Chapter 2
Ally stumbled towards the Hogwarts Express. Young wizards swarmed the platform, waving hi to their friends, hugging their parents good bye, and finding a seat on the train. A young man tried to take Ally’s stuff and motioned to the storage part of the train. Ally shook her head and murmured “no thanks.” Instead, she swung herself onto the train and looked for a free seat.
Ally finally found an empty booth towards the front of the train and slid into the window seat. She set her suitcase underneath her feet and placed the cat carrier in her lap. Ally glanced inside the carrier and locked eyes with her cat’s purple gaze. “Don’t look at me like that. I’ll let you out tonight when we get to the dorms.” She murmured to Houdini. A sharp horn broke through the chatter of the train, alerting the young wizards to take their seats because the train would be leaving any second now.
“This seat taken?” A sharp voice inquired. Ally jumped and glanced up at the doorway. A slender boy was leaning against it. He had slicked back, pale blond hair and a black hogwarts cloak. Ally could see the outline of a wand pressing against his cloak pocket. His demeanor was sharp and intimidating, with a whiff of arrogance, but Ally could sense the boy’s timid and nervous energy. The two locked eyes. His eyes were a cold silver, with clouds of grey and sparkles of hope. From his expression, Ally could tell that the boy was pondering her own eyes, which were an odd shade of purple.
Ally cleared her throat and looked away. “No.” She said. “This seat is not taken.” The boy slid cautiously into the booth closest to the doorway, and the farthest from Ally. “What’s your name, girl?” He asked. Ally sat up straighter. “Alliane LeStrange.” She replied. The boy’s eyes narrowed. He shifted for a moment and folded his hands in his lap. “Oh really?” Ally raised an eyebrow. “And yours?” “Draco Malfoy.” He answered. Ally nodded.
She opened her mouth to say something when the train suddenly lurched forward. Ally was thrown from her seat face first into the booth in front. She would’ve collided with the wooden frame if Draco hadn’t caught her and braced her until she caught her balance. As soon as she was steady, Draco’s hands retracted and his eyes darted away. It was odd. He almost looked….guilty for helping her. Ally turned and plopped back into her seat. Draco reached over and dropped the cat carrier into Ally’s lap, which had been flung into his lap when the train moved. “S-Sorry. Thank you.” Ally muttered sheepishly. Draco glanced inside the carrier before setting it down. “Interesting cat you got here.” He murmured, ignoring the apology. Ally knew what he meant. Her cat’s purple eyes matched her own. Draco leaned back into his seat and propped himself against the frame as the train began to pick up speed.
Ally glanced out the window and watched the train station disappear behind them. She sighed and glanced at the boy. Draco had been looking at her. He hurriedly looked away. Ally frowned and looked away as well. The two stayed silent the rest of the train ride.