Ralph Hayes couldn't say he was normal. Not when he was told that he was wizard. Standing in front of the Hogwarts Express, he sighed softly.
A hand rested on his shoulder. It belonged to his father, Arthur Hayes. He ran a sweet shop in Diagon Alley with his sister Marlin. A merger income and a sick wife was enough to send him back to reconsidering about sending his son to the school. Only if ministry hadn't decided to fund his education.
"You seem nervous, son. Is anything wrong at Hogwarts?" he asked.
"It's nothing, father."
Ralph's heart sank as his father lifted his hand off the shoulder. He turned around and gave his father a hug before grabbing his luggage cart.
The platform was packed with people. Slowly, he maneuvered his way to the nearest empty compartment. He put his owl's cage through the open window and headed to the nearest door.
He grabbed his trunk and entered the train.
Everyone who were lingering in the aisle, immediately returned to their compartments at his sight.
Ralph dragged his trunk behind him, ignoring everyone who were shooting fearful glances through the glass doors.
He quickly entered his compartment and slammed the door shut. There was a crunching sound and he turned around to see a crack in the glass door.
He placed his trunk under the seat and took out his wand.
"Reparo." he said, pointing his wand at the cracked glass.
But instead of repairing itself, it shattered.
Ralph cursed under his breath. He put the wand in his pocket and sat down.
There was a soft knocking sound on his window. He opened it and leaned out to talk to his father.
"Take care of yourself, Ralph." he said, ruffling his son's hair and disappearing into the crowd.
Ralph sat in his seat, when he heard the whistle. The train began to move. It turned around the corner and escaped into bright blue sky.
He was busy staring out of the window when he heard a crunching sound. He turned around to see a girl standing outside his compartment.
She opened the sliding door and carefully stepped inside. "Anyone sitting there?" he asked, pointing at the seat opposite Ralph. "Everywhere else is full."
He shook his head and the girl placed her shoulder bag on the seat. She rubbed her hands together, looking at the broken window.
"How did this happen?" she asked, glancing at him.
He nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders, looking out of the window.
The girl took out her wand and pointed it at the damaged window. "Reparo." she muttered and every piece of glass shot back into its place.
She placed her wand back and sat down on her seat.
They both sat in silence until Ralph spoke. "Are you afraid of me?"
The girl started but immediately replied.
"I don't know but those rumors do mean something."
"I didn't burn down my house when I was six years old. It was a cat that set the curtains on fire. I am not related to Voldemort." he blurted out, angrily.
"You said You-Know-Who's name!" she cried, trying to shift away from him.
"Wait!" Ralph shouted a little too loudly, frightening the girl. "I mean, look at me. I am not like him. I even have a nose."
She busted out laughing, much to his relief.
"You are not as evil as they say. I'm Viola Fischer."
"You know me."
While they had been talking, the train had carried them out of London. Now they were speeding past fields full of cows and sheep. They were quiet for a time, watching the fields and lanes flick past.
Around half past twelve there was a great clattering outside in the corridor and a smiling, dimpled woman slid back their door and said, "Anything off the cart, dears?"
Viola shook her head but Ralph looked confused. When the trolley lady went, he stood up.
"What happened?" Viola asked.
"I should have got something."
He exited the compartment to search for the trolley lady. When he finally found her, he bought a pumpkin pasty.
He bit into it when he heard someone's sobs at the end of the coach. He headed down the end and noticed Wrede twins cornering a small girl.
"Aren't you related to the old witch?" Patricia spoke.
"Isn't it obvious? Just look at her robes." Gustaf said.
Ralph swallowed and opened his mouth to say something but closed it. But a tabby cat darted over his feet, causing him to let out a short cry of surprise.
The Wrede twins and the girl turned towards Ralph. Two pairs of grey eyes met black.
"Well, isn't it the cursed student of Hogwarts? It is a pleasure to meet you again." Patricia said, bowing gently.
"Too much formality but I appreciate it. Now get back to your seat before I complain about you to the Head Boy." Ralph said, sternly.
Both of them walked away from him and the girl.
Ralph looked down at the girl who stood sobbing in the corner, her head hung low. He kneeled on the floor to see her face.
"Did they hurt you?" he asked softly to avoid scaring her more.
The girl shook her head.
"I am Ralph Hayes."
"Lauren Metaxas." she replied, as she bend over to pick up the thin tabby cat which returned.
Lauren quickly ran past Ralph, much to his surprise and concern. He decided to be an onlooker to keep her out of trouble.