Shifting Truths

You know what you must do Drucillia. You will be rewarded, with power so great it will amaze even you. You picked the right side this time, and this is your chance to prove yourself. Don't stuff it up.

********

Harry, Hermione and Ron stumbled along the train, looking for a carriage with some empty seats. Finally they found one at the end of the train, its only occupant, a girl who looked about as old as them. Her hair was almost redder than Ron's and she was already dressed in her Hogwarts robes. She glanced at them as they came in. "Hey, do you mind if we sit here," asked Harry.

"No, that's fine come in," she said. Harry and Ron sat down opposite to her and Hermione sat next to her. "I'm Hermione, this is Harry and this is Ron. What's you're name?"

"Well, well. Look who it is. The three musketeers, Potty, the Weasel and Mudblood," sneered Malfoy. He stood in the doorway flanked by his goons, Crabbe and Goyle. "Can it Malfoy," growled Ron. Harry grabbed his arm in case it was necessary to restrain him.

"And who's this?" Malfoy stared at the red head who was glaring at him. "Another Weasly?"

"My name is Drucillia Keyes. And I suggest you apologise to Hermione for that disgusting comment."

"Who do you think you are? Ordering me to do anything," yelled Draco. Drucillia stood up. She only came up to Draco's shoulder but the anger radiating off her made him recoil a little.

"A Malfoy are you? Yes, I should have known."

"What is that supposed to mean," Draco said coldly.

"I have had dealings with your father in the past. Now apologise to Hermione."

"Are you kidding? Apologise to that filthy excuse for a witch?" Ron whipped out his wand but Drucillia got there first. She held her wand at his throat like a sword.

"Apologise," Drucillia repeated. Draco was stunned. He wasn't used to people standing up to him, especially not females. He glanced at the wand.

"Sorry," he spat, before turning and leaving the carriage in a flurry of rage, motioning to his goons to follow him. Drucillia sat back down and offered Hermione a handkerchief.

"You alright?" she asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine, thanks."

"That's cool. It was my pleasure since it was Malfoy." Drucillia spat his name as though it were poison.

"You know him?" asked Harry.

"Well sort of. Like I said, I've had dealings with his family. I've never actually met Draco before, but I have met his father. They are very much the same."

"Yes they are," agreed Harry. "Anyway, so are you a first year?" Drucillia laughed.

"No, a sixth year."

"Same as us then."

"Yes. I used to go to Beauxbatons but my parents wanted to move to England so they decided to send me here instead."

"So how are they going to sort you into a house?"

"Well, in the letter I received from the Headmaster, it said that I would be put through the sorting ceremony with the first years."

********

Drucillia climbed the stairs with the first years. She was amused at how scared they all were. The Headmistress, Professor McGonagall, lead them up a flight of stairs and to a great door. She opened the doors into the Great Hall. When she saw all the people at their house tables even Drucillia became a little nervous. As they lined up along the front of the hall Drucillia glanced around. She saw Harry, Hermione and Ron sitting at the Gryffindor table. She also noticed Malfoy at the head of the Slytherin table. He returned her glare and then continued to talk to those around him. Drucillia waited for her name to be called. She was the last to be called up to the front. "This is Drucillia Keyes." Dumbledore's voice echoed in the Hall, "She has transferred here from Beauxbatons. I trust you will make her welcome." Drucillia smiled nervously and sat down on the seat as Professor McGonagall placed the sorting hat on her head.

'Hmmm, now, where to put you then? Not Hufflepuff, you're much to smart for that. Not Ravenclaw either. Maybe Gryffindor? Hmmmm. No I don't think so. Well that only leaves, SLYTHERIN!!' Slytherin? Drucillia looked over to Harry, Hermione and Ron once more. They looked shocked. Drucillia walked over to the Slytherin table and took her seat. The other Slytherins cheered for her. A few people on other tables hissed. "So, we meet again Keyes," drawled Malfoy.

"Indeed we do." Drucillia calmly looked over to where Malfoy sat. They both tried to outstare one another, Drucillia's pure violet eyes doing battle against Draco's steely grey.

"Do you two know each other?" asked a snobby voice.

"Yes, we met on the train."

"Oh right, well, hi Drucillia. I'm Pansy Parkinson." Pansy extended her hand. Drucillia shook it reluctantly. Pansy introduced her to the sixth and seventh year Slytherins, telling her that the younger years were too immature to bother with. Drucillia quickly decided that she didn't like Pansy.

********

Drucillia hardly listened to Pansy's witless babble as she lead her to the Slytherin common room. She dazedly took in her surroundings, looking at all the paintings and staring at the ghosts that flew past ignoring the students completely. "It just wasn't fair to let her make a mockery of herself. So I told her that pink really wasn't her colour," continued Pansy.

"Uh-huh."

"Drucillia are you listening to me," asked Pansy as they arrived at the entrance to the common room.

"No, not really," answered Drucillia and went inside leaving a stunned Pansy standing outside. She sat down in one of the green velvet armchairs, exhausted. She pulled out a book from her bag and began to read. A movement in front of her made her look up. Draco was sitting in the seat opposite to her. "Do you want something?" she snapped. He stood up and leaned over her, invading her space. "You must have some cheek to talk to me like that. Do you realise who I am?"

"I know perfectly well who you are Draco Malfoy."

"Then maybe you should show some respect......"

That's him Drucillia. He's the one we want. Now why don't you be a good girl and get on with the job.

What? Him? He's horrible. I can't do it.

YOU MUST!! You can't back out now.

"Fine."

"What? I mean, good," said Draco backing away, "About time you came to your senses."

"Hmmm? Oh, right, yes. I apologise for my rudeness sir." Draco missed the sarcasm and was a little taken back by her sudden change.

"Er, that's fine Drucillia. I'm sure I can think of a way you can make it up to me." He leered suggestively at her and it was all she could do not to slap him. Instead she smiled at him and muttered something about being tired and excused herself as though in the presence of a king. Then she gathered her things and went to the girls dorms. Draco sat in the common room, long after everyone else had gone to bed, thinking about what had just happened. Drucillia seemed so familiar and yet he had no memory of ever meeting her. She'd only said that she'd met his father, not him. And she'd certainly changed her mind about him quickly. Apparently he hadn't lost his touch with women. Yes, that must be it. Draco absently walked to the boys dorm and collapsed onto his bed.

Can you hear me?

Draco sat up with a start.

Can you hear me?

Draco covered his ears but he couldn't block out the voice.

Can you hear me?

It seemed to echo through his thoughts.

CAN YOU HEAR ME?

Draco stumbled back to the common room. The voice was so loud it deafened him. He fell to his knees in front of the fireplace. Hysteria overtook him and he passed out.

CAN YOU HEAR ME?