Spider LaFey glided through the 9¾ platform and was now stood opposite the steaming Hogwarts express, billowing clouds of smoke swam through the air and all that could been seen of Spider were her rosy lips glowing amidst the fog. Pushing her trolley towards the train she waved goodbye to her parents whom stood solemnly at the edge of the platform, she always did miss her family when she went back to Hogwarts however no matter want happened she always loved being back to school. The witch struggled to deposit her personalised trunk onto the train, until two strong male hands gripped each of the handles and aided her out of nowhere, looking up it was the pureblood face of Draco Malfoy. Almost as shocked as her owner Spider's Persian kitten jumped onto Draco from the leisurely slumber it had been in whilst on her trunk, with almost perfect reflexes master Malfoy caught the flying ball of snowy fluff in his arms with intriguing gentleness. The kitten was now nuzzling the wizard's chest, purring kindly.
"I see you're a prefect too" He stated with a grin looking down at the gleaming letters PREFECT on her chest.
"I was so surprised," came her reply "I've never exactly been in the limelight of Hogwarts fame"
"I wouldn't say that" Draco smiled at her but looked down at the precious cargo he had been cradling in his arms "You were always the cleverest and got high grades without even trying. You're nice." She was blushing and the silence grew awkward until the blonde wizard passed back the little kitten back "Does she have a name?"
"No, I only got her three days ago; it was a surprise present for becoming a prefect from my parents. I might call her Napoleon." she alleged, he looked confused "It's a boy's name but she won't know that, I think there might be something wrong with her, her legs are too short and she's a bit too small" Draco looked concerned as they went to down the corridor, he was about to say something but Pansy striding down the passage scowling. "Guess I'll see you later then."
"Yeah" he replied and said what sounded like "I'd like that"
She met up with her two best friends, they were both Ravenclaw's along with Spider, although it didn't surprise them she was a prefect they were surprised at the way she looked. Her appearance had changed dramatically, it was no doubt to who it was yet there was a new glow to her, she was paler, her hair struck darker against her face, her cheekbones more chiselled. It was like Spider had found a confidence that she'd never had before, even in her school robes (which she had had to change into before everyone else to attend her new prefect 'duties') she looked different, it was like she'd given everything a new stamp of her own personality. She made her apologies for having to go, left newly named Napoleon in Pandora and Esterella's care, and made her way find the first year's.
She'd managed to escape responsibility for five seconds, so decided to award herself a well earned break, nonetheless her rest was broken when she heard the cries of a first years followed by the crash as they tumbled to the floor. Miss Lafey scurried along the passage to aid wail of the new witch or wizard. When she got there she found Draco stood above a crumple of robes, Pansy Parkinson roaring with cackled laughter, as the blonde wizard looked up to see Spider his malevolent smirk had vanished leaving nothing but an empty stare. Practically jumping on the heap of what she assumed must be a small child, she knelt beside them saying "Don't worry, it's okay I'll look out for you" a hand popped out and grabbing hers she lifted what turned out to be a freckled messy haired and terrified eleven year old wizard. "You make me sick Pansy, you could barely jinx your way out of a paper bag, there's no need to take it out on first years." Shooting a livid look at Pansy, not even looking Draco's way she took the boy hand-in-hand to his original compartment, staying there until she felt he was safe from the wrath of Slytherin torment.
It wasn't until the sorting that she was finally reunited with Pandora and Esterella, they were sat on the familiar Ravenclaw table waiting to see who their first years would be when she saw someone new at the table inhabited by the Hogwart's professors, recognising him instantly Lucius Malfoy sat with his disgustingly handsome face surveying his new territory. Their eyes meet, she looked away wondering if he'd noticed or whether it was 'Dora' or 'Rella' he was glancing at, boys were always looking at them, she was quickly remembering what is was like to have friends everyone fancied. The freckled boy from the train was stood watching furtively at the Slytherin table, the dark haired witch regretted not asking him his name, why hadn't she asked him on the train? A tanned witch was just sorted into Hufflepuff when it was his turn; "Forbes-Benedict!" he hobbled to the old stool almost tripping over his own feet for nervousness and Draco's gang bust into fits of laughter, all except Draco who unbeknownst to Spider was looking at her. He was tentative and flushed red from embarrassment.
"RAVENCLAW" screamed the battered old sorting hat.
The entire table exploded into cheers, he sat down near their other two new house members who weren't too far from where their little trio were, she saw him and gave him a reassuring wink of approval which seemed to cheer him up. She spent the rest of the feast catching up with the other two but also exchanging gauche eye contact with what she had assumed to now be Professor Malfoy. She took to the alcove of chairs by the window which they had pretty much solely occupied since second year, Napoleon sat on her lap snoozing placidly, as she'd been admiring the view from the window she was oblivious to young Benedict trotting up to her bashfully.
"Errmm thanks for sticking up for me; I'm so glad I'm in Ravenclaw, it's just great up here!"
A little shocked she rushed back "Er don't worry about it, that's what I'm here for! And of course you want to be a Ravenclaw!"
"Wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure." Quoted Benedict, as they both laughed at his innocent enthusiasm.
That had really lifted her spirits, she hadn't been too sure about being a prefect but that stuff made it worth it, and she must've been going soft, even if it was her appearance that was getting her attention.