His breath was coming in short gasps as he stopped to decide which way to go. He could not believe that this had happened; it was not supposed to happen this way. All he wanted to do was talk to her, confront her about the accusations and rumors spreading through the staff and the students at the school. He could not believe she was gone now. He no longer had his wand, and the crazed young man chasing him was out for blood. He had to get off the school grounds, and then he could Apparate home and think.
-----
Emaline took in her surroundings as she stared out at the students that were starting to fill up the Great Hall. She pushed her square-framed glasses further up her nose and then blew a strand of hair out of the way. The hall was huge with an enchanted ceiling that reflected the clear, starry night. Unfortunately, the hall was not even half full. The return of the Dark Lord and the death of Professor Dumbledore at the school had caused many parents to keep their children at home this year. Perhaps that was why she had agreed to take this post. She was not a teacher; she was an Auror in training. However, she owed Headmistress McGonagall a favor, so here she was.
Sitting on her right was an extremely large man, twice the size of a normal human being. He had a funny smell emitting from the fury coat he was wearing, and twice she had knocked over his pink umbrella. Hagrid had been the grounds keeper when she was a student here, she was pleased to find out he was now the Care of Magical Creatures professor. She had always liked him; he reminded her of an overgrown puppy. She never had been able to resist a puppy.
Headmistress McGonagall had just finished welcoming the few students back and greeting the five new students. Oddly, all of them had been Sorted into Gryffindor, probably due to the fact that it took bravery to even show up. Upon closer examination, most of the students in the Great Hall were Gryffindors. There was a fair share of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw students, but only ten Slytherin students.
Emaline was startled out of her thoughts when Professor McGonagall stood and started to speak again. “I would also like for you all to meet the person who has so graciously agreed to be our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. She may appear young, but I assure you she is quite skilled, having studied defense against the Dark Arts abroad since her own graduation from Hogwarts nine years ago. Add the fact that she is in her final year of training as an Auror shadowing none other than Alastor Moody, and you will agree she is quite ready to take on this task. I hope you will all join me in greeting Professor Latham to our school.”
Emaline stood and gave a small wave, a low murmur began to fill the room and she watched the students turn excitedly to one another. She had the uncomfortable feeling they were talking about her. She took in the older students and had her first major doubts when she saw that many of the boys were obviously taller than her, and a few were sporting facial hair. At twenty-six years, she may have been knowledgeable in defense against the Dark Arts but she still was not sure about her teaching abilities.
Near the back of the room, she she saw a familiar face. Even if she had not seen his red hair first, she would have been able to pick out a Weasley in any room. Charlie had looked almost the same as this young man when he was sixteen.
When the tables had cleared and the students began to leave, Emaline noticed the old caretaker, Filch, making his way towards the head table. The man and his cat were still just as creepy as they had been when she was here. He said something to Professor McGonagall, and her eyes narrowed.
“Emaline, would you mind accompanying me?” The small smile she gave was tight and made the request seem less like a question and more like a command.
“Of course, Minerva, whatever you need.”
The two women made their way to a small receiving room on the first floor. As they stepped into the room used for parent conferences, Emaline noticed a tall, slender woman with long golden hair. Her robes, once very crisp and fashionable, appeared worn. Her back was ramrod straight; however, when she turned to face them, the strain of the past years showed in the lines around her eyes and mouth.
“Mrs. Malfoy, what brings you here?” If Professor McGonagall was surprised to see this woman, it did not show in her voice. Shehad been informed by the caretaker that he had showed her into this room. Emaline, however, was tense and ready for a confrontation.
“I have come to ask that my son be allowed to return to school this year. Everyone knows that he did not kill Dumbledore. I also agree, rather reluctantly, that this is indeed the safest place for our children.” Her haughty tone raked Emaline’s nerves.
“Do you really think that is wise, given what he did last year?” Emaline did not try to hide her irritation. “He may not have killed Professor Dumbledore, but he did help it happen.”
Looking her up and down, Narcissa looked pointedly at her, “Who are you?”
“This is our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Emaline Latham,” Professor McGonagall stated flatly.
Narcissa’s eyebrows almost disappeared into her hairline. “A bit young, don’t you think? I mean, the tight bun and the glasses are a nice try, but the matronly disguise is a little useless. You can’t be much older than the students themselves.” Narcissa continued to assess Emaline with her cool gaze.
Emaline opened her mouth to defend herself but was cut off with a glance from Professor McGonagall. “Mrs. Malfoy, I have to agree with Professor Latham. This would not be the ideal environment for Mr. Malfoy. Given the circumstances of last term, I do not think that the other students would accept him being here.”
“I don’t give a damn what the other students think about me. I really don’t want to be here either, but I seem to have no choice in the matter,” Draco’s silky voice slid out of the shadows of the room.
Emaline’s eyes widened as the young man stepped into the light. His pale, blond hair hung to his shoulders and into his eyes. He was unshaven and wearing blue jeans and a tight-fitting brown shirt. However, his unkempt appearance could not hide his good looks or proper upbringing. The imprisonment of his father and the theft of their fortunes by the other Death Eaters had obviously taken its toll on this family.
Professor McGonagall was startled by his appearance too. “Mr. Malfoy, you should not lurk in the shadows. May I ask why you think you should be allowed to return to the school?”
“I don’t want to return here. However, my mother has been convinced that the school is even safer now than it has ever been, and I am currently a wanted man. The Dark Lord dealt swiftly with Professor Snape for interfering, and we are next on his list. The simple truth is that I need a place to hide, and I doubt he would think to look for me here.”
Emaline furrowed her brow, “We?”
Narcissa turned her contempt on Emaline, “To put it so that you will understand,we went against the Dark Lord, and we are now on the run. While I have many places that I can go to, I would feel better knowing that my son was in one place where he might not be found and out of the Dark Lord’s reach. He was almost taken by Death Eaters this summer. I do not wish there to be a repeat of that incident.” Narcissa glared hard at Emaline when she made the last statement.
“I see.” Professor McGonagall stared at Draco as she considered her options. “IF I let him stay, there will be a few ground rules that he must abide by. First off, he will only be allowed a wand when in class. Second, he will have an escort at all times, be it a teacher or another seventh year student. He will not be allowed to leave the school grounds for any reason or during any holiday. And he must submit to random searches conducted by myself or his Head of House.” Professor McGonagall looked at Draco while repeating the rules as if daring him to object.
After a few tense moments, Narcissa agreed to the rules, and Draco gave a curt nod of assent. Professor McGonagall reached for a blank parchment and touched her wand to it. The rules appeared on the page and beneath, a place for Narcissa and Draco to both sign.
Minerva started to hand them a quill when Emaline stopped them. “I think that we should use this quill.” She withdrew a quill from her robes that she had found in her office and handed it to Narcissa.
Narcissa gasped when the first stroke of the pen created a bright red welt to appear on the back of her hand. Draco grabbed his mother’s hand and glared at Emaline. “What is this?”
“Contracts signed in blood are much more Unbreakable.” Emaline’s light brown stare was just as cold as Draco’s pewter one.
Professor McGonagall gave Emaline an odd look when she saw the quill that had been left behind by Dolores Umbridge. "Miss Latham, I don't think it is apropriate to use this quill..."
"It's fine, if this will ensure my son's safety." Narcissa signed the paper, and then rubbed her hand where it was stinging. Draco glared at Emaline then quickly signed his own name. He pushed so hard and quick that blood dripped off the back of his hand and onto the page before the wound sealed itself.
“Professor Latham will escort you to your common room. She is your new Head of House.” Rolling the parchment and sealing it, she turned her eyes to Narcissa. “If he breaks any of these rules, I will turn him over to Voldemort myself.”
Emaline heard Narcissa gasp as she led Draco Malfoy out the room. She then turned and extended her hand to Draco. “Give me your wand.”
He reached into his back pocket and slipped his wand out. He extended it towards her, tip first, and a nasty smile crossed his face. “Don’t ever hurt my mother again, Emma.”
Emaline jerked the wand from him and turned towards the passageways that lead to the Slytherin common room. ”Don’t call me that in front of anyone else, or you will regret it.”
