"Hogwart's Express…" she read as she stood in front of the giant black steam engine. The smell of magic hovered in the air, thick as molasses. Zaria's hand gripped the trunk filled with her books and clothing. A small cage sat on top. It held a furry black ball of a cat Margaret had given her as a birthday present. Eleven was a pleasant gift. He was soft and purred and disliked Osidian and Margaret's hounding as much she did (especially after the stunt she pulled at their fancy schmacy party), therefore Eleven was the best gift that her mother could have given her.
"Whoa look who decided to grace the platform with her presence?" Zaria turned smirking at the familiar voice of her cousin. Over the past three weeks Sirius had come to like the spicy girl. She was at least a relief from his own Hell at home. The Black family had its own hidden secrets…darker than most knew. Dark arts seemed to lie in the shadows of the Black manors. Sirius was on the verge of leaving. His father had seemed to be deep in his own evil plot against any and all not pure blood. Sirius could not take the abuse he had faced for the past few years for being in Gryffindor. The moment he entered the house his father sent a howler, and that was the beginning of the constant abuse. Beatings and verbal slashing greeted his ears no matter how perfect his grades or how much he attempted to please his parents. Yet he refused to see how being pure blood was better than those who had muggle blood in their veins. He knew Zaria would soon face the same hatred he did and he vowed he would ease what pain he could.
"Of course I did cousin. You think I would risk missing the train when I can get away from Margaret for a good, what? Four months at least." she smirked pushing back the dark locks that were falling in her hair. The weather proved to be that of a normal London fall. The dark clouds hovered over them, yet it did not drown out the thrill that filled her. A spark of hope of a new adventure was rising in her. Sirius had proved to be alright. He was still a boy and he pestered her with questions about her past. What did he really care for? She sighed involuntarily. He seemed to be sort of a cushion though. He made living at the manor bearable. Sirius probably knew her fears better than herself.
Sirius smirked and rolled his luggage onto the platform by her own. On top sat a large tawny owl. "Have you seen the rest of the crew around?"
"Well if it isn't miss temper tantrum…" a deep slow drawl came from the side of the large black steam engine interrupting Zaria's answer. Sirius' eyes hardened. His jaw following. Zaria rose an eyebrow slightly and turned following her cousin's gaze at the young man leaning smugly against his trunk. A smug confidence seemed to float around him. His handsome features smirking.
"Lucius I would leave her alone or…" Sirius started.
"Or what Black?" his cold blue eyes never left Zaria. She sparked an interest in him. She was fresh and stubborn. He felt the power…the potential this young witch had in her.
"Or I will curse you to next year." Sirius finished. His eyes cold as he moved closer to Zaria. His mouth was dry. He disliked the way that Lucius was eyeing his cousin. He knew that look. The look of lust. The look of power. Wheels of possession turned in the cold blue waiting for the moment…the perfect time…to strike.
"I was merely going to congratulate her on a most creative way to liven up that little get-together." He moved a few steps closer. Lucius loved to boil the blood of Sirius and those pathetic friends of his.
"She doesn't need to look for your favors..." Sirius stepped further in front of Zaria. His eyes were frozen cutting the stare that Lucius held over Zaria. She was merely a child, what did Lucius have in mind? The questions raced through his mind. He would not have him destroy another one person in his life. His fingers itched by his pocket where his wand lingered.
"I am Lucius…Lucius Malfoy." He held his hand out towards her, ignoring any attempt by Sirius to interject.
Her eyes narrowed as she looked at the hand. What was with this arrogant blonde? "Zaria." She said simply feeling his stare on her as she ignored the outstretched hand. Her own deep orbs matched the fervor increasing his interest in her.
"Come on Zar..." Sirius touched her shoulder getting in front of the outstretched hand.
"What Sirius? You think she can't choose her own friends? I was merely introducing myself." Lucius let out a dry laugh. Sirius looked little naught amused at him.
Zaria rolled her eyes at the two of them. Lucius was another boy. Another irritating male who seemed to get what he wanted by his oh-so-handsome-features and money. She cringed, boring. Though the tension she felt between them seemed to still spark in the back of her mind. Yet she pushed it away.
"I am getting on the train." She said matter of factly picking up the cage with her cat and leaving her luggage to be loaded. Her petite frame scooted up the steps. Zaria could not understand what the big deal was. Why was Sirius so protective all of a sudden? Why would that blonde have any interest in her? He had to be at least a 5th year? Shrugging it off she scooted through the already crowded cars.
"Son of a…" she muttered as she felt someone bump into her. The cage with Eleven in it dropped, breaking as it smashed against the ground. Eleven let out a howl of fright and dashed through the legs of coming and going students. "Eleven wait…" she let out a groan of frustration as she found it nearly impossible to get through the crowd.
"Oh goodness…I am so sorry…" She turned facing the human hair ball. Her face screwed in disgust as she looked over Zaria. "You should watch where you are going. You wouldn't want to loose more than your cat." The girl flipped her hair behind her back reaching for her wand.
"Is that you Patricia?" Zaria pursed her lips at the older girl, "I didn't recognize you. You must have shaved. I think I liked you better the other way."
"You little…" she was cut off though as a girl a little older than the both of them stepped into the way. "Bellatrix get out of my way. I was just going to show this girl what she deserves." Pat's eyes narrowed as her friend smirked and touched her heaving shoulder gently making the wand drop slightly.
"Now, now Patricia. We do not want to scare my cousin. We both know what she is capable of." Bellatrix smirked gently as she looked over at Zaria brushing the long streaks of black hair from her face. She was beautiful. Long silky black hair graced her curves as she leaned back looking at Zaria with eyes that seemed to want to swallow her whole. Yet Zaria was sure if she had that chance she would chew first, letting her endure the pain.
"Now little Zaria, you must be nervous about this being your first year." Her voice betrayed the eyes. A silky soft voice, yet eyes of metal. "Come let me show you where we keep the best seats." Patricia looked like she wanted to kill Bella for even suggesting such a thing. Yet Zaria got the feeling that no one crossed this black haired beauty. Pat backed off pouting as she glared at Zaria and her best friend.
"No thank you. I can manage on my own." Zaria locked eyes with the 6th year girl. Her gaze turned cooler at Zaria's refusal.
"No I don't think you should pass this up." Bella's hand touched her shoulder sending chills over her. "You see. What I say is what everyone does. Do not deny what you could have. Being with us is power." Her voice seeped with confidence. The same smugness she felt with Lucius.
Zaria ripped her arm from her grasp and rolled her eyes. "Please." She muttered and turned away. "I need to find my cat." She started to walk back down the aisle. What was with these people anyways?
"You will change your mind. No one denies…." Her voice was cut with the sudden jerking of the train. Bellatrix just smirked watching the girl walk away from her. She had spunk. She could be useful. That is, if she got into Slytherin. But she was a Black, and that meant immediate acceptance. Yet the memory of Sirius being rejected and put in Gryffindor still was fresh in her mind. The pathetic boy. He was nothing more than a waste of her energy. Time would come when he would pay for his own disloyalties.
"How could you let her get away Bella…" Patricia whined behind her. Her shoulder seething with hatred for the young girl. "After what she did to me."
Bella held up a hand, which immediately quieted the muffled complaints, "Shut up Patricia. She will be useful. I feel it. She is not an idiot, young and perhaps a bit naïve, but naivety is fixable." A smile spread over her creamy skin as she laughed gently. Her wheels were turning already.
"Eleven." She called out as she started to press through the cars. "Damn you cat..." she muttered as she dragged herself through the long line of cars. Each car seemed to hold a new set of students who were chattering about the excitement of the New Year. The smell of rain drenched leather and hair wafted over her senses as many students rushed to change into sets of fresh robes. She shook her head, it seemed everywhere was filled and her cat was still no where to be found. "Eleven..." she shouted now getting more frustrated. The thought of going back to find Patricia and sending her hair on fire raged in her mind.
"Excuse me…" a bright eyed girl seemed to shyly look at her as though she were a bit of a nut, "Are you looking for car eleven, because you are at the wrong end of the train…and well.." she smiled slightly amused, "I ..I don't think shouting will help you find it." Zaria looked at her as though finally realizing the situation.
"No…No…Eleven is my cat…" she laughed at the comical view. "I guess I do look a bit freakish walking around shouting Eleven." She looked over the girl as she brushed back the light blonde hair from her eyes. It seemed to be wild. Shooting out in all directions as she ran her fingers through the locks. Bright green eyes sparkled in genuine kindness. The first Zaria had seen all day.
"Well I don't mind helping you look. I am sure he will show up." The girl smiled and laughed at herself, "By the way my name is Andromeda Black, but everyone calls me Ana." She held out her hand.
Zaria's eyes widened and she laughed, "Man is everyone a Black around here..." she took the hand though and smiled, "Zaria Moody-Black. I seem to be related to you."
"Wow you are the girl who turned that snob Pat into a ball of curls..." she laughed snorting lightly, "my sister's best friend. She is such a git. I was in stitches." The green eyes sparked once more. Zaria's spirits sank though gently.
"Your sister?"
"Well I have two…unfortunately…Narcissa and Bellatrix." She muttered, her voice was soft as though she would have rather eaten slugs than admit she was related to them.
"Oh." Zaria said simply. She sighed and looked around.
"Yea they treat me as though I was the dirt they tread on. They only care if I embarrass them and that would mean if I don't get into Slytherin." A shutter seemed to run through the girl. "I only can hope that I get in another one." She seemed to loosen up. "That would serve them right. All they talk about is being pure blood." Her grimace tightened. "The gits….Oh...I am sorry I am talking too much aren't I?" she bit her lip nervously. "I always talk too much when I am nervous. This is my first year and well. It's yours too right?"
Zaria smiled. She already liked this girl. "Yea. I am not quite sure what to expect...but I understand the annoyance with pure blood…I get it at home too." Nym smiled and looked back at her empty car.
"Hey want to join me. I am sure Eleven will show up and well seems that family should share." Ana smiled as she motioned to her empty car. Zaria could have hugged her. She smiled and pulled the empty broken cage and her travel bag into the car and plopped down.
The next couple hours were spent building the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Zaria finally found someone who she could feel. Things were getting good for once.