Chapter 7:
By tradition every student travels to school by train; witches and wizards who live in the wizarding community Apparate straight onto the platform, while those who live in the Muggle world must toil their way through King's Cross.
Older students take the compartments belonging to their houses; only first-years sit together regardless of house. As the train passed the Slytherin car Pomona saw Bellatrix Black again. Though it had been half a month since she'd last seen her, Pomona kept her head down, letting the steam from the engine hide her figure, and pushed her trolley toward the first-years' carriage.
The Hogwarts list had said to bring a pet, so cats of every colour and breed wound in and out between people's feet and other passengers sneezed if they were allergic. The first few compartments were already packed with students who seemed to know each other, tossing things and making a fuss. Pomona squeezed through the crowd and found an empty compartment near the rear; when the door closed she finally had a moment's peace.
"Severus, come on, there's a free seat!" she heard someone call. Looking up she saw Lily Evans — the same girl from Diagon Alley — and a moment later the sullen, greasy-haired Severus Snape appeared. His lifeless black eyes passed over Pomona and for a moment she felt breathless, though he clearly did not recognise her. He asked slowly, "Is anyone sitting here?"
"N-no…" Pomona stammered. She remembered that morning's charm; aside from her hair no one could tell she was part Veela. Her wand seemed to have a will of its own: however she tried to hide the way her hair fluttered it refused to lie flat, because its core was a Veela hair.
"Sit, Lily," Snape said. Once they had taken their seats he shut the compartment door and others looking for places turned away when they saw the state inside. At last it was quiet.
"Hello, I'm Lily Evans, and you are—" Lily reached across and offered her hand.
"Pomona Martin," Pomona answered, returning the handshake.
"Pomona?" Lily exclaimed.
"Yes, why?" Pomona pretended not to know, and Snape's face darkened when he heard the name.
"Oh, nothing." Lily stuck out her tongue. "It's just the same name as a friend I know."
Pomona did not think an acquaintance from one meeting was a friend. She glanced at Snape; he showed no intention of introducing himself or shaking hands. When sunlight passed him it seemed to dim.
"He's Severus Snape," Lily said.
"Hello." Pomona's voice was barely bigger than a mosquito's. Snape folded his arms and watched her with guarded eyes.
"That's him — he doesn't much like to talk, don't mind him," Lily said brightly. "Why are you by yourself?"
"My relatives are in a compartment ahead. He's in his fifth year."
"Oh, which house?"
"Hufflepuff."
Lily's face tightened into a look of "oh dear."
Pomona looked to Snape again; a mocking smile twitched around his mouth. He clearly harboured the same prejudice against Hufflepuff and was passing it on to Lily.
"The food at the welcome feast is traditionally provided by Hufflepuff," he said. "You'll be surprised."
"How thrilling — that's your idea of looking forward to Hogwarts?" Snape's tone had a way of bringing gloom; why be ashamed of enjoying food?
"You cannot live without food; even Dementors need to eat," he went on.
"Dementors?" Lily had heard a new word.
"A dreadful magical creature that sucks all your joy and hope away — that's their food," Snape said.
"How can such terrible creatures exist? Why don't they just get rid of them?"
"There must be a reason for their existence. Hogwarts is the safest place; as long as you stay within the school they dare not attack anyone."
"You seem rather fond of frightening people," Lily said, and Snape gave a look that said he thought he'd seen through her. "Are you saying you feel safe because others are more frightened than you?"
"If you kept quiet I'd be grateful," Pomona snapped. She had never met anyone so disagreeable; he was like a Dementor, offering no warmth at all.
"I'm sure I'll be the worst student in the class," Lily fretted. "You talk about so many things I've never heard of."
"You'll be fine, Lily. Many students come from Muggle families; if you work hard you can learn faster than those from pure-blood homes," Pomona reassured her, while Snape remained impassive.
The train pulled out with a lurch and a roar. It sped out of London across fields dotted with sheep. The once-noisy carriage settled into a hush. Faced with such different temperaments Pomona felt at a loss for topics, and then, as if by instinct, Lily and Snape produced their textbooks and began to read in silence.
Yes, Pomona had met the sort of pupils who pre-read their lessons. She hadn't planned to bring a book for the express; apart from sleep she had nothing to do.
Around eleven the train left; by half past twelve a clattering sound went up the corridor as an elderly woman with silver hair and a pipe pushed the compartment door open and called loudly, "Care for a bite to eat?"
"No, thank you," Snape said flatly; he was nearest the door.
"Are you sure? Seven hours until we arrive."
"My mother told me not to buy anything from suspicious-looking sellers," he said, voice growing colder.
Lily looked anxious and fidgeted; Pomona understood — Lily's stomach had started to complain.
"We've got plenty," Pomona said, producing a picnic basket. Before the old woman could press the matter, Snape slammed the door shut with a bang.
Then he turned his back and returned to his book as if nothing had happened. Pomona and Lily exchanged a look, and at that moment Lily's stomach gave another audible protest.
"Sorry, we were in a rush this morning and I didn't eat," Lily apologised.
"Don't worry, I brought lots," Pomona said as she opened the enchanted basket and laid roast chicken, sandwiches, tiramisu, orange juice and salad on the empty seat beside them.
"Wow, how does all that fit in one basket?" Lily stared, amazed.
"Magic, isn't it wonderful?" Pomona said with a pleased smile, then she looked at Snape. "Do you want to join us? I made enough for four."
Snape turned his back and went on reading.
"Severus!" Lily said angrily, but he did not move.
Weirdo, Pomona thought. She had no idea why he was so unwilling to accept other people's kindness, but she paid him little mind. She liked Lily much more; Lily was a truly good girl.