Chapter 2

I slammed my trunk shut. It was filled with school uniforms, normal robes, muggle clothes, spellbooks, and some other things that were essential for school. I made sure to show my anger for being sent to Hogwarts so that my father could see it. He really did it this time. He totally pissed me off.

I had called a cab, by my father's orders (which was very surprising as he hated the muggles with passion), to take me to King's Cross Station where I would take the train to Hogwarts. I already had a ticket. I got it from… some sources down at Knockturn Alley. That's probably the best place to get items.

I scowled as I caught sight of the train station up ahead. Here I am, dressed as a stupid muggle, feigning innocence, and going to that horrid school they call Hogwarts. I paid the cab driver and placed my trunk on a nearby trolley. I pushed it in front of me as I searched for platforms nine and ten, as my father had instructed. I quickly found it. Just when I was about to go into the wall dividing the two platforms, a family of five suddenly arrived and I had to go out of their way as they passed through. My eyes narrowed, when I saw that one man in their group was wearing glasses and had a lightning shaped scar on his forehead. From the numerous posters that I saw of him, I knew, that this was Harry Potter.

Once all five of them went through, I swiftly followed them. But when I arrived on the other side, I was met by the sight of hundreds of families, waving goodbye to their children who were going off to Hogwarts. The whole platform was packed! I lost sight of the Potters.

Furious with myself, I took my trunk out of the trolley and pushed and heaved it all the way to a section on the train that was not so full of other students. I didn't know how I did it but I managed to get my heavy trunk up on the train. Then I pulled it with me throughout the entire car in search of an empty compartment. I managed to find one on the middle part of the train and I immediately shoved my trunk inside. I gratefully sank on the cushioned chairs and I let myself rest for a few minutes.

I waited for the train to start moving as I checked my watch. It was a quarter to eleven. I groaned and I desperately searched for something to entertain myself by then. Then I settled for watching the passing people outside the window. Boring. I tried twirling my wand again. Boring. Looking up at the ceiling. Boring. Staring at the seat in front of me. Boring. Muttering a few spells I know under my breath. A bit okay… but still boring. God! Am I just boring myself to death?

Just when I thought that I was finally going to rot away in boredom, the train lurched forward and a whistle blew. Screams of sickening 'I love you' s and 'Be sure to write!' rang through the air. It made my stomach churn with the sweetness of it all, and I was sure that it had nothing to do with the now moving train. The only shouts that I found interesting were the ones that said, 'Get on!'

I watched with disdain as people waved happily at their children on the train. I got up and locked the compartment door. When I sat down, I noticed that we were moving outside of London and pretty soon, green fields and hills stretched out before me. All of the peace in here makes me sick. Oh man, is my father finally punishing me for smart talking a lot? I was just itching to go out there and destroy all those things…

Knock-Knock-Knock

I gave an uncharacteristic yelp when the sudden noise rang throughout the compartment. Once I collected myself and cursed under my breath for sounding so weak, I looked for the source of the sound. My eyes widened when I turned around to face the compartment door.

A boy, around fifteen, with platinum blond hair, thin face, pointed chin, and a faint trace of arrogance, was looking at me through the compartment door. He had a faint smile on his lips as he mouthed the words, 'Can I come in?' to me and pointed to the expensive looking trunk at his side.

Saying 'no' was very easy for me. I could easily tell him to get lost and go bother someone else. I don't know why but he somehow ticks me off. Or was it because he was wearing green clothing? But apparently, my father had different plans and he ordered me to let the boy come inside.

I contemplated this for a moment, before sliding the door open and letting the boy come in. Once he was inside, I got a better look at him. His face was somewhat familiar. Maybe I saw him from my father's memories before…?

"Thanks…" the boy muttered gratefully as he stowed away his trunk at the luggage rack above us. He sat down on the seat opposite to me and smiled. Well, more like smirked. This boy was definitely arrogant.

"Don't mention it pretty boy." I told him as I sat back down and pretended to look at the sickening scenery outside. The smirk never left his face, especially when he said,

"Oh… so you think I'm pretty?"

I was resisting the urge to get up and jinx him so hard that it would make him go crazy. I grit my teeth as I answered him. "Better keep it to yourself if you don't want to stay outside on your bum with a heavy trunk slammed on your chest."

His eyes widened. Clearly, he was not used to this kind of treatment. I looked at him and the look on his face clearly said, 'What the hell is wrong with you?'

"What? Got something to say, hotshot?" I said. I could get used to this. At least I found an entertainment for the time being. Making up nicknames was fun too.

"No. Nothing." He said quickly. His steel grey eyes locked into mine for the briefest of moments, before he looked away and pretended to be deep in thought. I pulled myself out of my position near the window and faced him, leaning back on my seat coolly.

"So, what's your name, sir-smirk-a-lot?" I ask, with a smirk of my own.

He smiled brightly at me and said, "Well, if you must know, lady hothead, it's Scorpius Malfoy."

I snorted at his name. "That's a horrible name." I allowed myself a laugh before continuing. "Where'd your parents pull that name out of? An encyclopedia?"

The poor boy went red in the face as I taunted him. Okay, I had to admit, this was the best entertainment ever. He looked ready to burst after a few more rounds of my laughter.

"Oh yeah? What's your name then?" he asked me.

I suddenly stop laughing and freeze for a moment. Crap. I hadn't thought about names. I was still confused with what my real name actually is. My father says it's Athanasia, but there's this nagging feeling in my head (before you ask, it's not my father) that keeps telling me its Marise.

"Uh… ah…"

Scorpius had his smirk on again. "What? Don't tell me it's actually much horrible than mine?"

"Hah! Excuse me! I have a beautiful name, Mr Horrible!" I told him and I crossed my arms across my chest.

"Oh yeah? Then tell me." He challenged.

I gulped as I stared at his steel grey orbs. Okay, girl, think! Decide fast! Which is it? "It's… it's… "

"Yes…?" he said in a sing-song voice, as if to taunt me.

I decided that I should just blurt out whatever pops into my head. And it turned out to be "Marise…" I say.

He stopped taunting me and stared at me as though I suddenly grew a second head. "M-Marise?"

"Yeah… " I said slowly. "Marise… Marise Ridd- no, Marise Sel… wyn… Selwyn. Marise Selwyn!" I stuttered, wracking my brains desperately for a last name to use.

"Selwyn…? You're related to them…?" He asked me, his eyes wide.

"What? I'm…" I said, voice faltering at the last part. Actually, I don't know what I am.

"Oh. So you're from the Muggle World then?" he asked me.

My eyes narrowed dangerously at him and I had to resist the urge to strangle him at that comment. "How dare you suggest I'm a muggle!"

He put his arms up in surrender as he caught my tone and looked at me fearfully. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"

My rage subsided but I did not stop glaring at him.

"Okay… so… not from there…" he muttered under his breath. He looked at me again and observed me. "So, are you from another country or something? Just moved here?"

I thought about his question for a moment, before answering. "Something like that… yeah…"

Feeling a little bit satisfied, he leaned back on his seat and placed his hands behind his head. There was a comfortable silence between us for a few minutes before he decided to break it.

"So Selwyn, tell me, what year are you going to be in?" he asked. His gaze never left the ceiling.

"Fifth year." I answer him. I'm still fourteen though. But I needn't worry about that. My birthday would be coming up in December and again, I'm not looking forward to it.

"Really?" he asked me. He finally stopped staring at the structure above us to face me.

"Why do you sound so surprised?" I asked. If he says that I look too young to be a fifth year I swear, I'm definitely gonna punch him, no holding back.

"No… it's just that… we're in the same year and… I haven't seen your face around the school before." He explained.

"Oh…" I said. I actually felt disappointed that I don't get to punch him. "Well… that's because I'm new. I'm a transferee. "

"A transferee?"

"Yeah. Don't you know what that means?" I asked him.

"No! No… I mean, yeah, I do… It's just that… well, we rarely get transferees from other schools. Which school did you go to before?"

"It's the Salem Witches Institute in America." I answered immediately. It was the school that I came up with when I worked out my story for when I enter Hogwarts.

"Salem, huh?" he said.

"Yeah…" I replied.

The silence was there again. But this time, both of us were reluctant to break it. Both for different reasons, I'm sure. I know I liked the silence. It's somewhat comforting. I look at Scorpius for a moment and I quickly notice that he's fidgeting. Well, that can only mean one thing. Either he wants to use the bathroom real bad, or he wants to start another conversation.

Well, I'm certainly not gonna give up this sweet silence. No matter how fidgety he gets, I'll just keep to myself. I'll ignore him for now. But I will entertain him if he asks questions, because frankly, I want to get to know him.

I just can't believe myself right now.

I think I just made a friend…