The name of Albus' owl, Avellion, is derived from Andrew Avellino, saint protector against sudden death. This small clue will be relevant later on.
Chapter 2
Platform 9 ¾
- Al, it's going to be alright, son.
- We've all been through this.
Harry and Ginny were trying to comfort him. He didn't quite agree that he had to temporarily break up with his family – unlike his elder brother, who wandered as far away as he could, so that his friends didn't see that he came with his parents at the station.
- Relax, Albus. Avellion will take care of you, right?
The boy smiled, looking at his Snowy Owl that ressembled his father's Hedwig. Suddenly, a question came to his mind:
- Dad, what if I'll be a Slytherin? he said in a low voice. His both parents had been Gryffindors. His brother was one as well.
- Son, you were named after two men. One of them was a Slytherin and was one of the bravest I have ever known. Now, be brave and go to the Hogwarts Express.
- And what if I hit the wall?
- Stop worrying. You'll manage to pass through it.
A bit hesitating, Albus hurried towards the wall. I can do it, I can do it...I should think of something positive. Yes. I have to pass, so that Avelly's cage doesn't fall. Alright.
With this brave thought in mind, the boy came even closer...and immediately went on the other side. He couldn't believe his eyes. He looked at himself – he was in one piece. And his pet owl had all feathers in place.
Then he lifted his eyes and glanced at the imposing Express on the railway. Now it was the time for questions. How did Hogwarts look like? How would he do in school? He took a deep breath and whispered slowly in Avelly's direction, as if he could understand:
- Come on, pal. This is just the beginning of the adventure.
He thus began to drag along the two pieces of luggage and the owl's cage until he reached one of the doors. He stopped and wondered how would he ever lift those up. The road had been tiring enough for him. All of a sudden he heard a voice from above:
- Hey, Potter. Want a helping hand?
He looked in the direction of the voice and saw a boy his age with a pale face, blonde hair and green eyes.
- Sure, why not, he said. He was more than willing to accept.
As soon as the luggage was up, the boy helped him climb as well.
- I'm Scorpius Malfoy.
Indeed, it was him. Albus had heard some things about him. He looked so much like his father, but he did not hate the Gryffindors as much – or those who came from Gryffindor families.
- Nice to meet you, added Albus.
- Will you join me in my compartment?
- Of course, why not. Anyway, I don't know anyone my age except for Rose Weasley.
After a few seconds spent walking along the hall, Scorpius opened a door. Albus would've preferred that they had been the only ones out there, but luck wasn't on his side. There also two very similar girls as well. Great, two more people he will have to speak to.
- Look, Albus, they are Daphne and Arachne. I met them on the train.
He said hello, and they replied politely. They seemed OK, he said to himself. Arachne had blonde hair with dark brown highlights and brown-greenish eyes, while Daphne had brown hair and the same eye colour.
- You're sisters, aren't you?
He had no idea what had struck him to speak on his own, without being asked to.
- Yes, we are, they said in chorus.
Their combined voices sounded just like a Veela. Albus could feel cold shivers running down his spine.
- We're twins, said Arachne.
- Not identical, as you can see.
- I'm 5 minutes older.
Their voices sounded closer to normal when separated.
After they'd been confortably seated, Scorpius noticed:
- I forgot to ask. What House would you like to be sorted in? I want to be in Slytherin, he said in a pround tone.
- Me too, agreed the blonde witch.
- Well, I...I'm not sure. Arachne wants Slytherin and I'd like to stay next to her. On the other hand, the colours of the Hufflepuffs are so lovely! But in Hogwarts: A History it is said that Ravenclaw values creativity and I am quite creative. Gryffindor wouldn't be too bad either. What would you say, Arachne?
Her sister rolled her eyes.
- The Sorting Hat knows best, Daph. Stop being so nervous.
Next, Scorpius turned towards his new friend.
- And how about you, Albus? I guess you want to be in Gryffindor.
His name awakened his two female companions' admiration.
- Albus? As in Albus Potter?
- The son of Harry Potter? Who defeated You-Know-Who?
- Well, yes, that's me...
He didn't enjoy this. The fame was his father's, not his. He hadn't done anything to deserve admiration. But there was no way he could stop this.
As if in order to disrupt this unconfortable moment, James and his gang suddenly opened the door of the compartment.
- Hey, Al! There you were! I've been looking for you everywhere. I see you've made some friends..., he said with a particular intonation in his voice, glancing suspiciously at Scorpius. What was his brother doing with a Malfoy? Whatever...his life, his friends.
- Have fun, Albus, We still have a long way to go until Hogwarts, he said, closing the door.
James told the others:
- What if we went to compartment 52? We'll have loads of fun.
Intrigued, Evan asked:
- Is there anyone...interesting out there?
- Of course. That freak girl at Ollivander's. She's all alone – she'll enjoy our company, won't she?
They all approved of the brilliant idea and headed towards that place.
The girl in black was indeed sitting alone in 52, on the seat closest to the window. Not that she would have used it for looking through it (that activity seemed plain boring to her), but she was reading and needed light. She was reading a thick old book with brown paper covers on the outside, while enjoying the solitude as well. The last thing she needed was chit-chatting companions.
Obviously, she couldn't have expected company. She heard the door open, then she lifted her eyes from the book, hoping that it wasn't a late first-year who needed a seat. It was even worse. Potter and his gang. She knew them by sight.
- Well, well, look who's here! Our old acquaintance, right, boys? said James.
- Of course, added Apollo. And she's...reading! Instead of doing something more interesting.
The young witch threw a glance at them that could have killed, had it been alive.
- Such as bursting into others'compartments and stepping on their nerves? she acidly replied.
- Look, she's annoyed, said James, making his way inside.
This was already too much. They were in her private space.
- What book is this, Miss Bookworm?
And without waiting for an answer, he took it from her hands. He tore the paper covers apart to reveal a book entitled "Advanced Potions. Your Not-So-Easy Wizard's Guide".
- Advanced Potions! For Merlin's beard! That's even weirder that standing all alone in a compartment.
- Are you actually reading that thing or are you looking at the pictures? asked Alcyon, stunned.
Now it was time for her to reply. They had mutilated the covers of a book in perfect condition and had mocked her. She stood up and said:
- This book has no pictures. Pictures are only for smart boys like yourselves who can't tell the difference between Polyjuice Potion and The Draught of Living Death.
That irritated the four. James took out his wand.
- Tarantallegra!
The young witch immediately stretched her arm forward in the direction of his wand. Nothing happened.
- Tarantallegra!
Still nothing.
- You want me to do a crazy dance? You know what they say, Potter. The seventh time is a lucky one, she said smiling ironically in a corner of her mouth.
- How...how did you do it?
- I can do more things than you think I can. Moreover, I thought using magic was forbidden outside of Hogwarts.
- The same for you, he claimed, trying to defend himself.
- Did it look to you as if I used any magic? Did I utter any word? Now...OUT!
Without further words, the four immediately got out. They couldn't believe that James couldn't perform a simple spell.
- How could it be? I tried it on many others before her.
- Perhaps she's protected against curses, tried Evan.
- No...No way. There's no such a thing.
- Ahm, James...
The others turned to Alcyon.
- She stretched her arm in the direction of your wand. Couldn't it be possible that she created a shield against magic?
- Oh, come on. Wandless magic?
- What other explanation do you have?
- I have no idea. But you know something? Ignore her. Let's find other nerds in the train.
From behind the door, the witch wanted to sit down, but then she remembered it would be wise to make sure no one would bother her throughout the journey.
- Colloportus.
And then she resumed her seat, complaining to herself about the book's destroyed cover. She reopened it at the first page, where the title was written, followed by two lines in different handwritings:
Thassion M.'s coursebook, 1993, Hogwarts
Rosabella's book. 2017