A/N: First HP fanfic, I've been re-reading it over and over again so hopefully it doesn't suck. I like it a lot! XD Usually my characters aren't Mary Sue, but if Damien is, PLEASE, tell me.
Chapter 1: The Reasons Why
This wasn't something that just happened over night and stopped as soon as the sun rose. It wasn't a terrifying dream that would leave you breathless and relieved when you woke up. You didn't wake up to the familiar rays of comforting light, or realize suddenly that the entire ordeal was over. It would always keep you in its clutches, slowly eating you away bit by bit until you were an empty shell. You would feel yourself running in the darkness; a never ending abyss of shadows. Flickers of light tantalize you before burning out and you realize in despair that nevermore shall the light of day reach your sunken eyes.
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The streets were cold, colder than anything I'd ever experienced outside of my home. I was surprised to see that people wore simple outfits rather than the complicated dress I'd seen on the train ride here.
I'd expected people with top hats and large cloaks draping thin figures with sunken faces. That, or prehaps the opposite; grotesque strangers muddling about their way with rather calm faces, but malicious tendencies.
I found the mental image to be somewhat amusing, becoming enough for me to release a small snort. It felt weird as my lips curled upward to form a malevolent smirk.
My hands gripped tighter at the rusted metal cage that held my pet; a simple obsidian crow with nothing better to do than deliver my letters and eat what scraps I decided to suffice him with. He was an animal; nothing more, and nothing less than that. He had a name of course, simply because in order to order someone to do something, that someone required a title. His was Kuro, simply to distinguish the fact that he was only a black crow.
My feet moved almost silently with each step I took through the obnoxiously loud crowd; as if I were merely a shadow cast beneath their feet.
Not that I minded. I hated stares towards me anyway as it usually meant people were judging me.
'For your information, simpletons, I'm not an orphan. Nor am I a so-called "emo" kid. Why do you care in the first place?' I thought angrily.
I shook my head from the thought and turned to the fact of finding my destination. My ticket read a number that I couldn't find on the map. My eyes twitched and the ticket crumpled in my fist.
'Perfect.' I thought in dissatisfaction, 'Another time delay I don't need to deal with...'
I turned my head and noticed another girl seemingly in the same predicament. She had rather short black hair and a sharply defined nose that made her look almost bird-like. Her face was round and sunken like the rest of the people of London, but her skin wasnt as pale or fragile looking.
I turned my head back towards the map, not really finding much interest in this stranger despite her faux leather boots and bizarre checkered shirt. I was surprised when I saw her turn to me out of the corner of my eye.
"Hey, do you know where I can find platform 9 3/4? This map is either outdated or my ticket seriously bites!" she sighed, her hair flipping back to reveal neon magenta strands underneath her obsidian hair. I looked at her with obviously jaded eyes.
"No. If I knew where it was, I wouldn't be looking for it on the map." I stated blankly, not liking the fact that the conversation was pointless.
"Woah! You're going to Hogwarts too?" she said, suddenly a bright smile that blinded me graced her features, "I'm Judy Malone, looks like we're going to be school mates!"
I leaned away slightly, not used to the over excitement or brightness that was standing before me. She was like an alien of some kind. I looked behind her to see a rat of sorts, it wore a rather flamboyant pink bow and I had a shred of sympathy for the poor animal before I was abruptly grabbed.
My eyes widened as I felt myself being dragged off by this foolish girl towards a man appointing people to platforms. I tried to shrug my hand off and found it wouldnt budge.
"I don't even know you!" I seethed, "Let go of me!"
Judy looked back at me, blinking in confusion before releasing my wrist. I scoffed and rubbed my joint before looking back to tell her to go away.
I paled as she sobbed into her hands, crying for no apparent reason as people stopped to stare accusingly at me. Her sobs were frightfully loud, and she was beginning to cause a scene.
"What are you crying for? Are you completely insane?" I growled.
More people began to crowd around, making me feel as though I was becoming drowned with ridicule and accusations.
"J-Just stop with this nonsense!" I practically pleaded with her and Kuro began to squawk at my discomfort, probably wondering what the hell was going on and if he was going to receive food anytime soon.
"I-I can't believe you won't let us hold hands! You're such an idiot!" She wailed and people began to murmur about a fighting young couple.
I flushed indignantly at the words that implied a complete misunderstanding. I was an innocent bystander just trying to find my way to a platform.
"Why would we hold hands? We just met-" I tried to reason with her, but cut myself off as many of the stares began to grow menacing.
With a growl I grabbed the insane girl's wrist and dragged her towards the station officer.
"Bloody hell..."I murmured.
"Glad you see things my way." she grinned and I frowned, blanching at the realization that somehow I'd picked up a stalker.
She flipped our positions so that I was the one being dragged off, our luggage behind us with our pets talking in an animalistic language people never would understand.
"Excuse me, do you happen to know where we could find platform 9 3/4-" Judy began only to be cut off by the large and burly officer.
"No! What is up with brats your age?" He growled, "Doesn't it get old doing the same joke over and over again?It simply isn't funny."
Judy looked disappointed and I sighed before looking up at the intimidating man.
"Perhaps its just a misprint on our tickets." I stated tiredly, "Can you appoint us to platform 9 then?"
The man snorted and motioned a few numbers back, until I noticed ten and nine off in the distance. I nodded in thanks as Judy once again took off.
I realized that I was becoming dangerously used to her and that I should get rid of her as soon as possible, lest she kidnap me or something more sinister. After all, insane people were not to be trusted.
"Hey look!" She hauled me to her side and grabbed my head to turn it in the direction she was looking, "Over there!"
I gingerly brushed her hands away, not wanting to repeat the past and looked in the directions she was furiously pointing to. My eyes widened as I saw a boy a few years older than me run directly into, and through, a brick wall. I had an urge to blink, but found no time to do so as my arm was yanked with a slight pop and we were heading straight for the wall we'd witnessed him pass through.
I sweated nervously as I saw the bricks come closer and closer to me and tried to scramble away in realization of what she was going to try and do.
"Hold on a moment-!"
I was cut off as I was practically thrown through the wall. My eyes shut on instinct and I waited for my life to pass before my eyes as I felt a quick and strange sensation around my body.
I was surprised when seconds later I hit the floor with a loud thud, along with my luggage as Kuro sqwaked loud in confusion, voicing my thoughts. I opened my eyes and watched as Judy followed my same pattern, except landing gracefully on both of her feet. She resembled a black cat; I shouldn't have let her cross my path since she was obviously bad luck. Her eyes were bright and I averted my gaze to see the large red sign, gold colored numbers indicating the platform number. It read 9 3/4 and I couldn't help but feel a little relieved.
As I stood up I could feel her eyes on me; it felt weird. She was probably taking in my appearance like everyone else: my stringy black hair that fell to my chin, my dull gray eyes, and my thin body. I bristled angrily.
"What are you looking at?"I snorted.
"Oh, I wasn't staring was I?" She laughed before ruffling my hair like I was some toddler, "I was just making sure you didn't need help standing up."
I tried to stay irritated and spiteful, but I felt my glare noticeably soften to her outrageously honest personality.
"Well then." I sighed and stepped onto the train, "We might as well get going Ms. Judy."
"Hold it." She grabbed my suitcase and helped me get it up the small set of stairs, "Why are you so formal?"
"Runs in the family." I murmured, irritated once more by the fact that she was helping me carry luggage.
"What are you some nobleman or something?" She asked with a slight grunt as she pushed our stuff into the nearest empty compartment, we were simply lucky since everywhere else was probably full.
"...I suppose you could say that." I frowned a little.
Turning, I sat with Kuro in my lap as she continued to put her case above our heads. The racks were considerably small, considering the fact that the train must've been modified at some point. Despite the cramped space, I felt comfortable with the darkened wallpapers and old seats.
"Oh, I forgot to ask," Judy turned with a bright grin, "what's your name?"
I froze for a moment as she held out her hand, obviously waiting for me to take it. I was reminded of the red letter in the breast pocket of my coat and forced a smile.
"I'm Damien Audire." I stated drowsily, feigning contentment.
"That's a strange name." She commented.
"You're one to talk Judy Malone." I snapped.
She smirked, "So you have some fight in you after all. Good, because if the rumors about Hogwarts are true, you're gonna need it."
I looked out our window, my expression was probably solemn, but I didn't care. Judy was indeed right about the rumors; about many things, things I didn't even know.
Perhaps if we'd known, everything could've changed that day on the train. Perhaps I wouldn't be here watching, waiting, and praying that they would all be okay.
A/N: Good? Not good? Critique porfavor!