Problems? ((Jack, Padme, and Dixie))

[Mackenzie Holden]

Her hands slid over her trunk, almost lovingly. It was new, because her old one had broken down when she had tried to stuff everything in it. Mack closed the lid and latched it. She was returning to Hogwarts, and she was leaving behind the studio, her mother, Tommy, Georgia, and everyone else. It was hard to believe, yet she wanted it so badly. Mack inhaled and bit her lip as she pulled her trunk behind her. Her mother was still looking for a place to live, and she wasn't having any luck. Mack asked her why they didn't just move to her grandparent's house, and her mother would glare and walk off. Mack left it at that, she didn't want or need any more problems in her life at the moment.

She pulled her bag onto her shoulders and made her way out to the car where Dixie sat behind the wheel, and her mother in the passenger seat. Mack put her trunk in the back, and then took her seat. They drove to King's Crossing and got out. This wasn't a sad goodbye see you later type of thing, it wasn't tradition. It was a simple "you're off to school, forget to write" type of thing. Mack was used to it by now, as was Dix. They both made their way to the barrier- as their mother drove away, and entered onto the platform. The engine stood in front of them.

Mack started to head her way, like she always did, when Dixie caught her arm; 'You're sitting with me..." She said. Mack raised an eyebrow but obeyed. THis was the first time Mack had been ordered to sit with Dixie. Even on her first year, she had to find a compartment by herself. Mack sighed and put her trunk next to her sister's. She then followed her into the back of the train. They found a compartment and sat down, "Is there a reason why I had to sit with you, oh wise one?" Mack asked sarcastically. Dix glared but said nothing. They were in silence until the compartment door opened.

[Padme Rendel S2]

"Mother? Mother? I'm leaving now." Padme called dully through the house. If Mother had heard, she gave no reply. How could she be so selfish to ruin Padme's special day? She had been looking foreword to this for a long time and yet her Mother locks herself in her room and away from the world. Padme had learned, over the weeks since she had divorced Cameron, that the world wasn't all fun and games. It was harsh and cruel, with no resistance in it capability. Tessa was drowning in the world. She was so busy that she had no time to herself. She would go to work most of the day and then lock herself in the room the rest. Padme wasn't even sure if she was in the house anymore. Who knew if she left in the early morning? Padme lowered her eyes to the ground and sat down to make the weight on her shoulders ease by the slightest notch. Tears burned under her lids but she refused to let them fall. Instead, she stood up again and grabbed her trunk in haste, running out of the house as if it had been on fire. She had no reluctance to leave this awful place now.

The walk to the Express seemed so long. Padme endured much stares and talking behind the hands without retaliating. Her remorse was soon fading and growing again except with hatred. She hated all these people here, she hated her Mother for what she was doing to herself, she hated her Father for doing completely nothing in the crisis he had started, and she hated herself for believing everything could be alright again. Maybe, in her wildest dreams, she had believed that Tessa and Roger might have even fallen in love again and they would be the true family they were meant to be. Instead, everything had went horribly wrong. She bit her lip so hard blood rushed to her tongue. She continued to bite down until the pain forced her to let go. What would it do to hurt herself now? She had to manage the money; she was the one who had to pay for the income and the insurance, the taxes and so much more. It was all due to her paintings, in which her mind was let free to wonder on dreams and fantasies. It was the place she liked to go in the darkest times. Her paints were like chocolate to a young child. She lived for it and used it for all it was worth. She had even packed her paints and canvases for school. She planned to buy some more during the year too. She struggled to bury her anger as she entered the barrier and looked at the purple steam-engine. How she had she longed for this day and now that it was here.....

Hot tears burned her eyes and a few fell, only to be wiped away from an angry Padme. Weak tears were one thing but frustrated, angry tears were another. She was actually shaking with fury. She struggled to control herself as she glared at the train and its occupants visible through the windows. She had dreamed of this day, even painted it, but in those dreams and paintings, there was a Mother saying good-bye to her. Padme turned to see Tessa but instead saw an empty space, just like the hole that was made in her heart. She swallowed and pulled up her luggage, dragging its heavy contents to the compartment in which it was stored. The man there wished to help her but Padme insisted she do it herself. A little pain would be welcome now. She didn't, however, gain any pain over heaving the trunk onto the train but it did hurt her muscles that had been contracted in rage. She breathed freely as the trunk left her white fingers and thudded onto the floor. The man was looking happy she wasn't hurt but she didn't pause to acknowledge him. She hurried onto the train with her arms free to pound anything she found fit. No one was in the aisle when she went through it and no one she knew peered back at her through the windows. She began to become impatient until she saw two familiar faces in one compartment in the middle. She opened the compartment and slammed it shut as hard as she could, but she failed to break the glass. Glaring at them both, Padme sat down next to Dixie.

"Why if it isn't the wonderful Holden sisters," Padme greeted with only slight sarcasm, which was a nice remark on her behalf. She was just waiting for them to say something for her to lash out on. She felt like a rabid animal, she couldn't control herself with any of the calming exercises she had used before hand. Perhaps it would have been easier if she was with someone like Ariane, who couldn't understand why someone would lose it. But being with Mack made it worse. She had let her fury out on her when a small insult had gotten to her head. Now, Padme was in Mack's position. Would she do the same thing as her? She had no intention of physical harm but instead to insult them with an iron fist. And that was exactly what she planned to do.

[Jack Rendel S5]

The plane landed quickly, its wheels thudding heavily against the ground. Jack looked to his left with apprehension. Roger was sitting there, leaned foreword and looking out with interest at the London streets. He leaned back only when he saw Jack was looking. Jack looked away quickly. Why had Roger been so interested in going to London with him? Usually, he was grouchy about it instead of tense and hyper. He had finally taken a shower and emerged looking years younger, or maybe it was just Jack's eyes playing tricks on him. He had been bouncy all morning and when they had boarded the plane, he had given the treat lady a tip for doing completely nothing. He had been smart and respectable the whole way and now that they where there, tense and expectant. Only Jack wasn't sure what he was expecting. A greeting of some sort by some special person? He remained confused as the exited the plane and got into their car. Roger was jabbering all the way, continually talking about his work and all his friends of whom he would be seeing. Jack remained quiet through the long ride. Father didn't seem to notice. In fact, he used the space with more talking. Jack stared out the window, watching the scenery flash by with no interest. In fact, his face was rather blank. He wasn't sure how he was going to react going to Hogwarts again. Mostly with the changes undergoing in his life. Padme would be there. He would have to endure her rants on how Roger didn't help and how he should have done something. Jack shook his head before lightening considerably at a thought. Mack would be there too. How could he have forgotten his favorite person in the world? Grinning now, he forced his gaze on his Father, who was now rambling about how he was going to walk through London and visit people. When they reached Kings Cross, he ceased his incisive babbling to help Jack with his luggage.

"I'm going to drop you off here." Roger said as he heaved the heavy trunk out of the car. His face was brighter then Jack had ever seen it and there seemed to be many years of remorse wiped off his face. Jack nodded and got his owl cage out of the trunk. Klaus hooted a disgruntled greeting, which only caused Jack to smile. Roger grinned too, but it wiped Jack's off his face.
"What is it you're going to do, Daddy?" Jack asked with patience although it was curious how Roger stopped packing to look at him with furrowed brows. Jack put on a look of pure innocence, although it was hard with Roger gazing at him like he was.
"I have some business to attend." Roger said with his arms outstretched for effect. He smirked and put Jack's hand on the handle of the trunk. "You get going now. The trains going to be on its way rather soon and I'm sure you don't want to miss it." he waved Jack's confused face away before getting in the car and driving off. Jack continued to stare until the car proceeded out of sight. He tried to shake his Father's buoyant face out of his mind but it kept flashing back. He turned and walked away from the parking lot with a quickness that must have been apparent.

The train was loading with the last students when Jack arrived. He hurriedly put his trunk in the luggage compartment before climbing aboard rapidly. The train started moving, it seemed, just after he got on. Jack walked quickly down the aisle, only pausing to look in on a compartment. Most were already full but Jack held no desire to sit with them anyhow. He was looking for his younger sister and Mack. Maybe someone in his year also, like Mary or Pyro, someone along those lines. He continued to look in on others until he came across the compartment he was looking for. Stepping inside, he gazed at the occupants with concern. Padme was white with frenzied rage, her hands clutching her knees. Mack was sitting across from Dix who was sitting next to Padme. He walked in and sat down next to Mack slowly, watching everyone with interest.

"Sorry so late. Father was talking rather then watching the time." Jack said while placing Klaus's cage on the floor near his legs where he would be safe. He looked up at the others again, his face lit up with the fact of seeing Mack again. Keeping his enthusiasm at a minimum he spoke. "Have you been getting my letters lately?" he asked. He had been sitting in his room many of times, wondering what he could do about his predicament. Mostly when he had found those letters from Tessa to Roger. It had been a frightening experience but life goes on, sadly. He tensed as he realized that Padme would be wondering why he had been writing Mack. She knew nothing about them; their relationship or the secrets of Roger's room. And Jack would prefer it left that way.

[Dixie Holden-Greene]

Fogged up. Messed up. Screwed up. Turmoil. There a million or so words that explained Dixie's mood as she sat in the driver's seat of the car- waiting for Mackenzie to hurry up and get her little white butt out there. She wasn't having a very good day, and well, Mack was just making it worse. They could be late if she didn't- speak of the devil! A flash of red hair stated that Mack was in the car. Without another word, Dixie pushed on the gas and was heading toward Kings Crossing. Her mind reeled with thoughts that nearly blinded her because there were so many, and finally she pulled to a stop in a parking space. She didn't know why she had done that- her mother wasn't going to walk her to the station, her or Mack. It was a known fact.

The two girls got out, grabbed their things, and headed inside. Of course, Dix was better at entering a crowded place- people parted for her, but Mack was alone in the cold, being shoved around because she was so tiny. Dix only chuckled at this and grabbed her sister's arm- tugging her to the barriers. If one wanted to get onto Platform 9 3/4, one had to run directly at the barrier and one will emerge on the other side. Dixie did this, as did Mack. Usually, Mack sat up front as Dixie was in the back- but today however, Dix wanted to sit with Mack. And Dixie knew Mack would never agree to sitting in the back, so she pulled her sister to the middle, stating rather coldly; "You're sitting with me..."

She reached an empty compartment, threw her bag down on the ground and lounged on the left seats. Mack sat across from her and asked a question, all Dix did was glare. She didn't know why she wanted Mack to sit with her- maybe it was because she was afraid she would end up sitting alone...or something like that. Dixie looked out the window as the compartment door slid open to reveal a little girl. Padme. Dixie smirked, "Hey, Pet, now there is some worthy company here. C'mere, sit, tell me all about your vacation. Then I'll tell you mine..." Of course, Dixie was oblivious. Just then, Jack entered, and sat down beside Mack- asking her if she received his letters. Dix snorted at that...

[Mackenzie Holden]

Dixie didn't answer her. Nice... Mack thought with a roll of her eyes. She moistened her lips, propped her legs up on the seat across from her and crossed her arms so she looked like she was mad way more than she really was. Her blue eyes drifted toward the window and she watched as the train started to move. The compartment door slid open to reveal a little girl that was known as Padme Rendel. Padme looked even more venemous than she had the last time Mack had saw her, and she had no doubt as to why. Padme figured she needed to be strong, and Mack needed to set her straight. This girl was only, what, eleven years old?

"That's right...the wonderful Holden sisters, as opposed to you...the- um- sort of below wonderful Rendel." Mack snapped at her. She bit her lip to contain her complete anger and looked out the window again. The train was starting to pick up speed. She listened half-heartedly to Dix who was trying to make conversation with her favourite little first year. She was failing miserably at it. Mack was the only one in the Holden family who knew about what was going on with Padme, and secretly she wondered if Padme would snap at Dix. And secretly, she hoped not- because that would mean Dixie would snap back.

The train whistled, and a few seconds after the whistle sounded- the door slid open again. Mack lazily moved her gaze to the door and saw Jack standing there. She raised her hand and waved it once in a cocky sort of way before dropping it again and crossing her arms. Jack sat next to her, and asked her about his letters- she nodded slowly then said; "But the last one, I couldn't reply to. Louis wouldn't deliver it, for some reason. So, I have it here if you want it? Though, it would probably be much simpler just to...talk about it later?" She sent him a quick grin before sending signalling eyes to Padme...she didn't want much of a confrontation with her.

[Padme Rendel S2]

Padme glared at Dixie with scrutinized anger and was set on completing it with a snarl when Mack spoke up. She turned and rounded on her. "Below Rendel? Ha!" she smiled a twisted, cruel smile. "How could you say below? I'm far above you. What with your incompetence and ignorance I wouldn't be surprised if my grades will turn out better then yours, let alone my summer." she snapped, the last part directed more at Dix then Mack. How she loathed people who thought them better then her! She hated teaching them too. She made a mental note never to become a teacher in the future. She smirked at Mack with pure venom before swiveling in her seat to face her brother, Jack, who was almost as bad as Mack and if not, better. Padme gave him the smallest smile she could muster, her left cheek getting cut by the edge of her lips. He sat down next to Mack, of course, and started blabbing off on different things Padme had no intimate interest in. Instead, she twiddled with her fingers absently. When Jack asked Mack if she had gotten his letters, her head shot up so fast she got a crick in the neck.

"No, no no!" she moaned loudly, her hands over her ears. "Honestly Jack! I think dear Mack is rubbing off on you. How stupid to be writing to her about problems that are not her own! She would just get us in deeper trouble, not help us out. Why, she probably doesn't care at all; just glad that she's not in our shoes." Padme raised her eyes to the ceiling. How utterly, completely, unreasonably stupid! She glared at Jack before smirking with a satisfied glint in her eyes. She watched them closely and hinted that something was different between the two of them. She had no desire to find out, however. In fact, she would rather not know anything about them anymore. She perked up when Mack mentioned she had a response to Jack's letter and how they should talk about it later. What really got Padme riled, however, was the fact that Mack had looked her way while speaking this to her.

"Give it here," Padme demanded, outstretching her hand with a glare. "Now! I have every right to read that. He is my brother and he was, of course, talking about our problems. Unless it is some love letter?" Padme's snarl turned into a sadistic smirk. "Give it here anyway. I'm sure you two would love for me to read it aloud for all to hear." she smirked and waited for Mack to hand over the letter she had spoken about.

[Mackenzie Holden]

Mack's eyebrow rose- "Right, Padme, your summer was better than mine. Why don't you," She leaned in toward the girl a little, "enlighten us on how wonderful you're dreary summer was?" Her blue eyes danced with a dare that signalled she wasn't fooling around. If Padme wanted to play hardball, Mack had a mean underhand. She sat back in her seat and turned back to Jack, when once again Padme butt in. Mack's head turned slowly to face the eleven year old prat and smiled. She pulled out the letter and handed it to her, but pulled back before she could grab it.

"Before I let you read this, let me clue in on a little secret- being in your shoes is never an issue. I would be there for you no matter what problem. I didn't ask Jack to come to me about anything, that was his action not mine! So don't blame me or take it on me, okay Princess?" Mack handed her the letter, "And just so you know- you wouldn't know what love is anyway. From what I hear, you've never been loved. Your father kicked your mother out when she was pregnant with you, your mother remarried a man who didn't treat you too well, and again your mother divorced him- putting you two in a very tight spot. I'm starting to wonder if she was at all intelligent..." Mack crossed her arms and pursed her lips. She sent an apologetic smile at Jack, knowing he was sensitive about his mother and Padme- but it wasn't meant as a personal attack toward Tessa, but it was meant as one to Padme.

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack looked back at Padme as though she had thrown a rock at his head. He shook his head sadly at Mack, knowing that Padme was a lost case. He crossed his arms over his chest and looked out the window for interest. The scenery was moving faster and faster by as the train picked up momentum. He raised his eyes to the heavens as Padme and Mack bickered endlessly. He silently wondered why they were so....angry. He paused to think over the matter just as Padme demanded to see the letter. Jack glared at her. "You don't need to see it. I can always fill you in on what's in it later." he snapped lightly. Mack had already given it to Padme but he had no trouble pulling it back from Padme's lack of strong grip. He pushed it into his back pocket and smirked at his younger sister with a haughty expression.

"I honestly doubt it's a love letter, Padme. It's something much more important that you won't learn about until you grow up." he sneered, keeping his eyes off anyone in sight. It wasn't that Padme was making him angry; it was just how tired he was growing of the constant bickering and trade of cruel remarks. He had really had enough of his sisters crooked attitude. He had even made plans over the summer to straighten her to make the perfect, respectable Slytherin that he could never be. He smirked as he thought about how he wanted Padme to not follow in his footsteps but be the person to have a happier life with much more choices of what would happen. He hadn't gotten what he wanted and although Padme was already as lost as he had been at her age, he was determined to help her out. After all, what was a big brother for? To look after his crazed little sister. He smirked at Padme once more before sending a smile at Mack. He knew that she was just insulting Padme and not Mother. Even though it wasn't his favorite insult he felt the need to let it slip by this time. He then turned to Padme with a smile.

"You already know everything, Padme. Don't you know that I trust you with all my heart and soul? After all, you're in this with me." he said, his lying reaching a point of atrocity. He did not trust Padme with all his heart and soul and he most definitely didn't tell her everything. It was just to calm her riled mind and body, not that it was even a possibility. He watched her for a moment before folding his arms again with a glare Padme's way, wondering what she had in store for Mack and Dix.

[Dixie Holden-Greene]

Dixie watched all this with interest. Her brown eyes went from Mackenzie, to Padme, to Jack, then back to the firey tempered red head. She could tell her younger sister was getting worked up- and she knew what was coming. Dixie watched as Mack let the insults fly. She did it cockingly of course, and that only satisified the 17 year old. She looked at Padme after Jack had finished speaking. She seemed to be ready to blow a gasket; "Now, watch what you say; Pet. I may adore you, but Mack is my blood. And I'm 17- I'm allowed to use magic out of school. You harm my sister, I will be forced to harm you." Dix told her sternly. She glared lightly at Padme before turning back to Mack.

She decided to scold her as well; "As for the personal attacks. You watch it too, Mack. We don't want prefects to walk down here and finding me having to jinx both of you for insults that aren't even worth repeating. Besides, from commotion I am hearing- there is already something on their hands." A malicious twinkle appeared in Dixie's chocolate brown eyes as cries were heard from the last car. She wasn't frightened, it was an attack and she was sure of it. She sat in her spot, looking at Mack- challenging her to disobey her. A flash of light went off, and Dix's gaze broke to look at the glass on the compartment door- it wasn't close enough to harm them, but still...a little bit too close.

"Jack?" Dixie looked at him, her eyes piercing his; "Do you care to share what was in those letters to my dear sister? Her being the selfish cow she is, wouldn't let me read any of them, even though I was nice as I possibly could be." Dix winked at Mack who seemed to be disgusted with her for that. She mentally shrugged, and wondered if he would actually answer her-or- if the little one would make an outburst.

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack raised an eyebrow as Dix spoke up and began to chastise both Padme and Mack. Like she hasn't had arguments before.... Jack thought but he was satisfied that Padme and Mack might just listen to Dixie and let it stop. He was glad that somebody had actually tried to put a stop to it; he was getting a horrible headache from it. He, of course, had been smart enough not to step in the line of fire. Padme and Mack could be vicious at times. Dix, however, was older and more....in common then the other too. Jack smirked. It seemed to go on for a while but he didn't do anything to stop it. When it was over, he raised an eyebrow as Dix directed her voice to him. His first thoughts was she would begin to reprimand him but it turned out she was just curious about the letters too. Would it be for the best to share the secrets with the two of them. Dix would, undoubtedly, show it to Padme and Padme would blow her top, if she hadn't already. Jack hesitated, the letter burning his skin. He had two in there, the one Mack had written and the one Tessa had written to Roger. It was the same one he had copied down for Mack when he had sent the last letter. He bit his lip and looked down at the ground. What were his options anyway? The....four of them would have to learn to trust each other, grudgingly or no.

"Curiosity kills the cat. It could kill the Dix too." he replied as a flash of light went down the hall. It wasn't close enough to be a bother, not that Jack was scared. Roger had been excited for a while now, and he had a hunch that he had been excited about something besides whatever was in London. Maybe he was in the attack himself....Jack shuddered at the mere thought of it. Roger hurting, possibly killing, students, his classmates for the last three years. He turned back to Dix and considered the matter thoroughly once more before reaching in his pocket and slowly drawing out the letter Tessa had sent to Roger. He handed it to Dix and shook his head, surprised at his own actions.

"Make sure Padme sees it too," he said with a nod toward Padme. She had been right saying it was all her business too. After all, she was in the midst of everything. The other letter was still in his pocket but he didn't reach to take it out. The one there should explain everything they had been speaking about. It was simple to see that once read. Jack smirked and leaned back, watching Dix for any sign of surprise or confusion that would surely be written on her face before long.

[Padme Rendel S2]

Padme glared at Dixie with arrogance shining through her young eyes. How did she think she was, threatening her? Padme smirked. "Is she really your blood?" she asked with extreme cunning. Jack had told her about Mack's blood issue; she wasn't even supposed to be in Slytherin. What with her dirty, insignificant blood. She had promised Jack that she wouldn't use it against her but....Promises were made for being broken. It was so astonishingly stupid that someone would lock their heart up and give it to another 'friend' just for them to do what they want. Most would eat it with no thought at all. Padme smiled at Dix. "I thought that we could use magic on the train? Tell me if I'm wrong, for it would be horrible for me to be expelled before reaching the school. Not that I wouldn't have schooling. Durmstrang is always open." she said with a satisfied smirk. She fidgeted while Dix told off Mack too. She shook her head with a smile on her thin lips. This was fairly amusing. When Dix was done with that, she spoke to Jack too. Padme perked up as Jack handed Dix a letter. She leaned over to look past Dix's shoulder and read the contents of the letter.

It was confusing, strange, and utterly unreliable. How could that be true? It sounded like the family had secrets of their own that they hadn't shared with their children. Padme's smirk had been washed off her face after reading the first sentence only. Even the very beginning was strange. 'Dearest Roger?' That didn't make any sense. Roger and Tessa hated each other! Padme crossed her arms before putting on a very ugly expression to behold. "How do I know this isn't a lie Jack? How do we know that.....it's fake? Where'd you get it? Why'd you keep this.....thing?" she shrilled, her eyes glazed over. This wasn't....possible. Something was wrong. "If it's a joke, tell, for it's not funny."

[Mackenzie Holden]

Mack's eyes shot up at Padme, pure hatred toward the young girl coursing through her blood. Mack breathed in and out, letting her hands open and close so she wasn't to punch anything or anyone. Mack pierced Padme, and she imagined hurtling a spell at her with so much force that it knocked the girl out. Mack was very close to withdrawing her wand, but didn't; "Yes. We are blood. Maybe you need to brush up on your genetics. Dixie and I have the same father, but not the same mother. Therefore we are half-sisters. But still blood." Mack withdrew a letter opener from her bag, she carried it around often enough for it not to be to curiously out of place. She stood up and with one stride, was next to Dixie. She opened her hand palm up and sliced it, wincing only a little.

She then grabbed Dixie's blood, sliced her palm, and then pressed her hand together with Dixie's and Dixie, surprisingly enclosed her hand with Mack's. Mack looked at Padme, "See? Blood. My blood. Her blood. Our blood. Just because I'm half blooded doesn't mean I'm not pure. I'm probably more pure than you in many many ways, your highness. Pure doesn't just mean by blood, it means by heart, and by wealth." She sent the last word with a strong diction before pulling away from Dix and sitting down. Her hand was still bleeding but she began to wrap it up with a ripped up shirt in her bag. She winced, but watched as Padme and Dixie read the letter. Padme seemed unconvinced that it was real, and Dixie seemed less than interested. Mack crossed her arms and looked at Jack.

"Not the smartest witch in the school is she?" She asked with a quick raise of her eyebrow.

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack sent a glare at Padme that told she was to watch herself. Looking after her was already starting to get troubling and they weren't even at Hogwarts yet! What was it with this girl.....Jack smirked and leaned back as Mack seemed to take Padme's insult to heart. She did something very bizarre but he made no comment at her behavior. He knew that if it had been him with the half-blood, he would have taken that insult seriously but since he wasn't, there really was no point to it. Padme was just thinking of insults quickly in her head, and although they were rather good, she didn't mean any of it. Or so Jack thought. Maybe she did but he thought she was just having her fun. It was all like a funny game to her. It had been annoying, at first but even more so now that Jack was her guardian.

"You shouldn't take her seriously, Mack. She doesn't take you seriously." Jack told Mack as she sat back down and did up her hand. It was still bleeding some but not bad enough for Jack to worry. He shot her a small smile before glaring at Padme as she refused to accept the matter. They needed to be strong to get through this, not ignorant! He smirked haughtily at her. "It's not fake. I thought you of all people could recognize your mothers' hand. After all, you live with her and I do not, but yet I can remember what it looks like." he shook his head, knowing Padme was just starting to think of another excuse for this. "I know it's hard to believe but you better believe it. You need to believe it to get through this Padme. That means you might have to go through an extreme attitude adjustment." he sneered at her, feeling happy he was the older one here. He sent her a satisfied smirk before reaching his hand over to take back the letter, considering they both looked like they had read it. Folding it carefully and placing it in his pocket, Jack looked up at the two across from him with raised eyebrows, ready to hear what they thought on the matter.

[Padme Rendel S2]

Padme blinked a few times and looked politely puzzled. Mack was acting strange again.....not that it wasn't unusual for her. Padme smirked and folded her arms, not really caring what Mack did. She had flared nicely at Padme's comment, which made her even more excited. She made a mental note to remember that Mack was hurting on this subject. After all, if the girl made her really mad, this would make as a good come-back. She rocked back and forth, humming slightly as Mack finished her movements. Padme smiled with a glare that made the smile look unreal.

"Have you proved your point yet?" she asked while holding her hands up and inspecting the polish there. She began to pick at it, hoping to rile Mack once more. It was so much fun to watch; pleasurably, actually. Padme always loved the fact that she was the cause of peoples' anger. It always made it that more enjoyable. She had never told anyone her lust to do this, but it must have been apparent anyway. After all, actions were more then words. That was what Mother had always told her. She smirked and looked up at Mack, who was wrapping a clothe around her bleeding palm. Padme's eyes widened slightly, but only with excitement at a new insult. She tried to hold her tongue back but it snapped loose anyway. Not that she was trying to hard.

"Dixie's blood might have ran out already," she pointed out. After all, the blood was running and Dixie's blood had just gotten in there.....It would have been out, wouldn't it have? She smirked happily before away to the window. She felt her stomach lurch. She was going to be Sorted soon into her House. She would get to bother Mack all day and see Dix and Jack too. She was finally going to be able to live up to her Mothers' dreams. Maybe that would take her out of the....trance she had put herself in. Padme wasn't nervous, after all, she was destined to be in Slytherin. If she wasn't, where else would she go? Durmstrang, naturally. She was happy with what the out-come would be anyway. She knew it could be no other way, and she knew that the others knew too. Although Mack might not like it too much.....Padme was thrilled with the prospect and almost bounced up and down in her seat. But instead, she remained calm and collected, looking back at Jack with an arrogant smirk. She hadn't even realized he had been talking.

"What were you saying? Oh, no matter. I don't care anyway." she said with a smile that wasn't sincere. It was more like a warning that she wasn't through yet. She let Jack take the letter back; she had no desire to look at it's contents any more. It was like a sacred paper to her, but it didn't mean anything. She leaned foreword and tapped a finger on her chin, to show she was pretending to think on the matter. She smirked. "How do we know this isn't lies, Jack? After all, they seem to follow us wherever we go. Is there no way to escape them?" she whispered, her eyes widening slightly with almost real concern. She wasn't sure how loud she had whispered, but if either of the Holden's had heard, she didn't care. They might just understand too.

[Dixie Holden-Greene]

Dix couldn't take it anymore. After Mack's action, which she was certain only her and her sister knew the meaning behind, and Padme's constant insults- she was ready to kill someone. Dixie looked at Padme, with a deadly glare.

"You listen here, Pet. You want friends? Do you want a family that cares for you? Well you got them. Pushing them away isn't going to do any good. So I suggest you either make nice or get out of the compartment. No one wants to deal with your petty problems. Jack and Mack are only trying to help- and here you are acting like you rule England." Dixie stood up and grabbed the girl's arm, yanking her up as well. She saw out of the corner of her eye as Mack grabbed Jack's arm in case he was to jump up and rescue his sister.

"So here are you choices," Her grip on Padme's arm grew tighter. Her hand had stopped bleeding once she had healed it, and it was the hand that was now holding onto the small girl, "You can either calm down and play nice or get out and find some other acquaintances to sit with. Keep in mind, you're at Hogwarts now- no one is going to want to put up with you and your imaginative grand insults. You think what you says bothers most people to the point where they have to break, but all it does is annoy them and make them hate you. You want enemies- you'll make them fine. But I garuntee you won't make it through your first year the way you are starting it out. Ask Mack. She was the same way. And it was her third year that she finally developed."

[Padme Rendel S2]

Padme was waiting for Jack to do something or say something, but it was Dixie who spoke up and this time with some anger in her words. Padme turned calmly to face her, her face holding a smirk that showed she was superior. She rolled her eyes as Dix said they were trying to help. She was angry herself! Which wasn't a good thing, really. "They have a nice way of showing it!" Padme snarled. "So do you. You three," she sent a deadly glare at Jack and Mack before turning to Dixie. "were spoiled your whole life, catered to, had all your needs and wants. I don't know about Mack because she was seriously messed up but everyone else got everything they wanted and more. There might have been difficulties but you were! And you - Dixie - was the worst, I heard! I'm used to doing everything my way, independently. I didn't have servants or maids or butlers or what not. I didn't have the prettiest dresses or the nicest hair ribbons. I was lonely my whole life while you three lounged in your mammoth houses. I live in a different universe then you and yet you're trying to help me with my problems? I didn't ask for any help! I didn't ask for anything at all. I didn't even want to tell you or Mack but Jack had to be the loud mouth." By this time, Padme had been tugged up by Dixie and her tirade of talk was interrupted. Padme stayed quiet but with the nastiest face she could muster. When Dix was done, she exploded again.

"You can do what you want with me. I have much more options then you can think of. But believe me, I have no intention on being like Mack. That would destroy me on the inside, I'm sure. As for 'playing nice' I don't know what you mean. You haven't seen me....angry yet. This is just me. Normal. If I'm really bothering Mack, she can take care of herself. You aren't her slave, are you? Or, are you doing the big sister protecter thing?" Padme asked, with sarcasm dripping from her words. "Mack can do what she wants. I'm sure she has better 'insults' then what she's been telling me. Honestly, I could think of those insults at age three." Padme said, her voice calming down with each word until she was talking normally. She shot a contemptuous glance Mack's way. "I don't care about friends or enemies. I don't know what that means! I've been alone for so long...." Padme whimpered, suddenly feeling stranded. The feeling passed quickly, however, and she straightened up her poise and perfection. "Now, if you're going to throw me out, do it neat and quick. I don't want a mark around my arm where you're holding me and I most certainly don't want my new robes ruined by the dirty train floor."

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack raised an eyebrow at Padme as she asked something that was really unanswerable. He shrugged and leaned back, showing that he didn't know anything on the matter that she had decided to talk about. Did lies follow in their shadows? If so, Jack had a way of evading them, somehow. He leaned foreword quickly, however, when Dixie suddenly dragged Padme up with her. Since Padme was small for her age and skinny, it must have been easy for Dix to lift her. He shot up but was pulled down by Mack, who had grabbed his arm as a restraint. Was Dix going to hurt her or...? He struggled with Mack but not hard enough, apparently, for he couldn't realize himself from her grasp. Sitting down again, he watched with clear awe as Padme defied Dixie with a rage that Jack hadn't seen out of her before. He definitely hadn't lead the perfect life she described. Oh no, he had a horrible life and she knew that.....hadn't he told her?

"Padme, calm down." Jack said with an annoyed expression on his face. He thought she understood, for she shut her mouth tight with narrowed eyes. Jack turned to Dix with a raised eyebrow. "Let her go. She'll be good....I think." he said, with a glare at Padme. He didn't want her first train ride to end in a disaster, although she deserved it if she did. That could happen in her second year, perhaps, but not her first. He was going to make her first go as smoothly as possible. It was to make up after his horrible experience. He wanted Padme to lead an almost normal life, although he wasn't exceeding very well. Trying to calm himself as much as Padme he waited to see what Dixie would do to the girl. It was all up to her now. Jack had a few doubts that she might just shove Padme out without a second thought but she did seem to like Padme.....

[Dixie Holden-Greene]

Dixie listened to Padme....she listened to the sickening voice of the eleven year old who thought she could. Dixie wouldn't take it. Her eyes were littered with hatred. She had enough problems with Padme causing her own in this compartment. If Padme wanted to be self-centered and act like the world was hers to own, she could do it someplace else. She seemed to be depressed with how "alone" she was. And Dix scowled at that. She yanked open the compartment door, and shoved her out.

"When you want to step up and play with the big dogs. Then knock. But if you are going to whine and argue over something as petty as this- leave us alone. Padme, you aren't the only one here with problems. So don't act like it! Don't treat Mack, your brother, or myself like crap! We don't treat you like that! You have a problem? We want to listen to you! We have a problem! We want you to listen to us! Now scatter! Before I get even more pissed off!" Dixie slammed the compartment door in Padme's face then sat down again, pure anger on her face.