Company
Author: Mirai Schultz
Date: 12-01-02 08:32
Mirai looked up from smacking Diether in the head when a voice called out. She saw a girl, about her own age, and of Asian ancestry.
She smiled. "Of course you may," she answered her inquiry as she swept her hand to the empty seat.
"Your cat has taken residency already, anyway," Diether said to the girl as she sat next to Mirai. "I'm Diether, Diether Jameson," he told her with a nod of his head.
Mirai faced her and said, "And I'm Mirai Schultz."
"I'm Remadi Ye," she answered. "And that's Neko," pointing to the cat which settled himself on Red's side of the compartment.
Mai and Red nodded.
"We have owls brought with us but I have a cat at home," Mirai told her. "His name's Orion." To which, Diether snorted. "What now?"
"I still just can't believe why you like pairing the two animals' names up," he commented, laughing.
Mai just rolled her eyes at him then turned back to Remadi. "You wouldn't know that he agreed naming his owl as the twin brother of my owl's namesake," she said, which made Remadi smile.
Meeting Someone New
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 12-01-02 11:36
Rather off to a late start, Bronwyn rushed to board the train and ambled down the center aisle, poking her head into various compartments in search of Toby, Hunter, Hannah or Susan. Nearly all the compartments were packed with eager Hogwarts students, old faces as well as new.
As Bronwyn poked her head in one compartment, she noticed a girl around her age sitting alone, sniffling and wiping tears from her cheeks. A beautiful white cat sat in the girl's lap and nuzzled its snowy face against hers.
Bronwyn sighed inwardly. She has always been one to cheer up her friends or even perfect strangers when they were down. It was what she always did, because Bronwyn could always find the good in things. She was known for her dazzling smile and friendly personality, yet since Kendra's death, these characteristics had nearly gone non-existent.
But, as she stood in the doorway of the compartment and watched the crying girl, she suddenly felt a pang of understanding. She knew what it was like to be lonely, and it hurt.
Bronwyn attempted a weak smile and said, "Excuse me, are you all right?"
The girl apparently hadn't noticed the presence of the Hufflepuff, and raised her head abruptly.
"Do you mind if I join you?" Bronwyn continued, looking around one last time for any of her friends. "It appears that most of the other compartments are already full."
The steam engine sounded loudly, and Bronwyn gripped onto the door as the train jerked suddenly. She turned to the girl and her cat and smiled, awaiting an answer.
Looking for a Seat
Author: Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen
Date: 12-01-02 12:55
Fritz quickly climbs aboard the Hogwarts Express and steadies himself against the walls of the compartments on either side of him as he teeters down the center aisle in search of a place to sit.
His mind reels as he thinks about only a few minutes earlier when he was standing on the platform between tracks nine and ten. He had heard a few other new students asking a station employee on how to get to Platform 9 3/4. None received a pleasant response.
It was when a few older students arrived that Fritz learned how to get to the proper platform. Of course, he didn't believe it at first. He stared at the brick pillar and raised a dubious eyebrow. He was supposed to do what? Run at that wall and break his nose? No way!
But then he watched as a few older students demonstrated. They pushed their luggage-laden carts at full speed and disappeared into the barrier without the slightest trace. Needless to say, Fritz's jaw hit the floor.
When it was his turn to approached the barrier, he closed his eyes tight and made a run for it. It wasn't until he opened his eyes again, that he realized he had made it to Platform 9 3/4 without a broken nose or a scratch for that matter. His eyes grew round when he saw the beautiful train. Although his passion had always been chemistry, he had a great interest in the mechanics of a steam engine.
"Wow!"
Now, the train is slowly moving and Fritz still doesn't have a place to sit. It seems as if all the compartments are full, but wait! Fritz pokes his head into a compartment and sees a young girl his age sitting alone.
He knocks lightly on the side of the door and asks, "Pardon me. Would it be all right if I join you? Mein name is Fritz, and I am new to Hogwarts."
Orei had been looking out the window and the knock on the door of her compartment startled her back in to reality. She offered a smile at the boy standing there. "Pardon me. Would it be all right if I join you? Mein name is Fritz, and I am new to Hogwarts."
She smiled and motioned him into the compartment. "No, not at all, please come in and sit. My name is Oreileah, but you can call me Orei. I'm going to be new at Hogwarts too."
She adjusted a few things that she had pulled out for the trip as Fritz made himself comfortable.
"So where are you from Fritz?" she asked running a hand through her hair. "I'm from San Francisco, California."
She waited patiently for Fritz to answer her question, she didn't want to bombard the poor boy with a thousand and one questions. He was after all the first person she'd met that was going to Hogwarts.
Finally, Back to School
Author: Ginny Weasley
Date: 12-01-02 13:48
The summer break had been good upon Harry's arrival. It had been a slow start, but once he was back to full health there was always laughter and smiles around the table.
After buying all the necessary school books in Diagon Alley and seeing Fred and George's new shop, the family was given a surprise by George. He told us about how he and Majandra were going steady. Mum and Dad smiled, hugged he and Majandra and then set off to the Leaky Cauldron to find rooms for the family.
While Harry, Ron, and Hermione walked around talking and meeting up with school friends, I spent the afternoon with Prescott. He told me about how he and his family were staying at the Leaky Cauldron until tomorrow when we would be going back to Hogwarts.
***********************************************************
That morning all the Weasleys and Clearwaters, and Harry, sat at the table to eat breakfast. I had caught Harry's look of wonderment when I reached to clasp Prescott's hand. I had meant to ask him about it on the train, but he chose to sit in the compartment across from me.
Finally I got up enough nerve to go and ask Harry about it.
"Harry, can I talk to you for a sec?" I asked somewhat nervously into the compartment across the aisle.
Not There Yet
Author: Draco Malfoy
Date: 12-01-02 16:25
The Hogwarts Express pulled out of Kings Cross Station and slowly increased in speed as it began the long journey to Hogsmeade Station. In a compartment towards the back of the train, sat a group of sixth year Slytherins.
Draco was seated next to the window, and Clara was lounging on the same side of the compartment with her head in her boyfriend's lap. Across from them sat Crabbe and Goyle, the usual looks of stupidity rampant on their blank faces.
"How many more hours?" Goyle asked, although the train had only started moving five minutes ago.
Draco rolled his eyes and exclaimed, "Shut up, Goyle."
He ran his fingers through Clara's hair and settled back in the seat, thinking about the feast later that evening and the start of classes tomorrow. "I can't believe it's already time to go back," he murmured. He blinked a few times and shot Goyle a sharp look as the latter boy began to open his mouth once more to speak.
"We're not there yet, and we won't be there for a long time. So, shut your trap and take a nap or something." Draco sneered at the boys across from him and rolled his eyes again. This would surely be a long journey. Extra, extra long with Dumb and Dumber sitting across from him continually asking, "Are we there yet?" and "How much longer?"
Well, as long as Clara was with him, he was happy. He looked down at the tustled head of hair in his lap and smiled.
Summer
Author: Cho Chang
Date: 12-01-02 17:10
The subdued Quidditch captain lets him get settled in before striking up a conversation, glad to be focusing on someone else and not the past, "How was your summer Fynn? Ready for school?" Her hand elevates to push a stray lock of ebony hair back behind her ear, as a smile graces her full lips, fully awakened from her reverie into the past.
Dark eyes travel over his handsome form, had he grown over the summer? Mind turns as answer is awaited, he was definitely a friend, but, regrettably, she knew precious little about him. Perhaps that's what this year would be spent doing, getting to know him and her other friends better.
Thoughts
Author: Prescott Clearwater
Date: 12-01-02 17:47
As Prescott rode in the train next to his beloved Ginny, he began to think about the year ahead and the food at the welcoming feast, until Ginny said something that made him cringe with fear and jealousy. She said, "Harry, can I talk to you for a sec?"
Prescott knew that Ginny cared for him and he for her, but he also knew that she was in love with Harry and that if Harry ever showed the slightest bit of interest in a relationship with her that he didn't stand a chance! Sure Prescott was a prefect, good looking and a Ravenclaw chaser but Harry was the boy who lived from He Who Must Bot Be Named and he is the seeker and captain of Gryffindor house and Triwizard Champ and more!
Prescott felt ill. He had already been dumped by Bronwyn Dewhurst, a gorgeous Hufflepuff who was his date to the Snow Ball last year. He even had feelings for Cho Chang who was his Quidditch captain and a fellow Ravenclaw prefect, also a girl that Harry Potter was rumored to have a crush on!
Prescott in the end thought, "Ah well, there's always P.W.G.P! (Prefects Who Gained Power!)" He opened the book and started reading, hoping that whatever Ginny had to ask Harry was not anything serious.
"Ah, my summer was alright," Fynn replied, the lie passing smoothly through his lips.
Cho was, indeed, very, very pretty. Sometimes between classes last year in Hogwarts, he stood in the shadows, cigarette smoke betraying him, and he'd sometimes seen her passing by in the large, cavernous carved hallways of Hogwarts, cloak trailing behind her like some regal train. There was definitely something special about Cho-behind the obvious loveliness and the genial demeanour, there was a certain unfathomable depth, an unspoken intelligence, which set her apart from the rest. She was looking at him intently now, half smiling, a twinkle in her eye. He couldn't lie.
Fynn shifted in his seat, and then he looked down, and said, "I'm lying. My summer was awful. I went back to Kent and found out that my mother is dying of the cancer which has been plaguing her for the past-I can't even count-many years. My father tells me not to come back, until she is gone. And it's depressing. It's saddening me like hell."
Getting all that out inexplicably made Fynn feel better. When he looked up at Cho, she had an expression of frank concern (which made her look even lovelier). Fynn looked out of the window; there were students coming in, and everything looked bright, cheerful, polished with expectancy. It was a new school year. He would have to put his troubles aside, put his mind on other things. In that respect, he and Cho were alike; trying to put their minds on other things.
"But I'm alright now.. I can't wait to get back to Hogwarts." Fynn added, genuinely meaning it. He smiled his most charming smile at Cho. He had never smiled and meant it for ages. But now he did, and it felt just fine.
"And how was yours?" he asked.
Train of Tenderness
Author: La Luna
Date: 12-01-02 19:14
Minutes passed by as La Luna sat alone in her compartment. It was not long till someone noticed Luna loneness. A girl by the name Bronwyn asked if she could you her. Luna accepted and joyfully wiped away her tears. "What is your name?"
"My name is Luna meaning Moon. This is my cat Twinkle. My cat won't bother you, she is shy like me." Luna smiled at the stranger and awaited her answer.
On the Train
Author: Isolde
Date: 12-01-02 19:50
Isolde, Pyrrhus and Azaelia raced down the center aisle of the train in search of one of their Slytherin buddies. The train had already begun to move, trekking smoothly along the railroad track on its path to Hogwarts. The three students had boarded the train rather late, due to a delay when Isolde thought she had lost her wand at the Leaky Cauldron.
They found Alexis sitting alone in a compartment, who immediately brightened when they plopped down in the seats. She smiled curiously and asked, "What took you so long?"
Pyhrrus and Azaelia both pointed to Isolde who rolled her eyes. "We were just a little delayed, that's all."
"I almost thought you three wouldn't make it," Alexis said.
Isolde smiled and rested her head against Pyrrhus' shoulder. "Well, we did. Now, has the trolley cart come by yet? I'm starved."
Most sensible, sane people take weekends off to relax and distance themselves from work. I, however, being far from sane (according to Seamus and Padraig) and decidedly lacking in sense (according to Michael and Remus) am puzzling out a dilemma.
Not that aurors are ever really off, and even less myself, the new chief auror and Michael, my deputy. We are always working on organizing cases, reviewing old ones, looking for patterns. Exactly the reason that despite everything, I love my job: the challenge and yes, even the danger.
Right now I have a challenge within a ten minute walk away from my house: the newest Dark Spy at Hogwarts, Professor Sorcha.
The only upside to this case (which I have taken upon myself) is that for once I have proof it was she. I saw her, herd her voice and have the letter she left when Tennille was kidnapped. All I need is another sample of handwriting to verify it is her. If she happens to have anything else in her office, all the better. Nevertheless, as it is, I have enough to go on at least for a start.
That said, I get on some semiformal dress robes and head over for the start of term feast. Being the school's auror (or so it seems I have become) and one of Dumbledore's strongest allies has earned me an open pass to the school.
Heading to Hogwarts
Author: Aerith
Date: 12-01-02 21:14
Aerith sat with Ginny, Prescott and Ian in the very comfortable compartment aboard the Hogwarts Express. It all seemed so exciting to Aerith. Finally, she was getting away from her awful parents and to a new school term in Hogwarts. It was all so new.
Gabriel and the rest of his family walked along the railroads that crisscrossed Kings Cross station, looking for Platform 9 3/4. Finding Platforms 9 and 10 and a small crowd around the brick wall, Gabriel smiled to his parents.
"I'll send you a postcard when I get there."
"Be sure you do." Felicia smiled, " I want to hear everything about your adventures when you come back for summer."
Gabriel smiled and Stardancer hooted softly, "I will. What do you think Grandma will do?"
"I think Grandma is full of hot air." Felicia said.
"Felicia!" Lilly scolded.
"Well she is." Felicia said.
"Whethere or not Jeanie is full of hot air, I'm sure that she just makes idle threats and will soon see the truth." Zander said.
"Will that be before or after Hell freezes over?" Felicia smiled.
"Felicia!" Lilly scolded again.
Gabriel laughed, "I better be going, I don't want to miss the train."
Gabriel hugged Lilly an Felicia and shook his father's hand. Staring straight into his father's eyes, Gabriel saw the pride he has in his son.
"I'll make you proud of me." Gabriel said.
"You already have." Zander said.
Gabriel stared at the brick wall as another student ran into it. Here goes nothing, he thought as he ran towards the brick wall. Pulling his cart to a halt after passing the wall, he stared up in amazement at the train and the mass of kids that were filling in. Quickly loading his luggage onto the train, Gabriel smiled to Stardancer before she disappeared into the train. Climbing aboard, Gabriel found an empty compartment and sat next to the window, pulling out one of his multitude of pencils that he stuffed into the various pockets in his jeans and robes. Pulling out a small sketchpad that fit into one of his robes bigger pockets he began sketching Platform 9 3/4 with the chaotic scene in front of his window.
Stubborn Cat
Author: Remadi Ye
Date: 12-02-02 05:24
Remadi watches the two other students in amusement, easily telling that they're old friends. It makes her wish that one of her friends were coming here, too, but she quickly gets over it.
"We have a family owl. Her name's Jing-Mei," Remadi says. "She's more of my dad's than anyone else, though. This is my first year at Hogwarts. I'm a fourth year transfer," she says, changing the subject. "What about you two?"
Before either one can answer, Neko, seeing that he is being ignored, walks onto Diether's lap, sits down and meows. He nudges Diether's hand with his muzzle, demanding to be petted.
"Sorry about that. He tends to think he's the most important being alive and that he shouldn't be ignored. He usually doesn't just sit on a strangers lap, though," Remadi says, apologizing. "Neko, come over here. Quit bothering Diether." Neko just ignores her and purrs loudly, waiting to be petted (or booted off.)
My Summer?
Author: Cho Chang
Date: 12-02-02 06:17
"And how was yours?" he asked.
Cho curled her knees to her chest, feeling for him and fighting the flashback, but it comes anyway...of the last time her entire family was together...At least he still had a father.
They were all three on the floor, playing with Cho's horse figures, her father had just gotten back from a MOM business trip a few days ago and was already going back out soon. With a sigh, he stands, shrugging on his trench coat and picking up his suitcase, "Well ladies, it's that time again."
The seven year old Cho jumps up and throws her arms around her father, kicking her horses out of the way, "But papi! You just got back!"
Her mother, Ying-Ying stands and gently hugs Chao before stepping back and running a hand over Cho's long obsidian hair, "He'll be back before you know it, sweetheart. Papi has to do this for his job..."
Fitful, Cho releases her father and curls a fist in her mother's dress, the other fisting in her mouth, tears streaming down her face as her father walks through their front door for the last time.
After what seemed like an eternity to her, but was really only a few seconds, she looked up to the extremely gorgeous young man across from her, "My summer? Well, uhm..." Cho looks down, she couldn't lie, she wished she could, but he'd been honest and so would she, her eyes return to his face, "My mother died...I didn't know it, but she'd been sick since mid first quarter of last year. They're not sure what it was...but magic couldn't cure it...So I went to do Ancient Runish things with Professor Sorcha, because my father's gone too and I don't have any siblings." She sits up straight, ankles crossing as she glances outside, not seeing Sykra or Aradia, she looks backs to him, giving an entirely heartfelt smile, relieved. Now it was his turn to look concerned, he'd probably never have guessed, she was so good at keeping her true feelings from most people, but he was different as she'd just found out.
There was something about him that intrigued her, and it wasn't the smell of smoke on his robes to prove that he was a rule bender. She couldn't help but admit that she'd always been a bit jealous of the girls he'd gone out with and all the attention he'd given them. He was entirely too good-looking for words, but he wasn't that jock/ditz good-looking. He was smart, as she knew since they shared quite a few classes, but he didn't brag about his brains. Before she could think any further on the subject, there was a knock on their compartment door, "Come in!" her voice was chipper and golden.
Mind If I Join You?
Author: Marybell Devons
Date: 12-02-02 06:36
At Cho's perky welcome, Marybell slowly slides the door open, beaming, "Cho!"
Cho stands and her jaw drops, "Belle!" They embrace, giggling, both glad to see the other, Cho turns to face Fynn, "Fynn, this is Marybell Devons she's a transfer sixth year from Ireland. Belle, this is Fynn Greenleaf, he's a seventh year Ravenclaw."
Belle smiles and offers a hand, "Please call me Belle. It's a pleasure to meet you." The sixteen year old wasn't anything special, but she wasn't ugly. Belle hadn't changed into her robes yet so she was still wearing her relaxed fit jeans and a lavender turtleneck, her dusty blonde hair up in a clip, no makeup as she didn't believe in it, footsies comfortable in moccasin-like Birkenstocks.
Fynn shakes her hand and nods politely before reseating himself. He couldn't be sure, but it was quite possible Cho had just given him a wink.
She moves and gestures to the seat beside her, "Would you like to join us, Belle?"
The girl nods and takes her seat, sliding her owl and cage up in the top compartment before sitting down, seconds later, she jumps up, "Oh, Cho! I almost forgot. Orlando gave me this letter to give you to give to...Sykra?"
Cho nods and takes the letter, standing to get her messenger bag and slipping the letter in, "She should be on the train by now, but nothing's fallen apart so I'm not sure." The two laugh a little before quieting, Cho always one to include everybody, busies herself with thinking of something they all have in common...Quidditch!
But Belle was one step ahead of her for once, "So, Fynn, are you going to play Quidditch this year? I've heard Cho's a great captain." She elbows Cho whom blushes gently and listens, interested.
Lookin' 4 Cho
Author: Sykra Sawyer
Date: 12-02-02 08:49
Sykra and Aradia wandered down the train, searching for Cho. They'd met up at Platform 9 3/4 but not yet had either spotted their friend.
"So...lookin' forward to the school year?" Aradia asked Sykra.
Sykra gave a small smile back. She didn't want to admit it, but she kind of missed Orlando, and wasn't looking forward to the year without him. "Hey I'm out of the muggle world, of course I'm happy! You?"
Aradia shook her head and laughed. "You're thinkin' 'bout Orlando aren't you?"
Avoiding Aradia's eyes, the 7th year Ravenclaw replied, "What makes you think that?"
"I wonder." Aradia rolled her eyes.
"Oh hush." Sykra searched for a distraction around her, she did not want to continue this conversation. Luckily, she heard a familiar voice. "Cho!" She pulled Aradia towards a nearby compartment where she had hear their friend's voice.
Joined by Another
Author: Clara Devaki
Date: 12-02-02 09:03
Clara rolled her eyes at the friends of the guy she was with. Rather pathetic they were. Smiling up at Draco, she heard a voice.
"Well, well, well. I should've known I'd find you wherever he was."
"Temp!!" Clara jumped up from her seat and hugged her best friend. "What have you been up to? You replied to pretty much none of me letters!"
Her friend looked down. "I figured you'd be to busy to care."
"You almost as pathetic as them." Clara nodded towards Crabbe and Goyle as she hugged Tempest again. "Now come and sit with us. Maybe you can get them to shut up."
"What? They don't listen to their master anymore?"
"Well they do...but their memories aren't very good."
Tempest laughed and sat down in the compartment, shaking her head as Clara returned to where she had been. "Hey Draco."
"Hey Temp."
Goyle started to open his mouth, but after one look from Temp, he didn't bother. Nor did Crabbe.
Draco shook his head. "Maybe they should follow you around..."
"They do, they'd regret it."
Clara grinned. "Now there's the Temp we all know and love."
