Drunken Mistake

Chapter 4: The Sorting

A few hours later, Donna and Daniella were waving to Daniella's mother on the Hogwarts Express. They were on their way to Hogwarts for their first year. Donna was nervous, afraid of what people might think of her. She knew that the Weasley/Malfoy family had hated each other. She was a baby of a Weasley and a Malfoy. Would people be able to know? Her name was Donna Weasley, but she looked so much like a Malfoy.

Daniella was ecstatic about going Hogwarts. Even though she was half and half (her mother was a muggle while her father was a wizard) she didn't care about what people thought of her. She was strong, and wasn't easily hurt. She could have a million insults thrown at her, and she would still walk around the place with her head held high and a smile on her face.

Donna and Daniella spent most of the ride to Hogwarts walking around the train and meeting new people. It was five minutes before they arrived at Hogwarts when they went to the bathroom to change into their robes.

~*~

Ginevra and Draco spent the whole day together. It was like everything that had happened twelve years ago had been erased from their memory. All they could do was stare into each other's eyes, and talk. Sometimes about nothing, sometimes about everything.

Although Ginevra was having a great time with Draco, she was still worried about Donna.

"Ginevra?" she heard Draco whisper. She felt his hand cover hers and she wanted to melt at his touch. "Are you all right?"

She looked up into his blue eyes and smiled lightly. "Yeah," she whispered. She coughed and in a louder voice, she said. "Yes. I'm okay."

"She's going to be okay," Draco said, holding her hand tighter. "She's not going to get hurt."

"How can you be so sure?" she asked him, feeling the tears prickling into her eyes. No, she thought. Do not cry, Ginevra. Everything is all right.

"Because," he said, smiling. "She's your daughter. She's got your beauty and strength. She's not going to give in to anybody's pressure or insults and she'll be strong. Just like you always were at school."

Ginevra smiled and looked down at the table. "Draco?"

"Yeah?"

"I di-don't think it's be-best if we con-continue on ly-like this..." she stammered. Every word broke her heart.

"What do you mean?" his eyes grew clouded, and he felt like he did ten years ago. That was not a feeling he wanted, not now anyway. Everything was just perfect.

"I ju-just think that it's too so-soon," she wanted to cry. But she knew it was for the best.

"Ginevra, just what are you saying?" Draco gripped her hand tighter, and didn't loosen up when he saw her wince of pain. He saw her knuckles turned white, but still, he would not let go.

"I don't want to get hurt again," she answered fiercely pulling her hand out of his.

"By what?"

"By you."

"What?"

"I think I'm falling in love with you, and I don't want to get hurt again. I've waited twelve years for you to find me, and now that you're here, I just want to disappear again. We don't belong together, you've made that perfectly clear in all the years I've known you." Ginevra closed her eyes.

"Ginny, look me in the eye and tell me you don't love me," he sounded desperate. Ginevra wanted to cry; this was not what she had expected. She wanted him to say she was right, call her Weasley, and insult her, anything that would make it easier for her to hate him.

She looked up, blinked the tears away, and focused her eyes on the spot between Draco's eyes. "I don't love you," she whispered, never breaking contact with his nose. She saw pain in his eyes and she stood up and ran, ignoring Draco's call for her to come back. But she wouldn't. She would run as far as she could without collapsing.

Tears were falling down her cheeks, and it was hard for her to breathe. Ginevra wanted to fall. She wanted to hide, and never be found. She knew if she was still here, she would fall in love with Draco, and that meant getting hurt again. He'd done it before, what could make her believe he wouldn't again?

~*~

Donna stood next to Daniella as they stood in front of the Head Table. In a long row, teachers sat with candles floating in the air. Girls and boys surrounded her and she could practically feel their excitement. Nobody seemed to be paying extra attention to her. For this she was very relieved. Maybe...maybe nobody would know who her parents were.

An old man with long white hair and beard, who Donna later knew as Professor Dumbledore - the Headmaster of Hogwarts, stood up, clinking his wine glass a few times. Everyone stopped talking and looked up at him.

"Welcome students!" he said. "I hope you all had a happy holiday. Just a few announcements then we can get on with the sorting.

"The Forbidden Forest is still off limits to any student. If you are caught out there once, it'll be a warning, twice, a detention, and if you are still out in the forest a third time, you can be assured you will be expelled.

"Now our caretaker, Mr. Filtch, has asked of me to inform all of you that the right corridor on the fifth floor is dangerous to anyone below fifth year. Though I strongly caution anyone, even students fifth year and above, to stay away.

"We have a new professor, boy and girls, please meet Professor Hailey Anna Pilary. She will be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Let's hope she'll make it. Now, let the sorting begin!"

Then an old lady, Professor McGonagall - the Transfiguration professor - as Donna found out minutes later, probably around the age of seventy-five, walked onto the stage and placed an old, ratty hat on a stool. She then took out a scroll and untied the ribbon. It fell about to her knees.

"Potans, Lillian!" McGonagall called out. A girl with long, wavy raven hair and startling emerald eyes walked onto the stage. She was a pretty girl. Donna looked around and saw many boys' eyes on her. Lillian flashed a smile and sat down on the stool, crossing her legs and winking at a boy from the Gryffindor table.

"Hmmm...GRYFFINDOR!" the ratty old hat boomed. Lillian smiled and jumped off the stool, rushing over to the Gryffindor table. The applause of the table was unbelievable. Donna looked and saw many boys rushing over to talk with her.

"Danielson, Daniella!" the professor yelled. Donna looked at her friend and smiled, as if saying 'good luck.' Daniella smiled back and ran to the stage and sat down on the stool.

"HUFFLEPUFF!" the hat said just before it touched her head. Daniella smiled and got off the stool, walking over to the table with the loudest applause. She shook hands with people before seating herself at the table, smiling at the boy across her.

A few more names were called. Boys and girls were sorted into Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Gryffindor.

"We-." McGonagall began, but stopped. She looked behind her to look at Professor Dumbledore. "It's her," she mouthed. He just nodded and leaned forward, eager to find out which house she would be placed in. She nodded and looked out at the eager crowd. "Weasley, Donna."

Donna froze and people all around her started murmuring.

"I heard her mum slept with a professor," a girl somewhere near her whispered to the person next to her.

"Oh yeah, I heard she was a hooker and slept with lots of men then ended up pregnant," a boy said.

"Well, I heard her mum was raped by a Death Eater," someone whispered.

"I heard she was murdered by somebody because she got pregnant," a boy in front of her whispered.

"My father told me that her family disowned her after they found out," the girl next to her said to Donna. "Ginevra Weasley was a huge disgrace to the Weasley name. Of course, all Weasley's are a disgrace. They're all dirty, ugly, and poor. I say they're all a complete waste."

"Miss Weasley," the McGonagall called out. "Are you there?"

Donna closed her eyes to clear her mind and when she opened them began to walk toward the stairs leading up to the stage. She walked across the floor; trying so hard to ignore what everyone was saying and the looks they were giving her.

"Ah, there she is," the old lady said. "Now just sit right there." Donna was frozen. She looked out into the crown and saw the looks, heard the people talking, heard the laughs.

"Miss Weasley."

Donna looked up and saw the professor looking at her curiously. "Are you all right," she said. Donna closed her eyes and shook her head, trying to get all the noises out. Then she opened her eyes and nodded, putting on a fake smile.

"All right, then. Sit right here."

Donna walked stiffly to the stool then sat down. Her palms were sweaty and her nails were digging into the skin in her hand. Now Donna wasn't one to ever be nervous, but now she knew she was a nervous wreck.

She felt the hat being placed on her head and she closed her eyes.

"Ah, another Malfoy," the hat said. "I know just what to do with you-. Ah, but wait. What is this, a Weasley as well? Well, this is certainly unexpected. What to do with you now?

"I see you have plenty of courage, loyalty, not a bad mind either, and defiantly Slytherin traits run through your veins. But where to put you?"

"Not Slytherin," Donna began to whisper. "Anything but Slytherin. I'm a Weasley, no matter who my father is. Weasley's belong in Gryffindor, not Slytherin. Please, not Slytherin."

"Not Slytherin, eh," the hat said loudly. Donna opened her eyes and stared at all the people's faces in the crowd. "But it runs so strongly through both of your parents."

"No," Donna whispered. "My mother was in Gryffindor. She wasn't evil like a Slytherin. Please, not Slytherin. Not Slytherin."

"Ah, but you see, my dear. You do not know of your mother's past. You didn't see her sorting, you didn't see how she opened the Chamber of Secrets, you didn't see how much she pleaded, just as you are doing, to be placed in Gryffindor when I strongly recommended Slytherin, and you didn't see her sixth year. Yes, my dear, I see many things going on in this school."

Everyone's eyes were on Donna.

"Not Slytherin," she said, closing her eyes. "Not Slytherin, not Slytherin, not Slytherin, not Slytherin, not Slytherin..."

"Well, if you're sure," the hat said. "Better be...GRYFFINDOR!"

Donna opened her eyes and saw only two people clapping, and those people were Daniella and that Lillian Potans girl.

The hat was being taken off and Donna stood up. She walked over to the Gryffindor table and sat down next to Lillian.

"Hi," Lillian said. "I'm Lillian Potans. Call me Lily though."

"Donna Weasley," Donna said, smiling, at least somebody was being nice to her. "Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too," Lily said. "Well, despite what my dad says about his being the oddest sorting ever, I say yours beats his by a mile." Lily smiled.

Donna let out a little laugh and sighed. "I know," she said. "So who are all these people?" Donna was looking at all the professors at the High Table.

"Oh, well, the one on the far left is the Potions professor, Professor Snape, but everyone knows that the position he really wants is the Dark Arts job. The one next to him is -. Wait, did you say your last name was 'Weasley?'"

Donna was prepared to be rejected by this girl, the only girl in her house that would possibly befriend her, and said, "Yes. My mother was Ginny Weasley."

"Daddy says he knew your mother a long time ago," Lily said, surprising Donna. "When Ron comes over and asks how she is, he says he has-."

"Ron? Ron Weasley?" Donna asked.

"Yes, I believe he is your...uncle?"

"Yes...well...not really," Donna said, looking at the table.

"What? How are you not sure he is your uncle?"

"I've never met my mothers family or my fathers family," Donna whispered. "I've only met him, and it was very pleasant. Mum says I can't meet her family because of my father."

"Oh I'm sorry," Lily whispered putting a hand on Donna's shoulder. "I could try to help you meet you family. I mean, I know I will never really understand how you feel because I can't relate to it, but since my dad knows your mothers family, maybe he could like arrange for you to meet them."

"I don't think my mother would like that," Donna said looking down at the table.

"Oh, there's my cousin," Lily said, looking at the Hufflepuff table. "I'll talk to you later, okay?"

"Sure."

Lily got up and walked over the boy sitting across from Daniella and began to talk to him.

"Justin, I need you to help somebody," Lily whispered.

"NO! Not again, Lily," Justin whispered back. "You remember what happened the last time."

"Trust me, this girl is defiantly not your type and besides, she's too depressed to even like a boy. Plus, she's only eleven. You're almost sixteen. That would practically be rape. Please? Donna rea-."

"That Donna Weasley girl?"

"Yes, that Donna," Lily said really fast. "Please, Justin. She really needs somebody to talk to and since you grew up without knowing your father I think you could relate to her."

"Ah, but there's where you're wrong," Justin said. "I never knew my dad because he was murdered while my mum was pregnant with me. She never knew her dad because her dad is an arse and didn't even try to be a father to her. If Dad hadn't have been murdered then I would have a dad. If Draco Malfoy had tried she would have a dad. I do not relate to that girl at all."

"Justin," Lily said. "She needs help. I can't because I wouldn't know what to say. You would. Please. I know everyone will be giving her a hard time because of her parents. I just want you to watch out for her and hang out with her. Her only other friend is that Daniella girl sitting across from you. Please, Justin. Just talk to her, help her with her classes if she needs it, watch over her. Just make sure she doesn't get hurt - emotionally and physically."

"I can't prevent what people say to her. I can't be responsible for how she feels inside. I can only promise that I won't let anybody hurt her physically or that she doesn't hurt herself and that I won't let anybody make her feel like she needs to die."

"Does that mean you'll do it," Lily asked hopefully.

Justin sighed and said, "Yeah, fine. I'll do it."

"Oh, thank you so much," Lily whispered happily. "I'll introduce you to her later."

"Fine," Justin said. "Now go away. People are starting to get annoyed."

She smirked and then walked back over to Donna. She sat down and said, "I want you to meet my cousin. He's really nice. Trust me, you'll love him."

"When?" Donna asked.

"After the feast," Lily said.

"Okay," Donna said. Well, maybe she would have another friend by the end of the day. At least it was better than two.

"Let the feast begin," Dumbledore said. Donna jumped and looked over to the stage, surprised that every first year was sorted already. She had been in her own little world the whole time, well except when she was talking to Lily.

Donna looked at the table, but there was no food. Confused, Donna looked up at the Head Table thinking the old man was crazy then back at the table. She was shocked that food had magically appeared and stared at all the foods and wine, juices, and some drink called Butterbeer.

"Wow," Lily whispered. "That went by fast."

"I know," Donna said. "Anyway, let's eat." Lily smiled and started piling food on the table. Donna took about one of everything around her, except the prunes. "Yuck," is what she said when she saw them. Lily laughed and agreed.

A half hour later, Donna was stuffed. She had eaten a lot more than she thought she would but the food was just so good.

She looked over at Lily and saw her still eating. She wondered how somebody that looked so skinny could eat that much. Lily must have felt Donna looking at her because she looked up.

"Good food," Lily mumbled through a stuffed mouth. She swallowed it and looked over to Justin. "Actually, since I'm done eating - and I think you're probably done eating - I can introduce you and Justin right now. I see he's done too."

"Okay," Donna said, standing up. Lily got up as well and started walking towards Justin. Donna followed her, trying to ignore other people looking at her. Focus, Donna thought. Who cares what they think? They don't even know you. They don't know your mother. They don't know anything about you, your family, or your life. They can't judge you just because of your family. Ignore them.

"Donna," she heard Lily saying. Donna snapped out of her thoughts and looked at Lily. "This is my cousin, Justin. He's in his sixth year. Justin, this is Donna."

Donna looked up at Justin since he was taller than her by a lot. She held her breath when she looked into his eyes. They were blue, but a light blue. She felt as if she could look into his eyes forever. They were so light, but they were so deep. She knew that if she looked deep enough, she would be able to learn everything about him.

His hair was wavy and brown with little blonde marks streaked into it. It fell down to cover his ears and all Donna wanted to do was run her fingers through it. It looked so smooth, so silky.

"Nice to meet you, Donna," Justin said. He couldn't believe this was the Donna Weasley he had heard so much about. He had heard that she was pretty but this girl was beautiful. Up on the stage she had looked scared and young. But now when he was only two or three feet away from her, he knew better. Her eyes were so mysterious, so different. He'd never seen anybody with ice blue/gray eyes before. Her wavy blonde hair fell down past her shoulders. She was only eleven years old but she looked so much older. He'd noticed up on the stage that her shoulders had been kind of tensed - like she was carrying the weight of the world. But now, even tough they were still a little stiff, she had seemed to lighten up. She had this maturity that most girls - young girls - that Justin knew didn't. It attracted him, even though he knew it was wrong to feel this way for a girl who was so much younger than he was. But Justin had never seen any girl look like this.

Donna coughed before saying, "You too."

Lily could not believe this. She knew that things would be awkward - but not this awkward. She hadn't even imagined that Justin would be looking at Donna the way he was or that Donna could feel that way. She was only eleven after all and Lily had thought that with all the pressure about her family she would be too depressed to like a boy.

Confused, Lily stared at her cousin and Donna - wondering where this little meeting might lead.