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Shiny Red Engine
Author: Adina Blackwood
Date: 08-17-10 14:43
Adina slid a hand through her hair as she plopped down on the seat in the compartment that she had claimed. She had gotten on the train early and would let others settle around her if and when they arrived. She had no animal curled on her lap, perched on her shoulder or anywhere else within the compartment that belonged to Adina. Her owl on the other hand was with the others, Hermes, her Northern Hawk Owl would be waiting when she got to Hogwarts.
She'd had a great time the two weeks her friends from Greece were here, and she planned on writing them as often as she could. Now, she was dreading starting at a new school where she only knew maybe two people. She knew Marlow, and those of her family she'd met that were going to Hogwarts and that was it. She curled her legs beneath her and tugged her book back into her lap. She was reading one of her favorite books of Greek Myths and looked up when the compartment door opened.
The pair of giggling girls stood in the doorway. "Mind if we take a couple of the seats?" One asked, and she was a pretty enough girl, blonde hair, hazel eyes, and her friend was a pale asian girl with black hair and blue-violet eyes.
"No, go ahead. I'm Adina, and you guys are?" Adina said, shifting her bag off the seat across from her and settling it next to her. She had money for the sweet cart she'd heard roamed the hall of the train through the trip to the station in Hogsmeade Village.
"I'm Whitney Widowmaker, and this is Kida Young." The blonde girl said, as she and Kida settled in the empty seats across from Adina.
"Are you new?" Kida asked, peering over Adina as she settled after stuffing her bag in the overhead area and settled down near the window, which left Whitney at the door as Adina was already settled in the other window seat.
"Yeah. Transfer from Athens Academy after my parents got a divorce and my mum decided to mvoe to England to live with her sister." Adina said, and the three girls soon fell into a conversation, with breaks only as Adina excused herself long enough to say hello to those that she knew - namely those related to Marlow.
Prefect On Duty (Deak)
Author: Kody
Date: 08-17-10 18:47
With parents who work at Hogwarts and who live there part of the time, riding the Hogwarts Express is not an actual necessity for Deak. He's done it in past years just to be with friends but he's also skipped riding it a few times. Last year and this year he's made the trip to London to catch the train from Platform 9 3/4 because he's a prefect for Ravenclaw. The prefects start out the train ride together but then some will gradually split off to sit with friends elsewhere on the train but with each taking a shift patrolling the train, keeping watch for overly unruly behavior. This year's head girl, Estella Primrose, did most of the work on scheduling the shifts and was more than happy to oblige Deak when he had owled her asking if she'd put Etta Wynbourne and him on the same shift.
Deak, his prefect's badge in clear view, nods at his brother Drake's question, "You have money for the trolley, right?"
"Yeah, and rucksack full of sandwiches and other things for lunch."
Drake grasps Deak's shoulder and gives a squeeze. "Have a great trip. Hope it doesn't seem to drag and have you regretting not staying at the castle. I'm probably going to be there this evening so might see you at the feast."
"Bye, thanks for letting me bunk with you last night."
"Anytime!"
Drake threads his way around trunks and people to exit the platform through the same magical barrier through which Deak and he had entered a few minutes ago. Deak watches his brother leave but this his attention is captured by a very lost looking kid just inside of and to the left of the barrier, sitting on his trunk and an owl cage with a tawny owl inside at his feet.
Deak leaves his own trunk for the time being to approach the boy. "Hi, first year or a second year transfer?"
"First year, sir."
"No need to call me sir. I'm a sixth year myself. Deacon Bennett, but everyone calls me Deak."
"Bartholomew Kimple."
"Are you waiting on someone?"
"No. Mum dropped me off but couldn't stay or she'd be late for work."
"Want some help getting your trunk and owl onto the train?"
"Would you? I can only move ways at a time by myself and Mum couldn't find a cart for me to put it on."
"Here, jump up. Take your owl and I'll get the trunk."
Halfway to the train, Deak spots Wiggy, who's also a prefect, but for Gryffindor. "Hey, Wiggy, don't you have a male cousin starting this term."
"Yeah, Barontaine. He's so bloody excited to ride the train for the first time you'd think he'd taken a few shots of a 100 proof caffeine potion."
"Where is he, do you know?"
"Already on the train. Third car down, second compartment."
"Thanks. Oh, Bartholomew Kimple, this is Wiggersmythe Hodfuffer. If you need help and can't find me, Wiggy's dependable."
"Hello, sir," Bartholomew solemnly says, putting out a hand to shake.
Wiggy takes the first year's hand and gives it a shake. "Nice to meet you. Bit of advice, Bartholomew. When it's time to be sorted, think over and over Gryffindor House, Gryffindor House."
"Nah, it's Ravenclaw you're wanting," Deak assures him.
"Don't listen to Deak. He's a bit biased, being a Ravenclaw himself."
"Like you aren't biased for Gryffindor."
"That's different. It's Gryffindor."
Deak grins and good naturedly shoves Wiggy then lifts the end of Bartholomew's trunk again. "Right, let's get you settled on the train. Third car, second compartment, you said?" he directs at Wiggy.
"Yeah. Just remembered I have Glori's snack money. Let me go find her now so that I don't forget again later and she ends up having to cadge food or money from someone else. See you around, Bartholomew."
Wiggy takes off at a sprint towards the train with Deak and Bartholomew following at a much slower pace. As they cover the remaining distances to the Hogwarts Express Deak explains, "This boy Barontaine is a cousin of Wiggy's and is new to Hogwarts too. I've got a couple of cousins new to school this year but they're girls, Eden and Heather. I figure you'd prefer your first Hogwarts friend to be a guy."
"That would be nice but I'm not particularly choosy as any friend would be nice to have."
"Baron's a nice kid. Unless you're difficult to get along with, and so far you don't seem to be, I think you two will hit it off. And if you do, maybe you'll be lucky to get into the same house, but if not, you can still be great friends. Here we are. Third car."
Deak heaves the trunk up the steps, wishing he could use a little magic to manuever Bartholomew's trunk, and his own here soon, onto the train. Bartholomew follows with this owl and its cage, coming to a stop as Deak reaches the second compartment, sliding open the door. "Baron! Hi, want you to meet Bartholomew Kimple. First year like you."
"Hi, Bartholomew. Or is it Bart? Bartie? Something else? I'm Barontaine but go by Baron. Are you excited as I am? I can't wait for the train to leave the station. And for the feast! My sister, Hydrangea, told me the feast is really something. Wiggy, that's my cousin Wiggersmythe, and Glori, she's really Gloriaspasiana and Wiggy's sister, and Augustus, though we all just call him Gus, he's a cousin too, but not Wiggy's and Glori's brother said the feast has massive amounts of food. Uncle AJ ... "
During all this Deak stares at Baron. Understatement Wiggy made about Baron coming across like he's on pure caffeine. He blinks and shoots Bartholomew a reassuring smile, cuts in before Baron explains who Uncle AJ is to say with a chuckle, "Whoa. Give him a chance, Baron."
As he's speaking Deak's also stowing the trunk. Baron takes a deep breath and says, "Sorry. I'm really excited."
"That's okay. I'm excited too but more nervous," Bartholomew tells him, plopping down opposite Baron, the owl cage in his lap.
Deak says, "See you two later. Have to go get my own trunk stowed and meet up with the other prefects."
"Thank you!" Bartholomew calls out but Deak's already nearly back to the steps leading down to the platform so doesn't bother yelling back, "You're welcome."
He returns to his trunk and starts hefting it towards the train, his eyes scanning the platform for Etta and for Wiggy again as well as for Jack.
Back to School
Author: Griet
Date: 08-17-10 19:32
Griet boarded the Hogwarts Express and turned very briefly on the steps to wave goodbye to her parents, both of whom stood on the platform with their youngest child, Franciscus, who wouldn't be attending Hogwarts until next school year.
Cornelia frowned up at Griet and started to yell at her to move already, but she clamped her mouth shut at the last minute when she remembered that she was trying to be nice. Although they still weren't good friends, Cornelia and Griet had managed to become a little closer over the summer. It was due in part to Cornelia's great effort to restrain herself when it came to her instinct to argue about every little thing, but it certainly helped that Griet was so forgiving.
Griet started moving down the corridor in the direction of the prefects compartment. She and her boyfriend Oberon were the seventh year prefects for Slytherin. Oberon had only just received his badge, after Barnaby Barlow got promoted to Head Boy. After boarding the train and giving her parents a quick sendoff, Cornelia followed Griet down the aisle. She was one of the sixth year prefects for Slytherin.
Aleydis and Beatrix followed their older sisters partway down the corridor and then entered an empty compartment. Neither were old enough to be prefects yet.
Griet and Cornelia found Oberon already seated in the prefects compartment when they arrived. Other prefects from other houses also filled the carriage, but Griet and Cornelia were by no means the last to arrive. Griet sat down next to Oberon, when he made room for her on the seat. Cornelia sat down opposite them and looked out the window. She wondered if Gervaise had already made it onto the train and hoped to find him later in one of the compartments.
Their relationship had gotten closer over the summer too. Cornelia hadn't told Griet yet that she and Gervaise had finally kissed. She was unclear if they were actually a couple now, but they were definitely something more than just friends!
It wasn't long before the rest of the prefects found the carriage and the Head Boy and Head Girl, Barnaby and Estella, respectively, started making announcements. The train slowly pulled away from Kings Cross Station, beginning its long journey to Hogwarts.
The Routine Begins Again
Author: Charisma Stone
Date: 08-17-10 21:29
Isma plopped down in the compartment where she would eventually be joined by Eric and Blake. She'd spent time with them over the break, and had rocked with them at Emry's Fest earlier in the summer and loved it. Now, she would be heading back to Hogwarts, and she was looking forward to it. She missed the routine of it, however, she would also miss lazing in the summer sun over the break.
"Hey!" Blake and Eric said in unison as they slipped into the expanse of the compartment and Blake settled next to Isma, and Eric took the seat across from them. After a few minutes, there was a knock on the compartment door and Cody Sweet poked his head in.
"Mind me taking the extra seat in here?" He asked, and slipped in when none of them had a problem with it.
All of them settled in, and made sure that their trolley money was easily accessable for later in the trip. Eventually, everyone was settled into various compartments, the Prefects were in their compartment meeting with the Head Boy and Head Girl getting their information.
Isma lightly massaged her temples and closed her eyes, sinking into the cushioned seat. She'd been up late, despite the fact that she had to be here early - that had all been Charlie's fault and she had no problem with it because she knew she wouldn't be able to see her best friend until her first break that she could go home.
She ended up falling asleep, and woke up when Blake nudged her. "Wake up, trolley is going to be coming soon..." He said.
Final Lazy Afternoon
Author: Lawrence Masterson
Date: 08-17-10 22:12
Lawrence wrapped his arms around Ariella and pressed a kiss to her cheek. "Here we go again." He said, as he tugged her down to sit with him on the sofa. They had moved back into the Castle from the flat about a week ago, and Ariella had already been back at the bakery. Lawrence had spent the week revamping his lesson plans to include the new material, adding some spice to the upper year schoolwork, to give them something different from the same old course work, he would of course be doing the required work for the OWLs and NEWTs.
"Looking forward to the feast tonight?" Lawrence asked, and Ariella grinned looking up at him.
"Its a Hogwarts feast, what do you think?" She teased and settled herself against him, she had the day off because of what it was today, and the village wouldn't be busy enough to require the extra staff.
Lawrence chuckled and let out a sigh. "At least this year, I know what to expect, and I know how to handle things. Just like last year, I will only have one final examination to run at the end of the school year, and I've already got most of my midterm and other examinations completed. Those I can work on throughout the year." He said and closed his eyes.
It was going to be a lazy afternoon, he'd gotten everything set up for the first class meeting, and now all that was left was the festivities coming up later this evening when the students arrived via the Hogwarts Express and were transported either across the lake (first years and transfers) or by the drawn carriages (returning students) and gathered in The Great Hall.
There would be a sorting ceremony, and all four of the houses would be gaining new members from the amount of transfer and first year students that were coming in. Lawrence would get his attendance lists either later tonight or tomorrow morning. His first course was going to be at nine am the morning after the Start of Term Feast.
"So, are you looking forward to starting St. Emry's in October?" Lawrence asked, she had gotten her test results shortly after they'd gotten back to London from their trip and he'd helped her start enrolling in courses at St. Emry's for the up coming term.
They fell into an easy conversation, that was something normal for them. After about forty-five minutes Ariella shifted, pushing herself up and casting a glance at her husband. "Starving, but I have no intention of eating any more than a single bite, because I know what is to come later."
Lawrence laughed and shook his head. "We could always go down to the village and grab something small at Briar's if you've mind, and be back well in time to ensure that we are ready on time for the feast."
That seemed like a doable idea, and soon enough they were headed down to the village and Brair's bakery for a quick bite.
(Mark) On the Train
Author: Isolde
Date: 08-18-10 17:39
When Mark had first boarded the train, he'd gone off in search of an empty compartment, only to find Gus waving wildly at him from down the corridor. Gus had grown taller over the summer. Long gone was the pudgy eleven year old who had become Mark's first friend at Hogwarts. He had lost a lot of weight during his time at Happy Haven, and while he'd gained some of it back since then, he'd never put on the full amount he'd lost. Gus looked like he was in tip top shape, and though Mark was lean and not lacking in muscular definition himself, he looked downright puny in comparison to Gus.
The boys had the compartment to themselves, with rather shocked Mark, since Gus always seemed to be in the company of Felicia and Johanna. Gus mentioned something about Johanna having cousins attending Hogwarts this year and that maybe she was sitting with her family, but he also didn't seem to know for sure. The Hogwarts Express was quite long and though it had an end, it wasn't all that hard to miss somebody on it.
In some ways it was nice being alone in the compartment with Gus. It was almost as if they were first years again and the best of friends. The year when Gus had lost his pureblood status and then the one when he'd not even been at Hogwarts at all seemed almost forgotten, but both boys knew that it would all change once they got to the castle. They weren't roommates, and they didn't share any classes.
A few times, a girl would poke her head into the compartment and flirt with Gus. Apparently, he had caught the eye of several of them, which also shocked Mark to no end. Yes, Gus had changed and looked better than he had as a younger boy, but Mark still didn't see what the big deal was. Still, every once a while, someone would pop in, bat her eyelashes and giggle before emerging into the corridor to gush to one of her friends.
Gus hardly seemed to notice what was going on. His looks may have changed, but his cluelessness obviously hadn't.
The next time the door opened, Mark nearly said something rude to the intruder, but it turned out to be the trolley lady offering up items from her cart. Mark ordered a box of Bertie Botts Every Flavored Beans and a couple of chocolate frogs. Gus bought two cauldron cakes and a licorice wand.
It was while Mark was chewing on a lemon-flavored bean when Gus asked something he didn't expect to hear.
"So, do you like Kate Dewhurst or something?"
Mark started choking. Gus had to pound him on the back to dislodge the bean, which nailed the seat back opposite Mark and then bounced onto the cushion. Gus brushed it onto the floor and looked pointedly at Mark, "Because Johanna and Felicia seem to think so. Personally, I don't know how they reached that conclusion, because I know you, and I am pretty sure you would never, ever like Kate. They're pretty confident you do, though. So what gives? Do you, or don't you?"
Mark's face was totally red, but whether from the choking, rage, or embarrassment, even he didn't know. He got up abruptly and croaked, "I need water," before stepping into the corridor and making a beeline for the lavatory.
Food And Fun (Caerwyn)
Author: Julian Valentine
Date: 08-18-10 18:42
In a sunny patch of grass behind Twice Told Tales, lounding on deck type chairs, eating ice cream - peppermint swirl and chocolate fudge for Augustus, blackberry and cheesecake for Caerwyn - the two Hufflepuffs discuss whether they wish to play another round of Wizard's paint ball after finishing their ice cream or do Wizard's laser tag instead. And there are always other things now that Blossom's offers even more options. Yesterday they had discussed going to London to catch the Hogwarts Express this morning. As with most other times, they decided against it. Caerwyn had wanted to ride it his first year just for the experience of it and having the opportunity to make new friends before getting to the school and being sorted. For the most part, though, since then he's found he'd much rather laze the day away having fun playing games than sitting on the train all day and having to make a special trip to London to do it when Hogwarts is just up the road from where he lives.
Gus doesn't live in Hogsmeade. He does have relatives who own the Imperial Crown & Cauldron but as that's not the same as living in Hogsmeade, unless one of them invited him to spend the day there so as not to have to take the train in, or if his Mum or Dad had asked if of them, that would have been okay. Gus wasn't going to invited himself but with a best friend who lives in Hogsmeade who was not going to be taking the train and who expressly asked him over for today, Gus didn't have to impose on his relatives. Not that they would have actually found him an imposition and not that Gus doesn't like riding the Hogwarts Express. It's just that, like Caerwyn, why sit around on the train all day when he could be spending that time being active, running around, and eating ice cream. Ice cream was not offered on the Hogwarts Express food trolley or anywhere else on the train last he knew. There's also getting free sweets from Briar's Bakery what with Briar Rose being a sort of pseudo-mum to Caerwyn and her daughter is Caerwyn's half-sister.
The boys had been going to see what the lunch specials at the Crown & Cauldron were today, then decide whether to have something from the regular lunch menu, one of the specials or go down to Burger Wizards when Lisette Valentine arrived wanting to take Caerwyn to lunch somewhere special for his last day before classes begin and since Gus was with him, she treated Gus as well. She took them to Caerwyn's favorite Italian restaurant in Edinburgh where Caerwyn had had spaghetti and meatballs with bolognese sauce and Gus had eaten his weight in a sausage and cheese tortellini with a cheesy cream sauce. Lisette had had a caprese salad and a grilled fish with a white wine sauce. After watching the two boys eat, she would be amazed that such a short time later they are scarfing down ice cream as though they'd not had anything since breakfast.
Caerwyn takes the last bite of his icecream and looks at the empty bowl as though hoping more will suddenly appear. Sadly, even if he were the greatest Wizard ever, he knows he can't make food appear out of nothing. Since the ice cream did not come from home, having more appear would mean stealing it from someone's home or one of the businesses that carry frozen treats. It would probably be hard to trace the loss of ice cream that mysteriously vanished from one location to Caerwyn but he's simply not the stealing sort. Besides that, if he really, really wants more he can simply walk over to the bakery and get some. Briar carries a small assortment of flavors, with vanilla being the biggest seller what with how well it goes with things like hot apple pie and gooey warm chocolate cake.
Thinking of chocolate cake has his asking Gus, "Want to go get some cake from Briar or want to go play a game first?"
Licking the last drops of melting ice cream off his spoon Gus thinks about the question then says, "Play first then cake. I'll have room for a larger slice by then."
"Paint ball then?"
"Yeah, then maybe try for high score again on that one pinball machine. Then cake. Or pie. Or maybe more ice cream. Or Honeydukes. We need to make sure we're stocked up on sweets before the train gets in."
"I have a bag full of it in my trunk but don't mind adding more."
Gus jumps up, "Come on then. Let's throw this stuff away then get going. We've lots left to do before having to meet the train."
Caerwyn's already on his feet and reaching to take the bowl and spoon from Gus to run inside to dump in the waste bin. Half a minute later the boys are making for the gaming center, playing boasting about who's the better paint ball player.
Back To Hogwarts
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 08-19-10 03:19
“Oh here you are!” Johanna exclaimed when she spotted her cousins inside a compartment.
Evelyn was looking at Luke as if she wanted to kill him. Johanna understood they were arguing because of Hogwarts’ houses. Edgar looked absent through the window, ignoring the argue. He wanted to be the first to see Hogwarts.
“This is Melchior, my other cousin.” Johanna said as Melchior entered the compartment. Luke, Evelyn and Edgar looked at the newcomer with curiosity. “He is a muggle born and he almost doesn’t know a thing about the wizarding world. So be nice to him.” She added.
She told Melchior her other cousins’ names and then she left, eager to find her friends. Johanna liked all her cousins and was happy to have them at Hogwarts, but she didn’t want to spend the whole train ride babysitting them.
Someone pulled her robe and she turned herself to see who was calling for her attention. She had to blink twice because she couldn’t believe her eyes.
“Gus!” Johanna exclaiming hugging her friend.
He was taller than she remembered and he had a new haircut. He looked different, but at the same time he was the same.
“What have your mother been giving you for breakfast?” She said looking up to see his eyes. He was really tall. And pretty, she had to confess.
He just shrugged his shoulders.
“Come, Mark got a compartment for us.” Johanna followed Gus to their compartment.
Mark was sat by the window, and waved at her. She smiled to him but her attention went to Felicia who had already stood up to hug her best friend. They were accommodating themselves on the seats, when Felicia spotted Kate.
She called and waved, opening the door of the compartment to let her friend enter. Johanna noticed Mark’s face and she realized whichever were the feelings he had for Kate, they hadn’t changed a bit with the summer.
Kate gave careful steps inside the compartment. Since she was a Hufflepuff she was the only one wearing yellow, in the middle of so many green. It would look odd if someone poked from the outside, but it didn’t make any difference to the group.
They started to talk about what they have done during the holidays. Johanna, Felicia and Gus did all the chat. Mark was silent by the window, and Kate didn’t make a sound either, sat on the opposite corner of the compartment.
With Ginny
Author: Hermione Granger
Date: 08-19-10 19:18
Hermione and Ginny sat in the flat above Zonko's and paged through Muggle and wizarding bridal magazines. Although Hermione and Ron hadn't settled on an official wedding date yet, they'd both agreed they'd like to get married sometime in the spring. It might still be summer now, but spring would arrive before either of them realized it.
It was for this reason that Hermione had already made lists upon lists regarding what she needed to do before her big day. Making plans in an organized fashion was what Hermione did best, and if she had it her way, which she would, then everything would be absolutely perfect.
She asked Ginny to visit her today to not only help her brainstorm ideas for the ceremony and reception, but also to ask her if she would be her maid of honor. Hermione couldn't think of anyone better suited for the position. Although Hermione had always been better friends with boys, namely Harry and Ron, she had long thought of Ginny as her sister and knew that she felt the same about her. Ginny, not surprisingly, gladly agreed to be Hermione's maid of honor, which would be absolutely perfect, since Harry would no doubt be Ron's best man.
The girls sat on Hermione's sofa, which was situated beneath several large windows that faced the street. Hermione had them open so that the summer air could freshen up the room and so that Crookshanks, who lounged on a pillow on the wide window sill, could bask in the sun uninhibited. His nose twitched as he inhaled the fresh scent of the great outdoors, and he lazily flicked his tail from side to side.
Hermione was currently looking at the different styles of wedding dresses. She wasn't sure how she would choose the right one, considering there were so many beautiful options and elements she really liked. Majandra had already offered to sew her a dress. Hermione just had to tell her what she wanted.
Ginny suddenly started to laugh at something she saw in the magazine she was reading.
"You should totally wear this dress," she exclaimed, showing it to Hermione. It looked basically like a bikini top and a hip-hugging skirt with a slit up to the thigh. The midriff area wasn't exactly bare, though. Sheer fabric connected the top and bottom.
Hermione's eyes bugged out. "No way. That is awful."
"I bet the guys wouldn't think so," she said, nodding with her head to the two male law enforcement officers who were playing a game of Exploding Snap at the kitchen table. She shot Hermione a meaningful and playful look and said, "And I bet Ron wouldn't either."
Hermione stuck out her tongue. "I wouldn't be caught dead in something as skanky as that on my wedding day!"
Ginny stuck her tongue back out. "There's always your wedding night...er... nevermind. That's my brother we're talking about."
Hermione smirked. Just then, she heard a train horn sound in the distance. Both she and Ginny turned and looked out the window. The days were getting shorter, and it was already growing dark.
"I bet that's the Hogwarts Express," Ginny commented. "It is September first, isn't it?"
"It is," Hermione said. "I'm sure it won't be long before it arrives at the station." She sighed wistfully. "There are times when I miss those days, but I'm not sure I would want to go back and relive them."
"There are definitely parts of Hogwarts I don't miss," Ginny said, "and there are things I don't even want to remember. But there were some good times, too."
For a moment, the magazines were forgotten as the girls found themselves lost in waves of nostalgia.