Hufflepunk Chic
Chapter I
"It's time," My mother spoke through my door sweetly. Her voice sounded wrong, and I cringed. I knew she only spoke like this to me in front of friends and strangers, but we were alone in the house, besides the maids. Her voice was usually harsh, sharp, and feminine but not rough or unpleasant to listen to. She spoke like the rich well-behaved woman she was; I despised it.
"Yes, mother. I'm ready," I replied, just as sweet, only this tone was genuine. Though I was raised by two devious, backwards parents, this was my normal tone. I'd never brag, but I was always more caring than them. Much to my parents' dismay, I was a bleeding-heart from the beginning. I shook my head and grabbed a few of my bags, to help out the house elves. I was more than ready to get out of the big, empty house for the school season; however, I was nervous to be sorted when I arrived. I knew I'd be a Slytherin, my whole family had been since Hogwarts was founded, but I was afraid to put on my usual tough ruse to impress the others. My mother is elated to get me out of the house and sorted, especially after all the teasing she has endured from her brothers for only having one child, especially one that a female.
"Child come down before you miss the train," My mother yelled through the intercom into my room, in her usual voice. I showed one of our family house elves, Braxter, where my bags were, and carried the rest to the carriage. I stared out the window as we flew off towards the train station. I knew I had quite the journey ahead of me.
The ride was quiet, as usual. Mother was never a talker; I think that's what Father liked most about her. I could never shut up. I have always been the polar opposite of them, so much so that, at parties, people genuinely asked if I was their child. My parents always laughed politely, my mother's hips swaying gently and swinging her campaign glass slightly, never spilling. I can see it now, her bronze skin glowing in the low light. One of her most elegant, skin-hugging mermaid style dresses that she was famous for modeling. My father's dark suit and ivory skin complementing her beautiful look. He always said the same thing with his same smile, crow's feet faintly showing, assuring them that I was, indeed, their child. Though I could hear the twinge of shame in his voice, the strangers could never detect it.
I was shaken from my thoughts by the carriage, now having the appearance of a muggle car, coming to a quick halt. My mother and I walked to the platform and she kissed my cheeks goodbye, careful not to get her soft peach lipstick on my cheeks. People stared at us, as usual. If they weren't staring because of her beauty, it was because of our reputation. We are a well-known family in the wizarding world, as we were one of the sacred twenty-eight, the Avery family. I made my way from the front of the train trying to find some other purebloods. I recognize The Malfoy boy and the Parkinson girl from the meetings our parents had together. There was one other boy in the car that I didn't recognize, but I knocked on the cold glass on the train doors anyways, then opened it.
"This seat taken?" I quipped as I pointed to the seat across from the Parkinson and next to the unknown boy.
"Yes," The Malfoy said coldly.
"Well that's too bad," I said as I sat where I had pointed, "Because I'm sitting here anyways." The Malfoy glared but I just smiled Parkinson.
"Hey, Rose, right?" I asked the Parkinson.
"It's Pansy, actually," She giggled cutely. The Malfoy smiled the same as I did when she laughed, then glared at me when he saw me, but I continued anyways.
"Whoops! I knew it was a flower name. I was close though," I joked, "What about you Malfoy? What's your name?" He only glared at my question.
"Oh, don't bother with him," Pansy smiled, "He's just a big grouch." Malfoy glared harder but we all laughed.
"Well I'll tell you my name," The quiet boy said, "I'm Gregory Goyle. Don't worry about taking Crabe's seat. He ate too many chocolate frogs, so he'll probably be in the bathroom for a while." He smiled. He seemed kind, but I'd seen him blow up a squirrel while practicing magic, so I knew to be careful around him.
"I'm Jadis, but everyone calls me Jade," I said.
"Jadis Avery?" Pansy asked, "Aren't you Evanora and Oscar's kid?" She had wide eyes. I nodded.
"Boy, you look just like your mother," Pansy complimented. I smiled but I thought of how my mother looked. She had sharp features. A prominent nose, dark skin, she was the definition of a beautiful woman. People used these things to describe me as well, but I still have Father's features. Lighter skin than Mother, wavy hair, instead of tight curls. Father's hazel eyes instead of Mother's chocolate ones. Not quite Mother, not quite Father. I nodded. I did look like their child, but people still doubted. It was like I was raised by someone else. As the conversation lulled I looked took in my surroundings. Pansy was sitting close to Malfoy, closer than Gregory and I. She was quietly talking to him, obviously in her own world. He seemed to be listening, he nodded when it was appropriate, but he wasn't interested. I rested my head on the window as my eyes slowly fell. The chatter around me and the rumble of the train slowly lulled my to sleep.