Traveling, on a Steam Train
Author: Aradia Forest
Date: 12-04-02 06:58
"SYKRA AND ORLANDO UP IN A TREE!"
At the predictable, cliché (but totally irresistible) taunt Sykra takes off after me. To avoid her, I deftly step aside and she runs ahead of me, full speed. "Watch out for the ---"
CRASH!!!!!!!!
"Sweet Trolley," I finish the sentence, cringing. As I remember, Sykra ran into the trolley last year too. Twice.
I help her clean up (don't know why) and then we finally find Cho, Fynn and someone I don't know, but is introduced as Marybell.
There is just one problem: only one seat left! I am about to suggest we fight over it (in fun of cource) but decide that could lead to disaster. Instead, when Marybell gives Sykra a letter and she is busy reading it and pining over her absent lover, I simply take the seat and wait for Sykra to notice.
Planning
Author: Shaynan Hannah
Date: 12-04-02 09:19
Shaynan and Shaquida sat in a compartment all to themselves. They didn't really want company at the moment, for they were in the midst of their plans.
"Think it'll work?" Shaynan whispered.
"Should."
"This'll be wicked..."
The twins grinned mischievously at each other. They had parchment spread around them. On the parchment were plans they had been working on for the mischief making this year. Of course, they hadn't finished yet, because for the most part they needed to learn their way around Hogwarts first.
"So no-." Shaquida stopped as they heard a crash outside the door. Quickly hiding the plans, they peeked out, seeing a girl on the floor in a pile of snacks. Shaquida and Shaynan shook their heads.
"What a waste of snacks..."
The they went back into their compartment.
Rearranging
Author: Cho Chang
Date: 12-04-02 10:18
At the entrance of her friends she beams and gives each of them a hug and helps the sweet lady get everything back on the cart, figuring that Fynn already knew Sykra and Aradia because they were both also Ravenclaw 7th years. That done, she returns to the compartment, taking the open seat beside Fynn and glancing at her watch. Seeing that it is almost time to arrive at Hogwarts, she stands again, smiling sweetly, "Hey Belle, do you want to go change into our uniforms? I'll show you where the restrooms are..."
Belle nods, "Sure thing, Cho!"
They both get their bags and head out of the compartment, Cho waving to them, "Please excuse for a moment!"
On the way, Belle starts the inquisition on Fynn, "So Cho, how long have you known Fynn?"
Cho rolls her eyes as she opens the restroom door for her, "Don't start this, Belle," she laughs and goes into a stall beginning to change clothes.
However, Belle must have the last word, "Well Cho, I congratulate your very good taste in young men. Fynn is very good-looking and you two look good together."
Cho bursts out of the stall, an exasperated look on her face, mouth agape, "Marybell Elizabeth Devons!" but the blush in her cheeks gave away her feelings toward him, silent, she swings her Ravenclaw cloak around her shoulders and plaits her hair into two French braids as they walk down the aisle back to the compartment.
Once there, Cho puts away her bag and grins brightly at them all, the blush still rosy on her cheeks. She resumes her cozy seat next to Fynn, inhaling his familiar smell of smoke and his own natural scent, she relaxes into the cushioned seat. Belle skips to Cho and sits on the floor in front of her, offering her a brush and some hair rubber bands, "Cho, will you French braid my hair?"
Cho sits up, nodding and taking the brush, putting the rubber bands around her wrist, "One or two?" she runs her fingers gently through Belle's hair as she awaits an answer.
Belle shifts, getting comfortable, "Two pretty please." As Cho begins to plait Belle's hair, they strike up a conversation with the rest of the compartment about their summers, quidditch, and other popular topics of conversation. Cho very aware of Fynn's form next to hers, the rise and fall of his deep, soothing voice as well as every shift his body makes. She agreed, they had learned more about each other in a few minutes than they'd ever known about each other in the six years they'd been in the same school and house. Could this be the start of a beautiful relationship?
The cliché floated through her mind between her friends' words, and goodness, she hoped so.
Talking to Luna
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 12-04-02 11:20
Suddenly feeling better than she had in weeks, Bronwyn smiled and made herself comfortable in the seat across from Luna.
The new girl mentioned that she was shy, a total opposite from Bronwyn's normal personality. Deciding to do her best to ease Luna's mind about whatever worries ailed her, the blonde Hufflepuff exclaimed genuinely, "It's a pleasure to meet you Luna."
Her eyes fell to the snowy-white feline in Luna's lap. "Twinkle is an extraordinarily beautiful cat," Bronwyn continued. "I have a cat as well, an orange one named Nerisse. I haven't brought her with me to Hogwarts the past few years because my mother has gotten very attached to her."
"Do you miss her?" Luna asked.
"My mother or Nerisse?" Bronwyn questioned, smiling. "I miss them both," she said, in response to her own question. "But not as much as I miss..."
She suddenly fell silent, biting her lip as her thoughts drifted to her best friend, Kendra. Oh, how she missed her. Things would never be the same without Bronwyn and Kendra, the ultimate Hufflepuff duo, running amok at Hogwarts.
Sensing that Luna was looking at her curiously, Bronwyn forced the sad thoughts from her mind and attempted a weak smile. "So, where are you from? Where did you attend school before transferring to Hogwarts?"
The Morning After
Author: Charlie Weasley
Date: 12-04-02 12:34
Charlie Weasley slowly came to from a very odd dream. He was going to stretch and yawn, but something was on top of him that kept him from moving. He slowly opened his eyes and there lay Helena. Her left around was around his chest, and her head rested just on his shoulder.
Charlie blinked and the sudden realization hit him. His heart started racing and he grabbed the comforter off the bed, wrapping it around his waist as he ran into the bathroom.
"Wha? Charlie? Oh my God."
Helena's voice was sheer panic. Charlie slammed the bathroom door shut and leaned against the door. He turned his head slightly to the left and faced the mirrored image of himself. His eyes ran over the image; tousled red hair, bare shoulders and chest...and. He opened the comforter and closed it quickly. Oh, Great Merlin's ghost what had he done? He closed his eyes and rested his head against the door. "Oooooooooooh, shight."
He took a couple of deep breaths, wrapped the comforter tightly around his waist and opened the bathroom door to face his fears.
"Helena....did we just...?"
"Charlie....I think we....."
Another First Year
Author: Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen
Date: 12-04-02 13:23
Fritz nearly explains to Oreileah that he never truly believed in magic until after he received his letter, and that even then, it took him a fair amount of time to really adjust to the concept that what he had thought to be something of fairytales and other fiction was in fact quite real.
His thoughts are interrupted, however, when an odd-looking young girl enters the compartment. Fritz and Oreileah swivel their heads around in surprise and attempt to shut their mouths, which have gone agape at seeing the bright orange-haired girl. The young wizard immediately thinks of Pippi Langstrumpf, a book all German kids have read at least once in their lifetime.
Her accent is thick and somewhat difficult for Fritz, a non-native English speaker, to understand. She introduces herself as Coco and produces a tiny dog, Pea, from her pocket. In response to her question as to who they are, Fritz replies, "This is Oreileah and mein name is Fritz. Did you know you are bleeding?"
Coco looks down at her leg and mentions something about a crash and an elasto-what? Fritz makes a mental note to buy a new English dictionary, preferably one specializing in whatever dialect Coco is speaking.
After Coco settles down in her seat with the miniature pup in her lap, she asks, "Now, eiver o' you two know anyfink unbowt 'ogwarts an' this 'ere Sortin' Ceruhmony Oi 'eard mentioned tahday?"
Fritz remembers that Oreileah had asked him a similar question before they were joined by Coco. He takes the opportunity to say, "I am not familiar with Hogwarts at all, I'm afraid. It seems to be a great mystery, but I am certain if we ask some older students, we may learn something helpful. What is this sorting ceremony you mention? This is the first time I have heard of it."
Talk on the Train
Author: La Luna
Date: 12-04-02 14:01
Upon meeting each other Bronwyn and Luna talked about family and pets. When Luna asked Bronwyn if she missed her family and nerisse. Bronwyn answered. "I miss them both but not as much as I miss..." Luna noticed Bronwyn biting her lip and struggling from sadness. Bronwyn asked Luna where came from and what was her previous school.
Luna answered. "I came from Spain and transferred from Spain's School of Magic. Students are descended from or are gypsies. I have learned about gypsy magic and moon magic. Our favorite pass time is to dance with many colored veils and tambourines. Where are you from Bronwyn? How is Hogwarts like?" Luna asked.
After cleaning up the cart, Sykra sat down in the compartment staring at the letter that had been handed to her. It was from Orlando. She wasn't sure she wanted to read it. But yet, she wanted to. So blocking out any conversation around her, she slowly opened it.
Dear Sykra...
Well, so far so good.
How are you? I just wanted you to know that...well I know after the end of last year...we kind of stopped talking.
Sykra gulped. She hadn't really meant to just stop knowing each other, just it was hard. Specially cause she had to keep an eye on her little sister so her parents and brother didn't torture her too much.
Anyways, I had my sister give this to you because I wanted to say that I hope we can still be friends.
The next bit was just a few words about the summer and some other stuff. Then,
Love, Orlando
Sykra just sort of stared at the letter. It was sort of like he missed her, but didn't know how to say it.
No, that couldn't be it... Sykra said to herself.
Slowly she folded the letter and put it away. Sykra then stared out of the window, and kept to herself the rest of the train ride. She knew she was being rather quiet, which was rather unusual for her, but she was sure her friends would understand.
Helena quickly pulled the bedsheets up to cover her bare chest, stammering as she tried to remember the events from last night. As she did this, Charlie cautiously approached the bed, but did not dare come any nearer.
"Okay, okay...Let's think about this for a moment," Helena finally said, drawing her knees to her chest and making sure that the sheet kept her covered.
As her left hand reached up to run through her tangled hair, Charlie's eyes widened and he exclaimed, "Wait a minute!"
Helena looked at him curiously and asked, "What?"
"Your hand. Look at your hand," he said, carefully removing his left hand from the bundled comforter around his waist and securing it quickly with his right.
Simultaneously, the pair looked at their hands and gasped aloud. "Oh god." "Oh crap."
Glittering gold wedding bands adorned their ring fingers.
Helena looked up abruptly and exclaimed furiously, "How did this happen? How could you let this happen, Charlie?"
"I don't know, Helena! How do you know it was me and not you who got us into this?" Charlie cried out, equally upset.
"Well! I don't know!" Helena shouted, exasperated.
Charlie shook his head. "I don't know either, Helena. I really don't. Merlin, my mum's gonna kill me. She's always wanted her children to have big family weddings. But, for crying out loud, Helena! I wasn't ready to get married yet. One of the reasons it didn't work out with Bella is because of the pressure she put me in to marry her!"
"For your information, Charlie, I didn't want this to happen either! You'd think that after my last attempt to walk down the aisle, I'd know better than to ever again consider getting married much less actually going through with a wedding!"
Charlie opened his mouth to retort to her outburst, but then wrinkled his brow and asked, "You were engaged?"
Helena nodded, and then realized what she had nearly given away. "Yeah, I was. It doesn't matter though, it's in the past and so over," she said, covering her little tryst with Julian and hoping Charlie wouldn't pry.
Thankfully, he didn't and countered somewhat repetitively, "Well, I certainly didn't want this to happen. My idea of the perfect wedding is something done without any rush and something I'd remember! Besides, we skipped the engagement part."
"Well excuse me! I wish I could remember how we got here," Helena said, her voice tapering from angry to calm.
Charlie shrugged, suddenly becoming less angry himself. He eased himself on the bed, sitting as far away from the unclothed Helena as possible and said calmly, "Let's think about this for a minute. What can you remember from last night?"
Helena shook her head. "Not a whole lot, to be honest. Hmm, let's see. I remember coming into the room and admiring it...the spaciousness, the bed..." She blushed when her eyes met Charlie's. "I remember," she laughed, finding it nearly too difficult to continue. "I remember testing the firmness of the mattress."
"And then I tried to pounce on you..." Charlie finished, grinning. His grin quickly faded and he stood up abruptly, pointing a finger at Helena with his free hand. "You...it was you!" he exclaimed, quickly running his hand through his fiery red hair.
"What do you mean?" Helena asked, becoming defensive once more.
Charlie stammered, presumably unable to find the words. Helena shot him an unpleasant glare and then let her eyes travel the room.
Nothing, nothing, nothing...A-HA! She found the culprit and groaned, burying herself beneath the sheet.
"Yes! I knew it was you," Charlie said, finally able to enunciate clearly.
From beneath the sheet, Helena's muffled voice cried out, "How do you know it was my brilliant idea to get married? I merely got us drunk off our bums, but it could have been you who decided to tie the knot!"
Charlie smirked and folded his arms, the comforter falling to a pool at his feet. He quickly bent to recover himself, thankful that Helena's face was still hidden beneath the sheet. When he regained his composure he said poignantly, "Well, neither one of us seems to remember so we don't really know, do we? And judging by the litter of empty bottles next to the mini-fridge, my guess is that you did this!"
"Oh, great!" Helena exclaimed, pulling the sheet from her head. "Blame me for everything! That's so typical, Charlie. So typical! Like you said, those few hours seem to be a blank for both of us, so you can't really know if I came up with this bloody idea. Maybe it was you. Maybe, you don't know. Stop looking at me like that, Charlie. You know that it could have been either one of us who came up with this idea."
Charlie shrugged. "Maybe. So..." he said, seemingly out of arguments. "What do we do now?"
"I don't know," Helena admitted. She looked a him, his fiery hair disheveled and the comforter clasped loosely around his waist. She quickly looked away and smiled. "Maybe this won't be so bad," she finally admitted, turning back to face him. "I mean, this isn't what I had planned and I honestly hadn't thought about our future that much." When Charlie frowned slightly she explained, "Because I want to do this one day at a time. Because..." Her thoughts drifted to Julian and the disaster that wedding was. "Because I want to do it right."
She paused for effect and watched as Charlie's frown turned up-side-down. "You do realize that you're no longer Helena Tufton?" He stepped over to the bed and sat down, this time closer to her. "You're now Helena Weasley."
Helena laughed. "Oh, you're right. I hadn't thought about that." She reached for his hand and touched the golden wedding band with her fingertips. "Let's see...Helena Weasley. Mrs. Weasley. Mrs. Helena Tufton-Weasley, no...I like Helena Weasley. It's plain, simple, direct..."
"It's perfect," finished Charlie.
An Answer
Author: Vera Delgety
Date: 12-04-02 15:40
Vera was in the midst of unwrapping her chocolate frog when Lawrence asked. She stared at the wrapping for a moment, then her eyes drifted over to his fidgeting hand. Slowly she reached over and caressing it in her hand she said, "I'd luv to be your girl Lawrence."
His nervous level lowered a bit, but was still trembling a little. "Really?" He said. Vera laughed, "Oh course! I was waiting for it.,.To be quite honest with you, Lawrence, I haven't been able to get my mind off you sense Diagon Alley. Some how you kept popping in my brain ever so often! Did you put a spell on me or something?" She teased, he laughed.
"No, honestly I didn't. I was beginning to wonder if you'd done the so to me!" Vera gave a half smiling chuckle. "Nope...I don't mess in love spells and potions. Love is a natural thing, and should not be messed with. Even if it was just for fun." She sighed. "But anyway, that's just what I believe. People are drawn together for a purpose. Whether it be for love...or just companionship. Maybe one of them is in a great deal of pain and is in need of a close friend..."
Surprise!
Author: Sirius Padfoot Black
Date: 12-04-02 16:46
Sirius had quietly observed Harry and his group boarding the Hogwarts Express. Satisfied Harry was safely ensconced on the train, Sirius's mind was put at ease and with a pop he'd disapparated from Platform 9 3/4 to Hogsmeade.
During the conversation with the kids the day before, the bakery in Hogsmeade somehow came into the conversation. Sirius knew of the bakery but before leaving on the mission he'd just completed, he'd not yet been able to show his face publicly. Now that he's able to walk around without fear of arrest, Sirius wanted to get a couple of things at Briar's Bakery after hearing Harry and friends rave about the entire selection available there.
At the bakery, Briar Rose herself waiting on him and was genuinely delighted to learn who he was and why he was there. "I'm going to drop in on a very old friend and want to take something as a gift. Flowers are great but seem so predictable..."
Sirius had gone on to explain who the friend was and brightened considerably at finding out that Briar was friends with Dierna, which made it much easier for her to help him figure out the perfect gift to take the auror. A very short time later, Sirius had left the bakery, apparating to the Ministry, gifts in hand for Dierna.
Now, he stands at her office door, having been assured she's there, in one hand a bouquet of cookies and candy shaped and decorated like various flowers and leaves, and in the other hand, a gift basket, or more accurately, a gift bowl. The bowl looks like an oversized dog's food dish and is heaped high with Puppy Chow, a sweet snack Briar had assured Sirius is a huge favorite of Dierna's. It had been her idea to present it in the dog dish and then wrap it in brightly colored cellophane tied with an equally bright ribbon. Sirius had badly wanted to burst out laughing and tell Briar she had no idea what a fitting gift a dog's dish of food was for him to give someone.
Sirius uses one foot to knock on Dierna's door. She calls out in a distracted sort of voice, "Come on in, Michael."
Sirius managed to grasp the door knob and push the door open and stands for a moment looking at his old friend sitting at a nice desk piled high with files, papers, maps, and books. In that same distracted tone, Dierna never looks up as she says, "Just put the file on top of these others, thanks."
Sirius, emitting a low chuckle, replies, "Well, I'm not Michael and I don't have a file to put on top of the others." As Dierna looks up startled, he continues, "Might an old friend take you to lunch?"
Well...
Author: Mirai Schultz
Date: 12-04-02 17:43
"Mai, why do you call Diether Red," she asks, just thinking about it. "That is what you called him, right?"
Mirai nodded in response. "Well, we've been friends since we started going to a formal wizarding school. And, Diether's just too long for me to handle. So, I made him a nickname. Red, you'd see it when you rearrange the letters on his name," she said, smiling.
"I even made his older brother's nickname. But, it was not as complicated as thinking for one for Red. When I heard that they didn't have any shorter names to go with them, I thought of one for each of them," she continued explaining.
"Oh, so you've been friends for a long time?" Remadi asked.
"Yup," Red answered. "We even get to call each other's parents the way we call them. I call her mother mum, what she calls her. And she calls my mother mama, what I call mine."
Remadi nodded. "You're very close with each other. Are you, perhaps, more than friends?" she asked, raising an eyebrow at the other two.
Mirai and Diether looked at each other, horrified, and shouted together, "No!"
Remadi laughed.
"Don't ask that question again," Mai said, shaking her head in disgust.
"Besides, it's my brother she likes," Red added, making a face.
"Oh, shut up!" Mirai told him, slapping his leg. "And while you're at it, I'm gonna change into our school robes." With that, she took her bag from under her seat and headed out.
The bathroom was on the end of the train. After changing, she went out and stopped dead on her tracks. Oh no! I forgot where our compartment is! she thought, panicking. Might as well, look into each one. All I know is that it's somewhere in the middle. So, she walked tentatively towards the middle and stopping at a door, she peeked in.
"Red?" she said, looking at the occupants. Diether and Remadi weren't the occupants of that compartment. Instead, she saw someone she met the day before.
"Oh, Lawrence! Vera! So sorry," she exclaimed. "Got lost. Forgot which compartment I was in," she grinned sheepishly. She stared at their intimate position and said slyly, "Well, well, well...I hope I wasn't interrupting anything. I'm off then." With a wave, she slid te door close and peeked in the next compartment.
"Red!" she said enthusiastically. "Thank goodness!"
Floating on Cloud Nine
Author: Lawrence Masterson
Date: 12-04-02 19:20
He didn't realize he had held his breath until after he heard Vera's answer and he started breathing again. He smiled when he heard that he hadn't been far from her thoughts, and he knew that she was not far from his in the month that they had been apart.
He linked their hands and smiled. "I've never been one to mess with love spells or potions either." He took another breath, finally calming down and returning to normal, though he was still on cloud nine. "I believe the same thing. The connections formed by two people are for a purpose, and it may be for something simple like to make them happy when they are sad, or for a much deeper reason."
He picked at his cauldron cakes for a bit longer, deciding to save the chocolate frogs for later. He looked over at Vera and smiled. "When do we have to change into our robes?" he asked, taking a sip of his pumpkin juice.
"We actually should do that soon, because we'll be arriving soon." Vera said as she finished her chocolate frog.
Lawrence nodded. "Alright, I'll be right back. I'm going to go change." he leaned forward and pressed a light kiss to her lips before standing and grabbing his bag and exiting the compartment and heading for the restrooms at the rear of the car.
A few moments later he returned and smiled softly. "Your turn." he seated himself again and watched Vera as she left the compartment with her bag. He wanted to run through the train screaming at the top of his lungs he was so happy, but he was just content to sit in the compartment and smile brightly.
"And just what is that smile for Lawrence?" Vera asked as she returned and seated herself next to him again. He chuckled lightly. "What do you think it's for Vera? It's because nothing could make me happier than to have one of the nicest prettiest girls I've ever met, as my girl."
She laughed again and joined their hands. "Well then." she leaned against him, and they stayed that way for almost the rest of the way to Hogwarts.
So Much for Composure!
Author: Dierna ní Cíaran
Date: 12-04-02 20:10
"SIRIUS!" forgetting composure, decorum and dignity I run to give my old friend a heartfelt hug,(causing the large amounts of paperwork to go flying in all directions). "A chara!* I'm so happy to see you!"
HE presents me with his presents and I laugh at the amusingly wrapped puppy chow "You have been talking to Briar, haven't you? And haven't you lost your sense of humour." He favours me with the old grin I remember so well from school days. "Lunch would be fantastic." I wave my wand and the mess cleans itself up.
Then I cast a new, enhanced security spell on the papers, room and lock up. Grinning hugely, like I haven't smiled for a long time I walk (jig-style) with my old friend out of the nearly empty ministry office. Next time I see a dementor (hopefully not for a LOOOOONG time) I have a new happy memory to use.
"Where are we going for lunch, a Chara? And you have to tell me what you've been doing since you got out of Azkaban. I sent you a message nearly a year ago, and never heard back from you. I was so worried!"
---
a chara = (my) friend.
