Severa

Chapter I

The world moved by in a blur, the train making its way through the Scotland countryside, various hills and valleys morphing into a collage of rich greens and subtle blues. The girl stared out the frost coated window, doing her best to tune out the obnoxiously joyful conversation that seemed to be taking place within her compartment. Children.

Half the struggle was trying to disregard the blatant looks of curiosity and wonder; her mahogany hair contrasting with a clinical beam of the oh-so-dreadful fluorescent lights. Unlike most of the youth she had seen boarding the train, the girl held dark, sun kissed skin, complete with a splatter of freckles dusted across her strong nose and hollow cheeks, and her eyes; two different colors. One, the left, holding every shade of green, flecked with a vibrant yellow, the other, right, was the color of burnished gold, amber filtering through her dark iris. Most people found them unnerving, a bad omen. And she happened to enjoy the sight of  a stranger's tail between their weak knees, shaking in their boots; it made her feel powerful, as if she could control them with only an elementary smile.

In one year her life had gone to shit. After the loss of her adopted parents the girl was returning from Ilvermory, Hogwarts sister in the states, with a heavy heart. Her "friends" had ditched her, searching for more pleasant company. Apparently when your parents die your supposed to be able to get over it in less than a fortnight, trade that sorry look for drinking and parties; she hadn't gotten the memo. Seeing as the girl had suffered more than most do in a lifetime, her parents, then her brother shortly after, and now her adoptive parents, she was hoping for a free pass.

After the tragedy, and the abandonment of her so called friends, she stuck to herself. Burying her nose into every book, practicing every spell until her head was ringing and chest was aching. She even brushed up her potions, not that she really needed the work; brewing every concoction in the abandoned classrooms, hidden within the top floors. As well as making an effort to study Dark Arts, her favorite, and easiest subject. The interest sparking fear and envy within her peers, but she never minded, the girl quite liked it actually. Having always excelled in every one of her classes, it wasn't surprising that some might be jealous, she was proud of her achievements.

Suddenly the the door was yanked open, the girl's head whipping around to see three strangers, glaring down their noses. The remainder of people in her compartment scurried out at the sight of them, leaving only her to face the glowering intruders. Three boys dressed in black robes lined with silver and emerald, each of them losing the sneer as they took her in, eyes flickering. She returned the look with an all to subtle glare, her two-toned eyes shining in the unnatural light. The taller one stepped deeper into the compartment, going as far as to place himself in one of the seats, raising an eyebrow in challenge.

Oh it was on.

The other two stand hesitant at the door, waiting for an invitation, but after several long, feral minutes they finally got the memo and shuffled in, feet scuffing they ground as they took up the seats by the door.

She could feel the boy's eyes on her, burning a brand into her back, making the pregnant silence all the more awkward. But after growing tired of the look she turned to stare back, her eyes flicking to answer his earlier challenge. His face flashed for a second, the cool collect of his pale face falling, but only for a second. She was not one to lose, especially to some silly boy. And as she expected, he broke first, letting out a predatorial growl. She smirked and looked back to the window, hoping they'd take the hint and get out.

They did not take the hint.

"Who are you?" Then boy asked then, his blonde hair flashing in the light.

She didn't respond.

"Are you deaf?"He snapped, this time his voice full of arrogance, accent thick.