Draco's brazen outburst drew plenty of sideways looks from the young witches and wizards.
But after a single glance, everyone promptly ignored him and went back to crowding around Hydrus Lestrange, eagerly asking for autographs.
Hydrus didn't spare Draco a second look. Brats needed discipline, yes—but not in public. He was still family, after all, and she would leave him a shred of dignity for now.
Rodolfus Lestrange might not have been her biological father, but Bellatrix was undeniably the woman who gave birth to this body.
And Draco Malfoy's mother was Bellatrix's own sister.
By blood, Draco really was her cousin—first cousin, no less.
There would be plenty of chances to educate him properly later.
Seeing that Hydrus completely ignored him, Draco felt his face burn. He tried to shove his way through the crowd, only to be firmly blocked by the surrounding students.
Joke's on you—if you want an autograph, get in line.
"Miss Lestrange, do you remember me?"
Brown, bushy curls. Prominent front teeth.
"Hermione Granger," Hydrus said with a smile. "Fancy meeting you again. Here for an autograph too?"
"No!" Hermione blushed. "I heard you were here, so I came to see you. I've collected all your albums—records and tapes. Every single one has your autograph. I keep them all safely at home!"
In the past, Hydrus would have avoided people like Harry and Hermione like the plague. But her mindset had changed.
Three years. Just endure three years and she'd graduate. The world beyond was wide—what was there to fear?
So instead of keeping her distance like she did at concerts, she chatted with Hermione patiently.
That was the last straw.
Draco Malfoy snapped.
Before, he could tell himself Hydrus ignored him because she was busy signing autographs.
But now?
She was happily chatting with a Mud— with a Muggle-born.
Unforgivable.
How did he know Hermione wasn't from a wizarding family?
Easy. She reeked of Muggle sensibilities—no robes yet, and her clothes screamed non-magical fashion.
Besides, Draco knew most wizarding families his age. Granger? Didn't exist.
"Lestrange!" He shoved forward and shouted, "Let me through! I'm Draco Malfoy—my father's on the school board!"
The title worked. He pushed several steps forward before a tall seventh-year blocked him.
"Back off, you ill-mannered little whelp."
The older student shoved Draco hard. "Even a traitor's son dares act up here?"
Draco stumbled and fell flat on the floor.
He was about to explode—until he recognized who had pushed him.
Dolka Yaxley.
Yaxley's father was a devoted follower of dark ideals, holding more influence than Lucius Malfoy ever had. His uncle was also on the Hogwarts board.
Draco swallowed his anger, scrambled to his feet, and retreated miserably.
Still furious, unwilling to queue yet too proud to leave quietly, he shouted toward Hydrus through the crowd:
"What's so special about her? Just a Muggle-born witch! A street singer!"
He didn't dare use worse words—not with Hydrus's rabid fans around.
Truth be told, her music had made many pure-bloods forget her origins entirely. In their eyes, Hydrus Lestrange was different.
Her voice rang out calmly.
"If you despise who I am so much, the door is right there. Please—leave."
An unmistakable dismissal.
Draco stormed out, fists clenched.
Utter humiliation.
He pulled New Era from his robes. On the cover, Hydrus stood back-to-back with Rick, both smiling brightly.
He wanted to snap the record in half.
In the end, he couldn't.
He tucked it away.
"Harry, hurry up—Hydrus is in this compartment!"
Ron dragged Harry along with the crowd.
"Wow…" Ron searched his limited vocabulary. "This compartment is… big."
Harry twitched. "Yes. Very big. But why is it bigger than ours?"
"Extension magic!" Ron marveled. "Dad did that to our car once—though not this big."
Ron proudly broadcast that fact at full volume.
Draco, who had been leaving, stopped dead.
Crabbe and Goyle bumped into him.
He shot them a glare, then turned to Harry. "You're Harry Potter, aren't you?"
Harry nodded. "Yes."
Draco smiled and held out his hand. "Draco Malfoy."
Plan A failed—but Harry Potter was an even better target.
Ron coughed to keep from laughing.
Draco sneered. "What's so funny? I already know who you are. My father says all Weasleys have red hair and too many kids to feed."
He turned back to Harry. "You wouldn't want friends like that, Potter. They'll only drag you down."
Harry ignored the hand and stepped in front of Ron.
"I think I can decide who my friends are."
Draco was livid.
Before he could snap back, a furious girl marched up to him.
"Apologize!"
Hermione's face was flushed.
"You insulted Miss Lestrange. Apologize."
"A mere Muggle—"
"A person's worth has nothing to do with blood!" Hermione snapped. "You insulted her. Apologize!"
Ron and Harry stiffened.
"What did he say about Hydrus?" Ron demanded.
"He said she was just a street singer!"
That did it.
Harry glared at Draco. Hydrus Lestrange was his guiding light—how dare he insult her?
The Gryffindor trio stood united far earlier than fate intended.
Draco backed away, shouting, "It's the truth! She is a singer!"
Then he bolted.
Crabbe and Goyle followed awkwardly.
The three exchanged looks.
"You're fans too?" Hermione asked.
"Yes!" "Yes!"
"I'm Hermione Granger."
"Harry Potter."
"The Harry Potter?"
"…Yes."
"I'm Ro—"
"I heard you survived the Killing Curse! How did you do it?"
"I don't know…"
"I'm Ro—"
"Well, that doesn't matter. As long as you like Miss Lestrange, we can be friends."
"I'm Ron Weasley!"
"Oh. Nice to meet you, Ron Weasley."
Ron pouted—until—
"I brought a Walkman. Want to listen to her music together?"
Ron had no idea what a Walkman was, but suddenly those big front teeth didn't seem so bad.
BOOM—
The train jolted violently. Students crashed to the floor as the Hogwarts Express screeched to a halt.
"What happened?" Harry asked, pushing his glasses straight.
"No idea," Ron said. "But something serious stopped the train."
Panic rippled through the cars.
Then—
🎵
Moonlight brushes silver waves,
Mist writes dreams upon the lake.
I drift to ease my troubled heart,
Yet fear the cold of night's dark tide…
🎵
Hydrus's voice flowed like cool spring water.
Calm returned.
"Everyone, please return to your compartments in an orderly manner!" Percy Weasley called out. "Do not move until the situation is clear!"
One by one, the students left.
Hydrus flicked her wand, restoring the compartment.
Harry and Ron stayed.
Inside were Hydrus, Lee Jordan, the twins, Harry, and Ron.
Ron tugged Harry forward. "Hydrus, this is my new friend. He's your fan too—Harry Potter."
"Hello, Harry," Hydrus said warmly. "I've heard a great deal about you."
Harry turned scarlet.
After that letter arrived, his life had flipped upside down.
See that, Dudley?
She's real—and she's talking to me.
He froze, words failing him entirely.
"That's the Harry Potter?" Lee whispered.
"Yep."
Lee clutched his chest dramatically. "What kind of luck is this? Two legends in one compartment!"
Hydrus smiled knowingly. "Would you like an autograph, Harry?"
Harry lowered his head. "I'm sorry… I've never bought any of your albums."
"That doesn't matter," Hydrus said gently. "If you love my music, you're my fan. That's enough."
She removed his glasses.
With a swift, precise motion—
Slice.
Letters etched themselves into the frame.
To Harry—
May you always be happy.
Hydrus Lestrange.
Harry took them back with trembling hands. "Thank you… thank you so much…"
"Incredible spellwork!" Fred shouted. "Are you sure you grew up in the Muggle world?"
Hydrus opened her mouth to reply—
The door slammed open.
"Hydrus Lestrange," a cold voice said. "Come with us."
Three adult wizards stood there in dark green robes, silver masks on their faces.
One half smooth and blank.
The other carved with a snake.