Chapter 8: Hogwarts Express! Part Two
Harry ignored Hermione's conversation and looked at Phoenix. There was something about her that interested Him. She was different. He felt it. He didn't know what that meant. She looked normal. Well, as normal as a bunch of underage witches and wizards.
Feeling eyes on her, Phoenix caught Harry looking at her. 'Hmmm, I wonder what he was looking at?' Phoenix smiled back.
"Any way we'd better look for Neville's toad. Phoenix, are you ready?" Hermione started walking towards the door.
"No, I think I'll stay here for a while. I'll meet you back in the compartment."
Hermione looked a little annoyed, but she understood. "You two better change, you know, I expect we'll be there soon. See you back in the compartment, Phoenix." Then she left, walking down the same way Neville went.
"So what is your quidditch team?" Ron asked excited Hermione left.
"Um… Ron… what is quidditch?" Phoenix asked as Harry shrugged.
"Wait, a minute. You two don't know what quidditch is?!"
"We wouldn't be asking."
"Oh, it's only the best game in the world!"
"Better than softball? I love that sport. Used to play it until I got the letter to come to Hogwarts. I had to leave my team."
Ron stopped and stared at her in confusion, but shook it off once he tried to explain quidditch. He looked at Harry and Phoenix, who returned the confused expression.
"Well, it is much easier to explain once you see the game in person."
"Oh, well, softball sounds less confusing."
Then Phoenix, like Ron, explained everything she could about her sport. Like her and Harry, Ron stared in confusion. When she tried to answer Ron's questions the door slid open, not revealing Neville or Hermione, but three boys. Only one of them Phoenix recognized.
Phoenix looked at the three boys. Two of them were huge and placed themselves on either side of the smaller boy with pale skin and blonde hair, who was glancing at Harry. He was the boy she saw while getting her robes.
"Is it true?" He finally spoke. "Everyone on this train is saying the famous Harry Potter is in this compartment, it has to be you."
'Famous Harry Potter? What is he so famous for? What is the deal?' Phoenix didn't understand.
"Yes, I'm he."
"This is Crabbe, and this is Goyle." said the boy who noticed both Harry and Phoenix looking at them.
'What kind of name is Crabbe? Is he crustacean or something?'
"And my name is Malfoy, Draco Malfoy."
Phoenix heard Ron give a slight snicker, which he tried to cover with a cough, but Draco didn't buy it.
"Is my name funny? I don't need to ask who you are: red hair, freckles, and hand-me-down clothes. My father told me about the Weasleys. He told me they have more children than they can afford."
'Now who does this guy think he is! He must be one of those rich bratty kids!' Phoenix looked over at an embarrassed Ron.
"And who are you?" Draco asked, acknowledging Phoenix.
"Oh, now you want to start with me? Should I give you my name now or do you want to pick on my living status as well? I'm sure there is something you are dying to say!"
The room went silent for a moment. Draco's pale face went red.
"I have a better question for you. What are you: pure-blood, a half-breed, or a pathetic…"
"Do you really want to know? Really? Because I can do things to you. Draco, right? I can do things to you that would confuse your pretty blond hair. You would have to check YOUR family tree to even see if YOU are as high and mighty as you think you are. If you want to know what My, "Blood Status" is, why don't you look it up yourself? Or have your goonies go look it up if you are too good for it. The name is Mathews, Phoenix Matthews. Because if I told you Draco, I will have to kill you."
Draco's pale face was redder. Crabbe and Goyle were trying hard not to laugh. Ron had fallen off his seat, he was laughing so hard. Phoenix remained motionless. She had a glint of a smile across her face.
Draco turned back to Harry, trying to keep his composure. "You'll soon figure out that some Wizarding families are much better than others, Potter. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there." Draco held out his hand in anticipation.
'Don't play into his game, Harry! He doesn't want to be your friend! He just wants your fame!'
"I can figure the wrong sort out myself, thanks."
'Yes! Way to go Harry!' Phoenix smiled by the look on Draco's face. She looked over and saw the boy called Goyle walk towards Ron. She looked back at Harry and Ron, both stood up by whatever Draco had said.
'Did I miss something? I turn around for one minute and something happens!'
"Say that again!" She heard Ron say as she still kept her eyes on the two buffoons that came with Draco.
"Trying to impress your lady friend Potter? Going to fight us?"
"Unless you get out now!" Harry told Draco.
Phoenix was about to say something, but a horrible yell broke her off. She looked over to where she saw Ron's ugly rat hanging off of Goyle's finger. The rat's sharp teeth were sinking deeper into Goyle's knuckles. Crabbe and Malfoy, who looked over at Phoenix mouthing it is not over, backed out of the compartment. Goyle, backing away with them, was swinging the rat around and howling in pain at the same time.
Harry and Ron tried to stand their ground. Phoenix, laughing so hard tears came running down her cheeks, was trying to stay on her seat. The rat flew off Goyle's finger hitting the window. Draco and his goons left in a hurry.
Harry looked at Phoenix, who was trying to control herself as Ron went to pick up his rat.
"How is your rat Ron?" Phoenix asked wiping the tears off her face and out of her eyes.
Ron held his rat by the tail and answered, "I think he's been knocked out." He inspected and sighed. "I don't believe it! He's gone back to sleep!"
Phoenix felt the train slowing down. She got up and stretched a little as Harry and Ron looked at her.
"I think we are almost there. You two need to get your robes on. I'll leave so you can change. Hope this won't be the last time we see each other." Then Phoenix slid the door open and left.