Alohomora Book One: Dancing Shadows (Based off of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter)

Prologue Part Two: Poker Faced Rebel

Ash's P.O.V.

*Ding ding ding*
I hit my alarm clock to shut it off, groaning. It's too early to be up on a Sunday but I knew dad wanted me to meet him and his business partner, Malfoy, for breakfast. Dad said Malfoy's son, Draco, will be there and that we should become friends. I don't need friends nor do I want any. But it would benefit my dad so I guess I have to. It's not like I have to actually be friends with the kid, I just have to make him like me. I can do that, I'm good with charming people. I get out of bed and stretch, hearing my back crack. Rifling through my walk-in closet, I find a smart silver suit. I put it on, matching my tie with my socks. My tie is a deep green, showing off some Slytherin pride. I know that the Malfoys' family line are all Slytherins, as is mine. My hands fumble with the tie, groaning.
"I can't ever tie this stupid thing!" Huffing frustratedly, I call for a maid. A young maid comes in, bowing respectfully. She has pretty black hair, sleek and neatly done in a half up-do. Her figure is long and slender, her olive skin tone almost shining. I'd guess she's probably 15 or 16, younger than most of the maids. She's new, I thought to myself with a smirk.
"Tie this." I say with a harsh tone, the way I speak to all the servants. She nods in understanding, bringing her hands in a graceful motion up to my neck. Slowly, she pulls the tie into a neat looking one, straightening my jacket. She bows, starting to leave. I grab her arm in a vice-like grip. She jumps, startled but quickly composes herself.
"Did you need something else, sir?" Her voice sounds in a formal manner, surprising me. She's so young, yet so experienced. Odd.
"Your name. I want to know your name." Speaking in an equally formal way as I've been taught my whole life.
"Jessonica Withey, but my friends call me Jess." Her voice strays from professional tone, obviously surprised that I'd asked her name. I have a... well... a reputation around here, let's just say.
"Jess. I like it." I smile politely, and motion that she can leave. Walking out at a brisk pace, she smiles to herself, her movements graceful and refined. Almost like that of a dignitary, yet she's a maid. Interesting girl, she is. I shake my head, realizing I've been staring into space for a while. I quickly go to my washroom and gel my hair back, pulling it into place. I glance once more in the mirror, before going back to my room. Picking out a pair of neat black shoes, I lace them up. I walk out the door, unaware of what lays in store for this meeting. Approaching the door to the dining room, I compose myself. I take a deep breath, straightening my suit once more. Turning the door knob, I'm greeted with my Dad, Luscious, and Draco Malfoy.
"Welcome, Ash. Come have a seat." My dad greets me. I take a seat across from Draco, and he smirks at me.
"Draco Malfoy, and I assume you're Ash Radcliffe. A pleasure to meet you, I must say." He speaks formally, shaking my hand.
"Likewise." I mutter, ignoring the way my dad is staring at me. It's such an odd world I live in, well at least the world that everyone thinks I live in. In reality, I do some pretty bad things with bad people. But of course no one knows because I'm so good at hiding it.

After an hour of mindless conversation, my father suggests we all head to the formal living room for tea. We all agree and follow him. Before we get there, however, Draco whispers into my ear, causing me to shiver.
"Meet me in your yard, 3 minutes sharp." He speaks in a no-nonsense tone and I nod. After three minutes, I walk out to the yard. As I'm walking there, however, I trip on something lying on the floor. I groan, bringing my hand to my head after it hits the hard tile floors. I stand back up, ignoring the throbbing pain. When I get out there, Draco frowns at me.
"You're late. Explain." He speaks harshly to me.
"Maybe I will if you explain why you wanted to meet me."
"Fine. I wanted to ask if you were going to attend Hogwarts this year. I already got my letter, how about you?" Draco asks me, smirking up at me. He's not short, I'm just tall for 12, standing at a height of 5'6, comparing to his 5'3 frame.
"I have." I say, snapping back at him. He's sassing me. I don't like it.
"One more question, Radcliffe."
"Hmm?"
"Are you gay?" He asks, and I'm taken aback. Am I what?
"Am I what, exactly?" I ask, making sure I heard him correctly.
"You heard me, Radcliffe. Now answer me."
"Why the hell would you think I'm gay?"
"No ones ever seen you around a girl, and you were staring at me throughout breakfast." I frown at his words. Gay, me? Not a chance.
"I am not. Are you?" I ask, smirking at him. I stare him down, trying to read his expression.
"Wh-what? O-of course I'm not gay! I'm not the one who was staring at a man for an hour!" He stumbles over his words, obviously baffled that I would ask such a question.
"I was staring at you because I was trying to figure out what you were thinking. You were really quiet the whole time." I explain calmly.
"I just dislike conversing with imbeciles." Speaking in a sly tone, he brushes my comment off. He's probably just shy and didn't want to say anything.
"Whatever you say, Malfoy." I brush him off sarcastically and walk back towards the house. I hate that kid already. Accusing me of being gay. Ha, as if! I'm the straightest guy I know.... right? Yeah... probably... maybe. Whatever, not like it matters. I'll marry whoever my father chooses and carry on with the family line. Draco runs to catch up with me as I enter the house.
"Boys, there you are. We were looking for you. Don't sneak off without telling us again." My dad says in a stern tone. I shrivel on the inside, but show no emotion. After all, they don't call me the Poker Faced Rebel for nothing.
"I apologize father." I bow slightly, and we all return to our seats on the chairs in the formal living room.

After another few hours, dad and Malfoy finally finish their meeting.
"See you at school, Radcliffe." Draco says to me and I nod my understanding. When they leave, I go straight to my room. I call in for Jess.
"You called, sir?" Jess asks in her usual formal tone.
"Please, just call me Ash. I've had enough stiff conversations for the day." Taking off my shoes, and loosening my tie, I flop on my bed.
"So even Ash Radcliffe himself has actual human emotions. I never would've guessed." Jess teases, sitting next to me on my bed.
"Well yeah, every once in a while I just get tired of being a robot, you know?"
"I feel the same thing all the time. It's hard to suppress your emotions all the time, but people in this world do often." She speaks truthfully, smiling softly at me.
"I wish I could just run away from it all. Heck, I'd take being a muggle over this." She laughs slightly at what I said.
"Being a muggle isn't all that bad. I was raised with muggles."
"You're a muggle-born witch?" I'm shocked. She seems so knowledgeable to be muggle-born. She nods at my questioning.
"Ah I see."
"You're surprised, aren't you?" She asks, eyeing me. I rub the back of my neck.
"A little. Sorry." I apologize. She laughs a bit and brushes it off.
"It's alright. Everyone always is."
"It's no insult, it's just that you carry yourself with a lot of confidence and you're so pretty and knowledgeable to be muggle-born." I speak fast, trying to explain myself so she doesn't get offended.
"Haha, I guess. My mom taught me at a young age that no matter what anyone thinks, be the best me I can be. And I guess I've kept thinking that way and learned a lot." She speaks slowly, filled with nostalgia for her past. I smile slightly. She must've had a great family.
"Do you miss them, being here in the wizard world?" I ask, actually curious.
"I do sometimes. But I visit them often. And I know that they'll always be there for me when I need it, which makes me feel like they're always right here." She smiles brightly when she talks about her family, and I can't help but smile too. But a slightly sad smile, wishing I felt that way.
"I wish my family was like that..." I mutter, somewhat hoping she doesn't hear what I said. But she does.
"I'm very fortunate to have a loving family. I can't imagine what it must feel like for you, not having the feeling I feel when I think of my family. But hey, make some good friends. Friends can often be like family." My face wears a confused expression, but only for a second. I smile again.
"Are you my family, Jess?" I ask, my voice soft.
"I hope so. I would love to be." She smiles at me, patting my head. I smile more and hug her. We stay like that for a bit, and I'm trying to hold back tears. Even the heir of Luther Radcliffe himself cries sometimes. A tear escapes my eye, sliding down my cheek. Jess wipes it, holding me tighter. After a bit, I stop crying and separate from her.
"You should get to bed. It's getting late." She says in a soft voice, breaking the comfortable silence. I nod, sighing. She starts to leave but I grab her arm tightly.
"Would you.... stay here...? Just until I fall asleep..." I mumble, looking awkwardly at the floor. She smiles and kneels next to my bed.
"Of course, Ash." I get comfortable under the covers. She holds onto my hand. I slowly fall asleep to the feeling of her rubbing soothing circles with her thumb on the top of my hand. I think to myself, before falling asleep. She's like a big sister. I need this support in my life. I whisper just before I drift off.
"Thanks... Jess..."

A/N - Heyo! Did you enjoy prologue part two? I know I enjoyed writing it! I had a lot of fun showing some of Ash's feelings, peeking through his hard exterior. I love his character. He reminds me of myself a lot, really. Pretending to be perfect and all put together, but deep down just needs someone to hold him when he cries. Isn't Jessonica amazing? Btw this is not edited yet, I may edit it soon after I post it, but it's late and I'm moving tomorrow! But I had a sudden idea and had to write it before it left my head. Pictures will come soon of Jess and Ash, and you already know what Rhydell looks like. Thank you for reading. Remember to vote, comment, follow, and please share! I really want to get this book out there. Bye my Little Bunnies! ® (I've decided to start signing my things, so I'm gonna put an ® after every post.)