Leaving London closed

@Anemoi Sterling @Argentavis Wingrave

As Elm stepped onto the platform he could hear the creaking of carts, filled to the brim with suitcases, pets in their cages, and belongings, along with the chattering of children. Almost walking into a column, he had to be pulled back by his brother, Maple, before any damage could be done to his face. Maple directed him away from the tracks as they walked, to which, Elm was very grateful, since he knew he had the habit of swerving around as he moved.

Cocking his head to the side, Elm asked his brother, "What time is the train arriving at again? Was it 9:00?"

With a brisk nod, Maple responded, his eyes peering amidst some civilians, "Yes, but we still need to hurry. The platform sometimes closes off early and we wouldn't want to get stuck here, now would we?" He added the rhetorical question, a hint of mirth in his dark brown eyes.

A laugh emitted from Elm's lips and he shook his head quickly, "Don't worry. Unlike you, I have decent luck."

Maple smirked at that. "You didn't specify. What type? Did you mean bad or good? Because I'd vote on the former." A pout dashed across Elm's lips, that is, until he spotted a familiar column in between Platform 9 and 10. Maple also spotted it and his cheery face took a hint of longing into them. Quickly, Elm grasped the elder's hand dragging him to the platform. Before they knew it, they had vanished inside and onto Platform 9 and 3/4.

Instantly, a loud train whistle alerted the travelers of its existence. Luggage in hand, they both rushed to a nearby bench, sitting down breathless. Maple busied himself with checking their check list for the trillionth time; whereas, Elm kicked his legs idly, whilst looking around at the interesting people and their animals. Hearing a noise, he swiveled his head to see, but it was too fast and he cranked his neck. A small yelp sounded from the pain. Daring to open one teary eye, he recognized a girl on a nearby bench across from him. It was Anemoi. Excitedly, he threw a wave in her direction, still blinking back tears, "Hello Moi!"

“Elm! Great, you’re here.” Anemoi started towards the ginger, dragging her luggage behind her. “I thought you were lost! Oh, hey Maple.”

It was a relief to find her friend at last and she followed closely beside Elm and his brother as they crossed the platform towards the train track“Can we board yet? What time is it? Oh, and how do I get this big trunk up to the train once it’s–”

Anemoi’s questions were cut short by a loud whistling noise, echoing through the 9 3/4 station. Her eyes widened as she looked up to see a large train pull up alongside the small group. “Well I guess we'll go now” She let out a bright laugh. The train looked very large and powerful, an old-style locomotive, with black and red paint and a golden plaque on the front with its name: Hogwarts Express.

Boarding passed in a blur. A witch took Anemoi’s trunk for her and stowed it somewhere on the train. The children were swept into the open doors of a middle car and pushed along until they managed to find and duck into an empty compartment. Anemoi lifted her duffle into the overhead storage and slid into one of the booth seats, next to a window. She glanced over at Elm to ensure he had followed her into the compartment and then let out a long-held breath. They were finally on their way to Hogwarts.


@Elm Walker

The train door was about to close when Maple reached his hand out, holding it open for Elm. "Get in." He said, pushing the young, curly, red-headed boy inside. Elm turned, looking behind at his brother. "Do you think we could sit toge..." He was interrupted by Maple jumping inside the train, carrying both of their suitcases. Dropping them on the floor, he winced heavily, fingers gingerly touching his shoulder blade.

The younger boy, Elm, asked nervously. "It's your shoulder again, isn't it? I got the bags. Just follow me, alright?" His brother nodded his head, following behind. Elm peered into the compartments, trying to follow after Anemoi and searching for where she had went off. No such luck. A girly voice shrieked, accompanied by a boyish yell. "Maple!" A boy from a compartment in the back yelled. "Oh my god, I missed you! How's the shoulder? I would hate to miss not playing you ever again. The dueling team sorely misses your skills." A girl exclaimed, giving Maple a hug.

Elm felt very out of place at the sudden excitement. There was just too much going on for him to handle, so he simply left his older brother, picked up his own bag and continued searching for Moi. He sighed sadly. Maple had too many friends.

Pausing, he spotted Anemoi in an open compartment, busily peering out the window. Relieved, he sat down hurriedly.