Ardent Adversaries

Chapter 2: The Train

I follow the long corridor down to the Slytherin end of the train before sliding open the door into our section. I head toward the back of the train car, passing a load of first years on the way. I can tell they are just starting out their magical journey by the looks of nervousness on their faces. I smile internally and think of what they are in store for this year. I pray that we actually get a good Defense teacher this year. Last year's teacher wasn't too bad until he turned out to be a Death Eater in disguise. I shudder at the memory. I should've known something was wrong when he turned Draco into a ferret. Cissa and Lucius were furious about that one. I laugh quietly to myself as I finally reach our usual compartment.

I'm still slightly laughing as my friends greet me while I make my way to my usual window seat next to Hugh. I plop down and put my feet up onto Hugh's lap. He gives me an annoyed look and pushes my legs off. I smirk at him and put them right back. He rolls his eyes at me and drapes his arm over my shins. I am suddenly drawn back into the conversation when Felix says my name.

"So what do you think about that, Dawson?" He asks, his brown eyes looking at me inquisitively.

"Um," I say, trying to think of something to say. "Sure?" The blondies, Tara, and Felix all look at me in shock.

"You're joking right?" Shea says in her soft voice. "You're gonna tell us your plans for this year?" Her eyes widen in surprise.

"Nah, I'm only joking Shea. You know a good prankster never reveals her secrets," I say. "Plus, you guys know that you're safe from whatever you do. That's the best perk of being my friends."

Shea slumps back into the seat defeated. Tara rubs her shoulder sweetly and I stare at her inquisitively. She blushes furiously and removes her hand. I shake my head at her. I look over at Clancy and his nose is, like always, in a book. I find myself looking back at Tara. I trace her face with my eyes as I look at her. I move my eyes down the rest of her body too. She looks different from how she did the last time I saw her. She gained a bit of weight and it went all to her hips and chest. I shake myself out of my trance and look back at her face. She's staring directly at me. I wiggle my eyes at her jokingly.

Tara and I have been best friends since the first day of first year. In third year, she was the first person I came out to, and then immediately after she came out right back. We've hooked up from time to time, most of the time drunk or high after the insane parties. Tara moves her eyes slightly in the direction of Hugh and I glance at him. He's staring at me, thinking no one would notice. He quickly looks away and clears his throat.

"Anyone up for a game of wizards chess?" Hugh says trying to change the subject. Everyone looks at him with varying grimaces.

"Yeah, I'll play you Hugh. Let me grab my set from my bag," I say, standing up to get at the overhead compartment. "Where's my bag?" I say to no one in particular.

"Dunno," Felix says. "Maybe they put it with Draco?" I groan in disappointment. As I start to head out of the cart when I see the Trolley Witch a couple of compartments down, so I head back to my seat.

"Food first, chess after, I need to eat or I'm gonna get mad," I say with a smile. The girls laugh. They know all about how mad I get when I'm hungry. We chat leisurely for a few minutes before the Trolley Witch arrives.

"Anything off the trolley, dears?" She asks sweetly.

"Uhm, yeah, lemme get a pumpkin pasty and a licorice wand," Says Hugh.

"Cauldron cake please," Shea says.

"Hmm," Clancy says looking up from his book. "Just a packet of Droobles."

"Pumpkin pasty and a chocolate frog," Tara adds.

"I second that," I say to her.

"Just a licorice wand please," Felix says as he hands her our combined money. She hands him all of our goodies and Felix sets them on the small table by the window.