The Strange Lestrange.
The platform was very, very crowded. Of course that was to be expected, as always platform 9 ¾ was bursting with activity and magic. First years mixed with fourth years, prefects flocked and monitored everything, Mensa rolled her eyes as she shuffled though the barrier, dusting her cloak off and looking ahead, she could clearly see the blonde boy and an older blonde man standing in the distance. Mensa ducked her head and headed over to them, avoiding first years and stray charms that flew across the platform. "Merlin, you'd think they'd never seen magic before." The small blonde boy whined as she finally came within distance of them, she huffed and leaned forward, bending to his face, she had a few inches on him, and flicking his nose. "Don't be so rude Draco, not all witches and wizards are as advanced in magic as we are." He rolled his eyes and rubbed his nose, the older male cleared his throat. "Children, may we proceed?" Mensa beamed up at her uncle, crossing her hands behind her back.
"Of course uncle Lucius." He raised an eyebrow at her, he knew she was up to something. He moved through the crowd of students and parents that seemed to part for him, she made a note to ask him if that was a spell, cause she'd just have to learn it. She smirked as she walked ahead of the two of them, taking light steps she moved quickly stepping behind her uncles billowing cloak, was that a charm to? Doubtful. She managed to move quietly over to Draco's side and poke him in the back of the neck. He hissed and batted her hand away as he straightened his cloak and stood straighter, his spine going stiff. Mensa rolled her eyes as she noticed the shift in his behavior, she'd forgotten they were going back to school, they weren't home anymore and Draco wasn't about to let her baby and patronize him all year.
She nodded as she quickly grabbed his hand, interlocking their fingers. His crystal blue green eyes locked with her stormy grey ones as she gave him a small, but loving smile. Releasing his hand, her own fell limply against her side as she watched her cousin greet Blaise Zabini and Gregory Goyle, and watched them disappear into the Hogwarts Express . She crossed her arms as she watched all the first years filter around her, all saying tearful goodbyes to parents. The small ache in her chest seemed to grow as she watched Neville Longbottom climb onto the train, waving to his grandmother. Mensa blinked as she looked to her uncle, who seemed to be staring at the same scene, only with a totally different expression from her own.
He sucked his teeth as she rested both hands on his cane. "Come along Mensa, the train is just about off." She snapped her head to the sound of Draco's voice, his blonde head poking out the window. "I've already got the seats." She nodded her head, her wild inky black hair flying in different directions as she moved quickly, climbing the stairs, she paused and looked back. "I'll see you Christmas Holiday Uncle Lucius!" She laughed and managed to catch the redness creep up her uncles neck before she darted to quickly gain her seat with her cousin. Plopping down on the lush seats she groaned as she stretched and cracked her back. Draco wrinkled his nose at the popping sounds as she watched her bend and reach. "That's vulgar." Mensa rolled her eyes as she looked up to Draco. "So is your face, but you don't hear us complaining." Sticking her tongue out at him she straightened up in the seat as she looked at the group assembled in the cabin. Crabbe, Goyle, Blaise, and Pansy Parkinson. She wrinkled her nose at the other female in the compartment.
"So, how was everyone's break?" The silence was thankfully broken by Zabini as he closed the book he'd had open when Mensa stumbled in, she hadn't managed to see the title, but it was thick and old looking and not at all what the Lestrange has pegged for light reading at all. Pansy of course had to be the first one to start bragging about her family trip to Paris, and oh my goodness those the latest fashion on the market last spring. Mensa managed to tune her very annoying voice out and focus on the passing scenery passing outside the trains windows. No matter how many times she'd seen the rolling hills and flowers, it'd never get old for her. The sun was just now dipping down in the sky and that orange and yellow mixture was starting to take over. She sighed as she looked out the window, and managed not to catch the look Blaise was giving her. "Mensa." Looking back to the group she blinked and looked at the group, Draco looked annoyed. "We've been calling your name, luckily I filled them in that you space out from time to time." She managed to rolled her eyes at her younger cousin as she looked around at everyone. "Well?" "It's time for us to get changed into our robes and things, shouldn't be long before we arrive." Mensa groaned as she looked down at her clothing, the muggle clothes were well hidden under her cloak, the reason her uncle hadn't noticed and lectured her about setting the right example for her younger cousin.
She mentally rolled her eyes, her dear cousin knew she was a lost cause, he reminded her quite frequently. She sighed and climbed to her feet, not before being thrown off balance by the train suddenly jerking to a stop. "oof!" The sound escaped as she was thrown onto Blaise's lap. "Bloody hell!" Draco all but screamed as Parkinson landed directly in his lap, purposely no doubt. Mensa quickly climbed to her feet, right as the lights flickered out. Pulling her wand from the secure bun she'd twisted into her hair, a small wave and small fairy lights danced around the compartment. Draco eyed her as he pushed Parkinson from his lap and onto the floorboards. "You've been practicing your nonverbal spells." A small smug grin slip her cheeks as she eyed her cousin. "Jealous hm? Don't worry wittle Dracy, you'll get there." She could see the red creeping up his neck even in the dim lighting.
"Sh! You don't hear that?" The whole compartment was silent, at first no one heard anything. "Wait, is that?" The sound of nails, slowly running down the walls. "Merlin, it's cold." Parkinson mumbled as she rubbed her arms, breaths of cold air left her lips. With another wave, the fairy light vanished and Mensa was shoving Draco away from the sliding doors of the compartment. "Shh!" Mensa hissed as she watched the door, the shadow outside the door was wispy, she knew what it was. Frequent trips to Azkaban had hardened her to the creatures, truthfully no one could actually become fully accustomed to the feeling of being around the creatures. Her wand was shaking in her hands as she pointed it towards the doorway. Closing her eyes she tried to picture a happy memory, ones with Draco, growing up with aunt Cissy. " Expecto Patronum." The wispy shape of a small kitten raced from the tip of her wand, pushing the doors open and the Dementor let loose a wail and fled from the compartment and the train, Mensa wasn't really sure, all she remembers in blacking out afterwards and Draco calling her name.