Cassius isn't known for his patience. He sits, tapping his foot restlessly, earning dark looks from his friends in the compartment.
"Enough!" Adrian finally snaps. "Bloody hell, Cas! It's annoying."
With an innocent shrug of his shoulders, Cassius groans. "I'm hungry."
"The trolley lady will make her rounds soon."
He tries to wait, but it's difficult. Having skipped breakfast, all Cassius can think about is something sweet. Chocolate Frogs that melt in his mouth. Licorice Wands. Unable to resist it anymore, the Slytherin climbs to his feet and stalks off.
OoOoO
The trolley lady has her own compartment at the end of the train. Cassius finds her there, meticulously straightening the assortment of sweets and humming to herself.
It's a sweet little melody. Beautiful, really. Cassius finds himself mesmerized, listening to every lovely note.
Sensing her new companion, the witch looks up. "Sorry, dear. Running a wee bit late," she explains with a warm smile.
"No, it's fine," Cassius mumbles, his face flooding with warmth.
The teen shifts awkwardly. He'd only wanted to buy a snack, but somehow he doesn't even think of that now.
"That song," he says. "What was it?"
"Just a tune my father used to whistle whenever he baked. He was a baker. Best bread in all of Muggle London."
Curious now, Cassius sits on a seat, though he hasn't been invited. He asks her about her life, though he should be repulsed. She has Muggle blood, after all. But Cassius can't bring himself to care about that now.
Her name is Candida, the only child of her Muggle parents. Ravenclaw, former Chaser for the House team. She's worked on the Hogwarts Express for close to thirty years now. "Thought of teaching, but I'm meant to be in sales," she laughs. "It's in my blood."
Time passes much too quickly, and Cassius is almost sad when Candida climbs to her feet. None of the girls his age have ever been able to hold his attention like she had. She's something different, something special and beautiful, and now their time together is cut short.
"I'd best be going, dear. Mouths to feed." But as she starts past him, she slips a few Chocolate Frogs into his hands, offering him a wink. "No charge."