Mixed Blood

Chapter Four

"Serena?" said a friendly voice the next morning.

Serena rolled over and peered through the curtains of her four-poster. Hermione stood outside the curtains looking in on her.

"What is it Hermione? It's Sunday." She groaned as she sat up.

"Yes, it is..."

"Well then what's the matter?"

"I was just wondering if you were awake that's all..."

"Hermione, you know better than to beat around the bush with me. If there's something you want to say or ask then just do so." Serena now parted the curtains, so she could see Hermione.

"I don't want to lecture you, and nor do I want to be nosey, but what was up with you and Malfoy last night?"

"Nothing...why?"

"You had your head on his shoulder while you were dancing."

"I was getting tired. There is absolutely nothing between Malfoy and myself. I mean we're not even friends!"

"Then why were you dancing with him in the first place?"

"He asked me to. He had over heard Harry say happy birthday when he was giving me this chain. So he asked me to dance that is all. It was just for my birthday."

"Well that's not a big deal then is it? But just so you know you still have his cape." Hermione said going over to Serena's nightstand and picking up Malfoy's cape.

"Oh shit...I totally forgot I was wearing that." Serena said, a look of worry crossed her face. "Umm, how's Harry?"

"I'm not to sure, I haven't seen him yet. But you should get dressed. Don't forget you have to go to Dumbledore's office today."

"Yeah, thanks."

Halloween fell on a Saturday this year, and since it was a Sunday, that meant there were no classes, so Serena put on her scarlet and gold Phoenix Gate robes. She was rather proud of these robes, and she missed her home very much. Whenever she had a chance, she would wear these robes.

"Harry has quidditch practice today doesn't he?" Serena asked Hermione, who was revising their Charms textbook.

"Yes, at three o'clock." Hermione told her. "Why?"

"I promised him I would come and help out if I could," Serena told her as she pulled her hair back into a ponytail, "but I'm not sure he'd want me to come anymore."

"Trust me Serena, he would love to have you out there. If he's upset about the dance last night, he'll get over it, don't worry."

"Yeah, I'll worry about it later. Have you eaten breakfast yet?"

"No I've only been up for a few minutes myself."

Hermione put her bookmark in her book, and the two girls went down to the Great Hall for breakfast.

There weren't very many students in the Great Hall that morning. I was around nine o'clock and it was the morning after a dance after all. It was more than likely that everyone was still asleep.

Serena made herself a bowl of fruit and poured herself a glass of milk, Hermione ate a bit of toast with marmalade on it. Hermione read her book as Serena poked at her fruit. She directed her attention to a nearby window. She could see the Quidditch Pitch from here. She noticed seven little green specks flying around the pitch. The Slytherin team was up and practicing rather early. Malfoy must want to beat Harry very badly this year.

The day seemed to drag on. Serena and Hermione spent most of their time in the library revising potions and charms. They skipped lunch to go down to the greenhouses to check on their seedlings. It appeared that Hermione and Serena had received the same seeds.

It was nearly two o'clock and the two of them hadn't seen any sign of Harry or Ron all day. Serena was beginning to worry that Harry was avoiding her. She was getting so worried that she hadn't noticed where she and Hermione were headed until she came face to face with a stone gargoyle.

"Well I'll see you back in the common room." Hermione said as she turned around. "I expect they'll all be here soon, and don't forget about Harry's practice. I think he's expecting you to be there."

"Ok..."Serena said blankly as Hermione walked away.

It wasn't long until Danielle Aaron and Samantha Neaves came. Soon after that professor McGonagall came with Dumbledore, and a girl in emerald green robes, whose face was covered by her hood. Malfoy was late, as expected. Danielle began to giggle when Samantha whispered something to her and pointed at Malfoy, as he sauntered down the hallway toward them.

Malfoy had clearly just gotten out of his quidditch practice. His hair wasn't combed back neatly as it usually was, it was all over the place. He was covered in sweat, and he was still wearing his green quidditch robes. He held his new broomstick in his had, a Firebolt 2000. Serena could see that he was wearing a white muscle shirt (a tank top), which clung to his sweaty chest. You would never know that under his school robes Malfoy was very well defined.

"It's about time Mr Malfoy. I trust that your practice went well?" Dumbledore asked.

"Yes, of course professor." Malfoy said. "My apologies for being late."

* Kiss ass. * Serena thought as she rolled her eyes.

"Alright then, pumpkin juice," Dumbledore said and the gargoyle moved out of their way. "Follow me."

Serena and Malfoy followed everyone up the long staircase to the Headmaster's office. Malfoy suddenly stopped and turned around to face Serena.

"What are you doing? Get going Malfoy." Serena said trying to get passed him.

"Let's make a bet."

"You have got to be kidding right?"

"No I'm serious. Let's make a bet as to which house she's going to be sorted into. How do ten galleons sound?" Malfoy said. "My guess is that she's going to be in Ravenclaw."

"How does fifty sound to you?" Serena said.

"Fifty?"

"Yeah, ten is nothing, I'll bet you fifty that she's a Slytherin."

Malfoy looked at her for a moment contemplating whether or not to make the bet final. He stuck out his hand and Serena shook it. They then continued on their way up the stairs.

Once they arrived at Dumbledore's office, Morigan was sitting in the same chair Serena had been sitting in when she was sorted. Professor McGonagall was holding the Sorting Hat in her hand.

"Miss McLeod, I'm going to have to ask you to remove your hood my dear." Professor Dumbledore asked politely.

Morigan pulled her hood down slowly. She had long, curly, copper coloured hair. Her eyes were bright green, just like Harry's, and her skin was a soft creamy colour.

"Alright then." McGonagall said as she put the Sorting Hat on Morigan's head.

Seconds later after, the hat had made it's decision. "SLYTHERIN!"

Serena looked a Malfoy with an "I told you so" grin on her face. Malfoy turned away and faced Dumbledore.

"Alright then. You will go with Mr Malfoy. It's nearly three o'clock, there's plenty of time for you to show her around the school before dinner." Dumbledore said to Malfoy and Morigan.

"Yes professor." Malfoy said.

"Here's her time schedule, now have a good afternoon." Dumbledore said as the five students left his office.

Serena hurried back down to the Entrance Hall, and out the doors. She ran the whole way to the Quidditch Pitch. It was an unusually warm day outside, especially considering the fact that it was November first. She saw Harry and his team sitting in a circle in the middle of the pitch.

"Oy! Serena, we've been waiting for you!" Ron shouted to her, as he waved.

Serena's heart gave a leap; she was relieved to hear that. When she saw Harry's face, her heart sank again. Harry didn't look it, but he was glad that she came. Serena joined the circle and Harry began to explain what they were going to be doing during this practice.

"Well, well, well Potter. This is your amazing team is it?" said a drawling voice from behind them.

"What do you want Malfoy?" Harry said through clenched teeth.

"I've come to pay Valmont fifty galleons, Potter. We made a bet earlier and she won." Malfoy said throwing a pouch full of coins at them.

"Well you paid her, now get lost." Ron said.

"You're not on the team are you Valmont? I didn't think you knew how to fly." Malfoy sneered.

"I...I just learned..."Serena mumbled.

"I'll bet she can fly just fine." Harry said as he stood up. "Come on Serena, show him."

"But Harry, I..."

"Ha! I think she's scared Potter. You shouldn't force her to do it you know. It doesn't surprise me that she's afraid. That's why quidditch shouldn't be a girls sport."

"Back to normal I see Malfoy?" Serena said, quietly looking down at the grass.

"I told you not to get used to it," He said under his breath.

"Serena will race you." Ron said.

"I'll what?"

"I think not! She wouldn't stand a chance, and you know it Weasley. She doesn't even have a broomstick."

"Oh don't look so smug and confident Malfoy." Harry said. "Since you seem to be in a betting mood today, I will bet you a hundred galleons that she will race you and win."

"I'll bet you three hundred." Ron said.

"Weasley you don't even have three hundred galleons."

"After she beats you I will." Ron said.

"You realize that when she loses I am going to own you Weasley?" Malfoy said. "You would make a great slave. What do you say Valmont? Are you in or are you out?"

"Accio!" Serena said holding her hand up in the air.

Seconds later a racing broom came to Serena. The smooth handle gently placed itself into the palm of her hand. Everyone looked at the broom in awe. It was the newest broomstick, and it was said to be the best. It was perfect from the smooth, gold painted handle, all the way down to each perfectly placed and straight twigs at the end, and they two were painted gold. The handle was in a way shaped like a bolt of lightning.

"I will bet you my Lightning Storm that I'm going to kick your spoiled little rich boy ass." She said as she mounted her broomstick and shot off up into the air.

She circled Malfoy a few times and landed.

"Alright then. If by some miracle that I should lose, what do I have to give you?" Malfoy said crossing his arms over his chest.

"Five Nimbus two thousand and ones." Serena said simply.

"Are you mad!" Malfoy said, his blue-grey eyes as big as saucers. "Four hundred galleons, and five nimbus two thousand and ones!"

"Trust me, if you should win, my Lightning Storm cost me more than all of that."

"Accio." Malfoy said with a sneer, and his Firebolt two thousand came flying into his hand.

They both mounted their brooms and kicked off the ground. Harry pulled his wand out of his pocket and held it up in the air.

"Directus indicatus." He said.

A bright golden line flew out of the tip of Harry's wand. He traced a pattern into the air that swivelled and dipped down really low, and even did loop-the-loops.

"You will follow the line exactly. The first person to not follow the pattern will be determined the loser. You must follow it all the way around and the end is here where you started, is that understood?" Serena and Malfoy nodded. "Also, no funny stuff either of you! This is only a race save the ruff stuff for the games."

"Takes all the fun out of it doesn't he?" Malfoy said with a grin.

"On my whistle then," Ron said holding a whistle up to his mouth. "Three, two, one..." And the whistle blew.

"See you back at the finish, Valmont!" Malfoy said as he sped off.

The two sped around the pitch like bullets. They followed Harry's gold line precisely. They swerved and dove with ease, and the loop-the-loop was a breeze. The only problem was that neither one of them was winning.

Malfoy gave a burst of speed and took the lead as they neared the end. Serena smirked as she too gave a burst of speed. She sped past Malfoy and stuck her tongue out at him as she did so. She zipped past the finish line and landed with ease. Malfoy was so stunned at his loss, that he and his broom made a perfect nosedive straight into the ground with a soft thud.

"Betcha didn't know an amateur could fly like that huh Malfoy?" Ginny said as Malfoy sat in the grass.

"Now I believe the deal was if she won you owe us five new brooms?" Harry said.

"And four hundred gold galleons," Ron added quickly.

"Forget that, we can spare him some embarrassment with his father. Imagine his father's expression when he tells him why he needs five new brooms." Ginny said. "Besides Ron, we don't need the money, Fred and George are doing great with Weasley's Wizard Wheezes."

"On top of that, we have a Firebolt and a Lightning Storm. Malfoy's team has all Firebolts, well except for his Firebolt two thousand. At least we stand a good chance now right? A better chance than we did on those clean sweep sevens anyway."

Serena held her broom out to Harry, assuming he wanted to use it for himself when he plays. But Harry wrapped his right arm around Serena's shoulders and faced Malfoy.

"Meet our new Seeker Malfoy." Harry said with a huge grin. "We begin her training immediately."

"Ha! That was beginners luck, she won't stand a chance in a real game." Malfoy said.

"When we meet at the match, we'll see if she can out seek you or not." Harry said.

"Until then get lost!" Ron said.

"Yeah the new girl's waiting for you, and we don't watch you practice." Ginny piped in.

"Fine, until we play. Good luck, Valmont, you're going to need it." He said as he and Morigan walked away from the pitch.

"Don't I know it..." Serena mumbled to herself.

"Now then, you all know what to do, Ron and Seamus, you two will be practicing without me today." Harry said.

Everyone mounted their brooms and shot up into the air.

"Harry I don't think this is a good idea..." Serena said.

"Yes well, you've proven that you don't always think Serena." Harry hissed at her.

"Alright, you know what? Scratch this! I am not going to train with you!" Serena shouted at Harry. "Oh wait is that a good idea, Potter? I can't seem to think properly anymore. Why don't you help me out captain!"

Harry rolled his eyes. "That's not what I meant..."

"Well then what did you mean Harry?" She said glaring at Harry, a hint of red glowing in her eyes. "I'm not allowed to dance with Malfoy at a school dance? I'm only allowed to dance with you and Ron?"

"No you can dance with anyone, just not Malfoy!" Harry said getting frustrated.

"Right, well then perhaps this 'training session' can wait Harry Potter. I don't even want to look at you right now." Serena said as she stormed back to the castle. "I'll train on my own later!"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Serena? Why aren't you sitting with Ron and Harry?" Hermione asked at dinner.

"I am not talking to Harry at this point in time." She said stabbing a knife into a pork chop.

"The 'Malfoy thing' huh?" Hermione said sitting down beside Serena.

"You know he acts as though I'm his girlfriend. I'm not allowed to talk to another guy, especially Malfoy, not that there's anything there anyway. It just infuriates me!"

"He's a boy, Ron was like that in our fourth year. It'll blow over; just give it a little time."

"I know, and I'll get over it when he apologizes."

"He will. I don't think he'll be able to go on if you're angry with him for the rest of the year."

Serena and Hermione ate quickly; Serena had asked Hermione to help her with her self-training. They had gone up to Gryffindor Tower to get Serena's broomstick. Hermione watched Serena as they walked down to the Quidditch Pitch. By the look on her face, there was something troubling her.

"What is it Serena?" Hermione asked.

"I'm just thinking about how similar I am to Harry that's all." Serena replied.

"How so?"

"Well the hat wanted to put me in Slytherin, just like Harry, but it changed its mind at the last second, and I'm a parseltongue like him too. He has an explanation for it, I don't."

"Well you are in Gryffindor for a reason, otherwise you would be in Slytherin."

"True enough, but sometimes I think maybe it made a mistake."

"The Sorting Hat never makes mistakes Serena."

"I know...but I just...I dunno...I wonder sometimes that's all. Gryffindor or Slytherin, either way I still wouldn't put up with Malfoy's bullshit. That's just the way I am. The way he talks to muggle borns it's just plain ignorant. Pure bloods aren't perfect, believe me I know."

Hermione smiled and threw an enchanted golf ball into the air. She charmed it to glow faintly since it was dark outside now. Serena mounted her broomstick, and took to the air. Hermione watched her for a while. She progressively got better every time she caught the golf ball and let it go she would wait a minute before going after it again. After an hour or so, Serena was catching the ball in a matter of moments. They had decided to call it a night and headed back for the castle.

"I don't know about you, but I need a shower. I'll be in the prefect's bathroom if you need me." Serena said.

"Alright, I'm going to go study for my Arithmancy exam."

The girls went down separate corridors.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Serena undressed and stepped into the pool-sized bath. She turned one of the taps, blue and pink bubbles streamed out of it. The room was filled with the gentle smell of morning dew and roses. She leaned back against the ledge and closed her eyes. Images of her childhood flashed through her mind. The first time she rode a muggle bicycle, the first spell she had ever cast. Then images of recent things flashed through her mind, and then something she had never seen before, Morigan's face, and Malfoy. A dagger came clearly into her mind. It was a beautiful thing, it resembled a silver snake. Someone's hand was clasped around the handle of the dagger. Then the dagger came down hard, and tore through skin. She saw blood, lots of blood.

Serena's eyes shot open and she sat up. She began to think about this new vision of hers. She had never seen a dagger like that before, and what did it have to do with Morigan and Malfoy?

She stood and got out of the bath. She walked over to a small closet and took out a black Hogwarts bathrobe. She stood in front of a mirror without actually looking inside it. She began to think about the day's events trying to ignore the vision. It wasn't like her to get so angry like that. She was furious with Harry and she still was. Who did he think he was, treating her like a possession that he didn't want to share with the other children. The more she thought about it the angrier she became. She sighed and ran her hand through her hair.

"Ow!" as a burning sensation suddenly appeared in her right thigh.

She lifted the bathrobe so she could see the area where it was burning. She looked at it for a moment, there was nothing there, although it was burning terribly. She ran her fingers over it, and it felt hot. Her eyes grew wide as a thin 'S' shaped line appeared before her eyes.

"What's going on?" She whispered to herself.

The pain in her thigh subsided and she left the bathroom. Now she had this strange burning mark to think about, on top of how angry she was with Harry, and the vision she had in the bath. She was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she wasn't paying attention to where she was going.

"Hey, watch it!" said a boy as she ran into him, and she lost her balance. Luckily he aught her before she could hit the ground.

"S-sorry." She said looking at who saved her from yet more pain.

She found herself looking into the moonlit eyes of Draco Malfoy.

"You alright, Valmont? You look like hell." He said looking into her eyes.

What happened next, neither one of them could explain. She wrapped her arms around Malfoy's neck and began to kiss him. This surprised him a little, and it took him a moment to realise what she was doing. But after a moment he wrapped his arms around her, and they passionately kissed each other.

Minutes passed and they finally broke apart, both of them breathless. Malfoy looked down at Serena, and she looked into his eyes. His eyes were so mesmerizing and beautiful. Perhaps it was the bubble bath, but the way the moonlight was touching him, Serena found him to be unbelievably attractive. She had noticed that he had no shirt on, and that he was wearing pyjama pants, his hair was tousled, even before she decided to have a go with him.

"Not that I mind, but why did we just do that? And where are your clothes?" He asked once he caught his breath.

"My clothes were dirty, I just took a bath. Where's your shirt? Not that I mind looking..." she said with a shrug.

"I went to bed after dinner, I just got up to go to the loo and I was on my way back when I ran into you. You still didn't tell me why..."

"Some questions are better left unanswered Malfoy." She said.

Malfoy raised and eyebrow, but he didn't question her. She smiled a soft smile as she looked out the window. They stood in silence for a while, and Serena thought about how angry she was at Harry. The thought of how nice it was to kiss Malfoy without caring what anyone thought made her feel at ease. The burning in her leg returned but she ignored it.

She hugged Malfoy and thanked him for not letting her fall. He hugged her back. He looked over her shoulder and saw something glisten in the moonlight. She pulled away from Malfoy as Harry came out of the shadows. It was clear to both of them that Harry was pissed off.

"Don't even think about it Potter!" Draco said as he pushed Serena aside.

"I don't want to hear it Malfoy, I don't want to know what kind of spell you used on her, and I don't care either!" Harry said as he hit Draco in the ribs.

The two boys began to fight fiercely in the hallway as Serena watched. She wasn't scared for either of them and she didn't really want to stop them either. In fact she was trying hard not to giggle. She was enjoying every bit of this, except for the fact that her leg was burning more now than it did before however she continued to ignore it.

"Alright! Alright! Stop it both of you!" Someone shouted from the shadows.

Serena stopped giggling and glared in the direction of the voice. She was enjoying the fighting, how dare they stop it.

Hermione came into the light.

"I don't want to know what's going on here, and nor do I care to know, but may I suggest that we all return to our common rooms and talk about it tomorrow?" She said stepping between the two boys.

Harry and Draco glared at each other as Hermione began to heal Harry's cuts and bruises.

"Now I'm not going to tell anyone about your little brawl tonight, and I don't want anyone to know about it either. For the sake of both houses I think that would be best."

Serena smirked and began to heal Draco's cuts as well. She looked up at him as she healed him, and smiled. He raised an eyebrow, what he would give to know what she was thinking.

"Let's go Serena, I think you should go get some clothes on." Hermione said as she and Harry turned to go back to Gryffindor Tower.

Serena smiled.

"That was fun wasn't it? Perhaps another time Draco." She said as she too returned to Gryffindor Tower.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~