Dear Unknown,

Tragedy has always found a way. Father left, brother's in a coma, school transfer, you name it. My mom always said that I had a knack for finding the positive in everything, and I really do try my best to, but sometimes it doesn't work.

"Anthea, we have to leave if you want to make the train," my mother yelled from downstairs. "I am leaving in 10 minutes with or without you. I have friends I want to see."

"Coming, Mum!" I yell back.

You see, my mother always attends these formal events and has all these superficial friends. All they do is hang off their husband's arms and drink wine and do the laugh. You know that airy, I'm-better-than-you laugh. God, I hate it. She keeps these ties to have a good social status. I try my best to accept that my role in life will be the same as her's. Getting wine-drunk and making excuses. She has no real job and relies on her inheritance to provide for us. Okay, well, I'm off to school. It's my second year at my new school. Wish me luck.

I quickly shoved my journal into my messenger bag, grabbed my trunk, and lugged everything down the stairs. I haphazardly shoved my hair out of my face and stood in front of my mum. "Hey, mum, how ya doin'?" I ask cheekily.

She looked down and huffed at my appearance. "Really, Thea? Take those earrings out." I tugged on the plug and looked down at my outfit.

"But they make the outfit. Plus, it's been ten minutes. Don't we need to leave? You do have to keep up your public image." I grabbed all my belongings and my carrier for my kitten, Nerida, and entered my living room. I double-checked that I had everything I needed for the school year and checked again to be safe. I stepped up to the fireplace, then grabbed a handful of Floo powder from the bowl on the mantle and yelled, "King's Cross Station." As soon as the fire turned emerald green, I stepped through.

"How many times have I told you to let me go first, Anthea?" Mum scolded when she stepped out on the other fireplace. I ignored her and looked around the station in wonder at the bustle of all the families until I was shaken out of my aimless thought. "Thea, you will be the death of me one day. Now, let's go. I need you to become acquainted with some friends of mine." I groaned and followed her to a bunch of women who were gripping their children.

"Mayra, it's about time we met your gorgeous daughter," one woman said. Her hair was split, blonde and brown, with dark eyes and she had the aura of an aristocrat. Her arms were rest upon her son's shoulders. He had the same vibrant blonde hair and aura to him. "What is your name honey?"

"My name is Anthea, ma'am," I said.

"I am Narcissa Malfoy and this is my son, Draco." I looked at the boy. He's a few inches taller than I am but looks about the same age. "He will be a fifth year in Slytherin. And you?"

"The same. I believe we had classes together last year. I transferred from Durmstrang to Hogwarts last year," I explained. I glanced at the time and then at the train. The steady flow of kids getting on slowly trickled down, so I gathered up my trunk and bags. "Well, it looks like the train is leaving soon, so we must get on. Goodbye, Mum. I will write!" I kissed her cheek and bowed my head towards Narcissa. "It was a pleasure meeting you, ma'am." She nods back and smiles. I walk towards the train with Malfoy Junior behind me. I stumble aboard and find an empty compartment. To my surprise, Malfoy follows. He sits across from me and I immediately realize this will not be a peaceful ride.

"What?" he sneered at me.

"You're the one who sat with me, I should be asking what," I retorted.

He rolled his eyes and started firing off questions. "Who are you? Why have I never seen you before? Why did you transfer?" he finished out of breath.

"Number one, I am Anthea Elsword, Slytherin fifth year. Number two, you really have seen me, you just don't use your eyes. Number three, I don't know you well enough to answer that question." He opened his mouth, but I cut him off. "Um, no. My turn for interrogation. Who are you? Why did my mum want me to meet your mum, thus me meeting you? Why are you sitting with me?" I fired back.

"A, Draco Malfoy, Slytherin fifth year. B, we are both from upstanding pureblood families; we are bound to have met. C, clearly, this was one of the only compartments left, and it is convenient for myself and you," he said. I snorted and leaned back in my seat.

"How is this better for us?" I replied. I opened up my bag to continue writing in my journal.

"Well, if you haven't noticed in the past year, I have become quite popular with the ladies," he said as readjusted his collar. My face morphed into one of disgust. "And, well, Parkinson has decided that, whenever I am alone, she will provide me company. I would rather that not be the case today. Besides, how many friends do you really have? In this world, you must have connections with other powerful families. I, being the gentleman I am, will be your first."

"Wow, thank you for the glorious image boost and vote of confidence. I don't need your friendship to succeed in life. I do not need 'connections.' I can provide for myself," I said indignantly.

"No, you can't. You are a woman. You have no future other than exactly what your mother and mine do now. You are supposed to marry a pureblood power figure, then spend the rest of your days providing heirs and social connections for your husband," he scoffed. As Malfoy continued, I fumed.

"How dare you! My mother is currently running out all of our money by going to those ridiculous functions. I will marry whomever I want and do whatever I want with my life, and I don't need a mama's boy like you to dictate who I am," I snapped.

Malfoy scoffed and said, "You will never succeed."

"Watch me, asshole," I replied. "I recommend you shut your mouth before we enter school grounds so I don't hex you. Now, I'm going to ignore you and pull out my journal to write to my mum."

"Fine," he said and leaned back into his seat, looking out the window. Asshole, I thought. I wrote a simple note to my mum and, as soon as I finished, I looked out the window and saw the castle growing in the distance. I ruffled through my bag, found my robes, and quickly left to put them on. As we neared the castle, I heard the rustle of my peers and began preparing myself for a new year at school. Hopefully, Potter won't ruin too much this year.