The Fearsome Name of Riddle

A Mother's Rage

1973

Victoria Malfoy strode down platform nine and three quarters alone for the first time, listening to chatter and calls from parents and students. Her mind only focused on finding her son in her solitude, she had nothing else to do. In the bustle and chaos of the platform, Victoria had no way of knowing which door Octavian would appear out of. Steam from the engine made it more difficult to search the crowd for one dark haired boy amongst the masses of them. Not watching below the sea of heads at child height, Victoria jumped when a young girl with flaming red hair ran into her. 

"Oh, I'm sorry," she squeaked, jumping back as she snapped her head up to look at Victoria. "I wasn't looking where I was going, I'm sorry." 

"It's alright." Victoria smiled, steadying the little girl before she stumbled over her feet. Green eyes looked up at her, emerald and bright like the light of a curse. "I fear we were both at fault there." 

The child found her feet and Victoria let her shoulders go. Gold and red lined the collar, waist, and cuffs of her jumper, more of it on her tie. A little Gryffindor running too fast. 

“I'm looking for my family,” the girl said, glancing around herself. “I suppose everyone is.”

“Quite.” Victoria nodded, fixing strands of her silver hair back into place in her low bun. “I'm looking for my son, it's his first year.”

“What house is he in?” The girl asked, a helpful sound to her tone. 

“Slytherin,” Victoria told her, pulling at her collar in the summer heat. “He has dark hair, black curls, he takes after his father, not me.”

"Lily!" An adult, female voice called from behind Victoria over the sea of noise. It immediately drew the little red head's attention and she lifted herself up onto her toes to try and find its source. 

"That's my mum, I should probably go," Lily said as she began to bounce on her toes again, ready to run off and find her family. "Sorry for bumbling into you, I hope you find your son quickly." 

"Not a problem, he'll turn up soon," Victoria said softly, watching her take off down the platform before calling after her. "Watch yourself by the track." 

But Lily was already gone. She got no response and lost the red hair amongst the crowd of people. Victoria turned back to her search for Octavian. She barely got three steps further before she had to dodge the luggage cart of Regulus Black. 

"Mrs Malfoy," he said happily, looking up at her over his trunk through the black waves of his hair. "How wonderful it is to see you." 

"Regulus, it's always a pleasure." Victoria beamed, making a quick scan to check for the scowling presence of Walburga Black but she did not make an appearance. The Black Matriarch took offence to Victoria's interruption of Sirius’ engagement to his cousin and had yet to let go of her grudge. "How was your first year?" 

"Good, it went well." Regulus nodded, getting distracted as he frowned at a girl with dark skin and dark brown hair that was braided in long strands over her head. "Dorcas, are you alright?" 

"Dorcas Meadowes?" Victoria asked the young girl who had stopped in front of Regulus's luggage. She looked a little skittish for a second as she looked up at the adult witch but nodded eventually. "I'm Octavian’s mother, he writes to me about you all. You are someone I have yet to meet, it's a pleasure." 

"Oh." Dorcas nodded, relaxing a little with Victoria's kind demeanour. "It is lovely to meet you too, Mrs Malfoy." 

"You haven't seen Octavian, have you?" Regulus asked, whipping his head around to look for himself. "I could've swore he was with me when I got off the train."