Narcissa Black
The second person ever to call you a Mudblood is Narcissa Black. You don't know her name, either, but you are instantly struck by her extraordinary beauty. Her hair is as pale as the boy's in the book shop, but it is her face that makes her beautiful. Her bones are delicate and set as elegantly as a sculpture. Her skin is pale and unblemished, and her eyes are also pale, but large and framed by long lashes.
Unfortunately her beauty seems to be only skin-deep.
You quarreled with Tuney on the platform, and you're still upset. You don't understand why she can't be part of this opportunity, and you're actually a little upset with Professor Dumbledore. At the same time, you're forced to accept that you're the witch of the family. It feels like a big responsibility, and for the first time you wonder if this is really such a good idea. You'll be away from your family, including Tuney who you've just quarreled with, for four whole months. It seems like an eternity.
Then Severus enters the compartment, and you remember that, whatever happens, you're not alone.
The other boys in your compartment are mean, and you're quite angry that first they come into your space, without even asking, and then they have the effrontery to insult your friend.
"Come on, Sev," you say, nose in the air. "Let's find another compartment."
The two of you don't look back at your rowdy classmates, and you don't listen to their insults. Why should you? You've already heard worse.
Sev finds you another compartment that's almost empty—there's only an odd-looking girl in there. You think she might be fourteen or fifteen. Her hair is golden blonde, her necklace is woven from dandelions, and she looks deeply absorbed in a book with a gaudy cover, but no title or author as far as you can see.
"Mind if we sit here?" Sev asks gruffly.
The girl nods absently, not even looking at either of you. Sev picks up your trunk (he's stronger than he looks) and you drift aimlessly a few steps down the corridor.
It's then that the girl bumps into you. She's walking very quickly, heaving a trunk and a birdcage containing a gorgeous tawny owl, and she looks angry.
You try to get out of her way, but you're not fast enough; the collision is inevitable. She utters a string of shocked expletives, ending with "—Merlin's gonads, and Salazar Slytherin's favorite basilisk's nest-name! Watch where you're going!" She looks at you, in one glance takes in your T-shirt and jeans, and adds, almost casually, "you dirty Mudblood!"
You stare at her, feeling shock and anger rise in you like the tide. Of course, after all the swearing, you shouldn't be surprised, but it still amazes you that someone this beautiful could say things so ugly.
She sweeps on past you, tossing that gorgeous hair triumphantly and calling, "Betts! Liv!" to a couple of other fourth-year girls. You can't think of anything to say, even though Sev has reluctantly told you what 'Mudblood' means, and you wish you had his talent for vicious insults.
It's too late, anyway; the girl is gone, and Sev appears at the door of your new compartment. "Lily?" he asks, concerned. You wonder how he can tell you're upset. He always seems to know.
You smile bravely and walk back to Sev. You're determined that these pale-haired older students won't spoil your first day at magic school. No matter how hurt you are that they don't like you for something you can't help.
You're a witch, and you belong here just as much as they do.