Chapter 1
The sound of feet hitting pavement rang throughout King’s Cross station as a young girl sprinted toward her platform. She wove in and out of people all the while muttering apologies. “At this rate ,” she thought, “I’m sure to be late .” Missing her train was not something she could afford to do. A couple of years back, the infamous Harry Potter and his friend, Ron Weasley, missed the Hogwarts Express and flew an enchanted car all the way to school. Unfortunately, the girl did not have a magical flying car at her disposal.
Gwyneth Adler was many things, but she was not one to complain. So this morning when her muggle parents insisted that they couldn’t take her to the station, Gwynn held her tongue and took a cab. And of course it was just her luck that traffic would not be cooperative and had decided that today of all days would be perfect to come to a complete standstill for 20 minutes. These events all lead to where Gwynn was now. Sprinting straight towards a brick wall, or in other words, Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. Not having time for hesitation, she ran headlong through the wall and barely flinched when she had passed, unscathed. She had made it, and just in time.
She spotted Harry Potter and his friends boarding the train and thought back to her encounter with them a few days ago. It was at Madam Malkin’s robe store where Gwynn had been browsing the clothes rack. She had come in to buy a pair of trousers, because the mere idea of wearing the uniform skirt was enough to make her not want to return to Hogwarts. She had just rounded a corner when she saw a shock of pale blond hair causing her to all but dive behind the rack. That shade of blond could only mean one thing: Draco Malfoy. Gwynn and Malfoy were in the same house at Hogwarts, but it made no difference to Malfoy. To him she would only ever be a “Mudblood” and could never be a true Slytherin, as if having muggle parents made Gwynn less of a witch.
It was one thing to be muggle-born at Hogwarts, it was an entirely different thing to be muggle-born and Slytherin. The majority of the student body doesn’t like you because you’re a Slytherin, and the Slytherins don’t like you because of who your parents are. This prejudice made no sense to Gwynn, but she sure did suffer because of it. Her first three years at Hogwarts were utterly lonely. Her only friend being Moaning Myrtle, a ghost whom she had found in the girls bathroom after hearing that it was rarely used. She spent most of her free time in the library or in the bathroom with Myrtle. And while the trips to Hogsmede offered some reprieve, Gwynn couldn’t help but feel isolated when she saw the others having fun with their friends.
She hadn’t begun to make friends until her fourth year. Gwynn realized that any attempt at fraternizing with those in her house was a lost cause and decided to branch out. So when she heard that a Gryffindor girl named Hermione was looking for people to join her organization, S.P.E.W. (Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare) Gwynn had deemed it a worthy cause and reached out to Hermione to tell her that she was interested in joining. Hermione was so excited to have another member she didn’t even balk when she came to know that Gwynn was a Slytherin. Harry and Ron tried to convince her that she was bad news, but by the time they began to protest, Hermione and Gwynn had already become friends. Gwynn understood the trio’s dynamic and didn’t dare impede, though she secretly wondered what it would be like to have a friend group like that.
This is how she spent her five years at Hogwarts. Never having close friends (besides Myrtle, but seeing as Myrtle is translucent and doesn’t leave the girl’s bathroom, her company, though welcomed, is limited) Gwynn was never included in Harry Potter’s shenanigans, and if she was, it would only be a very minor part. Despite having gained Hermione’s trust, Harry and Ron’s prejudice held fast, swearing that Gwynn would only tell their plans to the other Slytherin’s and therefore the Death Eaters. What they failed to realize was that the Death Eaters were trying to commit the genocide of mugglborns, i.e. Gwynn, and that giving them any information would be a major conflict of interest. He may be the Chosen One but he sure is an idiot.
Malfoy was talking to his mother in harsh whispers as Gwynn attempted to look as casual as possible while still hiding. She was sure that Malfoy wouldn’t even spare her a second glance but she didn’t plan on risking it. “I’ll wait it out ,” Gwynn thought, “I mean, how long can a person possibly spend in a robe shop? ” This, of course, was before she realized that Malfoy was having his robes custom made and would likely be in the tiny shop for quite a bit of time. While trying to come up with an escape plan, Gwynn couldn’t help but overhear parts of their conversation.
“...not a child, in case you haven’t noticed, Mother. I am perfectly capable of doing my shopping alone."
There was a clicking noise and a voice that Gwynn recognized as Madam Malkin’s, the owner of the robe shop, said “Now dear, your mother’s quite right, none of us is supposed to go wandering around on our own anymore, it’s nothing to do with you being a child-“
“Watch where you’re sticking that pin, will you!”
“Geez ,” thought Gwynn, “He really is an entitled prick. ” Madam Malkin was, of course, referring to the return of Voldemort. Harry Potter and his gang had decided that taking on a bunch of Death Eaters to save his beloved Godfather, arming himself with nothing other than his wand and a bunch of school mates, was a fantastic idea. It was not. His Godfather (who hadn’t even been there in the first place and only showed up in an attempt to save Harry) died and seeing as this all went down at the Ministry of Magic they were forced to admit that Voldemort was, in fact, back, ergo sending the entire Wizarding World into a panic. All of this could have been resolved quicker if wizards used guns, but who was Gwynn to judge?
Speaking of Harry Potter, he and his clique entered the store, causing Gwynn to sigh in exasperation. Not only was she not going to get out of this godforsaken shop undetected, but she’d also have to listen to Harry and Malfoy’s banter.
Draco strode to the mirror and examined himself before his eyes shifted, spotting the trio’s reflection. His light gray eyes narrowed.
“If you’re wondering what that smell is, Mother, a Mudblood just walked in.” said Malfoy.
“Here we go ,” thought Gwynn.
“I don’t think there’s any need for language like that!” said Madam Malkin, scurrying out from behind the clothes rack holding a tape measure and a wand. “And I don’t want wands drawn in my shop either!” she added hastily, for a glance at the door had shown her Harry and Ron both standing there with their wands out and pointing at Malfoy. Hermione, who was standing slightly behind them, whispered, “No, don’t, honestly it’s not worth it…”
“Yeah, like you’d dare do magic out of school,” sneered Malfoy. “Who blacked your eye, Granger? I want to send them flowers.”
“That’s quite enough!” said Madam Malkin sharply, looking over her shoulder for support. “Madam- please-“
Narcissa Malfoy strolled out from behind the clothes rack, the one parallel to the rack Gwynn hid behind.
“Put those away,” she said coldly to Harry and Ron. “If you attack my son again, I shall ensure that it is the last thing you ever do.”
“Threatening children, nice. ”
“Really?” said Harry, taking a step forward and gazing into the smoothly arrogant face. He was as tall as she was now. “Going to get a few Death Eater pals to do us in, are you?”
Madam Malkin squealed and clutched at her heart, and an emotion, one that was gone as soon as it had appeared, flashed through Draco’s eyes.
“Really, you shouldn’t accuse- dangerous thing to say- wands away please!”
But Harry did not lower his wand. Narcissa Malfoy smiled unpleasantly.
“I see that being Dumbledore’s favorite has given you a false sense of security, Harry Potter. But Dumbledore won’t always be there to protect you.”
Harry looked mockingly all around the shop, “Wow… look at that… he’s not here now! So why not have a go? They might be able to find you a double cell in Azkaban with your loser of a husband!”
“Yikes, low blow .”
Malfoy made an angry movement toward Harry, but stumbled over his overlong robe. “Don’t you dare talk to my mother like that, Potter!” He snarled
“It’s all right, Draco,” said Narcissa, restraining him with her thin white fingers upon his shoulder. “I expect Potter will be reunited with dear Sirius before I am reunited with Lucius.”
Harry raised his arm higher while Hermione tried to hold it down. Seeing as none of the adults were attempting to deescalate the situation, Gwynn decided that she had had enough and stepped out from behind the clothes rack.
“Boys,” she called, “Are you done with your wand measuring contest, because this is getting petty.”
Harry drops his arm in surprise, no one was expecting this turn of events.
“Potter,” Gwynn says, “There’s no need to draw your wand, Malfoy doesn’t even have his on him. That’s hardly fair, is it? And you-“ she says turning towards Narcissa, “You’re the adult in this situation and all you’ve done is egg them on. Is it your intention to start a brawl?”
“You’re- you’re defending them?” Harry asked incredulously.
Gwynn stalks towards Harry and speaks to him in a harsh, low voice, “Of course I’m not defending them. Death Eaters want to kill muggle-borns, in other words, me! I just don’t think it’s in anyone’s best interest to spar in the middle of a robes store. If you want to duel I won’t stop you, but why don’t you take it outside and stop attacking his mother.”
Harry, seemingly at a loss for words, nods, and with a final glare at Malfoy turns to leave the shop, Ron and Hermione following him. Hermione whispers a quick goodbye and Gwynn nods.
“I don’t need you defending me, Adler.” Malfoy had been too far away to hear what Gwynn had said to Harry, but had assumed she had done what she did out of loyalty to her house.
“I’m sure you don’t.” came her curt reply as she went back behind the clothes rack to grab the pair of trousers she had seen earlier while Malfoy trailed behind her.
“Then why did you step in?”
Gwynn turned sharply, “Listen Malfoy,” she said with venom leaking into her voice. “I didn’t break up that fight for you or for Potter. I don’t care if you run after him right now and challenge him to a duel. I couldn’t care less if you got hurt by his hand or vice versa, but you two do not get to make a mess of things and terrorize shop owners. Believe it or not, the world goes beyond your petty feud with Potter.”
“Well aren’t you little miss justice warrior,” Malfoy sneered, glaring down at her, “I’m sure you think you’ve got it all figured out. What, did you take a philosophy course over the summer? You are, after all, morally superior to us all.”
“Morally superior? No. It doesn’t take a philosophy course to determine right from wrong Malfoy. I suggest you educate yourself and stop following the example of everyone else. Unless you are content with everyone making all your decisions for you, then by all means keep doing whatever you’re doing. All you are is a sheep pretending to be a wolf.”
They glared at each other for a moment, the tension so thick you could cut it with a knife, they didn’t break eye contact until Narcissa called for Draco.
“Think about what I said.” And with that, Gwynn turned on her heel, paid for her trousers, and walked out of the shop without a backwards glance. Leaving in her wake a very stunned Malfoy.
****
Gwynn watched as Harry seemingly had a heated conversation with Mr.Weasley, vaguely wondering what it could be about, and boarded the train. All around her, Gwynn saw students practically falling over themselves to get a look at her- no, not her- Harry Potter. She had just been unlucky enough to get on the train right before Harry. Gwynn hurried to the prefect compartment, not at all liking the stares she was receiving because of “The Chosen One”
She slid quickly into the prefect compartment and let out a sigh. There’s nothing like going to school with a celebrity, that’s for sure. She glanced up and almost turned around and returned to the stares of her peers, that surely would be better than this. “Malfoy.” Gwynn said, trying to keep the annoyance out of her voice.
“I didn’t realize they let anyone be a prefect, Adler. And here I was thinking it was an honor.” There Malfoy sat, lounging in his seat as if he owned the place. His long legs were sprawled out in front of him, taking up most of the compartment floor space.
“Yes, yes. I get it. My blood is impure, yadda yadda yadda, I’m inferior, will never be a proper witch- honestly Malfoy, you really are predictable. I think we’ve exhausted this line of insults, no?” Gwynn said as she stepped over Malfoy’s legs and sat down in the seat across from him and then noticed something was off, “Where are your body guards?”
“Crabbe and Goyle are not my body guards.”
“Of course they aren’t, they’re just two big guys who stand on either side of you at all times, and to whom you don’t refer to by their first names. You must be the best of buddies.”
“What does it matter to you?” Malfoy sardonically replied.
Gwynn cocked her head in confusion. Malfoy was… oddly defensive, as if this was a sensitive topic. She decided to drop the subject, even though she was unbelievably curious, and shrugged her shoulders. Malfoy was guarded, he always has been, and Gwynn knew he would offer her nothing willingly. She’d have to be observant if she wanted any entail about what he was feeling.
As the train began to move a group of people walked past their compartment. Crabbe, Goyle, and Pansy Parkinson. Pansy was fiddling with a bracelet that was far too big for her thin wrist. She seemed anxious. Gwynn glanced at Malfoy from the corner of her eye to see his jaw clench, and that same emotion that flashed through his eyes at the robe shop was suddenly there again, only this time Gwynn was able to recognize it. Sadness.
“Interesting ,” Gwynn thought, “What could have happened over the summer to ruin that friendship? ” And then she realized she knew exactly what had happened, or at the very least could guess. Malfoy’s father, Lucius, failed to kill Harry Potter and went to prison for attempted murder. Did the Death Eaters shun the Malfoys? Is that why Draco’s friends did not stop to say hello or even offer him a fleeting glance? Gwynn felt a stab of pity, one she quickly smothered, “He does not deserve your empathy. He may not be a Death Eater anymore, but he still supports their cause. ”
And so the two spent their time in silence, pretending that the other did not exist. This, of course, would have been easier if Malfoy had not been loudly sighing every five minutes.
“Is something wrong?” Gwynn snapped after Malfoy sighed for the tenth time in the span of 20 minutes.
“Hmm?” Draco hummed absentmindedly, not even bothering to look up from his book.
“Oh come on, something must be bothering you. No one sighs that much in so short of a time span.”
Malfoy lazily glanced up at Gwynn, assessing her. She was perceptive, he’d give her that. “It’s none of your concern.”
“I’m sure it isn’t,” replied Gwynn haughtily, “But watching you wallow in your own self pity is rather annoying.”
“You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Maybe not, but whatever problem you’re facing you won’t be able to fix it by feeling sorry for yourself.”
Malfoy glared at Gwynn. Who was she to speak to him in this manner? She’s just a dumb muggleborn who thinks she knows everything about everyone. He rolls his eyes and returns to reading his book, though he makes sure to keep his sighing in check. It was already dark outside and he’d have to change into his robes soon.
It was the Slytherin’s prefect’s turns to walk to length of the train. They did this to make sure that everyone was behaving and in their compartments. Gwynn stepped over Malfoy’s legs again (much to her annoyance) and began her duty as train monitor, without so much as a backwards glance at Draco.
They continued to pretend that the other did not exist for most of their shift. Both were happy to keep to themselves and not interact with each other at all costs. It was not until Gwynn peaked inside a compartment that held nothing but a seventh year girl faced down in the carpet that her face offered any detectable emotion. Gwynn paused and assessed the situation, her mind flicking through hundreds of possibilities as to what exactly happened here. She realized there was only one thing this could mean, but didn’t want to make assumptions without all of the facts.
Malfoy made an annoyed noise when he realized Gwynn had stopped moving. He was bored and was ready for this thing to be over with. He came up behind Gwynn, ready to tell her off for wasting his time, but his words died in his throat.
“This is just like something out of an Agatha Christie novel ,” Thought Gwynn
“Spoiler alert, they all did it”