Chapter 4
Nervously Barry stumbled through the Hogwarts Express. He knew that the decision of his seat would be important. Many people found their best friends in this train.
And if he chose the wrong people today, he might end up lost and lonely. So he had made up a list of criteria which defines the perfect seat.
He walked past a few compartments with older students. Never ever. Even if he wanted to, they wouldn’t let him sit there. So he keeps searching until he takes a look through a half open door.
Two children were sitting inside. But not just any children! These were the strange siblings with the white hair he had met at Ollivanders! He totally forgot about his list and opened the door.
“Hey!“, he said with a bright smile in his face, „I wondered…uh…could I sit here?“
The boy didn’t look too happy about this request. But before he could reject Barty, the girl nodded enthusiastically.
”Of course! Right, Evan?“, she looked over the boy, who still didn’t seem really happy to see him. He wispered something in the girls ear, but she just rolled her eyes.
"Whatever…come in!“, she pats on the seat next to her and Barty followed her invitation. He was relieved that he finally had found a place to sit.
„I’m Pandora Rosier“, the girl introduced herself, „And that’s my brother Evan. Don’t mind him. He can be a bit…whatever. Who are you?“
The girl, Pandora, had such an unexpected incredible energy that it almost threw Barty off his seat. ”I‘m Barty. Barty Crouch Jr“, he said with a bright smile.
Pandora seemed really nice. Maybe they could really become friends! But her brother on the other side…he didn’t seem like he was fun to be around.
"What’s your blood status?“, he suddenly asked. It was the first thing he said to Barty since they’ve first met in the Diagon Alley.
The question was quite unexpected. ”Pure blood“, Barty grinned, ”You too, I guess“
Evan nodded and suddenly he seemed a bit friendlier. Not much. But a little at least.
”What house are you hoping for?“, Pandora asked and Barty shrugged. ”I don’t know. Ravenclaw maybe? I’ll take what I get. What about you?“
Pandora wanted to say something, but her brother interrupted her: ”Slytherin. We‘ll be Slytherins. Right, Pandora?“
Something changes in her attitude as she nods. It seems like her brothers words had done something to her. Barty didn’t know what but certainly wanted to find out.
Suddenly there’s a knocking on the door and a dark haired boy entered. ”Hey“
”Regulus!”, Pandora shouted with excitement in her voice, ”Barty, that’s our cousin Regulus. Regulus, that’s Barty!“
“Hey, Regulus“, Barty said smiling, “Nice to meet you!“ It was cool to meet so many new people, before the train had even left.
”Hello, Barty“, Regulus just said and sat down next to Evan. Barty found himself unable to read his expression. Was he happy? Or annoyed? Or what?
For a minute the air was filled with silence until Pandora started asking Barty all kinds of questions a person could ever think of. He tried to answer them as calm and cool as possible but sometimes even he was at a loss of words every now and then.
At some point Evan and Regulus stared chatting. But their conversation felt totally exclusive and Barty had lost the hope to interact with them in any way really soon.
But he actually enjoyed talking with Pandora, so he didn’t really care about the boys.
Still he found himself glancing over to them every now and then. They looked like polar opposites. Regulus was pale and dark haired, which looked kind of strange but not in the same fascinating way as the Rosiertwins with their blond hair and tanned skin.
But although the siblings looked so similar, they had such a different vibe. While Pandora was talkative and bubbly, Evan was way calmer. He spoke slow and organized. Every word and every little gesture seemed thought through. At least as far as Barty could tell.
And even though he looked forward to walk through Hogwart’s halls for the first time, he was almost a bit upset when the train arrived.