Chapter 2 - Crossroads of Warning
She was relieved when no one pushed her to the first years with Hagrid. Instead, Raven boarded a carriage pulled by sinister, black, winged, and bare-boned horses. She was soon joined by three teenage boys: one with blonde hair and an upturned nose, and the other two with dark brown hair and short, stocky, and chubby statures.
"Who are you?" asked the blond with a sneer.
Raven returned his superior look with one of bored indifference. "None of you're business."
The boy hid his momentary shock with an expression of arrogant disdain. "Well, well. More filth attending Hogwarts this year."
The starting lurch of the carriage caught the three boys off guard, causing the two hulky ones to tumble onto the bench opposite Raven, and the platinum blonde to stumble onto her bench, jostling her as he tried to regain balance. The unexpected commotion caused her cape to open up, and the three wizards stared at her odd choice of attire. The dark blue, hooded cape, fastened at her chest by a round, jeweled clasp, covered a black leotard, pale skin, a belt made up of the same round jewels that hung loosely on her hips, and dark blue boots.
"What is this? Halloween come early?" the blonde-haired wizard sneered derisively. His two cohorts chuckled.
He got no response from Raven who merely rearranged her clothing and looked out the carriage window at the passing nightscape.
"Answer me, witch!"
Silence. Not even an indication that she had heard him.
He tried another approach. "Look, I'm sorry the way we got this thing started. I've been wound up lately. Let's try this again: "Hi, my name is Draco Malfoy, and this is Crabbe and Goyle. We're in Slytherin. I'm pleased to make your acquaintance," he said with a stuffy, pompous civility.
"I hope the feeling will be mutual," Raven replied.
"You're American," Draco pointed out.
"And you're British," Raven replied flatly. Of all carriages to be stuck in...
"Are you some kind of exchange student, or what?"
She gave him a sideways glance. "Not exactly."
"Then why are you here?" he persisted.
"None of your business."
Draco's temper flared. "Do you have any idea who I am!" he snarled.
Raven gave him a quick once-over as she answered. "You are Draco Malfoy, a rude and obnoxious wizard student who should have collapsed years ago under the weight of his giant hubris."
Draco's face contorted into many nasty emotions before settling into a look of absolute hatred. His hands were clenched tightly to the seat, and his jaw was set so tightly, one would think it about to snap.
"You want us should thrash her?" said Goyle, who was already pushing his sleeves up.
It took Draco a few seconds to comprehend what his crony had said, and when he did, his expression of rage and loathing quickly softened into one of careful calculation. "No," he said thoughtfully. "Not yet."
Raven raised a challenging eyebrow.
"We'll give her an authentic Slytherin...welcoming."
"I feel obligated to inform you that leaving me alone would be in your best interest," she said, her eyes never leaving those of Draco.
"My father is one of the richest and most powerful men in all of England. I have connections, and friends in high places. You're going to be sorry you crossed my path."
"I don't recall ever going near your path. Rather, you stumbled onto mine...and I have the bruise to show for it."
"Why are you here?" he barked angrily.
Raven's eyes narrowed. "I thought I made it clear that it's none of your business."
Draco bared his teeth aggressively. Why was this girl so secretive? Was she truly a student, or something more? The blonde took in her mysterious garb, including the hood that covered her face from the nose up. No. She couldn't be simply a student. This girl needed to be watched...she could be working for Dumbledore. Any new developments for the side of the Light needed to be reported to the Dark Lord.
Draco would send a letter to his father informing him of this new stranger, and he could then inform their master. Meanwhile, he would watch her very closely.
