The Given Choices

*** Chapter Three ****

In a compartment of the Hogwarts Express, two male Slytherins sat for a moment in silence as the train began to pull out of the station. Draco Malfoy had light blonde hair that appeared to be a light silver color and very pale skin to match. The other was a complete opposite to the loud, demanding Slytherin Prince.

Blaise Zabini was known as the quiet Slytherin, yet very intelligent. His hair was a midnight black with wavy curls that touched his shoulders and his tanned skin made him equally handsome to the other man. Neither was absolutely perfect, but they received many stares from the female population on the train. Draco had his air of nobility with money and a Seeker's body, which became many girls' bad boy fantasy; whereas Blaise had broad shoulders, a long body, and an air of mystery surrounding him.

The silver snake ring on his right hand was turning as he considered Malfoy's offer. He spoke as he lifted his hands to place them behind his head. "You're telling me this is all about some girl. Come now, Draco. Since when have you had a problem capturing a girl's heart? Or knickers, for that matter?"

"Very true, but she's a Gryffindor. I think she'd rather watch me be trampled to death by a hippogriff before she'd consider dating me," Draco sighed as he looked out the window of the compartment. At that moment Crabbe and Goyle walked by, looked in with confused faces, and walked away. "Idiots, both of them."

"At least they finally understood that you don't want them around anymore. So, tell me why you need to get a Gryffindor to fall for you," Blaise stated as he watched his nervous friend of ten years. It was not well known that they were best friends, but then again most didn't even know his first name. The blonde pushed his hands deep into his pants pockets as he began his explanation.

In another compartment, two Gryffindor girls rose to their feet and headed to their Prefects' meeting. Hermione Granger and Ginny Weasley were both Prefects of their House but were in different years. "I know the meeting doesn't start for another five minutes, but if I hear the word Quidditch one more time I'll get sick," the brunette announced as the younger redhead followed her.

"I never said my brother didn't have a mental problem. I think he must dream of hoops and brooms. I think Lavender only shows up in them if she is wearing Quidditch robes," Ginny laughed as she linked arms with her close friend.

Hermione turned to her and nodded in agreement when her body collided with something hard; she fell backwards into her friend and her arse landed on Ginny's legs. A hand extended out to help her up and she noticed the hand belonged to Draco Malfoy; tentatively, she took his hand as he effortlessly pulled her and then Ginny to their feet. "Sorry about that. Entirely my fault. My looks have been known to knock many girls off their feet. See you in the Prefects meeting, girls," he said as he wore his normal smirk.

The blond Slytherin walked away from them as he pulled his school robes over his shoulders. Ginny giggled as she tugged on Hermione's arm. "Talk about dreams and Quidditch robes - or lack thereof."

"I wonder why he was almost nice. Didn't make a comment on my blood or your family. But about your comment, I have a boyfriend. So, I am not able to say anything on subject," she stated but whispered, "But if I could, I would have to agree."

The two girls continued to walk down the corridor chatting about different school rules that would be discussed in their meeting. However, they didn't seem to notice the smiling Slytherin who had just overheard their conversation about Draco and dreams. "Maybe once the boyfriend is out of the way, it might not be so hard for Draco to win over her heart. This is certainly going to be an interesting year," he quietly said as he closed the door to his compartment.

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A few hours later, back at Headquarters, Dumbledore watched the Potions Master leave to arrive at the castle before the students. They were due to arrive in one hour. Remus Lupin entered the room with two cups of tea and offered one to the elder. He took a sip of the hot liquid and asked, "So, what does Severus have to say?"

"Some rather puzzling news. Come, let us sit a minute before I need to find my way back to Hogwarts as well," Dumbledore began as he took a seat in the chair in front of the fire. He looked into the flames as he continued, "Severus has been trying to find the identity of a young lady, whom it has been reported will be getting the Dark Mark in June."

"I don't understand. What do you mean find the identity?"

The headmaster let out a heavy sigh as he traced the edge of the porcelain cup. "It seems Bellatrix has a daughter out there somewhere and wants her by her side in Voldemort's inner circle. That woman has been full of surprises since the death of her husband and brother in-law. Not only did she completely disappear for two months, but also when she came back she was as good as new. Her appearance and youthful body are almost identical to what they were prior to her imprisonment in Azkaban. Bellatrix also went back to her maiden name, Black, by an official letter to the Ministry. She has always been a strong opponent and soon her daughter will be with her."

Remus turned his attention to the fire as he processed this new information. He had been on a mission for the past month and had only been brought up to date on a few matters. This was certainly recent news to him. "So, I guess we can assume that it was not a child with her husband. Do we have any clues?"

"Severus has narrowed her age to somewhere between fifteen and seventeen years of age. He searched all the records at Durmstrang but came up with nothing. Someone could have taught the daughter privately but we have no list of relatives she could be with. We are at a dead end," Dumbledore admitted as he finished the tea.

Lupin put down his cup and began to pace around the room thinking about possible places to find the girl. He didn't know much about Bellatrix; except she couldn't hold her liquor very well. He chuckled to himself but then stopped dead in his tracks as if he had run into a stone wall. His fingers began to run through his brown hair as he thought. "Albus, isn't there a quill that writes down the name of every baby on the day it is born, if they are to go to Hogwarts?"

"Yes, the quill does and the books are filed away once the year ends. Then when it is time to send out letters to first years, Minerva pulls out the books and sends them to the names that had been recorded inside. I see what you mean. Why don't you join me?" the headmaster made the cup disappear and walked out the door with Lupin right behind him.

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The Hogwarts Express had just pulled in and the students were already filing out of the train. As Hermione and Ginny got off, Malfoy and Zabini passed them on the way to the carriages. "Granger," Draco stated with a nod of his head.

Harry was now behind her and Ron next to Ginny as Blaise acknowledge the rest of the small group. "Potter, Weasleys."

"Did you go and visit your father in Azkaban over the summer, Malfoy?" Ron asked the backs of the two Slytherins.

That statement caused the blonde to stop in his tracks and his eyes flashed dangerously as he stalked back to the slightly taller redhead. Draco looked to the side where he noticed Harry had a possessive arm around Hermione's waist. Suddenly, his face changed from rage to a truly Slytherin smile Draco walked away as he stated, "Good day, ladies."

"What in the bloody hell was that all about?" Ron asked as he saw the two Slytherin enter a carriage. The small group of friends made their way to the line of carriages.

Hermione's fists were clenched as she turned to face her friend. "No, what I want to know is what your problem is, Ron."

"Me?"

Harry opened the carriage door for her. As she stepped in she replied, "Yes, you. Why did you have to try to start something with him? He was polite to us for the first time in his life and you have to go and be a jerk."

"What?"

"You heard me. Do you like it when he made rude comments about your family, Ron? You are no better than Malfoy. In fact, you are worse because he said nothing and simply walked away. That's what you should've done, Ronald!" Hermione exclaimed as Harry took a seat next to her and Ginny nodded in agreement. Ron shut his mouth and took his place beside Ginny, away from Hermione. The carriage ride was very quiet as all thought about what had happened with Malfoy.

When they reached the castle, the girls got out first and headed up to the castle as they quietly chatted. Ron pulled Harry back a second and asked, "Did you understand any of that?"

"Sort of. Look, just don't go at Malfoy, unless he starts it. But I want to know why he didn't torment us like he usually does." Harry watched his girlfriend walk ahead of him and turned to notice Crabbe and Goyle walking with Parkinson, instead of Malfoy. He was determined that the Slytherin was up to something and needed to be watched a little more closely.