As Orion stared at Arcana, a strange sensation of attachment and familiarity passed through him. It wasn't just the striking resemblance in their family features, or even the fact that she shared his white hair and heterochromatic eyes. No, it was something deeper, an invisible bond that seemed to wrap around him, as if he had finally found a missing piece of himself.
Yet, despite the intensity of this almost supernatural connection, Orion did not let it disturb him. His instincts told him that this intense bond was natural, almost inscribed in their lineage. After all, the members of the Maga family shared a magical heritage so powerful that such strong ties were inevitable. He brushed the thought away with a simple movement of his mind, preferring not to dwell on it.
Arcana, on the other hand, stared at him with a smile, a mixture of tenderness and curiosity in her eyes. He could feel the same force of attraction in her gaze, as if she too was irresistibly drawn to him. But unlike Orion, she didn't try to hide this affection.
"I'm glad to finally meet you, Orion," she said softly, with voice gentle.
Orion simply nodded, keeping his face impassive, but inwardly, he felt strangely at ease. He couldn't remember ever feeling so comfortable in someone's presence, not even with Lyra. But again, he pushed that thought away with a certain nonchalance.
Lyra, after exchanging a few formal greetings with the Greengrass family, turned to Orion. "It's time to board. Take care of yourself and send me news every week."
As Orion prepared to board the train, Arcana gently grabbed his arm, her gaze serious. "I'm coming with you," she said firmly, making it clear that she had no intention of leaving him alone. The intensity of her attachment to her brother, though natural for them, complicated the situation, much to the dismay of young Greengrass, who felt forgotten.
Orion accepted without protest, grateful to have his sister by his side. He felt good in her company.
The two of them boarded the Hogwarts Express and settled into an empty compartment. Orion sat by the window, taking one last look at the crowded station. Arcana, for her part, sat across from him, her eyes affectionately observing his every movement.
As Orion and Arcana had comfortably settled into the compartment, the door suddenly slid open, revealing two breathless young girls.
"Arcana, seriously!" exclaimed the first, throwing her a mockingly annoyed glance. "You couldn't wait? We almost had to search everywhere for you! Luckily, we saw you board this carriage!"
The second, a mischievous smile on her lips, added with irony, "And tell us, is this male look-alike sitting opposite you by any chance your famous little brother?"
Arcana, slightly embarrassed, simply smiled before responding, "Sorry, girls. Yes, I'd like you to meet Orion."
The two girls then turned their gaze to Orion, their eyes scanning him from head to toe with obvious curiosity, but Orion wasn't disturbed. He sensed their evaluation but didn't react. They were familiar with Arcana, and that was enough for him to accept them without complaint.
Arcana turned to her brother, a warm smile on her lips, and gestured toward the two girls. "Orion, this is Ophelia Blackwood and Selena Rosier. They're my closest friends."
Orion looked at Ophelia first, his gaze as piercing as ever. Arcana continued, "Ophelia is... let's say, very thoughtful and refined." A slight appreciative smile appeared on Ophelia's face as she politely nodded.
Orion immediately noticed Ophelia's controlled expression. Her platinum blonde hair framed a delicate and elegant face, and her piercing gray eyes seemed to weigh every detail with precision. She had a calm but firm aura, like someone who thought carefully before speaking. Her reserved demeanor and regal bearing gave her a distant, almost unapproachable air, but Orion sensed that there was more behind this facade. An observant mind, like his, capable of dissecting others without revealing herself.
Then Arcana turned to the second girl with a playful smile. "And this is Selena, the charming and deadly walking tornado."
Selena Rosier burst into laughter, her mischievous smile lighting up her face. "Oh, Arcana, you flatter me too much." Her wavy black hair cascaded over her shoulders, contrasting sharply with Ophelia's seriousness. Her brown eyes, sparkling with mischief, exuded a lively and carefree energy. Unlike Ophelia, Selena seemed to live each moment with a natural spontaneity. She moved with ease, her gestures slightly more casual.
"Pleased to meet you," said Orion calmly, his voice as impassive as his face. Though he expressed no visible emotion, he carefully evaluated the two girls. They were important to Arcana, and that was enough to pique his interest, though he remained as cautious as ever.
At that moment, the door to the compartment abruptly slid open, revealing two new faces. A boy and a girl, both looking a little nervous but smiling, stood at the entrance, hesitating for a moment before speaking.
The boy, of average height with messy brown hair, had a friendly but cautious air. His hazel eyes shone with respectful curiosity, and he seemed both fascinated and intimidated by the group already seated. The girl beside him, shorter, had light blonde hair and bright blue eyes. Her shy smile revealed genuine awkwardness, but she seemed determined to make a good impression.
"Hi," the boy began hesitantly. "Can we sit here? The other compartments are full."
Orion nodded without saying a word, his face still impassive. Arcana looked at them with polite but distant interest, while Ophelia cast a scrutinizing glance at the newcomers.
Selena, amused by the situation, simply shrugged. "Have a seat," she said nonchalantly, clearly unconcerned by their presence.
As the boy and girl took their seats, the calm of the compartment was suddenly broken by an unexpected question from Ophelia, who was eyeing the newcomers with a calculating look.
"And you? Are you Muggle-born or half-bloods?" she asked in a smooth voice, but with barely concealed disdain.
Arcana seemed interested in the answer, her heterochromatic eyes fixing on the boy as if to assess the situation. Selena, for her part, appeared completely indifferent, observing the scene with a slightly amused smile.
Orion, however, couldn't conceal a slight tension in his gaze at the question. He knew that many supporters of blood purity ideals had backed Voldemort, the one responsible for the destruction of his family. Such distinctions between wizards had never mattered to him, and he hated that this question was asked.
The girl, clearly uncomfortable, answered softly, "I'm a half-blood, and he..." she gestured to the boy beside him. "He's Muggle-born."
A brief silence followed the response. Arcana simply nodded, accepting the information without judgment, while Ophelia's gaze darkened slightly, though she said nothing more.
Orion stared at Ophelia, his expression still impassive, but his gaze hardened. He could feel the discomfort of the two newcomers, and it didn't sit well with him. Without raising his voice, but with a cutting coldness, he asked:
"Does that pose any problem for you?"
A heavy silence fell over the compartment. Arcana and Selena exchanged surprised glances, not expecting Orion to adopt such a stance. Even Ophelia, usually unflappable, seemed slightly unsettled by the unexpected hostility in Orion's voice.
She took a moment before responding, her gray eyes meeting Orion's as if to weigh her words carefully. "It's not... a personal problem," she began cautiously, her tone still measured. "But you must understand that, in some families like mine, prestige and appearances matter greatly. Certain associations can... affect that."
Arcana, who had been watching the scene in silence, furrowed her brow slightly but said nothing. Selena, meanwhile, let out a sarcastic chuckle, clearly amused by the situation but not bothering to respond.
Orion slowly turned to Arcana, his heterochromatic eyes piercing, as if trying to gauge her thoughts. "And you, Arcana? Do you share her opinion?"
There was a certain gravity in his voice, a mix of curiosity and expectation. Arcana, who had been observing the scene with apparent calm, felt the tension rise. She knew her response would have an impact, especially after her brother's reaction. She hesitated for a moment, her gaze shifting between Orion and Ophelia.
Taking a deep breath, she answered, her features serious. "Orion... I won't lie to you. As the future matriarch, I have to be mindful of the image I project. It's a responsibility that weighs on me, and sometimes that means making decisions based on public opinion, especially in a world so influenced by status and alliances."
She paused, carefully watching Orion's reaction. "It's not that I fully approve of this way of thinking, but I can't ignore it. Not in the position I'm going to hold."
Orion remained silent for a moment, his expression impassive, though his thoughts whirled within him. He hadn't expected this answer, though he understood it. A faint sense of disappointment, though measured, passed through his mind, but as always, he kept his emotions under control.
Orion, clearly disappointed by his sister's response, declared, "Don't expect me to adopt your position," his voice cold and resolute. "I don't care what others think of me or my associations. And I'll be more than happy to correct anyone who dares criticize me for it."
His words, though spoken calmly, resonated with an underlying strength, a promise never to bow to superficial judgments. Arcana, though surprised by her brother's stance, didn't seem bothered. She nodded slightly, accepting his decision without protest.
The reactions in the compartment were immediate. The two newcomers, initially intimidated by Orion's cold aura, turned toward him, visibly surprised. They hadn't anticipated that he would take their defense in this way. A mix of gratitude and respect emerged in their eyes.
Arcana, for her part, accepted her brother's position without hesitation. While it didn't fully satisfy her on the political front, she understood and respected his choice.
Ophelia, on the other hand, displayed a more conflicted expression. Disappointed by Orion's reaction, she lowered her eyes slightly, weighing his words carefully. She knew that Orion's behavior would have repercussions on Arcana.
Finally, Selena, with her usual mischievous smile, looked at Orion with newfound interest. The approval in her eyes was undeniable. She appreciated the directness and indifference to social conventions he had just demonstrated. She found it refreshing that Orion didn't care about the conventions or expectations imposed by the wizarding society, preferring to forge his own path, regardless of what others thought. It resonated with her own rebellious and spontaneous nature.
As silence fell over the compartment once more, Orion turned his gaze back to the window, his mind already detached from the conversation. He had said what he needed to say, and for him, the matter was settled. He didn't care about Ophelia's or even Arcana's opinion on the subject. He knew who he was, and he was determined never to let the blood purity norms that had caused his family so much suffering influence him.
The two newcomers, after overcoming their initial awkwardness, exchanged a relieved glance. Though the tension was palpable, they felt strangely protected by Orion's declaration. They understood that they had found an ally in him, even if his cold demeanor made him difficult to approach.
Selena, still with her playful expression, finally broke the silence. "Well, I must say this trip to Hogwarts is shaping up to be far more interesting than I expected." She winked at Orion, clearly amused by the turn of events. "I can't wait to see who dares criticize you."
Ophelia let out a small sigh before sinking further into her seat, preferring not to respond.
As the compartment returned to silence, the occasional laughter and conversations of other students in the Hogwarts Express echoed in the background. But suddenly, a sharp voice rang out just outside the compartment.
"The Magas must be in this carriage, let's find them."