Just Like Magic [ON HIATUS]

August seemed to drag on forever, however Evelynne had finally convinced her aunt to get her a cat, something which she had long desired. His name was Edgar, and he was a very adorable, very fluffy multi-coloured kitten.

She had also borrowed her aunt’s owl to send a letter to Draco Malfoy, asking him when he planned on arriving at the station to see if they could meet up there, and had received a response less than 2 days later. She had then coordinated with her aunt so that they would both arrive in time to find a compartment together.

Finally, the time came, and immediately after crossing through the station onto the platform she spotted her friend. His parents were both there with him, his mother had the matching blonde hair and looked quite beautiful, although she had a disgusted look on her face. His father shared a similar expression, however Draco seemed quite glad to see her.

“Finally, I thought you had forgotten! Let's go grab seats before the train fills up. We don't want to get stuck with any mudbloods.”

“Now, now, Draco, not so fast.” Said his mother, “My name is Narcissa Malfoy, it's a pleasure to meet you.” She did not look like she meant any of what she was saying, but Evelynne shook her hand all the same. Evelynne’s aunt quickly engaged in conversation with Draco’s father about the school.

“Really, I wish they wouldn’t let in all those mudbloods. I don’t want anybody making the wrong impression on young Evelynne.” She had said, staring straight through Evelynne’s eyes as she said it.

“As do I. It is quite a shame, but Dumbledore is insistent on letting them in. However, there should be no need to worry about our children fraternising with the products of muggles, as long as they were raised right.” There was no doubt in Evelynne’s mind that, if this conversation were to take any longer, they might miss the train, so she said goodbye to her aunt, then led her friend onto the train. Once they sat down, they started talking.

“What’s your blood status? I’m a pure-blood.” Evelynne hadn’t ever been asked a question like that before, but growing up with her aunt she learned that blood status was a very important thing and that if she wanted to make proper friends, she shouldn’t tell them about her father, but Evelynne didn’t like the idea of lying to her only friend.

“My mother is pure-blood, but my father isn’t. He’s a muggle-born. I don’t really remember either of them much.” She could tell this was not the answer he had expected, and he seemed a bit put-off by her muggle ancestry.

“Oh, ok.” After a few seconds of silence, he spoke again. “I suppose most of the wizarding population are half-bloods these days.” Evelynne decided to change the subject away from family, and started talking about Quidditch. The train had almost gotten to Hogwarts when they heard a knock at the door of their compartment.

“That must be Crabbe and Goyle. Is it okay if they sit with us?” He asked, and she nodded. Two boys walked in, both dressed in Hogwarts robes. They, however, did not sit down.

“There you are Malfoy, we were looking everywhere for you!” One of them said, “Who’s that?”

“That’s Evelynne. Come on, sit down!” Draco hardly had the chance to introduce them when Goyle exclaimed,

“They’re all saying that Harry Potter is on the train, down towards the front!

“Harry Potter?” Asked Evelynne. She knew all about Harry Potter, the one who had gotten rid of The Dark Lord, but she had no idea they were in the same year.

“Father did say he might be here. Let's go find him.” The 4 of them left the compartment (much to the distaste of Edgar, who up until that point had been napping on Evelynne’s lap) and went to go find him. They finally found him sitting in a compartment, near the front of the train. When Draco opened the door, Evelynne was surprised to see the boy from the robe shop sitting there with a red-haired boy with freckles that Evelynne didn’t know.

“Is it true?” Draco asked the black-haired boy, “They’re saying that Harry Potter’s in this compartment. So it’s you, is it?”

“Yes.” He responded, staring at the 4 of them. Evelynne noticed a rather large pile of candy on the seat opposite the two boys.

“Oh, these are Evelynne, Crabbe, and Goyle. And I’m Malfoy, Draco Malfoy.” The boy with red hair coughed, but Evelynne thought it was a pretty lame attempt at hiding a laugh.

“Think my name’s funny, do you? No need to ask who you are. My father told me all the Weasleys look like you, with their red hair and hand-me-down robes. Far more children than they can afford.” He faced Potter again, who was now sporting a look of disgust on his face.

“You’ll soon find out some wizarding families are better than others, Potter. You don’t want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there.” He extended his hand for a handshake, but Potter didn’t take it.

“I think I can tell who the wrong sort are for myself, thanks.” He said, and even Evelynne had to admit Draco was being a bit of a jerk here.

“I’d be careful if I were you, Potter. Unless you’re a bit politer you’ll go the same way as your parents.” Evelynne looked down at these words, blushing hard. Her parents were also dead, at the hand of her own father nonetheless. “They didn’t know what was good for them either. You hang around with riffraff like the Weasleys and that Hagrid, and it’ll rub off on you.” Both of the boys stood up at this, and Evelynne could tell they were going to fight. She stepped in front of Draco instinctively, wanting to protect her friend.

“Say that again,” Said Weasley, his face turning red.

“Gonna try to fight us, are you?” asked Evelynne, “I wouldn’t try that if I were you. I’ve practised some magic already, and I can assure you that if you so much as lay a hand on any one of them, you will be blown to bits.” She reached for her wand, but Draco stopped her.

“Now, now, I doubt even these two are stupid enough to try that.” But the words were barely out of his mouth before Potter stepped forwards,

“I wouldn’t call it stupid, Malfoy, if you wanted to see something stupid, try looking in a mirror.” Evelynne had hardly noticed doing it, but she’d dropped her wand and was now grabbing Potter’s wrist with full force.

“You take that back, or I’ll-” She didn’t know how to put exactly what she was thinking into words. She would make Potter pay for every rude word that came out of his mouth, she didn’t care if he was famous, or an orphan like her, she would make sure that every single-

“OW!” yelled Draco, and Evelynne looked over to see that a rat had clung onto his finger, it looked as if he had been trying to steal some of the candy from the seat.

“OW, OW, GET IT OFF!” he shrieked. Crabbe and Goyle just stared, not knowing how to help, while Potter and his friend were cracking up with laughter, so Evelynne pried the rat from his finger, and chucked it at the two boys before storming out with Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle. When they finally made it back to their compartment, she examined the wound.

“Not too deep, but should definitely be treated. I think I have some dittany and bandages in my trunk somewhere, just keep pressure on it.” She dug through her trunk before coming upon her first-aid kit. She pulled out the dittany and applied it, before wrapping it in bandages. She was furious with Potter and his friend, even though they had technically started the conflict. She was also angry with Crabbe and Goyle, who just stands there while their friend is hurt? She finished wrapping his finger, and started bashing Potter and Weasley.

“I mean, who has a rat for a pet anyways? Stupid, really.”

“I agree, Evelynne, but we need to get ready. I can see the castle from here.” Evelynne looked out the window, and she could see it too. It was even prettier than she had expected. The train started slowing down, and when they exited the train they heard a loud voice.

“Firs’ years! Firs’ years over here! All right there, Harry?” A large man, at least a few feet taller than everybody else was standing holding a lantern, waving to somebody behind them.

“Oh, of course, stupid Potter will get all the attention, just because he has an ugly scar on his forehead.” Draco muttered to Evelynne under his breath.

“Just wait until we get inside, I bet everyone will be staring at him.” She replied, following the crowd of first years. They walked down a steep, narrow path that opened up into a large lake.

“No more’n four to a boat!” The large man called, so Evelynne, Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle climbed into one of the boats at the edge of the lake. All the boats moved at once, and Evelynne was speechless gazing up at the castle. She wasn’t the only one either, the boat ride to the castle was practically silent. They went through a curtain of ivy, to a little harbour and got out of the boats. They followed the large man up to the castle, and he knocked on the door.