On the 28th as promised (only just though). A shoutout to Chicagoman58512 and Starlight- for favouriting already! Also to Paper Grenade for adding me to your alerts. Last shout out to Luxraylover for reviewing - maybe this chapter will help you come to a decision. Would love to hear from you all and I am still looking for a beta if anyone is interested message me/review!
Chapter two - The Journey.
Sadie boarded the train glad to be out of the smoke, which she hadn't realised, but had been permeating her clothing. Hermione and Ginny hadn't returned for her and so she started walking up the train looking for her group of friends. The crowded corridor was difficult to navigate everyone had their luggage with them and were all looking for a compartment. After a few minutes of struggling Sadie gave in pushed her trunk to the side and stood beside it waiting for the main rush to be over.
Once it was over Sadie slowly made her way down the crowded train. She saw reuniting friends, tentative first years making their first friends or nervously looking around compartments they were sharing with older siblings.
Sadie heard Ginny before she saw her, her laughter filling the air. She moved towards the sound, the group seemed to be in the final compartment on the train. A dark haired Ravenclaw pushed past her a smirk on her face, her black hair the complete opposite of her own platinum blonde. All Sadie could think of was that she was glad that she had waited for the rush to be over. She would never have made it this far in the craze which had been occurring earlier.
Sadie peaked into the compartment and was surprised at who was present. Ginny was there accompanied by Harry Potter, who Sadie never felt comfortable around due to her family's hatred of him, and Neville Longbottom. In the corner there was someone reading the Quibbler which Sadie could not help but smile about. Despite the unconventional articles Sadie always read it regardless. She often found it had articles that were helpful for Ancient Runes. When Sadie moved even closer she noticed that Neville had the plant 'Mimbulus Mimbultonia', Sadie shivered, she had not liked that particular plant since she was three.
She had been running away from her dad who was chasing her like a simpleton who he would usually frown upon, they were both laughing loudly. Sadie thought for a moment and remembered pretending to cast a spell at her Dad with her fake wand. She had slipped on the polished floor and jammed her wand into the plant there in an attempt to keep upright. Stinksap had covered her from head to toe, her favourite dress after that always held the distinct aroma that was now assaulting her senses. Needless to say she had never worn the dress again.
"Sorry" she heard mumbled in the distinct voice of Neville Longbottom, Sadie knew one day he could be a great wizard, if only he had the confidence in himself.
Sadie made her way into the compartment and noticed the Stinksap had already been vanished, she took the empty seat next to Neville and smiled across at Ginny. It was at this point that Sadie looked closely at the girl reading this month's edition of the Quibbler upside down. "Hi" Sadie said in an attempt to get the girls attention. Her hair was straggly, dirty blonde, and waist length. Her eyebrows matched Sadie's hair colour and were hardly noticeable on her pale skin. Her protuberant eyes only added to her odd appearance. Her eyes gave her a permanently surprised look and her wand was stashed behind her ear for safekeeping. Sadie knew if she did that her Father would have a long lecture for her to listen to, at the end of which she would end up having to agree with his point of view anyway. It was much easier to do as he asked the first time.
"Hello." Her voice like her appearance was wispy. "I don't know who you are." Sadie smiled at the statement. The protuberant eyes seemed to be looking through her. This just added to her quirkiness.
"Sadie Malfoy." The girl frowned slightly looking at her Gryffindor robes. "Call me Mandy, all my friends do." The girl nodded her head and looked at Ginny, it seemed Ginny had mentioned her to this eccentric young lady.
"I am Luna Lovegood." Sadie smiled at her succinct reply, it seemed this girl was not what she seemed, after all she was a Ravenclaw and they were known for their insight and intelligence, though at first glance this girl appeared flighty and incompetent.
After the awkward introduction, chatting seemed to start throughout the compartment once more. Sadie took a fiction book out of her leather messenger bag, she had been attempting to finish this book all summer. Sadie knew that Ginny would talk to her later when Hermione joined them, most likely. Harry was uneasy around her, not that she blamed him. After the food trolley, or the sweet trolley if we are being completely honest had been past Ron and Hermione entered the compartment. Sadie looked up and smiled at them but said nothing.
Ron appeared to be exhausted and he collapsed on the nearest available seat, saw the pile of Chocolate Frogs and immediately started to assist in demolishing the pile. While the other three Gryffindor's were busy trading cards. Hermione instantly started talking about the Prefects meeting, as much as Sadie enjoyed her company she believed that Hermione really needed to sort out her priorities. "There are two fifth year prefects from each house." Sadie rolled her eyes, it had always been that way. Every year there was one male and one female prefect per house. Hermione went on to confirm this referring back to Hogwarts: A History, Sadie sighed and attempted to block out the voice by reading her book once more. But Ron interrupted the rant Hermione was on the verge of doing.
"Guess who the Slytherin Prefect is?" Ron who by this point had finished the remaining chocolate frogs had leant back and placed his hands behind his head looking terribly relaxed, he was more gangly that the year before, but Sadie had a feeling that he would soon be just as tall and muscular as his twin brothers.
"Malfoy." Sadie cringed, she already knew the answer after all that was all her brother had spoken about since he received his letter, how he was going to make the 'Golden trio' pay, something Sadie had only endured to keep their relationship as it was.
"Course" Ron confirmed, and Sadie could not help but cringe at the lack of grammar, and manners, his mouth was full of chocolate and Sadie had to look away. Sadie went back to her book in an attempt to stave off boredom at this conversation. Hermione started complaining about Pansy Parkinson and Sadie's hands clenched around the book she was holding. Sadie had been driven up the wall by Miss Parkinson this summer, she had been visiting every day. All because Draco had decided it would be a good idea to take her to the Yule Ball. Now she thought she was going to be the next lady Malfoy and all Sadie wanted to do was throw her at a wall or through one, it didn't matter which.
"Who are the Hufflepuff prefects?" Harry asked quickly defusing the situation, he knew Hermione could complain about Parkinson for hours, add Sadie to that the pair would never stop.
"Ernie Macmillan and Hannah Abbott." Here she paused and looked around the compartment noticing that even Sadie was listening albeit reluctantly. "And Anthony Goldstien and Padma Patil are the ones for Ravenclaw." Sadie zoned out and watched the group interact. Luna was buried in her magazine, but Sadie was watching Hermione and Ron closely. She could not help but notice how well suited they were for each other. Ron would calm Hermione and she would increase his seriousness. She smile at the thought and decided if she had to make a bet on a couple that would end up happily married she would pick those two. For the rest of the journey Sadie read despite the promise of catching up, the girls had simply forgotten about her. She wasn't bothered, they had until at least Christmas to catch up.
When they finally arrived at Hogsmeade station she quickly located Fred and George and completed her final journey to Hogwarts with them. She looked up at the beautiful castle and could not help that it took her breath away. Hogwarts was a sight to behold. Fred and George were already discussing what pranks they were going to pull and on who. Sadie rolled her eyes, it should be a good year.