Secrets, Surprises, Sweets, and Snape
We actually arrived to the train station early, by early I mean we didn’t have to run to catch the doors, we actually saw other kids on the platform. Marlene and Mary were by the luggage chart. Mary’s trunk was open and she had her wand out and ready. At first I assumed she was preparing the radio but then Marlene looked at me and her face was full of excitement and anxiety. She looked like she had information that I didn’t know but is amazing. They were hiding something, it had to do with the Mary surprise Mary was keeping from us, and now Marlene knew what it was.
“Hey Hazel!” My dad called me back to their conversation. He pulled me away from the group and kneeled to my height. “Can you keep a secret?” He asked, I nodded. “I have a special mission for you.”
“A special mission?” I looked back and James and Peter had gone on the train. He seriously meant that he wanted this for me, I know it probably wasn’t a big thing but it made me feel important, I had to minimize my excitement.
“First, I want to explain that this is for you and not for your brother, you may share this information but it can be all yours.” He looked around to make sure no one was listening. “In side the castle there is a magic room that becomes anything you wish it to be. It comes whenever you need it, all you have to do is find it.”
“Find it?”
“Yes, it disappears and moves around. When I went to school it was on the second floor, I’ve heard it’s moved since then.”
“So this room.. just houses everything? Like if I wished it to be a ballroom or a park it would just be that?” I asked, I know magic was powerful but I didn’t understand how a room could just be what you wanted without any spells.
“Anything your mind can imagine, the room can create.” My dad smiled. “I know your wonderful mind will use it well, now hurry my love, you’ll be late!” He hugged me and final goodbye, then I hugged my mum and wished her well. I knew they would write me so I didn’t have to miss them. Then I ran to the train and got on, I looked back and waved one last time.
Walking through the corridor, I replayed the conversation I shared with my father. I understood why he told me and not James. James spent more time getting to know Hogwarts than anyone I knew. He told our parents about secret passageways and hidden details. My father gave me something that I could have, he even gave me the choice to share it or not. I thought about telling James, I think I will. Maybe not now, but eventually.
I wondered what the boys would do in the magic room, what would they make it become? I thought about my stargazing with Sirius. I always thought him to be loud and chaotic but honestly he was soft and a good person. Every part of his thought process involved his parents, whether it was about pleasing them or revenge he constantly thought about them. I would have to learn more about him this year. Maybe Mary will like the idea since she likes him so much.
“Any sweets dear?” I jumped to find the concession lady standing across from me, I felt bad for not know her name. I glanced to see if she had a name tag but I didn’t see any.
“Uh.. four chocolates please.” I gave her a galleon and just told her to keep it. I didn’t have any sickles on me and I’m really not patient enough to get the money back. She gave me the sweets and I kept walking. I cursed myself for not finding out her name. It was always rude to not respect the people who provide service.
The train had started by the time I got to my friends, Mary and Marlene were sitting next to each other, Lily across from them closest to the door. I could see the three of them from the corridor.
“I got chocolates!” I announced only then to realize that Severus Snape was also in the corridor. I passed out the chocolates to my friends, I gave mine to Severus mainly because I didn’t want to start a fight. Everyone in the compartment was surprise.
“You don’t want any?” Lily asked.
“I’m not hungry right now, saving it for later.” I shrugged and sat next to Mary.
“You’re too nice sometimes” Mary whispered to me, I smiled. I looked at her like it would just start a fight if I didn’t. She seemed to understand.
“How was everyone’s summer?” I asked. Lily started explaining what a fair was (apparently muggles get on these metal contraptions that go super fast and make you dizzy), Mary and Marlene spent the majority together which surprised no one. The two of them shopped a lot. Lily said there was no improvement with her sister but she had hope.
“So Potter,” Severus spoke up “I heard Black spent the summer with you.” His tone was harsh and he was smiling like this was the greatest news he’s received in a while.
“Not all of it, he had a wedding or something g early on then he stayed with the Pettigrews. The two of them came to see James a lot since we live so close.” I said as if it was no big deal, which it wasn’t. I knew Sirius didn’t tell his mother he stayed with us, I knew we weren’t supposed to mention it to others. Severus looked defeated at my response so he rushed to create another.
“Well I heard he’s about to be disowned.” He smiled coldly. He was really pissing me off. Before I could destroy him, Lily spoke up.
“Sev, you shouldn’t create such rumors about a person is rude.” She spoke kindly, I don’t know how she of all people were friends with this rat. Severus scoffed but dropped the subject. We spent the rest of the train ride in an awkward sort of state. They talked of muggle things that I had no idea about. Mary, Marlene, and I didn’t talk much because Severus was there. I knew the two of them wanted to share their surprise but they definitely wouldn’t with him there. I was fine with that, he wasn’t our friend he shouldn’t know our business. So Lily talked and talked, then we would say a few things and count the seconds until the ride was over. I made a mental note to sit with James so I wouldn’t have to ride with Snape anymore.