Ron Weasley and the Case of the Slytherin

Ron Weasley and the Case of the Slytherin

The vast Great Hall buzzed with conversation. Like a swarm of bees humming from every table and every direction. Neatly pressed uniforms peaked out from underneath flowing black cloaks on every student seated at a long, slender table. The mad hum of children's gab hushed itself as a familiar tinkering of a woman tapping her glass was heard. Professor McGonagall set her spoon back down on the table and stepped out onto the stone stairs. She peered out at the crowd of awe-struck students at the foot of the steps.

"September first has come once again," bellowed a voice from behind the woman. There stood a man with a never-ending silver beard. It was Professor Albus Dumbledore, the best headmaster Hogwarts has ever seen. "New students have arrived..." he smiled warmly upon the group of dumfounded children at the foot of the stairs, " ...regulars have come back..." Dumbledore's pale blue eyes twinkled as he smirked across the room, "So let the sorting begin!"

"Now when I call your name please come sit here and I will place the sorting hat on your head." Professor McGonagall went through the roll of yellowish parchment in her hand, calling out names in alphabetical order, until one name went unheard.

"Lowery, McGrath" No one came forward. "Lowery, McGrath." She said again, this time more sternly as she searched the room with her eyes, "LOWERY, McGRATH" McGonagall shouted and a short girl bolted up to the stool. She hopped on it with her cheeks flushed a pale shade of pink. Her blonde hair curled into spirals and tumbled down over her shoulders. The woman scowled down at her. When this girl did not notice, the Great Hall burst into laughter. Then, what had to McGrath Lowery finally looked up, Professor McGonagall stated, "Good to see you've fit Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry into your busy schedule, McGrath."

"Oh, no sweat, Professor!" she smiled toothily. The roars of laughter grew like flames being fanned.

Between two neck less, black haired, chuckling boys sat a thin, pale, greasy haired student with chilling gray eyes. Between fits of giggles he managed to say, "Crabbe, Goyle, we have GOT to get her Slytherin! Imagine her and Snape in the same room!"

The Sorting Hat, a large and battered old witch's hat, was set upon McGrath's head. "Hmmmmmmmmm..." it thought, "There's lots of courage...personality...Hmmmmmmmmm..." McGrath giggles as she looked up at the brim of the hat; it seemed to be in deep contemplation. The girl's lively blue eyes twinkled with laughter from within. "Curious..." the hat kept thinking aloud, "Something's calling you...so it'd best be SLYTHERIN!" it shouted. One of the long tables cheered, and for one rare moment you could've sworn you saw Draco Malfoy smile.

McGrath jumped off the stool and began trampling over to the table, forgetting completely about the enchanted object adorning her head. The room roared again with laughter and the little girl promptly returned the Sorting Hat with a hurried apology.

Just as McGrath took a seat at the Slytherin table, Ron shot a sour glance at Harry and Hermione at their Gryffindor table. "She could be trouble..." Weasley said skeptically, running a hand over his flaming red hair, as Hermione stared over at where the girl was sitting.

"Especially if Malfoy gets his hands on her..."Harry added.

"I'm Draco Malfoy" the pale boy extended his hand across the Slytherin house's table toward McGrath. She shook it graciously with a wide smile. "And this is Crabbe and Goyle." Draco looked at his two companions on his either side as they nodded to the girl, "I knew you'd be in Slytherin."

McGrath raised an eyebrow quirkily at him,

"And How's that?"

"You can always tell a Slytherin out of a crowd. They're rather clever." He leaned in a bit closer, "And charming..."

"Oh no!" Hermione clasped her hand over her eyes.

"What? What?" Ron asked, panicking.

"Malfoy! He's got her!" she groaned.

" 'Got her'? How does he 'get her'?"

"Just look, Ron!" and the three turned around to watch the scene unfold.

McGrath fought a smirk, "Charming?"

The corners of Draco's mouth curled, "Yes, charming. The snake is the Slytherin mascot, snakes are charming..."

"Yeah, and snakes are cold and scaly! Yuck!"

Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle all laughed coldly at the contorted expression on the girl's face.

" And besides-" he added with a few quick glances behind and to the sides of him, 'You-Know-Who was a Slytherin."

McGrath's eyes widened, "On the subject-" she lowered her voice,"-I heard HARRY POTTER goes to this school!"

Draco scowled, his eyes narrowing to mere slits of steel gray, "You don't want anything to do with Potter, he's a nothing. He's always hanging around Ron Weasley and that mud blood Granger." His first clenched and his teeth gritted. Crabbe and Goyle began cracking their knuckles. "But he has nothing on you, we only take a few classes with Gryffindor and Professor Snape is our house leader. So you're perfectly safe." Draco added a bit quickly, "And with me around Potter and his nitwits wouldn't lay a finger on you."

"What do you mean, 'lay a finger on me? Would they try and hurt me?"

Malfoy gave a sidelong glance at his thugs, "You never know how far some would go for attention, McGrath, and Potter seems to be milking his fame very well. Just look now, Harry and his cohorts are already examining their next victim..." The girl whipped around to find Harry Ron and Hermione staring over at the quartet of Slytherins.

"I don't believe it." Said McGrath defiantly, "I don't believe anybody would just hurt another person for attention."

Draco's face fell. His plan was not following through, "McGrath, Potter's a bad seed. He's a dark one. He has the brother wand to You-Know-Who, and why do you think You-Know-Who couldn't kill him? Because he's got dark powers, he's a threat. He's a catastrophe waiting to happen. Why do you think he is at such odds with Snape and I? Because we're a threat, we know all about him. And now that you do, he'll do just the same." He finished in hushed tones. The fact was it was just the opposite. Draco was green with envy of Potter, and he was cunningly pulling McGrath into his own inner circle, and against Harry.

"What is he doing?" Hermione asked curiously, staring at the small group at the opposite end of the table in rapt conversation. "They keep looking over here and then keep on talking."

"Isn't obvious. Draco's himself." Harry replied sullenly.

"What? A jerk?" Ron scowled.

The next morning dawned a bright pink sky. The halls swarmed with students fresh and excited for the first day of the new term.

Down the packed corridor came a walking shock to Harry, Ron and Hermione. There, walked Draco Malfoy, but this time Crabbe nor Goyle were seen with him. Instead, there was a fine-boned girl on his right with blonde hair, blue eyes and freckles. It was McGrath Lowery.

"Oh my gawd..." Ron moaned and motioned toward the inconceivable. Harry and Hermione both glared, anger pulsing through their veins.

"Oh look McGrath! It's Scar-Faced Potter, Broke for galleons Weasley, and Mud Blood Granger." Draco spat, his cold eyes flickering between the three of them.

"Beat it Draco. You might be late to kiss Snape's feet." Harry warned though a clenched jaw.

Malfoy sneered and gave a grim flick of his wrist at Ron and Hermione. Then his frail arm slipped over McGrath's shoulders and he turned her into the nearest classroom.

"What kind of a girl would let Malfoy touch her?" Hermione asked as they all stood aghast.

"A brainwashed one." Ron answered.

"A Slytherin one." Potter added.

"A smart one." Rang a new and stern voice. The trio snapped to attention to find McGrath Lowery standing behind them. "I dropped my bag." She bent down and picked up her brown shoulder bag and walked into the classroom with a last intimidating glower.

'What's the matter, McGrath? What's wrong?" Draco asked as tenderly as possible. "Did Potter and his cohorts give you trouble?" he asked, suddenly furious.

'YES!" she slammed her bag down on the table.

"Don't worry..." he glared at three walking past the threshold.

The day progressed and at along last Potions was near. To Harry, Ron and Hermione's dismay. Potions took place in one of the castle's dungeons, so it was always particularly cold. Draco Malfoy made his grand entrance with McGrath at his side.

A tall man with stringy black hair sat at a desk in the front of class. It was Professor Snape. He looked up as Draco and McGrath took their seats. Malfoy gave a slight smile at Snape, and got the same in return. "That's Professor Snape, McGrath." He whispered as they took out their sheets of parchment, "He's our ally"

"He looks mean!" she hissed back," Intimidating!"

"Don't sweat it, Snape takes to Slytherins well, he'll like you." Draco reassured, giving her a nudge in the elbow. McGrath looked at Snape and gave a lopsided smile. Severus only gave a tilt of the head in recognition.

One the entire class had settled into their seat, with cauldrons set promptly on their desks, Snape stood up. With a swish of his long ebony cloaks he had captured the undivided attention of Draco, McGrath, Crabbe and Goyle.

"I will tolerate absolutely no mischief in my class." He commanded sternly in a drab monotone. "I see we have a few new students..." Snape remarked, his eyes lingering on McGrath, as he walked nearer their table, "Let's just hope you posses the same gifts as the people sitting next to you." The Professor stare slowly fell upon Malfoy, and he smirked. "Now would you open your books to page 7? Add the first ingredient listed for the Giggling Potion..."

The class progressed successfully for McGrath and Draco. Their potion turned out wonderfully and Snape let his praise be known.

"McGrath Malfoy, she'll be called that any day now." Ron said spitefully through a mouthful of mashed potatoes during dinner that night. "I don't like that girl, talks too much. And any girl who find Malfoy that interesting has got to be mental."

"Did you SEE Draco in potions class today? He leaned in so close every time he spoke to her you would have thought the girl was half deaf!" Hermione squealed. "You could sworn he was in love with her."

"So..." Malfoy said slimily at the Slytherin table during dinner. "What's your family, McGrath?"

"What?"

"Your family. Your decent. Is your family all wizard?"

'Well, sort of."

"What? What do you mean, sort of?" Draco asked harshly.

"Well, my father's whole family is magic. Very strong wizards. But my mother is mostly muggle, only her grandmother was a witch." She explained, seeing no harm in her descent.

Malfoy nearly dropped his goblet. He had made friends with the worst kind of wizard in his opinion, assuming that she was of pure blood. Draco swallowed his voice though, for McGrath had stolen a piece of his stone cold, envious heart, and brought it to life.

The next days dawned and set through the next week, and tension between Malfoy and Potter's gangs mounted. Ron had found a foul disregard in McGrath for her constant jabbering and quick wits. Harry never heard the end of Draco, and Hermione thought of McGrath as a girl with little self-respect.

Potions, however, became very interesting one muggy afternoon...

"We have discussed the simple Giggling Potion over the past few days." Snape spat, scowling at the students, "I believe it is time for a quiz..." everyone in the room moaned and hissed at the thought. "And I warn you," Severus added sternly, "Anyone whom I suspect skipped steps, as you have been, will be testing their potion." His faced twisted into a sick smile. 'So split into your pairs...NOW"

McGrath looked over at Draco, "Anything to make Snape laugh is undoubtedly worth the trouble!" Malfoy smiled half-heartedly and began chopping his and McGrath's Caballero Weed.

"What was that Ms. Lowery?" came a cold drawl. She whipped around. It was Snape again.

"I...uh...erm...what?" she stammered.

"I hope your potion turns out better than that stupefied response, Ms.Lowery."

Crabbe, Goyle and Malfoy sniggered as Snape walked away.

The class continued, and Malfoy and McGrath's potion wasn't turning out as beautifully as the others they had become so famous for. Every student and professor (even Dumbledore) knew Malfoy and McGrath's potions were genius. Hermione peered over at their soupy, yellowish mix that wasn't bubbling like the others.

"You know, that looks more like a crying potion. If Snape catches that, he might make you take it." Hermione whispered to them.

McGrath looked down at the potion, then back up at the girl with fluffy brown hair, 'Well, you'll be the one crying, Granger, if you don't mind your own business." McGrath snapped, and flicked a bit of Ava's Pepper into the cauldron.

"Oh! No! You're not supposed to add that yet!" she said, regretfully, staring at their potion.

"Shut it, Hermione, I don't need your help." Lowery said, her tone daring.

"Well, what a pity..." Snape said sarcastically, "what a pity, Mr.Malfoy, that you're going to suffer for McGrath's stupid mistakes."

Draco's face fell rock bottom, "What?"

"That's right, Mr.Malfoy, both you and Ms.Lowery are going to be testing your potion."

Malfoy jerked to face McGrath and glared wickedly. Two wooden cups were placed on their desk and the rest of the class looked on, horrified. Draco and McGrath took two cup-fills of the gruesome potion and gulped it down, each exchanging terror-struck glances.

Draco slammed his mug down with a loud cough, which sounded as if he were going to be sick. Soon the chocking cough turned into a pitiful sob. And Malfoy began to cry uncontrollably.

Almost the exact same happened to McGrath. As she finished the last of her cup, the girl began to sniffle, her blue eyes welling with tears. In not but a few seconds, fat salty tears streamed down her cheeks and McGrath let out an occasional, involuntary sob.

"It turned into a crying potion. I warned them, Professor." Hermione stated matter-of-factly.

"I believe it is quite obvious what happened, Ms.Granger, we don't need your explanations." Snape snapped.

He hurriedly conjured a counter potion and excused the two to pull themselves together.

"McGrath! You - You idiot!" Malfoy shouted in the empty corridor of Hogwarts as he sniffled down the last of the potions effects." how could you do something so STUPID?"

"It was a mistake, Malfoy! Plus, all's you did was cut up ingredients and write notes to Crabbe and Goyle!" she squealed back.

"McGrath, our other potions were invincible! I should've never let you- you stupid Mud Blood take over!" He shouted out of embarrassment.

McGrath gasped deeply.

"What?" he taunted, "Going to deny your blood? You know it's true, you're a good ol' mud blood just like Granger and the rest of them!"

"What happened to YOU? You were never like this before! You were never this cruel to me, Draco!" she wailed, tears again flowing from her crystal blue eyes.

"Oh, potion did wear off yet, did it McGrath? Or are those real muggle tears?"

"Just stop!"

"Not so tough now are we? I used to admire your bravery and sharp tongue, but it seems to have failed you now..."

There was many a day from that potions class on where McGrath and Malfoy didn't speak to each other. Nothing but awkward silence and begrudged glares filled the gap between them.

One evening, after the taunting and jeers about Draco's teary potions class he decided to speak with Professor McGonagall.

"Excuse me, Professor?"

"Yes, Mr.Malfoy"

"I believe someone purposely tainted mine and McGrath's potion a few days ago."

"What makes you believe this?" she slowly took off her square rimmed spectacles.

"Well, you and I both know that Hermione Granger likes to be top of her class, and a lot of people know that McGrath and I are excellent in potions. I saw her talking to McGrath as we were supposed to be mixing giggling potions. She said McGrath was adding the ingredients wrong in a very rude manner, and that we were making a Crying Potion. When Lowery turned to grab the Ava's Pepper I saw Hermione drop something into the cauldron and it indeed turned out as a Crying Potion."

"Are you sure of what you saw?"

"Positive."

"Then I will have to have a word with Ms. Lowery and Ms. Granger."

After Transfiguration class the day Professor McGonagall asked McGrath and Hermione to stay behind.

"I need to speak with you, ladies."

Hermione eyed McGrath suspiciously and McGrath looked wide-eyed at the Professor.

"I have been informed that a few days ago in both of your Potions class, yours" she looked and McGrath, "and Mr.Malfoy's giggling potion turned to be a crying potion. Someone who shall not be named came to me and confided that you, Ms.Granger, purposely tainted the potion." Hermione's eyes went wide and she gasped," Now, I am not blaming anybody and I am not assigning punishments - I just wanted to discuss the matter with you both in a objective, reasonable manner."

"Professor, you know I would NEVER even DREAM of purposely ruining someone else's potion!" Hermione sputtered.

McGrath's jaw dropped. Who would have blamed Hermione for her mistake? She could think of only one person - Malfoy.

"Professor McGonagall this person has told you a tall tale - Hermione never tainted our potion - she was trying to help fix it, it was my mistake, I added the wrong ingredients."

Hermione looked at McGrath with a newfound respect. A Slytherin stood up and told the truth for a Gryffindor. She never dreamed the day would come!

"Are you sure, Ms.Lowery?"

"Absolutely, Miss, Hermione is a model student she would never do something like that."

Hermione blushed furiously.

"Well then, I see that the case has resolved itself, thank you ladies - now hurry to your next class - you will be late!"

Out in the chilly corridors Hermione and McGrath hurried along to Herbology. As the trotted out on the open fields of the Hogwart's grounds Hermione stared at McGrath with awe.

"Why did you do that?"

"What?" McGrath asked casually.

"Tell the truth? Why did you stand up for me and not Malfoy?"

McGrath rolled her eyes goofily, "Because Malfoy is a good-for-nothing-Muggle-born-hater, and I thought you would have figured that out for yourself, Hermione, you're a smart cookie!"

Hermione was flabbergasted, "I thought you and Draco were friends."

"WERE- keyword. The moment he found out I was part muggle and I messed up his all too beautiful potion he hated me. Not a real friend, is he?"

Hermione didn't know what to say - she just watched McGrath trot along, her blonde curls bouncing.

"So - you're part Muggle?"

"Oh yeah - my Dad is a wizard, but only my mum's grandmother was a witch." She smiled, "How about you?"

"Both my parents are muggles."

"Neat." McGrath winked and rounded into the greenhouse.

In herbology Hermione was stunningly quiet as her, Harry and Ron planted deadly nightshade seeds.

"Hey Hermione - what's up with you? Why did Professor McGonagall want to talk to you about?" Ron asked curiously and looked at Harry. He shrugged back at him.

"McGrath - she -" Hermione started.

"She's a bratty little slimy Slytherin!" Ron said haughtily, "Did she get you in trouble?!"

"No, she got me out of it." She stared at McGrath as she worked with two Hufflepuff boys.

"Huh?" Ron grunted and accidentally unearthed some dirt.

"Yeah - Someone, Malfoy I think, told McGonagall that I tainted McGrath and Draco's giggling potion and made it a crying one. So she asked us about it and McGrath told the truth. She told McGonagall that I was trying to help her, and that was that!"

Ron's eyes went wide, so did Harry's.

"She's not even friends with Malfoy anymore." Hermione added, "She said after Draco found out she had Muggle blood in her he never spoke a civil word to her again."

"Sounds like something Malfoy would do." Ron muttered and continued planting seeds.

"So - McGrath is part muggle?" Harry asked.

"Yes" Hermione continued, handing Ron more seeds, "Her father's side of the family is all magic, but on her mother's side only her Grandmother was a witch."

"That's funny - I wonder how she got in Slytherin..."

Later that night it seemed like every student was in the library studying for final exams.

"That's it! I've had it - " Ron threw his quill down, splotching ink all over his notes, "I'm going to fail potions anyways why waste precious time trying to memorize this absolutely useless potion!"

"Which one is it, Ron?" Hermione asked.

"The shrinking potion!"

"It's not entirely useless"

"Yes it is! Why on earth would I want to shrink myself or someone else? I thought we're supposed to GROW"'

"You should still learn it, it's obviously going to be in the exam, you wouldn't want to fail would you?"

"Oh of course not, Hermione, I strive to be just like you - top of ALL my classes." He teased.

McGrath entered the vast library, all her books, parchment and quills stuffed in her brown book bag. Everyone was crammed around tables and squished in fluffy armchairs cramming for the tests. Everywhere she looked every seat was taken. Hopeless, McGrath took a seat in the corner and spread out all her books on the floor and set out for a long night of studying.

"Ron - that was cruel!" Hermione squealed and turned in her chair. She spotted McGrath sitting alone in the corner.

"Hey look - it's McGrath, she's all by herself" Hermione pointed her out to Ron and Harry. "Why don't we ask her to sit with us?"

"I don't know, Hermione, she may have gotten you out of detention but she's still a Slytherin" Ron started.

"Ronald Weasley! That is prejudiced!"

Ron's ears went pink, "Sorry" he muttered, "Malfoy has bittered my taste Slytherins."

"It's fine with me." Harry said.

Hermione stared expectantly at Ron.

"Fine, fine."

Hermione smiled, "Hey - McGrath!"

McGrath looked to see Hermione waving her down.

"Come here!'

The small Slytherin girl gathered up all her books and rushed over to their table.

"Here - sit and study with us."

McGrath looked flabbergasted and her cheeks went scarlet red, "Th-Thanks!"

"You know me," Hermione smiled and looked over at Harry, "McGrath, this is Harry" he shook her hand, " and this Ron Weasley."

Ron shook McGrath's hand also. Harry, Ron and even Hermione stood very tall over McGrath. Ron smiled sheepishly at McGrath and she smiled back, setting her blue eyes sparkling.

The four spent all night studying and getting to know McGrath - finally the school librarian told them to head to their dorms.

"Goodnight - and thanks for letting me sit with you!" McGrath called as she headed for the Slytherin common room near the dungeons.

"Night!" Ron yelled.

"Goodnight!"

"See you later!"

McGrath waved cheerily and bounced off for her dorm, her blonde curls bobbing along the way.

"See - she's not bad." Hermione said as she, Ron and Harry headed for the Gryffindor tower.

"Nope - not bad at all" Ron said bemusedly. Hermione smirked at Harry.

"What do you mean, Ron?" Harry asked, trying hard not to giggle at the funny expression on Ron's face.

"I mean she's not bad - pity she's in Slytherin house." He added flighty and headed for the boy's dorm.

"Something has definitely got his goose." Harry said to Hermione in the stairwell.

"Yes, something small and blonde." She winked.

The next day on the way to Transfiguration McGrath ran up to Harry Ron and Hermione in the halls.

"Hi!" she said brightly.

Ron turned and went pink in the ears, "Hi McGrath!"

Hermione and Harry said hello to McGrath and looked at Ron, trying hard not giggle.

"Have you been out in the sun a lot lately, Ron?" McGrath asked.

"Um, not really." He answered, fiddling with the hem on his robes.

"Oh, I was just asking because you seemed a bit more pink that usual, must just be these dark halls!"

Ron gulped. Hermione clasped her hand over her mouth and Harry looked down so Ron wouldn't see him laughing.

"Oh, any luck with that shrinking potion?" she asked Ron, staring up at him; McGrath only came to just above Ron's elbows.

"Not really. Maybe you could help me, McGrath, your good in potions, aren't you?"

She went pink as well, "Yeah, I'll try"

Later that day in Charms class (which they didn't have with Slytherin) Harry couldn't help but ask Ron about McGrath.

"So, Ron - " Harry started, " What's going on with you and McGrath?"

"Nothing" Ron replied, his ears turning pink again. Harry grinned at Hermione.

"We're all just friends with her, right?" Ron asked.

"Of course...of course..."

The days rose and set and Ron still went pink every time McGrath came around. She had developed a nice friendship with the three Gryffindors, and in turn became the laughing stock of the Slytherin house. Draco and most all the Slytherins taunted and teased McGrath for her friendship with their rival house. "Gryffindor Girl" "Muggle Lover" and many other names became popular for the small girl.

"Ignore them, McGrath" Ron whispered to her one day in Potions after Malfoy slipped her a note that read

' I am Slytherin and so are you,

I am pure blood and you're part of a muggle stew,

Go to Gryffindor for all I care,

But if you're friends with Potter - beware! '

"What's that supposed to mean?" Hermione asked after she read the note.

"Malfoy's just being a jerk," Ron muttered.

"Yeah" Harry agreed.

"No - no, I know what he means."

"Well - go on" Ron prompted.

"I'll have to tell you later, I'm not sure I even should." She said, her eyes full of terror.

Hermione, Harry and Ron exchanged curious glances.

After class Ron kept asking McGrath what Malfoy meant, "Come on - tell me!"

"I don't know."

"McGrath, you know we won't say anything" Hermione assured her.

She sighed, "All right - c'mon, I don't want anyone to hear me" She glanced around to see if any teachers were nearby and hurried off toward the dungeons, Ron Harry and Hermione not far behind.

McGrath slipped into an empty dungeon, cold and dank. Hermione shut the door behind them.

"Ok - tell us" Ron said.

"Lumos" Hermione whispered and her wand light up, setting off odd shadows in the dungeon.

Everyone sat down in a circle, Hermione's wand set in the middle for light. McGrath took a shaken breath.

"Before a I say anything you all know this is a ABSOLUTE secret." They nodded gravely.

"Ok," McGrath started " Not make this sound lightly, but everyone knows about how you defeated You-Know-Who" she looked at Harry, who nodded, "Well, when You-Know-Who was at his greatest power, my father was friends with Lucius Malfoy. I never knew much about him, didn't even knew he had a son. Well, Lucius was right in You-Know-Who's inner circle."

"I knew it!" Ron muttered under his breath.

" And he brought my father into it." McGrath continued, "At the time he met up with my mother, who was muggle-born, but my father was too in love to care whether or not You-Know-Who hated muggles and muggle borns. He and Lucius were closer than ever, and he was working for You-Know-Who, when he found out my mum was going to have me. He was so happy that he let it slip to Lucius. He found out my mum was a muggle born and planned her murder."

Hermione gasped and Ron looked dumb struck - Harry listened intently.

"Awhile after I was born my mother had dropped me with my Grandmother, and went out, my father was working. You-Know-Who found her and killed her, my father fled from his inner circle and took me and went into hiding. Luckily he never found us. Then you came along, Harry" she smiled. "You ended it all. So my father had me and never told me much more than what I told you, and obviously Lucius never told Draco about my father. I think after I figured Draco was Lucius' son, I still wanted to be close to him - like he would somehow help me be close with my mother, or for closure - like I didn't have to be bitter toward his family anymore."

Ron Harry and Hermione were speechless. McGrath drew in a shaken breath and began to cry silently.

"Hey, hey, it's ok, McGrath" Ron moved and put his arm around her, trying to calm her down.

"I know how it is," Harry said.

"Of course you do." McGrath said between sobs, "I always wanted to talk to you, because we both lost people because of You-Know-Who, but Malfoy-" she stopped short.

"So, what DID Draco mean by but if you're friends with Potter - beware! "

"He meant that I should be careful, because I'm in Slytherin and he's in Gryffindor and -" she couldn't say anymore, tear kept holding back her words.

"Shh, it's ok, shh..." Ron kept trying to calm her down.

"We've been down here a long time, I think maybe we should get a move on,"Hermione suggested, " I'm sure we've missed at least 3 classes".

Ron scowled at her and looked pointedly at McGrath who was still crying.

"Yes" McGrath said, "Let's get out of here." Ron helped her up and she wiped the tears of her face. "Ugh, now I'm all splotchy." She moaned.

"Nope - you're not splotchy, McGrath" Ron said, "You're very pretty"

On their way up to the Great Hall (it was about dinner time) Harry Ron McGrath and Hermione ran into Professor McGonagall.

"Oh, Ms.Lowery - I need to have a word with you after you've finished your supper." The Professor said rather breathlessly, looking on McGrath with misty eyes.

"Ok, Professor" nodded McGrath and they ran up to the Great Hall.

"I wonder what she wants." McGrath said, looking back down the now empty corridor.

"I dunno, but she was acting really weird" Ron commented.

After a long and tormentous supper for McGrath -("Oh look it's Gryffindor Girl" Pansy Parkinson had commented) she headed toward Professor McGonagall's office.

She gingerly opened the door and looked around. Professor McGonagall was sitting behind her desk, but quickly rose and walked up to McGrath.

"Please follow me." She said and walked out of the office.

McGrath followed her on a long trip through the castle, they reached a small gargoyle.

"Toffee." The professor said and it jumped aside, McGrath followed her up a long and winding staircase and into what had to have been Dumbledore's office. McGonagall escorted her into the large round office and then left promptly, leaving her alone with Headmaster Dumbledore. McGrath had only ever seen him at feasts and meals and had never really spoken to him.

"Excuse me, sir, may I ask why I'm here?" she asked quietly.

"McGrath - " start Dumbledore started in a very serious and grave tone, "I am very, very sorry to inform you that your father, Byron Lowery, has passed away."

McGrath stared at him blankly, "No, no you must have the wrong Byron Lowery, my father is alive."

"I am very sorry, McGrath."

"N-no-"

"The Ministry of Magic has reported it as a murder, probably one of Voldermort's former Death Eaters." He said, looking on McGrath with the utmost expression of love and compassion.

"I-a-wh-" McGrath said, too shocked to be in tears.

"It is required that you stay here for the remainder of the school year. You are excused from you classes tomorrow and the rest of this week if you would like some time for yourself. You have no living relatives, McGrath -" she nodded "So, you can either stay here during the school year and find a friend or someone to stay with on the summer holidays, or figure something else out to better fit your needs."

She stared at him.

"May I please be excused?" she muttered quietly.

He nodded and McGrath promptly left for her dormitory. As she exited the office and into the corridors, silent tears streamed down her cheeks and neck. How could her father be dead? And leave her alone in the world? She scuttled down the corridors and just as she passed the entrance to the library, Ron Harry and Hermione came out.

"McGrath?" Ron asked and looked to Harry and Hermione. McGrath sniffled and looked at Ron, her eyes glowing with tears.

"My - my -" she sniffled again, "My Dad's died." McGrath suddenly hugged Ron, fiercely gripping him around the waist (that's as far as she came up). Ron looked at Harry and Hermione, dumbstruck, who looked back at him just as shocked.

"I don't know what to say" Ron mouthed to Harry.

"Then don't say anything," he whispered back, trying to keep quiet as McGrath silently cried on Ron.

"C'mon" Ron said and started walking back up toward the Gryffindor Tower. Harry and Hermione didn't argue and followed them silently.

"Password?" asked the portrait of the fat lady.

"Pork's beard" Ron said to the Fat Lady and the portal swung open.

Ron entered the Gryffindor common room with McGrath, sobbing quietly, Harry and Hermione. It was crowded and murmurs and whispers broke out like wildfire when McGrath walked in. Ron quickly sat her down in a squishy armchair in the corner of the room and sat down on the floor next to her, Harry and Hermione did as well. The common room was now in a ruckus. Everyone had crowded around then in the corner, upset, angry, and curious as to why a Slytherin was in their common room.

Percy pushed his way through the crowd looking very important. "Excuse me, excuse me, out of the way, yes," he stood looking down on the four, "I'm sorry but no Slytherins are allowed in the Gryffindor common room!" he bellowed, seeming to not notice McGrath's crying.

"Oh shut up, Percy!" Ron snapped.

"Excuse me, Ronald, but no Slytherins are allowed in here!"

"Some things are more important than rules! Obviously someone is very upset if you haven't noticed! McGrath's father just died and no one in Slytherin has been a great friend to her - now are you going to make us get out of the common room or not?!"

A hush fell over the crowd in the common room and Percy turned haughtily on his heel and stomped up to his dormitory.

"Go on! Get out!" Ron snapped at the crowd and they slowly dispersed back to their own spots in the common room, leaving Ron, McGrath Harry and Hermione alone in the corner, looking very grim.

"Who told you, McGrath?" Harry asked.

"Dumbledore" she said, not crying anymore, but looking pale and frightened. Nobody's family had died while Harry Ron or Hermione were at Hogwart's.

"He said that he was murdered - probably by one of You-Know-Who's former followers. Said that I would have to find someone to stay with for the summer since I have no family. I'm alone."

"Well Harry's staying for the summer at my house, maybe you can stay too" Ron suggested.

"Or you could stay with me" Hermione added.

"Maybe my father knows something about it, too, McGrath, he works for the ministry."

"I'd bet you my life it was Lucius." McGrath whispered.

The next week went by rather slowly for Harry Hermione Ron and McGrath. They'd made the astronomy tower their meeting place and the four of them met there every night, since McGrath was excused from classes until the next week. She was still a bit pale and shaky, but for the most seemed to be slowly progressing out of her grief. Ron had been skimping out some of his potions classes to visit McGrath, which she greatly appreciated. Harry Ron and Hermione were good friends, so McGrath never felt completely alone in the world. The news of Byron Lowery's murder traveled through the school quickly - and for once the Slytherins were being civil to McGrath. They never really said anything comforting, but stayed out of her way for the most part. No more nasty notes or name-calling.

Ron had written his parent's about McGrath staying for the summer. They both wrote back saying it was perfectly fine and Mr.Weasley had heard about the murder through his job at the Ministry.

"So - you think it was Lucius?" Ron asked McGrath one day - he'd skimped out on Potions again ("It will affect your grades, Ron!" Hermione repeatedly warned him).

"Yes, I do" she said. The topic of her father's murder wasn't as hard to discuss anymore.

"Why do you think?"

"Well you know about he and my father - and remember what Draco had said 'if your friends with Potter - beware'?"

Ron's jaw dropped, "I do remember! That little -" he made a violent gesture with his hands.

"Ron, don't do anything stupid!"

"It won't be stupid! It would be a favor!"

"RON." McGrath said in a warning tone. He nodded

"Ok, I'm sorry - I'll try, but I've got to go to herbology - see you later!"

"Bye Ron."

Later Ron caught up with Harry and Hermione in Herbology.

"Ron - you can't keep ditching potions class! It's going to affect your grades, and just think about finals!" Hermione nagged at him.

"McGrath is more important than a stupid Potions final, Hermione!"

She glared at him.

"Anyway, how's McGrath?" Harry asked.

"She's positive it's Lucius.'

"But why?" Harry looked surprised.

"Well, she told us about Lucius and her father and remember what Malfoy had said 'if your friends with Potter - beware'?"

Hermione gasped and Harry looked stunned.

"See what I mean," Ron said. "I'm going to get at Malfoy and I don't care for the consequences - he must've told his father about McGrath being friends with us Gryffindors and he snitched about her where-abouts. Then Lucius probably told You-Know-Who and then got at Byron for betraying him. It all makes sense."

"That's terrible." Hermione sighed.

"I'm going to write and tell my Dad- he can tell the Ministry to call Lucius for an inquiry."

The next week McGrath was back in classes and seemed fairly well, still pale and shaky though. After she'd finished her breakfast she walked over to the Gryffindor table.

"Hello Harry, Hermione, Ron" she said and smiled.

"Hey look!" Ron said through a mouthful of toast, You're in the Daily Prophet!" he read aloud

" Ministry Investigates Sudden Murder of Byron Lowery:

Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic, reports that the mysterious murder of Byron Lowery is under strict investigation. Byron, 38, was murdered last Tuesday night. Ministry reports that many suspects are under inquiry and no verdicts have come to pass yet. If you have any information on this mysterious murder please contact the Ministry of Magic at once."

On their way to Transfiguration class that day, Harry Hermione Ron and McGrath ran into Malfoy who looked extremely sullen and upset.

"You're going to pay McGrath." He said in the corridor.

"What?" she said, now all five stopped.

"You - you must've said something to the Ministry because now my Dad is under inquiry for the murder of your father!"

"I didn't say anything Draco!" McGrath protested.

"I should've known a mud blood like you would betray someone in your own house, you dirty Gryffindor girl" Malfoy sneered.

Then in the blink of an eye Malfoy was on the ground, Ron on top of him, throwing punches wildly and yelling at him in the corridor.

"GERROFF ME! GET OFF ME!" Malfoy screamed in high-pitched voice.

"Don't- you - ever - call - McGrath- that - again! Don't even pretend you're father isn't guilty, Malfoy!" Ron yelled between hits. "I've had it with you, Draco! Money can't buy you everything! Stop pestering us, you little git!"

"RON STOP!" McGrath wailed, her Harry and Hermione trying to pull him away from Malfoy with no success.

Fred and George Weasley looked on quite amused by Ron.

"Kill him, Ron!"

"Beat the crap out of him!"

Soon enough Professor McGonagall and Snape were there, helping pull Ron and Draco apart.

"Detention! Both of you!" she snapped, looking rather puffed up.

"He attacked me, Professor!" Malfoy pleaded.

"Five points from Gryffindor!' Snape spat.

"He called McGrath something very very bad!" Hermione protested.

"And five from Slytherin!" McGonagall added.

In the last week of school, Ron got a letter from his father during breakfast.

His jaw dropped and he spit out his pumpkin juice.

"What is it, Ron?" Harry asked.

"It's - it's - " He sputtered.

"Go on, get out of it!" Harry urged.

"It's -"

"Come on, Ron, what is it?" Hermione asked, sounding rather annoyed.

"It's Lucius! They've caught him!"

"WHAT?" Harry asked, almost yelling.

"The Ministry checked his wand, and the last spell he'd cast was a deadly one - they think he's the one who murdered Byron!"

"No way." Hermione gasped.

"Yes!" Ron said, sounding rather excited, "If they convict him, he'll be in Azkaban!"

"That's not good." Hermione said.

"It is, if he is the one who murdered McGrath father, Hermione!"

He looked over at the Slytherin table, and waved for McGrath to come over, she ran to them quickly, her blonde curls bouncing.

"They've caught Lucius!" Ron said breathlessly to McGrath.

"What!"

"The Ministry checked his wand and his last spell was a deadly one! They think he's the murderer!"

"If it hadn't been for your logic, McGrath, he would've never been caught." Hermione complemented.

Ron and Harry gaped at her, "Wow, I never thought the day would come when Hermione would praise someone else on being smart."

The next day it was all over the papers, Lucius Malfoy had been convicted to the murder of Byron Lowery and was sentenced to time in Azkaban. Draco left school early, leaving some vicious gossip about him behind.

The end of the year feast was fabulous, even if neither Slytherin nor Gryffindor won the house cup. Harry, Ron, Hermione and McGrath were all packed up for summer and very excited about the holidays, even if they were sad to leave Hogwart's behind.

They shared a compartment on the Hogwart's Express, eating loads of sweets from the cart and playing lots of wizard's games. McGrath got to know the rest of the Weasley family, Percy (who looked rather embarrassed around her), Fred and George - Ron's older brothers and Ginny - his little sister, on the trip.

At Kings Cross Station, Harry Ron and McGrath met up with Mr. And Mrs. Weasley, who looked very excited to meet McGrath. Hermione went home with her parents, who were Muggles and very quiet.

McGrath smiled and took Ron's hand excitedly. What summer she had to look forward to - with two of her favorite people in the world and the kindest family in the wizarding world. Yes, she knew she wasn't alone at all.