Wolfsbane

Two Wrongs Don't Make for Housemates

            

My parents had been as proud as any when I received my letter. Of course, it was expected, I could trace my family's lineage back nearly two thousand years. I had attended pure blood functions since I was old enough to walk and talk, though what came out of my mouth was usually less than satisfactory. I'm sure my parent's elation had been more for that fact that I would be gone three quarters of the year at school, and out of their hair. I had been an exemplary student for my tutors, and yet, my parents were never satisfied. I was beginning to think that perhaps I was born into the wrong family. However, I was proud, and while pride seemed to run in the family, I always believed it to be a fault of mine, to the point I believed I was adopted. It would certainly explain my uncanny way of finding myself in trouble and unable to be apologetic, as well as pigs could sniff out truffles.

My parents had accompanied my older brothers and I to the Hogwarts Express, as they had done the last two years for my brothers. I felt nervous energy rip through my body as I ran through the gateway. My owl seemed less than pleased about being forced through a hollow brick wall, as he let out a fearsome screech in protest. A few heads turned, though I couldn't be bothered much to care. As my parents waved us off, I felt a sort of emptiness settle in my stomach, and excitement was replaced by dread. I got the sensation that things at school would change things at home forever. As I struggled to find an empty compartment, I wondered what school would really be like. My brothers always seemed so happy about returning, so much so I was beginning to wonder if they'd prefer to live at Hogwarts than at home in the manor. Lost in thought, I bumped into someone and knocked the both of us to the ground. Whoever it was peeled themselves off the floor first, and then offered a hand to me.

"Sorry about that! I guess I should have been watching where I was going." As I accepted the hand up, I took in the boy's face. He had neatly kept dark waves on his head, and his silver eyes shined as bright as the moon. A wide, and slightly goofy grin split his face, and I found myself grinning back.

"It's alright, it was just as much my fault as it was yours. See you." As I slid past him and onward to find a seat, he called back to me.

"I'm Sirius!" I turned to cast him a look over my shoulder. The smile on his face was wider, as if he had just found his new best friend in me. I smiled as I turned without replying with my own name. Just as I was beginning to give up hope of finding an empty seat, I came across a face I knew well from aristocratic functions. I opened the compartment, tossed my bag into the overhead, and closed the door before sitting. The ivory haired boy in the seat across from mine rolled his eyes before extending his hand to shake my own.

"Phoenix, it's been quite some time since I've seen you. Parents keeping you locked up at home after the last incident?" I blush bloomed across my cheeks as fast as my smile at the memory of the prank I had pulled at the last ball my parents had thrown for the wizarding aristocrats the summer before. I had coerced one of the house elves to drop a bowl of punch on one of the guests, my current companions father actually. The both of us had thought it was hilarious, the stark white hair tinted pink for weeks afterwards. I had taken the punishment with glee, which had severely upset my parents. I had been banned from the next three events of the year, and I had missed seeing my friend.

"Unfortunately. My parents didn't take well to your father with pink hair. It's good to see you Lucius. I fear however, that we may not be good friends for much longer. Different houses." He nodded solemnly, before a wicked smile cracked his face.

"Usually I'd say screw you Gryffindors, but for you Phoenix, I will make a special exception. We've been friendly far too long for us to become rivals now, and besides, who else do I know who is equal parts brave and stupid?" I let out a laugh at the happiness in his voice, and I sincerely hoped that Lucius would keep this promise. School would be much harder without him as a constant in my life.