Nani

Nani Nightbrook stepped through the barrier that separated platform nine and three-quarters from the muggle world. She was hit with the smell of smoke and sweat. The platform was swarming with parents and kids. She pushed her way through the large crowd towards the train. She was glad she had asked her parents to stay behind this time. She after all wasn't a baby anymore. This was her third year and she couldn't wait to get it started. What adventure awaited her this year she didn't know but she could hardly keep it all in. She stepped up and entered the train and looked around for an empty compartment. Walking down, passing compartments that were already filled, the voices would stop and look they would at her. She paid them no mind but just kept going already knowing what they were thinking. She found an empty compartment at the back of the train. She threw her trunk up into one of the storage spaces. Placing the cage on the floor by her feet she let out her falcon. He had beautiful white feathers with black dots on them and sharp black eyes. He was quite small for a falcon and nice too. He hated cages and was rarely ever in them. Most of his time was spent on her shoulder or flying close to her. She watched as he circled once around the compartment before settling on her shoulder. She smiled and gently stroked his beak (something only she could get away with) thinking of when she had first found him.

Flash back

Nani was out in her the fields of her summer country house. She was ridding with her favorite gelding, Rone. Rone was a light brown with white streaked in. She sighed with contentment. This was her favorite activity to get away from home. As she was galloping across green flatland a bird plummeted from the sky. It was falling upside down, its white color gleaming from the sun. Nani turned Rone towards the bird and ran him over to it. When they reached it she jumped down and looked at it. It looked at her and struggled to claw and bite her. But being to weak it couldn't get its body up enough to get in range of her. She smiled. It was a fighter what ever it was. The bird's wing was drenched in its own blood. She pulled off her thin black belt and closed the bird's beak. Ripping the bottom of her shirt she wrapped it around the bird's wing. Having a weak spot for animals she picked the falcon up and rode home. She had to convince her father that it would only be there for a week. After he saw how badly damaged it was he agreed. Well, as she nurtured and cared for it, a week became and month and a month became two.

Soon the falcon was well enough to fly away. Nani not about to break her promise to her father took the falcon out to the flatland. She sent him up tears streaming down her face. She watched as he flew up circled her and flew away. She cried for a good five minutes before feeling the head ach. She breathed slowly and started back towards her house. Walking home she found that the task of taking care of him had taken up most of her summer but she didn't really care. It had been fun and she felt she made another friend, one of few. She also felt a little regret. She knew the falcon was wild but he had been so good for her. Remembering the times she had made she could feel her eyes starting to water again. Taking a deep breath she ran home and into her room determined not to let anyone see the tears falling from her face.

"Honey!" It was her father. He was knocking on the door. Knowing she would get in trouble if she didn't open the door she got up. Wiping the tears from her eyes she opened the door. "Honey what's the matter?"

"Nothing," Nani lied. He led her into her room and sat her down on the bed. Sitting down next to her he looked around the room and nodded seeing what was wrong. "I know you liked the bird but he was wild hun. That is why you didn't name him. We both knew he would leave. Plus maybe this is for the better. What if you weren't able to take him with you to Hogwarts?" She looked down ashamed that she hadn't told him the truth about what was going on at Hogwarts and how much the falcon would have helped her.

"Your right I know, it is just well... I mean you can't be happy about leaving behind something you loved so much that you took care of it." She heard a knock on the front door. Mike walked out of the room and stood in front of the door, straightening his shirt quickly. Her father opened the door and gasped as the falcon came flying back in. The falcon flew to her landing on her shoulder.

They tried two more times after that to let him go to no avail. That had been a month ago. They had become interpretable for the most time after that. It hadn't taken a lot of effort to convince Dumbledore to let the falcon to go with her to school.

Back

Nani was startled out of her thoughts as the door to the compartment slammed open. She looked at the intruders. It was Malfoy and his friends. Malfoy looked at her and smiled at her. She sighed Just my luck. Haven't even started school and I'm already with him.

"Hello Nani." He said. She turned and looked at them.

"Hey Malfoy. Crabbe, Goyle." She replied sweetly. Can't show fear The two just nodded. She didn't expect even that from them. They seemed as if they were too dumb to speak just do what ever Malfoy told them and eat. She turned to look out the window trying to ignore them. The train had started going and she could see the grassy hills of England go by her. She felt the seat go down beside her and knew Malfoy had sat down. She stiffened. He was too close to her Oh help me she pleaded. It is ok he can't hurt me here, too many people who would hear me

She turned to face him giving him an overly sweet smile. "Is there something I can help you boys with?" Malfoy nodded.

"Ya. You could go out with me. I mean I'm probably the only guy who would ever go out with you." She rolled her eyes and stared out the window again. She knew the real reason he wanted to go out with her. She was well aware of the growth in her chest during the summer. She knew that and was well aware of what he made girls do with him. That just wasn't her idea of a good time. He was looking at her face again. She wasn't too bad looking for a Gryffindor. He thought. She was in great physical shape and tan from most likely going to the beach. He imagined her in a bikini splashing in the waves. A smile played across his face. She had light brown hair with blond streaks. Her eyes were a bright green. She wasn't wearing any make up but she didn't seem to need it. Her nose was small and delicate her lips were full. She had a stubborn chin that she held proudly. The best part about her was that she was a pureblood. He put his hand on top of hers which was resting on her lap. This got his a questioning look and an empty hand. "Come on Nani. You know our parents are probably already planning something to set us up. Wouldn't it be better if you just gave into your feelings for me?" She turned to him and looked down shyly, then looked away slowly. When she looked back at him she had a small smile on her face.

"Your right Malfoy. I have had feelings for you but I don't think you are ready for what I'm thinking." He smiled at her at leaned forward. She turned her head and looked at his cronies. He sighed and waved them out. When the door was shut she smiled and leaned forward. Malfoy closed his eyes and leaned forward. The next thing he knew something hit his head. Then it was pain.

Nani grabbed her trunk and ran out the compartment. The falcon was pecking and clawing at the boys that were there when the door was open. She heard Malfoy scream "Grab her." She sprinted down the train shouting for someone to open their doors. Suddenly a compartment opened and she ran into it and straight into the arms of Harry Potter.