Flint's sister

Chapter 2

Year 3

The steam from the Hogwarts Express pours onto the platform covering it in a thin layer. My father had apparated here with us.
"Now, you both best be good this year. I don't want any letters from your teachers. Do you understand?" My father says, smoothing down his coat.
"Yes father" Marcus and I say in sync.
"Good, now I have to get off to work. I expect you home for Christmas" he tells us before apparating. I roll my eyes at my father, picking up my suitcase.

"Beth? You can't let anybody see what's happened alright?" Marcus says as we drop our suitcases off to be loaded on. I have a small bag of things I might need during the train ride. Marcus had started calling me Beth which made me think of mum. That was her name for me. It wasn't the same when Marcus said it but I know he just wants to see me happy.
"I won't" I reassure him before opening the train carriage door and going to find my friends.

I slide open the compartment door. 
"Hey guys!" Looking at each of them in turn.
"Anna!" Hermione shrieked.
"How are you?! How was your summer?" She asked squishing me with a hug. 
" Well it has been an interesting summer... But never mind that! How are all of you?" I ask. The trio are not aware of what goes on at home, none of my friends are. All except one. 

"I blew up my aunt" Harry says bluntly. I gasp before laughing. 
"You did what?!" I shriek. He tells us all the story of his summer, his aunt and uncle, as well as his Aunt Marge and her bulldog, The Knight Bus, and Sirius Black. Then I notice the man sleeping in the corner of the compartment.

"Who's he?" I whisper, realising we have been really loud. 
"Professor R Lupin" Hermione says looking at the mans suitcase.
"Bloody hell Hermione, how do you know that?" Ron asks.
"Its on his suitcase Ronald" Hermione says rolling her eyes whilst Ron's cheeks flush red. I giggle at their antics.

"I am going to see Draco and Blaise. I will be back before we get to Hogwarts" I say, standing up.
"Ugh not them. I don't get why your friends with them Anna" Ron says and I can see Harry nodding at what he says.
"I've already told you boys, I have been friends with them my entire life. I will be back soon" I say hugging Hermione before leaving the compartment and walking down the trains corridor towards the Slytherins usual carriage.

"Hey guys" I say opening the door of the carriage, smiling at Blaise and Draco, before seeing Draco's bodyguards, Crabbe and Goyle, as well as Pug-faced Parkinson.
"Hey Anna, how've you been since we last saw you?" Blaise asks standing up to give me a hug before letting me sit between him and Draco.
"Not bad. Nothing really happened" I lie, shuffling between him and Draco, trying to ignore Parkinson's cold stare. He nods and begins talking about Sirius Black. I feel an arm wrap around my shoulder and warm, minty breath blow on my face.

"How are you really?" Draco whispers to me quietly so nobody else can hear.
"I'm fine. He did it again though" I whisper back, burying my face into his shoulder. 
"How many times?" he asks me gently. Nobody else sees this side of Draco. The kind, warm, generous side that I see. 
"Most days" I tell him, knowing he won't give up until he knows the truth. He nods and pulls me into a hug and holds me there.

I am pretty sure I fell asleep. I wake up with a jolt as the trains stops suddenly which makes us look out the window. We aren't at Hogwarts yet. 
"What's going on? We still have a few more hours" Parkinson asks us as if we know what is going on. Crabbe and Goyle say nothing but just shrug at her. She huffs and slumps back in her seat.

 That's when the windows froze over and a deathly cold wind blew through the train. I shiver and I hear somebody's teeth chatter. I feel Blaise shuffle closer, pressing me even tighter between the two boys. The door was blown open and a tall, imposing dementor floats there. Parkinson tries to squeal when it opens its mouth and I feel as though I will never be happy again. 

I feel all my happy memories leave my body, bringing all my sadness and anger to the surface. The memories with my mum almost start to fade and I can vividly see those with my father. Then it stops. It all floods back as the dementor leaves. I hear a sigh descend over the carriage as we all lean back in our seats.

"You okay Anna" Blaise and Draco say at the same time, letting out a chuckle after. I nod, a little shaken.
"I'm okay too!" Parkinson says, clearly envious of Draco and Blaise's attention not being on her. They stare at her awkwardly. It is broken when the door opens again and I see Marcus standing there.
"You okay Beth?" he asks me as I nod to reassure him.

"Alright Malfoy? Zabini? Ready to kick ass again this season?" he asks them. They nod and begin talking about Quidditch together. I want to join in but I am not on the same team as them and I doubt Wood would want me talking to them about it. Draco is the Slytherin Seeker whilst Blaise is a Chaser. My brother is the Captain of the Slytherin team and plays Beater. I am one of the Gryffindor Chasers.

After a while I decide to head back to my compartment to get my robes on and collect everything. I say goodbye to everybody and Blaise asks if I want to meet them in the common room after the feast. I agree and tell them I will see them there. I walk back to the compartment and see Harry sat on the floor looking dazed with Professor Lupin, Ron and Hermione crowded around him.

"What's going on?" I ask walking in.
"Oh thank goodness your alright! Harry fainted when the Dementor came in. He only just woke up" Hermione tells me quickly as Ron pulls me into a side hug.
"We were worried about you, you know" Ron tells me, stumbling over his words. 
"Aww was little Ronnikins worried about little old me?" I ask giggling as Ron's cheeks turn red. Fred and George had told me about that little nickname last year and now I use it to embarrass him all the time.

"Here, have some chocolate, all of you" Professor Lupin says holding out 4 chunks of milk chocolate.
"Thank you" I say when I retrieve my piece. He looks at me sadly almost as though he recognises me.
"I-I'm going to speak with the driver" He says edging past me and out of the compartment.
"Are you alright Harry?" I ask cautiously, placing a hand on his arm ignoring what just happened with the Professor.
"Not really, but I'll be fine" he says taking a bite of a bar of chocolate. I lean my head on his shoulder and it stays there until we arrive.

Firstly, I want to apologise for not updating for so long. I am back and have gathered more inspiration. I don't have a schedule of when I will upload but I will aim to upload at least once a week. I live in the UK so I am not sure what times they will come out in other countries. I also hope to write at least 1000 words for each chapter. I would love to hear your feedback and ideas you have for the storyline. Thanks for reading!

Erin!xx