The morning of 1st September found Leandra in the bathroom admiring herself in her school robes.
The month she had spent in her godfather's house had been eventful. The Malfoy's wanted to meet her right away, and the amount of parties they had planned for one single month was astounding. Apart from their absurd need of socialization, Leandra found them approachable.
The time she hadn't spent in Malfoy parties, she spent reading off her school books, trying to learn as much as she could, and brewing some potions with uncle Severus.
-Hurry up, Leandra! - her godfather yelled from down the stairs - We're going to be late for the train ride!
Leandra descended the stairs slowly, carrying a heavy-looking trunk. Uncle Severus pointed his wand at it and muttered an incantation Leandra didn't recognize. She rapidly realized what the charm did when her trunk became feather light.
-Thank you, uncle Sev! - Leandra exclaimed - I can't wait to learn how to do that!
Uncle Severus laughed. Leandra had noticed him being more and more relaxed around her. He was completely different around people he clearly considered family.
-You won't learn a feather-light charm for another year, my dear goddaughter - uncle Severus moked her - And even then, it will probably take you another year to be able to enchant a bag that heavy.
-Not if I do some self studying, I won't!- Leandra passed by her godfather, a smirk on her face - You have already taught me half of the potion's curriculum for this year, and some spells, so I should have at least some free time to get ahead of everyone else.
Uncle Severus laughed warmly again.
-Keep that train of thought and you'll end up in Ravenclaw young lady!
Leandra laughed along with him while opening the door.
-We both know that after a month in your and Draco's company I'll be going into Slytherin the moment the hat touches my head.
Uncle Severus smiled and followed her out the door, locking it after him.
-Where to apparate? - Leandra asked him.
With Malfoy Manor being in the country side, apparation had become a regular part of her life.
-We're going by car - uncle Severus said, gesturing to the car right in front of them.
It was a green Ford Granada, looking a bit old. Leandra stared at it for a second before speaking.
-You drive?!
Uncle Severus clearly supressed a laugh.
-Put your trunk in the boot- he said - We should be apparating there with you taking over half an hour in the bathroom, but I had already planned this, and I want to take you by car. It's more formal.
Leandra hummed, not convinced, but obeyed. They both got in the car, and started away to the station.
-Here we are - uncle Severus stated as they entered the parking lot.
He drove straight at a tree. Leandra was about to scream when they passed through the tree into another parking lot. She took a few calming breaths, still holding onto her seat like it was going to disappear.
-This is the magical part of King's Cross - uncle Severus was smirking - There are some entries here and there. I find this one to be the "cooler" one.
'Why?' Leandra wondered, her heart still wanting a way out of her chest, taking her trunk from her godfather, after finally finding the strength to get out of the car.
-Now, I have a reputation to uphold among the Gryffindors so they can't see me be nice in public- her godfather said - I'll escort you to the inside of the train so you don't get lost, but no more hugs until we get to Hogwarts! So, give your godfather one last big hug.
Leandra dropped her trunk and hugged uncle Severus tightly.
-I'll miss your upbeat person, uncle Sev! - Leandra said into his shirt.
Uncle Severus hugged her back.
-I think you'll rather like my mean persona when I'm giving out detentions like candy to the Gryffindors. And points to Slytherin, of course.
Leandra chuckled and let go of her godfather.
-Don't mess with Harry, though - Leandra warned - I'd hate having to put snails in your bed when vacation comes around.
-As long as he doesn't mess with you, I won't mess with him - he promised - Scout's honor.
-You were a scout?
-No.
Leandra rolled her eyes.
They made it to the inside of the station and got to platform 9 and 3/4. The train was beautiful. It was red and black, "Hogwarts Express" in big letters at the front, and it was the biggest train Leandra had ever seen. They got inside it and parted ways, waving goodbye.
Leandra roamed the train for a while, trying to find Draco, who had become her best friend in this magical world. Opening one compartment door after another was an awkward method but it proved to be a good one.
-Finally found you!- Leandra exclaimed, entering the compartment and closing the door behind her.
Draco looked at the door and smiled. There were two boys who looked their age with him. Both jumped about a feet at her voice.
-Hello Leandra! - Draco immediatly stood up and grabbed her trunk - Had a nice trip to the station? Heard your godfather was planning to take you by car.
-Except the part when he drove right through a tree with no previous warning, it was pretty uneventful - Leandra said - What about you?
-We apparated - Draco put her trunk in the space over their heads - These are Crabbe and Goyle, by the way. Don't believe you've met them before, have you?
-No, I had not - Leandra smiled at them - I'm Potter. Leandra Potter. Can you please tell me which one is Crabbe and Goyle please? Draco here isn't so gracious as to explain that.
One of the boys grumbled something that sounded a lot like oil. Leandra assumed he was Goyle. The one she then assumed was Crabbe seemed to be analizing her face.
-You're a Potter? - he asked.
-Yes, I am - Leandra settled down beside Draco- Why do you ask?
-Well, you see, Potters have only had boys for a long time - Crabbe looked at her hair as if in wonder - And I've never seen a picture of one of them with red hair.
-People say I take after my mother - Leandra touched her hair softly.
The boy nodded.
-Name's Vincent Crabbe- he said - and he's Gregory. Draco tends to forget we have first names.
-I don't tend to forget it - Draco rolled his eyes - Goyle doesn't like his name so I end up presenting the both of you by your last names. If you were to not be together, I'd introduce Goyle as Goyle and you as Vincent Crabbe. But you are always together.
Leandra smiled and nudged Draco.
-Come on, give them a rest.
-I'm still sorry about not noticing your brother by the way - Draco said - We should go find him later.
Leandra stood up, a big smile on her face.
-Why later?- she asked - I haven't seen him since our birthday! Let's go find him!
-Wait! - Draco got Leandra to sit down - We'll go find him after the food cart stops by. We don't even know if he's on the train yet.
Leandra let herself be sat back down, sighing.
They engaged in small conversation for a while. Things like the weather, the houses, even uncle Severus was brought up:
-So, what subject are you most excited about? - Vincent asked them at one point - I'm really looking forward to Transfiguration!
-I think I will really like potions - Leandra answered - I lived with professor Snape since he picked me up on my birthday, and I picked up on some stuff. It's really interesting.
Vincent's eyes went wide, while Goyle grumbled and trembled.
-He finds our uncle quite frightening - Draco explained - For no reason. You're gonna get into Slytherin just fine Goyle, and then he won't look so frightening, you'll see.
They talked until an old woman opened the compartment's door.
-Good afternoon kids! Does any of you want something to eat? I've got all kinds of sweets and some warm lunches as well!
They bought their food and ate in silence. Goyle shoved his food down his throat quite fast and Vincent, even though more civilized, also had little eating manners. Draco, as per usual, took the smallest bites from his sandwich. All throughout lunch, Leandra made mental notes of what she was seeing, remembering stuff uncle Severus had said over the last month.
When they were finally done, Leandra sat up.
-Should we go find my brother now?- she asked.
-Alright you stubborn girl, we shall - Draco rolled his eyes at her.
They all get up and out of the compartment. They looked for a while before finding Harry siting in a compartment with windows looking in. There was a red haired boy with him. Neither of them had noticed them just yet. Draco groaned and took a breath.
-We'll just ignore the red head.
Leandra looked at him quizzically, but decided to not worry about it for now.
-Hello -Draco was clearly talking to Harry as they entered the compartment - Are you The-Boy-Who-Lived?
-I'm Harry - he said blushing - Harry Potter.
-Name's Malfoy- Draco said - Draco Malfoy.
The red haired boy snorted at the name, all eyes shooting to him. Leandra's only thought was 'uh-oh'.
-Think my name is funny? No need to ask yours - there was palpable venom dripping from every one of Draco's word - Red hair and hand me down clothes. You must be a Weasley.
The Weasley boy had started getting red in the face. Draco turned back to Harry after the interaction. Leandra, having turned back to her brother as well, was surprised to find Harry was also looking angry.
'Why?' she wondered 'Draco didn't say anything mean until redhead over there laughed at his name... And he was determined to ignore the boy before coming in; well, then again, Harry doesn't know that'.
-You'll soon find out some wizarding families are better than others, Potter. You don't want to go and make friends with the wrong kind - Draco smiled, extending his hand to Harry - I can help you with that.
Harry looked at his hand and then up into his sister's direction. Leandra was smiling and nodding, trying to pass on the message "Draco isn't usually like this, please give him a chance". After a while, he looks back to Draco.
-I think I can tell the wrong sort for myself thanks - Harry stated.
Draco's smile faltered, and his hand dropped awkwardly to his side. He opened his mouth, about to speak back, but someone else beat him to it.
-Harry! You do realize you don't actually have to stop being friends with whomever this is, don't you?
Everyone turned to Leandra.
-Are you his sister? - the red haired boy asked.
-Yes, I am - Leandra extended a hand to him - Leandra Potter, pleased to meet you.
-I'm Ron - the boy shook her hand - Weasley. Why are you defending that Death Eater?
-I'm sorry, that what now? - Leandra asked.
-Death Eater - Ron repeated, unhelpfully.
Leandra stared at him. 'Well, he clearly won't make it to Ravenclaw'.
-He means a person who supported You-Know-Who - Vincent helped.
-That's nonsense then - Leandra stated, sending a thankful look Vincent's way - He's far too young. He should have been about one year old when Harry defeated the man! He couldn't have possibly been a Death Eater that young!
-But his father was! - Ron insisted - And that makes him one.
-Oh, so you wanna have the same job as your father? - Leandra contradicted - Plus, if his father really was one of the bad guys, a known one as it seems, shouldn't he be in prison? Because I've met the man this very month and let me tell you, he was one of the most polite people I've ever met.
-Yeah, but he claimed to be under some sort of mind control! - Ron was practicaly yelling - But I don't believe it one bit, no! They're a bad bunch, the Malfoy's-
-At least my parents can afford the amount of kids they have - Draco smiled at Ron.
Ron was as red as his hair. Leandra had seen some fights break out between Jackson and other people, and one person with a face that red was never good news. Plus, Draco probably couldn't defend himself.
-Why don't you believe it? -Leandra decided to distract Ron and talk to Draco later.
-They're snakes, the lot of them! - Ron exclaimed victoriously.
-Snakes? - Leandra asked again.
-Yes- Ron was clearly expecting her to understand and turn sour about the whole issue.
-He means Slytherin - Leandra could feel Vincent roll his eyes - Malfoys have been sorted into Slytherin for centuries.
-Oh- Leandra was wondering if maybe Vincent and Goyle couldn't have handled the Weasley boy.
-Yes - Weasley was still oblivious and gleaming.
-My godfather was a Slytherin - Leandra stated - I wanna be sorted into Slytherin. Do you mean to tell me both me and my godfather are liars and bad people?
Weasley went pale at that.
-Leandra, You-Know-Who was a Slytherin - Harry spoke, looking down.
-So? Do you think one dark wizard makes a whole school house bad?- Leandra put a lot of emphasis on the word "school".
Harry had the decency of looking ashamed.
-I do hope you realize Draco gave you a ticket out of this nonsense and you were fast to reject it, Harry - Leandra continued - Now, if you two don't mind, I'm going to go hang out at my very own serpent's nest, regardless of whatever future housing awaits us.
Leandra turned around and graciously got back to their compartment, her friends right behind her.
-Thank you - it was the first coherent sentence Goyle had said all day - I've never heard anyone stand up for Slytherin. I really do hope I get sorted in there. My father told me the peers are amazing and there's all these great parties! And he also told me it's a Slytherin secret that the house elves will even get you food to the common room!
-House elves? - Leandra asked.
-They're the tiny creatures that were about the house last time you went there - Draco dismissed.
-Oh, you mean your slaves - there was a look on Leandra's face Draco had gotten used to seeing.
It usually meant he was in trouble.
-They like to be slaves though - Vincent reassured - They'll cry and beg for mercy if you try to release them. And they don't accept payment.
-Thank you, Vincent. And you're welcome, Goyle.
She turned to Draco with the same look on her face. 'I'm fried' he thought.
-What was that back there? - Leandra demanded - You were insulting that boy with the worst I've heard from you so far. I know your family is rich, but do you really have to attack the poor?
-I wasn't insulting him because he's poor - Draco explained - Although, that did make for quite the insult. I was insulting him because he's a Weasley and Weasley's and Malfoy's hate each other.
Leandra's look deepened.
-Alright, so I overdid myself! - Draco exclaimed - If he hadn't laughed at my name I wouldn't have done anything.
-I can't really be mad at you for being such a prat to him of all people - Lea sighed- He was being very biased. Is everyone like that when it comes to Slytherin?
-Not everyone - Vincent said - But most people, yes.
The rest of the train ride was spent in silence. Leandra spent it mostly thinking to herself if her brother would still talk to her if she got herself sorted into Slytherin.
As they were almost at the castle, Goyle, who had been looking out the window, gasped and gestured them to look. From there, they could see a big castle.
-Is that anywhere near the school? - Leandra asked in amazement - Do you think they'll take us there?
-Leandra - Draco laughed softly - That is the school!