Fragile Delay

Chapter I - Chapter One

The hustle and bustle of Platform 9 and ¾ was nearly overwhelming. Struggling new first year students moving around confused, seventh year students bored right out of their mind—the usual. This was how things ran, and although it wasn't always smooth, it worked. For the most part.

A small, tired yawn escaped the girl's lips. Other students talked loudly amongst their peers over what they did over the summer and so on. Not that she was listening, as what they chatted about floated into one ear and out the other.

An announcement blared over the intercom; this one she couldn't ignore—announcing that The Hogwarts Express would depart in exactly five minutes. Suddenly, students who were standing idly by raced one another to find their own booth for them and their friends on the train.

She cursed herself for spacing out—it had just cost her some nice alone time. Dragging her feet, she passed multiple booths, all of which looked to be full from the door windows. Just as she tore her gaze from the fifth full booth, she accidentally pushed someone flat on the ground from a sudden collision.

A slightly shorter female was then sprawled on the ground before her, rubbing her backside as she was momentarily on the floor. Without a second thought, she was back on her feet, clearing her throat before asking something about a lost owl. The words, admittedly, had flowed into one ear and out the other as she took in her appearance.

It was then the taller one noticed the red and gold that adorned the other girl's robes, immediately connecting the dots based on how she had reacted. The Slytherin, realising she had zoned out when she had finished speaking, tutted and sidestepped around her, not wanting to spend another minute with a stranger, and walked off to find another train car which was hopefully not as full.

Devara sat in anxious silence, waiting for either Luella or Anastasia to return. Anastasia had noticed her owl missing almost as soon as she'd sat down with them, her and Luella rushing off to go look. The booth was left mostly empty as they waited for either of them to return, hopefully with good news.

"How did she manage to lose a bloody owl?" Devara muttered, rubbing her hands absentmindedly. "The bird is huge. He can't have hidden himself too well."

"Anastasia always finds a way of misplacing him, though," Estella added. "Or he misplaced himself. Zorah's a pretty curious bird."

Devara hummed, pushing down the urge to pick at her nails in favor of running a hand gently through her cat's fur. She'd probably be covered in hair by the time they arrived at Hogwarts, but Devara figured it was worth it.

She was snapped out of her musings by the sound of a single, sharp knock at the door. A tall Slytherin with sharp brown eyes stood at the door to their compartment, Anastasia's owl situated comfortably on her arm. "Anyone looking for this?"

"Yes, actually!" Estella rushed up to the girl. Zorah prodded at her for a moment, before seemingly deeming her safe and perched on her shoulder. "Thank you so much!"

The girl half shrugged, glancing at their bare compartment. "Any space for one more in here? Everywhere else is full." Though, when she asked, it didn't seem like she was asking.

Devara pat the open seat beside her. "We've got two more joining us in a bit, but you're welcome to come sit so long as you don't mind the company."

"Fine by me," she said, strolling confidently to take her seat at Devara's side. They quickly side-eyed each other before diverting their attention towards the others.

"Well, let's introduce ourselves," Estella suggested hesitantly. "I'm Estella Woodrow! These are my friends Katalina Avaliani and Devara Viotto. You are?"