"GRYFFINDOR!"

Draco winced. He watched from the Slytherin table as the first year boy hopped off the stall and eagerly hurried over to join the cheering, smarmy bastards.

Merlin, how he hated Gryffindors. He prayed with everything he had in him that Aurora would not become one. He would still love her, of course, but it would take some getting used to if he had to kiss and hold her whilst she was wearing those robes.

"Your bird's up next." Blaise leant in, muttering in his ear. "Good luck, dude."

He gave him a solid pat on the shoulder, as though he were seeing him off to the front line.

It certainly felt like he was heading to the front line, anyway.

Draco swallowed as he watched Aurora tentatively approach the stool while McGonagall introduced her to the school.

Their eyes met across the hall as she lowered the hat onto her head. Draco held his breath, his heart thudding nervously in his chest.

"RAVENCLAW!"

Draco gave a little whoop of joy as relief flooded his veins. He had been certain that having been in the company of Gryffindors all summer, she would become one of them.

"Congratulations, dude." Blaise chuckled, smacking him on the back. "You're now dating a nerd."

Yes, but at least it was better than a Gryffindork, Draco thought. Or even a stupid Hufflepuff.

It was the next best thing to a Slytherin, anyway.

...

My heart raced as I approached the cheering Ravenclaws. I didn't know how I felt about this.

I found I was saddened not to be following in Cedric's footsteps in Hufflepuff, and disappointed that I wasn't with Fred and George in Gryffindor.

However, I was relieved somewhat that I hadn't been placed in Slytherin. Apart from Draco and Blaise, I simply loathed them. I couldn't see myself making friends with any of them, and their head of house was so creepy.

So, Ravenclaw was at least better than Slytherin.

I spotted Cho, who was waving at me and signalling to sit next to her. Gratefully I dived down besides her, and she immediately enveloped me in a surprisingly fierce hug. When she pulled away, I saw that she was crying.

"Oh, Aurora," she wept, furiously wiping her hands across her damp face. "I'm so glad you decided to come back. You're the only one who understands my grief."

She pulled me back to her again, shaking uncontrollably as she sobbed hard and fast into my shoulder. I looked around in alarm, not feeling one hundred percent comfortable with this.

Luckily, Dumbledore chose that moment to stand up on the podium and welcome everyone to the feast.

I extricated myself from Cho, and sat back in my chair, my eyes seeking out Draco. He was already looking at me. I felt my heart flutter as a small smile tugged at his lips, making his eyes twinkle.

"So, what did you think of that Umbridge woman?" Luna asked, as we all left our seats after the feast had finished.

"Ummm," I said, trying to think of a way to be diplomatic. "Interesting. Let's reserve judgement until we sit her classes."

Although, if truth be told, I didn't hold up much hope of her being any good.

I gasped as a pair of arms snaked around my waist from behind, and I found my back pressed up against a warm, hard chest.

"I always knew you were too smart for your own good," a voice growled huskily from above, hot breath tickling my ear.

"Calm down, Draco," I laughed, "I was never sly enough to be a Slytherin like you."

With an air of authority, he span me around, pressing his lips fiercely down on mine.

"Careful," he murmured heatedly, breaking the kiss, "or I'll have to put you in detention."

He smirked down at me, his grey eyes twinkling wickedly. My stomach knotted in a fierce rush of desire and I suddenly wished so much that we weren't in the hall surrounded by professors and students.

"I'm starting to think the power is getting to your head." I smirked back up at him. "Not that I'd complain if I get holed up in a classroom with you. What would you make me do? Lines?"

"If you show me your naughty side, you might just find out."

This was too much, I couldn't help but burst out into laughter. "You're something else, you know that, Draco?"

"And you're beautiful, how could you blame me?" He kissed the tip of my nose, before sighing regretfully. "I'm afraid I've got to go and participate in actual prefect duties before bloody Pansy starts screeching in my ear again. Just be grateful you're not one. It really is a frightful bore."

"You'll survive," I smiled, stepping on tiptoes to gently brush my lips against his. "And in the meantime," I added, cocking an eyebrow coyly, "perhaps you can think of a suitable punishment for me."

"Oh believe me," Draco growled, looking down at me hungrily. "I'll be thinking of nothing else."

A loud shuddering sob suddenly sounded out next to us. Draco and I simultaneously turned our heads towards the source of the noise. Cho was sniffing into a tissue, tears flooding down her face.

"Th-this reminds me of Ceddy!" She blubbered, fresh tears spilling out of her eyes. "He u-used to say stuff like that to me all the t-time!"

"Great," Draco muttered under his breath, as I recoiled in horror. "Well that just ruined the moment."

...

As Draco led his house down to the dungeons, I followed mine up to to one of the castle's towers.

It turns out we have to answer a riddle every time we want to enter our common room. This made me feel all kinds of nervousness. What would happen if I couldn't answer it?

It was a beautiful, large circular room with a domed ceiling and grandiose arched windows. The colours of blue and bronze were calming, and I instantly felt a feeling of tranquility wash over me upon entering the room.

I looked around me, smiling. I knew at once I'd be happy here. And even though I wasn't in Hufflepuff, I already felt so much closer to Cedric than I had since his death.

That night when I climbed into my new bed, I decided I was strong enough to pick up the book that Cedric had gifted to me for my birthday. As I opened the Tales of Beedle the Bard, my heart stilled upon noticing something that I hadn't seen before.

It was a hand written message in the bottom corner of the title page.

To my crazy, funny, beautiful Rory. May this book bring you the same joy that it did me. Think of our mother, and remember me. Your brother always, Ced.

Silent tears fell down my face as I read the words over and over again, my finger tracing each letter as I pictured him writing it.

My wonderful, darling brother. My Ced.

As if I'd ever forget you.