Shattered Masks | James Potter

Chapter II

Esra strode back to her compartment she could already see the outline of Hogsmeade station through the train window, the distant lights shimmering like a beacon. She burst through the door, and her friends turned to her, confusion etched on their faces.

"Esra, why aren't you dressed?" Hope asked, her eyebrows knitting together.

"Shit!" Esra muttered

Without a word, she dashed toward the nearest toilet, the cramped space serving as her changing room. She shed her Muggle clothes, the fabric pooling around her feet. Slipping into her Ravenclaw robes, she felt the familiar weight settle on her shoulders With practiced speed, she tied her hair into a sleek ponytail, catching a glimpse of determination in the mirror that reflected back.

Rejoining her friends, she was met with a chorus of disbelief. Jo's mouth hung open, her eyebrows shooting up like they were on springs. "Aren't you supposed to be escorting the first years to the boats?"

Esra cursed again, she darted down the corridor, her boots thudding against the floor like a warning drum

After helping the first years into their boats, Esra finally made her way toward the carriages. The crisp night air filled her lungs, and with every step, she pushed aside the last vestiges of stress. Just as she reached the path, a carriage rolled past, and a group of seventh-year boys leaned out, their raucous laughter echoing in the darkness. One of them, a cocky blonde with an obnoxious grin, hollered, "Oi, Grimaldi! Wanna get in and ride with me?" His friends erupted into howls, revelling in their crude amusement.

Esra felt her blood boil. She whirled around, eyes narrowing with pure disdain. "Please, do you even hear yourself? I'd rather ride with a troll than the likes of you!" The words dripped with contempt, slicing through the air and silencing their laughter for a moment before she turned away, her stride fierce and unyielding.

The door to her intended carriage was closing, but she spotted her blonde-haired friend just in time. Without a second thought, Esra sprinted forward, flinging the door open and stepping inside with a flourish, slamming it behind her.

Inside, her friends jumped, surprise flickering across their faces before it melted into laughter.

"Merlin's beard! what's the matter with you?" Lisa asked , her eyes wide with amusement.

"Some seventh-year Gryffindors thought I'd be interested in a ride with them— as if!" Esra grumbled, a storm of irritation brewing within her as she recalled the encounter.

"Seventh-year Gryffindors? Ugh, don't they get enough attention as it is?" Hope rolled her eyes, leaning back in her seat. "What is it with them and thinking they're God's gift to Hogwarts?"

Jo snickered. "They probably thought you'd be impressed by their Quidditch muscles or something."

From the corner, a Hufflepuff girl piped up, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, that's just terrible!"

Esra and her friends exchanged perplexed glances, unsure of who this girl was. The Hufflepuff's chestnut hair framed her face, her brown eyes narrowed at them, as if sizing them up for a fight.

"Can I help you?" Esra asked, the boredom in her tone barely masking her irritation as she turned her gaze to the window, the dark landscape rushing past.

The girl scoffed, her lips curling into a disdainful smirk. "If I were you, I wouldn't have turned down that opportunity. It's not every day someone like them pays you any attention." She looked Esra up and down, as if evaluating her worth.

Anger ignited within Esra, her patience wearing thin "And if I were you, I'd learn to keep my opinions to myself. It's not like you're some kind of prize either, darling," she retorted, her voice laced with venom. "But I guess when you're this starved for attention, you'll take what you can get."