The Half-Blood...Malfoy?

Chapter Two: So...Magical

The train's whistle blew, and Dante stood on the platform surrounded by a trunk, a small, black, carry-on bag, and a carrying case for his cat, Xerxes. The small, gray tabby could barely be seen, cuddled in the blanket his master had procured for him.

"Xerxes, you alright?" A small mewing noise escaped the plastic, but was drowned out by the whistle again.

"Name, please!" Dante looked up from the cat-box, and saw a very official looking man with a clipboard.

"Dante Summer." The man didn't even look at him; he just put a check on the page, and walked away. "I suppose we should find a seat, eh Xerxes?" The clock showed ten-thirty, and he was one in the middle of about ten families that filled the platform.

He only wished that his mother could be there. Isabella had told her son early that morning that there was some very important business she had to attend to. Dante didn't bother asking what it was; he just assumed that it was another job interview. She'd been going to them almost every day since their arrival to England, but she still couldn't find a job.

Dante boarded the train, and sat in the first available compartment he found. He slid the door closed and let Xerxes out of his box. A small head popped out and the cat could be seen sniffing the air. Xerxes had been his birthday present the year before. Since they had very little income, Isabella could barely afford a small amount of food for the cat, but her son refused to part with it.

Dante's fellow Durmstrang students had teased him about the affection he showed for Xerxes. They called him a sissy boy, and "kitty-lover." Not that it bothered him, but he often felt lonely, only having a cat for company. Maybe it'll be different here. He often thought that. It's a new place and no one knows me. I can make a fresh start. Even though a fresh start in his fourth year would be difficult to pull off, Dante remained confident.

"Is anyone sitting here?" The door slid back open slowly. He glanced at his watch. 10:45. Are the other places full already? Looking at the speaker, he realized that she was one of the others that had arrived early.

"Ummm...no. Just me, and Xerxes." The cat darted back into its sanctuary as soon as it noticed the stranger's gaze lingering so intently on him.

"Thanks." She sat down opposite Dante, and held out her hand. "Gwynn Ellery. First year."

He shook her hand, and replied, "Dante Summer. Fourth year, but my first at Hogwarts."

"Really?" she asked excitedly. "Where are you transferring from?"

"Durmstrang. My mother and I moved to London last week."

"What about your father?" His expression went from jovial to gloomy in the blink of an eye.

"Well, if you really want to know, I never met him. Mom says it's better that way. I don't even know his name."

"Oh, I'm so sorry. My family has lived in London my entire life, so I get a little over-excited at the thought of foreign places. My gran says that I should be head of The Department of International Magical Cooperation, or something of the sort, but I think she just humors me too much."

They talked until the train began to slow down as it entered Hogsmeade Station, pausing only because Gwynn had to leave to change into her robes.

When the train had finally come to a halt, they stepped out onto the platform. "Firs' years! Over 'ere! This way firs' years!" An enormous man holding a lantern was directing the younger students away from the rest.

"Excuse me!" Dante scrambled toward him. "Where should I go?"

"An' who migh' you be?"

"Dante Summer. I'm transferring from Durmstrang this year."

"Oh, righ'! Dumbledore told me 'bout you. Come with the firs' years." He raised his voice again. "This way! Firs' years!"

Gwynn caught up with Dante and said, "You heard the man. Follow us short kids!" He laughed, and they sped off in the direction the giant pointed.

They found themselves on a small dock with a few other assorted first years, looking across a vast, black lake. The still water reflected the moonlight, and another dark shape Dante couldn't distinguish. Looking up, he suddenly realized what it was. The Hogwarts castle sat upon a hill, windows glowing with bright candlelight.

"Wow," Gwynn whispered lightly. "It's so..."

"Magical?" Dante suggested.

"Yeah. Magical."