Persephone Black

Chapter Two: The Arrival

That night, Persephone tried her hardest to sleep; however, the rest never came, and she found herself pacing the halls of the manor until the sun began to rise. Her eyes were tired, but the excitement from yesterday and the prospect of the sorting ceremony later tonight had kept her awake.

"Persephone?" It was her uncle's voice, and she turned around to face him.

"Sorry, I couldn't sleep."

"Come here," and he beckoned her into his arms, "I know that what your aunt told you yesterday was difficult to hear, but I need you to listen to her."

"How am I going to make any friends?"

"You might not, but to know that you're safe, is what's important to your aunt and I."

"Uncle Lucius, I get the feeling that Professor Snape doesn't like me as much as he likes Draco."

"Severus is a difficult man to read; however, I think you simply need to spend more time with him, and given your private lessons, I see no reason why he shouldn't begin to like you."

Persephone nodded, "I'm going to miss you, Uncle Lucius."

"You will see your aunt and I for the holidays. It is not far from now."

"I know, I just—" but Lucius cut her off with a swift kiss to the forehead, and when he released her from his embrace, Persephone could see her aunt enter the room. A fond smile appeared on her face as she sat on the couch, beckoning the other two to her side.

"Come sit, we still have time before Draco wakes."

~:~

"Draco, listen to me, you will watch out for Persephone, and if I hear any different, you will be punished."

"Yes, father," Draco replied, looking into his father's eyes solemnly, "no one will lay a finger on her."

"Good, and Persephone, if I hear from either Draco or Severus that you have been disobeying your aunt and my wishes in any way, we will come pick you up, and you will not return to Hogwarts."

"Yes, uncle. That won't happen, I promise."

"Lucius, they need to go, stop pestering them with threats," Narcissa said, shooing away her husband before she embraced the children. She hugged Persephone for a while, only breaking apart when the whistle sounded, and Lucius led her to the train.

"I love you!" Persephone called as the train began to move. She could see her aunt crying and waving, while Lucius nodded his head in reply to her love.

"Come on, I asked Crabbe and Goyle to get a compartment," Draco said, leading Persephone through the crowds of students settling into their seats. Nearing the back of the train, they finally found Crabbe and Goyle with a few other second-year Slytherins. Draco opened the door and let Persephone in first, where she took a seat nearest the window.

"Knott. Zambini. You know my cousin, Persephone," the two boys nodded, "treat her as you do me."

Persephone knew that Draco had a group of friends, but his demeanor with them made her feel powerful. She liked to feel under his protection, like no one would be able to touch her without him knowing. She settled into the corner and propped open a spell book as the boys began to talk. Pansy Parkinson passed by the room shortly after and made room for herself next to Draco.

The ride was pleasant until Draco insisted on stretching his legs and took Persephone down the corridor with him to find the old trolley witch with candy. Spotting her near an open compartment, Draco smirked, realizing who it belonged to, "ah, Granger, no Potter or Weasley today? Were their examination scores too low to return?"