Bad Premonitions

The train was a beautiful sight to Malis as he wheeled his cart toward the train with his brother. Immediately Malis found himself alone. Faerian had gone to talk to his friends, Slytherins as well. Malis sighed, frowning. How did he get his trunk onto the train? Where did he sit? He thought nervously. He looked around at the other students, was he the only one confused? No. he saw the other first years putting their trunks by the wall, where it was magically loaded into the train. Pushing his cart over he left it there, looking over his shoulder at the train.

Sighing Malis made his way into the train, looking cautiously into each compartment until he found an empty one. He sat gratefully, staring out the window. It was getting late as four boys ran onto the train, barely making it onto the train. They laughed at one another as they searched for a compartment. These boys were none other than the Marauders, although, they were not yet friends. Fortunately there was a compartment they could fit in; unfortunately, it was the one Malis was in currently.

Remus, the ever polite one smiled slightly at Malis, who had changed into his black robes at this point, "Do you mind us sitting here?"

Malis looked up at him, shaking his head, and watching as they came in, taking seats. He looked away nervously looking out his window again. The compartment was silent for all but five minutes before James Potter started getting fidgety and talking to them, the others talked as well. Malis ignored them, not joining in. He was actually afraid to have friends...not without his father's permission...He was also afraid that they would ask his name...Every wizarding family knew the HarGrave name...it was always in the Prophet, usually for murder.

Of course, his worse fears were confirmed when Potter looked at him, a smile planted on his features. "So...what's you're name?"

Malis looked at him, his grey eyes devoid of emotion. "Malis." He said, almost stiffly. He eyed the others, noting Remus's raised eyebrow. Ah yes of course...everyone knew of Malis, the son of a murderer...his birth had been public notice. James had drawn in his breath, nearly choking. "Malis HarGrave?"

Malis snorted, but said nothing, looking away from them and out the window again. He didn't need to explain himself to them. He crossed his arms over his chest, staring huffily out the window, everyone judged him because of his family.

The rest of the train ride was passed in silence, though he felt their eyes on him. Finally the train had begun to slow, stopping precisely. The four sitting with him quickly left, leaving him still sitting there. He gave a slight sigh as he exited his compartment, running into a dark haired boy. "Sorry." He mumbled, backing up to let him pass. The other boy's dark eyes considered him before passing by.

Sighing resignedly he exited the train, the call of "First years! First years this way!" led him toward a professor holding a lantern. He looked around at his fellow first years, which included the four he had sat with, and the black haired boy he'd run into. Great way to start a year…Malis thought with a sigh. A girl with red hair joined the group of first years after awhile, nervously pulling her hair behind her ears. When all first years were gathered the professor took them to the boats, It was four to a boat. He climbed into one, looking down at the silky looking black waters, the girl with red hair found a boat with other girls in it, smiling shyly at them. The boy he'd run into before climbed into the boat Malis was in, the others already full.

They started out like this, each boat filled with four. It was a smooth, silent ride to the castle. When Malis saw it he let his breath go in surprise at the size of the castle, and its beauty. His jaw nearly dropped at the sight. He heard other students quietly start talking, making comments on the castle. He gave a slight smile. He felt like he was home…Hogwarts felt so much more welcoming than his own home.

The boats bumped against the shore, and the professor led the way up to the school, the first years nervously following behind. The doors were opened, and the teacher left them there, waiting. Malis gulped, wondering what would be done to sort them…he didn't have long to wait as the professor came back, "We're ready for you."

The nervous first years went in two through the Great hall, the other students were watching them. He gulped nervously, as they came to a small group in front of a stool, with a hat on it. They were called, one by one. "Lupin, Remus." quickly followed by the hats cry of "Gryffindor." Soon it was his turn. "HarGrave, Malis." The room went silent as he approached the stool. Each student stared, the professor looked uncertainly at each other. The hat was lowered, and had not even touched his head when it shouted, "Slytherin!"

He stood, walking from the stool toward the Slytherin table, which hissed as he sat down. His brother winked at him, telling him it was okay. But he had heard the whispers as he passed the others. "Typical…" "How could he not be…" "He is a HarGrave." He looked around at the other student, most weren't looking at him now. He gave a sigh, and again the same feeling of dark depression stole over him. The one place he thought he could be happy, and it had to hate him. The feast began, and Malis picked at his food, dully any aware of everyone else's chatter.

His first term at Hogwarts had begun, showing him just how unwanted he was, telling him how hard it would be to just get through the years without being tormented, he could already see the gleam in Potter and Black's eyes, the troublemakers…he sighed, staring at his food as he pushed his fork around the plate. It was going to be a long year…