Rook lay awake in her four poster bed where she had crept noiselessly and settled herself in spite of George's warnings. She listened to the sounds of her sleeping roommates and thought about the events of this evening. Her time with Olida and Sia had truly changed her. There was a time when the likes of Fred and George would have made her thoroughly uncomfortable. After the initial shock, however, George was actually quite gentle, and he put Rook at ease. His brother was another story. Fred was far more strident, and Rook was wary of him. Overall, though, they both made Rook laugh and they had succeeded in making Rook feel welcome at her new school.
But for all the twins' affability, Rook remained dismayed at Madeline's dismissal. She had a caustic wit, but something about her notably appealed to Rook, and she lost herself in thoughts of their first encounter the previous day...
Although Professor McGonagall had given Rook very specific instructions on how to get to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, Rook remained rather irresolute as she wandered the unfamiliar landscape of King's Cross. She thought she had located the barrier between Platforms Nine and Ten, but a number of concerns plagued Rook. If this was not the spot to which Professor McGonagall had been referring, she would look quite the fool attempting to run directly into the wall. Aside from how she would look, it would undoubtedly be painful and unpleasant for both her and Mahakala. In the end, Rook opted to do some patient observation before venturing forth. After all, she had arrived early in case of any complications, and it could not hurt.
The first perceptibly magical family Rook sighted consisted of a stately and aloof couple, each wearing a black cloak, and their two daughters. One of their daughters also wore a black cloak, but Rook's attention had focused on the other daughter, Madeline. She looked to be about fourteen or fifteen years old, with dark, silken hair that caught the sunlight like a raven's wings, full, pale pink lips, and sparkling blue eyes. Unlike the rest of her family, this girl wore muggle clothes, but the most odd assortment of muggle clothing Rook had ever seen, including a white men's vest over a black sports bra, long, black silk opera gloves, white American football pants, and black knee-high socks. To top it all, her navel was bare and sported a single silver stud.
They approached the barrier and Rook continued to stare at Madeline. She was inconspicuous enough to go unnoticed by most of the family, but Madeline had seemed to sense Rook's gaze and she found Rook in the crowd, watching from afar. Inexplicably, Madeline had smirked and turned to her family.
"You go on. I'll see you in a minute."
Madeline's parents eyed her suspiciously, but ultimately conceded, and Rook had the distinct impression that they had long since given up on arguing with Madeline over most things. As soon as her parents had disappeared into the seemingly solid barrier, Madeline caught Rook's eye once more and motioned her over. Rook obliged shyly, now avoiding Madeline's piercing gaze.
"Are you a muggle or something?" Madeline had asked, a touch of laughter in her voice.
"M-me? Uh... No, I'm a witch."
Madeline had a good laugh at this. "Don't sound too sure of yourself, do you? So you a foreigner?"
"Oi!" An extremely tall boy with fluffy, straw-colored hair and a long, pointed nose appeared behind Madeline and Rook and lost no time antagonizing Madeline. "Get a move on, Selwyn! What are you gibbering on about here of all places? Making a scene!"
"If you want me to make a scene, I'll make a scene!" Madeline retorted promptly. "Just for that, I think I'll take my sweet time getting to the train!"
"Argue with a prefect, will you? And who's this you're corrupting before term has even started?"
"'Corrupting'?! Ooh, you better be careful, Hilliard, or I'll tell her about start of term, 1991!"
"As if you haven't told everyone already!"
"Robert, what are you—Ah! Hello Madeline!" A much shorter man with the same fluffy hair had caught up with them. He smiled genially and Madeline curtsied. "Shall we?"
"Of course, Mister Hilliard. I was just telling your son here to get a move on, but he wanted to make a scene, as usual..."
Madeline had then taken it upon herself to show Rook through to the platform, onto the train, and into a seat right beside her own. She left to bid a final farewell to her parents on the platform, and Rook could just barely hear their exchange from where she sat.
"Who was that, Madeline? I do not believe I recognize her."
"Does it matter?"
"I suppose not, so long as... She is... pureblood, is she not?"
"Oh, who cares, dad?" Madeline had replied, frowning. Her father grimaced, as if she had confirmed the worst.
"She doesn't look very clean, Madeline," her mother added distastefully. "Did you see her hair? And she's so ugly..."
"Ugly?! If you think she's ugly, I'm glad no one gave you license to set the standards!"
Before her parents could say more, Madeline stormed off. By the time she was back in the compartment with Rook, however, she looked to be in such good spirits, Rook was taken aback.
"Did you hear any of that?" she asked, her tone apologetic.
Rook nodded, blushing. At that moment she had felt as if she might cry, but she fought to hold it back.
"Oh, don't pay attention to them," said Madeline unconcernedly. "They're pretentious arses, the both of them."
"I-I'm sorry if I caused a problem."
"Oh, please... They are the source of all my problems. They're not too bright. They're obsessed with blood. So archaic, and proven to be a detriment to our species. But they think science is beneath them. Just as well. I'm conditioning them. Can't hardly bring them out in public saying things like that, can I?"
Rook laughed and was then irreversibly taken with Madeline.