A Messy Start Open Closed

Riding on the cart he had used to fly through the brick wall, Piérre let out a whoop of exhilaration as Romeo gasped and held on tighter to him. Platform nine and three quarters, here he came! The Hogwarts express, brilliant in its scarlet and polished black, was just barely letting of steam. It looked ready to take off at any given moment.

“Piérre! Slow down!” Romeo squeaked behind him, his eyes widening with fear as he beheld the suitcases of many witches and wizards alike. If they didn’t jump, they would ram right into them!

“Piérre Marchonné! Romeo!” Mathilda Wendigo, the Ministry employee who had brought them to the station blew through the wall after them, her wand already raised for the worst. “Piérre Marchonné, you stop the cart this instant!”

Mathilda Wendigo was an elderly yet spry woman with a tight bun of silver and a face filled with creases of smiles and scowls alike. On her right cheek was sported a white scar, remnants of her experience as an Auror. It had taken much energy to keep the twins under a semblance of control, and she blamed Piérre for most of the graying of her hair.

Piérre felt the wind whipping through his hair as a huge grin plastered itself across his face. It felt so good to be outside! “I’d love to, mom, but I don’t know how!” He laughed, closing his eyes and allowing chaos to take the reins.

It did so with pleasure.

It all happened in a split second. Mathilda cast a freeze spell on the wheels of the cart, causing it to immediately come to a halt. The sudden drain of momentum was unexpected, and Piérre, only barely breaching a hundred pounds, was thrown off faster than a bullrider, flipping head over heels into the pile of waiting suitcases with his own in hand. He was swiftly buried in the cases, cackling like a madman as he clenched his trunk close to his chest. Mere moments later, Romeo landed on top of him with a crash and a yelp of surprise.

All around them, shouts and curses from witches and wizards alike filled the air.

“Bloody hell! What the heck was that!?”

“You could’ve killed someone!”

“Are you crazy?”

Duna whirled around just in time to see two boys, around her age, go flying through the air into a pile of luggage, sending suitcases flying everywhere. Duna just barely managed to jump back in time to avoid a trunk hurtling past her. Around her people stopped what they were doing to see what has happened. Most of the people either laughed or let out angry exclamations. Upset that the boys had disrupted their busy day.

Duna, on the other hand, hurried over to the edge of the pile to make sure the two boys were okay. She didn’t understand how other people could be laughing, those boys could be injured! She understood how the adults could be mad though, they had made this messy, chaotic station even more messy and chaotic.
She quickly set down her suitcase and kneeled down next to where they lie. She waved to get the closest boy’s attention, hurriedly signing, “Are you okay?” In the back of her mind Duna knew he probably didn’t know sign language, and even if he did he probably wouldn’t be able to understand her rapid, paniced hand gestures anyway. Duna looked at him expectantly, her face covered in concern.

After getting over the thrill of flying again, Piérre grinned up at the ceiling of the station. If this was what the rest of his year was going to be like, he really couldn’t wait until school began. He was about to close his eyes, but spotted a movement out of the corner of his eye.

Sitting up suddenly and causing the trunks to fall away and rattle as caged owls screeched in anger, Piérre looked at a young girl, no older than eleven, who was making frantic gestures with her hands. She was dressed in a pink sweater embroidered with flowers and her hair was adorably styled in a pixie cut. Two pink barrettes with butterflies crisscrossed, obviously meant to be the centerpiece of her style.

“Hi!” He chirped brightly, rubbing his head and brushing his bangs away from his eyes. He felt a bump and stopped probing, putting his hand down to lean back on his palms. “Can I help?” He smiled. Any second now, and Mathilda would come running over to snatch him by the pointed ear. Piérre figured he would make the best of the moment before being lugged away and scolded harshly until his face was made properly warm and red.

Duna was flooded with relief when she realized that he was just fine. He seemed happy even, like the boy had enjoyed flying into a pile of large trunks. Her concerned expression was quickly replaced a kind smile. “I was just checking to see if you were okay.” She signed, much more slowly this time, just in case he did, in fact, know sign language.

After a moment she realized the boy still didn’t understand. Prepared for moments like this, Duna pulled a small notebook out of her back pocket and a pencil out from behind her ear. She almost always had a pencil on her, and she was never without her notebook. Even at night she kept it by her bedside, just in case. She flipped past many pages that already had pre-written messages on them, such as ‘what is your name’ and ‘I’m not deaf, just mute’. Once she found a blank page she began writing. Just checking to see if you’re alright. She scribbled quickly before showing him the page.
Concern was still splayed cross her face, but he allowed her mouth to spread into a comforting smile as he held the note pad close to the boy.

Piérre read the message quickly. “Oh. Yeah, I’m okay. Little bit banged up, but I’m okay!” Piérre rubbed his head again, grinning cheekily and closing his eyes. “I’m more worried about what’s gonna happen when Maddie gets over here.”

Next to him, Romeo exploded out of the suitcases, standing quickly and picking up his trunk. “Fratello mio, sei pazza!” He sputtered, stumbling backwards and tripping over yet another suitcase. He landed with a bump, scowling at Piérre before shaking his head and sighing heavily. It was typical of Piérre to do unexpected and quite risky things without provocation. Now was no exception to the matter.

Piérre watched Romeo back further off before rolling his eyes at his twin. Romeo could be so stubborn. Leave it to him to be a deadbeat after a debacle like this. Piérre was willing to bet his wand that Romeo would become a prefect someday, if not become the first first year prefect. Compared to Piérre, Romeo was a saint, a perfect boy compared to himself. If looked at and observed casually, a passerby may not have been able to tell that the two were related except by appearance, their attitudes were so vastly different and polarized from the other.

Duna suppressed a laugh as she watched the other boy fall again. These two seemed so clumsy, yet indestructible. Duna bruised like a peach, and if she went through some5ing like that, she would be black and blue by now. Now that she understood that he wasn’t hurt, she realized it was quite funny.
She stood up, brushing off her hits skirt, and extending her hand to help the first boy up as well. She was now able to fully assess his appearance. He had bright green eyes and had messy chestnut hair. He was wearing a quaint spring green vest with gold trim, so unlike the dark black robes of some of the other wizards and witches in the station, and he donned black breeches which cut off at his knees. His smile seemed to brighten the station.
Duna was slightly concerned about what he had said about Maddie… whoever that was. Duna assumed Maddie was his mother, and Duna could understand why he would get in trouble after riding through the station on a cart. He had made quite a mess, but no one was hurt no he seemed to have enjoyed it. Duna hoped it was worth whatever scolding he was going to get.

Any second now. Piérre could already see Mathilda angrily stepping past the collected crowd, a severe frown on her face. He held up a hand, counting down on his fingers. ‘Three… two… one…’

“Piérre Marchonné, get over here this instant!” Mathilda’s firm hands grasped his shoulders, almost picking him up in order to drag him out of the luggage. By now, Romeo had scampered out of the way and was now standing off to the side, his concerned blue eyes watching as Piérre was publicly embarrassed.

“What in the name of Rowena were you thinking? You could have killed someone! You could have killed yourself! And you haven’t even gotten on the train yet! I’ve half a mind to hold you back and_”

“Maddie!” Piérre butted in. “But I didn’t kill anyone, see?”

“Don’t interrupt me.” Mathilda hissed. “If this is how you’re going to behave around the professors, the Ministry can’t have you going to Hogwarts. You’ll be a disgrace to yourself and the whole Ministry. Do I make myself clear, young man?”

“But Maddie_”

“Are we clear, Marchonné?” Mathilda said firmly, her grey eyes piercing into Piérre’s like a hawk.

Piérre met Mathilda’s eyes before looking down, ashamed. His gaze focused on her midnight blue skirt speckled with silver stars. “Okay Maddie. Can I go now?” His words were quiet and almost whispered. He felt like he could cry at any given moment.

There was silence between the elderly woman and her younger generation, interrupted only by the fleeting whispered remarks about the stupidity of young children, the snickering of older teens, and the still-panicked screeching of owls and cats as they were packed onto each and every trolley. After a few moments of pause, Piérre felt a pair of strong arms wrap around him as Mathilda knelt down on his level.

“I’m sorry, Piérre. It’s the biggest day of your life, and here I am chastising you over having a tidbit of fun. It must be the Ravenclaw in me coming out.” Mathilda looked Piérre in the eyes again, her brow lifting as a gentle smile graced her lips. “I never was good with children. You two have been quite a test of my character.”

She looked towards the train, which was beginning to proudly blow its whistle. “Go ahead, Piérre. Have fun, make new friends, don’t forget to write…” She wagged a finger at him warningly as her eyes darkened again. “And behave.”

Piérre smiled weakly again, nodding before letting his gaze flick to the train. He lifted his moleskine suitcase before hugging Mathilda again. “Thanks Maddie.” He said quietly before pulling away. “I’ll keep an eye on Romeo!”

He took a few more steps before thinking of something and grinning, spinning about to say one more thing. “Be expecting an owl in a few days!”

“That studious?” Mathilda asked, raising an eyebrow. “Will I have another Ravenclaw to contend with?”

Piérre shook his head hastily, his grin only widening. “Naw, I’m talking ‘bout sending along a toilet seat or something!” Before Mathilda could begin to express her disappointment, Piérre was already waving, climbing into the nearest coach. “Love you Maddie! Wish me luuuck!”

The train began to pull away, and Mathilda only sighed as she watched the spirited twins pull away from the platform. She laughed to herself, shaking her head. ‘He’ll be a Hufflepuff for sure.’

Duna quickly withdrew her hand as soon she heard the woman's voice. ‘That must be Maddie.’ Duna thought as she watched the large woman yank Pierre off the pile of suitcases. Duna took a few steps back, watching Pierre get scolded. She wasn't sure how to react to this situation. Should she walk away? She felt bad for Pierre and didn’t want to leave him… And what was a Ravenclaw anyway?

Duna began to quietly look for her suitcase, easily spotting its pastel pink exterior amongst all the browns and blacks of the other luggage. It was trapped beneath another large trunk. Duna sighed silently. She wasn’t very strong, so this was going to be a challenge. She tugged on the handle, budging it slightly. She tugged harder, managing to pull most of it free, but also causing the trunk on top to topple over. She jumped aside, pulling her suitcase with her, as the trunk hit the floor where she had been standing.

Duna quickly circled her chest with her fist, the ASL symbol of “I’m sorry”. She wasn’t apologizing to anyone in particular. She was mainly saying sorry to the trunk, she hadn’t meant to make it fall.

Duna turned to look at the train as the whistle blew. She quickly stumbled over the fallen luggage that people were now gathering, and climbed aboard the closest coach. She was quickly shuffled along by other kids also entering the coach car with her. In order to get out of the way she entered the nearest empty cabin. It had two large seats, both big enough to fit two or three people. Duna placed her suitcase above one of the seats on the rack before sitting underneath it. She looked out the window at the platform full of parents waving goodbye to their children. She missed hers already. Duna grasped the small golden locket that dangled around her neck, rubbing her thumb over the cover.

The last few kids hurried aboard the train as the whistle blew and it lurched forward, beginning its journey to Hogwarts.

After ducking into the car, Piérre hefted his suitcase into the overhead. He knew the luggage wasn’t allowed to go up there, but he really didn’t care. All of them were going to the same place anyway. He was finally off! Off to a new life and a new world! It was so exhilarating, Piérre didn’t even know how to express his excitement.

Spinning away and dusting his hands, Piérre paced down the hallway, peeking into the compartments where children were already talking and older teens were reuniting with their houses. Knowing Romeo, Piérre guessed that his twin was already socializing with some other boys, probably discussing riddles or logic puzzles. Romeo was oddly fond of those, and Piérre wouldn’t be surprised if his twin became a Ravenclaw like Mathilda. She had always liked Romeo better anyways…

It wasn’t long before Piérre’s hunch was confirmed. He found Romeo in a compartment littered with blue banners and books. A huge map with swirling sentences written in gold ink was on the floor, and gathered around it were four boys, two of them Piérre’s age, one who looked a little older, and Romeo, who was circling something with a quill and talking aloud with the other boys. It seemed as if Romeo’s point was well received, for the boys all smiled and nodded as if in agreement. As if sensing he was being watched, Romeo glanced up and locked gazes with Piérre, still speaking, and gave him a little wink to acknowledge his twin’s presence.

Piérre sighed. Romeo was already hitting it off. He only hoped that he and Romeo would be Sorted into the same house. If they didn’t, he then hoped they would share the same schedule. Magic was difficult for them… individually of course.

Engrossed in his thoughts, Piérre ran into the group of green and silver boys before he saw them, and he was thrust to the ground mid-skip.

Shaking his head to clear his senses, Piérre looked up at the tall boys. They had to be fifth or sixth years, and all of them sported identical sneers. One had platinum blonde hair, which was pulled back in a ponytail at the nape of his neck, and he appeared to be the leader.

“Oi, watch it scrub!” He spat, crossing his arms and turning around. Piérre spotted the enormous snake crest on the boy’s shirt. The boy looked him over once, noting that Piérre was nothing but a first year, before smiling cruelly. “Dontcha know that it ain’t safe for first years to be wanderin’ ‘bout and runnin’ inta upperclassmen?”

Piérre sat on the floor quietly, leaning back on his palms as he took in the older boys beginning to surround him. The train was chugging along smoothly and he could feel the powerful wheels noisily clanging through the floor.

Finally, Piérre gave a small, pleasant smile.

“Sorry for that!” He chirped, beginning to get to his feet. “I’m just really excited to go to school! Can’t wait to get to know you all better!”

The blonde boy put a strong hand on Piérre’s chest, shoving him to the ground and causing Piérre to let out a huff as he landed harshly.

“You wish, scrub. Whaddaya think you are? Ya think you’re Slytherin material?” He crowed, earning scoffs and low chuckles from the other boys.

Piérre shrugged, not relinquishing his smile. “I dunno. I like to forge my own path. I’m really ambitious. You just need to give me a chance.”

The boys laughed aloud. Piérre looked between all of them, smiling and searching for something he could use to distract or break his way out of the circle. He knew a bully when he saw one, and he knew what a gang beating was when he was circled. This could only end poorly unless he too immediate action.

Blonde regained his composure first, snatching Piérre by his vest collar. “You don’t even deserve to wear that color, you little, miserable greenhorn. I would even dare to bet that you’re a piece of Mudblood scum. Who’s your daddy, hm?”

Piérre gasped as he was lifted, dangling nearly a foot off the ground. He kicked his feet, trying to break the hold, but the grip was strong and all he could do was grasp the boy’s arm and try to wrench himself from the iron hold.

“The Ministry.” Piérre said without batting an eye.

The blonde’s eyes widened and he let go of Piérre, dropping him to the ground. “Who?”

Piérre nodded, smiling again. “The Ministry. My father is the Ministry. I’m a son of the Ministry.”

“Wut the fuck is ‘e playin’ at, Quintus?” One of the burly boys behind Piérre, one with knotted brown dreadlocks spoke to the blonde, whose name must have been Quintus.

“I dunno.” Quintus said, his eyes narrowing. “What’re you talking about, scrub? You better tell us the truth, otherwise we gotta teach you some discipline.”

Piérre’s eyes flicked around the hall again. Behind him, through the breathing of the oafish boys, he could hear the faintest jingle of something. It sounded almost like a cart. It sounded like it was coming his way.

Piérre smiled, standing up again. This time, nobody stopped him. “I’m boring. Enough about me. What about you, Quintus? Who’s your daddy?”

The question seemed to take the boy aback. “S’cuse me?”

Piérre leaned against a nearby window, looking back at the boys. Just out of the corner of his eye, he could see a cart being pushed by nothing. A cart magically controlling itself. Upon it were countless sweets. Piérre could see chocolate frogs, Bernie Botts Every Flavor Beans, Animal Chews, anything a wizard child could dream up. Before he even understood what was going on, an idea blossomed in Piérre’s head. It was clever, shrewd, and it just might work.

“Yeah,” Piérre said, averting his eyes back to the boys. “I’m boring. Being a piece of Mudblood scum is really unsatisfying. I lied about the Ministry. You can beat me up for lying, but first why don’t you tell me about yourselves? After all, I could end up joining your house in a few hours!” Piérre ended his statement with a bright smile, almost trying to provoke a reaction.

Which it did.

“Why you little son of a_” Quintus lunged first, trying to snatch Piérre around the throat. At the last second, Piérre ducked, twisting out of the way at the last humanly possible moment and finding himself rocking on his feet before the other two boys. The candy cart was hardly ten feet away.

“Don’t just stand there! Get him!” Quintus shouted, gesturing to his cronies.

Dreadlocks tried to pick Piérre up and the other boy, whose most defining feature was the fact that he had disturbingly pale skin, opened his mouth. Piérre noticed two odd gaps where the boy’s canines should have been, and the second he did, two long fangs, a couple of centimeters longer than the rest of the boy’s teeth suddenly unsheathed. He was Dhampire.

Piérre paled. This could go south very quickly.

Dreadlocks snagged Piérre by his shoulders, lifting him off the ground once again. In a split second, the Dhampire boy was breathing down Piérre’s neck, and Piérre felt the sharp teeth barely disturbing the hairs at his nape.

The rattling of the cart increased, and Piérre could see it beginning to coast through the chaos he was in, undisturbed and disinterested of the beating that was going on around it.

He had one chance to get this right.

Without a second to lose, Piérre thrust a foot out and clipped the very edge of the trolly, hitting the platter on which all the sweets were rather precariously balanced.

Piérre had no idea how the trajectory of the sweets were going to lay, nor did he know if he was even going to be able to make contact with the rolling cart. All he knew was that if he didn’t try, he was going to be a vampire spawn, and even before he had the chance to be Sorted!

What happened next was too inexplicable to be explained on paper, but the next sentences should hopefully clear up some confusion.

The chocolate frogs were the first to cause some mayhem, as some of the frogs were magically enchanted to move and jump about like their living counterparts. As such, they leapt from the cart as they fell and found themselves all around the Slytherin boys’ feet, some of them even beginning to climb their trousers.

The cotton candy was next, and it had been for good reason they had been bound down with paperweights. The second the weights were lost, they began to float, settling on the ceiling and finding their way into the faces of Piérre’s bullies, causing a sticky, flamboyantly colorful mess that would take hours to clean out of one’s hair.

To top it off, the sodas on the cart went tumbling to the floor. Upon hitting the carpet, their glass containers promptly shattered, spilling their contents on the ground. At first, they didn’t seem to do much, but then the labels claiming ‘A CARBONATED EXPLOSION FOR YOUR TASTE BUDS!!’ Took immediate effect, and bubbles began to swell quickly and suddenly, filling the air with a hissing sound and spattering all the boys with sugary goodness. This toxic mix was only made more potent by a second, innocent beverage, which when its contents were blended with the pop, caused it to immediately freeze. Its label read ‘Frostbite’.

The heavier boys immediately slipped on the glassy black ice, causing them to drop Piérre. Frozen sugary droplets of the Explosive Pop covered his cheeks and his breath misted in the air from the Frostbite.

He ran as quickly as his heels could take him, and as soon as the Slytherin boys realized their victim was getting away, they followed in hot pursuit.