Hermione had searched the library countless times with Ron and Harry, poring over every book in sight, desperate to find anything on Nicolas Flamel. Ever since Hagrid had accidentally mentioned him in connection to the forbidden floor, the trio had been obsessed with uncovering the truth. But now, with Christmas fast approaching, Hermione had to set the mystery aside—she was going home for the holidays.
After finishing a conversation with Harry and Ron in the Great Hall, her gaze fell on Chiara, sitting alone at the nearly empty table. Ever since meeting her, Hermione had quickly realized how shy and introverted Chiara was.
But that didn't mean she was cold or distant. Chiara had been there for Hermione when she was crying about not having any friends, proving that she did, in fact, consider Hermione one. That small but meaningful moment had led to their growing friendship. Smiling, Hermione walked over and sat beside her.
"Hi."
Chiara looked up, her expression brightening. "Hi. It's good to see you."
"Are you finished packing for the holiday?" Hermione asked, tucking a stray curl behind her ear.
Chiara nodded, encouraging Hermione to continue.
"Do you want to ride the train together? Ron's staying at Hogwarts for Christmas."
Chiara smiled, eyes lighting up, and nodded. "Yes… I'd like that."
Just as Hermione was about to respond, she noticed Chiara's gaze wander over her shoulder.
Turning to follow her line of sight, Hermione spotted the trio of Slytherins—Lucas, Pansy, and Draco—heading toward their house table, their trunks in tow. They were deep in conversation, but too far away for her to make out their words. Hermione frowned.
Each of them was horrid in their own way.
Draco took pleasure in tormenting anyone he deemed inferior, with Muggle-borns as his favorite targets. He wielded his already impressive magic as a weapon to belittle those who weren't as fortunate—like Neville.
Pansy, on the other hand, had a more calculated approach. She had started a business selling bottles of Cure for Boils, but only to Slytherins. The result? Slytherin girls looking far better than the rest of the first years still struggling with the potion. She wasn't as openly cruel as Draco, but she was just as judgmental, always stating so-called facts about pureblood superiority and why only those of proper lineage deserved her product.
Then there was Lucas. The strangest of the bunch. Hermione still vividly remembered the eerie hissing he had made when they first met, as well as his unnerving episodes during flying lessons and Potions class. Unlike Draco and Pansy, Lucas rarely spoke of blood supremacy. Instead, he let his actions speak for him, allowing others to draw their own conclusions.
That's what Hermione hated most about him.
She refused to thank him for helping her and Chiara escape the troll in the bathroom. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of being placed on a pedestal again.
Before she realized it, she was glaring at the group. Shaking herself from her thoughts, she turned back to Chiara and forced a smile.
"Anyway, the train is boarding soon," Hermione said, glancing at Chiara's luggage in a silent suggestion.
Chiara, startled from her own thoughts, quickly gathered her things and stood. "I'm ready."
Hermione smiled and led the way. "Then let's go."
Inside the train, I found myself sitting with Draco and Pansy in a compartment near the back, away from the noise of the engine.
"What are your holiday traditions?" Pansy asked as the train began to move.
Draco was the first to answer. "My family always has a huge feast, and I always get two amazing gifts! My father has excellent taste when it comes to presents."
I noticed his face flush slightly as he turned toward the window, clearly embarrassed by whatever other gift he was referring to. Probably the same problem as mine—our mothers.
"I have a similar experience," I said with a shrug. "Plenty of food and a couple of high-quality gifts."
Pansy chuckled. "I'm the same. I was wondering if anyone did anything more extravagant."
Draco snorted. "What more could I ask for? A week without studying is a gift in itself."
Pansy and I laughed in agreement as the train continued toward our destination.
Once we arrived, we stepped off the train, scanning the platform for our families.
Draco's mother found him first. Without hesitation, she pulled him into a tight embrace, her voice filled with emotion.
"My baby Draco! How was school? I missed you so much!"
"Mom!" he groaned, his face turning crimson while Pansy and I struggled to contain our laughter.
"Lucas!"
Before I could react, my mother wrapped me in her arms, squeezing me tightly.
"Look at you! Did you make friends at school?"
I finally managed to push her back just enough to breathe again. As I did, I caught my father's scrutinizing gaze as he eyed Pansy and Draco thoughtfully.
"Malfoy… good connections…" he muttered before looking down at me with an approving nod. "Well done. I expected nothing less."
I returned the nod as Nalby, our house-elf, took my suitcase.
"It is my honor to carry my master's case," he said reverently.
I smiled at him, ignoring the slight twinge of guilt that accompanied his unwavering devotion.
"Peterson," a smooth voice cut in.
I turned to see Lucius Malfoy approaching, a smirk playing on his lips. His long, platinum hair flowed past his shoulders, and the rhythmic tapping of his cane against the platform was distinct among the surrounding chatter.
"It seems my boy Draco has learned a great deal from your son."
He extended a gloved hand toward my father.
"I hope our boys remain lifelong friends."
My father removed his own glove before clasping Lucius's hand in a firm shake. "It would be both mine and my son's pleasure."
Pansy's parents were the last to arrive.
"Oh! There you are!" her mother called, smiling warmly as she approached.
She was impeccably put together—her dark brown hair styled with precision, each strand perfectly in place. Her deep blue dress was equally flawless.
Pansy's father, in contrast, had short black hair and wore a sharply tailored suit. He walked with the same authority as my own father, but unlike mine, his smile seemed far less distant.
Pansy greeted them with warm hugs before turning to introduce Draco and me.
"Oh, the Petersons!" her father exclaimed, shaking my father's hand. "It's good to finally put a face to the name! You've never attended any of the Ministry's events for our departments."
My father nodded coolly.
"I didn't even know you had a son!" Pansy's mother added, shaking my hand warmly. "It's wonderful to meet a friend of my daughter's!"
I returned the handshake with a polite smile. First impressions mattered. "It's a pleasure to meet you both. Pansy has been a great help in my school life—she even started a business. Well, more like took off with it." I chuckled.
Both parents glanced at Pansy just as she pulled out a large sack of Galleons.
She beamed. "After Lucas helped me create our first batch of Cure for Boils, I started selling the extras to other Slytherin first-years."
Pansy's mother let out a soft gasp of surprise before turning to me and my parents. "That's quite the boy you have there! I can see why you wanted to keep him all to yourselves."
She laughed, and my mother joined in.
As our parents continued their discussions, I let out a quiet sigh.
Pureblood society was full of hidden meanings and unspoken rules. Right now, each of our parents was carefully evaluating their children's friendships, determining if they were beneficial enough for their family's future.
Mother had always told me to make good friends.
What she really meant was—make valuable connections.
Luckily, I had passed with flying colors.