A snake in a clan.

The Journey Home

Trains always made me sick. Especially this train. The ride to Hogwarts was never the most stable. At every corner it felt like we were going to fly off the tracks. But of course, we weren't, there were specific spells forced on the ancient train to ensure that. I wish the train was slightly more modernised, maybe then I wouldn't fear for my life every time I took the journey.

Still, it wasn't all bad. The dear trolley lady always started at the Slytherin end of the train. Maybe some pureblood family had paid her off centuries ago and the habit just stuck. I don't care, either way, we got the best choice of snacks. A few chocolate frogs and a pumpkin pasty was my tradition, a tradition that allowed my card collection to grow considerably. Since the war there had been a flux in the production of chocolate frog cards. Now that there was a vast amount of new heroes, everybody wanted their cards and the suppliers met the needs of the consumers. Of course, I was one of those consumers. I had always been a sucker for a card collection.

I was one of the first on the train this year which meant I got to pick a decent seat. I picked a booth at the furthest end of the train and pulled out a book I've recently been reading. The pages absorbed me, and I hardly noticed the station platform growing increasingly busier. I looked up from my book and notice this flash of blue and yellow. She's here.

I wouldn't say I'm obsessed with her, but she is mesmerising. She meets my stare and I smirk, not letting my eyes drop from hers. She rolls her eyes and practically dances away with her black and mustard scarf blowing behind her. My heart crashes back to reality. A Hufflepuff. If I was ever seen associating with her, I'd be the laughingstock of Slytherin. Not to mention her blood status. Not that I care about that, but I can't say the same for a few of my housemates.

Since the war, blood status has become irrelevant. If you're at Hogwarts, it's because you deserve to be there. Of course, some of the old families still struggle to overlook blood status which has rubbed off onto their kids. Admittedly it is mostly a problem with kids in Slytherin, but it would be foolish to overlook the same problems in other houses. We just get most of the blame as some of our parents are ex- death eaters.

Speaking of death eaters, I notice Draco Malfoy walking by with his son (and my best mate) Scorpio. By now everybody knows how Draco was left with little choice in working for Voldemort, but you can still feel the tension between him and the other families. Scorpio is a sweetheart though. I'm honestly confused as to how he ended up in Slytherin, but I try not to question it. The sorting hat is yet to be proven wrong in his decisions.

Scorpio looks up and a ginormous grin takes over his face. He waves enthusiastically up at me and I nod my head smiling back at him. It's very hard not to feel even a little cheerful with Scorpio around. I watch as he hugs his dad goodbye and as Draco reaches down to kiss his head softly. Despite all the rumours about the Malfoys, they are the sweetest bunch. I've always been welcomed by them.

I turn away and give them some privacy. When Scorpio has said goodbye he practically runs up the train corridor to our apartment. He plonks himself down with his brand-new bag discarded next to him. I frown a little.

"You ditched your old bag?" He looks at his bag then back at me frowning a little too.

"Dad said I needed a new one after one of the straps fell off during summer," I remember the day and chuckle a little. The look on that book shop assistants face when Scorpio's bag broke under the weight of the books he had just brought. Although I think she was more concerned about the jar of freshly caught frogs that broke all over the shop floor. "I do still have it though, I just couldn't bring it to school." I nod and feel a little relieved. That bag had seen us through a lot. From summer camping to sneaking out of the dorms at night to drink out on the quidditch pitch. Well I drank, Scorpio was too much of a good boy. 

The train sets into motion and the journey begins. Scorpio and I spend most of the journey talking about our summer (even though we spend most of it together) and plans for this year.

"I might try out for beater again this year." I smirk, sooner or later the conversation was going to turn to quidditch. I convinced Scorpio to try out for the house team during our 3rd year after seeing him play rounders during the summer with his family. Unsurprisingly he was given beater with no questions asked. Since then none of our team has been injured by those bloody bludgers. The same can't be said for our oppositions. Now it was just training him to not apologise for every time he hit the ball into someone's broom.

"You'll easily get it. Fernsby loves you. "But then again everyone loves Scorpio.

"You're gonna try out for seeker again, yeah?" He looks up at me with worried eyes. I smile softly and nod. Of course I was, how else was I supposed to show off my mad skills to Cat? Speaking of. I glance at my watch and smirk. She would be settled in by now. I stand up and stretch my arms out.

"I'm gonna take a walk." Scorpio looks up at me showcasing his cheeky grin.

"It's a train, Quiche, where would you go? To see a certain Hufflepuff?" I take my hat off and throw it at him hitting him square in the face as he giggles.

"Shut your face Malfoy, I have a promise to keep." I run my hand through my curls to make them look a little neater after them being showed under a beanie all day and walk out of our apartment. 

I make my way to the other end of the train. Cat loved to sit the furthest away from me, she just couldn't stand my good looks constantly. As always, her apartment door was wide open. I smiled as I heard her voice float through the air. It's a sweet sound.

"They aren't that bad, their curls are kinda cute." I smirk and lean against the entrance to her apartment.

"And who's curls would that be, Kitten?" Cat's head snaps in my direction as I speak. She'd never admit it to her friends but she looooves my nickname for her. I notice the slight blush on her cheeks as she sighs. I acknowledge the others sharing her apartment. Isla Dankworth, a fellow Hufflepuff who adored me. And Taylor and Victoria Tumbler, Ravenclaw twins. They were alright, they were smart enough to cause trouble but not get caught.

'What do you want?' I turn my attention back to Cat who's glaring at me. I glance down at her lips briefly. I can't exactly tell her what I really want right now. I meet her eyes again.

"I thought I'd come and see my fave Puff. "I smirk down at her as she shakes her head.

"Oh Quiche, I know you love me but sometimes I need space." Isla clutched her pearls and dramatically looked away. I shook my head and laughed lightly. I can feel Cat's eyes burning into me.

"Can I have a word?' She sighs exasperated but nods. I smile a little and lead the way to an empty apartment. Once we are both inside I close the door and turn to her. Her sweet looking lips. Her warm but intimidating eyes.

I walk up to her and wrap my arms around her waist kissing her neck softly.

"Did you miss me, kitten?" She gasps a little and nods running her hands through my curls. She guides my lips up to hers and we pick up from where we left off a few days ago. She pulls out her wand smoothly and locks the door. The old train drowns out all the sounds we make.