Heirs of the Founders

Heirs of the Founders 4

Rabbit & Moon Pub

Adam Moon was Muggleborn. From the moment he received his letter he knew he had to learn about Hogwarts and find out why he was chosen to go to the school. His parents had weird feelings toward it. His mother was somewhat understanding but his father wouldn't have it. He tried telling his father that it was his destiny to find out who he was. Not willing to accept his son to be a wizard and blaming it all on his wife, Adam's father left his family before Adam even left on the train. It was hard but Adam had to follow his destiny. He had to find out how this other world he knew nothing about knew about him. He had to make something of himself.

Hogwarts was wonderful. He learned things in a whole knew view. One of his favorite teachers--Professor Slughorn--kept telling him that he'd go far. Professor Slughorn was impressed at how much of a hard worker he was.

Adam Moon met his sweetheart in Hogwarts, Candace Smith. Candace's oldest sister, Hephzibah thought they'd make a great couple and though they came from a pureblood family, she didn't care that he was muggleborn. Adam worked at The Leaky Cauldron which was a surprise to many of his friends. When people asked him why he was working there, especially when he had two children to look after, he explained that he wanted to own a pub himself. He just didn't know where to build one.

Then he did some traveling around Great Britain. He found the perfect spot in Wales. There were no stores or even pubs for the wizarding community there. The people there would have to apparate or floo to Diagon Alley just like everyone else. Yes, apparation was not much of a problem, but what if they didn't feel like it? What if they were trying to save up their floo powder? It wasn't all that cheap.

Adam Moon moved his wife, seven year old daughter and five year old son to Wales to pursue his dream. Once he got the land and began the place, he needed a name for it. He wanted to put his name on it somehow. He just couldn't find something snappy enough. Then his little daughter, Serena, spoke up.

"How about Rabbit and Moon?" she asked.

"A rabbit?" her brother Samuel demanded. "That sounds stupid!"

"No, there's a legend about a rabbit in the moon!" Serena insisted. "We can call it Rabbit and Moon."

"Rabbit and Moon," Mr. Moon said, "I like that, Serena."

Serena grinned at her brother. "See?"

"Kind of like story of the Man in the Moon," Mr. Moon said thoughtfully, "but this one's got a ring to it. Rabbit and Moon it is then!"

"Yay!" Serena jumped for joy.

As a result for coming up for the name for the pub, Mr. Moon nicknamed Serena "Bunny". The pub sign out front was a moon with a rabbit dancing around it. There were decorations of moons and rabbits and stars inside the pub which made the wizarding community want to come again and again. They felt so welcome at the Rabbit and Moon pub and they loved the rooms with the astronomy related beds and carpet and furniture. The ceiling in the dining area was enchanted, a lot like the ceiling in the Great Hall at Hogwarts. It was like having a lesson in astronomy every time people came into the pub for a drink.

As Serena got older, she worked as a barmaid in her father's pub. She was pretty good at mixing their drinks and bringing them by. Serena had a rare ability, even as a witch. She was a metamorphmagus. She thought it came in handy when she had to do her hair in a hurry. Little kids loved her. She'd made funny faces for them if they wre upset.. Even with older wizards that came into the pub trying to drown their sorrows with ale, she'd always say, "why the long face?" and she'd make her face become unnaturally long. Nine out of ten times it got the sad person to crack up laughing.

She liked to experiment with different looks. Sometimes she'd like teasing customers by changing appearance when they brought their drinks so they thought there more barmaids in the pub. The Moons were proud of the Rabbit and Moon Pub.. Mrs. Moon cleaned the rooms and made the dinners while Sammy was a busboy and their father of course owned and managed the place. The wizarding folk in Wales were so happy to have a pub that it inspired them. Someone opened a book publisher, and then someone opened an apothecary and then a wizarding knick-knack store. They just needed a Gringrott's Bank, a robes store, and a wand store and Serena could do all her school shopping without leaving her village!

But Serena got her letter before their small village could grow. It didn't matter. Serena still liked Diagon Alley and maybe she could talk some people into expanding. The school owl came and dropped her Hogwarts letter right on the counter as they were starting for another day. Serena stared at it, ripped it open and shouted for joy.

"Dad! Mum!" she exclaimed, running into the back. "I got my Hogwarts letter!"

"Oh, Bunny, I'm so proud of you!" her father said. "That's wonderful!"

Serena's mother hugged her tearfully. "Oh, I knew you'd get your letter of course--you're so talented. It's just a big step. My baby girl's growing up!"

"I can't wait to tell Belle!" Serena cried. "Can I go and see her before it gets busy? I want to see if she's got hers yet."

"I suppose so," said Mr. Moon. "I want to have a party when you return."

"Thanks!" Serena kissed her parents and almost ran down her brother on her way out. "Sorry, Sam! I got my letter! Wait until you get yours!"

"That's great, Serena," said Sam. "I guess I'll be getting your tips then!"

Serena laughed at her brother's teasing remark. They always teased and played together. Serena hurried out the pub to her best friend's house, Arabella Perkins. They were best friends since they were little kids and all they could talk about was going to Hogwarts. Serena had forgotten about flooing herself by the time she got to the Perkins' household.

"Hi Mr. Perkins!" Serena exclaimed. "Is Arabella home?"

"She's in her room," he answered, looking kind of upset. "Won't you come in?"

He let her in and Serena came to Arabella's room. "Guess what, Belle? I got my Hogwarts letter!"

"Congratulations," she muttered, lying on her bed.

"Are you all right?" Serena asked in concern as she came over. "You're not sick, are you?"

"I'm fine," Arabella said, sitting up. She looked like she had been crying.

"Hey, look," Serena handed her Hogwarts letter to her. Arabella looked it over and pushed it back to Serena.

"That's great."

"Where's yours?" Serena looked around.

"My dresser," Arabella replied, pointing to a parchment on her dresser. "But you don't want to look at it."

"Sure I do," Serena said, walking over to Arabella's dresser. She picked up the letter and read it over. Serena's eyes widened. It was nothing like hers.

Dear Miss Perkins,

I am sorry to inform you that you have not been accepted to Hogwarts.

Serena didn't want to read the rest. She looked tearfully at her best friend. "This...this isn't an acceptance letter! Why haven't you been accepted?"

"Isn't it obvious, Serena?" Arabella demanded. "I'm a useless squib!"

Serena's mouth dropped. "Oh, Belle."

This couldn't be. Arabella and Serena were supposed to go to Hogwarts together. It wouldn't be the same without her. Hogwarts had to have made a mistake. They had to.

"I should've known," Arabella frowned. "I didn't show any sign of have having powers like my brother Jed."

"Hey, maybe you'll show signs later," Serena said hopefully.

"Oh sure, I'll be ninety when I'll finally be able to transfigure a teacup!" Arabella spat.

Serena sighed. "Well, we do things when we really scared or mad. Maybe I can help scare magic out of you."

"Don't bother," Arabella rolled her eyes. "Jed's already tried and I about knocked him out when I hit him over the head with the frying pan."

"Let me try," Serena closed her eyes as if trying to remember something. Then her pretty heart-shaped face was changed into something very scary and grotesque. "GAR!"

"Aaah!" Arabella grabbed her pillow and smacked Serena's head. "Change back, change back!"

Serena closed her eyes and she was changed back.

"Did you do anything?" Serena asked.

"No," Arabella muttered, "that look really isn't good for you."

"You want to go to the pub?" Serena asked. "I can get you your favorite ice cream sundae."

"Well, all right," Arabella said, "your ice cream was always able to help me feel better before."

Serena couldn't believe the news. If Arabella was a squib then they wouldn't be able to do things they always talked about. It was going to be so hard being at Hogwarts without her best friend. She wouldn't even be able to talk about it. Was Arabella ever going to live it down?

Arabella slowly ate her ice cream. She thought the ice cram sundae would help but it didn't. The Moons were surprised about Arabella's being a Squib but there was nothing they or anyone else could do. It wasn't like they could split their magical ability and give her some. It didn't seem to help Arabella much when the Rabbit and Moon regulars were giving Serena their best wishes and her father shouting "DRINKS ON THE HOUSE! MY DAUGHTER'S GOING TO HOGWARTS!"

Serena sensed this made Arabella feel worse so she brought Arabella to her room. Cosmos, Serena's black and white speckled pet Kneazle purred at the sight of them and curled herself into Arabella's lap. Because of Cosmos' black coat with white speckles resembling stars and the Moon's fascination with astronomy, Serena named her Kneazle Cosmos.

"Thanks for trying to cheer me up, Serena," Arabella sighed, scratching Cosmos behind the ears. "But it doesn't change anything."

"Well, you can come with me to Diagon Alley when I get my supplies," Serena said. "You can help me get my robes and we can go to Jambol and Gapes."

"No thanks," Arabella said. "We're going to go to St. Mungos to see just how...how much magic I do have. Maybe the Healers can do something."

"There's always Kwikspell," Serena stated.

"Yeah, that's true," Arabella moaned. "Oh, I can't believe I can't go to Hogwarts! I just feel so useless!"

"You're not useless!" Serena exclaimed.

"Then tell me, what are Squibs good for?" Arabella demanded. "I can't do anything. Do I start living as a muggle now?"

"Belle, there must be a reason why you're a Squib," Serena told her. "And it's not because you're useless--because nobody is useless--you will find out why you were a Squib. We don't know why these things happen, but things happen for a reason."

"But...what am I supposed to do?"

"I don't know," Serena said honestly. "But I'm sure you'll work it out. Go to St. Mungos with your family and maybe they can do something. There is Kwikspell and you can start taking that when you're ready. My father told me about destiny. He didn't understand how he got his Hogwarts letter but he knew it was his destiny to find out. There was a reason why he got that letter and look--he founded this Pub and there are wizard shops here in Cardiff. You have a destiny too, Belle and with time, you'll find out what it is."

Arabella nodded tearfully. "Does this...change anything? We're still going to be best friends, aren't we?"

Serena laughed and took Arabella's hands. "Of course! I don'' care if you're a Squib or not, you're still my best friend and we're always going to be best friends. It doesn't matter how much magic you've got in your blood, it's what you do with it that really matters!"

Arabella beamed at her best friend. "Oh Serena--that really means a lot. You're the best!"

The two embraced and Arabella wiped a tear from her eye. Serena smiled.

"And if it makes you feel any better," Serena closed her eyes and her face was a mirror image of Arabella's, "I'll go to Hogwarts like this!"

Arabella laughed. "You always know how to make me feel better, but I don't want you looking like me all year."

"The train ride then," Serena said, "so then in some way, you are at least riding the Hogwarts Express."

"I'd like that, Serena," Arabella smiled.

--

Serena flooed with her mother to Diagon Alley while her brother and father watched the Pub. They picked up money from their vault and had her robes fitted. After which, Serena told her mother she'd like to get her wand by herself and asked if her other would get her books.

"Serena, are you sure?" her mother asked. "I don't mind going with you."

"Oh I'm sure," Serena said, "Mr. Bones told me getting a wand usually takes a long time and I don't want make you wait. I'd like to get back to the pub. Besides, I think it would be good to get my wand on my own."

"Well, all right then," Mrs. Moon gave her a couple extra galleons than what Serena needed.

"Mom, wands are only five galleons!" Serena laughed. "I was going to use my tip money for my wand."

"Yes well, some wands are more expensive," Mrs. Moon told her, "and I thought you'd like to go to Florclean's later. Get yourself a treat, dear and meet me at the Apothecary."

"That place smells," Serena moaned.

Mrs. Moon laughed. "I know, Serena, but we need to get your potion supplies somewhere!"

Mrs. Moon turned for Flourish and Blotts while Serena walked up the alley and entered Ollivander's wand shop. Mr. Ollivander was already helping a customer--mostly likely a first year like herself--a tall boy with dark hair and pale skin. He was dressed in ragged Muggle clothes that made him look like, Serena felt bad to think it, but the boy looked like an orphan. Next to the counter were all his belongings. His cauldron, scales, loads of books and robes that looked like they were purchased at the second hand shop. Serena said a quick hello to Mr. Ollivander and stood behind the boy to wait her turn. Wands were piled upon the chair in the back. The boy was looking nervous and Mr. Ollivander seemed to notice. He was acting excited, as he usually did when finding the right wand became difficult.

Mr. Ollivander opened perhaps the thirtieth box. "I've had this one for quite a long time and no one's shown any reaction to it. Thirteen and a half inches, phoenix feather, Yew."

"Yew?" Serena gasped. "Mr. Ollivander, isn't Yew the tree of death?"

Mr. Ollivander smiled, impressed. "Why, Miss Moon, you are right. You know your woods."

Serena nodded. "Yes, I've read a little about them."

Mr. Ollivander handed the wand of death to the young boy and the temperature dropped dramatically in the room. It felt eerie and there was a stench, like death. Serena covered her nose. The boy grinned and raised the wand over his head and brought it down like a sword, as if he were about to hack someone to pieces. There was a hiss that escaped his wand like a snake followed by silver and green stars.

"Wow," Serena breathed, "you've found one!"

"This is mine?" the boy asked, gazing at Mr. Ollivander.

"Yes, it has chosen you," Mr. Ollivander said as he took the wand back and began wrapping it. "How interesting. The wand has been in my possession for more than ten years. I never had a wand like that before. Thirteen and a half inches, phoenix feather, Yew...very rare...very powerful."

"Powerful?" the dark-haired boy said, his eyes perking with interest. "Really? Just how powerful?"

"Well, my dear boy," Mr. Ollivander said, "I cannot tell you for certain, but you will soon see as you use your wand. Curious...how curious."

Serena looked at the boy carefully. It was strange how he was suddenly so interested in how powerful his wand was. There was something odd about that boy. Something scary.

"That will be five Galleons and eight sickles, please," said Mr. Ollivander.

"Er, oh, right, of course," said the boy, reaching into his pockets and pulling out all his money. He counted out three gold Galleons, six Sickles and one Knut. His mouth dropped and he felt embarrassed and stupid. He bought more books than he had to at Flourish and Blotts. When he saw all the different types of books, what he could earn, he just couldn't help himself. He should have gotten his wand first. It was what he wanted most of all. He wanted one himself the moment Dumbledore used his own. Tom just wanted to save it for last, but now, he didn't have enough money to get it!

"I-I'm s-sorry," he mumbled, "I'm afraid I'm short. Is it all right if I go and sell something and--"

Serena reached in her pocket and put the remainder of the money needed for the wand down on the counter. "I'll pay the rest, Mr. Ollivander."

"How thoughtful of you, Miss Moon," said Mr. Ollivander.

The boy turned to Serena. Instead of looking grateful, he looked more embarrassed than he already was and he looked angry. Nevertheless, he did his best to sound polite.

"You...don't...have...to..." he said through his teeth.

"I want to," Serena said softly. "It's all right. I just wanted to help."

"Thank you," he muttered, turning back to the counter. Mr. Ollivander had the wand wrapped and set in a bag for him. He took his wand and other belongings and started for the door.

"I'll see you in Hogwarts," Serena said after him but he was gone without another word. Serena stared at the door for a second or two.

I don't think he has many friends, poor boy.

"Well, Miss Moon, let's start looking for your wand then, eh?" Mr. Ollivander said.

"Hmm? Oh, yes, thank you, Mr. Ollivander."

After a few tries, Serena finally found a swishy ten inch Willow wand with a unicorn hair core. When she paid for her wand and left the shop, she didn't feel like getting ice cream. Her mind was still on that boy she saw in Ollivander's. She didn't even get his name. She wasn't sure what to think about the boy yet but perhaps they could be friends. She hoped so, because he seemed like the sort of boy you didn't want to become enemies with.

--

When Serena returned to Cardiff, she and Arabella talked about their different days over a game of Gobstones. Serena didn't like the game very much. She always lost but Arabella was quite good at it. Squib or not, Arabella played like a professional.

"They did every test they could think of," Arabella said sourly. "But they found no magic in me at all."

"You're still young," Serena reminded her. "Just give it time."

"Yeah, I guess so," Arabella moaned, rolling her marble and gaining an extra point. "Enough about my day, how was yours?"

"Oh, it was all right," Serena said with a shrug. "I've been to Diagon Alley loads of times, it wasn't that great."

Arabella however, saw right through her. "Serena, it's okay, you don't have to pretend for my sake. You can tell me all about it. I don't mind."

Serena sighed. "You sure?"

"Of course," Arabella insisted, "I want to know everything."

"Well, all right," Serena said, "I got my robes first. I was getting fitted next to this really rude girl. I have no idea who she was but she kept telling Madame Malkin she was making her robes wrong."

"What did Madame Malkin do?"

"I think she told her to be quiet," Serena said with a slight grin. "Oh--and after that--I went to get my wand. I wanted to get it myself so my mom got my books."

"Why?"

"Something Mr. Bones told me," Serena replied, "getting your wand usually takes the longest and it's the best part of getting your stuff, because it's personal. It's what connects with you, so I wanted to get it on my own."

"Well, I guess that makes sense," said Arabella.

"Mr. Ollivander was helping a boy when I got there," Serena said, "he was quite handsome."

"Who was he?" Arabella asked urgently.

"I didn't get his name," Serena replied, looking rather embarrassed.

"Serena, what's wrong with you?" Arabella demanded playfully. "You never forget to ask someone for their name?"

"Well, Mr. Ollivander was helping him, you know," Serena insisted, "it seemed pretty awkward to just introduce myself there. But I'll see him in school, maybe at the train."

"Yeah," Arabella smiled, "you still going to take the train disguised as me?"

"Of course I am," Serena smiled back. "I just hope Jed won't notice."

"Oh, Jed won't care," Arabella stated.

Serena continued telling Arabella about her day when she lost a point and her marble squirted an acrid liquid in her face. Arabella laughed.

"Can't we play something else?" Serena asked, using a handkerchief to wipe her face. "I hate Gobstones; I always lose!"

--

"Serena, wake up!" she heard her mother's magically magnified voice boom in her room. "You're going to miss the train!"

Serena rose up quickly. "The train? Oh no, term starts today, I forgot!"

She got out of bed and stepped on Cosmos' tail. Cosmos hissed and Serena jumped off. "Oh, sorry, Cosmos!"

Serena pulled on some Muggle clothes so she wouldn't get too many funny looks from Muggles. Checking her trunk to see that everything was in it, she hurried downstairs with Cosmos at her heels. As Serena's mother was worried about Serena's safety, just as any protective mother would, Serena insisted that she would be all right as long as she had Cosmos with her. Serena had Cosmos since she was a little kid and Cosmos acted like her guardian all the time.

Travelers for the night were downstairs eating breakfast when she came.

"Starting at school, aren't you?" said a wizard.

"Yes sir," Serena said, exasperated. "Mum, I'm ready!"

"All right," said Mrs. Moon as she came forward, "we'll take the Knight Bus and--Serena--you haven't even done your hair yet! You can't go to school like that!"

"Oh, oops," Serena picked up a spoon then closed her eyes. Her tangled blond locks shrank to short and wavy red hair and her heart-shaped face became round, just like Arabella's. "There, that's better."

"Serena, you look like Arabella Perkins," Mrs. Moon muttered.

"I know," Serena said, "I told Belle I'd ride the Hogwarts Express looking like her. Please let me go like this Mum. This way I will feel like she's with me."

"Oh, fine," Mrs. Moon moaned, "come on, let's hurry! You've got half an hour!"

"Oh, that's plenty of time," Serena grunted as they left the pub with trunk in tow.

--

Serena found a compartment with two other girls and surprisingly, Tom Riddle, the same boy she saw in Diagon Alley.

"Hello there!" she said brightly. "We meet again!"

Tom looked uncertainly up at her. "Excuse me, do I know you?"

"We met in Diagon Alley," Serena said, "don't you--oh--er--nevermind."

She suddenly realized she was still in the disguise of her best friend Arabella Perkins. He wouldn't recognize her like this. Serena shook her head and waved her hand.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Serena mumbled, "I must've mistaken you for someone else I knew."

He shrugged and continued reading a term book. Serena sat next to him, stroking Cosmos. Cosmos was watching Tom carefully.

"Is that a Kneazle?" said the girl across from Serena with long black hair.

"Yes," Serena answered, "her name is Cosmos."

"Wow, how did you get away with bringing her?" the girl said as she stood up to being petting Cosmos. Cosmos, sensing that the girl had a pure heart, purred softly.

Serena shrugged. "Well, I'm allowed to bring a cat."

"My name's Raye Potter, by the way," said the girl.

"I'm Serena Moon," Serena stated.

"Hey, doesn't someone in your family own the Rabbit and Moon Pub in Wales?" Raye questioned.

Serena grinned proudly. "Yes, my dad but our whole family runs it."

"My father's been there a couple of times," she said, "I think he stayed in the Blue Moon room."

"What does your dad do?" Serena asked.

"He's in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement," Raye replied, "and my Mum's a--well--a Squib."

"Nothing to be ashamed of."

"I didn't say I was!" Raye barked.

"Sorry," Serena sighed. "My best friend is a Squib. She didn't get accepted to Hogwarts and she feels really bad about it, like she's useless."

"That's awful," said the other girl who was seated. Like the boy, she was also reading a book. She looked over her book.

"What's your name?" Serena asked.

"Amy Fawcett," she replied.

"Fawcett?" Serena scratched her head. She didn't know anyone with the last name Fawcett staying at her father's Inn, but of course, she didn't know everyone that came into the Inn.

"My father is a Muggle," Amy explained at Serena's pondering look, "he's an artist. He got attacked by a Jarvey while painting so he was sent to St. Mungos. My mother is a healer there and that's how they met."

Serena smiled. "Oh, that's so romantic!"

"I suppose it is," Amy blushed.

"What about you?" Serena turned to the boy.

"Hmm?" his dark eyes lifted from his book.

"Tell us about yourself."

"There isn't much to tell," he said.

"What's your name then?" Raye inquired.

"Tom Riddle." He went back to reading.

The train started moving and Raye sat down. Moments later, a witch came by their compartment with the sweet trolley.

"Anything off the trolley, dears?"

Being the daughter of a healer, Amy shook her head. She didn't care much for sweets. Tom Riddle didn't have any money to spare, even if he did like some.

"Have you any Fizzy Whizbees?" Raye asked.

"I'm afraid I'm out," said the witch.

"Oh, shame," Raye moaned.

"I wouldn't recommend those," Amy whispered, "I hear they have Billywig stings."

"Is that right?" Raye asked with a grin. "Well no wonder I like them so much. I used to sting myself all the time with those things when I was a kid. Still do."

Serena stood up and brought out some of her tip money. "Four Cauldron Cakes and four Chocolate Frogs, please."

"One Sickle and three Knuts," said the witch.

Serena paid for her sweets and the witch left. Serena tossed a cauldron cake and a Chocolate Frog each to the rest of the compartment.

"Why thank you," Raye said, "you really shouldn't have."

"I don't mind," Serena said, "I hear the train ride is hours long."

"Do you know what they put in Cauldron Cakes?" Amy asked Raye, turning hers around.

"Nothing poisonous, I'm sure," Raye said.

"Chocolate Frogs?" Tom Riddle asked, gazing at his Chocolate Frog. Just what did Serena give him to eat? Did she expect him to eat this?

"Oh, they're not real frogs," Serena said. "It's just a spell but be careful when you open them. They jump."

Tom opened his Chocolate Frog and sure enough, it jumped from the box. Tom threw his hands in the air to catch it. Holding the enchanted sweet in hand tightly, he brought it to his mouth and bit off its head. It tasted just like chocolate, but sweeter.

"Thanks," he said to Serena.

Serena nodded and began opening her own Chocolate Frog, followed by the other girls. Raye caught her frog before it got away with her. Seeing how realistic the frogs were, Amy just let hers get away.

"What's this?" Tom inquired, picking a card out of the box.

"Oh, those come with the Chocolate Frogs," Raye explained, "each one has a famous witch or wizard. They're fun to collect. I wonder who I got--oh my goodness--I have Godric Gryffindor! I've always wanted one of him!"

She showed the card to the rest of the compartment to show a brave looking wizard with an auburn hair and beard holding a sword. She took in a deep breath and started reading the description on Godric Gryffindor.

"Godric Gryffindor, one of the four Founders of Hogwarts Witchcraft and Wizardry was perhaps the bravest wizard of the age. He was an exceptional broom rider and has been on many adventures fighting dragons and other dangerous beasts.

"What did the rest of you get?" Raye asked the group.

"I have Helga Hufflepuff," Serena replied. "Hey, she looks sort of like me." She showed the others the card and when they compared Helga's face with Serena's, they were really doubtful.

"No she doesn't," Raye said.

"Oh, well, according to the card, she was a metamorphamagus," Serena said quickly and had to remind herself again, she was sitting her in the form of her best friend. "Helga Hufflepuff, Hogwarts co founder, was skilled in Herbology and also had the rare gift of a metamorphamagus."

"I've got Rowena Ravenclaw," Amy stated, "Rowena Ravenclaw, Hogwarts Co-founder was a very wise and creative witch. She was a skilled Healer, Arithmancer and Runes Master."

"I'm guessing you got Slytherin?" Raye asked Tom, but she sounded more rude than interested. She knew of Slytherin's reputation.

"Yes," Tom answered icily. "Salazar Slytherin--one of the two wizards of the Hogwarts Founders--was famous for his ability to speak to snakes, known as Parseltongue."

Tom paused. He wasn't able to finish. He could speak to snakes too.

"What else is there, Tom?" Serena asked.

Tom cleared his throat and continued. "He was also a skilled Occulemens and Legilmens."

He looked at Slytherins' face for a moment. Slytherin nodded and then he disappeared. "He's gone."

"They do that," Serena explained, "he'll be back shortly."

Tom examined his card. "What do you have to do to get your face on these things?"
"Wow, planning on becoming famous?" Serena said playfully.

"Maybe," Tom said, "I'd do anything to get my face one of these. Who do you have to talk to? What do you need to do?"

"Just do great things, I suppose," Serena said with a shrug. "Start your own collection, look what those wizards and witches have done. There are inventors, healers, people that founded places. Go and do great things, write to the people who make Chocolate Frogs and they might just put you in one."

"How much are these cards?" Tom asked.

"Ten Knuts," Serena answered, "you must be Muggleborn."

"Muggleborn?" Tom looked at her. He remembered reading something about Muggleborns in one of his history books, but Tom couldn't be Muggleborn, could he? Somehow he felt that one of his parents was magical. They had to be. He didn't want to believe he was Muggleborn and he still couldn't grasp the truth that magical people could die. They should be able to live forever.

"Yeah, I mean, you don't seem to know much about the Wizarding World," Serena said, "my father was Muggleborn too. Didn't even know wizards existed."

"I don't think I'm Muggleborn," said Tom.

"What do your parents say?"

"They didn't tell me anything," Tom said, pulling up his book. He didn't want to get into his life story with these girls. He didn't know enough to tell them anyway. Serena frowned and looked at her card.

"You know, I guess since we all got the four founders," she said, "it must be a sign of what house we'll be in."

"Yes, I thought Ravenclaw would suit me," Amy agreed, "but no one really knows what house they'll be in."

"I hope I'm in Gryffindor," said Raye, "Professor Dumbledore is Head of Gryffindor House."

"Professor Dumbledore?" Tom said awkwardly.

"Yes," Raye stated, "you've heard of him?"

"Yeah," Tom said, "I met him."

"You have?" Raye gasped. "What did you think of him?"

Tom shrugged. "I didn't really like him."

"Why not?" Raye demanded. "He's brilliant! He's the greatest wizard of the century!"

"I didn't think he was great," Tom said coolly.

"Well, you don't look like the Gryffindor type anyway," Raye muttered, "only the bravest go there."

"Are you calling me a coward?" Tom's hand twitched to his pocket but before he could do anything, Serena's pet Kneazle slashed his hand.

"Cosmos!" Serena pulled her Kneazle away from Tom. Tom yelled in surprised, jumping up and leaning against the window. He grabbed his hand and glared at Serena.

"It scratched me!"

"You deserved it!" Raye shouted.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Tom!" Serena cried, holding Cosmos tightly to keep her from getting away and attacking Tom even more. "She's never acted like this before! I don't think she meant it. Cosmos, stop! No!"

Cosmos hissed and wriggled to get out of her master's grasp. Serena had to hold on tighter.

"Here," Amy reached in her bag and pulled out an ointment for cuts. "Here, let me--"

Tom slapped her hand away. "Don't touch me!"

Amy gasped and backed up, looking tearful.

"Hey, she was only trying to help!" Raye snarled.

"I didn't need your help!" Tom hissed. "I can take care of myself!"

"Fine," Raye muttered, pulling open the compartment door. "Get out."

"No, please," Serena said, "it's all--"

"Go find another compartment if you can't behave yourself," Raye said, ignoring Serena. Her eyes were locked on Tom. "Go on now!"

"All right," Tom grabbed his trunk and bag. Blood dripping onto the floor, Tom left the compartment and Raye slammed it closed. Cosmos continued hissing and snarling, her tail whipping madly.

"Cosmos, calm down!" Serena scolded, dropping her Kneazle. Serena looked at Raye.

"Why did you do that?" Serena asked her. "You didn't have to make him leave!"

"I couldn't stand him," said Raye.

"Then why didn't you leave?"

"Because he was the one your Kneazle attacked!" Raye muttered. "Don't you know why she scratched him?"

"It was an accident."

"No accident," Raye said heavily. "If you had your Kneazle this long you would've known that they can detect unsavory and suspicious people and that boy was just as suspicious as they come!"

"He didn't seem suspicious to me," Serena whispered, "just lonely."

Raye laughed and shook her head. "If he was lonely and wanted friends, he wouldn't have acted the way he did. Your Kneazle knew there was something wrong about that boy when you came in. I was watching her!"

"But--Cosmos never attacked anybody--never!" Serena looked at her Kneazle. "She snarled at a few dodgy wizards that didn't pay but she didn't attack anyone."

"I sensed something wrong about Tom," Raye frowned, walking to her seat. "I bet you ten Galleons he'll be in Slytherin--he has it written all over him."

"Well, even if he is," Serena said, "that doesn't make him a bad person!"

"I guess we'll see about that," Raye groaned.

Serena told Cosmos to return to the seat and she looked out the compartment window, peering where Tom had gone. Was he really as dangerous as Raye had said? Why did her Kneazle attack him and if Tom really was dangerous, would he ever come around?

To Be Continued