A Grindelwald's Tale

Chapter 3

Rodrick turned over to look at his companion; She still seemed quite strange to him, he'd never actually spent this much time with someone without something happening. The orphanage was a lonely place for him; no one else put up with him for long, almost everyone avoided him for some reason. The ones he made an effort to speak to would make more of an attempt to avoid him, even when they didn't, they always disappeared anyway. Adults wanting a child almost favoured the good ones that didn't shun him, The people that didn't get adopted would usually blame it on been seen with him. He was the outsider. When he had gotten the first letter, he had finally understood why. Muggles didn't fit well with wizards; it came on a subconscious level.

Pureblood wizards didn't fit with muggles. When he'd first learned his family name and its history he'd felt ashamed of himself for even trying to interact with muggles, not for the usual pureblood reasons but for the fact that the only family that he had or could've had would've also been disappointed in him. It wasn't a pleasant thought. The dreams certainly helped prove that.

He had thought all pureblood families were like his own.

That was the main reason he was confused with the girl next to him, her family were purebloods, but they didn't seem revolted when they'd learned he was an orphan, the likelihood of an orphan been pureblood was small. They were open with him, and the girl had even put effort to find him on the train. It was strange, but in a comforting way, he might finally have a friend.

...

He was currently following a giant burly man, The Greengrass girl flanking him, Daphne was her name, he believed. The giant man had a bushy beard that covered his neck and even longer hair. He had a torch in hand in front him, a load of good it did, a magic spell would've been much more efficient.

They reached what looked to be a river; the man pointed towards some row boats for students to use. Before he'd moved an inch further, Rodrick was pulled to a stop by Daphne. ''Hold on a minute'' she whispered, her eyes looking away. Before he could reply he saw a fuzz of hair running towards them. The girl gave Daphne a hug and a scrutinizing look towards him.

Who is she? He thought. Rodrick took a closer look and noticed the aura she put off, it wasn't the same as Daphne nor was it similar to the Granger girl. Throughout the journey towards the platform, Rodrick had seen different families put off different presence's, especially between purebloods and Muggle-borns, of course not all families gave off such an aura but the prominent ones did, Greengrass was one of them. This girl looked to be in between. Wizard marrying a muggle? The idea confused him, surely marrying a fellow wizard would make life easier, not to mention a muggle learning to deal with a wizard for a partner would be troublesome, to say the least. He couldn't fathom why such a union could take place. Of course he could be wrong. He was only 11.

''My name is Tracey Davis,'' the new girl introduced herself, her eyes showed off a look of wonder and excitement. She was a red head with curly looking hair, with black eyes to go with it.

Davis wasn't a name he knew; He'd studied as much on magical families as he could after he'd received the letters. ''Nice to meet you, mines Rodrick,'' A static reply, Rodrick turned his attention away towards the row boats preparing to get on. He heard a scoff from Daphne. His lips tugged upwards at that.

''Rude ain't he?'' mused Daphne, Rodrick noticed the humour in her voice. Tracey let out a chuckle and followed him onto the boat. He could get on well with her as well it seemed.

Rodrick had imagined what the castle would look like countless times while reading 'Hogwarts: A History', but he certainly wasn't ready for the sight awaiting him. The castle was as big as it was old, sprawling so broad and high he couldn't frame it all into his vision. What attracted his attention the most were the towers almost piling on top of each other, vying to pierce the sky first. Rodrick was unable to take his eyes off the view for the rest of the trip, all the way to the massive doors, drinking in every detail he could, trying and failing to compare it to what was written.