Chapter Text
The train corridor was bustling with students when the American girl stopped to catch her breath. Her trunk was heavy, and she was starting to wonder if she’d ever find an empty compartment when she nearly tripped over something small and slimy.
“Oh no, Trevor!” a boy’s anxious voice called from behind her. She turned to see a round-faced boy with slightly messy brown hair darting toward her, his eyes wide with panic.
“Is this yours?” she asked, crouching down to scoop up the toad. It squirmed slightly in her hands but didn’t try to escape. The boy skidded to a halt in front of her, clutching his knees as he tried to catch his breath. “Y-yeah. Thanks. He’s always getting away from me.”
She handed the toad back with a small smile. “He’s got a lot of energy for a little guy.”
“Yeah,” the boy said, standing up straighter. “He’s a handful. I’m Neville, by the way—Neville Longbottom. And this is Trevor.” He gestured to the toad, now safely cradled in his hands. She introduced herself with a nod and a slight smile, her voice carrying an accent that made Neville blink in brief confusion.
Before he could ask where she was from, a drawling voice cut through the air. “Well, well, what do we have here?” They both turned to see a tall, blond boy approaching, flanked by two larger boys who looked more like bodyguards than friends. The blond boy’s smirk widened as he took in the scene.
“Longbottom and... an unfamiliar face? Didn’t think Hogwarts was taking in strays.”
“And you are?” the girl asked, her tone polite but sharp. Neville’s grip on Trevor tightened as he inched slightly closer to her.
“Draco Malfoy,” the boy said, his smirk growing even smugger. “These are Crabbe and Goyle.” He gestured lazily to the two boys behind him, who chuckled on cue.
“Nice to meet you, I guess,” she said flatly, already unimpressed. Draco’s gray eyes flicked over her, lingering for a moment before he spoke again.
“Your accent,” he began, his voice dripping with mockery. “It’s so... funny.” Her lips curved into a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“Funny you say that,” she replied, leaning forward slightly. “I was under the impression that Hogwarts was a school for learning magic, not a comedy club.” A snicker came from somewhere down the corridor, and Draco’s smirk faltered just a bit. Neville’s eyes widened, and his grip on Trevor loosened as he glanced nervously between the two of them.
“Careful,” Draco warned, his tone sharpening. “You don’t want to make enemies on your first day.” She crossed her arms over her chest, her expression unbothered.
“Thanks for the advice,” she said, her voice calm but cutting. “But I could say the same to you." Draco’s pale cheeks tinged with pink, but before he could retort, a sharp voice from further down the corridor interrupted.
“Malfoy! Quit blocking the way, or I’ll tell the prefects.” Draco shot her one last glare before turning on his heel and striding off, Crabbe and Goyle lumbering after him.
As the trio disappeared, Neville let out a breath he seemed to have been holding for the entire encounter. “That was... brave,” he said.
She shrugged, a small grin tugging at her lips. “That wasn’t bravery,” she said lightly. “Just putting a snob in his place.”
Neville’s face turned pink, and he glanced out the window, but she could see the beginnings of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. As the train rattled on toward Hogwarts, she felt a little less alone, knowing that maybe, just maybe, she’d already made her first friend.