Kings and Pawns, Emperors and Fools

The Encounter

'Finally!' Ron said as the train started to slow down.

Hermione looked out the window, as the small all-wizard town of Hogsmeade came into view.

'Harry, Ron, I have to go do my duty as Head Girl, ok?' Hermione asked.

'Yeah, sure,' Harry said. Hermione was elected Head Girl; the Head Boy was Guy Harrington of Ravenclaw.

Hermione walked out of the compartment and looked around.

'Hi,' a voice said behind her.

Hermione spun around to face the voice's owner. It was the new girl.

'Hi, I'm Hermione Granger,' Hermione said.

'Gabrielle Malfete.' The two girls shook hands.

'Malfete? That sounds very like Malfoy. Are you related to the Malfoys?' Hermione asked politely.

'Yes, I'm from the French branch of the family.'

Hermione looked at her with suspicion in her eyes.

'Oh, don't worry; I'm not like that inbred lot. I'm not even a pureblood, my mom's a muggle,' Gabrielle explained.

'Inbred?' Hermione asked.

'Yeah, the pureblood families are all more or less inbred,' Gabrielle said.

'Really?' Hermione said. 'I knew that the purebloods were related in one way or another, but inbred? Never thought of it that way.'

Gabrielle was undeniably beautiful; her eyes were of a deep forest green with long, thick eyelashes. Her hair was black. She wore it tumbling down her back. Her skin was pale, though her cheeks had an uncommon rosyness. Gabrielle's lips were full and had a natural red color. Gabrielle didn't seem to wear make-up.

'What house do you think you'll be sorted into?'

'Err....I think I'll be sorted into Slytherin,' Gabrielle said.

'Mmh...' Hermione said thoughtfully. 'Do you really think you belong in that house?'

'I don't know, all my family has been in Slytherin,' Gabrielle said. 'Why do you ask?'

'You just seem so nice,' Hermione said.

The train had stopped at Hogsmeade station. Hermione had to hurry if she was to escort the first years to Hagrid. At that moment Draco Malfoy stepped out of his compartment; both girls, being shorter than Malfoy, looked up.

'Gabrielle! What are you doing with that mudblood?' Draco asked with disgust in his voice. 'That mudblood's far beneath you! And you know it!'

Gabrielle's eyes grew hard as did her voice. 'I can talk to whomever I wish.'

'Are you talking to that mudblood just to get me pissed off?' Draco said with venom in his voice.

'I would rather prefer the company of muggle born witches and wizards than you and your stupid friends,' Gabrielle said with equal venom.

'Your father won't be pleased with your behavior,' Draco said. He was obviously threatening her.

'Unlike you, I don't give a rat's ass whether my father approves or not of my doing,' Gabrielle said, daring him to say something.

'Oh, do what you will, see if I care!' Draco said and stormed out of the train in anger.

'Asshole,' Gabrielle mumbled. In a louder voice she said, 'I must be going now, goodbye.'

And with that she walked out leaving a very confused Hermione behind.