Kings and Pawns, Emperors and Fools

The Sorting

Once outside Gabrielle started searching for Draco. Gabrielle saw him, and now Draco knew there was no escaping her.

"There you are," Gabrielle said to herself and made her way towards him.

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Draco could feel that she was looking for him. "It's best just to wait; she'll find me sooner or later."

Draco found his thoughts wandering to the past hour in the Train.

~Flash back~

"There are some basic rules on the behavior of students in Slytherin House," Draco lectured. "First of all, Slytherins will NOT speak to mudbloods unless they have to or are insulting them. The Weasleys--or rather the two that are still at Hogwarts--are NOT to be spoken with unless the two things I said before apply."

"Why don't we talk to the Weasleys?" Gabrielle asked innocently.

"They are purebloods that have ignored their duties that come with their blood inheritance," Draco explained.

"Which is?"

"Which is what?" Draco asked.

"What. Is. Their. D.U.T.Y.?" Gabrielle spelled out obviously irritated by Draco's lack of understanding. "What is their duty?"

Draco took a few deep breaths, and then he continued. "Their duty is to uphold the Old ways."

"Ok," Gabrielle replied. "But, what exactly are the 'Old ways'?"

Draco took a deep breath, "Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale, that's the key," he thought. "This woman was really pushing it, although my father would be very angry to say the least, if I lose my temper. Ok Draco, pull yourself together."

Draco finally said, "The Old ways are every pureblood's right."

"Can you define 'right'?" Gabrielle asked innocently. This was turning out to be fun.

"Are you STUPID or something?" Draco had finally lost his temper and was now yelling at Gabrielle. "How can you NOT know your right?!"

"Ah...but you forget one thing..."Gabrielle whispered into his ear. "I'm not a pureblood." Then her lips brushed his, and with that she stood up and walked out of the compartment.

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"That arrogant bitch!" Draco thought as he kicked a third year Hufflepuff. The poor boy fled in terror of the seventh year Slytherin.

Then he heard the soft voice of Gabrielle speaking in his ear. "Draco, you really have to control that temper of yours," Gabrielle taunted. "We mustn't seem rude."

"Piss off," Draco said angrily. "I'm in no mood for your sarcasm."

"Oh really?"

"Yes, so if you would excuse me, I must go and find a carriage," Draco said curtly.

Draco walked off, Gabrielle followed, and Crabbe and Goyle thumped after them.

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"Ewww! What are those things?!" Gabrielle screamed.

"Those are Thestrals," Draco answered not even giving them a second glance. "Only people that have watched someone snuff it can see them."

"Nice."

"Will you please just get into the carriage?" Draco asked irritably. "We're getting kind of late."

When they had all gotten in the carriage started moving. When they got to the castle Professor McGonagall was waiting for Gabrielle.

"Miss Malfete?"

"Yes."

"Please come with me." McGonagall swept off.

Gabrielle almost had to run to keep up with her.

"Now Miss Malfete, since you are a transfer student you shall have to be sorted with the first years," McGonagall said. "There are four houses, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin. I am the Head of Gryffindor house, Professor Flitwick is Head of Ravenclaw house, he will teach you charms; Professor Sprout is Head of Hufflepuff house, she will teach you Herbology; and Professor Snape is Head of Slytherin house, he will teach you potions. The students in your house will be your family. You can earn points by doing well in class and you can lose points for breaking the school rules. The house with the most points at the end of the year will get the house cup. There are house Quidditch teams; you may try out for your house team at the beginning of the Quidditch season. Any questions?"

"No professor," Gabrielle said.

"Good, wait here; I'm going to get the first years." McGonagall turned on her heel and disappeared down the corridor.

Professor McGonagall returned with a flock of first years following her.

"Miss Malfete, please follow me."

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The doors of the Great Hall opened; McGonagall led the new students through. Some of the first years gasped but most didn't. They were obviously of wizard family and had heard of the Great Hall.

"Hey, look!" Dean said to Seamus. "Look there's a new girl! She's hot!"

"Dean 'r' you talking about a first year?" Seamus said in disbelief. "You really are cracking up aren't you?"

"Shut up Seamus! I'm not talking about a first year! Look over there; she's probably a seventh year."

"Wow..."

"Yeah, and if she's sorted into Gryffindor, Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff she's mine," Dean said to Seamus.

"Ok, you can have her. But don't come running to me when she picks me instead of you!"

"She won't do that, do you think she's insane or something?" Dean said, "Everybody knows that I'm the brains of this operation, and of course the looks; but you are just my co-conspirator!"

"Says who?"

"Says me!"

"Oh really?"

"Yeah!"

"Come on! Will you two stop acting like babies?" Hermione asked.

"Stay out of it!" Both Dean and Seamus yelled at her.

Then they continued trying to strangle each other.

"Don't worry, they'll stop eventually," Harry said.

"Yeah, I suppose."

"Shut up you two, the ceremony's starting!" Ron yelled.

"This year we have an exchange student from Beauxbatons. She's a seventh year and I expect all of you no mater in what house you are to give her a warm welcome," McGonagall said and gave each house a stern look. "Malfete, Gabrielle."

Gabrielle sat down on the chair and the hat was placed on her head.

"Hello," a small voice said into her ear. "Now let's see."

"See what?" Gabrielle thought.

"Where you belong of course."

"Oh."

"Now, there are lots of brains in here, you are brave, hmmm.....but only when it has anything to do with you, you despise rules and authority a fine quality for Slytherin though I doubt that they will take you immediately. You could be in Gryffindor...but, because of your father that won't work out... Ok, SLYTHERIN!!!!"

Gabrielle stood up and walked to the Slytherin-table, the Slytherins cheered like mad. Gabrielle sat down beside Draco.

"That wasn't so bad was it?" Draco asked sarcastically.

"Fuck you."

"I'd rather fuck you."

"Creep."

"Thanks."

The feast began and everybody seemed to be eating away their fears, though a dull memory of the war altered the seventh year student's happiness for after this year many of them were to go and fight for either Voldemort or Dumbledore.