Disclaimer: I do not support Rowling's views. All Harry Potter characters and the Wizarding World, unfortunately, belong to she-who-must-not-be-named.
1 September 1994
A week had passed since the Quidditch World Cup and the Warrington family were gathered on platform nine and three-quarters.
"Have a wonderful school year!" Amara exclaimed, hugging Cassius and Ophelia.
"I think you will have an interesting year," Nicholas implied.
Cassius was puzzled. "Okay? Love you, mother, father! See you during the holidays!" He climbed aboard, carrying his luggage and his owl, Apollo.
"The two of you aren't subtle," Ophelia remarked.
Nicholas and Amara laughed. "We can't help it, Lia," said Nicholas.
"Also, I think you'll like the dress that I chose for you," Amara added happily.
Ophelia grinned. "Thank you! I love you guys," she hugged her parents one last time, then she boarded the train with her trunk and Artemis, her owl.
She walked along the train, trying to find the compartment with her Slytherin housemates. Ophelia finally spotted the familiar group and she opened the door to the compartment.
"Ophelia!" Daphne Greengrass leaped out of her seat and hugged her.
"Daph, I need to put my things away," Ophelia chuckled, still embraced in a one-sided hug.
"Oh, sorry!" said Daphne, she let Ophelia go.
Tracey and Pansy giggled at Daphne's antics, the couple comfortably seated together by the window.
Ophelia lifted her trunk and set it atop the overhead storage, then placed Artemis atop the luggage. She then sat between Draco and Daphne.
"Merlin, we barely fit in here now," Ophelia said.
"We had to tell Vince and Greg that there wasn't enough room for them. They didn't mind though, they prefer sitting in the open car to the compartments. Something about not enough space for their heads in here," Blaise mused. He took his hand and emphasized how much space there was from the top of his head to the overhead storage.
"They are my favorite dunderheads, but what headspace do they need? Their brains are rather empty in there, aren't they?" Ophelia playfully taunted.
"Relentless as usual, Lia," Pansy hummed.
Ophelia smirked. "Pans, aren't you the one that ruined Greg's seventh birthday party? You told him that Cornish pixies would give him Cornish pasties."
They all dissolved into laughter at the memory. "Shit, you're right! He opened the cage, thinking the pixie was going to give him a pastry," Pansy laughed between breaths, "but they just attacked him!"
Blaise composed himself. "That was seven years ago? Doesn't even feel like it."
Everyone nodded in agreement. "To be honest though, Draco and Ophelia's birthday parties were always the best," Millie thought over.
"Do you remember the parties that we had before we joined them together?" Ophelia asked Draco.
His face lit up at the memories. "Damn, I forgot about those. Mother and father would always try to make my birthday more extravagant than yours."
"I still love that both of your parents just gave up and joined forces," said Tracey.
"It made sense anyway! The same guests, the same friends, just a few days apart. Might as well celebrate the days together," Ophelia said.
At that moment, Potter, Granger, and Weasley passed by their compartment. Draco heard the compartment door next to them slide open, and he peeked his head into the hallway to be sure that was their destination.
Always in the mood to annoy Potter, Draco pressed his finger to his lips and pointed toward the compartment next to theirs. "Saint Potter and his disciples are over there," he whispered.
Most of her friends faintly snickered, and Ophelia rolled her eyes in slight amusement.
Draco cleared his throat, using his drawling voice reserved for Potter, "Father actually considered sending me to Durmstrang rather than Hogwarts, you know. He knows the headmaster, you see. Well, you know his opinion of Dumbledore—the man's such a Muggleborn lover—and Durmstrang doesn't admit that sort of riffraff. But Mother and Ophelia didn't like the idea of me going to school so far away. Father says Durmstrang takes a far more sensible line than Hogwarts about the Dark Arts. Durmstrang students actually learn them, not just the defense rubbish we do. . . . "
The harsh sound of a compartment door slid shut.
Draco gaped at the interruption, yet everyone else took pleasure at his affronted reaction. "Those little sneaks were actually listening!" Draco declared.
The rain became heavier and heavier as the train moved farther north. Ophelia looked out the window, the conversation earlier made her reminisce.
30 May 1984
Warrington Estate
Narcissa and Lucius had been trying to have a child for years until she finally became pregnant with Draco. As a result, he was doted on by both of his parents. That is until the eve of his fourth birthday. Nearly a week before his own birthday, the Malfoy's were invited to a party hosted by the Warrington's, a joint celebration of their daughter's fourth birthday and their homecoming to the UK.
Draco was a tyrant, to say the least. Poised to be an influential member of his social circle whenever he became of age, he used this advantage as leverage over his peers even at a young age. For being the center of attention for nearly four years, Draco was confused and irritated about the Warrington's return. Who could be more important than him and his family?
Draco had visited the homes of many of his peers, but the Warrington Estate was the first to rival his own. Draco marveled at his surroundings until his eyes landed on the Warrington's. It was perhaps the first time Draco had seen a perfect yet genuine family. Although Nicholas and Amara had an air of poise and grace, there was comfortable ease in how they glanced at each other when the other wasn't looking. Nicholas and Amara beamed with joy whenever they introduced their children to their old and new friends, while Cassius and Ophelia gave practiced smiles and pleasantries to the guests, but quietly spoke to one another when they weren't needed.
Unlike how Nicholas and Amara greeted their other guests, they welcomed Lucius and Narcissa rather informally. Pulling Lucius into a hug, "Lucius Malfoy, I can't believe Cissy convinced you to keep your long hair!" Nicholas exclaimed.
Lucius chuckled, "I grew fond of it." Draco stared at his father, he had never seen Lucius act with so much warmth in public. Lucius kept this side of himself to only his wife and son, "This must be Cassius and Ophelia."
Cassius offered a hand and shook Lucius, Narcissa, and even Draco's hand. "It's nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy, Draco." Draco was amazed and envious of Cassius's composure.
Ophelia was wide-eyed as she took in Draco and Lucius's white-blond hair, she never had seen anything like it before. Cassius nudged her to snap out of her stupor. "Ni-san!" Ophelia exclaimed, but then remembered she was in the presence of guests. Ophelia curtsied and smiled. "It's a pleasure to welcome you to our home, Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy, Draco."
Draco was amazed by Cassius, but Ophelia exceeded her brother's expectations.
She's my age? Never mind that they're both more well-spoken than anyone else I know my age.
Narcissa smiled. "And it's a pleasure to meet you as well," she turned to Nicholas and Amara. "The two of you have raised them so well!"
"Hm, it may look like it, but they're a troublesome duo," said Nicholas.
Draco noticed Ophelia and Cassius share a look, smiles twitched at the corner of their mouths. A day of firsts for him, it was the first time he saw a positive sibling relationship. Daphne and Astoria were a fearsome pairing. Likewise, Pansy was the neglected middle child between a perfect older brother and a newborn sister.
"Troublesome? Sounds quite like you and your siblings, Nick. We were sad to see them transfer to Mahoutokoro after you graduated," said Lucius. Nicholas's parents decided to move their family to Japan, avoiding the war.
Graduating in 1970, Amara and Nicholas left Great Britain before the beginning of the Wizarding War. Coincidentally, they both attended masteries in America. Charms for Nicholas and Potions for Amara. Although they were acquaintances - as well as Head Boy and Girl at Hogwarts - their relationship didn't flourish until they were 20.
"Considering your post-graduation path, it was for the best, Lucius," Nicholas said with an easy smile. "Speaking of which, I was and am still surprised by those choices."
An awkward silence settled over the two families. "And I regret most of those choices," Lucius seethed, but he quickly let his anger go. "I'm sorry, it's still a sensitive topic."
Nicholas nodded. "Of course. We should continue this conversation another time, without the extra company," he glanced at their children.
Throughout the rest of the party, Draco silently observed Cassius and Ophelia from afar. Draco was so used to being the center of attention, it baffled him that he wasn't on the receiving end for once. But he was surprisingly content with that. If anyone deserved attention and praise, it was the Warrington siblings. They were confident, polite, and extremely poised for their age. For Merlin's sake, they performed a piece together; Cassius played the violin, and Ophelia was the piano accompaniment, both playing their instruments with few faults. Draco felt devastatingly mediocre.
The party began to wind down, and the last stragglers exited via floo. The only guests still left were the Malfoy's. Draco begrudgingly sat on the bottom steps of the grand staircase, bored out of his mind. Nicholas and Amara invited Lucius and Narcissa into a drawing room continuing the sensitive conversation from earlier.
"Psst."
Draco perked up, glancing around for where the noise came from.
"Behind you," a voice said. Draco craned his head back. At the top of the landing stood Wizarding Britain's new favorite children.
"Oh, it's you," Draco sneered.
"This one has a temper," Cassius laughed.
Ophelia began walking down the stairs. "Did I not tell you that he would?"
"Sadly, you did. But I was hoping you would be wrong," said Cassius, now descending the stairs as well.
Draco got up, shuffling away from the approaching Warrington's. "Isn't it rude to speak as if I'm not here?"
To Draco's dismay, Ophelia and Cassius began to speak to one another in Japanese instead.
"Okay, that's even worse!" Draco groaned.
Ophelia giggled. "Cas, I think we have a new party trick!"
"I believe we do, Ophy," Cassius grinned, but he then began to circle Draco. "So, what should we do about you, Draco? Hm, that's a mouthful. How do you feel about Dra?"
Draco scowled. "No! It's only two syllables and you want to shorten it?"
"Certainly, Dra," said Cassius, nodding his head in faux seriousness. "Now stop distracting me! Considering the friendship between our parents, I think it would be smart for us to become friends."
"Why should I?" Draco asked.
"What did I tell you?" Ophelia sang.
Cassius side-eyed her. "Yes, dear sister, another good prediction."
Ophelia stepped toward Draco, now eye to eye with him. "I can tell that you do not like us. And it is probably not because of us, but because you have some other problem, most likely with yourself. But that should not stop us from being friends." She held out her hand.
Draco frowned at her insinuation, yet Ophelia wasn't wrong. He disliked them because they were everything he wasn't. And maybe he wanted to change that. He took her hand in his, a firm handshake commemorating their new friendship, then proceeded to wipe his hand on his sleeve.
"So, what do you call it in English? Uncertain! Like a risu," Ophelia laughed.
"I think he is more snappy like a kame," Cassius added.
"Cassius, 'Phelia, I believe you're terribly misleading. You act one way in front of others, and like this with me!" said Draco.
"You are mistaking being informal with friends and formal with adults. Anyway, I still accept your compliment." Ophelia smiled.
"Ophy! He could not say your name!" said Cassius.
"Excuse you. I did, 'Phelia," Draco repeated.
She and Cassius shook their heads in fake disappointment.
"Ugh. Fine, you're right. So it's Lia now okay!" Draco sneered.
Ophelia raised her eyebrows in surprise. Then gave the widest smile she had all day. "I love it! Cas, why did you not ever think of that?"
He shrugged, "Well, you have mostly used Toshiko up until this point and I have used Katsuo," Growing up in Japan, Cassius and Ophelia used their Japanese given names which were also their English middle names.
Cassius slung an arm around Draco's shoulder. "Let's go, one-syllable team! Lia, Dra, Cas," pointing to himself, "we have a conversation to eavesdrop."
Draco was dragged along by this strange pair of siblings, his future forever changed.
7 June 1990
Ophelia and Draco were hiding in one of the many parlors of Malfoy Manor, playing hide and seek for their 10th birthday party.
She was tucked underneath the grand piano, and he sat on the piano bench, quietly playing a song. After they first met, Draco urged his parents to let him take piano lessons.
The two were practically inseparable. Wherever one was, the other was likely right behind. It wasn't like they barely saw each other. They met two days ago for Draco's actual birthday dinner and a few days before that for Ophelia's small birthday gathering. Without fault, they always gravitated towards one another.
"Draco, we'll always be friends, right?" Ophelia spoke softly.
He stopped playing and leaned down to see Ophelia underneath the piano.
"No matter what, Lia, we'll always be together. Besides, who can get in between us? They'll probably have to go through me first!"
They laughed, and he went back to the piano.
Ophelia closed her eyes, smiling and listening to the piece that Draco was playing.
"Shh!" Harry whispered suddenly, pressing his finger to his lips and pointing toward the compartment next to theirs. Hermione and Ron listened and heard a familiar drawling voice drifting in through the open door.
". . .Father actually considered sending me to Durmstrang rather than Hogwarts, you know. He knows the headmaster, you see. Well, you know his opinion of Dumbledore—the man's such a Muggleborn-lover—and Durmstrang doesn't admit that sort of riffraff. But Mother and Ophelia didn't like the idea of me going to school so far away. Father says Durmstrang takes a far more sensible line than Hogwarts about the Dark Arts. Durmstrang students actually learn them, not just the defense rubbish we do—"
Hermione got up, tiptoed to the compartment door, and slid it shut, blocking out Malfoy's voice.
"So he thinks Durmstrang would have suited him, does he?" Ron grumbled. "I wish he had gone, then we wouldn't have to put up with him."
"Is Durmstrang another wizarding school?" said Harry.
"Yes," said Hermione sniffily, "and it's got a horrible reputation. According to An Appraisal of Magical Education, it puts a lot of emphasis on the Dark Arts. I think Durmstrang must be somewhere in the far north. Or at least somewhere cold, because they've got fur capes as part of their uniforms."
"Ah, think of the possibilities," said Ron dreamily. "It would've been so easy to push Malfoy off a glacier and make it look like an accident. Shame his mother likes him."
Unlike Ron, Harry noticed Malfoy say that Warrington also didn't like the idea of him going to Durmstrang. Harry assumed the two were close, but he never realized it was to that extent.
Lunchtime came and Harry bought a large stack of cauldron cakes for them to share. Afterward, Seamus, Dean, and Neville came by their compartment. They began talking about the World Cup match.
Ron rummaged in his trunk up in the luggage rack and pulled out the miniature figure of Viktor Krum.
"Oh wow," said Neville enviously as Ron tipped Krum onto his hand.
"We saw him right up close, as well," said Ron. "We were in the Top Box—"
"For the first and last time in your life, Weasley." Draco Malfoy had appeared in the doorway, beside him stood Ophelia Warrington. Closely behind them stood a boy that Harry thought to be Zabini. Evidently, they had overheard the conversation through the compartment door which Dean and Seamus had left ajar.
"Don't remember asking you to join us, Malfoy," said Harry coolly.
Ignoring Harry, "Weasley. . .what is that?" said Malfoy, pointing at Pigwidgeon's cage. A sleeve of Ron's dress robes was dangling from it, swaying with the motion of the train, the moldy lace cuff very obvious.
Ron made to stuff the robes out of sight, but Malfoy was too quick for him; he seized the sleeve and pulled.
"Look at this!" said Malfoy, holding up Ron's robes, showing them to Zabini and Warrington.
"Weasley, you weren't thinking of wearing these, were you? I mean, they were very fashionable...maybe in 1860." Warrington wrinkled her nose in disgust.
"I suppose he doesn't know how to dress for a refined event, Lia. Probably hasn't even been invited to one either," said Zabini.
Ron's face became the same color as the dress robes as he snatched them back out of Malfoy's grip.
Malfoy and Zabini smirked at Ron's embarrassment.
"So, going to enter, Weasley? Going to try and bring a bit of glory to the family name? There's money involved as well, you know. You'd be able to afford some decent robes if you won," Malfoy explained.
"What are you talking about?" snapped Ron.
"Are you going to enter?" Malfoy repeated. "I suppose you will, Potter? You never miss a chance to show off, do you?"
"Either explain what you're on about or go away, Malfoy," said Hermione testily.
Harry didn't even know it was possible, but a gleeful smile spread across Malfoy's pale face. "Don't tell me you don't know?" Malfoy said delightedly. "You've got a father and brother at the Ministry and you don't even know?"
Harry, Hermione, and Ron stared at the Slytherins in confusion.
"Don't worry, you'll find out tonight," Warrington reassured them with mysterious delight.
Laughing once more, Malfoy and Zabini left.
Warrington stayed behind for a second. "Sorry for the jokes, Weasley, but the robes are atrocious." Warrington gave him a genuine, sympathetic look.
All of them except Harry were taken aback by her candor. The Gryffindors always forgot that Warrington wasn't always cruel like her friends.
"I hope you had a good summer holiday?" Warrington asked, to which the Gryffindors gave her dubious nods.
"Well, that's nice. Not really conversationalists, are you?" Still staring back at her with confused stares, Warrington shrugged. She pointed to the leftover pile of cauldron cakes Harry bought. "Are you going to eat all of those?"
Harry shook his head and offered her one.
She took the cake from him, accidentally brushing his hand. "Thanks, Potter," Warrington said, then she left the compartment.
Harry flushed at the contact, Ron and his dorm mates guffawed at Harry's reaction.
Hermione sighed. "She's just a girl," she muttered then returning to her book, The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 4.
"A cool one, 'Mione. She could hit Harry with a Bludger, and he would thank her!" Ron clarified.
Harry chuckled, but he didn't correct Ron.
The Gryffindors tried to theorize what event the Slytherins were alluding to for the rest of the train ride. And for Harry, the Slytherin girl wouldn't leave his mind.
Risu: squirrel in Japanese
Kame: turtle in Japanese
A/N: Writing the Slytherins is kind of hard! I'm still trying to get the right tone and the group dynamics down. The flashback was one of my favorite scenes to write so far and I hope it translated well from what I visualize in my mind to words.
Next week: More fourth-year Slytherins interactions, the introduction to the Triwizard Tournament, and a Draco/Ophelia moment to tide you over
Contains content from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
Chapter 11: Aboard the Hogwarts Express