September 4 - The Hogwarts Express

Trin Paige was excited to go back to Hogwarts. It wasn't that her home was so bad, but she was from a Muggle town called Liverpool, England. She couldn't practice her spells or read her textbooks for school unless she did so in the secret basement under their typical wartime British house. In the eyes of everyone else in town, Max Paige was a simple Private Investigator like Sherlock Holmes. Tessa, her mother, wrote for the Liverpool Paper. But in truth Max was a wizard, and Tessa was a writer for the Daily Prophet. And Trin, age fourteen, was just starting her fourth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Today, the family was on Platform Nine and Three Quarters where Trin would be boarding the Hogwarts Express, the steam engine that would take her to Hogwarts.

"Now remember," Max was saying as he knelt down in front of her. "No one needs to know about the fact that we lost the Inca treasure on Ghost Island and that we already lost the money that it was worth on excavating the huge swamp, looking for more treasure. I'm sure there's still more there..."

"Honey, let it go," Tessa put her hand on Max's shoulder. "No one blames you for what happened on that island."

"I blame me," Max muttered.

Trin had heard the stories so many times that she could retell it herself, and she wasn't even there. Max and his friends had been involved in a massive treasure hunt on a secret, "haunted" island off the coast of Italy after they'd graduated from Hogwarts themselves. They'd found some ancient artifacts, but the whole thing had been a lot more complicated than they'd expected it to be... So far, the island had kept her secrets from them, and Trin's father hadn't quite forgiven himself yet for being bested by it.

The steam engine blew its horn, alerting that it was time to board. Trin hugged her parents and said goodbye to them. "I love you guys. And I still think you're the best investigator ever."

"Thanks sweetheart," Max smiled as he stood. "Have a good term, and we'll see you at Christmas."

"We're proud of you, dear," Tessa hugged her.

Trin waved at them both and then excitedly pushed her cart full of books, and her caged owl - Pluto, onto the train. She found a compartment that had some empty seats and placed her luggage in the overhead bins. "Hey guys, can I sit with you?" she asked.



 

It was then that the young girl's rat spied the cat on the other seat, and she very promptly ran across her owner's chest and to her other shoulder, hoping to put some distance between her and the cat. The girl gave the nervous rat a pat. She then nodded to Trin and said, "Plenty of room. I'm Elodie."

Trin smiled at Elodie and said, "Hi Elodie! I'm Trin. Fourth year Ravenclaw. Do you know what house you'll be in? I'm guessing you're a first year?"

The boy sitting across from them smiled happily at the girls and says a polite, "Thank you." He then looked to Elodie and asked, "Are you a first year? I do not think I have seen you before. I'm Alex, but everyone calls me AJ." He held his cat, Scarlatti, in his arms as he took a seat and he whispered to the cat, "Now, Scarlatti, you behave. Remember, rats and birds are sometimes our friends at school."

"Nice to meet you, Trin, AJ," Elodie flashed a smile to the both of them. She nodded related to the question; "Yes, first year. And no. I don't know my house yet. I'm kinda nervous. Not sure about what to expect with that hat I've heard about?"

The girl sitting beside Elodie smiled at Scarlatti and makes sure Argent had decided to behave, Argent appeared to be happily settling in for a nap under the table. "I'm glad you made it on board ok Elodie, let us know if you need anything, I know how nervous I was first year." She turned to AJ, "Have a good summer? Excited for potions? What did you think of the new cookbook?"

"Yeah let us know if you need anything at all," Trin said to Elodie. "Are you from a wizarding family?"

AJ giggled softly at the mention of the hat. "It feels a little weird when it gets put on your head and it starts saying things to you, but it's not scary at all. I'm a Slytherin. People were saying that Slytherin is not a nice house but there's lots of people who work hard in there so it's not bad at all." He then grinned at Rowena and nods eagerly. "Oh yes, I'm very excited for Potions again. I've already started to read my new books for this year."

"Nah, Slytherin isn't all bad..." Trin agreed. "It just means they're a bit... Clever when it comes to most things. They'll do what they gota to get ahead, you know? Doesn't make em all dark wizards. I hate stereotypes of any kind," she frowned.

Rowena nodded her agreement with AJ, "It does seem pretty weird, but it doesn't hurt or anything. You'll be fine and it doesn't last long at all, it just seems that way. I think the hat sort of listens too if you really want a house." She seemed to agree with Trin too, "Yeah, its best not to take the rivalries to seriously, people are just people."

Trin smiled at Elodie then. "Awesome! I guess you're not gonna be scared about whatever house... My only advice would be to not be afraid to ask questions. Even if you think it's a stupid one, it's almost guarantee that someone else has the same question." She smiled at Rowena and said, "Of course... Quidditch rivalries are a different thing. But that includes all four houses." To AJ she asked, "Are you gonna play Quidditch this year?"

AJ nodded gently, "Yes, I do not like the stereotypes either. They make people avoid people for no reason sometimes." He tilted his head and wriggled his nose. "I think it also tries to work out what kind of person you are and what you like but it does seem to listen to what you want as well." He then shook his head hurriedly at the mention of Quidditch. "No, definitely not. I'm still very scared of flying. I like to keep my feet on the ground!"

Rowena smiled at AJ, "I love to fly but I'm no good at Quidditch sadly, so no trying out for me this year I learned my lesson last year. " She turned to Elodie, "I think the hat will know if you need to be with your sister but it surprises people sometimes too and puts people places they don't expect. Whatever happens, the classes are all together so you can see each other as much as you want."

Trin frowned at AJ and said, “Aww, I am sure you’ll get better at flying soon enough! You just need some more practice! I bet that we could all have flying practice or something some time… I really want to get better at it too. Not for being on the team, but at least to do well in Flying class.” She looked at Elodie and asked, “Is there a subject you’re really looking forward to?”

Elodie said then, "I was looking forward to flying. I met two of the quidditch captains in Greece, and they asked me, but I've never flown before. I'm looking forward most to Care of Magical Creatures. I love critters.?" She took her rat, Chablis, down from her shoulder to hold in her lap and pet as she said this. "What about you?" she directed her question to Trin, AJ, and Rowena.

Rowena nodded, "I like creatures a lot too, and astronomy, but artificing is my favorite with transfigs mixed in. I like making things a lot." she shrugged.

AJ pet Scarlatti as the cat starts to get a little restless and he whispered, "Shhh, it's ok, Scarlatti." He then smiled to Elodie, "Oh, Care of Magical Creatures is great! But my favourites are Potions and Astronomy because they are very exact and they make me feel calm."

Trin blinked at that. “Wow, really? You met some in Greece? That’s pretty amazing. Did you go to the World Cup or something?” She then smiled and said, “I love Quidditch. I never really watched it much before coming to Hogwarts, but it’s been really fun to learn about it… Care of Magical Creatures is pretty awesome, but I also love astronomy too, like Rowena said. I love looking up at the night sky. And Charms is pretty cool also. But Herbology is definitely my favourite. I don’t know what it is about the greenhouses, but I just always feel like I’m doing something productive in there, you know?”

Elodie listened with interest. "I'm just excited to learn any spells. I bet turning things magical would be pretty cool;" she agreed with Rowena. As for Astronomy she looked doubtful; "I heard Astronomy was really hard. Like you have to do math and figure out rotations and stuff?" When Trin mentioned Herbology her eyes brightened. "That's the class my sister is most excited for. I'll have to tell her to look for you. "What was your favorite thing you did this summer?" she asked her cabin mates. "I thought Greece was amazing, but I also loved ballet camp."

Rowena nodded at AJ knowingly, "I feel like that too, and when you've made something you can feel good that its right. Music is like that but with more feeling mixed in...knowing you played without mistakes, that is a good feeling. I like plants and herbology but I can't seem to get them right here. Last year's final was a disaster, the Gillyweed was murdered by all the firsties pretty much on that exam." she smiled thinking back. "Greece was fantastic, its a shame Scotland lost but they played a strong game. At least I think so, I'd never seen a professional game played before." She smiled at Elodie, "If you get stuck on math, I'd be happy to help."

AJ giggled as Elodie mentions math in Astronomy and he nodded, "Yes, there's maths in there quite a lot, depending on what you're doing. But that's my favourite part and I really like it when the maths works out and you get to see something beautiful." He thought for a second before he answered, "I went to the world cup as well. It was a lot of fun and it was the first time my parents let me go away without them, except for school. It was scary when I had to save Fawn from a siren when we were swimming, though."

Trin chuckled at Elodie. “Yes, definitely it’s cool to just do magic… And yeah, Astronomy can be hard, but just looking at the night sky is pretty incredible. And Herbology… So many types of plants that all do different things… It’s amazing! And reading about them really does help you take care of them better. So it feels like your homework is worth something.” She thought about what she’d done for summer and said, “Well, I live with my dad in Liverpool… He’s a writer, like, he writes books and stuff. Mostly about magizoology or dragonology kind of things… Sometimes plants too.” She sighed then. “I wish we could have gone to the Wizard Cup, but we couldn’t afford it,” she frowned.

"I might have to take you up on that offer, Rowena;" Elodie said honestly. "A siren? What happened, AJ??" She had heard a rumor about a siren, but she hadn't been at the beach that day. She looked impressed when Trin mentioned thather dad wrote about magizoology. "I was thinking I might like to do that when I'm older. My sister really loves animals too. She tried to free the animals in the pet store by opening their cages because she felt bad for them. We kinda got kicked out;" she admitted sheepishly.

Rowena nodded, "It was SUPER expensive, I don't blame you. I had to pay for my own ticket and stuff, luckily I won one of the contests. And I camped in a tent, which I didn't mind at all except it was super hot there. My family weren't going to take me cause of my finals grades, but changed their minds at the last minute. I had to pay my own way though." she sighed, "I painted a lot while I was there, and the swimming was fantastic." She gave Elodie a smile about that story about her sister.

Trin smiled at Elodie. “It’s a really fascinating subject… I want a bowtruckle like Newt Scamander had. I haven’t got one yet, though. I’m still saving up,” she admitted. She then laughed about Elodie’s sister. “Really?! She let all the animals out! That’s hilarious, though I guess the owner didn’t think so… I can see her point though. I always feel bad for them. Especially the owls, all cooped up for most of the time except when they get to go deliver mail. Sometimes I give mine a letter just so it has something to do. Even if there’s not that much to write about!” She then looked over at Rowena. “Painted? Like… an artist paints? Or like painting walls and stuff? That swimming sounds pretty amazing though, and the camping too. I’d love to do that one day.”

"Anything from the trolly?" the trolley lady asked as she passed by the compartment.

"My Auntie Ena paid for us to Greece," Elodie said, "but we had to camp and only got to go to the restaurant once. Her house elf, Puca, wasn't along, and that was when I learned what a horrible cook my Aunt is;" she wrinkled her nose at the memory. Listening to AJ's story, she shuddered a bit; "That's kind of scary. Don't sirens like...eat people? You're a hero AJ!" She chuckled along with Trin regarding her sister's antics. "It was funny, seeing her face. The only way we got back in was to show her we had money to buy a pet. And I rescued this little one right here;" she shared, giving her tan and white rat in her lap a scritch on the head. "I'd love a bowtruckle. It is like herbology and magical creatures all in one." Her attention was subsequently side-tracked by the the trolley lady, and tucked Chablis in the crook of her arm and went to look at the cart. "Ooh...I need some butter beer and Bertie Botts Beans please.

Rowena looked at AJ, "Wow! You were really lucky!" Turning to Trin she said, "I'm a big fan fo Scamander too." she said with a fangirl smile, "Picture painting, not walls people might have been mad about that. You could come camping with us next summer if you want. Dad and I go fishing and stuff." Rowena fished in her bag and brought out some snacks, Bento boxes, and some packages of stuff with Japanese characters on them, "My cousins sent me snacks for the ride, help yourself. And Obaasan sent extra Bento boxes to share." She dug in with a pair of disposable chopsticks. She then put out a thermos for tea and some little plastic travel cups.

Trin smiled as she listened to Elodie. “That sounds like so much fun! Though your aunt’s cooking doesn’t sound all that great,” Trin giggled a bit. She then looked at AJ and said, “Wow… I’m really hoping we don’t learn about Sirens in DADA until six or seventh year. They’re super scary.” She smiled as Elodie agreed about the bowtruckle and said then to the trolley lady, “I’ll just take… five chocolate frogs please.” She had just enough for that treat. She was excited to get to the feast where she’d be able to have so much food she wouldn’t know where to start! She smirked at Rowena and said, “Newt was soooo handsome. I really wish I’d been alive when he had been! And his little Niffler, well… I just wish I could have a little briefcase full of creatures like him!” She then stared at the snacks, beaming at her new friends and sharing from one of the boxes. “Thanks so much, Rowena! This looks delicious!”

Rowena looked speculative, "I'm not sure what will happen about DADA this year. I haven't heard who the new Professor is yet."



 

AJ seemed to fall asleep then, and suddenly the Hogwarts Express would SHRIEK to a stop, sending everyone within lurching. Those towards the engine would hear shouts and the conductor's angry voice before a follow up yell came floating down the carriage. "Soz! Stupid kids, we'll be on the move again momentarily!" True to his word, a few moments later, the train would start moving again, but anyone who looked out the left side windows would see a shabby looking man standing near the tracks.

Elodie returned with not just Bertie Bott beans, but also a carmel chocolate frog and a cauldron cake. She offered the beans to Rowena, Trin, and AJ. "I got the big bag so I could share. Bought more than I planned, but everything looked good, and I'm going to save the chocolate frog for Isbri." She looked over the bento boxes with some curiosity, setting her beans aside and tentatively picking up some chopsticks. She fiddled with the sticks a moment, trying to watch how Rowena used them. "That was nice of them. Thank you. What's in these?" she asked Rowena? As for her aunt's cooking, she nodded; "I'm really looking forward to school food. I've been secretly buying egg sandwiches during our visit with her to survive."

Rowena then called out, "Whoa, what was all that?" She helped herself cautiously to a Bean and then put it aside with an "Ick!" She pushed food towards Elodie, "My family doesn't give me much pocket money, but they don't stint sending food and books and stuff. Help yourself. Obaasan packed for an army looks like....or Kenin Sora did. I think he is actually sad I'm off to school."

Trin raised an eyebrow. “Oh yeah, I forgot there’s a new professor this year. I hope they’re not too strict!” She then felt the train lurching to a stop and blinked, trying to hold onto her food before it spilled. “Geez, what was that?!” She looked around, making sure nothing was wrong. She looked out the window then, happening to be on the left side of the train and then reached for the girls on the seat beside her. “Guys… There’s a… man out there. On the tracks. Who is that?” She took some of the food that Elodie offered, trying to relax. “Is he… supposed to be there?”

Elodie jumped in surprise as the train suddenly stopped. She too moved to look out the window, food secondary for now. "He could have been killed if the train hadn't had time to slow down? Why would he do that? Is he just going to stand there?"

Rowena spotted him too, "I dunno, he looks dangerously close to the tracks. I hope he isn't hurt." She checked to be sure Argent is ok. Rowena put her back in the carrier for safety just in case. "Oh no, maybe he can't see us! Oh that's awful. I hope he's ok."

The trolley lady let out a yelp as the train lurched to a halt, her trolley skidding forwards a little as she caught herself on it - though quite a few sweets (and perhaps a few coins) fell off as she picked herself back up. "Goodness me," she muttered, brushing at her skirts and checking she hadn't broken a hip. "Anything from the trolley?" she called out as she tottered on, trying to carry on as normal despite sounding a little shaken.

Trin relaxed a little as they started moving again. She continued to eat the treats and looked out the window even more. She shook her head at the trolley lady, having all she needed now thanks to her new friends. “I just hope he’s not here to do something bad…” She frowned. “He looked super scary…”

Elodie returned to her seat, still looking a bit shaken. "Well that was...weird;" was all she could think to say. "Does strange stuff like that often happen on the ride to school each year?"

Trin shrugs, "This is only my second time, but something odd almost always happens on the train." she frowns, "Don't worry, we're moving, I'm sure it'll be ok. We'll be there soon I'm sure."

Eventually the train did keep moving, and Trin let herself fall asleep to enjoy the rest of her ride. But her dreams were filled with the scary man on the tracks, and wondering who on earth he had been...