Toujours Pur

Suddenly Second-guessing

The train ride passed quickly. I sat with Draco and his goons, they talked about the school year (Draco moaned about Potter) and I tried my best to block them out by reading the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. Halfway through the train ride we decided to change into our wizarding robes. I grabbed my silver robes from my trunk and my wand before heading to the bathrooms at the end of the train. After I had changed, I started walking back towards the compartment.

"Loser!"

"Idiot!"

"Ugly arse!"

"Are you going to cry, cry-baby?"

"Wah wah, cry-baby!"

"Go cry to your filthy mommy."

Down the hall I saw four third year Slytherins circling around a body. The body was curled up on the ground; a fire lit up inside of me. My dream from the last night came to my mind and my anger rose significantly. I recognized one of them, Cassius Warrington, he was leading the attack. I narrowed my eyes and strutted up to them. "Warrington." I drawled, his eyes snapped over to me. "Stop acting like an insolent dunce and go back to your compartment."

He glared at me and I raised one of my eyebrows, daring him to talk back to a Malfoy. A second passed and I could see a battle raging in his eyes before he looked down. He then motioned for the other third years to follow him. They silently walked past me and into a compartment down the way.

I turned my attention to the boy, who was now looking up at me. He shakily stood up and glanced at me. His dirty blonde hair fell past his watery hazel eyes. I felt the same feeling of pity like I did when I looked at Longbottom earlier in the year. Giving him a small smile I helped him into an empty compartment across the hall.

"Are you okay?" I gently asked, we sat down across from each other and I placed my folded up school robes next to me.

"Yeah," he shakily said. He wiped a stray tear away and sent me a grateful smile.

"Thank you so much, I was just heading for the loo when they cornered me. They have been bullying me since last year, all because I am a half-blood Ravenclaw. You must know all about that though, with you being in Gryffindor."

At my confused look he gestured to my school robes where my red and gold tie was sitting on top. Ah yeah, I will have to hide that before I get off the train.

"I am Eddie by the way, Eddie Carmichael. Second year Ravenclaw." He stuck out his hand and sent me a smile. I gingerly reached out and shook it.

"Gemma. Just Gemma." I told him. I didn't understand why I did not want to tell him my last name, I just didn't. 

"Well, just Gemma, it is a pleasure to meet you. Would you like a cauldron cake?" He pulled a slightly mushed cake out of his pocket. At my nod, he split it in half and we shared it.

The train ride flew by, Eddie and I laughed and talked about school. He shared that his mother was a witch and owned a bookshop in the muggle world. His father was a muggle and died fighting in the muggle military when Eddie was eight. 

I knew that I should be disgusted that I was talking with a Half-blood but I wasn't. The way he talked about his father and the muggle world fascinated me. I never truly understood how lonely I was until now. It was amazing to be able to talk and laugh with someone. I was so grateful that he never brought up my family or how I knew the name of one of the Slytherins and how those Slytherins listened to me. 

The grasslands started turning to streets and buildings and I knew that we were arriving at Kings Cross. With a panic I realized that Draco must be worried about me and if he found me conversing with a Half-blood Ravenclaw all hell would break loose. I politely said goodbye to Eddie and he made me promise to find me when break was over. He left to go back to his compartment, where he left his friends and I stayed. As soon as the train pulled in I got off and made my way to where the luggage was lined up. I slipped my Gryffindor uniform into my trunk and put my trunk on a trolley as I waited for Draco.