn’t, so that would make sense.
   
But then that notion was proven wrong when Mrs. Weasley said, “I’d invite you home for Christmas, but I expect you’re going to want to stay at Hogwarts, what with...one thing and another.”
   
“What do you know that we don’t?” Asks Ron, arounding angry.
   
“You’ll find out this evening, I expect,” says Mrs. Weasley. “It’s going to be very exciting - mind you, I’m very glad that they changed the rules.”
   
“What rules?” Asks Ron, in that same tone from his last question.
   
She wouldn't say, and neither would Charlie. We entered the steam engine, and I told them I’d see them at school and headed off to find my Hufflepuff friends. The train had already started by the time I found them. I passed Draco in an empty hallway on my way there, he smiled as he walked past me, and I smiled back at him. His hand gripped mine, and he pulled me with him, leading the way I knew not where.
   
We entered an old closet that actually smelled rather musty. He locks the door and his lips were on mine hardly a second later. His hands are in my hair, gripping it and tugging slightly, I enjoyed that feeling. It was such a rush. He turns the light on, and notices a small shelf with some supplies on it, he removes the supplies with one swift swipe of his arm and then he hosts me up onto the shelf.
   
"What's gotten into you, darling?" I ask, smiling at him.
   
"I just missed you as all," he says and then his lips are on mine again. 
   
Nearly twenty minutes later, I exited the closet raking my fingers through my hair, trying to calm it down. I eventually just pulled it into a ponytail as I walked. This was a very secluded part of the train, so no one really saw me exit the closet, thank Merlin. I headed up the hallway, looking into each compartment until I found my friends. 
   
“Hey there,” greets Jude as I enter.
   
“Hey,” I greet her back. 
   
“Where have you been?” Asks Sadie as I sit down.
   
“Oh,” I lie, “I was just talking with Ron, Harry, and Hermione. We kind of got caught up in our conversation.” They all bought that lie perfectly. We caught up on each other’s summer’s and I told them all about the time I spent with my dad and what happened at the Quidditch World Cup. They were stunned to learn that I had gone, because at the beginning of the summer I still wasn’t going. I was very surprised to get Ron’s letter asking me to join them.
   
The Great Hall was set up the same way it always was. I noticed Draco’s eyes on me from all the way across the room at the Slytherin table. I couldn’t wait until tomorrow, when we could actually talk about finally going public with our relationship. Considering we didn’t do much talking when we saw each other earlier today.
   
After the sorting of the new first year students into the houses, I couldn't help but notice that there was an empty seat where my dad sat last year. Had Dumbledore not found a replacement? Would one of the teachers be doing double duty teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts on top of their other subject? I sure hope he didn’t let Snape. If he didn’t choose anyone, he could have called my dad. I couldn’t help but notice that the food this feast was more lavish than it has ever been before. It was certainly much more exotic in choices this time with foods from other countries around the worlds as the main courses.
   
When Dumbledore took to the podium, he began his speech to start off the new year, “So! Now that we’re all fed and watered, I must once more ask for your attention while I give out a few notices. Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me to tell you that the list of objects forbidden inside the castle this year has been extended to include Screaming Yo-yos, Fanged Frisbees, and Ever-Bashing Boomerangs. The full list comprises some four hundred and thirty-seven items, I believe, and can be viewed in Mr. Filch’s office, if anybody would like to check.”
   
The corners of his mouth twitched before he spoke again, “As ever, I would like to remind you all that the forest on the grounds is out-of-bounds to students, as is the village of Hogsmeade to all below third year. It is also my painful duty to inform you that the Inter-House Quidditch Cup will not take place this year.”
   
I looked right at Cedric, who had a pained look on his face now. He was visibly upset about this. It was his last year, he was a Prefect and Head Boy for Hufflepuff, but no longer Quidditch Captain. He damn near had all of the titles, but lost one at the last second. I can’t imagine what he’s feeling right now.
   
“This is due to an event that will be starting in October continuing throughout the school year, taking up much of the teachers’ time and energy - but I’m sure you will all enjoy it immensely. I have great pleasure in announcing that this year Hogwarts - ”
   
He didn’t get to finish that thought though, because the doors to the Great Hall banged opened. A man stood in the doorway, leaning down upon a long staff, shrouded in a black traveling cloak. Every head in the Great Hall swiveled towards the stranger. A dull clunk echoed through the hall with his every step he took. He reached the top of the teachers table, turned right, and limped heavily towards Dumbledore. The stranger reached Dumbledore and stretched out his hand that was as badly scarred as his face was, and Dumbeldore shook it, muttering words that we couldn’t hear. Dumbledore nodded and then gestured the man to the empty seat at the table.
   
“May I introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Moody. As I was saying, Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry are honored to be hosting a very exciting event over the coming months that has not been held in over a century. It is my great pleasure to inform you the Triwizard Tournament will be taking place at Hogwarts this year.” Gasps filled the room from everyone that knew what that meant. I was one of them. That’s what Mrs. Weasley and Charlie were talking about before we boarded the Hogwarts Express.
   
He then went on to tell everyone that the Tournament was a very dangerous thing, and that there was a very high death toll before they stopped putting it on. The rules have been changed and no one under the age of seventeen is allowed to enter. That made the Weasley twins yell, “That’s rubbish!” out loud.
   
“The heads of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will be arriving with their short-listed contenders in October, and the selection of the three champions will take place at Halloween. An impartial judge will decide which students are most worthy to compete for the Triwizard Cup, glory of their school, and a thousand Galleons personal prize money.”
   
Murmurs began to take over the Great Hall. Conversations amongst each other.
   
“I know that you will extend every courtesy to our forgein guests while they are with us, and will give your whole-hearted support to the Hogwarts champion when he or she is selected. And now, it is late, and I know how important it is to you all to be alert and rested as you enter lessons tomorrow morning. Bedtime! Chop-chop!”
   
We didn’t have a choice but to head to our houses. So we did just that. Jude was angry that she couldn’t enter the Tournament, and I was glad that I couldn’t. I considered myself brave for a Hufflepuff, but I would not join this Tournament. It sounds very dangerous, even if the rules have been changed. I still wouldn’t enter it.
   
The next morning, the Great Hall was buzzing with conversation. I had Care of Magical Creatures first thing and then Herbology was right after it, so I had the entire morning outside. In between classes, Draco decided to taunt Ron about his dad being in the paper, but not in a good way. Professor Moody raised stakes about a false alarm for invasion, which is why he was late yesterday.
   
Draco was being his usual pompous arrogant persona that he usually puts on all the time. He doesn’t mean it, but if someone found out that he was being nice to a Weasley his father would practically disown him. Professor Moody overheard this, and he turned Draco into a white ferret and started moving him up and down in the air. I couldn’t control it, I shouted, “Turn him back!” in sheer terror.
   
He didn’t listen, and he continued to tourtour ferret Draco until Professor McGonagall came out into the courtyard and saw what was going on and made Professor Moody turn him back into Draco. Draco looked so frightened when he was turned back into himself. Then it was time for our first Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson with Professor Moody.
   
He taught us about the Unforgivable Curses, all of which would land you in Azkaban if you used them because they were all illegal. The Imperius Curse, “Imperio” that could make you do whatever the attacker wanted, the Cruciatus Curse “Cricio”, which caused your opponent serious pain, and the Killing Curse “Avada Kedavra” which kills your opponent.
   
He Performs these curses on the same big spider. He even made Neville come up to his desk and watch him perform the Cruciatus Curse on the Spider, which made him very, very uncomfortable. Hermione yelled at him to stop when she noticed how uncomfortable Neville was watching that. Then he made us all line up and he performed the Imperius Curse on all of us. The only person that it didn’t work on was Harry. He was able to refuse the commands. It impressed Professor Moody very much.
   
Then we had potions, where Neville was still flustered from the Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson, and he melted his first cauldron of the year. Then it was time for dinner. I went up to the library after dinner, like I usually always do, and I waited to see if Draco was going to be here. He wasn’t. So, I sat and I waited for him to show up. He eventually did, after about 30 minutes.
    He smiles when he sees me, and he plants a kiss onto my lips when he sits down. “I hoped I’d find you here, happy anniversary, darling.”
   
“Happy anniversary,” I say, my tone cheerful. One year ago today, Draco asked me to be his girlfriend in the hospital wing after he was mildly attacked by Buckbeak the Hippogriff. It was one of the best moments of my life. I was in love with him, and I was so happy to know that he feels the same. He took my hand underneath the table, and I couldn’t help but smile, but I have to slightly ruin the moment when I bring up the subject that I’ve been wanting to talk to him about for a minute now.
   
“I have been doing some thinking about us,” I begin, my heart pounding as I bring this up. “I was wondering when we’re finally going to go public.”
   
“I know you have,” He breathes, “Every time I think about it, I just can’t help but think about what a bad idea it is. Your friends would hate you. You really think Potter would be happy about it? He wouldn’t. You can kiss your friendships with those Gryffindors goodbye, and I know how important to you they are.” 
   
I sigh, he had a point, and I liked that he was thinking about me and my friends, but what he wasn’t considering was that I didn’t care. If Harry, Ron, and Hermione had an issue with my boyfriend, that was their problem to deal with, not me. “Well, how much longer do you expect me to wait? It’s been a year, I’m sick of hiding. I’m getting restless, Draco. Do you want me to wait until we’re finished with school or something? Because I can’t wait forever.”
   
“Not much longer,” he assures me, giving my hands a squeeze. “I promise. I love you, I’m not going to keep you a secret forever, as much as love having you as just my own.”
   
“I’ll still be only yours when everyone knows,” I assure him, “Everything will still be the same. Nothing has to change between us.”
   
“No it won’t,” he says, “When everyone knows everyone is going to look at you differently. It won’t be the same anymore. I’m not ready for that.”
   
I huff, annoyed, “Well, let me know when you are.”
   
He smiles, giving me a nod, “You will.”

_________________
Here's part 9!

She's the literal definition of a teenager whining, "But I love jim!"

I can't with her.

-Emily Winchester.