Fire Beneath the Stars

Chapter 1 |The train ride|

POV: Celestia Riddle

~~v^v~~

I rushed over to the train, waving to my godparents and Luna, my godsister. My robes billowed behind me as I ran into the train. My trunk shrunken down and inside my pocket, while my black leather bag slung on my shoulder. Even though I had basically packed my whole personal library in there, it barely felt like anything was in it, oh how I love magic! Arcturus is tightly wrapped around my neck, while Cephei is wrapping around my torso, under my robes, most likely asleep. She's probably asleep under there, she just loves my body heat. I already sent Eris to Hogwarts, so she wouldn't have to stay in a cage for so long.

I made it onto the train, and ran down the aisle before I found a compartment with only one person in it. I open the door to said compartment and I look in, inside is a brown haired boy my age, a fluffy white cat lying in his lap.

"Hi, can I sit here?" I ask in a calm, polite voice. He looks over to me, eyes widening when he sees Arcturus around my neck, as he flicks his tongue out at him, staring at him with his bright orange eyes.

"O-oh.. u-uhm- uh... sure..." he said in an awkward stuttery voice. Ever since it became known that Lord Voldemort was a parseltongue, snakes became very unpopular.

"Oh, please don't worry, Arcturus wont hurt you or your cat, he's a very nice snake. I assure you." And I gave him a soft smile, which seemed to almost immediately begin to calm his nerves. I unshrink my trunk, and I placed it in the overhead compartment for the elves to take once we reached Hogsmeade, then I sat down across from him, Arcturus slithering down from my neck, and down my left arm. "Would you like to touch him? His scales are quite soft."

He hesitantly reached one of his hands out, and began stroking the top of the large black snake's head, his nerves completely calming down as the tips of his fingers touched the snake's head. "I never knew snakes were this soft. I always thought they were rough and scaly. What's its name?" He asked softly

"His name's Arcturus. My other snake's name is Cephei. She's currently asleep under my robes right now, though. What's your cat's name- oh, wait, how rude of me. I should probably properly introduce myself . I'm Celestia Riddle. You can call me, Tia." I ask calmly, a small smile on my face. Holding my hand out for him to shake.

"Neville. Neville Leastrange. This is Opal ." He said calmly. Taking my hand and shaking it.

"Oh! Your Bellatrix and Rodolphus' son! I am very sorry about your parents' imprisonment. My condolences." I say softly, in an actual apologetic tone.

"Thank you." He said calmly. Arcturus slithering into Nevilles lap, as the boy continued to stroke the black snake's head, the cap not seeming to mind at all.

§I like him, Hatchling. Hisss petsss feel nicccceee§

I softly chuckle at Acturus' comment. §Ssssso you wouldn't mind sssstaying with him for a while? I feel getting more information would be ussseful.§ I said calmly, and Arcturus nodded.

"Wow you're a parseltongue! That's awesome! What'd you say to him?" The boy asked calmly, still stroking the snake's head.

"I asked if Arcturus would like to stay with you for a while. He really only likes specific people such as I, so him taking a liking to someone else is lovely, so he's decided he wants to spend more time with you." I say calmly, my intoxicating smile on my face.

"I would love for Arcturus to stay with me. No offense Opal, but you sometimes get a little boring to be with, you just sleep too bloody much!" He said, softly laughing to himself. The white cat did not like that and batted her master's face with one of her paws, and Neville let out a soft "Ow!" Which was very amusing.