Snow Angels

"So," said Malfoy slowly as the Sorting Ceremony began and everyone started chattering again. "Welcome to Slytherin. Want me to introduce you to the other students, or -"

"No, I'm fine," answered Keiko shortly.

Malfoy stared up at the Sorting Hat, who was sorting a little boy with spiky blond hair. He grinned as the little boy joined the Slytherin table, then turned toward Keiko. She was staring blankly at the little girl who had taken her place under the hat.

I was joking, she thought bitterly. The Hat could've known that...I just said Slytherin because I was thinking of Draco. WHY though? Why was I thinking of him?

"Are you okay?"

Keiko nodded then looked up at him.

I don't love you, she thought firmly. I don't. You're my friend. Or are you? Yes, of course you are.

She smiled weirdly, thinking how stupid she must have sounded if someone could read minds.

"That's what I'm talking about!" grinned Draco. "Finally! A smile."

Keiko gave a small laugh.

Jennifer Zabini was about to get sorted, and a very cute boy sitting across Keiko was holding his fingers crossed under the table. As the Hat declared the girl a Slytherin, the boy's face spread in the biggest grin Keiko had ever seen. The girl came running toward the table, and hugged her brother, then went and joined a girl who had been made Slytherin earlier. Finally, the boy turned toward Keiko and held out his hand.

"Blaise Zabini," he said, his eyes glinting. Keiko stared. He had the biggest eyes she had ever seen. His skin was the color of milk, and his eyes were brilliant green. His hair was light brown, almost blond.

"Oh, I'm Keiko," she finally said, and shook his hand.

"Yes, I remarked," he smiled and tilted his head toward the Gryffindor table. "Weasley got pretty mad."

Keiko nodded dully, having nothing else to say, and stared up at Dumbledore as the Ceremony was finished, and everyone was seated.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," he said warmly. "We have many new students this year, but only one transferred student."

He looked at Keiko and smiled lightly.

"We decided to sort her separately, as not to have her share the Sorting Hat with all of our younger students. Her name is Keiko Chang, and yes, she is Cho Chang's younger sibling. That said, let's give all of our new students a hand."

He started applauding, and everybody followed. The Slytherins applauded louder than anyone, but the Gryffindors were less enthusiastic about it. As everyone settled down, Dumbledore spoke again.

"We also have a new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher," he said jovially. "Her name is Miss Fleur Delacour, and some of you might recognize her from last year's Triwizard Tournament."

Fleur shook her head modestly as everyone started applauding again.

"As you all know, Lord Voldemort has regained power, a few months ago. For that matter, the school will be heavily guarded by trained Aurors. Students are not allowed to be out of bed after hours, and all students have to be in class after the bell rings. Detentions will also be guarded more carefully."

Dumbledore paused. Everybody was sitting silently, staring up at the old man. Some students started whispering inaudibly, but the Headmaster started talking again.

"Quidditch practice is in motion once again. We have new Quidditch Captains for each House."

Before Dumbledore could continue, the Hall erupted into loud applause. When everybody settled down, Dumbledore resumed.

"For Gryffindor, Harry Potter will choose his teammates tomorrow afternoon, with the approval of Madame Hooch. He is the new Gryffindor Quidditch Team Captain."

The Gryffindors applauded and whistled, as Harry's cheeks flushed. He was grinning broadly. Ron high-fived him, and as he sat back down, his eyes fell on Keiko. Keiko wanted to wave of do something friendly, but Ron frowned, and looked away.

This made Keiko´s stomach turn. I think I´m going to be highly and dangerously sick.

She turned toward Dumbledore, trying to remain calm. The Headmaster spoke again.

"For Ravenclaw, Miss Janice Davies has been chosen to replace her sibling as Captain."

The Ravenclaws applauded. A pretty blonde girl started squealing, hugging all of the Ravenclaw girls. Cho sat up and whistled.

"For Hufflepuff," Dumbledore continued, "Jake McClaud will replace our late and beloved Cedric Diggory, and for Slytherin...Blaise Zabini is the new Captain."

The Slytherins all stood up and cheered. Blaise high-fived some Slytherin boys, and hugged a girl Keiko didn't know. As the applauds died down, Dumbledore clapped his hands together and food appeared on all the tables.

"Now!" he said, looking rather happy. "Let's all...er...dig in, shall we?"

He sat down and gestured toward everyone to start eating. Everybody cheered, and the Hall got noisier than ever.

Keiko looked around, not touching a bit of food or drink. She felt better, now, but didn't feel hungry of thirsty. She examined all the Slytherins, who didn´t look unpleasant at all, despite the rumours everyone kept spreading. She looked up at the Gryffindor table, where Hermione was hugging Harry, looking very pleased. She caught Keiko's eye and smiled and waved at her cruelly. Keiko smiled back, and waved too, then turned toward Draco, who was in deep conversation with Blaise.

"You're pure blood, aren't you?" asked Draco, seeing as Keiko regained interest in him. Keiko nodded.

"Yeah, of course I am," she said proudly. "As pure as any of you guys."

Blaise sneered.

"It shows," he said quietly, then turned to talk to the girl that hugged him earlier. Her hair was dark, almost as dark as her own. She realised that she was the only one with black hair. As she scanned the whole Slytherin table, she gasped.

It seemed that she was the only one who appeared to come from an Asian family. The girl talking to Blaise too, and a little group of four or five sixth-year girls.

Doing all this observation, she didn´t realize Draco staring at her, with a bit of a smirk on his face. Keiko didn´t feel like looking back, and looked away, but Draco placed his hand on her cheek and turned her around to face him.

"I know I've asked this before, but are you alright?" he asked silently. "You look kinda pale..."

Keiko looked up at him. His eyes were warmer than usual, and he had that twisted smile on. What's he doing?

Draco moved his hand up and stroke Keiko's cheek, who shivered slightly. No seriously, what's he doing?

"Wanna see our Common Room?" he asked, in the same quiet tone.

Keiko frowned a little. "Uh...Where's advice when you need it?" she thought anxiously, thinking of the old talking mirror in their bathroom.

Draco was clearly awaiting an answer, because he was raising his eyebrows as though saying, "So?"

Blaise was looking at them, grinning, and a group of girls were muttering something, staring evilly at her. A blonde girl walked up towards her and Draco, then hugged Draco from behind. She smiled maliciously toward Keiko, who frowned deeper.

"Hey," said the girl, in a voice dripping with sugar. Draco obviously didn't share the same feelings, because he turned around and looked at her with very cold eyes.

"Just because I went with you to a stupid ball, doesn't mean I'm going to marry you, Parkinson," he snapped. "Go play around with someone else."

The girl looked outraged.

"I never asked you to marry me Malfoy," she shot coldly. "I just wanted to congratulate you on becoming a Prefect."

Draco scoffed silently.

"Thanks, but no thanks," he muttered dully. "I´m a little busy, as you can see," he added, gesturing toward Keiko. "There are girls who deserve a bit more attention than you."

The blonde gasped, and turned to leave. She made sure Draco didn´t see her when she whispered "Don´t worry, I´ll make sure he´ll never like you," to Keiko, and stormed to the end of the table. Keiko let out a small squeal, and covered her mouth with one hand.

"Oh, my godness, I have been mortally offended," she shouted loudly, so that Parkinson could hear. The girl turned around and showed a very offending gesture in mid-air. A nice and simple "Fuck you."

Draco saw the gesture, and got up, thinking of an equally offensive one, but Keiko pulled him to sit down.

"It´s really not worth it," she said calmly. "Really."

Before Draco could answer, Blaise clapped loudly.

"Wonderful," he said, smiling. "Making new friends I see."

"Yeah, that´s the start of a wonderful friendship," added Draco lazily. "You might even end up marrying each other."

He dug his fork in his cold turkey, and started eating, without saying a word.

Keiko laughed silently. She felt a lot better. Somehow, this was more pleasant than she thought it would be.

She didn´t even glimpse at the Gryffindor table for the rest of the feast. Still, she didn´t eat.

Not knowing what else to observe, she stared at the teacher´s table. She looked at Fleur Delacour, who was eating gracefully, while talking to Professor McGonagall.

Suddenly, a very sharp pain went trough Keiko´s head. It started pulsating badly. Her knees had gotten weak, and she was about to fall off the chair. Draco realized what was going to happen, and caught her just in time.

"Keiko?" he said quickly, his face paler than usual. "You alright?"

Keiko opened her eyes slowly.

"Could you please show me the way to the Slytherin tower?" she asked weakly.

Draco looked concerned.

"Don´t you think you should rather go to the hospital wing?" he asked.

Keiko shook her head. Draco helped her get up then turned toward Blaise, who nodded.

"Go on, I'll cover for you if they need a Prefect," the boy replied. Draco nodded as a thank you, and took Keiko by the hand. Keiko caught a glimpse of the blonde girl, and smiled to herself as her pug-like face formed a very thin lip and her blue eyes turned fiery red.

As Draco spoke the password ("Silver Sword"), they entered the Slytherin Common Room, who was decorated with green and silver, except for the fire that was burning red sparks. Keiko threw herself on a Slytherin arm chair, and looked at Draco, who sat down too, in a chair next to her. She noted the chairs were extremely comfortable.

"So, why the scene earlier?" asked Draco silently.

Keiko sighed. I am not going to pour my heart out right now...

"Well?" said Draco. "Parkinson giving you a hard time?"

Keiko was about to say "yeah," but thought better. Seriously, she didn't care about what Parkinson thought, or did. She didn't love Draco like the girl probably did.

"Nah," she finally said, leaning on the back of the chair and closing her eyes. She wasn't going to tell Draco about Fleur either, thinking that if she did, Draco might start questioning her. Instead, she just whispered "Can you show me the way to the dormitories?" weakly.

Draco nodded.

"Up the stairs to your right. Fifth door. Want me to come with you?"

Keiko shrugged. "Go to fulfill your Prefect duties. I'm just gonna go to sleep."

"You sure?"

Keiko closed her eyes again.

"Go and help the poor scared defenseless first years."

Draco chuckled.

"Yeah. Good night then," he said softly, and made his way to the door.

"Good night," replied Keiko. "Oh, and Draco," she added.

"Hmm?"

She hesitated for a second, then murmured a low "Thanks."

Draco smiled.

"Don't even think about it, Chang," he said in his usual voice. "Now go to bed."

"Yeah, yeah," she said slowly, and walked toward the stairs.

Draco stood by the wall, until she had disappeared trough the little door on the right. As he heard the door close, he walked out of the Common Room silently.

**

Harry Potter was sitting in the Gryffindor Common Room, watching the flames dance around in the fire place. He felt a light warm breeze touching his face, as he closed his eyes and sank lower in his armchair. Even though he was very tired, mixed thoughts were drifting trough his mind. There was an evil Lord plotting to kill him somewhere, he was going to start Quidditch training tomorrow, he met Cho Chang's sister, and she got sorted into Slytherin. Those were all the things he was thinking about, until he saw Hermione's cat Crookshanks jump so high, it made him wonder if Hermione fed him something other than cat food.

Putting that thought away with a bit of a grin on his face, Keiko's face came swimming into Harry's mind. Then, getting up as though someone had given him an electric shock, he realised the last thing he ever thought that could of happened to him: He was jealous of Draco Malfoy.

Up until now, it was always Malfoy that had been jealous for Harry's popularity, and everything he had owned, including his talent on the Quidditch pitch. Right now, he was jealous of Malfoy, because he had a new Slytherin member, who wasn't even supposed to be in Slytherin. Keiko was a very sweet girl, and she didn't need to turn into a Slytherin to become interesting. But why was he jealous? Wasn't he supposed to like Cho? Of course. Of course he did.

Harry scoffed silently, and sank back down in his armchair. He closed his eyes, and suddenly felt Crookshanks' warm weight jump onto his lap. The cat started purring softly, and fell asleep. Slowly, Harry closed his eyes again, and started drifting away, his thoughts all blurry in his head.

**

Keiko couldn't sleep. Yes, she had been tired earlier, but now her stomach was making her feel so weird, she didn't know what was happening. The Slytherins had come to bed earlier. All the girls came in talking loudly, not realising she was sleeping. She wasn't actually sleeping, but she had tried to. Now everybody was snoozing in their beds, leaving her being the only one awake. She opened up her four poster hangings and looked up at her night table. The watch she had placed there earlier showed 12:00 AM, its blue shining letters blinking brightly.

Slowly, Keiko got out of bed, put a sweater around her shoulders and walked out of the girls' dormitory. She climbed down the stairs and walked silently into the Common Room toward the fireplace.

As she sat down in a fluffy arm chair, she realised that the other one had another occupant. Blaise Zabini was looking at her calmly, his big green eyes looking very bright by the light of the flames.

"Hello," he whispered. "Couldn't sleep either?"

Keiko nodded.

"I had this weird feeling. Dunno what it was, but it seems it's gone now."

Blaise nodded apprehensively.

"You like Draco," he said slowly, and turned his gaze from her to the flames that were crackling softly. It didn't sound like an answer; it seemed more like a statement, an observation. Keiko stared dumbstruck at the boy, who was still looking in the flames. She could see the reflection of the fire in his eyes.

She paused to think for a moment.

She didn't like Draco per se. Draco was her friend, and that kiss on the train had been childish. She strongly hoped that Hermione Granger wasn't as popular as she pretended to be when she had gotten out of the train. But she did get calmer when she found out more about Hermione from Harry and Ron. Hopefully they didn't lie.

"He's my friend," she answered sleepily, snuggling in her sweater. "I like him, but I like him as a friend."

Blaise turned toward her, smiling the original Slytherin "Yeah, right," smile from the corner of his mouth. Keiko scoffed. She knew he wouldn't believe her.

"It shows," he said softly, looking into Keiko's eyes. "Sparks fly when you look at each other." He paused, then sneered evilly."I loved what you did to Pansy by the way," he added, his eyes still fixed on Keiko. "That girl has extra cunning, to you should take care of yourself when you're around her."

He leaned back and moved his gaze toward the ceiling. "I still don't get why you're a Slytherin though. You look like a Gryffindor to me."

His eyes fixed the ceiling for a moment, then turned toward the young girl again. "Or a Hufflepuff."

Keiko frowned.

"Excuse me?" she spluttered. "Hufflepuff?"

Blaise grinned maliciously. "You know," he said as though it couldn't have been more obvious. "All looks and no brains."

Keiko looked outraged. She had realized it was just a game after a few minutes, when Blaise started laughing loudly.

"You act like an original Gryffindor!" he shouted. "How can a Gryffindor be worthy of Slytherin?" he asked thoughtfully. "I've never seen anything quite like it. Well, except for Crabbe and Goyle, those two are really stupid, but they are bullies, so that counts, I guess. The only house they fit in other than Slytherin is Hufflepuff...Anyway...Girls in Slytherin as much more evil than you. You're far too good to - "

"Haven't you had enough Zabini?" asked a cold voice from behind.

Draco Malfoy moved into the light and stared at Blaise, who was on the floor, grinning.

"We have a Gryffindor!" he shouted. "A Gryffindor! What's she doing here Draco? Huh? What's a Gryffindor doing here, you tell -"

"She's as much of a Slytherin as you are, you little -"

"Crystal clear Gryffindor Malfoy! I thought you of all people would recognize one!"

Draco moved towards the fireplace and sat down on the floor, between the two armchairs.

"The Sorting Hat doesn't lie," he said slowly. "If it did, she wouldn't be the only mistake here."

He eyed Blaise briefly, then turned toward Keiko.

"Even if you asked to be in Slytherin, you are one."

He turned his head toward Blaise again, as the boy opened his mouth to argue.

"End of discussion," he added. "You heard what she said to Parkinson earlier."

Blaise nodded and stared at Keiko, who was eyeing him suspiciously.

"True. Still...How can we make sure she´s not in league with Potter? Maybe she´s a spy, a filthy little Mudblood -"

"EXPELLIARMUS!"

Draco had shouted the disarming spell, which sent Blaise flying across the room and crashing into the wall next to the fireplace. Blood started oozing from the unconscious boy's temple, as Keiko stood up and stared at Draco, who was looking furiously at Blaise.

"Draco, you killed -"

"Shush!"

Footsteps were to hear from the dormitories, as a group of Slytherins came rushing down to see what happened. Unluckily, Pansy Parkinson was one of them. She stared pale faced at Blaise, who was still unconscious, then hurried toward him.

"Enervate!" she gasped, almost sounding as though she was about to cry.

Blaise stirred, and opened his eyes, but at that moment, a tall man dressed all in black came in, his wand in his hand.

"What is the meaning of this?" he bellowed. "What are you doing?"

He hurried toward Blaise, who was sent to the hospital wing accompanied by Pansy. He told everyone else to go to bed, except for Draco and Keiko, who stood immobile in the middle of the room. As everyone left, the man turned toward Draco.

"Explain."

Draco looked utterly relaxed. Keiko wondered how he could be like that, especially in front of a man so reminiscent of a vampire bat.

"Zabini insulted our new fifth year. I disarmed him. I apologise for my violent action, but something had to shut him up, I -"

"A menace would have been better. A prank, a report to a teacher, but NOT magic. You do not use magic to hurt students, Malfoy."

Draco nodded.

"I apologise sir. But he attacked her verbally, and -"

"Five points will be taken," said Snape, cutting Draco off. "No buts Malfoy, this pains me just as much as it does you."

He turned toward Keiko, his expression getting slightly lighter.

"Miss Chang."

Keiko turned toward him, staring shyly.

"Yes, Professor?"

"Detention for you and Malfoy. I do apologise, but it has to be done," he added apologetically toward Draco.

"I understand sir," the boy replied.

The Professor walked out of the Common Room. Before he left, he added "Return to your dormitories," sternly.

Keiko threw herself on the armchair. She sighed heavily, brushing hair out her eyes. They had become very shiny.

"Who was that?"

"Professor Snape, Head of Slytherin," answered Draco, and sat down next to Keiko. "I just don't get why he gave you a detention."

He closed his eyes, and as Keiko looked at him, he reminded her of an angel. She had never seen anything so peaceful and beautiful.

...Some people tell me, that you're not my kind...

"Keiko?" he asked silently, with his eyes still closed.

"Hmm?"

"Can I borrow your sweater?"

Keiko smiled from the corner of her mouth.

"No, but you can come here."

Draco opened his eyes sleepily.

"Sure you don't mind?"

"Not at all," she answered, and moved further, leaving a place big enough for a person so squish into. Draco got up and moved next to her. Keiko grabbed her sweater and placed it over the whole armchair, so that it covered both of them. When Keiko closed her eyes, she heard Draco mutter something.

"Keik..."

"Hmm?"

"I think I love you."