36 The Cat and the Mouse

I wander the train, trying to see if anyone catches my eye. But after a few minutes nobody interesting pops up so I go to an empty compartment. There I store my luggage and take a seat. Then I remember something and pull Arianna out of my pocket.

She takes a deep breath of fresh air once she's free. "Honestly, do you know how stuffy it is in there? I sincerely hope you find some kind of workaround for this soon."

I shrug. "Well we're on our way to the school, so I'll be able to make you bigger so you can wander around on your own. Or nap, since I know that's what you would prefer." She brightens up at this and I can't help but chuckle. "You know, I thought having a pocket cat would be cooler when I first thought of it. But all you ever want to do is sleep."

"Of course. I am a cat, after all." Her prompt reply makes me smile.

The train starts moving without anyone coming into the compartment, so I resign myself to a boring ride. But as the train passes the archway leading outside, a feeling comes over me. Something… constricting? I can tell it's magical in nature, and since I don't trust random magic being used on me without knowing who's casting it, I flare my own power and dispel it from myself. But now I'm curious about whether or not other people felt it as well.

"Hey, Arianna. I'm going to walk around for a bit. Want to come?"

"Not at all. I plan to take a relaxing nap without being suffocated by your spare lint."

I nod. "Just make sure you get into the cat bag before the train stops. Wouldn't want you ending up somewhere random."

She snorts as she goes to it. "Don't forget to put on your robes. Wouldn't want them to toss you out of the school for dress code violations." I snort at her verbal jab, but decide to put them on now anyways. They look better than my regular clothes anyways.

Now properly robbed, I open the door only to come face to face with a mousy looking girl with bushy brown hair. She's frozen with her hand raised as if to knock on the door. We blink at each other for a moment before I close the door.

After a brief moment the door slams back open and the girl shouts at me. "Why would you close the door after seeing me!? Don't you know that's incredibly rude?"

I make eye contact with her brown eyes while tears pool at the corners of my own. She looks on in shock as I tell my sad tale.

"W-well. I opened the door and saw someone with their fist r-raised at me. I come from an abusive household so I was excited to go to a school where I can learn magic. But I haven't even gotten there yet and there's a-already people b-b-bullying me! Wah!" I start sobbing as the girl stands there, unsure as to what to do with the suddenly sobbing girl in front of her.

"T-there there," she says as she awkwardly pats my head. "I-I'm sorry, I had no idea. Don't worry, I won't be bullying you. In fact, we can be friends! I'm excited to be learning magic as well."

I sniff and peek at her through my hands. "Really? You didn't know magic was real before you got your letter either?"

The girl brightens up a bit at seeing my curiosity. "Not at all! It came as quite the surprise. Though it came as a relief that odd things wouldn't keep happening around me either."

I can't help but chuckle looking back on all the random things that happened around me and Harry. "Yeah, I know what you mean."

Seeing my mood improving, the girl smiles. I can't help but notice how big her front teeth are, enhancing her mousy appearance. I'm sure there's a spell for that. Actually, I could probably do the same thing I did to Arianna and just apply it to her teeth. Later though, after we've become friends.

Wiping my tears away, I smile back at her. "Anyways, why were you coming here anyways?"

The girl jolts at the reminder. "Right! Have you perhaps seen a toad anywhere? A boy has lost it."

I can't help but give her a weird look, completely forgetting my act. "How do you manage to lose your toad?"

She raises her hands helplessly. "I have no idea. But he seemed so distraught that I couldn't do anything but offer my help. I chuckle and wipe my eyes before standing up.

"Well I might as well help as well. Nothing better to do. What's your name by the way? I'm Misha."

Seemingly taken aback by my abrupt change in attitude, she takes a moment to respond. "Um, Hermione, Hermione Granger."

"Well nice to meet you Hermione. Let us begin our quest to find the Toad of the Lost!" I fist pump while she stares at me. It's only after I walk out of the compartment that she breaks from her stupor.

"Wait, were you messing with me!?" She yells as she chases me down the hallway.

"Well yes, but actually no." I laugh as I run away from her.

𝌡𝌡𝌡

We go down the hallway opening compartments and asking the occupants if they've seen the toad, but all we get are 'no's. Hermione has since forgiven me for messing with her after I told her what my home life was like. She practically broke into tears listening to all of the horrible things the Dursleys did to me and Harry.

She already raged about how horrible they are, and how she'd do anything she could to convince her parents to help us. But I managed to convince her that it isn't necessary. Though I am touched at how passionate she is about making sure Harry and I's situation improves. 'But it's taken care of now. Just need to wait…'

"Um, are you aware that you have a villainous smile?" I'm drawn from my thoughts by Hermione's question.

"Huh, you're not the only one who's said that to me. Doesn't mean I'm going to stop smiling though. Just means I have to have some villainous plans to fit my villainous smile!" She rolls her eyes at my declaration, thinking I'm joking. "Still though, it's a bit odd that we haven't come across my brother yet…"

Just as I'm saying this we come across an open compartment. And lo and behold, Harry and a little ginger boy are staring at a rat.

…We should probably get used to situations like this.