Jakob woke up to the warm and inviting sunlight that was shining into his room. He basked in the soft rays of the sun and stretched his body for a few moments. As he lay there, a sense of excitement washed over him as he remembered what day it was. It was the day he had been eagerly waiting for - the day he was finally going to Hogwarts!
Filled with boundless energy, the young boy catapulted out of bed, flinging the covers aside with joyful abandon. His hurried stride across the room almost caused him to stumble over the expansive, vibrant red rug that stretched across the floor. But Jakob paid it no mind, undeterred by the near mishap. Today was the day he had long yearned for – the day he would finally step into the magical world of Hogwarts.
A grin spread across his face, a sense of excitement and anticipation filling his heart. Nothing could dampen his spirits, not even the cold, hard marble floor beneath his feet that had just threatened him.
As he entered his private bathroom on the left, he found himself surrounded by an abundant display of luxury. The spacious room was adorned with various decorations that Susie had meticulously chosen and arranged.
Pristine white walls exuded an air of cleanliness, complemented by dazzling blue floors that added a touch of vibrancy to the space. A luxurious white bathtub with elegant golden handles stood as a centrepiece, promising a relaxing retreat. Every element, from the perfectly coordinated sink to the toilet, bore witness to Susie's remarkable attention to detail and impeccable taste. Each corner of the room was a testament to her refined style and exquisite sensibilities.
However, for the thirteen-year-old, the aesthetic wonders of the bathroom remained largely unnoticed, as he was as oblivious to its splendour on this day as any other.
Feeling both tired and excited, Jakob smiled as he gazed upon the inviting scene before him. The bathtub was brimming with hot water, and a sea of bubbles carrying the soothing scent of lavender greeted him. Without hesitation, he removed his pyjamas and stepped into the welcoming waters.
With a deep breath, Jakob took the plunge, immersing himself entirely beneath the sea of fragrant bubbles. After bathing, he rose from the water, ready to prepare for the big day. The first impression was crucial, and he was determined to look the part.
"Jakob? Are you up? Are you presentable?" Susie's voice echoed through his bedroom door, and he glanced at the entrance before turning back to himself. He was standing in front of the mirror, having just finished getting ready. The boy gave himself one last evaluation, making sure that he looked his absolute best. After all, He was determined to make a good impression on his soon-to-be classmates on his first day of school, but it wasn't just about that.
It went beyond just wanting to look his best. He was a pureblood heir from an ancient and noble house, and it was important that he projected the same strength and confidence as his father and Emma always managed to do.
All eyes would be upon him, searching for any signs of weakness. He needed to show them all that there were none to be found from a member of house Quade.
"Yeh, I'm presentable, Susie. You can enter." The door opened, and a woman wearing a crimson-red maiden outfit walked briskly inside, giving the boy in front of the mirror a stern look, trying to find something she needed to correct.
As she approached him, she gently placed her hand on his shoulder and turned him around to face her. Her eyes swept over his appearance, taking in his neatly combed hair. She paused momentarily, her gaze lingering on a single strand that had come loose and now lay across his forehead. His black hair had been carefully combed back to the right, accentuating his handsome features.
Susie's gaze travelled downwards and met his charming, thirteen-year-old face. She couldn't help but notice his kind eyes with a hint of mischief, and she found herself feeling warmed by his stoic and handsome features. His jawline was particularly striking, with a typical shape for someone from the Quade family. Susie studied his face intently, hoping to catch any sign of fatigue or lack of sleep in his olive, sin-kissed skin or in his dark brown eyes. However, his charming smile remained unwavering.
"Susie, I'm fine. I look..." Jakob began but was abruptly cut off by a snap of the stern lady's fingers.
After another minute of examination and a satisfied nod, she took a few steps back. Her searching eyes thoroughly inspected his black acromantula silk robes, looking for any imperfections. When none were found, she smiled softly and picked up a handkerchief to pretend to wipe away an imaginary speck of dust from his family crest, proudly displayed on the right side of his chest.
After the examination concluded, and the matriarch was content with the heir's appearance, she took a step back, her smile warm, allowing him to resume whatever task he'd been engrossed in before her interruption.
"Is everything packed, Jakob? If you've overlooked anything, don't worry, but it's preferable to send an owl to me instead of your father. I'll make sure you get whatever you need. I promise." The raven-haired boy turned around and beamed his customary, contagious smile. This time, Susie couldn't help but return it.
Sussane, or Susie as her family affectionately called her, was an exquisitely beautiful woman in her early forties. Her lush dark blonde hair was always elegantly arranged in a bun atop her head, and she donned a red maid's attire embroidered with the family crest on her right side. Her face struck a delicate balance between sternness and allure, with rosy red lips gracefully accentuating her features. Sussane's slender frame boasted curves in all the right places, often leaving both wizards and witches in awe.
When Jakob joined her on shopping trips to Diagon Alley, he had observed something quite entertaining. On a few occasions, bold wizards attempted to initiate conversations with the woman, only to face rejection. It was amusing to witness how effortlessly she thwarted their advances, leaving them bewildered, taken aback, and perhaps a bit worthless.
The young boy had always felt guilty about her and Ella's situation. They were bound to House Quade by blood.
Long ago, Susie's family had done something inexcusable to the esteemed House of Quade and thus were cursed to serve them for eternity and could never marry. When Jakob had once asked the matriarch who Ella's father was, he only got the reply that she didn't know, as it had been a single night.
The Quade heir often wondered if Ella knew what awaited her in this house - she would have no choice but to serve her masters and never marry, never be free. She was far more shackled to this house than he would ever be.
"What's wrong? What are you thinking about?" Susie asked gently, bringing the boy out of his musings. He put up a convincing smile and embraced her tightly.
"Just thinking about how much I'll miss you and Ella," he muttered quietly, feeling her arms embrace him in return. He could tell she was trying to fight back her tears as she responded.
"Don't worry about us, darling. We'll be alright. And Ella will join you next year, so concentrate on having a marvellous time at the castle." As she gradually let go of him, he nodded to reassure her that everything would be fine.
"I will -" Jakob's words were cut off by Emma, who had just hurried upstairs to call for the two of them.
"We're going to be late if you don't move it! Ella, stop running and don't drop that!"
Ella, the family's youngest, had just dashed past Emma in the hallway, tightly holding her latest gift from Jakob. Emma, exasperated, rolled her eyes, fully aware that failing to catch Ella soon would result in utter chaos. With a hastened breath and a frustrated sigh, the eldest girl chased after the youngest, her wand raised as she attempted to cast spells to slow down the spirited girl. In response, Ella's laughter rang out, and Jakob could discern the quickening of her footsteps as her laughter and Emma's shouting echoed down the corridor.
"Honestly, Jakob Quade," Susie sighed as she ushered the boy from his room. "Why did you have to buy Ella such a gift?"
She tried her best to give Jakob a stern look as they descended the stairs with hurried steps, but her attempts were futile when she saw his mischievous smile forming upon spotting Ella at the large front door, with Emma having a firm grasp on the younger girl's shoulder.
"What? No, don't place the blame on me! It was your idea to visit Diagon Alley," the boy retorted a moment later, processing the woman's previous statement. "If you hadn't insisted on bringing me to Diagon Alley, I would not have had to buy that for her," he concluded with a mischievous smirk.
Susie shook her head, exasperated; that boy had a way of winning every argument.
As they descended the staircase, their attention was drawn to Emma, who clutched the shoulder of the twelve-year-old girl firmly. The two females were engaged in an intense standoff, with Emma looking completely worn out from her sprint while Ella appeared irritated at being caught yet again by the older blonde. However, the instant the young girl spotted Jakob, her frown morphed into an exuberant grin.
Her blue eyes sparkled with delight when she heard the conversation between her mother and her favourite Quade member. She held up her new possession for everyone to see for the tenth time this past two days, and a giggle escaped her lips in response to Jakob's teasing remark.
"Thank you, Jake! This teacup is amazing! But I'm going to miss you so much..." Ella's smile wavered as the reason behind the gift resurfaced in her thoughts. "Promise to write every week, okay?" The girl added cheerfully, hugging him tightly. Jakob smiled and returned the tight embrace, fully aware that he would likely miss her more than anyone else.
The youngest servant of House Quade bore a remarkable resemblance to her mother, with only subtle differences. Though not yet as mature, Ella's face lacked the same strong lines, but Jakob suspected those features would emerge as she grew older. Her hair was a slightly deeper shade of blonde than Susie's. However, one constant trait in the two maids of House Quade was their captivating blue eyes, an exact mirror of each other.
Ella and Jakob shared an unbreakable bond transcending the traditional limitations of friendship and siblinghood. Their connection had been forged in a deep sense of loyalty and unwavering commitment to each other.
The memory that had resurfaced in Susie's mind was from a year ago when Jakob had played a prank on Ella. He had fabricated a story about a dragon lurking in their backyard, claiming that Emma had forced him to fight it and that he needed to say goodbye as he probably wouldn't make it.
The boy's words had prompted Ella to take immediate action without a second thought. She bolted away and darted into one of the grand living rooms of the Quade mansion. Jakob had assumed Ella had run out of fear or sadness, but he was mistaken.
Soon, Ella reappeared from the room, her grip firm on a sizable sword, fully prepared to confront whatever threat her hero was about to face.
Observing the unfolding events from afar, Susie couldn't help but chuckle at Jakob's disbelief and Ella's unflinching determination. However, amidst the laughter and playful banter, Susie also detected a glimmer of something in Jakob's eyes - a solemn vow that he would always safeguard Ella from harm.
Everyone noticed Ella's importance to the Quade heir, and Susie saw it the clearest. One of the things that he did for Ella that he never did for anyone else was to try his best to make her happy, no matter her mood. He would often buy her gifts in anticipation of a possibly difficult time, so she wouldn't have to feel sad or alone. Even when she didn't need it, he always wanted to show her how much he cared. This was one of the few things that Lord Quade never punished his son for.
Thomas even went to lengths to show mercy to the boy after Susie punished him for buying Ella a dollhouse - which had actually been a real house with life-sized dolls. It now stood beside the Gryphon stable, east of the mansion and beside the lake.
Jakob, Susie, Emma and Ella huddled together in the fireplace, taking up their positions. Emma threw a pinch of floo powder down, voicing their destination clearly and loudly. Suddenly, the green flames roared to life, engulfing them in a heatless blaze.
When they emerged, the four members of house Quade gazed upon a sea of endless colours and sounds. The platform was packed with hundreds of families, all eagerly anticipating the journey ahead. Children and parents alike smiled with anticipation, eager to embark on their magical adventure.
Conversations and stories flitted through the air, some depicting the journey that had passed, others looking forward to what was to come.
Everywhere Jakob looked, boxes and containers full of brightly wrapped treats were ready for the little passengers' journey up ahead. Despite the underlying energy in the station, there was an atmosphere that gave off a sense of joy.
But Jakob noticed one man who did not mirror the same joy as the rest. Lucius Malfoy glared arrogantly around the crowd of mages, feeling nothing but disdain for those he saw. Narcissa and their son Draco stood at his side, making out a picture of a perfect pureblood family.
Lucius scanned the crowd until his gaze locked onto Jakob. With a flick of his silver snake cane, Lord Malfoy led his family through the bustling crowd, making a beeline towards Jakob and his family.
People moved away, not daring to object to the rude behaviour as the Malfoy patriarch guided his family forth.
Lucius's arrogance melted away as they drew close, replaced by a civil smile. "Ah, heir Quade, it's good to know you arrived safely. I promised your father I would ensure you boarded the train without any issues." Lucius said as the Malfoy came to a stop. With his snake-like cane in his left hand, the tall blonde patriarch of house Malfoy extended his right hand in greeting, which Jakob firmly shook with his characteristic charming smile.
"You honour me, Lord Malfoy," Jakob said, bowing slightly after the handshake. "It's also a pleasure to see you and Lady Malfoy." Narcissa stepped forward with pride at Jakob's behaviour; she had spent countless hours teaching him and Draco how purebloods behaved properly in public - from a greeting to etiquette - and her efforts had clearly paid off. What she saw now was the fruit of her labour.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, heir Quade," Narcissa said warmly, offering her hand, which Jakob gently grasped and kissed. "It's so refreshing to see that one of you boys actually paid attention to my lessons." Standing beside his father, Draco rolled his eyes in response but remained silent.
Meanwhile, the slaves, Susie and Ella, were deliberately ignored by the Malfoys; such favourable treatment was not for them. Despite this apparent slight, Jakob seemed unfazed as he had grown accustomed to it.
When the pleasantries were over, and Lucius and Narcissa gave Emma their attention, Draco sneaked around and stood beside his best friend and Ella.
"You just had to make me look bad," Draco sneered. However, It quickly changed when he heard that his statement had elicited Ella's giggle, making him stand a bit straighter and smirk.
Jakob rolled his eyes, not quite able to hide the amusement on his face at seeing his best friend so pleased with himself. It was always funny to see how proud Draco got when he managed to make Ella laugh.
"It's not my fault you're acting like a savage. You know what my father would do if Lucius told him I wasn't trying my best."
The blonde involuntarily shuddered as he contemplated the fury of Thomas Quade. He had never shared this with anyone, but Draco feared Thomas more than his own father.
"I don't think you act like a savage, and it's fun to see Jakob pretend to be an adult, isn't it?" Whispered Ella to the Malfoy heir.
Draco briefly scanned the surroundings before leaning closer to Ella.
"You should see how he gets when Mum praises him in front of her lady friends," Draco smirked, a playful gleam in his eyes, which prompted Ella to burst into giggles. Jakob responded by crossing his arms in mock annoyance, readying himself for a witty retort. However, before he could reply, a loud whistle reverberated through the air, causing the group to turn their attention toward the train.
"That is the signal," Lucius announced, his voice firm. "Draco, come and bid your mother myself farewell." The blonde walked over obediently, with a soft look of sadness as he said goodbye to his parents.
Susie embraced Jakob firmly, trying to remain strong and supportive so he wouldn't need to worry. "You'll have a great time, and don't forget- if you ever need anything, just write to me, and I'll help you out, okay?" Jakob nodded, his eyes stinging with the threat of tears. Leaving Susie for an extended period was something he had never really considered before. They had always been together, and the thought of being apart for an entire year made him uneasy. Still, he managed to croak out one word: "Promise."
Emma, who had been standing beside Ella in silence, stepped forward and hugged her brother tightly, her words laced with a cautious warning. "Remember what I said yesterday - don't let anyone push you around. If someone dares to strike you, make sure they know that's not something they can get away with." The boy nodded in response as he returned the embrace. He was sure his friends would stand beside him, but the Quade heir also understood that he couldn't rely on them to solve his problems.
He had to be able to stand on his own two feet and make hard decisions if he was in a tight spot. It was time for him to take responsibility and find the solutions himself, even if that meant that someone would suffer in the process.
Ella, who seemed to only now realise that Jakob was leaving for an extended period, looked up at him with tears streaming down her face.
"Ella, pull yourself together - you're in public." Susie's words fell on deaf ears as the little girl hugged Jakob so fervently that he thought she might just squeeze the life out of him.
"Please don't leave me," Ella begged, her voice trembling as she desperately clung to him with all her strength. Jakob tenderly stroked his hand down her back and whispered, "I'm sorry, I can't stay, but I will write to you often, and I promise I'll be back for Christmas... I promise." He held her tightly in a comforting embrace, wishing to ease the pain she felt but knowing deep down that right now, he could do nothing for the heartbroken Ella.
Emma tenderly removed Ella from around Jakob, worried that Jakob would actually miss his train if he didn't go. Jakob stood there, unsure what he was supposed to do now.
"Go. We'll make sure your trunk is delivered to Hogwarts before you arrive. " Nodding to the voice and sympathetic smile from Susie and silently thanking his older sister, Jakob, together with Draco, ascended the train's stairs and waved the two families goodbye as the train started to move forward. The two boys waved until they couldn't see the platform anymore and then grinned at each other.
This year, they would create havoc at Hogwarts.
"Your father seemed... irritated. More than usual, I mean," Jakob said as the two boys looked back one last time to see the people waving goodbye. Draco glanced at his friend's back and gave a short snort. "Yeh, we ran into the Potters, unfortunately." Jakob was curious, so he turned back around with an inquisitive expression. The blonde nodded towards the compartments in response to the unspoken question. "Not here," he said, looking around cautiously. "Someone might be listening in. Let's go inside."
The two boys made their way along the train compartment doors. After a few minutes of searching, they located the assigned compartment and enthusiastically stepped inside. A broad smile crossed their faces as soon as they crossed the threshold. The plush seats looked more than inviting; they encouraged them to sit down and forget about all their cares for a while as they prepared for what was to come. As if in unison, they both sank into the cushions and released sighs as they felt completely at ease.
"I can't understand how your father was able to pre-rent a compartment on the Hogwarts Express," Draco said, unable to hide his awe as he looked around.
Jakob rolled his eyes, all too aware of Draco's unspoken envy. Wasn't it enough to be the son of the powerful and influential Lucius Malfoy? Wasn't it enough to hold one of Great Britain's most prestigious family names? Greed was Draco's ultimate downfall. It would get to him if the blonde didn't start altering his attitude in the future.
Jakob tried his best to mask the annoyance he felt toward his friend's obvious weakness, disguising it with a nonchalant tone.
"Really? Is that what you want to talk about right now?"
Draco's brow furrowed in confusion, and he leaned back slightly when he noticed the intensity in Jakob's eyes. Before Draco could inquire about the matter, Jakob pressed the question.
"What went down between you and the Potters?" Draco gave out an amused snort, knowing well that Jakob was a sucker for gossip or, in his words, 'information'. It was a weakness of his dark-haired friend's that he would never tire of exploiting. But that was something only Draco could get away with, being Jakob's best mate. If he ever witnessed anyone else attempt it, there would be dire consequences.
"Not a whole lot, they showed up at the same time as us, and that dim-witted head of house didn't even show us proper respect."
Jakob leaned back, his attention waning from the story his blond friend was telling. When Draco noticed Jakob's lack of interest, he began to speak more enthusiastically in a feeble attempt to re-engage him.
"So my father said I shouldn't expect such behaviour from a house like the Potters, but then one of the twins—the girl—spoke out of turn, and I called her a blood traitor," Draco blabbered on. This piqued the curiosity of the Quade heir, though he often wondered if the boy understood what kind of impression he was making on others. He was always quick to use that word without considering what consequences it brought.
He knew the Potter twins, having met them a handful of times. Of course, everyone had heard of the famous one. Harry 'The Boy Who Lived'. From Jakob's perspective, he was not all that extraordinary, usually roaming around with that insufferable Weasley boy whose name Jakob never bothered to remember.
The Quade heir struggled to tolerate Ivory, Harry's twin sister. Her impulsive nature and outspoken behaviour never failed to get on his nerves. If he had not already known her lineage, he might have mistaken her for a mud-blood due to her open display of emotions. Her conduct seemed inappropriate for someone of her social standing, even though she was a half-blood.
Whenever Jakob encountered the potters in public, it was always a tense situation that would inevitably result in some form of a verbal dispute. These meetings almost always occurred when he was with either the Malfoys or his father. Although he would never say so out loud, he grew increasingly entertained by their barbs directed that had become increasingly creative over the years.
A particular memory came to mind as Jakobs gazed at Draco, who still sat in front of him in the compartment, chattering away. The image of his friend slowly became blurrier as his thoughts drifted away.
Flashback.
While Thomas and Lucius were engaged in a Private meeting with the Prime Minister, Draco and Jakob were left to wait outside in the hallway. With no place to go, the two sat on a bench, where they began a game of their own making - 'Guess the Mudblood'.
When someone passed by, they'd carefully assess the wizard or witch and then name their opinion of the mage's status. Were they a Pureblood, a halfblood or a mudblood. Whenever their responses differed, the two boys had to battle it out to determine who was right - an engaging conversation brought on by keen observations and sharp reasoning.
"Mudblood," Draco whispered to his right as he shot a triumphant smirk at his dark-haired friend, who was still watching the witch that had just passed them, clutching a stack of papers closely to her chest.
She hurriedly continued down the hallway before suddenly making a sharp right turn and entering through the dark green tiled wall. Her office appeared for just a second before fading into the wall again.
"Halfblood." Jakob declared confidently after a brief pause, his friend's smirk quickly fading into a frown. Malfoy's gaze shifted to where the witch had been standing moments prior.
"Why? How can you be so sure?"
Jakobs raised an eyebrow as he turned his head to the blonde, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. But before he could explain himself further, something caught his eye behind Draco's head - two figures heading their way, and he immediately recognised them.
"I'm going to have a headache," groaned the Quade heir. Draco, still looking for where the witch had disappeared, turned and shot his friend an incredulous look. "I was only playing by the rules. We don't have to play if you're going to be so moody about it."
Jakob sighed and gestured towards the twins, who were now only a few meters away. "Not you. Them." Draco slowly turned his head around, his expression transforming from confusion to contempt and disdain. His familiar Malfoy sneer came into view as if it had been there all along.
"You lost Potter?" Draco drawled, standing up from his seat with a dramatic flourish. Jakob followed suit while Harry shot his sister, Ivy, a confused glance before turning back to the boy he liked the least in the wizarding world. "The accidental magical reversal office is one floor down," Draco continued, his voice dripping with condescension.
"What do you want, Malfoy?" the Boy Who Lived snapped in response, his tone laced with hostility. He was all too familiar with Draco's smug smirk and the remarks that would undoubtedly follow.
Gesturing to Harry's face, Draco spoke in an attempt to suppress a laugh. "I was under the impression that you had booked an appointment to try and fix up your face there, Scarhead, but clearly, I was wrong."
Before Harry could respond, Ivy had stepped forward and tightened her fists in anger, glaring menacingly at the Malfoy heir. Jakob warily eyed the redhead, who looked almost exactly like her mother, her green eyes blazing with hatred towards his friend, an array of freckles scattered across her nose and face, a tense grimace contorting her features. She looked like a feral cat, ready to pounce and rip his best friend apart.
"Harry, I was wrong about what I said earlier," she started, her eyes fixed on Draco. He seemed to be getting nervous, stealing a quick glance at Jakob to make sure he was still there and supporting him. "Dudley, the pig was already terrible, but you, Draco, the weasel, are even worse," she said, looking at him with utter disdain.
"And who might this Dudley be?" asked Jakob, interrupting their conversation with an intriguing look on his face. Ivy broke her intense gaze, which was directed at Draco, and cast Jakob a perplexed glance as she responded, "He's our cousin from our mother's side. Why?"
The Quade heir let out a chuckle, drawing the attention of the two other people in the hall. When his best friend didn't seem to understand the funny thing the half-blood had said, Jakob leaned in closer to Draco, his voice barely above a whisper.
"She comparing you to a muggle, mate."
Rage contorted Draco's features, his ordinarily pale skin now flushing with anger as he glared contemptuously at the girl. How dare she compare him, the proud and noble Heir of Malfoy, to something so lowly and repulsive as a muggle!
The two twins shared a grin as they both saw that the jap had hit a very big nerve, but before the Malfoy heir could open his mouth to scream at them, Jakob nudged him with his elbow, giving his friend a look that told him to take a breath and control himself. Draco quickly composed himself and donned a mask of pureblood superiority, giving a cruel grin back to Ivy.
"Didn't your grandparents teach you how to speak to your betters Potter? Of course not. How could they, when they died at the hands of you-know-who when he attacked. That's what happens when you don't know your place."
When he saw that his friend was in serious trouble with Ivy, Jakob quickly sprang into action. Undaunted, the black-haired boy stepped between them, stopping the redheaded witch just in time before she could strike Draco's face.
As he locked eyes with her, his own gaze was just as steely and unwavering as hers. The Quade heir towered over the Potter girl. He refused to back down or show any signs of fear. Instead, his expression was clear disgust as he regarded her with a look that said he was not impressed in the slightest.
"Be a good Potter and learn your place, half-blood," the words hissed with such hostility and venom that it cut through the fury that had welled up inside Ivy. Harry and Draco observed the two. An oppressive silence hung in the air. Jakob kept his cold gaze fixed on Ivy, seeing not only surprise in her expression but something else, an unfamiliar feeling that instantly made him uncomfortable.
"Heir Quade, are those two giving you and my son trouble?" Lucius had suddenly appeared a few meters behind Harry. He was now walking towards the group, the clicking of his cane hitting the cold ministry floor, the only sound that could be heard before Jakob collected himself from the redhead's emerald eyes.
"Lord Malfoy, We just had a lession in ettiquet. Something that I know now is impossible to teach to at least one of them." Ivy, who had walked back to her brother, shot Jakob a quick glare before tugging on Harry's arm to leave. The boy who lived, giving Lucius a challenging look, also understood when the battle was lost and turned to walk away with his sister. The three watched them leave until Draco began to speak.
"Father, they started it. We were just..." The blonde didn't have time to finish the sentence before the sound of a slap rang in the silent hall. Jakob flinched at the sound and saw Draco look shocked as he slowly raised a hand to touch his reddened cheek, almost as if to check if his father had truly slapped him.
"Don't lie to me. I saw everything, and if it weren't for Heir Quade, you would have embarrassed my house twice." Jakob stepped closer to Draco, who was holding back tears, not daring to look his father in the eyes.
"I'm... I'm so-"
"Don't be sorry, be better." Lucius gave his heir a disdainful look, one that no father should direct at their child.
Jakob searched for something to say to support his friend, but before he could speak, another voice chimed in from a distance.
"Lucius, I have the documents, should we." Thomas stopped mid-sentence as he noticed the redness on Draco's cheek. Then he cast a warning look at Jakob.
"What have you gotten yourself into now, boy?" Jakob's father demanded in a low, accusatory growl. Jakob's body went stiff as he met his father's stern gaze. He knew that the slap Draco had received earlier was a minor consequence compared to what Lord Quade might do if he deemed Jakob's actions foolish.
Thomas Quade was an imposing figure, exuding a commanding presence that radiated authority. A straight-line beard accentuated his well-defined jawline, lending his face a stern and powerful appearance. His piercing blue eyes seemed capable of peering into one's very soul.
With each step he took, he carried himself with a sense of strength and grace, leaving no doubt about his dominance. Yet, it was his authoritative voice that served as his most formidable weapon – a low, menacing murmur reminiscent of a pack of wolves growling in the darkness, ready to pounce. Though his tone remained calm, its imposing weight demanded respect from all who had the privilege or misfortune of hearing it.
"I was playing Guess the mudblood with Heir Malfoy, sir and then-"
"Don't be modest, Quade. You not only helped my son fix his mess, but you also displayed pride and respect - qualities that resemble those of Lord Quade himself. I can clearly see that my wife's lessons have not been wasted on you, at least."
Thomas was taken aback by the compliments his longtime friend and closest ally had given his son. He gave Lucius a surprised look before meeting Jakob's gaze, and for one of the few times in Jakob's life he could make out his dad's expression, he saw a pleasant smile on his face.
"Keep this up, and you will make a fine lord of house Quade one day, my son." The words initially filled Jakob with joy, but the thought of becoming lord Quade's made the joy that had started to rise vanish instantly.
"Yes, sir." As the two lords continued, not waiting for the boys behind them, Jakob turned to Draco. He whispered, "How are you feeling? On a scale of one to ten?" and nodded toward Draco's reddened cheek.
The blonde quickly turned away, discreetly brushing away the tear that had accidentally fallen on his cheek before he answered. "Not so bad, six, I think," he answered quietly. Jakob flung an arm over his best friend's shoulder as they silently followed the adults.
"Just say the word, and I'll put a Picking Nose Curse on your father," the Quade heir whispered with a sly grin. At this, Draco couldn't help but smirk.
"There's no such thing as a nose-picking curse, you idiot," Draco stated. Jakob considered for a moment and then nodded. "No, you're right, there isn't one... yet, at least. But just tell me when, and I'll craft one for you to curse him with." The two boys exchanged a mischievous smirk before Draco's face abruptly shifted to a serious expression.
Draco hesitantly asked, "You would do that for me?" He shot a glare toward his father's back, and a touch of fear lingered in the depths of his eyes. He then turned back to the one always by his side and saw a fire had ignited in Jakob's eyes. Jakob had a determination that his word was law. "Always, mate," Jakob replied with a reassuring smile.
End of Flashback.
As Draco asked, "So, what do you think?" Jakob realised that he had completely zoned out and missed the last part of whatever the blonde boy had been telling him. He was about to come up with some sort of neutral response when, suddenly, the door creaked open.
"Draco, you promised you'd look for me once you got on the train," the girl said, her expression one of annoyance and a bit of hurt as she stepped inside. Just as she turned to close the door behind her, the train abruptly lurched to one side, and she instinctively braced herself against the wall.
"Ugh! This stupid train conductor is going to give me motion sickness. I'm not doing this again - this is the fourth time I've lost my balance!" With a huff, she sat beside Draco, who shifted slightly away towards the window, feeling somewhat uneasy. Jakob couldn't help but smirk. He was all too aware of Pansy Parkinson's affections for Draco Malfoy.
A courtship that the Malfoy and Parkinson families warmly welcomed, yet Draco was adamant in his refusal to accept.
Pansy's short, glossy black hair was stunning and distinguished her from other girls her age who preferred long hair, which she found difficult to manage. Her famous bob haircut was a breeze to maintain.
Pansy, a thirteen-year-old with striking looks, had eyes as dark as the night sky. Unfortunately, her good looks were often ignored, as her frequent sneers and hostile demeanour overshadowed them. The Parkinson girl had a habit of speaking down to others as if she knew something they didn't, which was not appreciated by the majority. Her superior and condescending attitude made it difficult for her to make friends, and she found herself with more enemies than companions.
"Greeting Parkinson, it's been a while," said Jacob in an attempt to make her switch focus from Draco to something else.
"Stop being so formal, Jake," she snapped as she turned to give the boy a sudden frown, halting her action to scootch closer to the boy beside her. "You know I hate it when you call me by my last name like that. Like I'm some kind of stranger or half-blood."
Draco, who had curled up at the end of his seat and pressed against the window where the landscape rushed past, offered a grateful glance to Quade heir. His efforts to divert Pansy's attention succeeded, and Draco silently mouthed a "thank you" to his dark-haired friend.
Jakob extended his arm out to take her hand, a smirk twisting his lips as he did so. He brought her knuckles to his lips and lightly kissed them, just as he had done countless times before. Pansy's face lit up at the gesture. She had seen him do this to her mother once and insisted that he and Draco show their respect in the same way.
Jakob didn't mind complying; he had seen Pansy's good sides, and while he could get annoyed at the girl, he knew she really valued their friendship. Draco, on the other hand, had never complied with the girl's demand, saying that if he did, she would never stop pursuing him.
"Hi Pansy, how was your summer? It's great to see you again," Jakob greeted her warmly. Draco sighed, knowing that their moment alone was now over. Pansy was eager to answer, practically jumping out of her seat with a wide grin on her face. The blonde reached inside his pocket and made himself a bit more comfortable before opening the book.
"I spoke with Father about the potion kit you mentioned, and he purchased it for me. I've been experimenting with different recipes," Pansy sighed in an overly dramatic fashion, glancing at Draco, who was trying his best to ignore the girl and pretending to read something particularly interesting in his book.
"But there is one potion I can't seem to get right. Maybe you can help me, Draco? Isn't Snape your godfather?"
Now it was Jakob's turn to roll his eyes, but he couldn't help but let a smile slip through as he saw the persistence in Pansy's attempt to get Draco's attention – she was certainly creative and stubborn.
Draco glanced up from his book and noticed Pansy's pleading puppy eyes and her playful fiddling. It was as if she was portraying a small child begging for a treat from her parents. Draco sighed exhaustedly before looking at Jakob, who offered no assistance with handling the Parkinson girl. With no help from his friend, Draco knew he wouldn't be able to slither his way out of this and reluctantly nodded, and Pansy practically leapt out of her seat excitedly.
"Great, I will make preparations so we can study together. I am sure only you can help me with this." The Malfoy heir's spirits were lifted at the sound of her praise. He quickly tucked the book away and began discussing some of the tips Professor Snape had given him about brewing potions. Pansy, who was genuinely interested, nodded at the words as if Draco was preaching.
They talked for a while until Crabbe and Goyle stumbled into the compartment. Unlike Pansy, who had anticipated the train's sharp turn with quick reflexes, the two boys were not as prepared and were thrust unceremoniously against the wall.
"You've been looking for us this whole time?" Jakob asked incredulously, glancing at the clock over their window. "It's been four hours."
Vincent avoided eye contact as he spoke, shame evident in his voice. "We looked through all the compartments and then searched for the trolley."
"Yeah, and when we couldn't find it, we had to look for you again," Gregory added in an annoyed tone.
Draco facepalmed, which prompted Pansy to burst into an uncontrollable fit of laughter. She clamped her hand firmly over her mouth but failed utterly at concealing it.
The Quade heir instructed them to take their seats beside him, and the trolley soon arrived just as expected. Everyone got what they were asking for, and Jakob bought a little extra for the larger boys, anticipating that their greed would lead them to eye up his snacks longingly if theirs weren't enough.
Jakob couldn't shake off Emma's cautionary advice. He was about to enter a castle full of strangers, any of whom could potentially be his enemy. He realised that Crabbe and Goyle might come in handy and that the best way to gain their loyalty was to ensure they were well-fed.
"So, Jake," Draco asked after opening a chocolate frog, his disappointment showing as he saw Dumbledore's card. "Did you find a pet for yourself in Diagon Alley?"
Jakob hesitated before popping a suspicious-looking yellow Bertie Botts bean into his mouth. However, as soon as the bean touched his tongue, the overwhelming taste of toenails filled his mouth, causing him to grimace. Pansy handed him a bottle of iced pumpkin juice, which he quickly guzzled down while his blonde friend smirked at him.
"I checked out the options, but I didn't find anything that I was truly interested in getting," he replied.
Thomas had been upset when Jake arrived home that day. "You are a Quade, so don't behave like a lowborn mudblood," his father had said before punishing him.
Fortunately, Emma was always there to console him after these situations. That time, her words had been, "He only wants what's best for you, so don't be such a pest towards father."
The dark-haired boy looked out the window, hearing his father's last words echoing in his mind.
"I refuse to have any filthy school owls carrying my letters, so you will not write a single one until you have bought one that is acceptable." Jakob had nodded his agreement, having felt a bit relieved that this opportunity had come. He wasn't too keen on writing to his father anyway.
As the train slowed, the five friends pulled on their crisp new Hogwarts robes, each adorned with a crest showing the Hogwarts insignia. Jakob brushed his fingers across it, aware that soon it would change to bear the symbol of his chosen house.
As he gazed out the window, he saw numerous students stepping off the train, conversing and laughing. Some of them huddled together to ward off the cold of the autumn night while they talked and exhaled small puffs of vapour from their mouths.
This was it. The moment Jakob Quade had been dreaming of was finally here. It was time for his adventure to begin and for him to start creating his own legacy.
"Jake, are you ready to go?" Pansy asked as he turned around, realising they were the only ones left in the compartment. She stood by the compartment door with her trunk in hand, perplexed by the fiery intensity in her friend's eyes that vanished so quickly that she wasn't sure that she had actually seen it. Before she could ask if he was okay, though, Jakob flashed his signature charming smile and offered to carry her trunk, which she accepted with a grateful smile.
"Yes, Pansy, I'm ready."