The Hogwarts Express
Boarding the train was stressful in and of itself. Students all around were clamoring to board while Y/N was trying to not be trampled. She stayed close to Theodore and Draco who were marching ahead of her, surveying the train as if they owned it. The two boys stopped in front of a carriage while Y/N nearly fell from the sudden stop. Draco opened the carriage door, taking his seat. Y/N saw a few faces she recognized- Blaise Zabini, Pansy Parkinson, and a few other boys she could not place a name to. Zabini and Parkinson smiled at her warmly, while the other two boys gave her an uncomfortable 'up and down' look that filled her with unease. Theodore walked through the doors of the carriage, pulling out his pack of cigarettes. His sister began to make her way into the carriage while Theodore put his hand up in a 'stop' motion. Y/N looked up at him in confusion as he took a seat and drew out a cigarette.
"Father may wish for you to follow me around like a dog, but as you can see, I will be sitting with my friends. You will not be joining us." Theo said, drawing in smoke from his now lit cigarette.
"But Theo, I don't know anyone here. Father said-"
"I don't care what father said."
Draco shifted in his seat, giving Theodore a pointed look.
"Theo-" Y/N started.
"Ho detto di no. Vai." Theo practically shouted.
Y/N walked away sadly, Draco giving her a pitying look. She nearly missed how Draco stood up for her in her absence.
"Go easy on her Theo, it's her first day and she's nervous."
Theo scoffed, uncaring.
Y/N was hurt, but she didn't want to begin her first day on such an awful note. She went through the train, finally finding an empty compartment. She plopped down on her seat, and gazed out the window longingly. From her pocket, she drew out her cigarette tin adorned with the emblem of the house of Nott. Admiring the way the crest shone in the light coming in from the window. Lighting up the cigarette, she drew in several deep puffs, before expelling the smoke. Caught up in her own world, she did not notice the knock on the door of her carriage, or that the door had been opened.
"You know," A voice started, snapping Y/N out of her daze, "you're not supposed to smoke on the train. Or in general to be frank."
This man was much older than her. His hair, though brown sported a few grey pieces here and there. His face was scarred and the look on his face was intimidating, but he had kind eyes. Immediately, Y/N clued in- this man must be a professor!
"I'm so sorry sir, I had no idea-" Y/N began as she put the lit end of her cigarette to a metal bit of the wall to snuff it out.
"Now, now," he said tsk-ing. Y/N paused, "it would be such a shame to waste it. Besides, I wont tell if you wont." His eyes gleamed mischievously.
Y/N smiled, bringing the cigarette back up to her lips as the man in front of her closed the door and took the seat across from her. After her puff, she handed the half-dead cigarette to the man in front of her who accepted it graciously.
"Quite a way to make a first impression on one of your teachers, miss..."
"Y/N sir, Y/N Nott."
"Ah, another Nott. I hope the apple falls quite far from the tree, if you don't mind my saying Miss Nott."
"I presume you've taught my brother?"
He finished off the cigarette, stamping the butt out with his leather boots. "That I have. He is a very bright boy, but-"
"Please professor, don't feel the need to defend him on my account. I am quite unimpressed with him at the moment"
"Oh?" he questioned, "Why might that be?"
For the next few minutes, Y/N recounted the events of the morning to the man in front of her, trying not to rile herself up again.
"Well," he began, "I'm sorry to hear that your morning has had such... frustrating events. But don't worry, soon we will be at Hogwarts, and I'm sure a lovely young lady such as yourself will make loads of friends in no time."
She smiled at him, grateful for his kindness. He glanced out the window and turned back to the girl in front of him "I do expect we'll be arriving soon, so it would be best to change into your robes. And Miss Y/N?"
She glanced at him questioningly- "Do keep this 'exchange'", he gestured to the cigarette butt on the floor, "under wraps, if you'd be so kind."
"Of course professor..."
"Lupin, Miss Nott, Professor Lupin. Now, go on and change into your robes."
She smiled at the man once more, and headed towards the washrooms.