Chapter 6
It was the last day before classes started. Ally was laying on her bed, staring at the ceiling, pondering her life. She had spent most of the week touring and castle and getting to know her new friends. It was odd having friends.
Ally had spent the majority of her childhood in hiding. She never had any friends, and she never quite understood why she was always alone. Her mother, Bella LeStrange, had turned it into a game. “It’s just like hide and seek.” Her mother used to say. “Except they never find you.” Ally hadn’t seen her mother very much. She was always away. Narcissa claimed her mother was off doing business, whatever “business” was. Narcissa had raised her. Ally didn’t know who Narcissa was to her mother. She just knew that her mother trusted Narcissa enough to raise her. Narcissa would never stay for long either. Ally was often left alone.
As Ally grew older, her mother would come home less and less. But Ally knew deep down that she wasn’t raised in a home. This wasn’t her mothers home. This was where she was hiding Ally. It was no more than a hideout. Sometimes when her mother came, she would pace back and forth in the living room, whispering under her breath and ticking every few moments.
Ally had few happy memories of her mother. Most of her happy memories were with Narcissa, especially during the few times Narcissa brought Ally to the sweets shop or to a quidditch game.
She had never thought much about how absent her mother was. It was normal. But now, as Ally sighed and turned her head to look out the window, she wondered why her mother hadn’t come to say goodbye.
Ally hauled herself off the bed and left the girl’s dorms. She trotted downstairs to find the Slytherin common room filled with people. It seemed that she was not the only one who had gotten back after a long day. Slytherin students lounged around, chatting about the first week of school and the things to come this school year.
Draco sat on a table off to the side. Crabb and Goyle sat on chairs beside him, as if they were dogs waiting for a command from their master. Draco cleared his throat and loudly addressed the first and second year students that were chatting nearby. “The students coming into Hogwarts each year are really getting worse and worse, aren’t they?” He sighed. “But then again, families like the Weasleys can’t help it.” A first year girl named Pansy chirped up. “Well I mean, this is what? Their 15th kid? They must be running out of talent to pass down.” Draco laughed. “Not that they had much magical talent to begin with. I bet the next one will be a Squib.”
A chill went down Ally’s spine as the first and second years laughed. Some gave an awkward chuckle, but others gave an evil cackle at Draco’s cruel remarks. Ally strolled towards them. The cold glint in Draco’s eyes was new.
“Although, I’m starting to wonder if this Weasley is a squib. He’s certainly stupid enough to be one. Did you here that he fell off his boat on the way here?” Another round of chuckles and cackles.
Ally locked eyes with Draco as he turned his head in her direction. The cold glint in his eyes faltered. “Don’t worry, Draco. I’m sure Ron’s parents tried their best.” Ally’s velvet voice smoothed over the student’s ears. “They did better than your parents did. But I’m sure they weren’t that hard to top.” Draco’s eyebrows snapped together in a glare. He opened his mouth to give a retort, but Ally beat him to it. “Oh don’t worry, Draco. I’m sure your parents tried their best as well.” She looked him up and down. “But maybe it wasn’t their fault you turned out to be so…” Her expression conveyed everything without having to say words. She brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and turned on her heel. Ally was out the door before Draco could snap back.
Ally met up with her new friends in a courtyard outside. Ron and Willow were concentrating on a game of Wizards Chess as Hermione and Luna talked next to Willow. There was an open seat next to Ron. When Ally sat down, Luna smiled at her. Her smiled disappeared. “Why the sour face?” Luna asked. Ally shrugged. “I’m fine. One of the Slytherin first years was just being a brat.” Hermione scoffed. “Wouldn’t be surprised if it was Draco.” Ally sighed. “Yeah…..he’s a very odd person.” Luna frowned. “He doesn’t seem very nice.”
“He was making fun of Ron’s family.” Ron’s head snapped up. “What?” He stared at Ally. She stared back. “He was just trying to get attention. You should’ve seen the look on his face thought when I clapped back.” Ally smirked. Ron looked confused. “You…defended me?” Ally shifted. “Well…..yeah.” Ron smiled. “Oh, well, thanks.” Ally gave him a nod and Willow nudged his shoulder. “Your turn, Ron.” Ron glanced back at the game.
Ally turned back to Hermione and Luna. “What’s everyone’s schedules? I wonder if we have any classes together.” Hermione whipped out a notebook and slipped to a page. “Here. I’ve already written down my schedule, and I made everyone write down theirs as well. Your turn.” She pushed the book towards Ally and handed her a quill. Ally jotted down her classes as her eyes rolled over everyone else’s.
“We all have defense against the dark arts, potions, charms, and flying lessons together.” Ally said. Luna smiled. “Then we will see plenty of each other.” Ally passed the notebook back to Hermione. “And of course we’ll have time to all hang out outside of classes.” Hermione replied. Ally shared a smile with her friends.