THE DOLL PEOPLE; Theodore Nott

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September 1st 1992

12 YEAR OLD EMERY BLACK BOARDED THE TRAIN SILENTLY UNTIL SHE WAS YANKED INTO AN COMPARTMENT. "Emery!" Justin had tugged the girl in sharply, but it was Hannah who called her name wrapping her in a tight hug. Emery tensed but melted into the blonde's touch, hugging her back.

"Hello, Hannah," she said with a soft smile, as Hannah immediately fussed over her dark hair. Andromeda had straightened the ends that morning, making it seem unnaturally long. Emery was determined to learn the spell herself, but Andromeda always insisted her curls were beautiful and that straightening them was just a one-time thing.

"You've grown your hair out." She gasped excitedly, turning Emery around to examine her black hair which cascaded down to her waist, "It's stunning." Emerys cheeks flushed, Hannah returning to her seat to pat the seat beside her.

"Justin, how was your holidays." His eyes widened at Emery's sudden words, the second year clearing his throat.

"Splendid," He offered her a smile, "My parents continue to ignore me, scared their son is a wizard I assume." He laughed dryly, and Emery offered him a sympathetic smile.

"Second year must be better than the first yeah?" Zacharias slammed the compartment door open collapsing into the opposite seat beside Justin, "Sally has been telling me it gets worse. That there's triple the amount of classes and Quidditch trials?" He stressed Justin patting him on the back.

Emery gave Zacharias a bemused smile, "Sally's just scaring you, I doubt it'll be as stressful as the first, at least we know how to get around the castle," Zacharias eyes had widened at Emery's louder tone as well before he groaned dramatically and collapsed back against the seat.

"Easy for you to say Emmie," He sighed, "You're always three lessons ahead of the class- Hannah's the same, and Justin— well he manages somehow!" Both girls snickered as Justin winced.

"Gee, thanks," Justin retorted, giving Zacharias a playful elbow nudge. It wasn't long before the boys dove into a conversation about Quidditch. Emery felt Hannah's glances, her eyes filled with warm concern.

"How was your summer?" she asked gently, her voice soft. "Are you nervous about anything? I just—" she stumbled over her words, "I worry about you sometimes, Emery. I know it's silly; we're only kids," she let out an awkward chuckle, "but you always seem to have more on your plate."

Emery hesitated, her smile faltering for a moment as she thought back to the hazy, uneasy weeks before her second year. The summer had been full of awkward moments between her and Andromeda—her aunt had tried to be supportive, but Emery had often found herself retreating into her room, avoiding everyone. Even her cousin Dora, who usually lifted her spirits, had noticed the change.

Emery didn't know why she had distanced herself since her first year, she just felt.. different to her Aunt's family. Sometimes Emery would wish her father was alive, as much as it pained her. She loved Ted and Andromeda with her whole heart but sometimes.. sometimes Emery didn't feel like their family. Or at least their daughter.

"It was... fine," Emery said finally, forcing a small smile. "Quiet, mostly. Don't worry about me Hannah, I'm fine," She laughed to fill the silence.

Hannah tilted her head slightly, but she didn't push. Emery was thankful when her concerned expression brightened, her hand flying to her pocket when a shrill voice pierced the air.

"Anything from the trolley! Anything from the trolley!"

"Do you want anything 'Em?" She pulled a handful of coins from her pocket, "My treat," Emery shook her head politely when Hannah stood so did Zacharias. Hannah returned a moment later, a handful of snacks, Zacharias an arms worth.

Despite her protests, an array of chocolate frogs and cauldron cakes. Emery smiled as she picked at her favourite snacks, listening as her friends chattered excitedly about Hufflepuff's Quidditch team.

Further into the ride, a sudden knock on the compartment door had startled them, and all four heads turned to see a familiar face: Draco Malfoy. He stood in the doorway, his gaze sharp as it flicked over Emery and her friends.

"Emery," She knew he wanted to talk, however she didn't appreciate the dirty looks, he sent in Justin's direction instead she stood standing in front of her friends.

"We can talk later Draco," She now noticed, Theodore Nott's presence lingering behind Draco, the brunette leant against the opposite compartment, "Later," She repeated, more firmly and his eyes flicked back to the Hufflepuff's a moment before he sneered.

Accepting defeat Draco took a step back, sauntingly back down the corridor. Nott went to follow not being winking at Emery whose eyes had been trained on him, hoping he'd leave. She felt disgusted when her cheeks heated, hoping it wasn't obvious as she sat back beside Hannah shutting the compartment door.

"No offence Emmie," Zacharias exclaimed his mouth full of jelly slugs, "Your cousins a git," Hannah sent him a pointed look but he shrugged.

"He's not all bad," Emery shrugged and glanced back out the window watching the scenery pass. The compartment fell into an uneasy silence, the cheerful mood from earlier fading. But after a few minutes, the train's rhythmic clattering began to soothe the tension. Noticing the awkwardness, Justin spoke, mentioning their herbology classes for the year and soon they all fell back into smooth conversation.

As the sky darkened and Hogwarts came into view in the distance, Emery's nerves grew. She hoped she was right, that second year was easier than her first. Because Emery didn't think she wanted to be brought into attention ever again.