Chimaera Of Judgement

4: Jezabel Skirrow

Even four years after he had first started at Hogwarts, Albus winced as he passed through the seemingly-solid barrier between platforms nine and ten, and - instead of bloodying his nose - emerged on Platform Nine-And-Three-Quarters, where the gleaming crimson Hogwarts Express sat, billowing steam and awaiting its passengers with eager anticipation. As he stood admiring it, he felt a sharp pain in the small of his back.

"Ouch!"

"Get a move on, will you, Albie?" Lily grunted, having rammed into the back of him; Dobby was hooting indignantly from atop his trunk. "You're holding everything up!"

Grumbling, he pushed his trolley toward the back of the carriages, looking around for Rose, when a messy, dirty-blonde mop of hair came bobbing toward him. Eventually, when it had drawn closer, he could distinguish a person underneath it.

"Albus," the boy said, caramel complexion glowing in the mist. "How've you been?"

"Not bad, Tranky," he replied. "Heard you and the folks came 'round our place a few days ago."

"We did. You were grounded, weren't you?"

"I was." Albus glanced around. "Seen Rose anywhere?"

"Oh yes. She was headed toward the prefect's carriage. I'm heading there myself in a few moments; I've been tapped for Ravenclaw."

With a start, Albus realised he'd plum forgotten he would not be riding with the other students now he had been given the honourary "P". He laughed and replied, "But I'm going there, too!"

"Oh, how lovely! Well, we've only fifteen minutes - perhaps we should join your cousin."

When they reached the very front of the normal passenger cars, they met Rose coming toward them. Something was different about her, but he couldn't put his finger on it exactly. Nodding in greeting, she jabbed her thumb over her shoulder and said, "I'll say this for them - that car looks a sight better than the rest of the Express."

"All posh, is it?" Albus asked.

"Sickeningly so." Her eyes moved to the face beside his. "All right, Thomas?"

"Of course, of course," he replied. "I'll be joining you two with the other prefects."

"Who two? You..." Rose looked sharply at Albus. "Hang on a tick - why are you up this end of the train?"

Albus suppressed a laugh; her tone was a bit accusatory. "Well, as it turns out, I've been handed the 'P' as well."

"Really?" She frowned at him, still acting somewhat hurt. "But - but why didn't you tell me before?"

"Didn't know." Suddenly feeling quite embarrassed about it now, he lowered his voice and said, "Er, I didn't notice the badge was in with my letter until yesterday."

After a moment of staring at him in disbelief, she laughed, and loudly. "Blimey, Al, maybe they should revoke your prefectship straightaway! Didn't even notice you were one 'til it was almost too late!"

"Oh, shut up," he mumbled, glancing around and hoping nobody else had overheard. "Hey, hang on a second... that's it!"

She blinked. "What?"

Chuckling, he reached over and brushed a lone forelock that had fallen in front of her right eye. "Is there a reason this bit here is yellow?"

Frowning, she swatted his hand away. "Mum did it for me - thought it might lend me a touch of interest. Don't you like it?"

"Sure, if you're looking to join a colony of canaries."

"Perhaps we should be putting our luggage away," Tranky said serenely, cutting off Rose's undoubtedly-scathing retort. "It's nearly time."