A Thousand Wishes | Remus Lupin

Chapter 2

The platform was a mess, filled with all kinds of students. Some of them being young, eleven year olds with a big confused expression on their baby faces. They had not yet been sorted and most of them didn't know anyone yet. The muggleborn children looked in fascination, but were all alone. I recognized myself in them. I remember when 5 foot me stood between platform 10 and 9 in confusion. My father wasn't present at the time. Suddenly, I felt someone tap me on the shoulder. There he was, at least as tiny as me, but less confused. His hair was bleach blonde, extremely similar to his father. He would grow to be one of my best friends.

Now, I was standing on the platform 5 years later. I was sorted into my house, everything was as usual. I was surrounded by people I loved, feeling safe. I met up with Draco, since we hadn't seen each other all summer. Mostly because of his father. You see, everyone makes this assumption that Draco is a racist, spoiled brat when it's actually quite the opposite. If anything, his father is just as abusive as mine. He just doesn't talk about it.

'Had a good summer?' He muttered.
'The usual, you?' I answered quietly, so his father didn't hear us communicating.
'Same. I've missed you, you know. I tell you this every term but I really am sorry you couldn't stay at mine. Look at your eye, it's all my fault-' His eyes filled up with guilt.
'Don't worry Draco, really. I know what Lucius is like.'
'Speak of the devil, here he comes.' Draco muttered, as his father pulled up.

Lucius Malfoy, a large built man. I remember seeing him on the platform for the first time. He was a tall and a fairly well groomed man. Taking one glance at him, I understood that man was no one to mess with. Every look he gave someone, would terrify them until the point they freeze for minutes. Draco looked a lot like his father, sometimes it terrified me. Same blonde hair, same pale blue eyes. The expression was different though. Lucius' eyes were cold and dangerous, Draco's were filled with gloominess and longingness.

'Mrs Eriksson.' Lucius muttered in a spiteful tone.
'Mr Malfoy.' I replied uncomfortably. Draco looked at me dreadfully.
'Go along Draco, I'd like to have a quick word with your mudblood friend.'
'Father-'
'I said move along!' he yelled, right in his face. In fear, he strutted on to the train, bringing my trunk as well.

'Pity seeing you here again. Thought your father would have convinced you to stay home looking after that drunk.'
'Yet here am I.' I said, getting nervous. I couldn't help but get angry when he talked about my father like that. First off, he wasn't better himself. Second of all, he's still my family and I do not tolerate people talking to me that disrespectfully-
'If I were you, I'd simply just leave. You know I don't like Draco following you around. You're not good enough for him.' He made my blood boil.
'Look, I'm really flattered you're wasting your precious time on talking to someone like me, but I really have to go. If you excuse me..'

His face turned into a bright red color. I could tell he was embarrassed, letting a child speak to him like that, not being ashamed. I ran through the doors onto the express.

While on the Hogwarts Express, my mood seemed to lighten up. Happy students everywhere, so happy to be going home. I felt the exact same way. I couldn't express with words how much this school meant to me. How much the feeling on entering the train felt. Chocolate frogs, jumping on every possible window, leaving greasy stains. Cats, chasing mice. I giggled to myself. It reminded me of what seemed to be the endless feud between Hermione and Ron in third year. After pacing back and forth trying to find my friends, I found them seated in our usual place.

'There you are! Took you long enough. I was worried sick!' Hermione said, looking obviously concerned.
'How much of a hell did he give you?' Draco said, looking embarrassedly down on the floor.
'He told me to leave the platform.' I said, making a horrible attempt to a grimace.
'Sorry 'bout that.' Draco muttered.
'No worries. Heard anything interesting about this year?' I said, looking directly at the twins. If anything, they'd know.
'Usually, I'd tell you that you came to the right place. Truth is, we've heard nothing.'
'Not a single word!'
'Lovely, then you don't mind me falling asleep, do you?' I said as I yawned.

I looked out of the window, seeing us pass through the beautiful landside of England. I didn't care what anyone said, the trip to Hogwarts was always going to be my favorite. Nothing got boring, there was so much to look at. I really appreciated moments like this, quiet. It gave me more time to observe and take it all in. Suddenly, I got really tired. I layed down, resting my head gently on Draco's lap while I closed my eyes to the noisy train.

Hermione giggled as he looked at Draco blush when I was just about to fall into dreamland.
'Oh, shut up.' He said, as he stroked my shockingly bright sunny hair until I fell asleep.

*

You'd imagine the big feast at the beginning of the term being exciting, but to be fully honest, it has growed to bore me. Me and Draco didn't have a lot of friends in our house. Mostly, our table was just filled with negativity. Imagine a cloud with rain but it never really pours, so you're unsure if you need to bring an umberella or not. Slytherin house was tipping on your toes, hoping you didn't make anyone upset. Although, being a slytherin came with it's perks. Professor Snape, clearly favorized us. Gryffindors barely passed his potions classes, while we barely had to put in any effort into it.

Dumbledore was holding his traditonal speech as the whole room slowly drifted away in their thoughts. The candles were hanging up in the air, filling the hall with a fair amount of light. I was really hungry, craving for the feast to start. The food was my favorite part. Any food you could think of was probably there. In boredom, I accidently rested my eyes at the teacher's table. Well, to be more specific, Remus Lupin.

You'd be suprised how well you could melt into those eyes. They looked so awkward, so innocent. Somtimes, they'd light up like a candle in the dark, and there and then, those eyes are the sweetest you'll ever see. It felt weird thinking about my teacher that way. Although, I suppose everyone has one of those crushes. Besides, I'm far away from the only one who thought of him that way, and also very far away from the prettiest. Suddenly, his eyes were rested at mine. I felt like I froze. He then cracked a smile at me and winked with his eyes. He was just as bored as me. I could feel my cheeks blush, as the table was filled up with all kinds of food.

*

The feast was finally over, and me and Draco strotted down to the dungeons. I muttered the password as the big gates to the common room was welcoming us back. I have always thought our common room was the most beautiful. It's mysterious, filled with even more mysterious individuals. Usually, looking out of a window you'd imagine seeing a big cloudy sky along with a view of the grounds. Us slytherins didn't, which didn't bother me. Instead, we had a beautiful view over the Black Lake, giving the common room a green luster. It was late, and exhausted students went straight to the dormitories to unpack and go to bed.

'Goodnight.' Draco muttered as we went seperate ways.

'Goodnight.' I responded as I walked down the stairs, to my dorm. I only shared my dorm with a girl in my year, Pansy Parkinson. We didn't speak much when we weren't in school, yet our small conversations was enough for me. We didn't get along super well, blood status was really important to her.

'How was your summer?' I said, breaking the silence as I was piling my clothes into the drawer.

'Fine. Didn't do much, hung out with Blaise a bit, went on a trip with my family to France. You?'

'Nothing much really. I spent the last week with the Weasley's and Granger. They're lovely.'

'She really is lovely, isn't she?' Pansy said, looking oddly shy.

'She is. I thought you and 'Mione didn't get along?' I said, patiently waiting for an answer.

'I was sarcastic, obviously. Besides she really hates me.' she said, as if she just got caught red handed.

'I believe she does. You've been awful to her, you know.'

'I know. It's just that, she's really brilliant, with everything. She's top of the class, and I catch the boys watching every step she takes. Pretty, smart, I have nothing on her.'

'Don't say that. You're really pretty Pansy. Besides, Hermione's not perfect if that's to any comfort. Trust me, the amount of times I've wanted to slap her right across the face. She really never shuts up, a bit annoying actually.' I giggled, followed by a rare laughter from Pansy.

'I suppose you're right, Eriksson. I'm going to bed, see you in the morning. Do you have herbology as well?'

'I do. Sleep tight Pansy.' I muttered, as I drifted into sleep.