Secrets Lie Within: Year 1

Secrets Lie Within: Year 1 Part 1

Chapter 1:

A mother and father arrive at 9 ¾ King's Cross with their daughter, or at least others thought. The parents look different compared to the little girl.

She has white hair that falls on her shoulders where she wears the Hogwarts uniform. Her head is low as the mother holds onto the small hand rather tightly. Next to them lays the father pushing a cart filled with school supplies and trunks.

They soon arrive at the Hogwarts Express surrounded by large crowds of students and their families. It makes the little girl nervous.

"Don't be nervous," the mother harshly speaks to her, looking straight ahead. "It's not a good look. Good looks are the only things you need to graduate."

"Yes, mother," she mumbles under her breath.

The small family gets on the train to find a compartment, away from everyone.

"Alright, now that you are settled in," the father turned to the little girl sternly. "You better be on your best behavior and remember, do not interact with anyone, unless it's the professors and partnered assignments."

"Yes, father."

"Good, now, Roselia, we expect letters."

Roselia nods her head silently and watches her parents leave. Her father locks the door behind them. It's a very similar pattern for any situation.

After a little while, another girl appears from the other side of the closed door. She, too, is wearing the school uniform and wavy brown hair and brown eyes. "This one has already been taken as well," she comments, looking at the quiet girl. "Hello. I'm Hermione Granger, a muggle-born," a smile appears on her face. "Mind if I sit next to you?" she asked, nicely.

Roselia's taken back by the kind gesture but nods her head.

Hermione sits across from the white-haired girl, still smiling.

Silence covers them.

Granger notices the girl isn't going to make a move. "This is so awkward!" she thinks to herself. "So," she speaks up, making Roselia look up, "what is your name and blood status?" Hermione breaks the silence.

It takes a few seconds before she answers, "R-Roselia So-Softpaw, half-blood." She's trying to keep calm because her heart is about to catch the golden snitch! Also, why is this muggle-born talking Roselia?

"Softpaw? That's an interesting family name," Hermione comments.

"Th-Thank you."

"Oh!" she smiles when they feel a jerk of the train moving. "We're moving!" her excitement and train rides kinda scare Roselia a little.

The white-haired girl stiffens her body, trying to keep still.

The train ride is getting more weird and awkward. Hermione tries making friends with Roselia by talking about anything that comes to mind, mainly with what she read recently when the young Granger discovered she's a witch. Roselia tries to keep up with whatever she has to say, but sometimes she can't.

Running through her mind, all she could think of was how much longer Granger would talk about everything Roselia already knows or will eventually learn? Where's the nearest washroom or hiding spot to get away before she embarrasses herself?

"Roselia?" Hermione notices she isn't listening.

"Huh?" she snaps out of her thoughts, looking at Granger with big, dark eyes.

"I was asking if you wanted something sweet, silly," she chuckles, standing up from her seat. "The trolley has all these amazing treats!"

Roselia lit up at the mention of sweets but quickly became sad because she didn't have any money.

"No worry about it, I can pay for it," Hermione sweetly smiles while placing a hand on Roselia's shoulder.

The touch tenses the silent girl's body, making Granger frown both sad and confused. She leaves the compartment and closes it behind her.

Growls of frustration appear through sharp teeth. "Ugh! I am so stupid!" the words echos Roselia's head as she places her head in her hand. Suddenly, a pair of wolf ears reveal themselves among the white hair. "Great," the young girl sighs, frustrated, "I was doing so well today!" Softpaw smooths out her ears before feeling tired again.

It was a very early morning for her. Mother and father had to double, triple, quadruple check with the first-year student and her belongings. Heavy pale eyelids begin to droop over the dark eyes. Roselia lays on her side, secretly thankful that she's wearing tights under her skirt. Slowly, the sleep washes over her as she finally enters into dreamland.

Hermione returns with sweets in hand. A soft smile curls on her face when she sees a cute girl sleeping across on her bench. She returns to her seat and pulls out a couple of sugar quills.

As Granger takes a few licks, she couldn't help but wonder why this one wouldn't speak freely like other girls and her. Why is her hair so white? Why is she so quiet? Why is she so distant from Hermione? Many questions run through after spending a majority of the afternoon with Softpaw.

Maybe Roselia will calm her wonders soon enough.