Scopophobia ✹ ABRAXAS MALFOY

t w o

I HEARD THE TRAIN'S WHISTLE.

It startled me from my thoughts. I turned to my family, ready to say goodbye and leave. I was already in my uniform, as was my brother.

"Orion; do your best. Your affections for Walburga must remain, she is to be your wife." My twin nodded, shaking father's hand, and kissing mother's cheek. He then stood back. 

Father turned to me next. 

"Vega. Wear the badge with pride. Do not disgrace our family." His hand rested on my shoulder, looking at me like he wanted to say so much more. But he refrained from doing so. I nodded, turning to my mother. 

She embraced me, but I didn't yet the lovingly feeling from the hug. It just felt encasing. She whispered in my ear, "Vega, you will get the attention from many this year, be careful of what you say."

I was shocked. For once, it actually seemed like she cared, yet the flash or adoration in her eyes was gone in a second. She placed a hand on my cheek as she pulled away, "Make us proud."

I gave a small smile, before turning to my older sister. 

"Well, good luck sis. See you at Christmas." She wished, pulling me into a hug. "I'll be here when you get off the train, and I promise to write when I can."

"Now, go," She smiled, "Make the most of your final year, and make some friends!"

"I'll try." As I went to grab my trunk, I found that Orion already had it in hand. 

He's never done that before...

He started walking towards the train, and I hurried after him. My badge was pinned on, and already attracted some attention as I followed Orion down the corridor. 

"Orion." I said at last. He stopped and turned back to look at me. Thankfully, everyone nearby was in a compartment. 

"Here's good. You can go find your friends." I motioned to the empty compartment beside us. He looked at me confused. 

"You don't want to come sit with us?" 

"No!" He took at step back at my sudden outburst, "I mean, no thanks. I wouldn't want to intrude."

"Mmm." With a slight smirk, he nodded, placing my trunk up in the rack of the compartment. I sat down, taking out a book. Before I started reading, I wondered why Orion was still standing in the doorway. 

"Do you need something?" I asked. 

"Oh, no. Um, see you at Hogwarts I guess." Sliding the door shut, he continued walking down the corridor, I assumed to find his group of friends. 

The silence gave me time to think about why Professor Slughorn had chosen me. I was a nobody. No one would listen to me, they probably wouldn't even know who I even was. 

✹

Remembering I needed to attend a meeting with the Head Boy and Girl and other Prefects, I put my book down and got up. Looking down and my uniform, I checked to make sure there were no creases. I knew if there were, it wouldn't be a good representation of the Blacks. Leaving my compartment, I walked down the corridor, sliding carefully past the trolley lady. A sudden wolf-whistle caught my attention. 

"Damn, I should put you on my to-do list, girl." 

A boy was leant against a compartment door, looking at me like I was some kind of meat. He licked his lips as a hand ran through his dark hair. Reinhard Lestrange. I tensed as his eyes travelled over my body.