PRECEDENT : Draco Malfoy II

20

I despise that the train which leads to Hogwarts is made of mostly compartments rather than open seating. Right now, I might like to sit alone. Rather unfortunate for me, since Mandy shows up at the platform. Her hair is cut into a choppy bob and she's wearing muggle clothes. Her hand is wrapped in Anthony's, their fingers tightly interlaced. I swear his are turning purple. It smells like coal and dirt, and that all seems better than smelling her cheap perfume. She waves at me, and I pray that she doesn't come closer. She pulls me into a tight hug, before pulling back.

"Brighton beach seems to have given you a tan!" she admires. I think I'm just as pasty and sour-looking as ever, but Mandy seems to disagree. "What have you been up to?"

"Muggle work," I explain, offering Anthony a curt nod.

He returns one. I suppose she must be his type because I can't imagine why anyone would willingly spend so much time with Mandy without being forced. Maybe he is doing it for the same reason that I am. Drama seems nightmarish, and I'd rather keep Mandy where I can see her.

"Sounds just as good as my summer," Anthony sighs, shaking his head. "My Dad sent me to live with my great-grandfather's cousins in America. We're related to the Scammanders. I thought I'd spend a summer travelling and identifying beasts. They just had me cataloguing. My cousin Rolf's nice though."

I shake my head at Anthony, trying to force myself to match his clear disappointment, "absolutely terrible."

"I mean, could be worse," Anthony shrugs. "At least I flew into New York City. Can't imagine how American wizards and witches make it around there."

"At least you aren't fighting with your mother," Mandy rolls her eyes. "She doesn't understand fashion nowadays."

We all know it isn't fashion in general which the Brocklehurst family hates, but it's not worth getting into. Anthony continues to talk about his sojourn abroad while we make our way through the corridors. I agree; it seems rather dull. He thinks he's developed a dust allergy from the basement he spent most of his days pacing the floor and counting specimen without end.

"You know, we should find Luna if we can," Anthony smiles. "She'd love to hear all about it, I'm sure."

"Loony Lovegood?" Mandy shakes her head in front of me.

She spins it around too, as if she is looking for someone who might have heard. She leads the way, her hand still in Anthony's.

"I like Luna," Anthony offers. "She gave me nice stationary last year."

My cheeks feel red. Actually, that was me, "Luna is very kind, actually."

"Still," Mandy sighs, "we have a chance at some social success this year. If we Ravenclaws play our cards right, we can get into the Gryffindor and the Slytherin parties."

Anthony and I share a glance. I don't think either of us fancy one of those parties. Hufflepuffs will sometimes book classrooms for fun events in the evenings, but they don't throw parties after hours. I suppose for them, like us, we have forgiving heads of house so losing privileges isn't worth the risk. Professor Snape will let the Slytherins get away with anything, and Gryffindors are known to be too stupid for their own good. I don't know any Gryffindors who will openly invite outsiders into their common room, but they are usually good at sneaking around. Sometimes they will throw parties in the greenhouses or other secret spots. Their events aren't as exclusive as the Slytherins. As far as I've heard in whispers, Slytherins rarely invite people outside of their house, certainly never Gryffindors.

Even more certainly, never muggle-borns.

"Yeah, I wish you luck with that," I roll my eyes. "The Slytherins won't let me in."