(Catra Snippet) -Harry Potter
A lone girl sat in the small train compartment, dressed in her Hogwarts uniform and arriving unusually early. She had followed some older students to the platform, initially unsure of where to go. Most of her luggage was already stored away, leaving her with just a few essentials: her wand, some coins, and a small, secretive suitcase.
Catching her reflection in the window, she studied her distinctive yellow and blue cat eyes—a telltale mark of a Pallaw—and her short, messy brown hair that complemented her slightly tanned skin. The appearance was an illusion, carefully maintained by a charmed necklace that concealed her true form, known only to a select few.
"There you are," a familiar voice called from the doorway, bringing with it the distinct scent of cloves and nail polish. "Figured you'd be here early, Catra."
Merula Snyde, her first and only friend, entered the compartment. Their friendship was born of circumstance—their parents had known each other, and despite initially clashing personalities, they had grown close, especially after facing personal tragedies that bound them together.
"Hey, Merula," Catra greeted her, watching as Merula sat down opposite her. "Managed to slip away from your aunt, I see?"
Merula shrugged nonchalantly. "It's not like she'd notice anyway. How's life with the Weasleys?"
The past few years had been good to Catra. The Weasley family had been kind, accepting her without judgment—a rare comfort she'd come to treasure. "A bit chaotic," she admitted with a sigh, "especially with the twins and their endless pranks. I got up early just to avoid being their first target today."
Their conversation flowed easily, punctuated by playful banter and shared memories. From Merula's tale of revenge for a hair-changing prank to their competitive Gobstones match that left them both occasionally splashed (thanks to Merula's handy cleaning charm), the compartment was filled with the comfortable energy of true friendship.
Both shifted in their seats as the platform outside grew increasingly crowded, the compartment window offering a bustling view of students and their accompanying magical companions. Catra found herself studying the various pets—the expected menagerie of rats scurrying between feet, owls perched on trunks, and the occasional toad hopping about. Merula, unable to have her own pet due to her aunt's strict rules, always showed a particular fondness for Catra's toad, which she often helped care for.
"Did you hear that Harry Potter is coming to Hogwarts this year?" Merula spoke casually, her gaze sweeping across the platform. "The boy who lived... I still can't wrap my head around how he survived Voldemort."
Catra's hand instinctively touched her friend's arm. "Don't say that name so loudly," she muttered, a soft warning tinged with protective concern. They both knew the weight of names in their world—especially names that could invite unwanted attention.
Harry Potter represented more than just a legendary survivor to them. He was a symbol, a complicated narrative that intersected with their own complex family histories. Both Catra and Merula were children of former death eaters, a fact that would undoubtedly color their interactions at Hogwarts. They understood isolation, judgment, and the burden of inherited reputation all too well.
"Why the sudden interest?" Catra questioned, her cat-like eyes narrowing with curiosity. "Plotting to uncover his mysterious survival?"
Merula's lips curved into a calculated smile. "Partly," she admitted. "But more strategically, he might be our best chance at genuine friendship." She began counting off reasons on her fingers, a habit that always made Catra smile. "First, he's been raised by Muggles, so he won't know our... complicated background. Second, we're looking for someone who might see us for who we are, not who our parents were. And third?" She paused, a mischievous glint in her eye. "It's our way of saying 'fuck what our parents stood for.'"
Catra chuckled at Merula's characteristic bluntness. Their friendship had always thrived on such raw, unfiltered moments—something they shared privately, away from judgmental ears.
"That's assuming no one tries to 'warn' him about us," Catra responded, making air quotes that mirrored Merula's usual dramatic flair. The train's gentle movement signaled their imminent departure. "Speaking of arrivals, where's Ron?"
Before Merula could respond with her customary teasing, a knock interrupted their conversation. Ron appeared, looking slightly sheepish. "Mind if we join you? Everywhere else is full."
Catra shrugged, her attention immediately drawn to the other boy—the outline of a famous scar barely concealed beneath unruly hair. Harry Potter had just entered their compartment, unknowingly stepping into a moment that would change everything.