The Stranger (Dramione)

7 - The Hogwarts Express

Enola had been dumped at an Inn for the next few days. It was a considerably nicer one this time, and she was relieved of that fact. She'd been given strict instruction from Narcissa to stay put, so she barely left the room. Poor Deely had been sent to ensure she stayed true to her word.

"Deely, can't you tell me anything? Why can't I stay at the manor?" Enola asked.

"Deely says nothing." Deely had been growing thoroughly irritated with the constant questions. Still, she'd run after Enola all day, plumping pillows and such, despite being told not to.

A knock came at the door, and Deely hastened to open it, standing protectively before Enola.

"Delivery, love. For Enola. Your Hogwarts things." The innkeeper smiled and carried a colossal trunk inside, plonking it at the bottom of the bed. "Won't want to forget this one either." He chuckled as he placed a caged, soot black owl by the bed.

"An owl?" She was dumbfounded.

"Yes, love. Rare breed he is. Sure it cost your parents a pretty penny, so don't turn your nose up."

"He's lovely. Thanks." Enola said, waiting impatiently for him to leave and close the door behind him. "Deely, why do I have an owl?"

"For letter sending. Deely doesn't get it either, Miss. It's a wizard thing."

*

A black and red steam train waited on the tracks for Hogwarts students. Enola looked around the station worriedly for a sign of the Malfoys as she trundled her trunk along. Eventually, two platinum heads caught her eye. She made her way toward them, carefully standing a couple of metres away as instructed. Narcissa was right to ask this of her. She was drawing enough attention. Some of the students were already staring at the newcomer. Enola twiddled the wand she'd fetched with Deely nervously, then thought better of it and shoved it back in her pocket. That thing had scared her enough in the shop.

"Befriend her, Draco. Sit with her on the train." Narcissa said quietly.

He pulled a face of disgust.

"It's what He'd want. Severus thinks so, too." She said shrewdly.

He drew himself up at this. "Yes, Mother."

"Be careful." She was blinking away tears, and he tore himself away guiltily.

"It's just Hogwarts. I will." He smiled at her as he moved onto the train. "Love you." He mouthed.

Draco beckoned Enola subtly from the sidelines but didn't wait for her as he made his way to his carriage.

"Remember our deal." Narcissa hissed through the side of her mouth as Enola passed. She nodded once and hurried after Draco.

She followed him into a carriage, and they sat opposite each other awkwardly. She wanted to say something, but the boy in the bedroom seemed long gone. He was in another one of his horrendous moods.

Two boys entered the carriage shortly after and immediately stared dumbly at Enola like she was a science experiment gone wrong.

"Enola." Draco looked into her eyes coldly. "Crabbe and Goyle." He gestured to each boy.

"Who's she?" Goyle grunted.

"New girl. Joining in her sixth year, imagine that." Draco caught Enola's eye with a malicious smirk.

"Why?" Crabbe and Goyle were eyeing Enola with intrigue.

"Oh, it's not interesting." Enola dissuaded clumsily.

She was saved by the entrance of a girl with short black hair, who made a beeline for the space beside Draco. A tall black boy with high cheekbones and a proud face followed.

"Hey." The girl sidled up against Draco and instantly began to stroke his hair.

Enola smirked back at Draco mockingly.

"Who's this?" Pansy threw Enola an unpleasant look.

"Enola." She gave an awkward but friendly smile.

"And who is she?" Pansy asked Draco ignorantly.

"New girl." He said with a suddenly expressionless face.

Enola was amused by this. Draco was obviously trying to hide it, but he was uncomfortable. He was easier to read than he liked to think.

"The fuck is wrong with this thing?" Said the modelesque boy who'd followed Pansy in. He was aggressively smashing the door shut as it continued to catch on something while simultaneously fighting with Crabbe. Eventually, he won both fights and flopped down on his seat.

"Zabini, Blaise." He reached out to shake Enola's hand.

She willed herself to false confidence. He was devastatingly handsome, and he knew it. "Enola."

"Charmed." He winked.

Enola thought she saw a change in Draco's expression. At first, she thought it might be annoyance at the Blaise's friendliness, but he was looking at something above Enola's head. He slowly lost interest and continued his conversation. Enola couldn't understand most of it, so she zoned out and began to stare out the window, ignoring Pansy's pleased expression at her exclusion.

*

The train juddered to a halt just as Draco finished bragging about something. The others began to leave, but Pansy stayed put, holding her hand out toward Draco.

"You go on." He said dismissively. "I just want to check something."

Pansy hit Enola with one last dirty look as she marched off the train in a huff.

"You, too." Draco glanced up at Enola.

"I don't know where I'm going."

"Just piss off. I won't be long." He said.

Enola took a few steps down the train and paused. There was simply no way she was heading out there alone. She'd much rather deal with Draco than a clan of mean girls. She dithered for a few seconds before turning back and watching him through the carriage window. To her surprise, she saw a boy appear in mid-air as he fell from the luggage rack. She moved closer to get a better look. It was Potter, the bespectacled boy from the alley. He seemed to be unable to move as Draco stamped hard once on his face, splattering blood. Enola watched on in horror. He threw a cloak back over Potter, causing him to vanish again, then emerged darkly from the carriage.

"What are you still doing here?" He halted, livid at Enola's intrusion.

"I think the question goes more like what are you doing?! You can't leave him there!" Enola cried in disbelief.

"Trust me, it was deserved. Just get off the train." He commanded, nudging her forwards.

She walked on worriedly, wondering who the hell Draco Malfoy was.