Going to Hogwarts

Three, two, one.

Danica ran through the barrier wall between platforms nine and ten and emerged on the other side surrounded by other students and their parents. She was taking it all in; the owls flying overhead, the iron archway that said Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, and the great scarlet-red Hogwarts Express.

She was trying to keep up with the Malfoys, not wanting to be separated and miss the train. Danica noticed a red-headed family that was standing near them and noted that they seemed much poorer compared to her. Lucius noticed it too, scowled, and said sarcastically," So apparently they let just anyone into Hogwarts now? Ugh, those Weasleys shouldn't even be allowed here."

At this time, Danica didn't think about what Lucius just said. To her, it was just another example of how wealthy her family is and how powerful they are.

As Danica and the Malfoys walked past the Weasley clan, Danica held her head up high, showing a slightly intimidating side of her. The youngest boy looked at her in a combination of awe and shock. He knew all about what had happened with her parents, and even with all her death-eater relatives.

It was almost eleven o'clock and Danica and Draco had to board the train. Danica formally said goodbye to her Aunt and Uncle and followed Draco up the stairs and onto the train. They were walking through the narrow corridor looking for an open compartment to sit in and found Pansy Parkinson and Theodore Nott, who they had grown up knowing, waiting for them.

"Glad you made it, mate," Nott spoke directly to Draco, ignoring Danica.

"Yeah nice to see you too," Danica replied with heavy sarcasm.

They made themselves comfortable in the compartment and the train lurched forward, signaling that they were departing King's Cross. Theodore and Draco were talking amongst themselves about racing brooms and Danica and Pansy were deliberating who else they would have to share a dorm with.

"I hope that we don't get Greengrass," Pansy said, "Her hair is just so ugly and I would never talk to her."

"But weren't her parents in Slytherin? It would only make sense for her to be a Slytherin and plus she's a pureblood too," Danica added.

"How'd you just know that?" Pansy asked Danica skeptically.

"I guess that I just pay attention," Danica mumbled.

Two of Draco's other friends, Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle, opened up the compartment and whispered something to him.

"Really?" Draco said excitedly, "Danica, let's go."

He pulled her out of the compartment and started making his way to where all of the commotion was happening.

"Remember what father said about Harry Potter being in our year? Well, he's here somewhere on the train and needs to meet us," Draco explained to Danica.

The pair reached a compartment that was in the far back of the train and slid the door open. There, sitting across from the Weasley boy, was the boy from Madam Malkin's. He recognized Danica and Draco too from their previous encounter.

"Is it true?" Draco said to the boy, "They're saying all down the train that Harry Potter's in this compartment. So it's you, is it?"

"Yes," Harry Potter said to Draco.

"Oh, I'm Danica Le-" Danica was starting to introduce herself to Harry Potter when Draco interrupted her.

"And my name's Malfoy, Draco Malfoy."

The red-head gave a slight cough, which might have been hiding a snigger; Darco glared at him and said, " Think my name's funny, do you? No need to ask who you are. My father told me all the Weasleys have red hair, freckles, and more children than they can afford."

Danica wasn't shocked by what Draco had just said; it was all they knew. She was just a bystander at this point and didn't want to intervene in their "conversation".

"You'll soon find out some wizarding families are much better than others, Potter," Draco spoke to Harry, "You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. We can help you there." Danica nodded in agreement as Draco offered his hand out to Harry's to shake, but Harry didn't take it.

"I think I can tell who the wrong sort are for myself, thanks," Harry said coolly.Draco didn't go red, but a pink tinge appeared on his pale face.

"I'd be careful if I were you, Potter," he said slowly. "Unless you're a bit politer you'll go the same way as your parents. They didn't know what was good for them, either. You hang around with riffraff like the Weasleys, and it'll rub off on you."

Both Harry and the Weasley stood up to be even with Draco and Danica.

"Say that again," the Weasley said, his face as red as his hair.

Just then, Draco's goons Crabbe and Goyle came in the door frame of the compartment to back him up.

"Oh, you're going to fight us now, are you? Two to four. Let's see what the outcome would be," Draco sneered.

Danica could sense the extreme tension in the compartment; she needed to flee the situation.

"Correction, two against three. It's just best if we get out now. I wouldn't want to start trouble before we even get to Hogwarts," Danica said slowly and slid out of the compartment, not waiting to hear any sort of response.

She found the lady with the trolley cart and bought herself a chocolate frog and then headed back to her compartment with Pansy and Theo. Draco returned a short while later and looked very flustered from his encounter with Harry Potter, but he said nothing.

_________

A voice echoed through the train and said, "We will be reaching Hogwarts in five minutes' time. Please leave your luggage on the train, it will be taken to the school separately"

Danica scanned her luggage and her eyes fell on her great grey owl, Pandora, and hoped that she would make it to the dorms all right. Then she, Draco, Pansy, and Theo went out of their compartment to wait in the crowded corridor.

The train finally slowed down to a stop and kids pushed their way towards the door and onto the small, dark platform.

"Firs' years! Firs' years over here!" said a giant man with a bushy beard, named Hagrid, who Danica recognized from outside of the robes shop the day that she'd met Harry Potter. She and her gang of friends joined the sea other first years down a steep, narrow path.

"Yeh'll get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec, just around this bend here," Hagrid called over his shoulder to the students.

There was a loud "Oooooh!"The narrow path had opened suddenly onto the edge of a great black lake. Perched atop a high mountain on the other side, its windows sparkling in the starry sky was a vast castle with many turrets and towers.

"No more'n four to a boat!" Hagrid called out, pointing to the fleet of little boats sitting in the water by the shore.

Danica climbed into a boat with Draco, Pansy, and Theo and all of the boats started to glide across the water towards the castle. Everyone was silent, staring up at the great castle overhead. It towered over them as they moved slowly into a dark tunnel until they reached a kind of underground harbor, where they clambered out onto rocks and pebbles.

The first years walked up a flight of stone steps and crowded around the huge, oak door. Hagrid knocked on the door three times before it was opened by a tall witch who led them inside the castle.

Here is my next chapter! I haven't posted in a while but I've written quite a bit for this. Adios, school starts soon and I'm not mentally prepared lol. bye ✌️