Raindrops streaked down the train windows as Jane Yu finally got a full view of the Hogwarts Express in her third year.
She had just loaded her trunk and owl onto the train when a loud whistle sounded, and the guards began closing the doors one by one.
Harry was lingering at the back, seemingly talking to Mr. Weasley, his expression once again clouded with gloom.
Mrs. Weasley, however, managed to hand Scabbers—a scruffy-looking rat missing a toe—to Ron at the very last second before the train began to move.
Alfira flapped her wings excitedly, her eyes fixed on the rat, preparing to pounce—only to be restrained by Jane.
She politely declined Harry, Ron, and Hermione's invitation to share a compartment, as she desperately needed to find an empty one to deal with the restless Niffler in her trunk, which was trying to break free.
The trio looked visibly disappointed.
One compartment after another, Jane found the train already packed to capacity.
To make matters worse, her growing reputation over the summer and the past two years had students reaching out, trying to pull her into their compartments.
"Over here! Yu!"
Fortunately, Daphne—her good roommate—was also looking for her. This little witch seemed to harbor a fervent admiration and adoration for Jane. By the end of last term, Jane had noticed that everything she did was met with Daphne's starry-eyed gaze.
Entering Daphne's compartment, Jane found another girl with golden hair and blue eyes inside. This must be Daphne's sister, Astoria, whom she'd mentioned in her letters.
Astoria greeted Jane with a sweet smile, dimples appearing on her cheeks.
Both sisters curiously eyed Jane's restless trunk.
"A new pet. Very mischievous," Jane explained quickly as she opened the trunk and subdued the Niffler. The trunk soon returned to stillness.
"Theodore went looking for you too, but he hasn't come back yet," Daphne said, before shifting the conversation to the news she'd read in The Daily Prophet over the summer. "What about your curse? Can it be resolved?"
Jane smiled reassuringly, easing Daphne's worries.
After a year of school, a summer holiday, and some emergency social training from old Mr. Greengrass, Daphne had learned that her roommate had no interest in gossip about who fancied whom. Instead, Jane preferred secrets and knowledge.
"Have you heard? We have a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher this year," Daphne said mysteriously. "I suspect Professor Snape won't be pleased, as Headmaster Dumbledore rejected his application for the position again."
Astoria, though a first-year, eagerly joined the conversation, showing a surprising knowledge of rumors.
"Speaking of which, my dad said we should be careful this year," she said softly. "He mentioned that some terrifying magical creatures might enter Hogwarts."
At that moment, the compartment door slid open, revealing Theodore, Draco, and Blaise.
Theodore wore his usual indifferent expression, and Jane realized he was growing impatient—the compartment was now crammed full.
Half of the Slytherin pure-blood circle was now present.
Jane stood up, intending to find another, less crowded compartment, but suddenly remembered Aberforth's earnest advice:
"... invitations... he always refuses... but if you go enough times... he won't stand it... and drive him out of Hogwarts..."
So she sat back down.
"I've got Crabbe and Goyle standing guard outside—" Draco squeezed into the compartment, loudly complaining, "For Merlin's sake, why isn't this the prefects' compartment? It's so cramped in here!"
Two years had passed, and he was still as talkative as ever. His gaze immediately landed on Jane's Firebolt resting nearby.
"How did you get that?" he asked incredulously, his gray eyes wide with surprise. "My father said you changed guardians—did Dumbledore get so generous? Then why did he let you stay cursed?"
Thinking of that article and the flood of "educational" letters it had sparked, Jane frowned.
"All lies. But how does your father know?"
At this, Draco puffed out his chest with pride, his platinum blonde hair gleaming even brighter.
"My father has connections at the Ministry! He could take up a position there anytime he wants—"
What followed was a long monologue about the Malfoy family's influence and his father's achievements. Theodore and Blaise, seemingly used to it, tuned him out—one flipping through a Potions textbook, the other leaning back with his eyes closed.
Only Daphne and Astoria, perhaps out of politeness or some other reason, continued listening. But Jane could tell their perfect smiles were starting to falter. Daphne's carefully maintained 15-degree smile was beginning to twitch.
Unable to bear the auditory assault any longer, Jane finally interrupted Draco's one-sided conversation after what felt like 99+ messages:
"Didn't Flint discuss Quidditch strategies with you over the summer?"
Draco's attention finally shifted.
"Of course. We're practicing new tactics. It's his last chance for the Quidditch Cup before graduation—"
The mention of Quidditch immediately reminded him of Harry, and he let out a disdainful snort.
"This year, I'll beat that wretched Potter and knock him off his broom!"
Though "Potter" wasn't exactly a pleasant topic, complaining about Gryffindor and discussing Quidditch was far better than enduring endless "My father" stories. Everyone in the compartment visibly relaxed, throwing Jane grateful looks. Blaise even gave her a thumbs-up.
"I heard Hufflepuff has a new captain and Seeker, Cedric Diggory," Blaise said, smoothly steering the conversation away from Potter. "Draco, you've got a new rival."
Draco immediately frowned, loudly dismissing Hufflepuff as "a bunch of duffers," but it was clear he felt pressured.
As the conversation regained normalcy, the train's speed began to slow, and the rain outside intensified.
Night fell, and the windows fogged up, obscuring the train's destination.
"What's going on? Are we there yet?"
Draco's incessant chatter ceased as he started complaining about the train's age and poor condition—but then he fell silent.
Because all the lights went out at once, and with a jolt, the train came to a halt, plunging everything into pitch darkness.
Outside the compartment, panicked voices and the clatter of falling luggage echoed. Students were growing restless... something seemed to be boarding the train...
Something was wrong.
Jane immediately drew her wand.
The Slytherins followed her lead, drawing their wands as well.
"No! No!"
Goyle and Crabbe, who had been standing guard at the door, suddenly screamed. They burst into the compartment, clutching each other in terror, collapsing onto the table and crushing it with creaks and groans before rolling onto Draco.
"What are you doing—" Draco's voice caught in his throat.
"What is that?" he asked, his voice trembling as he stared at the door.
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