.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

     CRESSIDA THORNE AND THE REST OF HER FAMILY stood tall in front of the wall between platforms nine and ten. In order to get to the Hogwarts Express, students have to run at the wall. Peculiar isn't it? If the muggles could see what was truly happening, they'd all have heart attacks.

     Thomas has seen his older siblings run through the wall countless times, but he was still nervous. What if the wall closed and caused him to crash? What would the muggles think? If it wasn't obvious already, the young boy was an anxious thinker. He always believed the worst was bound to happen to him; he was surrounded by bad luck.

     "Do you want to go first, Tommy?" Cressida asked her brother, using his nickname. She knew that he didn't particularly like the shortened name much, but that was the exact reason she used it so frequently. She placed a hand on his back, pushing him forward encouragingly.

     He hesitated, remaining frozen in his spot. The eleven-year-old was not only fearing going through the wall but everything that was behind it. Hogwarts has always seemed like a faraway fantasy to him, but now it was suddenly staring him directly in the eye. "Erm.."

     Lucile sighed, losing her patience. "For Merlin's sake, we do not have time for this. Thomas, go through, now."

     At the sound of his mother's voice, all fear and anxiety disappeared from his thoughts. It was like flipping a switch in his mind; a switch that forced him to seek approval from Lucile. He would never want to disappoint or annoy her. "Yes, mum," he said monotonously.

     Thomas aimed his cart toward the wall and began running, shutting his eyes closed in the process. Instantly, he could feel that he was no longer on platform 9, but now 9 3/4. His eyes opened with immense relief as he noticed the other students filling the train, some even wearing Hogwarts attire already.

     Noah suddenly appeared right behind him, giving Thomas a light shove on the shoulder. "Brilliant, isn't it?"

     "Yeah," the younger boy admired the train stopped in front of him. It was a deep red color with black paint every now and then. Smoke was coming out of the train's chimney exhaust, signaling it was getting ready for departure.

     One by one, the rest of the Thorne family crossed over onto platform 9 3/4. It's been a few years since Lucile and Anthony have been here since they usually just drop off Noah and Cressida at the entrance of King's Cross. However, they decided to attend Thomas, just because it was his first time.

    "This is where we part ways," Anthony began. Lucile and he turned to face their eldest son. They weren't ones for physical touch (just like their children), so they remained at a safe distance. "I trust that you'll have a good year Noah and win all your Quidditch games. We'll look forward to reading your letters. Make us proud."

     Noah smirked boastfully. He has rarely lost a game of Quidditch, and when he had, he was not team captain yet. It seems that becoming the leader of the team has benefitted all Slytherins alike. This year will be the same; he couldn't wait to beat Gryffindor loads more times.

     Next was Thomas. The two parents didn't bother crouching to his level, instead stood tall and dominantly over him. Lucile spoke this time. "Don't forget everything we've told you," she was implying the page with names written on it, along with everything else about muggle-borns. "Once you're in Slytherin, you'll be introduced to a lot of new children just like you. I imagine you'll have an easy time creating powerful friends."

     The boy drowned slightly. He didn't want powerful friends, he wanted kind ones. But in the end, nothing was ever his choice. He faked a confident smile, "I promise, mum."

     And finally, Cressida.

     Anthony told Noah and Thomas to go ahead and board the train, knowing to not waste any more time on goodbyes. Once they were out of earshot, the parents crossed their arms and looked at Cressida.

     No one said anything for a few long seconds. It was like the two adults were trying to figure out what to say to their daughter; something that she would actually listen to. Turns out, they believed she wouldn't obey much of what they told her. Lucile's jaw clenched, a stern look on her face. "Do not disappoint us, Cressida. I would hate to see the consequences."

      Resisting the urge to roll her eyes, Cressida pursed her lips in response. With heavy sarcasm, she retorted, "I'll miss you, too."

     "We expect regular updates and if we hear of any nonsense coming from you, I will personally write to Dumbledore and have you transferred to another school. Do not waste this last chance," Anthony concluded.

     "Professor," Cressida corrected.

     "What?" her father asked, on his last nerve.

     "It's Professor Dumbledore. You have to appreciate his title. I think just Dumbledore is a bit informal, don't you think? I mean it's not like you know the man very well --."

     "Cressida, enough," Lucile warned. "I'd had just about enough of this. You are excused."

     Excused? The girl took great offense to that, even though she knew she shouldn't. She shouldn't have to be excused from saying farewell to her parents. But maybe it was for the better. Neither of them wanted to be in the other's presence right now. "Alright. Goodbye."

     Without another word, Cressida grabbed all of her belongings and made her way onboard the train. She did not dare look back, afraid that they would already be gone. Every year, she saw all the parents of students waiting outside the train, waving goodbye to their children. Her parents only did that once; during her first year. They were different people back then, but Cressida didn't know what changed.

     But at this point, none of it mattered. She wasn't going to see them for another couple of months. She was allowed to relax now -- well... that wasn't entirely true. Cressida was a Slytherin, and although she gained quite a lot of Slytherin traits, she still had to beg the Sorting Hat to not put her in Gryffindor. It was like a mental fight in her mind, telling her to do the opposite of each other. For four years she's already put up with it, being able to play her part and even finding some comfort in the Slytherin house, but it wasn't where she truly belonged.

    She's survived four years and has gotten used to it by now, so how hard could three more years be?

     Actually, she didn't want to answer that. Cressida feared karma would somehow find a way to stab her in the back, or accidentally curse herself into an eternity of bad luck. She'll take this year one step at a time.

    Ignoring her past thoughts, Cressida's mind went to the present. She was finally on the train, standing by herself. Her eyes widened as she re-said that last sentence out loud.

     Thomas. Where was Thomas?

     He entered with Noah, but Noah probably ditched him, not caring much for his younger brother. Thomas probably had no idea where to sit, and if all the rooms were full, she knew he would not ask to sit with anyone. Thomas had severe social anxiety. He's not one to go out of his way to speak to a stranger.

     Cressida began moving through the long aisle, peaking her head in each room looking for a familiar blond-haired boy. She dragged her suitcase behind her, still not having found a place to put it. "C'mon Tommy, where did you go?"

     She's not trying to be overprotective, she simply wanted to know if he was alright. At this point, she wouldn't be surprised to find him hyperventilating in the train's restrooms. Not to mention that she had promised him a tour of the train and owed him some sweets from the trolley. What kind of person would she be if she didn't keep her promise?

     Cressida finally stumbled upon one of the last rooms of the train. She was finally beginning to worry, but soon annoyance flooded her head. Through the glass window, she immediately saw what group of people sat, chatting away with sweets shoved in their mouths. Her least favorite group in all of Hogwarts history. "The Marauders"... or so they call themselves.

     She debated not even wasting time in opening the doors, but wondered if they might have any clue to where Thomas could have gone. Cressida grimaced and pulled it open.

     Instantly, all four of the boy's attention landed on her. The boy with long black hair resting on his shoulders recognized her within seconds but chose to not say anything. He hasn't heard the best stories relating to her. He knew she was trouble, and not the good kind as himself.

     However, the other three boys were clueless as to who she was. They didn't seem to pay much attention to anyone outside of Gryffindor, besides those they prank or try to sleep with.

     "Thorne," the black-haired boy finally spoke with venom laced in his voice. He did not look pleased with her sudden appearance at all. The Thornes and Blacks go way back, both being strict Slytherin pure-blood families. Their friendship is one that has lasted decades, until now.

     Well, that wasn't completely true. Since Cressida was placed in Slytherin house, she had befriended the younger Black: Regulus. Sirius was basically outcasted and no longer seen as anything more than filth among the Blacks, so Cressida never got the chance to interact with him. "Black," she said in a dark tone.

     She didn't know the full story of what happened between him and his family but only knew the key details. He was a traitor and chose his friends before family. That was something the girl could never comprehend. She's always been taught to choose blood before everything else, so why didn't Sirius?

     "I'm looking for my younger brother. Have you seen him?" She went straight to the point, not wanting to spend another second in the smelly compartment filled with the worst boys in the entire school.

     "I didn't know the Thornes had one more," Sirius began. He put a hand up to his chin as if pondering a thought. "Let me guess. Dark hair, green robes, a total nitwit, desire to bully all those around him. Sound familiar?"

     Cressida resisted taking another step forward and shutting him up. "Do not speak of my family that way," she dared, "And by the way, he's blond and a first year, but you would have known that if you hadn't been such a disgrace."

     The room was quiet for a long and painful moment. The two house rivals stared at each other dead in the eye. The boy in the corner of the room with a book in his hand finally spoke up. "Okay, what is going on? Who are you?"

     Cressida turned her eyes to examine whoever just spoke. The disheveled brown hair and scars all over his face were a dead giveaway....plus the book sitting in his lap. Remus Lupin, his name was. His reputation at Hogwarts was for being incredibly smart...but he always arrived with more scars than the previous years. Every student believe he was a mystery worth solving. In Cressida's opinion, she could not care less. "I am looking for my younger brother."

     Just as she finished giving her response, Sirius answered the second part of the question. "That is Cressida Thorne. Slytherin fifth year, and a total priss. My family and hers are best buds."

     At the mention of Sirius' family being friends with the Thornes, the three other boys' faces darkened. They've heard the terrible stories of Walburga Black and company, and anyone who associates with them willingly is automatically a bad person. The boy with round glasses and red sneakers resting on Sirius' lap raised his hand, feigning to ask permission to speak. But he didn't wait for anyone to call on him.

     "I'm sorry, what does your brother have anything to do with us?" he added to the conversation in an unusually cold tone. Usually, he would've jumped at seeing a beautiful girl entering their room, but not one who's not only a Slytherin but is close with the Blacks. Not to mention that she was not James' favorite redhead. Cressida was pretty, but she wasn't Lily Evans. James was already taken...well, not yet technically.

     The brunette blinked a few times, surprised at his stupid question. "Obviously what you lack in brain cells you make up for strands of hair on your head. Do you even know what a brush looks like? You could borrow mine if you'd like," she sarcastically remarked, knowing that would rile him up. "Why else would I be here?'

     The blond boy sitting next to James, which Cressida knew was none other than Peter Pettigrew, lightly hit James' arm. "She's asking if we've seen her brother anywhere."

     Cressida nodded, "Exactly, it shouldn't take a mastermind to figure that one out." She crossed her arms, still standing about an inch away from entering the room. "His name is Thomas and I don't know where he is. That's all."

     Sirius rested his head back on the seat, "Sorry Princess, we haven't seen him."

     "But maybe we could help you look?" Peter offered, raising his voice a bit to take the attention away from Sirius and James mouthing silent words to each other. He shot them a quick glance before looking at Remus, asking for backup. Peter knew better than to upset the Slytherin Princess, so out of fear, he offered help.

     Cressida stopped him before he could continue. She could tell her presence was not wanted anymore, nor was it ever. But she was glad to finally be able to leave their space. She might need to shower again after standing in their presence for as long as she did. The girl was grossed out by them. "No thanks, I'll find him myself."

     Cressida turned away from the Marauders and continued looking through each and individual room.

     It didn't take long after that to finally find Thomas. He was exactly where Cressida believed he wouldn't be: sitting with Noah and his malicious friends. Through the glass, she could see how Thomas seemed very uncomfortable and out of place. He was hugging his stomach with his head laying low. Cressida looked at the others laughing with disgusting smirks on their faces. She couldn't exactly hear what was happening inside yet, but it was definitely no good.

     She opened the door and held her hand out for Thomas to take. "Let's go Thomas, we can find a better spot." She didn't dare look at Noah and his poor excuse of friends. They weren't worth her time or attention.

     The young boy's eyes lit up instantly, recognizing his sister's voice. He prepared himself to stand up and take her hand, but something stopped him. No, not something, someone.

     "Piss off Cressida, Thomas is perfectly fine here," Noah leaned back with Thomas' arm gripped tightly under his grasp. "Besides, we were giving him a rundown of what to do once he gets into Slytherin, ain't that right, boys?"

     At once, the three other boys in the room began laughing. One of them looked old for his age, toned with muscles and frown lines creased his face. Cressida believed they were from too much brooding. He spoke up, "That's right, we were just saying how he needs to add some meat to those puny bones. Maybe even a haircut; yours is too untidy."

     Another friend added with a chuckle, "And burn those books of his, yeah?" He roughly grabbed the one in Thomas' hand and read the title out loud, mockingly. " 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them?' The only beasts I know of are Gryffindors and they're not fantastic."

     Everyone except Thomas and Cressida laughed once more.

     Cressida's eye twitched. She could not understand how Noah could just sit back and relax as his friends bullied his brother. Not even sitting back and relaxing, Noah was also partaking in the activity. No wonder Thomas looked miserable sitting there next to him. She hastily took a step into the room and snatched the book back from one of the boys. "If you ever fucking touch Thomas' belongings again, I will have you hanging from the ceiling."

     She looked at her older brother, seething upon seeing how they disrespected Thomas. She leaned closer to him, staring Noah dead in the eye to make her point. "Do not let me catch you hurting Thomas ever again, for your own sake. I'm sure our parents would love to hear how their perfect son is mistreating his own blood."

     Grabbing Thomas' hand, she exited the room, taking her brother's suitcase out of the compartment simultaneously.

     Hearing the commotion, all four Marauders peeked their heads out of their compartment, needing to see what all this angry cursing was about. So saying they were surprised to find the Slytherin Princess yelling at the Slytherin Prince would be an understatement. Everyone in the school believed those two got along like peas in a pod. But now, seeing Cressida drag her younger brother away from Noah was a completely new sight to witness.

     Cressida and Thomas passed by the Marauders; she didn't even spare a glance at them. Instead, she flipped them off while Thomas wasn't watching, giving them the hint to mind their own business.

     "We should find Regulus and sit with him. I haven't seen him yet, though." Cressida mentioned her friend -- actually her only friend. She gave Thomas' hand a reassuring squeeze. "I'm sure he would love to officially meet you."