So, here's chapter 2!

Ciara x

Éponine felt pathetic when she looked back on that day. She laughed scornfully at herself for being so stupid, so hopeful, so sure that the world was full of good. She had now given up on the world, just as it had given up on her. She was going into her sixth year at Hogwarts and honestly saw no point even going back. She probably wouldn't have, if it hadn't been for Grantaire. Grantaire was her best friend, her only light in the darkness that was her hellish life.

She sighed as she pulled a T-shirt on, covering her purple bruises. She could thank her father for them. He had gone to Azkaban three years earlier, at the start of Éponine's third year, for trying to kill Azelma when he discovered she was a squib. Azkaban had changed him. He was now free, but Azelma remained in 's. Éponine used to look up to her father, but now she saw him for the monster that he really was.

She had passed most of her OWLs, but only just. She had achieved two Outstanding owls; one in Potions (she had always loved that subject) and the second in Muggle Studies (this was the only subject she tried in, determined to pass just to spite her father). She probably could've done a lot better (she was naturally very bright) but hadn't tried in anything except Muggle Studies and Potions. Still, she managed to scrape a Pass in everything except Divivnation but that was only because she hadn't shown up for the exam. She had always thought Divivnation was a waste of a subject, and her drinking session with Grantaire had been much more important.

She packed her trunk full of her very few belongings. She had been very wealthy in her first year at Hogwarts, but times had changed. Her family had lost most of their money when her father had gone to Azkaban, and also all respect anyone had ever had for them. She checked the time on her rusty watch. 10:03. She would be leaving soon. The Hogwarts Express didn't leave until 11, but she was walking to King's Cross station and she had to take Gavroche with her.

Fuck. She had completely forgotten about Gavroche, who was starting Hogwarts this year. She was so used to never relying on anyone, she often forgot people relied on her. She raced into Gavroche's room, which was basically the size f a shoe cupboard, and found him still asleep on the small mattress which was wedged into the room, occupying most of the floor space. His brown trunk lay on the bottom of the mattress, already packed, and Éponine thanked God that she had at least had the sense to make him pack his trunk the night before.

"GAVROCHE!" She yelled. Normally, she would have been quieter (she wouldn't have wanted to wake her father before noon) but they were alone in the flat. Her mother was visiting Azelma in 's and her father was probably passed out on the floor of the bar around the corner.

Gavroche stirred slightly but did not wake. She shook him and yelled at him until finally he awoke.

"You're a really deep sleeper, you know." Éponine muttered as Gavroche sat up on his mattress. Gavroche merely nodded, apparently too tired to talk despite the fact he just woke up.

"What time is it?" He mumbled, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

Éponine checked her watch. "Ten past; hurry up."

"Ten past ten?" Gavroche asked, looking horrified. Éponine nodded and Gavroche looked outraged. "'Ponine, why didn't you wake me?" He moaned as he stumbled to his feet.

"I forgot. Now shut up and get dressed or we'll miss the train."

Gavroche muttered something under his breath, but obliged her and walked down the hall to the bathroom which the whole family shared.

Éponine checked her watch again. '10:13'. They should be gone by now.

"Hurry up, 'Roche!" She called down the corridor. Gavroche yelled back, but he was brushing his teeth so Éponine had no clue what he was saying. She wandered back towards her room and picked up her trunk. It wasn't heavy (seeing as she only had the bare necessities in it) but it was awkward and she ended up dragging it to the door. She set it down right next to the door and walked back to get Gavroche's trunk.

Grantaire arrived at King's Cross Station at 10:17; his neighbour had dropped him there on his way to work. His mother usually brought him but since she was dead, it would be pretty hard for her to do it. She had died in the middle of last year and was the main reason he failed most of his OWLs. That, and alcohol. He used to swear he would never drink, after Éponine told him about her father, but it eased the pain of life and she drank as well, so why shouldn't he?

His father was also starting to turn to drink to help him get through his wife's death but he was much worse than Grantaire when he was drunk. Grantaire, who might get a little clumsy when drunk but nothing worse, handled being drunk just fine but his father, that was a different story. He became very angry when drunk and took out his anger on the only other person in the house: Grantaire.

His bruises were still nothing compared to Éponine's but his father was starting to become more imaginative with his attacks. Grantaire still had the long scar down his back from when his father had been especially creative with a knife. He tried not to hate his father, and told himself that he was just having trouble with his death but it was hard not to loathe someone who was using your skin as a cutting board.

He strode into King's Cross Station and found an empty trolley. He through his trunk on and started pushing it towards platform nine and three quarters. He hoped Éponine would arrive soon; he didn't really have any other friends and he hated sitting by himself; people would always assume something was wrong and interfere. He hated when people interfered.

He casually walked through the barrier and onto the platform. The scarlet steam engine was already here but the platform was nearly empty; no one came this early. He lifted up his trunk and stepped onto the train. He found an empty compartment almost immediately and willed Éponine to get here soon.

What did you think? Just to make it clear; this is going to be an Enjoltaire story but Éponine will find someone (not saying who yet). Review, please!

Ciara x