ALEXA CARSON
I watch my mother’s figure dwindle amongst the throng of departing passengers, waving until she disappeared into the crowd. A sigh escapes my lips as I begin the search for our compartment. I need to find my friends.
The train corridors blur past as I walk, peering into each compartment, hoping to find Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, and Dean. It’s the start of my fifth year, and a bubbling excitement fills me.
Finally, I spot them. I slide open the door, greeting my friends and settling into the seat beside Hermione.
“How was everyone’s summer?” I ask, eager to hear their stories.
We fall into a familiar rhythm of conversation, catching up on weeks of separation. The train rumbles onward, carrying us toward another year at Hogwarts.
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We were nearing our destination when Ron drifted off to sleep, his head lolling against the window. Ginny and Hermione and I were lost in easy chatter, when the compartment door slammed open. The sight of him—Draco Malfoy—always feels like an intrusion. Why does he bother coming here?
“Well, if it isn’t the blood traitors and mudbloods,” he sneered, Crabbe, Goyle, and Parkinson looming behind him like shadows. Their laughter scraped against my nerves.
“Well, if it’s the bleach-headed ferret,” I retorted, rising to my feet.
What does he want? Honestly, I can’t recall a single moment of kindness from him.
“How dare you speak to me like that, half-breed,” he spat, his voice laced with venom. Ginny’s hand tightened on her wand, her eyes flashing with anger. “Say it again, and you’ll regret it.” Malfoy’s bravado faltered, and he glared at me.
“Didn’t realize you had friends, Carson. Who would want to look at a hideous face like yours?” he sneered before turning to leave, his cronies trailing behind him, their laughter echoing in the compartment. A familiar sting settled in my chest, but I pushed it down, forcing myself to ignore it.
“Don’t listen to him, Alexa. He’s just blathering as always,” Hermione said, her voice laced with concern.
“Yeah, I’ve got better things to do than listen to his nonsense,” I replied, though the words felt hollow.
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The sorting hat announced the last Ravenclaw student, and the Great Hall erupted with the promise of a feast. Ron dug in with ferocious appetite, earning a chorus of laughter from our table. I sat between Hermione and Harry, and my gaze drifted to the Slytherin table. Draco Malfoy sat there, flanked by Blaise Zabini and Pansy Parkinson.
Even now, despite the years of animosity, I have to admit he’s handsome. But his arrogance and cruelty eclipse any physical attraction. I’d once harbored a foolish crush on him, but it withered the moment he opened his mouth. Now, I can only feel contempt.
I must have been staring, because his eyes met mine across the crowded hall. He offered a look of pure disgust, and I rolled my eyes in response. We talk about our summer break and last year's events until the feast is over and we walk back to the common room. " I am really tired I'm gonna go sleep" I say yawning and head to the room I share with Hermione, Ginny and Katie . I changed into my Pajama's and get into bed and slowly drift off to sleep.
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“Wake up, sleepyhead!” Ginny shook me vigorously, and I groaned in protest. “Get up, or you’ll miss breakfast.” I threw the blanket off my head and muttered a curse as I stumbled out of bed and into my uniform. A quick brush of my hair, a swipe of lip gloss, and then I was off to the Great Hall with Ginny.
“Anyone excited for classes today?” Hermione asked, taking a bite of toast.
“Eh, not really,” I said, and Ginny nodded in agreement.
“But I’m dreading Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts,” Ron groaned.
“Me too,” Harry said.
“Wait, why? I love Defense Against the Dark Arts,” I said, my mouth full of toast.
“Because we’re paired with the Slytherins,” Ginny said, her tone flat.
I choked on my toast, spitting half of it across the table. Apparently, Malfoy had witnessed my mishap, and he seized the opportunity to taunt me. Again, why does he bother?
“Can’t keep it down, Carson, or are you still shocked by the fact your dad left you?” he chuckled with his group.
“Shove off, Malfoy,” Ron growled.
“Shut up, Weasel,” Malfoy snapped.
“Shut up, Malfoy, or I’ll hex you until you’re crying to your mother, and don’t you dare say a thing about my family again,” I said, stepping closer with each word, until I stood inches from his face, his height looming over me.
At the mention of my father, my eyes stung, and a tear slipped down my cheek. Malfoy saw it, and before I could crumble, I grabbed my backpack and fled the Great Hall, desperate to escape the suffocating weight of his cruelty.