Dangerous Petals

Dangerous Petals

     There was only mist. Thick and white, it hung over the dark ground as the frail figure slowly stepped across the cold grass. Her raven hair was billowing behind her in the wind, and her cherry lips were parted, calling a name. What was it? Her gaze was frantic as she searched through the air, impossible as it was to see. She was restless. The name was almost audible as its breathy sound stretched faintly across the fog. It sounded quite familiar. Very familiar.

     "Gabrielle," it said. The voice was getting louder now, shakingly loud.

     "Gabrielle!" the voice hissed.

     "Gabrielle! Wake up!"

     Gabrielle Delacour opened one blue eye warily, the voice, the voice. She almost screamed as she saw two bright silver-blue eyes, much like her own, in her face. She sat up, startled, about to yell, but instead let out a delicate yawn.

     "Good morning sleeping beauty," the other person said. Her long blonde hair was perfectly shiny, and her flawless face was grinning.

     "Fleur, couldn't you have let me sleep in?" Gabrielle asked, rolling back over and covering her face with her pillow.

     "No, I couldn't. Come on my darling little sister, it's your first day at Hogwarts and you don't want to miss the train," Fleur pointed out. Gabrielle threw the pillow down and grunted.

     "There need to be more hours at night," she said shortly before getting up and rubbing her eyes. She gazed into the long cheval mirror right by the bed in her sister's spare room and laughed at her messy appearance. Her dark hair was standing on end, and there was some drool dried to the side of her lip.

     "Slob," she said to herself as Fleur laughed.

     "Ah, ma petite, you are definitely my sister. So just as a special parting gift for my favorite-"

     "And only," Gabrielle cut in.

     "Yes, only, but wonderful sister, I bought you a brand new dress for school!" she said excitedly, pointing to a beautiful pale yellow shifty dress with skinny straps and a lacy bottom hanging from the door. It was gorgeous.

     "Oh... It's tres belle Fleur!" she exclaimed, running to grab it, just to touch its fine fabric. "But where will I wear it?"

     "Well," Fleur said, picking up a hair brush and beginning to stroke it through Gabrielle's hair, "since you are my sister, you must show up for your first day in style, so wear it today!"

     Gabrielle turned to look at her sister in shock.

     "Won't that be a little... too drastic for a school like Hogwarts?" she asked.

     "Even if it is, you want to make a good first impression, and you'll be changing into you robes later anyways, so have fun with it!" she said. Gabrielle grinned, took the dress from its hanger and spun around.

     "Put it on!" Fleur urged her. So she did, and when she turned around to look back at the mirror, she could only smile.

     Staring back at her were the same silver-blue eyes she saw every morning, and the same dark hair framing her face in gently sweeping layers, but with this dress she was more than just Gabrielle. She was a princess.

     "Thanks you so much, I love it!" she almost screamed, leaping onto Fleur to hug her tightly.

     "Only the best for my beautiful sister," she replied, "now, your bags are all packed, and it's ten ‘o clock now, so we really ought to be going."

     After a quick freshening up, Gabrielle was ready to go. She and Fleur hailed a taxi cab to take them to King's Cross Station, where she would get on the Hogwarts Express. She'd decided to come to Hogwarts for her fifth year mainly to broaden her horizons. Though she greatly loved her old school, Beauxbatons, with its ice statues and wood nymphs, she had to admit that she needed a change, she just wasn't happy there.

     The other reason she'd switched was so she could be closer to Fleur. Her older sister was her idol, and knew what it was like to go through life looking the way they looked. She offered her a lot of support any time Gabrielle was feeling a little down. She'd never really had any friends. Any acquaintances she'd had always got jealous of her, so she mainly kept to herself. It got a little lonely sometimes, when she'd see the other girls laughing and having fun, but when times got like that she'd always turn to Fleur.

     Fleur thought the reason the other girls didn't like them was because the Delacour sisters were part veela, and many of the boys couldn't help but look at them. For many girls this would be a dream come true, but for Gabrielle her blessed looks were as well for her a curse.

     The past summer had been the best of her life, though, and she's almost forgotten about the other girls at Beauxbatons. She'd spent her holidays with her sister in her tiny London apartment, and went walking in the streets every day, marveling at Muggle life. Sometimes she would go to the Leaky Cauldron and have a nice cup of low-calorie tea, or go into Diagon Alley to shop, but most of her time was spent daydreaming.

     It was pretty funny how much of a hopeless romantic she was. Unlike Fleur, who was a realist, Gabrielle was constantly dreaming of her knight in shining armor. So far though, every hopeful knight she'd found had turned out to be a jerk. Maybe at Hogwarts though...

     "King's Cross Station," the old cockney-speaking cabby said as he pulled up. Fleur paid him in Muggle money, and they retrieved Gabrielle's bags and her pet raven, Demeter. They walked through the crowded station, heading for platform nine and three-quarters, and Gabrielle sighed as she took in the sights and the smells and the sounds. They reached platform ten, where already a small group of witches and wizards were trying to get through without any Muggles noticing.

     Gabrielle turned to Fleur, smiling, but a little sad. Fleur gave her a tight hug and kissed her forehead.

     "Have a wonderful time ma petite, and if you have any problems don't even hesitate to come to me, I'll see you soon," she said, then turned and disappeared into the crowd before Gabrielle could ask her what she meant.

     Have a wonderful time. She really hoped that she would. No, of course she would. Things would be different here. But as she passed through the platform, she wasn't sure if the uneasy feeling in her stomach was an omen, or just an after-effect from walking through a wall.

     As she stepped onto the train and started making her way down the corridor, her body automatically turned from just Gabrielle into beautiful Gabrielle. Her lips turned into that smile that most girls practice in the mirror but came naturally to her, and her eyes gave that look that said, "You can't believe I'm this beautiful, can you?"

     Sometimes she hated this facade, but other times she loved it. She loved how confident she could be, even when her self-esteem was non-existent. All the guys seemed to love beautiful Gabrielle as well, because even now, the few males who weren't in their cabins gaped at her. Her new yellow dress hung on her nicely, and her hair shone. Not to her surprise, though, most of the cabins were already full, so she kept moving along through the train. She hoped she wasn't the last one to get on.

     Full cabin. Full cabin. It seemed that everywhere she looked there was a full cabin. Then, a flash of yellow light from up ahead made her think of someone. Harry potter! He'd saved her in the second task at the Triwizard tournament two years before when he didn't have to. Maybe he'd let her sit with him.

     As her smile broadened and she stepped quickly to find his cabin, from the place the yellow light had come, a group of boys came busting out, laughing. She crashed into the leader and fell to the ground.

     "Would you watch where you're going?" he yelled, then faltered when he saw her.

     "I'm sorry," she stammered. He was quite tall, with longish blonde hair that fell to his ears. His eyes were a stormy gray. He was beautiful, and very rude.

     "No, no. It's okay. Just keep your eyes up next time," he said, offering her a hand up. His voice was a little less harsh, but he still seemed angry.

     "Draco Malfoy," a stern-looking woman came into the corridor, looking very angry.

     "I am very disappointed in you, and in you two as well, Crabbe and Goyle," the two best-like goons who'd emerged with Draco nodded silently. "You three should know better than to be starting trouble on the first day. Now, you two come with me, Mr. Malfoy, you can sit without your friends today," she said. Crabbe and Goyle followed the woman to the back of the train.

     "Who was that?" Gabrielle asked.

     "The deputy headmistress, McGonagall," he answered boredly, looking pissed off, then his well-bred manners got the better of him.

     "Do you have somewhere to sit?" he asked. She shook her head a little too violently, her hair flying everywhere.

     "Then I guess you can sit with me as I'm all by myself. My cabin's right over here. Draco Malfoy," he introduced himself as he led her to the cabin.

     "Gabrielle Delacour," she answered him, sitting on the opposite side of him when they entered the room.

     "Ah, sister of Fleur Delacour," he said quietly, as if understanding. This was followed by an awkward silence as both of them tried to find something appropriate to say. Finally, Draco got curious.

     "So, why did you come to Hogwarts?" he asked. She decided to give him the same old spiel.

     "I want to broaden my horizons and be more comfortable in an English speaking environment," she said, almost reciting what she told everyone.

     "You seem pretty comfortable to me," he said.

     "A lot of people say that."

     "Stupid son of a-"

     "Ron!"

     "Sorry, but I really hate that git," Ron Weasley said to Hermione Granger. Sitting beside him was his best friend Harry Potter, and across from him was his sister Ginny.

     "Whether you hate him or not, we're supposed to try to get along with other house members. Come on, he isn't all that bad, is he?" Ron couldn't believe his ears.

     "Did you just... defend Malfoy?" he asked incredulously.

     "Look, I'm not his number one fan either, but I talked with your mother in Diagon Alley and I agree with her that we should really try to promote school unity!" Ron rolled his eyes. He'd hated Draco Malfoy for years, ever since he'd met the stupid git. As far as he knew, Hermione did too, though she'd never really cared for "school unity" before. Every year without fail, Malfoy did something to spoil their year. Whether it was getting them in trouble or just being plain annoying, he always made Ron want to slaughter him.

     "What do you think Harry?... Harry?" he asked. Harry was staring out the window, a forlorn look on his face. Ron knew what he was thinking about, but he didn't want to say anything for fear of hurting his friend. Hermione seemed to notice it too.

     "Harry, he's not coming back," she said quietly. She was talking about Sirius Black, Harry's godfather, who'd been killed the year before. Harry didn't answer, so Ron signaled to Hermione to leave him alone. The past year had been so... different. It had really changed everybody's view on the world. He knew it had been especially rough on Harry. His best friend had been through so much, and things didn't seem to be getting much better. He wished he could do something to help, but it seemed pointless.

     He used to envy Harry. He admitted it now. He used to wish that he could be as popular as him and as talented and smart. But here he was, just Ron. The red-haired sidekick of the famous Harry Potter, always along for the ride, but never doing anything important. At least Hermione was clever and smart, she could always use her brains to help Harry with all his problems, Ron just kind of went along with everything, never helping really, and sometimes holding them back. It made him feel a little useless.

     Don't say that he told himself. But he knew it was true. Even though both Harry and Hermione would always tell him he played a big role, he knew he didn't. He was the flunky, the second banana, the sidekick. Only he didn't have superpowers. Useless, useless, useless.

     "Oh, Ginny! Congratulations on getting prefect!" Hermione said suddenly, breaking the saturated silence.

     "But you already-"

     "You'll love the prefect's bathroom, it's simply amazing!"

     Ron tuned out Hermione's feeble attempt at conversation and watched the fields go by out the window. He'd been fighting his feelings for her for years. Secretly, he'd always known that he'd felt... something for her. Whether it was love, or the flu, he had no idea. It would've had to have been a pretty long-lasting flu. He knew that he could never confront her about it, though. There was no way she could like him. He already kind of suspected that she had feelings for Harry, but he didn't like to think about that. That was the only thing about Harry he now envied, Hermione. He didn't care now that he didn't have a scar on his forehead or wasn't amazing at Quidditch, but he wouldn't be able to stand it if Harry got Hermione. He wouldn't be able to stand it if anybody got Hermione but him.

     She was his angel.

     For the first time in a long while, Gabrielle found herself laughing with someone besides Fleur. Draco was still a very rude jerk, but once he'd warmed up, she found him to be pretty funny, mainly in a sarcastic, ass-hole way, but it still made her laugh. She never really did laugh at Beauxbatons, everyone there was too busy trying to get the sticks out from their asses.

     "What did you do for the summer holidays?" she asked when she finished laughing. Draco's face suddenly got very dark, and he averted his gaze downward. Oh no, Gabrielle thought, what had she done wrong?

     "I uh... got in a big fight with my dad, so I'm living at Crabbe's house, one of my friends there," he said quietly, not wanting to look at her.

     "Oh, Draco, I am so sorry," she said, not knowing what to do. Draco sat up, wiping angry tears out of his eyes.

     "It's not like I'm dying. Never mind, I never should have said anything," he said gruffly, turning away.

     "Geez, you don't have to be such a jerk!" she said, glaring at him. He winced slightly at this, then regained his composure.

     "Who says I need your opinion on me? You don't even know me!" he shouted.

     "Fine! Just fine! I'm sorry for caring!" she replied, then, her dress swishing, she got up and walked out of the cabin.

     "No, wait Gabrielle!" Draco yelled, following her out. She turned and glared at him expectantly. He looked at her, his eyes pleading with her.

     "I'm sorry Gabrielle. I didn't mean to be a... what did you call me? Jerk? I'm just not used to be people actually... caring," he said, looking at his perfectly shiny shoes. Gabrielle had to force herself not to smile.

     "It's okay," was all she could really say without feeling bad for over-reacting. Just then, the train started slowing down and the magical PA voice crackled.

     "We are now arriving at Hogwarts school, please gather your things and wait for further instructions once you exit the train."

     Gabrielle smiled at Draco as the train stopped, seeing him in another light. He was really no different than anyone else, was he? She turned around and with her most sultry sounding voice she said, "See you later," and left the cabin. She flipped her shiny locks and smiled as she walked down the corridor. She always left them wanting more.

     One of the teachers quickly explained to Gabrielle how to get to the school and told her to put on her robes. She patted the Thestral who was to pull her up the hill before entering the carriage. When inside, she pulled the drapes closed and changed into her Hogwarts robes. They were bland, but not as bad as Fleur had told her they were. Luckily, the ride to the castle was short, and in no time she was exiting the carriage, standing in front of the two huge wooden doors. Professor McGonagall was waiting for her.

     "Miss Delacour, I presume?" she asked. Gabrielle nodded, holding out her hand, then drawing back when the professor didn't shake it.

     "Yes, I'm Gabrielle," she said, slightly nervous.

     "Very well. As you may know, you must be sorted into your house. Now you can either do this with the first years ceremony, or right now by yourself," she said. Gabrielle pictured herself in line with the first years, towering over them.

     "I think I'll get it over with now," she said, shaking the thought out of her head.

     "Alright then, follow me."

     Gabrielle followed the professor into the beautiful castle and through the magnificently decorated hallways. She noticed a few ghosts gliding through the walls, and the paintings were watching her as she nervously played with her hands. They finally reached the large statue of an eagle, and the professor stopped.

     "Skiving snack box," she said, and the statue seemed to spring to life, moving upwards to reveal a staircase. Gabrielle followed up these stairs, through a door, until they reached a large office, full of thousands of oddities and curios. She gasped when she saw a large bird on a silver stand, preening its red and gold plumage.

     "I see you admire Fawkes, Miss Gabrielle," a tall man with a beard to his waist said from behind her. She turned around quickly, caught off guard.

     "Yes, my mother used to have one," she answered slowly. This was the man everybody knew about and everybody admired. Albus Dumbledore.

     "They are quite beautiful aren't they? Now, let's get this done quickly. We're having delicious pork chops tonight and I'm starving," he said. Then he summoned a ratty old hat from the top of a book shelf, and it landed on a stool.

     "No song yet, hat. We have an emergency sorting," McGonagall said. "Now, Miss Delacour, put on the hat."

     Gabrielle sat and put the hat on, startled when it came to life.

     "Ah, I see it in you, I do. You have a very unique talent, in the realm of dreams. Where shall you go, hmm? Ah, so that will help you along your way. Better be Gryffindor!" it said cheerfully. She smiled as the hat was taken off her head.

     "Now girl, off you go. The feast will be starting soon!"

     Gabrielle nodded and made her way back down the stairs, toward something new. And someone new.