Strangers on the Train
Author: Lady Rowena Grey
Date: 12-02-02 11:11
Rowena walked slowly along the platform nine and three quarters craning her neck and trying to see everything and everyone at once. Anubis, her cat, bounced excitedly in his carrier bag at the strange smells and noises. The gleaming red locomotive awaited her and beyond that, Hogwarts School of Magic. Behind her came her parents with the Earl pushing the cart with her trunk, broom and other possessions. The broom was new, the best money could buy, and a gift from her father. Rowena wanted badly to make the house quidditch team (please let it Gryffindor) as her father had done during his schooling. Her father had decided to help even the odds a bit and had bought the new broom against his wife's wishes. Arwen thought the new Nimbus was too fast for a child and she still consider the fifteen year old Rowena a child. Her grandparents had said their goodbyes at the family estate in Scotland, her grandfather tucking a pouch of strange coins in her hand. Rowena and her parents had spent two nights at Claridges and visited Diagon Alley the day before to secure Rowena's supplies. Books, herbs, quills, scrolls, robes--the idea that she had to wear a uniform rather horrified Rowena. But nothing was as bad as bidding her beloved computer Smaug goodbye until the holidays.
She had spent hours printing pages of notes, addresses, lists all the while listing to Smaug whine about disgorging his information. How she was to manage without her confident, friend and information source Rowena hadn't a clue. But there was no time to think about that now. Her parents hugged and kissed her goodbye then she and Anubis were aboard and seated by the window of an empty compartment. All she could do now was wait and see if anyone else decided to join her.
Meeting Oreileah
Author: Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen
Date: 12-02-02 11:29
Fritz is invited to join the girl in the compartment and she introduces herself as Oreileah, explaining that she, too, will also be new to Hogwarts. She asks him where he is from and adds that she's from San Francisco, California.
"I am also far from home," Fritz says, smiling. "I come from Germany, but have lived in London the past year."
He peers out the window, observing as the train picks up its pace and eventually steadies to a constant speed. When he turns back to Oreileah, he asks, "Did you know about magic before you received your letter? Do you know anything about Hogwarts?"
Mister Baine
Author: Annabella Mayberry
Date: 12-02-02 16:32
After saying goodbye to her family Annabella made her way through Platform 9 3/4 to board the Hogwarts Express. After making sure her luggage was secured she made her way through the train trying to find her friends and hopefully an empty seat. Soon she recognized Hermione and asked if she could join her and the rest of the group. After taking a seat Annabella was introduced to Gabriel, a friend of Hermione's. As the train moved out of Kings Cross Station and everyone was discussing their summer and their return to Hogwarts, Annabella looked at Gabriel and saw his eyes drop to the floor. Always being shy around strangers, Annabella looked way and turned her attention back to the conversation. Slowly, Gabe and Anna started their own conversation and she was surprised how easily it flowed.
"You can call me Anna," she found herself saying as she looked at Gabriel, hoping that he wouldn't notice that she was blushing. Slowly her shyness disappeared as she grew more comfortable with Gabe. She found out that he was not only handsome but smart as well. He talked about his many travels around the world as Annabella listened with interest. She didn't know how long they talked but they never seemed to run out of things to talk about.
This is going to be quite a year! Anna thought to herself as she looked around the compartment. It was nice to see all her friends again including Hermoine and never did she think that she would make a new friend so soon.
We Three
Author: Diether Jameson
Date: 12-02-02 17:21
Diether glanced in surprise when Neko, Remadi's cat hopped onto his lap. His owner told him that he just doesn't want to be ignored. He smiled at her and petted her cat before answering her question.
"It seems that he likes me, though," he said, stroking Neko's fur. The cat answers in reply. "Must feel comfortable around me as we are the only guys in this compartment," he added with a laugh. "Answering your earlier question, we're both going to be in fifth year."
Mirai nodded in agreement. "We're hoping to be in the same house," she paused as a woman popped her head into their compartment.
"Anything for you?" she asked, pointing to her cart of goodies. Mirai squealed in delight and Diether grinned in return at Remadi's laughing face.
"What?" Mirai asked the two. "I'm starving already," she said, pointing out what she likes to the woman then reaching into her poket to pay for her purchases. The three were alone again and Mirai continued her train of thought.
"I've met someone from Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw already when I was in Diagon Alley last month," she told Remadi, swallowing her chocolate frog. "Cho said, the one from Ravenclaw, that there are four houses in Hogwarts."
Diether listened to the two girls talk as they shared their experiences over the summer. He, on the other hand, was contented with petting Neko.
"He, on the other hand, stopped owling me!" Mirai was saying accusingly as he snapped back into the conversation.
"Hey!" he protested.
"He looks guilty," Remadi commented, making the two girls laugh.
"Hey!" he said the again, the girls laughing even more. He gave up. They weren't going to listen to his explanations anyway. Looking at the two smiling girls, he knew that they found a new friend.
Trading Tragedies
Author: Fynn Greenleaf
Date: 12-02-02 20:46
Fynn felt terrible for Cho.
Over the past summer, she had been through so much- orphaned in one fell blow. She was completely alone, and she bore it so well- one could hardly read the tragedy in her smooth radiant brow, nor her sparkling eyes. Fynn felt like hugging her and reassuring her that everything would be alright. Suddenly his own impending loss felt so light, compared to the burden she solemnly bore.
Looking at her, he did finally see the shadow of grief which lay gently on her shoulders. Now he knew why she sometimes looked like she had other things on her mind, and that there was someone else behind that pretty demeanour, a hidden sadness, as if she was more than just the Quidditch captain and the affable, lovely Cho everyone adored. Fynn felt like taking her hand, and telling her he understood- in every sense of the word, and that she could turn to him for help and support, anytime.
A knock on the door broke into his reverie. He broke his gaze from Cho's deep hazel, almond shaped eyes. "Come in!" she said, sounding her usual happy self. It was quite amazing, how quickly and with such effortless ease, that she shifted back to the Cho everyone knew. In came Marybell, baggage in tow. She was very happy, and her mirth, like sunshine, lit up the compartment, and cast away the hidden darknesses.
"Hi," Fynn said, and they all exchanged greetings, laughing and being cheerful and optimistic of what was to come. "So, Fynn, are you going to play Quidditch this year? I've heard Cho's a great captain." Marybell intoned. "Yes, I know that she is," replied Fynn, looking intently at Cho. They had reached a new level of confidence; Fynn felt he was really getting to know Cho as more than just the dream girl that everyone admired. He felt, in a way, that they were two of a kind, and understanding each other's predicaments, they had somehow found each other.
Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow
Author: Majandra
Date: 12-02-02 23:31
Majandra had been ecstatic when George accompanied the her to Platform 9 3/4. Her parents seem to adore George and both thought highly of Molly and Arthur Weasley. When Majandra had announced she'd accepted a ring from George as part of the next step in their relationship as an exclusive, steady couple, her parents had been delighted. They happily said yes to his request to go with them to Kings Cross Station, particularly since both knew he would show up to see Majandra off whether he went with them or not.
After the Fines had unloaded both Pyrrhus's and Majandra's trunks and loaded them onto handcarts, they'd said goodbye to their children, leaving Pyrrhus to go off with Isolde and his other friends and Majandra to go to the platform with George.
After George had helped Majandra get her things stored onto the Hogwarts Express, the couple stood on the steps of one car saying their goodbyes. Majandra got a little tearful and promised George she'd write him every day. When the train started pulling out of the station, the two were still on the steps together for one final kiss. George ended up jumping off the train just before it picked up any real speed and Majandra stood leaning as far out as she safely could to wave goodbye until she could no longer see him.
Majandra finally realized she really should go and find someplace to sit for the rest of the trip so she began looking for an empty space. After finding one full compartment after another, she came across the one where Hermione and several of her other friends were sitting including a new friend, Gabe, whom she'd met on one of her frequent visits to the Burrow over the summer.
After thanking them for letting her have the empty seat, Majandra more or less tuned everyone out while having depressing thoughts about a year at Hogwarts without George.
Dim Sum, Anyone?
Author: Remadi Ye
Date: 12-03-02 03:13
Remadi stops laughing, but keeps smiling. She can't help but feel a little relieved that she had met these two and became friends. A small part of her, she's now willing to admit to herself, was afraid that she would get to Hogwarts and make no friends. A preposterous thought, but one she had had none the less. Now, laughing with Mirai, her fears had been abated.
"Definitely guilty," Remadi says as she grabs her blue bag and opens it. She takes out a lunch box from it before putting her bag back.
"Are you two hungry," Remadi asks as she opens the lunch box. The smell of good Chinese food fills the compartment.
"My yeye, I mean grandfather, cooked me all of this good food, but I couldn't possibly eat it all. See," she says, pulling out 3 pairs of chopsticks, "he doesn't expect me to eat it all by myself either. And it's all still hot. It's in our stay-hot-lunch-box." She holds up the box between them all, trying to convince the other two to try some of the really good food including wrapped plates of dim sum, General Tso's chicken, lo mein, Four Happiness pork, and stir-fried vegetables. Apparently the lunch box can hold more than it seems.
Preparations
Author: Dobby
Date: 12-03-02 08:52
Dobby rushes around the Gryffindor boy's sixth year dormitory, making sure every speck of dust has been evicted from the room. The very happy House Elf then spent the next hour draping the room in festive ribbons, streamers, and banners, all in honor of Harry Potter's return to Hogwarts.
The moment Dobby had learned Harry was alive and safely ensconced at the Weasley's home, the Burrow, he'd hurried to his room and sat down to make Harry two new socks. The second Dobby was done putting finishing touches on the socks, the House Elf had gone straight to the Burrow.
Harry had been sleeping when Dobby got there and Mrs.Weasley put her foot down and said that anyone who woke him up would answer to her. Dobby, knowing a formidable force when he saw one, had to be content to tiptoe in and quietly peek at his beloved friend Harry. He'd ended up leaving the socks with a note and a promise to return for another visit.
Dobby had indeed returned to the Burrow on two other occasions. He would have visited with extreme frequency if not for tow things. One was that he did not want to impose on the Weasley's hospitality. Two was that Harry had been through an awful ordeal which included not only torture but the daily, draining effects of Dementors in close proximity.
As Dobby was departing from his third and last visit to see his good friend, Harry had promised to wear the new socks on September 1st. And now, it is that day and Dobby is thrilled beyond words that Harry is alive, well, and returning to Hogwarts.
Dobby now stands in the dorm room's doorway to survey his work. The room is covered in a rainbow of colors and Harry's bed as a few more presents piled on it, not just from Dobby but from Winky and some of the other House Elfs. Satisfied the room looks spectacular, Dobby moves down to the Gryffindor common room and strings up a large banner which runs from one wall to the other.
Re: Meeting Oreileah
Author: Oreileah McCoi
Date: 12-03-02 10:48
Orei watched Fritz for a moment, as the train began to pull out of the station and then pick up speed. "Did you know about magic before you received your letter? Do you know anything about Hogwarts?" He asked.
She smiled and shook her head. "No, I didn't know anything about magic before I got my letter. As for my knowledge about Hogwarts, no, I don't know anything about Hogwarts."
She smiled as the cart came by their compartment. She stopped the woman pushing the cart and procured a few sweets for herself, as well as something for Fritz when he selected it off the cart.
"What about you Fritz? Do you know anything about Hogwarts? Or anything about magic before you got your letter of acceptance?" she asked him the same questions he had asked her.
She ran a hand through her hair, and sighed. Her mom had made her leave her cd player, because she wouldn't need it seeing as she would need to be so busy with her school work and other activities.
Orei ate the items she procured from the cart slowly, wanting them to last for almost the entirety of the trip. She waited patiently for Fritz to answer her questions. She had a feeling he would be an interesting person to know during the school year. Perhaps they'd be in the same house.
Hogwarts Express
Author: Trey Lancer
Date: 12-03-02 13:23
Trey walked down the corridors, already dressed in his Hogwarts robes, dragon heartstring wand tucked into the left sleeve of the robes. All his materials were already on the train, along with his snow owl, Nuriko. Hwang disappeared after he got on the train. Passing compartments filled with other Hogwarts students, Trey hoped he could find a compartment before they reached Hogwarts. He finally found one with a lone girl only slightly older than him, starring blankly out the window.
"Are any of these seats taken?" Trey stuck his head in.
"No, go ahead." The girl said.
"Thanks. I thought that I would have to walk the whole train until we reached Hogwarts."
The girl chuckled, "What's your name?"
"Trey Lancer." Trey scratched the back of his head nervously.
"Trey, that's a nice name. I'm Anastasia King. I'm a second year Ravenclaw. How about you?"
"I'm not sure. It's my first year." Trey said. "I don't even know what the houses are."
Anastasia smiled, "There are four houses, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Gryffindors are courageous and bold, Hufflepuffs are sweet, Ravenclaws are fair and Slytherin are shrewd if a bit power hungry. Just don't tell a Slytherin that."
Trey smiled and settled for the trip to Hogwarts, already looking forward to the year.
Onward to My Last Year
Author: Nessiah Wenton
Date: 12-03-02 14:51
Nessiah brushed a hand through her hair as she headed down the train to the compartment she was sharing with her friends. She had just barely gotten away from her mother, who was pretty much in tears.
The 7th year grinned at that thought. Her mother was taking the last year at school thing rather difficult. Both her parents were, as they were rather over-protective.
Laughing again at the thought, Nessiah reached the compartment and entered. "Hey people!" She went in and sat down.
Heading to Hogwarts
Author: Vera Delgety
Date: 12-03-02 16:39
"Vera, would you like to sit with me for the ride to Hogwarts?" he asked, blushing a bit. ~Great, now I get nervous!~ he thought as he waited patiently for Vera's answer. "I'd love to sit with you!" was Vera's answer.
And with a smile they both entered the train after placing their luggage onboard. Vera picked a compartment to slip into.
After a while the clock struck 11:00 and the train was on its way to Hogwarts. At first there was silence between the two. But Vera broke it, "So...How's yer last month been? Haven't seen ya since Diagon Alley."
"Oh, well it's been just great. A little boring, but I survived. How's yours been?" Lawrence put his feet up on the opposite seat. Vera copied him. "Oh, a wee boring, but I survived." She replied grinning.
"Really now?" Lawrence said with a little chuckle. "You have any idea what your classes are going to be yet?"
"Not yet. We'll all get our schedules after the Great Feast." With a glum face she added, "But I do know that you and I wont have classes together. I'm a year ahead of you."
"And?" Lawrence arched a brow.
"And...nothin'. Just makin' that observation." She said smiling. There was another small silence. Lawrence was the one to break it this time.
A Distraction then a Question
Author: Lawrence Masterson
Date: 12-03-02 18:13
Lawrence sat contently in the compartment with Vera, it seemed that they were the only two in the compartment, when from the sounds from the hallway; almost all the other compartments were full. He was happy to have a bit of time alone with Vera, with out anyone else around, though he was a bit nervous.
Just as he opened his mouth to speak, the snack cart came by and the woman poked her head in "Anything from the cart?" she asked, and waited patiently while the two made their decisions.
"I'll take two Cauldron Cakes and two Chocolate Frogs, as well as some pumpkin juice." Lawrence said and looked to Vera "Anything for you Vera?" he asked with a smile.
"Umm...some Lemon drops and a chocolate frog as well as some pumpkin juice." She said with a smile.
Lawrence paid the woman for the items off the cart and settled back next to Vera. He took a sip of his juice and a bit off of one of the Cauldron cakes before he decided to break the silence that hung between them again. "Umm...Vera would...." he stopped for a minute and collected himself. "Would you consider..." ~Alright Lawrence spit it out! ~ His brain yelled at him.
"Vera, would you consider being my girlfriend?" he asked finally, his face turning red as a blush crept into his features. He'd never been this nervous about asking a girl out, but for some reason over the past month, since the day after he and Vera parted from Diagon Alley, his thoughts had drifted to her on more than one occasion.
He waited nervously for Vera's answer, fidgeting with the hem of his shirt, which in his nervousness he had un-tucked.
Sure!
Author: Mirai Schultz
Date: 12-03-02 18:49
When Remadi opened her lunch box, exotic smells filled the room. Mirai looked at what Remadi was holding up and she saw assorted Chinese food.
"I love Chinese cuisine!" she said enthusiastically. "But of course, I absolutely adore Japanese foods. My mum is half Japanese, by the way," she informed Remadi.
Diether, on the other hand, made an act of sniffing the air soundly. "Yep. I just lurve food in particular." he said, making the other two occupants of the compartment shake their head in amusement.
They took the chopsticks Remadi held out for them and shared the food Remadi's grandfather cooked.
"Ish gawd," Red muttered, chewing mouthfuls of dim sum.
"Tsk tsk tsk," Mirai said. "Didn't mama ever tell you to swallow your food before talking?" she scolded him.
"And what a way to show your best self to a new friend, Red," she continued, shaking her head but grinning at him. Remadi, on the other hand, didn't look like she minded Diether's lack of manners. "Don't worry about it, Mirai."
Mirai smiled at her. "You can just call me Mai. It's shorter that way."
Remadi nodded and in silence, except for Neko's constant purring and Red's muttering of delight, they ate contentedly.
On the Train
Author: Coco Nutt
Date: 12-03-02 23:43
Wal, Pea, and Coco arrived at King's Cross Station a good forty minutes before the time given for the Hogwarts Express's departure. The same letter the school had sent detailing information on shopping for school supplies at Diagon Alley and how to the Leaky Cauldron also contained a very well written set of instructions for reaching platform nine and three-quarters.
There were so many people hanging around platforms nine and ten when the Nutts got there, they decided to wait until some of the crowd cleared before making their way to their own platform. About ten minutes later, the Nutts watched some people seemingly vanish before their eyes. Wal and Coco had grinned at each other with a mixture of delight and amazement then after making sure the coast was clear, the walked through the magical barrier onto platform nine and three quarters.
The second they were through, both Wal and Coco came to a dead stop at their first sight of the gleaming scarlet red engine of the Hogwarts Express. Even little Pea peering out from Coco's pocket seems to be awestruck. The Nutts are hit from behind and everyone topples over as someone else comes through the barrier. Apologies for being in the way and for the collision are mixed with laughter as the three humans untangle and hurry to move out of the way of others who might be coming to the platform.
After getting everything sorted and returned to its appropriate owern, the girl, who is several years older than Coco, grinned at the Nutts. "First time to platform nine and three-quarters, eh? It does come as a bit of a shock while at the same time seems so... so... so amazingly brilliant." The girl started pushing her trolley towards then stopped and called back with a friendly chuckle, "Whatever you do, don't believe a word anyone tries to tell you about the Sorting Ceremony. When I was a first year, my older cousin had me convinced I had to stick my hand in a big black box and if I wasn't worthy of any of the Hogwarts houses, whatever was inside would snap my hand off in one bite. I think I nearly wet my knickers in fright when Professor McGonagall led us first years into the Great Hall. Well, see you at the sorting and feast tonight. Ta!"
Wal helped Coco get her things loaded onto the train and then they walked around the platform, enjoying the growing sense of excitement becoming more and more tangible as one student after another arrives. When Coco could no longer put off actually boarding the train, she and Wal had a stood for a long moment in a fierce hug. He then handed her a basket, his voice sounding gruff when he said, "This be from Mitzi. Now, don' go an' eat hit all at once. Send one o' them owls tah me tah let me know ya got thar safe. Oi'ma gorna 'ead back over tar Di'gon Alley and get me one of them owls so's Oi kin be writin' yah when'ver Oi want."
Wal's large, calloused hand had then patted Coco on the head and then gently chucked the tiny Pea under his chin. "Gowon and git yerself on tha train, Coco. Oi knows yer gorna follow wa'ever rules 'ogwarts has an' tha yer gorna listen close tah wot yer teachers say. Gorna make me proud, ya are."
Coco and Pea had stood on the car's steps waving goodbye to Wal, Coco knowing that her grandfather's gruffness was a result of him trying to keep emotions in check. Coco could well understood how he felt because for the first time in her eleven years and two months on Earth, Wal and she had never been apart for more than three days straight. Their bond had only grown stronger when Hazel, Coco's grandmother had died five years ago. Wiping tears from her eyes, Coco noticed a young man with flaming red hair leaping from another set of steps onto the platform. A dark haired girl stood waving goodbye at him. Like that other girl, Coco stood waving until she could no longer see platform nine and three-quarters.
~~~~
With one last swipe at the tears threatening to spill from her eyes, Coco turns from the car's steps and walks down the aisle looking for the one where she and her grandfather had put her things earlier. She really hopes the compartment wasn't full or that those in it had chunked her things out to make room for their own.
When Coco locates the compartment she's happy to see that its only occupants were a boy and a girl about her own age. Taking a second to fully compose herself before entering, she puts a friendly smile on her face and takes Pea out of her pocket and says with as much confidence as she can muster, "Pea, me boy, this'll be cracking*."
Coco enters the compartment, Pea back in her pocket for the moment and the basket Wal gave her hanging on her arm much like the way Dorothy carried one in The Wizard of Oz. The two already comfortably seating and in the midst of a conversation. They both look up in surprise to see standing in the compartment doorway a not quite waifish looking girl with hair dyed a shockingly bright orange and done up Pippi Longstocking style, a bloody scratch on one leg, and feet completely bare of even socks.
Coco flashes a toothy grin at them both as she stows the basket then takes a seat. "Me stuff's o'ready 'ere so's Oi 'ope ya don' mind. O' an 'ello. Me name's Coco. Coco Nutt an' this be Pea. We're first years." With that, Coco lifted the Lilliputian sized dog out of her pocket. "Wot uhbowt you two?"
The boy seems to recover first the initial shock at the sight of Coco. "This is Oreileah and mein name is Fritz. Did you know you are bleeding?"
Coco pears down at her legs. "Oi musta done it when me an o'nuther girl 'ad a bit o' uh crash. Oi'll slap an elastoplast* on it."
Coco rummages around in one of her bags, finds what she's looking for and with a triumphant smile, turns back to face the other two. As she unwraps the bandaid, Coco remembers to politely add just as she'd been taught, "Roight pleased tah meetcha both, Oi am." Coco settles back on the cushion as Pea moves to curl up on her lap to allow Coco to pet and scratch him. "Now, eiver o' you two know anyfink unbowt 'ogwarts an' this 'ere Sortin' Ceruhmony Oi 'eard mentioned tahday?"
~~~~~
cracking = great
elastoplast = bandaid
Gotta Love Chinese
Author: Remadi Ye
Date: 12-04-02 01:36
"My grandfather used to be a chef. He was very good, in China and the US, but he retired about 16 years ago. He'll be happy to know that you like his cooking," Remadi says happily as she finishes eating. "I like Japanese food, too. When we lived in Los Angeles, when I was very young, my dad used to always take me to Little Tokyo to eat. When we moved to Orlando, Florida, he found a little Asian grocery store and we started cooking our own food, but nothing can beat my grandfather's cooking. I'm half Chinese, from my father."
She gives a stretch and looks out the window. "It looks so different from Orlando, from Florida," Remadi says softly to herself. She then looks back at the other two.
"Mai, why do you call Diether Red," she asks, just thinking about it. "That is what you called him, right?"
Greetings
Author: Lukas Rhys Jones
Date: 12-04-02 06:17
Lukas went from cabin to cabin on the train saying, "Greetings students! I am Lukas Rhys Jones of Gryffindor! Your Head Boy! When we get to Hogwarts, ask me anything! I'm here for all the students!" Lukas said this with his white teeth gleaming more than Gilderoy Lockhart's, and with his Head Boy and Prefect badges polished to an eye burning sparkle.
