Loyalty Misplaced

Chapter 1

Marissa dropped her bags with a heavy sigh. Finally, she had arrived at her new school. She didn't know what to expect. Would the other students accept her? Would they cast her out? All she knew was that she had a job to do and she was going to do it, even if it killed her.

"Ah, you must be Miss Joansman," came a soft female voice. She turned and glanced up an old, wooden flight of stairs and spotted an older woman in a black robe and a large, floppy, hat.

"Why, yes I am." The older woman began walking towards her. She didn't walk like someone her age, instead she had a youthful hop to her step.

"Hello and welcome to Hogwarts. My name is Professor McGonagall. The students should be getting out of class soon. I'll take you to meet Headmaster Dumbledore. Don't bother with your luggage: they will be taken up to your dormitory." The professor motioned for her to follow. "Here you will find the Great Hall where you will eat all your meals, and right down this hall is my classroom where you will take Transfiguration classes." The halls were full of spectacular architecture, colourful tapestries, and paintings whose inhabitants were alive! "And here you will find Professor Dumbledore's office." In front of them stood a tall bird-like statue, When Professor McGonagall spoke the word "Snowflake" the ground slightly shook and the bird began to turn and rise in the air revealing a staircase. "I believe he is waiting for you." McGonagall wished her luck and was on her way.

She stepped quickly onto a step as it rose. When she reached the top she was confronted by a large wooden door engraved with the words

Headmaster Dumbledore

"Wow," she thought as she reached for the star-shaped knocker. To her surprise the door swung open before she could touch it.

"Come in, Marissa."

She hesitantly stepped into the enormous office. In one corner was a table covered in books that seemed to be talking to each other. As she got closer she saw that the photos on the covers were doing the talking. On another table she saw a large object that looked similar to a model of the planets. Instead of 9 round orbs, there were 12, all the same size and rotating in different directions at different speeds.

"Over here, Miss Joansman." She turned and saw an elderly man with white hair and a long white beard sitting behind a desk. As she approached she saw that this wasn't just any old man, he had a twinkle in his eye and a mysterious aura about him. It was the kind of person you feel he knows what you are thinking. It sent a chill down her spine. What if he knew? What if he called her on it? She decided to blank out her mind.

"Hello, Professor." She extended her hand to him. He looked at it in silence for a moment than graciously accepted it into his own.

"Hello. I understand that you wish to be a student here." He gave a wave of his hand and a file flew across the room and landed softly on his desk. "We have received your transcripts from your school in the United States . I have looked them over numerous times and have decided that you will be happily accepted here." He closed the file.

"Thank you sir." She was beginning to get nervous and he could tell.

"But first you must be sorted into your house." He stood up with some difficulty, walked over to a bookshelf next to his desk and lifted off a large, tattered hat. "First, before you are sorted, I must press that you keep in mind that this hat does not lie. Whatever house it puts you in is the house that you are destined for. Any questions?" She shook her head. "Good." He gently placed the hat on her head,. It came to life as soon as it touched her hair.

"AHH!" it sighed loudly. "Where to put you?" Marissa was beginning to shake from fright, but told herself to focus and concentrate on one thing. "You have great talent, and you are very gifted, oh and you are a kind person. I see it all in your head, but where to put you? Hmmm...." She began to think of the house she had been told about on her journey over: Gryffindor. "I think we shall go with GRYFFINDOR!" She sighed with relief.

"Very well." Dumbledore removed the sorting hat from her head and replaced it on its shelf. "Now follow me, I'll introduce you to a guide." He led her out of the room and down the stairs. Her secret was still safe, or so she hoped.

"Potter!" A young boy with black hair turned to face them. "Ah, Potter. This is Marissa Joansman, a new student in your house. I would like you to show her around."

"Yes, Professor," the boy said politely. Marissa noticed that, in between the hair that fell on his face, was a scar on his forehead shaped like a lightening bolt. She'd heard a story about a boy who had a scar like this and who was supposed to be a great wizard, but where she came from that was just a myth.

"Right then." Dumbledore turned to Marissa and with a concerned look he bent down and whispered "if you have any um... problems, go to Professor Snape, the potions professor, immediately." She nodded. He knew, but she knew he wasn't going to make a big deal about it. He understood and she appreciated that. "Well then, I'm off I have much to do. Make sure she gets to Transfiguration on time won't you Harry?"

"Yes I will." Harry smiled at the old man as he walked away. "Well then, you have your schedule?"

"Yes I do." She rummaged through her pockets. Dumbledore had given it to her as they left his office. "Here it is."

"Hmm... well we have just about all our classes together," he said folding it back up and handing it to her. "Are you hungry?"

"Starved."

"Good because it's time for dinner. Follow me." She followed quickly. There was something about this boy that she felt she knew. Something told her she should get to know him.

They entered the Great Hall through a pair of large double doors. The room was filled with students gossiping, studying or eating. Some were even dancing on the tables, only to be told by a teacher to get down.

" 'arry over 'ere!" A tall red headed boy stood up and waved for them to join him.

As they sat down a girl with wild, curly, brown hair greeted Marissa. "Hi!" the girl said with a perky squeak. "I'm Hermione."

"Marissa." Hermione smiled and handed her a jug. "What's this?" Marissa looked inside and saw that it was an orangish brown.

"Oh, it's pumpkin juice." Hermione scanned the table. "Here I think this is orange juice if you prefer."

"Thanks." Marissa gratefully reached for the orange juice just as she caught something white out of the corner of her eye. She turned and froze.

"Is something wrong?" the red haired boy asked bringing her out of her trance.

"Huh? Yeah I just thought I saw something but it's nothing."

~*~

'What was he doing here? Does he go to school here? Why didn't he tell me?' She sat in the empty Gryffindor common room later that night, going through notes that Hermione had lent her. She couldn't believe who she had seen at dinner. What if he revealed her secret? What if he spoiled her plan? She had to talk to him.

With immense irritation, she shoved the papers and books across the table and leaned back in the chair just as Harry dropped exhausted in the chair across from her. He was soaked to the bone and covered head to toe in mud. "What happened to you?" Marissa asked in amazement.

"Quidditch," he sighed, obviously spent.

"What -itch?" she sat up and gave him a look of bewilderment.

"It's a game." He glanced over at her and noted the confusion on her face. "It's like um... muggle soccer, but um... on brooms."

"Ok... I think?" she laughed and he chuckled right along with her.

"I can show you sometime if you want."

"Yeah, I'd like that." She smiled as she began cleaning up her things.

"Here let me help you,' Harry murmured as he slid out of his chair.

"Thanks." He handed her a stack of papers and as he did so their hands came in contact for just a brief second. Her eyes shot up and met his in a stare. She quickly pulled away. "Thanks. Good night." She quickly gathered her things and scurried off to her dormitory.

~*~

Harry sat there in confusion. His heart was racing and his mouth was dry. 'It was just a brush of the hand, nothing big,' he whispered to himself. Just then, Ron sulked in looking even worse than Harry. His fire red hair was a soiled patch of brown, and his Quidditch robes were torn in many places.

"Alright Ron?" Harry moaned as he stood.

"Yeah, you?" Ron replied as he walked into the coffee table. "Ow..." he slumped into a chair.

"Felt better. You took a nasty fall out there. What happened?" Harry scratched his head as he picked up a piece of paper Marissa had dropped.

"I don't know. I guess I just slipped. What's that?" Ron leaned forward with interest.

"It's just a piece of paper Marissa dropped." He set it on the coffee table and took a seat across from Ron.

"Oh, speaking of her... She's bloody gorgeous! Even you can't deny that one." It was debatable, but maybe Ron was right.

"Yeah, maybe, I guess she is," Harry managed to get in between yawns. "I'm beat, I'm going to take a shower and go to bed." He stood and started across the room.

"Right behind ya," Ron yawned.

~*~

The sun was just peaking over the horizon as Marissa slowly descended the twisting dark stairs down to the showers. 'I know it was nothing. So, why am I still thinking about it?' she thought to herself as she pushed open the hefty, wooden shower door. 'I mean, I see these things all the time. It's not like they're going to happen, is it?' She forced herself to stop thinking about him as she turned on the water.

~*~

The Hall had just begun to fill when Marissa slowly walked to breakfast.

"Hey, Joansman!"

'Oh no, it's not. Please don't let it be.' She turned around and saw a thin, pale, boy with slicked back white-blonde hair. It was him.

"Fancy meeting you here," Draco Malfoy said coyly.

"Long time no see Draco. How are things?" She tried to act cool. 'What is he doing here? Does he go to school here?'

"Things are good. My father was just nominated to be the head of his department." He nodded at a passing Slytherin. "What brings you here?"

"My Father got transferred. He's now working as an Ambassador for the British Government."

"Really? Interesting." He didn't sound interested at all.

"Ok Draco, enough of the small talk. What's going on? You told me you were going away with your father. What are you doing here? If you tell a soul..."

"Whoa, calm down, lower your voice. I was going to go away with my father, but plans change. I had to go to school and this is my school." He led her off the main hall and into an empty classroom.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell. It's just that nobody can find out. If they do, everything will be ruined. You understand don't you?"

"Yes, I do. I won't tell a soul, I promise. Besides, if I do, my father will kill me you know that. You're his chance. He's wanted to get Dumbledore out of this school for so long and you're the ticket. Without you all his plans would be ruined."

"So, your father has his own agenda for me, does he?" She began to get a bit defensive. "Well, tell him that I'm not his puppet. I answer to only one person. If he wants to use me for his own doings than he needs to go over them with me first!" She stormed out of the room and down the hall.

'Stop thinking about it! It was nothing! STOP!' Just as she passed the corner, she saw Hermione. She suddenly felt a fire-like pain in the roof of her mouth. 'Oh God, not now!' Marissa turned and ran down the hall and headed towards the dungeon to see Snape.

~*~

"Thanks Professor. I don't know what happened, normally it doesn't occur until late at night." Marissa was sitting in Snape's office, calmly sipping a green bubbling potion.

"Well, what does normally provoke it?" He was speaking to her coolly, more so than he did with his favorite students.

"I don't know. I'm still trying to learn about it. It only happened a few years ago." All of a sudden she felt as though something was racing through her brain. She fought it and soon it stopped.

"Well, we can learn about this together then. I would very much like to know about this situation, it may be a great breakthrough in the potions world."

"I agree, but I got to get going, I'm going to be late for my next class." She stood and grabbed her things. "Thanks again, Professor." She ran from his office and up the stairs.

~*~

"Where have you been? I didn't see you at breakfast," Harry whispered as she took a place next to him in Herbology.

"Um... I had a few questions for Professor Snape about how advanced his potions lessons are. I don't want to be learning anything I already know." She thought that was a reasonable white lie. She had gone to see Professor Snape, after all.

"I think we've got another Hermione on our hands," he snickered as he turned to Ron. She didn't know if she should be flattered or offended, so she just smiled at him coyly and opened her book.

"Alright now, class, if you would kindly get into groups of 3 and open your books to page 342, we will begin our lesson on the parsnip. Can anybody tell me anything about parsnips?" Professor Sprout, a short and stout woman, gazed around the room and saw no hands. "Where is Hermione?"

"I'm here professor. It's just that I can't think of anything that we would use the parsnip for. Isn't it just a vegetable?" Hermione said hastily as she scanned the page in front of her.

"Actually, it's not. It is used in complex potions used to keep one's mind in it's original state when shape shifting, like a werewolf, for example. It's the key ingredient in many potions that the Ministry uses." Marissa looked around as jaws began to drop.

"How do you know this? Where have you read this?" Hermione began to panic: there was somebody who knew something she didn't.

"I haven't read it anywhere, I've seen the potions used." Her hand shot to her mouth. Did she say too much? Would they catch on?

"How-" Hermione began.

"Well, you are both right. A parsnip is a vegetable eaten by muggles. It is also used in potions that keeps one in his original state of mind, whether the change is due to a spell or to some other magical reason."

~*~

"I just don't trust her, Harry." Ron, Hermione, and Harry were walking towards the dungeon for potions.

"Why not? You have to have a particular reason," Harry huffed as he pushed open the door to Snape's classroom.

"Well, remember the other day when she disappeared on us on our way to Herbology? I went looking for her, thinking she had just taken a wrong turn and got lost. When I found her, she was walking out of an empty classroom."

"So? Maybe she walked in there by mistake. Those things happen, you know?" Ron said in her defense.

"No, I don't think so. When she saw me, she turned and ran. I stood there wondering why she had just taken off like that when, guess who walked out of the classroom,? Malfoy. I'm telling you, she's up to something. Why else would she be hanging all over you and trying to be your friend."

"Maybe it's because she's new here and wants to have some friends. So she talked to Malfoy, big deal. She probably has a few classes with him and maybe there's the off chance that he may be nice to her." Harry said while searching his pack for the ingredients needed for the days potion.

"Why would he be nice to her? I'm sure he's seen her with us. He probably knows that she is a Gryffindor and Slytherins hate Gryffindors!" Hermione noted as she flipped open her potions book.

"Well, she is pretty and Malfoy IS a guy, you know," Ron butted in.

"Okay, class," Snape said in his usual slow, drawling, unnerving tone, "Shall we stop the idle chatter and turn to the page written on the board? Begin making the potions listed, please. I have given you a list of ingredients needed for these potions. I hope you weren't negligent enough to forget them in your dormitory?" The class fell silent and began mixing their ingredients. The conversation about Marissa ceased but not without a last comment from Hermione.

"Where is Marissa anyhow?" she whispered. Just then, the door opened and Marissa walked in. The class turned and looked from Marissa to Snape and back expecting some kind of remark from Snape, but nothing came. No wise crack, no detention. Marissa quietly walked across the classroom and took a seat in the back by herself and began setting out her ingredients.

"So, Joansman, how has your first week been?" Malfoy smirked as he sauntered over to sit next to her.

"It's been fine, if only I wasn't being used." She glared at him.

"Hey, don't blame me, the using is done by my father." He smiled coyly at her.

"I don't care, you are his little spy. I would greatly appreciate if you stopped talking to me and went away. I'm trying to work here." She poured a goopy, green substance in to a measuring vial and held it up to the light.

"Sorry, didn't mean to disturb the genius." He laughed as he strutted across the classroom. She couldn't believe it. After all they had been through and everything that has happened between them, he was using her to help his father.

~*~

"What was that all about?" Harry asked as the four of them walked to lunch.

"It was nothing; he was just being a jerk," Marissa said, trying to fight back tears.

"Is everything okay?" Ron asked when he saw a tear roll down her cheek.

"Yeah, I'm okay," she said as she turned to go down another hall. "I'm going to grab something really fast in the dormitory I'll see you guys in the Great Hall." She took off down the hall before the others could say a word.

"I know she's up to something guys. Just trust me. She's talking to Malfoy and than running off by herself all the time, she has to be up to something," Hermione said as she took a seat across form Harry at the table.

"Oh, get off it. I told you why Malfoy is talking to her. She's bloody gorgeous and he's a guy, enough said," Ron said with his mouth full.

"And how do you explain why she's wandering off on her own all the time?" Hermione retorted.

"Like she said she had to get something from the dormitory, big deal. Calm down Hermione, everything around here doesn't have to be a conspiracy," Ron sighed.

"Well, most of the time there is a conspiracy going on! Who are you to defend her?"

"I'm not. I'm just stating the facts."

"Sure you are. I bet you have a crush on her, don't you?"

"No, I don't!"

Harry was too busy running things through his mind to pay attention to the constant arguing of his two friends. Hermione had a point. Why was she talking to Malfoy and why was she running off on her own all the time? He decided that he was going to find out and stood up.

He expected one of his friends to stop him and ask where he was going but they were too enthused in their argument to notice. He walked out of the Great Hall. Who should be standing there, but Malfoy himself.

"Hello, Potter."

"Malfoy."

"Out to look for your girlfriend? You might want to check out Snape's office. She's down there quite often." Malfoy looked at Harry mischievously and pushed on by.

Snape's Office? He couldn't understand why she would want to go down there. She didn't need help with her potions: she was the brightest pupil in the class. He also knew that she wasn't that big of a know-it-all to talk to the teachers everyday. He turned and went down the stairs that lead to the dungeon.

He was about to open the door to Snape's classroom when he heard a short scream, coming from the potions teacher's office. He tore off down the hall and found the door slightly open. He peered in and saw Marissa on the floor. She was twitching and squealing while Snape stood over her with a smirk on his face. Harry was about to run in when Marissa got on her feet, apparently all right.

"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea Professor," Marissa said with a bit of a lisp.

"I have a theory. We might need to let it out every once in a while so that it doesn't get bottled up and come out when you least want it to. Now, take this and drink it up." Snape handed her a goblet containing a thick reddish liquid.

"What is this?" Marissa asked as she took a whiff.

"It's a mixture of dragon's blood and a small sample of the trial potion that your last potions professor sent with your transcripts. I think allowing you to drink and fill your thirst may help with the occurrences that you have been having lately. The potion is just a precaution. It's supposed to help keep your mind in its original state." He sat on the edge of his desk. "How long does it usually take the effects to wear off?"

"I don't know. Usually a few hours, but it can last up to a few days. I haven't quite gotten the hang of changing back on my own. It's painful." She took a sip of the concoction. Harry wasn't sure if it was the angle or the lighting but he swore he saw something that looked like fangs protruding from her upper lip.

"Well, then we will just have to keep you here until it wear off. I'll make your excuses to your teachers. Now, if you will follow me, I will show you the place we set up for you." He stood and headed over to the door. Harry panicked and looked around. There was nowhere for him to hide! He ran down the hall as fast as he could. When he heard Snape's door open, he made it look like he had just turned the corner.

"POTTER! What are you doing down here?" Snape snapped as he quickly closed the door behind him shutting Marissa out of sight.

"I lost my notebook and realized that I had left it in your classroom," Harry said quickly, hoping it was a good excuse.

"Well, why are you so far down this way? Why didn't you just go in and get it?" Snape looked Harry over, knowing he was up to something. He was always suspicious of Harry.

"I tried but your room was locked, so I thought maybe you picked it up." Harry was hoping he had picked something up or nothing at all.

"I may have. Wait here and I will see." Snape eased open the door and squeezed through, shutting it behind him. Harry wondered what was being said between the teacher and Marissa. Where was he taking her? What changes was she talking about? Why was she drinking dragon's blood and potions? Why did she have fangs? What was going on? The door flung open and a notebook came flying towards him. "Here is your bloody notebook. Now be gone."

~*~

Harry dashed down the hall and shouted the password "HUMPERDINKLE!" as he sprinted up the stairs. Just as he reached it, the Fat Lady's picture swung open, revealing a hole in which Harry dove. He landed in the Gryffindor common with a thud.

"Harry, what is it?" Hermione asked throwing down her book.

"You won't believe what I just saw!" He sat in the chair across from Hermione. He looked around to make sure nobody was listening and started describing the scene in Snape's office, leaving out the part about the fangs. He wasn't even sure he saw them.

"I told you she wasn't to be trusted," Hermione said, folding her arms across her chest.

"Hermione, would you lay off it? I don't think that she is plotting anything with anybody. There is something wrong with her. Why else would she be drinking potions and running off to see Snape all the time?" Harry retorted.

"Do you know what exactly was in the potion she was drinking?" Ron asked.

"All I heard was Snape say it was sent by her former potions teacher and that it was mixed with dragon's blood. That's all."

"Parsnips."

"What?" Ron and Harry looked at Hermione.

"Parsnips. That's what was in the potion."

"Huh? How do you know that?" Ron demanded.

"Remember this morning in Herbology, when we were asked about parsnips. She knew the answer and said that she's seen the potion used. It makes prefect sense. Where is she now? I want to keep an eye on her."

"I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know? You just left her with Snape after you heard her scream and saw what you saw?" Hermione asked in amazement.

"What was I supposed to do? Walk in there and say 'Hi, I was listening in and I thought I would take her away from you. I know I'm risking a detention but I don't care.'? I don't think so."

"Well, did you hear them say anything about where she would be going next?"

"He did say something about taking her to a place set up for her. But why? Why keep her somewhere? And for how long?"

"I guess all we can do is wait and see if she comes back up tonight. If she doesn't, I'm going to Dumbledore in the morning. I don't like this one bit, not one bit at all."

~*~

Marissa heard retreating footsteps as Snape closed the door. They stood there in silence for a few moments. Snape's back facing her, his nose pinched in the doorway, peering down the hall.

"I think he's gone. Follow me and be quiet." He slipped through the door and turned right, towards the dungeons. "You will be safe down here," he said as he opened up a cell and motioned for her to enter.

Marissa relentlessly entered and saw that this wasn't an ordinary dungeon cell. It seemed to have been bewitched to look like a bedroom. The walls were painted and the floor carpeted. There was a four poster bed in the corner, as well as a desk, a chair and a fireplace. The only thing out of place was the window. It had not been changed and was still tiny and barred. "To keep me from getting out, " she assumed.

"How long will I be down here?" she asked running her hand over the back of the desk chair.

"As long as it takes for the effects to wear off."

"How will I let you know that they have?"

"You see that fireplace?" He pointed across the room. "There is a mirror on the mantel. Simply take it in you hands and speak my name. I have the other one and will be able to see you and speak with you. He shut the dungeon door and locked it. "My plan is to leave you without the potion tonight. I want to see how you react without it. I have, on Dumbledore's request, provided you with a supply of many different kinds of blood, in that cabinet there. He didn't know which kind you preferred. They are labeled so you can tell me which one you like best for future reference." He grimaced. Marissa assumed he didn't akin to the subject of blood just as much as she liked drinking it.

"Thanks, Professor."

"I will return tonight before curfew to check on your progress." He turned and walked away.

Marissa took one more glance around the room. It wasn't bad, although the smell of mildew and wetness of a dungeon remained. She walked over to the cabinet that Snape had indicated and opened it up. Inside were vials of blood. All labeled, as he had said. The largest one of all was dragon's blood, which had a greenish tint, showing it was pure and untouched. Another, labeled Centaur, which was a reddish silver color, and appeared to be quite thin. She lifted the vial off the shelf and uncorked it. Immediately her senses were overcome by the scent of sweet lavender and vanilla. She wondered if it tasted as good as it smelled and brought the vial to her lips. She quickly spat it back out, it tasted almost as bad as the Dragon blood concoction she had drank earlier. She re-corked the vial and placed it back on the shelf among more vials full of blood of many different colors.

She closed the cabinet, slumped over to the bed and fell down on her back upon it. She was thinking about her meeting with Snape and how Harry had potentially overheard it. What he must think. What exactly did he see? Did he see her fangs, or did he just overhear everything? She wondered how he would interpret what he had seen and heard, but before she could begin to imagine, she drifted off to sleep.