For One Way Travel PV Finished

Suprised by Abigail's resolute support , he would
give her a slight smile and a calm "Thank you, very much." As he sits down at a free seat next to the door. While all this happends, he would shortly peek over to the brown haired girl who did not say a word when he entered their compartment. (Did I do something wrong?") , he would ask himself. (Did I say something mean?")

His line of thought was interupted , when Abigail began to talk about the houses and the hat. Oswald did not know much about the magical world , not to mention Hogwarts. "My name is Oswald, nice to meet you." He would let his sight glide through the whole compartment as he stops for a moment at the side of Meenauh , before he looks back at Abi. "Pardon me , but I'm afraid that I can't add much to your conversation. This whole magic-stuff is new to me, to be honest." He would hold his book with both hands , as he always tends to do when he gets nervous . Those girls obviously knew more then him , despite being his age and seeming like any other normal girl he met before. "My family didn't really tell me much about how all this works. The only thing I know is, that there are different houses and rhat I want to be a Hufflepuff " He would quickly grab a cookie and thanks her again, before he begins to munch it slowly but steady, to find an excuse for why he isn't talking much.

Angellica had been prepared for many things, but Oswald was not quite one of those things. For one, he seemed eager to be sorted in the house she hoped she would never be sorted into. For a spell she was as silent as Meenauh. Hands in her lap, the blonde toyed with the hem of her shirt, smoothing invisible wrinkles over the fabric of her pants as she composed herself. All she had to do was convince a piece of clothing that she should not be placed in the yellow and black. Honestly, who had thought of such colors, her thoughts echoed her mother’s own words. Yellow isn’t flattering for anyone.

Instead she focused on other things. “I’m glad you like the cookies,” she smiled to Abigail lightly, before finally looking to the newcomer. “Welcome to the compartment, Oswald," she greeted. "Hopefully you get sorted in the house you're wishing for. I'm personally biased towards Slytherin or Ravenclaw," she added cooly. At the very least, it was her parents ambition, and therefore it was hers. She wanted to prove her worth, and that meant following in their academic footsteps. They had both been successful, and if she wanted to surpass them, she doubted any other house could truly bring out her potential.

Soon they would be at the school, a few hours perhaps, and the mere thought had her avoiding any sort of food. Even when the trolley lady made her way to their compartment with offerings of sweets and indulgences, the blonde could only shake her head and smile, taking a cookie from her tin as if to silently say look I have my own snacks, no need for more. It didn't matter how many coins burned in her little satchel, her stomach was still a mess. Turning towards Meenauh she paused. "What books were you planning to read on the journey over?" she asked gently.

It was like a performance, which Meenauh suddenly became a part of, but as a viewer. The boy's name was Oswald, which was pretty a cool name. For some reason, it seemed to Meenauh like a Slytherin name. ("Could names sound more proper for one house and less proper for another?") The boy's next phrase explained pretty much the look on his face — a muggle-born with no previous acquaintance with magic. Before entering this compartment she only talked to muggles, so the boy was more or less closer to her than the girls, probably.

She watched Angellica greeting and welcoming Oswald and then shyly closed into herself. The distant sound of the food trolley made Meenauh chuckle a bit as if trying to foresee what would happen next: Oswald shyly smiling at the welcoming, Angellica silently thinking something with a very female aura around her, Abi jiggeting in her seat as in preparation for something.

Just before the food trolley entered the audible area, Angellica asked Meenauh about her reading but at the same time, Abi launched herself from the seat like a whirlwind, dashing towards the door to catch the trolley before it could roll away. An awkward silence fell as she was away with no one daring to talk. When she was back, she presented everyone with chocolate frogs, adding a short monologue, which was so unexpectedly warm, hearty and sincere that Meenauh shivered. Meenauh thanked Abi for the frog (more for the monologue) but kindly refused the further offering of the sweets. Chocolate was already quite much of a sweet filling than she used to have during the day.

She heard about chocolate frogs and their behaviour, but she suddenly realised that she hadn't ever had one. She was still keeping Angellica's question in her head and it was natural that she'd start answering it. But the frog was a very interesting piece of magic food to investigate. Meenauh looked at Angellica as if she wanted to say that she remembers the question and will answer it as soon as she'd deal with the frog.

She prepared herself, opened the frog box just a little, grabbed the frog by its legs and cold-bloodedly bit off the head, chewed very fast and then threw the remaining part in her mouth and started to chew in a much calmer manner. While chewing the chocolate, she carefully opened the box, which revealed a bronze card with a blonde man in a white suit, holding a big green phoenix-like bird on his hand. The memory palace instantly opened, her eyes closed, and names started to flow into her head. After just a couple of seconds, she started to enunciate:

"This is interesting. And hopefully, a sign. Gulliver Pokeby, magical birds expert. Bronze card. With a bird expert," she opened her eyes, "If after that I won't get to Ravenclaw, I'll start to doubt the reality, I promise."

Meenauh put the box into her pouch. And looked at Abi:

"I cannot unremember that, Abi. So if you'd ever want me to forget you, you've already failed and no Obliviate would fix that."

She whole-heartedly smiled at Abi and turned to Angellica:

"Well, I didn't decide what exactly I'd want to read. That Hogwarts History book seemed like a nice revision as we're on our way there, but I've already read it twice. And, though I have a choice out of 5 or 6 books, it seems like it's not a quiet reading compartment any more, right?" she grinned widely, giving everyone a wink.

"Oswald, nice to meet you as well. So, you're saying magic is new to you? Was Abi right and your parents are," she gave Abi a look, remembering the "no-maj" term she used as if it sounded more politically-tolerant, "muggles? You may not be acquainted with the term, but that's how wizard folks call the non-wizard folks."

Oswald would look over to the trolley when it arrived. It was filled with many many sorts of candies that he had never even seen before. He thought for a moment , if he should buy something but decided not to do so. What if one of those would harm him, or turn him into some weird creature? No, the possibility and risk of a negative outcome were too high for his liking. He would deny in a friendly and noble manner, before he would shift his focus on other , more pleasant thoughts - like books; novels and poems he read and loved.

He would look over to Abi as she places some candy onto his lap, while talking about how she doesen't care if they eat chocolate or not, but that all of them should receive a card. He would look confused at her , then back to the candy and then back to her. "Ouh, ummm....thank you for this..ughh.....what exactly is this , if I may ask?" His question would be answered as he watches Meenauh. He would look in horror at her , while she would brutally murder whatever this creature was , with her bare teeth - first the body and then the head. Oswald was slightly shocked by the sight of what just happend. "Did she just.....what the hell was that?" He would think and stare at her for a moment. He would open his candy and noticed that the small box contains a little frog that apparently was made out of chocolate.
He did not want to kill it , what if it was able to feel pain? He opened the door just slightly and let the frog escape , hopefully unnoticed by the rest.

Oswald wanted to forget what just happend and would face the 3 of them "No, I am acquainted with the term, but thank you very much. And yes, my psrents are Muggles, but it seems like I'm not the only wizard in my family. I apparently have an aunt that was a witch though. My family always keeped it a secret and I have never met her , atleast I can not remind that I ever did. I guess my family thought that I would turn crazy, if I would find out about....well all of this." He would think back to the frog for a moment. "How sadistic must one be to come up with such an idea?", he would think, before he continues.

"Ouh, that sounds pretty good." He would face Angellica: "Ravenclaw and Slytherin are both houses of great prestige, as far as I know. It would be an honor to join one of them; Ravenclaw, house of the intelligentsia and Slytherin, house of the great leaders. Even though I'd prefer Hufflepuff, I would be more then happy to be sorted into one of them."

A muggleborn. The word was nearly stuttered in her mind as she processed what had been stated out loud. She could have coped it up to him being a halfbreed, but no, Abigail had spoken a term she had heard on rare occasion, one that she had been confused about once upon a time in her childhood and had since forgotten. Mudblood is the term her father might have used to express his distaste on the matter. As much as she wanted to make friends, it could be complicated to get too close to anyone that would decline her chances earning that approval she wished from her family. Of course there was a part of her that told her they didn’t exactly have eyes and ears on the train. For now, she just had to get through the ride. Despite it she kept as composed as she could when Oswald confirmed the suspicion. Nope, she would just ignore the data until they were in school.

Honestly, she doubted she’d ever get to know what Meenauh was reading as it seemed after asking her twice she was no closer to discovering anything. Angellica was a firm believer that one could tell a lot from a person by what they read. An entry to a potential friend she doubted she would receive on their journey, it was okay though. She would live, and there wasn’t much time to linger on such thoughts when Abigail was so prominent within the compartment, taking charge in a way that made Angellica content. At least she didn’t have to take responsibility for her journey.

As she nibbled on her cookie, she watched as the white haired girl scarfed down what she’d been chewing on and began to order from the trolley. How anyone could down so many sweets she was confused about, but then again, she hadn’t expected the young woman to offer them each a Chocolate Frog. With a sheepish smile she reached into her lap to hold the small box in her hands. A first card for a collection. It seemed a good beginning. For a moment she simply eyed the deep blue box and golden filigree unable to open it just yet. She’d brought cookies because her mother had insisted, but this this was generosity. Actual genuine kindness, and she couldn’t say she knew much of such a thing. Part of her wondered what strings were attached, but she tried to squash that.

“That’s,” Angellica paused as she weighed her words before looking up to meet Abigail’s gaze. “This is a really nice gesture,” she smiled. It turned into more of a light airy chuckle as the girl mentioned having gotten too much. Of course it was, it would be silly to think otherwise. Shaking her head at the offer of Bertie Botts she tried not to seem too ungrateful by any means.

“My stomach is already in knots, I can’t imagine being unlucky enough to get a troll bogey or whatever,” she shrugged. Bravery was not one of the blonde’s traits by any means. At least she wouldn’t define it that way. In some circumstances she could be courageous, but when it came to food, she rather enjoyed decadence over temptations of fortune. Instead she opened her chocolate frog, jumping as the treat jumped towards the window despite expecting it. Before she could catch it it escaped through the narrow slit of the glass and she sighed. Well at least she wouldn’t have to pretend eat another item. Instead she looked at the card.

“Gaspard Shingleton,” she read lightly. “Perhaps this is a sign I’ll be a Slytherin,” she began in a hushed tone before looking to the group with a light dust of pink on her cheeks. “He invented the self-stirring cauldron,” she added after reading the description on the card. Potions was often associated with Slytherins after all.

“I doubt anyone could forget Abigail after this trip,” she grinned. The girl was pleasant, sweet, and rather amusing. Before she could say more she was getting that answer from Meenauh, and she felt happy to have something beyond food to bond over (or houses to not bond over). Knowing they already had a book read in common, well that was a sensation she hadn’t been prepared for. “Hogwarts a History is a pleasant read,” she agreed and laughed at the last statement. “Oh I doubt there will ever be any reading around Abi,” she teased the girl lightly, looking over at her with a gentle smile. “At least we won’t be bored on the way to school,” she exclaimed.

When Oswald spoke his piece on the houses she smiled. “I read somewhere that Hufflepuffs and Slytherins make unlikely yet quite bonded friends.” It was some quiz or another in a magazine or other publication. Something like Hufflepuff were the emotional support of Slytherins. “So you’ve read Hogwarts a History too?” she asked curious. It was on their list of required items, so she hoped he too had taken as great an interest in their future school as at least half of them in the compartment seemed to express. If she ignored the information about Hufflepuff and Muggleborns, she could just pretend he was a student like any other with a path ahead of him yet to be defined.

As the sun was slowly floating down the horizon, Meenauh felt more and more connected to the group she found herself in. Truly, the first ever wizarding children she could openly talk to about themselves, herself and magic. It wasn't like talking to muggle kids, it wasn't like talking to adults (any). It was some sweet, natural and spontaneous conversation that she was enjoying as they were riding through the fields. A seemingly awkward beginning transformed into a very warm train ride. She wasn't even close to disappointment about the fact that she didn't manage to read a book. Unlike before, when she had nothing else to do while travelling, due to conversational barriers and limits. That was why books had been probably her only friends, who spoke in that scientific and unnatural manner, as she usually spoke herself.

They sat in silence for a while, watching the setting sun and then the scenery immersing into darker colours. Suddenly Abi turned to her and tapped on her shoulder, which worked like breaking free from some hypnotising spell. They were almost there. Meenauh felt the irrepressible excitement from Abi, which felt like a volcano seconds before the eruption, or more like a star, which couldn't hold it and shot solar bursts in all the directions.

Meenauh smiled at Abi's excited comment about all of them being in the same house, and gently put a hand over Abi's shoulder:

"It doesn't matter whether we'll be sorted into the same house, although I'm finding such course of events more favourable. We'll be in the same school, we'll be attending the same classes," she turned her eyes to the whole group, "so, I suggest looking for each other and I promise to give you a helping hand whatever happens."

Meenauh put so much emphasis on the word 'promise' that she shivered a little herself. That was all new to her. As if a whole new world of emotions and social interactions was opening right before her and she wasn't quite ready for it. And all the books about psychology and sociology she had read seemed so distant and unrelated because nothing could predict or describe a feeling when it was a genuine one.

Oswald would watch Anegllica's fruitless attempt to catch the frog , which would jump out of the small slit. After a few moments, he would turn to her to answer her question. "Yes, I was quite curious about it , as you can imagine. I think
that it is a good book , every new student should read it; atleast the important parts of it. But there is certainly better literature , like poems." He would smile slightly ; the thought of his favorite poetry book would always give him a warm feeling. "Poetry," he would continue , "- is the purest form of art. Poetry is the art of creating a text, which is colourful and beautiful enough to cause the reader to feel emotions , which he or she didn't even know could be feeled." He would talk so enthusiastically and passionated about it, that he wouldn't notice how brights his smile was ; and he didn't care. Poetry was like ambrosia to him, no matter how bad his day was, no matter how dire his situation was - poetry would always light up his mood.

He would gaze outside of the window. Mountains and farmlands have disapeared and would make room for seemingly black lakes and dark , dense forests. A little mist would cover the outside in a mantle of mystery and danger . Oswald thought about the monsters that could hide within it and attack the train. Surely, no creature could do such a thing, right? Surely, the train was too big and fast to get attacked and was protected by charms and spells. Even though he did not know what would happen, he would be reassured that no harm would come over them , if an attack ever occured.

Oswald would focus on the group again, when Abigail began to talk. "I just hope that the food will be good. I could also need a shower and some sleep to be honest." He would give her a small smile ; her excitement was a bit contagious. "Well, I don't think that we all will be in the same house. I mean, I guess it would be funny and all...but you have to admit that we all are different people and have different personalities. The probability that we all get sorted into the same house is....not that big" He would try to explain it to Abi as calm as possible, he did not want her to get sad or upset , if reality would not work as she hoped and expected. "Also," he would turn to the whole group now , " it is not important in which house you get sorted into - your actions and thoughts - they are important and define a person." He would lean back and make himself mentally ready to leave the train.

Darkness began to overtake the outside, creating a scenery that was harder to discern, not that there was much time to linger on landscapes. Perhaps another year, but right then, they were busy making the best of a long trip to a new school, one they would attend for the next seven years. Angellica was still nervous, and anxiety ridden, but she felt a little calmer around the girls, and even Oswald had become a bit of a comfort. A familiar face she would surely cross through the halls.

A soft smile perked her lips at the mention of all being in the same house. It seemed unlikely to happen judging by their own quirks and personalities, but that had already been voiced, so she simply echoed the sentiment with gentle nods, golden waves bouncing with the motion of her head. It wasn't until Oswald spoke of food and showers though, he had reached a part of her she had nearly forgotten in the excitement of it all. "A shower and a good meal sound fantastic," she echoed, hopeful the food would be as delicious as she'd been told it was. Oh she was most excited for her bed, she hoped it was as comfortable as the one she had back home.

"We should probably change into our robes before we get to castle," she spoke as she noted the lights of a village coming up in the distance nestled between rolling hills. If memory served, it was Hogsmeade, which meant they were going to stop soon, and be off to be lead to the Castle. Her reading of Hogwarts a History told her they would be heading to the castle by boat, which was another cause for stress. As much as she liked water, a nighttime glide across a darkened lake didn't sound too appealing. "I hope we get sorted where we all want to be, and don't be a stranger once we make it to school," she said towards everyone. She wanted to make sure she wasn't being completely closed off. Friends were important, especially in a new setting. Even if it was just waves between classes or silent acknowledgements, she was okay with at least appearing to know people. At least for now.

The train was slowly ending its quite a long journey and the dusk already transformed into the darkness. The lights of Hogsmeade started to flow in and the train started to make its way to the complete stop.

The rest of the group talked about the welcoming feast and then switching to their school robes. Meenauh didn't need to switch as she had already arrived at the platform in her robe and spent all their journey in it. Thinking about it after the mention of changing right before leaving the train, Meenauh realised that it was a brilliant decision and regretted that she didn't think of that. Though the robes were quite comfortable, the casual closing would fit better for such a long journey.

As the train stopped, Abi enlightened the compartment once again with her plashy excitement and Meenauh said not without a kind smile:

"Yeah, I think we've arrived," she said and suddenly felt an overwhelming excitement, anticipating something huge to happen. The moment of truth. A single short ceremony to set up her future journey as a proud Ravenclaw.

Once Abi started to take down her trunk, she rushed to grab her own to prevent any chance Abi would start helping her. As everyone was ready, they exchanged happy glances with each other and Meenauh thanked everyone for the journey they spent together:

"It was a very nice ride, I'd say. I haven't ever talked to such interesting people that much in my life, to be honest," she chuckled.

Abi suggested everyone going and stepped out of the compartment, and Meenauh followed her through the long corridor to the platform, filled with other students and a couple of professors who arrived to escort them.

She was still on the train when she inhaled the fresh air of the countryside, which for some reason felt like home. As she was stepping down from the Hogwarts Express, carrying her trunk, she was thrilled by the understanding of a new era that was about to begin.