"This is platform 9 ¾ all right." I whispered, taking a tighter hold on my trolley. I braced myself and took a running start towards the wall. The next thing I knew, the Hogwarts Express towered before me. Although I had seen this train eight times before, (going to and from Hogwarts for four years) the splendor of the train could never be diminished. I had to admit, I smiled for a little, but the joy quickly died when I saw the crowds and crowds of children. Being a Slytherin, I hated at least 75% of my fellow students at Hogwarts. As a kid I was taught to only give respect to the pure-bloods, usually my fellow Slytherins.
A familiar face emerged from the crowd, Pansy Parkinson.
"Anya!" She called, running towards me. I quickly moved my trolley aside, just before being wrapped in a big, suffocating hug from my best friend Pansy.
"Anya! Guess what!?" She exclaimed, (a little to close to my ear)
"What?" I asked, breaking away from her iron embrace. Pansy put her hands on my shoulders, as if she was about to tell me that she had bought the whole bloody city of London.
"Draco Malfoy asked me out! She squealed, throwing her arms in the air. Internally, I chuckled "I wonder how long this is going to last..." I thought.
On the outside I said, "That's great!" Personally, I'm just glad she's so happy, I pushed my trolley closer to the train as she chatted gleefully. She explained that we would be sitting by Draco on the train ride. I wondered how awkward this was going to be. Since our parents are both Death Eaters, we used to see each other at least nine times a year. We never found anything to talk about, so as far as I know, we have nothing in common. All we would talk about was our hatred for Harry Potter and his friends, but I haven't seen him in over a year so the conversation will probably be minimal.
As my thoughts raced, we came up to the train. I picked up my trunk and my cage for my owl, Cleo. She hooted and brought me out of my thoughts.
"...and we just got back last Saturday, so how was your summer?" Pansy babbled.
"I- uh... well, my summer was pretty good." I stuttered, although I had no idea what she had just said. We stepped onto the train, and I immediately smelled chocolate frogs.
Pansy pulled me to the back of the train, where we were greeted by a very enthusiastic Draco Malfoy.
He embraced Pansy and then turned to look at me.
"Hello Mrs. Lestrange." He said.
"It's just Anya." I said hurriedly.
Draco frowned, ignoring my last comment. "I am so sorry to hear about your mother going to... Azkaban."
Pansy gasped "Why didn't you tell me Anya?" I'm so sorry!" She put a comforting hand on my shoulder, but I shrugged it off. Emotion and memories filled my mind, I fought back invisible tears. My eyes shot daggers at Draco for bringing up the subject. We kept eye-contact for several seconds, his grey eyes flickered for a moment, portraying a new emotion. Sadness? Understanding? His eyebrows furrowed and he mouthed "I'm sorry."
I nodded and muttered, "I need some time alone." Draco stepped forward and said "I'll take care of your luggage." He picked up Cleo and carefully gave her to Pansy who immediately stuck her finger in the cage to pet the silvery bird. Draco hoisted my trunk onto his shoulders with a strength I had not noticed before. "Huh." I thought, "Draco Malfoy." I pinched myself, "I can't be thinking like that, Draco is taken."
He put his arm around Pansy's waist, and they walked away. "Bye Anya!" She called over her shoulder. "See you later!"