The Start of Sixth Year
The platform was the same as it had been every year before this. It was a vast brick building that could hold more than triple the amount of trains than the singular one in front of her now. Despite its immense size, the platform was very crowded and loud. The noise of the engine on the train boomed across the room creating an annoying orchestra paired with all the yelling. First-years pushed their way past anyone moving at a pace unsuitable for their excitement as their parents quickly trailed after them apologizing to everyone. To hear the person next to you, yelling was the only way to get your point across, or else it would be lost to the sound of the platform. If the noise of her family's parties gave her a headache, this definitely did.
No matter what direction you looked there would be someone, to nicely put it, odd to look at. Several ugly pointed wizard hats roamed the station, they varied in color and had gone out of style and practicality years ago. She saw a man with no eyebrows, but a big bushy mustache. Another person was hobbling around after someone had tied her shoelaces together, she didn’t know why she didn’t just untie them. But maybe that was the real magic of the wizarding world, creating a space where people could be people no matter how peculiar they were.
Every year, the walk to their carriage consists of silence between the three girls and constant complaining from their mother. Their father always tried to keep his silence as well, he was never much of a talker anyway, but Druella always found a way to include him. Their relationship was like fire and ice. They shared only one thing in common, their similar natures. Andromeda always wondered if they ever loved each other.
“Your mother always did favor Walburga over you,” Druella complained.
Cygnus sighed, knowing he’d heard this a thousand times before, “I’m sure mother loved us both the same.”
Druella laughed frustratedly, “And that’s why she left the Black family home to your sister and not you.”
“Druella, dear, our estate is much nicer than Grimmauld Place,” he argued.
She just scoffed and walked ahead. The clocks that hang from the supporting pillars read, ten-forty. It was twenty minutes before the train's designated departure which meant they had twenty minutes of sitting and waiting. A tradition was started in Andromeda’s first year. Her parents would drop the girls off early, giving them plenty of time to get home and finish whatever mindless tasks they were doing. This created another tradition. Once their parents left the girls would take off to see who could find the trolley cart first, and whoever found it last would pay for the other's sweets. Both allowances come from the same place, but it’s still a fun game.
They make their way to the farther end of the train cars. The number of people thinned out, but it was still crowded and slightly less loud. At this end, the train occupants were older and lacked the eagerness the younger students carried. Since both Andromeda’s and Narcissa’s first years they always sat further back because to their parents it was tamer, more proper. It also kept them from “tainted blood,” as her father has put it. This kept them from making friends the same way everyone else did. Many first-years enter Hogwarts with at least one friend they met on the train by chance. Andromeda’s first year she sat in a carriage with two fourth-years and one third-year who didn’t speak a word to her.
When they finally stop everyone awkwardly stares at each other. She hated this part. She truly, deeply, hated this part. To them, they looked like any normal family, but to passerbyers, they looked like total strangers. There were no tears, no hugs, and no heartfelt goodbyes, only the absence of any sentimental emotion in their tone. Maybe it was the closest their parents could get to love or perhaps they didn’t love them at all. The only sentiment would come from Bellatrix once they left for good.
“We expect exceptional marks and updates on your academics weekly as usual.” Druella drilled.
“If we get any letters from the school even hinting at any kind of unfavorable behavior you will be pulled from school for a short time.” Cygnus added swiftly when the train whistle blew, “You girls best get on your way.”
As their parents began walking away Bella stood sadly in front of Andromeda and Narcissa. It was her first year without them and her first year at home. Bella took each of their hands and got close, “Make sure to write every day, I mean it.”
Narcissa began to weep, “Oh, I’m going to miss you dearly Bella.”
A somber smile grew on Bellatrix’s face as she pulled her sister into a hug, “Please don’t cry, I’ll write just as much.”
“You’ll be okay right?” Andromeda asked quietly, “I mean without us.”
“I’ll be on my best behavior.” She smiled looking back at her parents waiting for her, “I have to go, and so do you. Don’t forget to write.”
As they watched her walk away Narcissa yelled in response to her, “Every day, I promise!”
Andromeda grabbed her hand urging her away from where she stood, “Come, we’ll miss the train if we’re here any longer.”
The remaining empty compartments were scarce. Thankfully they managed to find the last one at the very end of the carriage. They put their luggage on the rack above the two seats apart from two small pouches their coins were in. When getting on the train the Honeydukes Express was nowhere to be seen which meant it was time for the race to begin. The two girls glared playfully at each other as they waited for the final whistle of the train. Once it went off, they could start their search for the trolley. The whistle blew and the two girls took off.
***
Once the train made it to Hogsmeade, Prefects would exit the carriages first and then guide the first years to Hogwarts. All the other students at this time will already be on their way to the sorting ceremony. Last year Professor Slughorn came to Andromeda asking if she’d accept the position of Prefect for the following year. She felt bad if she denied him for a second year, so she accepted. The letter and badge came early that summer. This unfortunately meant staying behind with the first-years, private meetings, and staying up past curfew to patrol the halls.
She got up and sighed, “I’ll see you at the feast, yeah?”
“I’ll save you a seat,” Narcissa giggled.
Andromeda and the other prefects, including the head boy and girl, get into a magical carriage that takes them to the castle. Nothing was pulling the carriage, at least it appeared that way. One of the other prefect girls, presumably a fifth year, had asked what was pulling them. No one answered, not because they didn’t know, but because it was one of two answers: magic or some invisible creature. It was the latter, but she’d discover it soon enough, and if she were lucky, she’d never see it.
The path to Hogwarts was dark, the only lights were small flickering lanterns that only kept their flame because of charms. It was beautiful though. A soft dewy glow shined on the leaves just beyond the trail producing small silhouettes of the passengers in the carriage. Behind them, the other student's conversations became faint as they started their journey. It was night when they arrived at the station, so she looked up at the sky and tried to find her constellation for the rest of the ride.
Upon arriving, the head boy gave each prefect a number. These numbers represented what order they’d be escorting the students to the Great Hall; she got three. After giving out the order, they then gave instructions on where to gather for the meeting they would be attending in place of the sorting ceremony. It was the only negative about becoming a prefect. Actually, nothing about being a prefect is desirable besides the title, but at least she gets a personal bathroom.
Group three was finally arriving after fifteen minutes. They could barely contain any of their emotions. Some kids were so excited they pushed passed the ones in the back, others were anxious enough that they cried, and the very few that were left showed no interest in the castle. The prefects were warned many students ask questions once they arrive, she just wasn’t prepared for how many there actually were.
“Why was that man at the station so tall?” one asked.
Another one asked, “How do the boats row themselves?”
A group of boys giggled after the last question then added, “Yeah! How do they not tip over?”
“How long does the sorting ceremony take?” a girl managed through sobs.
“Do we get bathroom breaks?” another child shouted.
By the time they reached the massive wooden doors to the Great Hall, Andromeda had run out of patience for their stupid questions. She just wanted to yell and tell them to sit and think about what they were asking. But she didn’t, she answered every single one no matter how dumb. Luckily for her, it was McGonagall’s turn to take over and she could head to the transfiguration classroom for the meeting.
It was another long break until the head girl walked to the front of the room. She held a small stack of papers and her wand, which looked oddly crooked, in one hand as she waited for the head boy to join her, “Hello everyone, I’m Violet Hawthorne and this is Ezra Morcant. We will be your head boy and girl this year.”
“Before we hand out this month's patrol schedules, we want to give a quick breakdown of the expectations that come with being a prefect.” Ezra said, “First it is expected you follow all the rules here at Hogwarts. You were chosen as prefects for your exceptional records, so keep it that way.”
Violet spoke next, “You’ll also be expected to be on time for every meeting and patrol. There will be special assignments given to certain prefects and you must attend to them promptly.”
“One last thing before we hand out your schedules, you can and will be removed from your role as prefect if seen fit, there is no tolerance for misconduct,” Ezra added. Violet split the stack, despite the size, and handed it to Ezra. It wasn’t long until everyone had their parchment. It was so long she had to unfold it to see the whole thing. The top was labeled ‘Andromeda’s Patrol’ and beneath it was a hand-drawn calendar with wonky lines. On the days she was set to patrol it was marked with red ink and a star. From what she saw, she patrolled most Thursdays and the occasional Sundays.
“The next meeting is marked on your calendar in white ink, you are free to go enjoy the feast!” Violet announced as she left to enjoy her meal.
When Andromeda got there, Narcissa was saving her a seat just as she had promised.