You and Lucius had been in the same year at Hogwarts since the start, and you were both going into sixth year. And yet, you had never spoken in your life. You had shared the occasional glance with one another and shared the quidditch field many of times— but never had a proper interaction that would’ve meant anything to either of you.

That was until the train was about to leave platform 9 and 3/4. The horn tugged and blared in the station, and just as the wheels started to roll along the track, a voice rang out.

“Hey, wait!! Wait, please!!”

It was a female’s voice. Distinctly lower than he’d previously heard— but still female nonetheless. He couldn’t help but peak out of his window as the train halted almost as slowly as it had set off. And that was when he saw you.

You’d matured a lot over the summer. Your hair was longer, a dark auburn— more so than it had been before. You could always be distinguished by the strong, bright ginger that laced your hair, but it was even darker. Your eyes were more hooded, face more defined. You looked just like your mother.

Lucius found himself staring longer than necessary, and he only snapped out of his trance when you finally hopped onto the train, breathing heavily and hoisting your luggage into the lockers above the carriages.

You looked like you were struggling. Had you packed more this year?

Either way, he wanted to help. He found himself up out of his area and out to you, appearing behind you and gently keeping you steady while you packed your luggage safely for the trip.

And the way you smiled— it made his heart skip more than usual.