The Scarlet Express
.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.*+:｡.｡｡.｡:+*
date✧.* 01.09.25
tag/s✧.* @Epona Magenta@Maisie Fenwick Rose Williams
@Seraphina Vale@Camille De Varenne@Frederick Buckleywc✧.* 450/200 ooc note✧. outfit✧.* speech✧.*HEX: #36563C
code by ara villa
It’s finally September 1st! This was the first thought Rosaline had that day when she woke up. There were some trunks lying on the floor. She had packed them days ago. To make sure she hadn’t forgotten anything, she ticked off the list one by one yesterday, afraid that she might forget to bring something. She was cautious when she needed to go on a long-distance trip. There was no need to mention that this was her first time away from home for so long, so she wanted everything to be perfect and prepared.
Today, Rosaline’s parents were all at home to see her off. They went to King’s Cross Railway Station by car since it wasn’t too far from their house. It was a bit early. There weren't too crowded. Rosaline’s trunks were too heavy to carry, so her mum, Elowen, got her a trolley. Though there were some Muggles around them, they quickly made their way to the barrier between platform 9 and 10. Feeling excited but also nervous, Rosaline pushed the trolley and dashed through. It was an odd experience to cross it. Since she didn’t have any siblings, she had actually never been onto Platform 9 3/4 before. The scarlet red Hogwarts Express stood before her. She couldn’t ignore its presence. Until this very moment, she hadn’t realized how real the journey she was about to embark on was.
“Remember to send us some owls, Rosie!” Julian reminded Rosaline with a warm, big smile. “Have a great first semester at Hogwarts.” Elowen seemed calmer than Julian. But there was something sentimental a parent would have in her eyes. “I will have fun and send lots of owls home!” She beamed. Though if someone who knew Rosaline well had been here, they could definitely notice there was a hint of sadness beneath her happy expression. She had already started to miss home, even though she hadn’t set off yet.
More and more people began to appear on the platform. Afraid of not finding an empty compartment, she turned back to Elowen and Julian and waved, “Goodbye, Mum and Dad, I’ll see you at Christmas!” She struggled to carry her luggage onto the train. It was too heavy for her. Some compartments were already full, and people chattered and played cards or Wizard Chess. I hope I can meet some nice people to spend the train ride time.
Rosaline found an empty compartment at the end of the corridor. Opening the compartment door, she looked around and stepped inside. It was cozy. She sat next to the window, resting her chin in her hand and gazing at people outside. She exuded a quieter demeanor than her usual energetic self.
Last edited by Rosaline Everhart on 3 Nov 2025, 23:55, edited 4 times in total.
The Scarlet Express
| C | date: 1st September, 2025 location: Hogwarts Express |
abilities: lovely creature dialogue: #0a2a28 mentioned: @Rosalie Everheart |
C |
| CV | The De Varenne family wasn't convinced that it was a good idea to let their youngest take part of public school. It would be impossible for them to control what he did or said to sully the family’s reputation, if he was several hours away. Neither could they promise that the protection at Hogwarts was up to their standards. Protection from the students of, according to his father, lesser blood and status — And perhaps protection from himself. The man did not trust Camille to behave, but it was even worse for their image to deny their son a proper education, no matter how many private tutors of highest quality they could find him. What would people say? No, it was best to send him away to Scotland, albeit with close surveillance in the form of his cousin Juliette, who was also starting her first year at the school. The idea had been proposed over dinner, a fact that both the children, who frankly couldn’t stand each other, had dreaded ever since. While the thought of his irritating cousin being reduced to act his chaperone was absolutely hilarious, Camille didn’t need someone to watch his back all the time. It was just an empty reassurance on their end. As soon as they sat on that godawful train, away from the eyes of his family, there was no one who would care to report back to his parent of what the youngest De Varenne boy was doing. They had informed the headmaster at Hogwarts by owl, of course, so they knew exactly who was coming. It would be a privilege for anybody, to have someone of his prestige at their facility. A historic event, indeed. They hadn’t gotten a reply yet. Perhaps the letter had gotten lost in owl mail, the possibility that the headmaster would purposefully ignore them was unthinkable. You couldn’t trust these damn birds to do their job these days. That’s what you had servants for. Either way, Camille expected nothing less than a grand welcoming upon his arrival; Fireworks, a light show and his portrait hung on every wall, you name it! Anything else would simply not do. His presence was meant to be celebrated. Little did he know that he would be utterly disappointed. Even worse, and god forbid anyone broke his self-important bubble: his name didn’t mean anything to most English wizards. Naturally, the entitled child assumed his special, royal treatment would start already on the train ride there. Camille had never, in fact, ridden a train before. Before this day, he always assumed they were something only commoners used. Camille De Varenne and living like a commoner was two things that did not belong together in the same sentence. The fact that he was expected to take train transportation must mean that there would at the very least, be a private coupé for him with big panoramic windows, looking out at the Scottish highlands. The seats ought to be clad in nothing less than the finest velvet. The reality of the situation was even worse than he could have imagined. The horror on his face was almost comical, if he hadn’t been living the hell personally. He half-expected attendants with silver trays waiting at the platform, ready to whisk him away into his private coupé. Instead, he found himself staring at a noisy crowd of children shoving trunks into compartments that smelled faintly of soot. Shoes like his weren’t meant to touch a platform this filthy. Juliette’s smirk at his expression was almost worse than the reality itself. ”Have fun, Cami. If anyone offers you a Bertie candy, watch out for the vomit tasting one,” she mused before she disappeared off to find a compartment. Camille stared after her, flabbergasted — at the prospect of something so vile as vomit candy being allowed to exist. Only someone deranged like Juliette would find something so disgusting funny. She couldn’t be for fucking real. Accepting candy from a stranger was stupid enough as it was, Camille made a mental note to not accept candy from anyone. Narrowly, he watched her go, hopefully far away from him. He refused to share space with his annoying cousin for more than a second longer. Now his biggest issue was how he was going to survive a whole ride of this. Perhaps they didn’t have attendants, but there must still be a private, luxurious compartment with his name on it, surely. Anything else was unthinkable, or he’d turn on his heel and disappear off to France for good. With an expression of mild disgust marred on his face, and careful not to touch anything, Camille stepped up into the train, having to carry his own damn trunk himself. He cursed the lack of accomodation. Outrageous. Shoving his trunk through the narrow corridor, glancing into compartment after compartment — all shared between students, and no luxurious one with his named engraved on a gold plate in sight — the gravity of the situation dawned upon him. Every compartment he passed was the same — loud, crowded, children’s laughter and chatter spilling out like a disease. Sticky fingers on the glass, mud on their shoes, like they lived like animals. How could anyone be expected to endure this? Surely this was beneath him. Surely someone had made a mistake! He stopped by one door, snickers erupting through the glass. Inside, Juliette was sitting with some boys, pointing and laughing at him! With a well-deserved finger raised in her direction, Camille ignored the laughter and carried on, nose in the air. Okay, so this whole train was made for peasants, but he refused to sit with his cousin. At last, he found it: a nearly empty compartment, save for one girl. It could have been worse, sitting with whatever cockroaches Juliette had found herself for company. It wasn’t the velvet-lined sanctuary he had been promised by birthright, but at least it was quiet. Wiping the look of disgust off his face, as difficult as it was, he entered the compartment door where he ought to spend the upcoming hours. |
CV |
Ilias Lahlou | Ilvermorny
The Scarlet Express
Fredrick could barely contain himself the whole way to London, swinging his legs restlessly and talking a mile a minute about what Hogwarts might look like, what the Great Hall would feel like, and whether the staircases really moved. His parents exchanged amused glances but didn’t try to stop him, he was too wound up for that.
Then, at last, they crossed the barrier, and the world opened into Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. The sight nearly knocked the breath out of Fred. The brilliant scarlet train billowed steam high above the chattering crowd. Owls hooted from their cages, cats slinked between legs, trunks banged against the cobblestones as families hurried to say their goodbyes. The air was alive, thick with excitement, voices, and magic. Fred gripped his trunk harder, his freckles glowing against his flushed cheeks. This is it. I’m really here. This is the start of everything.
His mother crouched slightly to straighten his collar, even though Fred squirmed away. “Now, remember to eat properly, don’t leave your dormitory like a mess, and write to us every week.” Fred rolled his eyes, though his grin spoiled any attempt to look annoyed. “Mum, it’s ok. It’s just school.”
“Just school,” she muttered, brushing imaginary dust from his shoulder. His father chuckled, then bent down so his eyes met Fred’s. “Take care of yourself, son. Hogwarts is part of our family, just as it will be part of you. Make friends, learn well, and for Merlin’s sake, try not to start a duel in your first week.” Fred’s eyes glittered at that, and for a moment it looked like the exact idea had crossed his mind. He hugged them both quickly, his chest tight with a rush of emotions he couldn’t quite name. Pride. Nerves. Excitement so sharp it almost hurt.
With a last wave, he wrestled his heavy trunk toward the train. Each clang of the wheels against the platform seemed to hammer home the reality: he was leaving home, but stepping into something much bigger. This is what I’ve been waiting for. Every story, every bedtime tale about Hogwarts… now it’s me.
Climbing the steps, he glanced back just once, his parents still there, watching proudly through the rising mist of steam. Then the conductor called, and Fred was swept into the train’s narrow corridor. The inside smelled faintly of polished wood, sweets, and a hum of voices layered on top of each other. He dragged his trunk along, peeking into compartments. Older students already filled many, laughing, trading Chocolate Frogs, a few practicing harmless little spells. Fred felt small for a heartbeat, swallowed by the noise and the size of it all, but the feeling only sharpened his determination.
He pressed on, cheeks red from tugging the trunk. “Excuse me, sorry, coming through!” he said, sidestepping a group of third-years sprawled half into the corridor. Finally, he spotted a compartment with just two other kids inside: a girl by the window and a boy opposite her. They looked about his age. Perfect.
He hesitated only for a moment, after all, it was better to have some company than to sit alone, and slid the door open, trying to arrange his expression into one of polite confidence rather than the excitement bubbling inside him. “Hey, uh... mind if I join you?” he asked, shifting his trunk a little to prove he wasn’t just loitering. His tone was casual, but his voice carried a hopeful edge.
He smiled, wide and genuine, with a spark of mischief in his eyes, and stepped inside with a clumsy shuffle, careful not to bump either of them with his bulky luggage. His freckles stood out even more as his cheeks flushed from the effort and the thrill of it all. Choosing the same bench as the girl, he sat down with a polite distance between them, then let his gaze flick back and forth between her and the boy opposite. The way he leaned forward ever so slightly made it clear, Fred was ready to talk, to spark a conversation with either, or both.
@Rosaline Everhart @Camille De Varenne
Then, at last, they crossed the barrier, and the world opened into Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. The sight nearly knocked the breath out of Fred. The brilliant scarlet train billowed steam high above the chattering crowd. Owls hooted from their cages, cats slinked between legs, trunks banged against the cobblestones as families hurried to say their goodbyes. The air was alive, thick with excitement, voices, and magic. Fred gripped his trunk harder, his freckles glowing against his flushed cheeks. This is it. I’m really here. This is the start of everything.
His mother crouched slightly to straighten his collar, even though Fred squirmed away. “Now, remember to eat properly, don’t leave your dormitory like a mess, and write to us every week.” Fred rolled his eyes, though his grin spoiled any attempt to look annoyed. “Mum, it’s ok. It’s just school.”
“Just school,” she muttered, brushing imaginary dust from his shoulder. His father chuckled, then bent down so his eyes met Fred’s. “Take care of yourself, son. Hogwarts is part of our family, just as it will be part of you. Make friends, learn well, and for Merlin’s sake, try not to start a duel in your first week.” Fred’s eyes glittered at that, and for a moment it looked like the exact idea had crossed his mind. He hugged them both quickly, his chest tight with a rush of emotions he couldn’t quite name. Pride. Nerves. Excitement so sharp it almost hurt.
With a last wave, he wrestled his heavy trunk toward the train. Each clang of the wheels against the platform seemed to hammer home the reality: he was leaving home, but stepping into something much bigger. This is what I’ve been waiting for. Every story, every bedtime tale about Hogwarts… now it’s me.
Climbing the steps, he glanced back just once, his parents still there, watching proudly through the rising mist of steam. Then the conductor called, and Fred was swept into the train’s narrow corridor. The inside smelled faintly of polished wood, sweets, and a hum of voices layered on top of each other. He dragged his trunk along, peeking into compartments. Older students already filled many, laughing, trading Chocolate Frogs, a few practicing harmless little spells. Fred felt small for a heartbeat, swallowed by the noise and the size of it all, but the feeling only sharpened his determination.
He pressed on, cheeks red from tugging the trunk. “Excuse me, sorry, coming through!” he said, sidestepping a group of third-years sprawled half into the corridor. Finally, he spotted a compartment with just two other kids inside: a girl by the window and a boy opposite her. They looked about his age. Perfect.
He hesitated only for a moment, after all, it was better to have some company than to sit alone, and slid the door open, trying to arrange his expression into one of polite confidence rather than the excitement bubbling inside him. “Hey, uh... mind if I join you?” he asked, shifting his trunk a little to prove he wasn’t just loitering. His tone was casual, but his voice carried a hopeful edge.
He smiled, wide and genuine, with a spark of mischief in his eyes, and stepped inside with a clumsy shuffle, careful not to bump either of them with his bulky luggage. His freckles stood out even more as his cheeks flushed from the effort and the thrill of it all. Choosing the same bench as the girl, he sat down with a polite distance between them, then let his gaze flick back and forth between her and the boy opposite. The way he leaned forward ever so slightly made it clear, Fred was ready to talk, to spark a conversation with either, or both.
@Rosaline Everhart @Camille De Varenne
Sta 8 | Eva 8 | Str 6 | Wis 5 | Arc Power 4 | Acc 10
Abilities: Evasive Maneuvers, Keeper's Catch
The Scarlet Express
Forward dated Sep. 1st
Interacting with: @Rosaline Everhart@Frederick Buckley@Camille De Varenne
September the first, 2025, the day she'd been waiting for since she was 7, while seeing her brothers off for four years, had finally come. She had heard a lot of true and untrue things about the place, the such including having to have ghosts as her dorm mate. She hoped that wasn't the case, she had made the mistake many times of walking into one; and the feeling was unpleasant.
And here she was, sitting squashed in the back of her parents car, listening to her brothers argue over who would have to show her around; her ten year old sister was whining about wanting to go there, too, and her youngest sister, was crying from the noise.
When at last they arrived in the crowded station, trunks were unloaded and put into two trolleys, her brothers owls perched precariously on each of the trolley, they made their way to the barrier.
Matthew went first, running towards a seemingly solid wall, and vanished in a blink of the eye. Then Michael went, and was gone, too. Then her mother with her younger sisters. Finally, it was just her and her father.
"Now, you just have to walk. Keep walking, you won't hit into the wall, and I'll be waiting for you on the other side." He smiled, and he was gone, too.
Maisie walked towards the wall, looked around, and tentatively touched the wall with both her hands. It didn't budge--it was solid. So she put all her weight on it, and she fell through the wall, landing in a heap. Of course it was her to make a huge deal, she thought, as her mother helped her up. Looking up, she saw a huge train, with smoke billowing, and people, lots of people running, talking and laughing. The rest of her family wasn't far, chatting to her aunts and uncles and her cousins. She was glad no one really noticed her, she didn't want to retell the story of falling through the barrier. The whistle blew just then, and people started scurrying about, loading trunks, bidding goodbyes--the usual things.
Matthew shoved her trunk onto the train, and one of her older cousins, George, helped her up from inside the train. Then, they leaned over the windows and waved madly at the small group of parents.
After they were round the bend, and everything dispersed into darkness of the tunnel, she looked around.
Michael, though told he was to sit with her, was nowhere to be seen; and neither did she really want to sit with a bunch of her brothers friends.
Making her way through the students loitered around with her trunk, she found a partially vacant compartment, with two boys and a girl. There was that curious and anxious look in their expression, the kind that she herself had. She knew she had found people her same age.
Sliding open the door she said rather loudly, "Hiya! Mind if I join you?" And smiling, went in, dragging her trunk with her. They didn't seem to be talking much, and she supposed she wasn't to talk too much. "Remember where you came from, Maisie.", her mother had told her last night.
She decided to sit next to the boy who occupied a whole bench, deciding three on one bench would be uncomfortable.
She saw the freckled brown hair boy opposite her lean forward, and through his body language, she guessed he was ready for a conversation.
Well, I'd better try to make friends, that girl looks friendly, and so does the boy next to her. But the boy next to me seems angry for some reason. she mused.
"Anyway, my name is Maisie Williams, and I'm pleased to meet you!" She said clearly, with a huge grin on her face. This was it. Her story at Hogwarts was going to begin!
The Scarlet Express
@Maisie Fenwick Rose Williams
Not long after, another boy walked in. He asked if he could join in. Rosaline answered with a grin, “Of course, and Hello.” The boy’s luggage looked very heavy, just like hers. She glanced at her trunks that she had placed beside her. It turns out that everyone is just like me, packing almost the entire bedroom for Hogwarts. She mused and felt connected to the boy. She wanted to help the boy out, but after she zoned out for a brief moment, he had already found a place to put down his luggage. He sat beside Rosaline. She wondered if she would become closer to the people who just happened to sit in a compartment with her, totally by chance.
The compartment sank into silence again; if a needle had fallen to the floor, they probably would have heard it. Rosaline felt she needed to say something to smooth the mood. She had never liked the feeling of silence or awkwardness and would like to break the ice. Just as Rosaline opened her mouth to start a conversation about houses, subjects, or something like the topics that a student would talk with another student, a girl walked in. “Hello,” Rosaline greeted again. This was her third time greeting people today. She was delighted to have a new student join the compartment.
With a warm smile, the girl spoke up and introduced herself. Rosaline responded to her with a cheerful tone, “Hey, nice to meet you too. I’m Rosaline Everhart.” Joyfully, she was glad that Maisie started the conversation, and she got a chance to know them better. Noticing there was the luggage of four people in one small compartment, yet she didn’t feel too cramped. She began to speculate that the compartment might have been enchanted with space-expanding magic. A strand of her hair by her ears brushed across her face, and she gently tucked it back. She looked around to see if anyone wanted to talk. The boy next to her and Maisie seemed willing to chat, but the boy in front of her she wasn’t so sure. She thought of a topic that many first years might be interested in. “What houses do you think you’ll be sorted into?” she asked with a curious look, her eyes glinting.
The train sounded its whistle; it was about time to depart.
stamina: 6 | evasion: 5 | strength: 5
wisdom: 8 | arcane Power: 7 |accuracy: 4
Lovely Creature
The Scarlet Express
| C | date: 1st September, 2025 location: Hogwarts Express |
abilities: lovely creature dialogue: #0a2a28 mentioned: @Rosaline Everheart@Frederick Buckley @Maisie Fenwick Rose Williams |
C |
| CV | Attempting conversation with Camille when he was in this declining mood might not be pleasant. As much as he tried to adjust his face into a neutral expression, it was impossible to not notice that something was clearly bothering him. Either way, the girl occupying the compartment glanced up and disarmed him with a gentle smile. He stretched himself to return it, albeit a bit stiffer than his usual charm. It would have been improper to take his frustrations out on this girl, who had not wronged him in any way. Besides, she was a pretty girl. Not knowing that lack of edible food on this train yet, he thought– for now– that the only thing that could have made sharing a second-class compartment worse, was having to share it with someone ugly. “Good day,” he said politely. It was not, it was just formalities. “It seems like we’ll be sharing this compartment. Lovely.” Stated with a forced smile, not asked, since there was no way he’d return to the other, crammed up seats occupying the rest of the train. While not ideal, this was the least unbearable option avaliable, and he wasn’t going anywhere. Unless, of course, someone realized their mistake and swept him away to his own, private seat. For now, that seemed like a dream long gone. With a deep sigh, as if trying to drain the last bit of dignity from himself just to endure this ride, Camille shoved his gilded trunk—already glaringly out of place—into the far corner before sinking heavily into the seat opposite the girl. Exhausted already. Instead of sinking down into soft cushions, the seats were hard and rough. That realiziation was the icing on the cake. Marveilleuse. Not only was he traveling like a second-class citizen, his ass would be sore the next time he stood up. He glanced up at the girl, offered a smile like nothing was wrong, before turning his gaze to stare out the window, watching the last fussing on the platform before departure. On a positive note, he supposed, at least it would be quiet. The silence lasted all of two seconds before the door opened again, admitting yet another lost first year. By the time Camille dragged his eyes from the window, lazily drifting over to the newcomer, the boy had already been waved over to join them, plopping down beside the brunette. Camille watched him with an unreadable expression. There was a tousled charm about him, and with those bright, blue eyes practically sparking with excitement, he was—irritatingly—handsome. For a commoner, that is. No doubt he was already searching for a topic of conversation. Camille, however, offered him nothing. Before long, another girl eagerly joined the compartment. He would have spared her absolutely no mind, not even when she claimed a seat on the vacant bench next to him, if this girl hadn’t been familiar. He stiffened, racking his memory for why exactly she felt known to him. The name returned to him before she’d even began to introduce herself, and his eyes widened in alarm. Maisie Fen… something Williams. Her father was a business partner of his own, he believed. They’d met as late as nine months ago. Camille hadn’t expected to meet anyone he knew here, and sitting in these rock-hard gingham seats with nothing to prove his worth but his gilded trunk, he thought there could be no worse timing for a reunion. Glancing at her sideways, stiffly, he noted she didn’t seem to have recognized him yet. Who would, in this setting so far beneath him. For once, he sincerely hoped she wouldn’t. This far, Camille and the other boy were the only ones who hadn't introduced themselves. A deliberate choice on his end. Rosaline, as the girl opposite him was named, asked what house they were all expecting to get sorted into. Camille, for the record, couldn’t recall a single house. “Do these little houses actually make a difference, or is it simply a quaint tradition?” His tone carried faint disinterest, as well as revealed no prior knowledge of Hogwarts. Of course he knew that his siblings had been sorted into houses at Beauxbatons, back in their day, but he couldn’t see why a house would change much. He’d shine in any. The rest can squabble among themselves. |
CV |
Ilias Lahlou | Ilvermorny
The Scarlet Express
⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅
| Date: 01/09/25 | Word count: 398 |
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| Date: 01/09/25 | Word count: 398 |
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Frederick settled into the seat, feeling the worn cushion give way beneath the weight of his trunk resting against his legs. The air inside the compartment was warmer than in the corridor, carrying a faintly sweet scent drifting from the trolley a few carriages away. To his left, the girl smiled at him as he sat, and that was enough to ease the knot in his stomach that had been there since he’d boarded the train. The boy by the window, however, kept his expression unreadable, and Fred immediately noticed the contrast between the two.
For a moment, he remained quiet, searching for the right words. He could feel both of their eyes on him, and he was just about to introduce himself when the door slid open. A girl with dark blonde hair stepped in with such natural confidence that Fred couldn’t help but smile. It wasn’t a surprise when she quickly introduced herself: Maisie Williams. Soon after, he learned that the girl beside him was called Rosaline.
It was the perfect cue. He straightened a little, glancing between the three before speaking. “My name's Freddy. Frederick Buckley.” Relief washed over him at finally putting himself forward. "It's nice meeting you all." He included the other boy with his gaze, even though he hadn’t introduced himself or said his name.
Rosaline, curious, was the first to break the ice, asking about what houses they thought they’d be sorted into. The question made Fred’s heart race, it was exactly what he had been mulling over since the train left the station. But before he could reply, the boy by the window offered his own view, his tone carrying a hint of disdain.
Fred felt the shift in the air. The mood could easily turn heavy, and he didn’t want their first meeting to go that way. He forced a light smile and, unfazed, answered both questions at once. “Well… I think the houses do make a difference, at least in the way you spend your years here. Who you meet, the stories you live. But in the end, it’s also what we make of it.” When saying the word we, Fred put a little more emphasis on it, giving his gaze an extra spark.
He gave a small shrug, aiming for a casual tone, then added with a playful spark in his eyes, looking between all of them. “And anyway, it’s fun to imagine where we’ll end up, isn’t it? We’re all first years here, right?” With his carefree and playful manner, Fred was already starting to feel more comfortable there. As he finished speaking, he leaned back on the bench, quickly scratching the back of his neck first.
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| Interacting with: @Rosaline Everhart @Camille De Varenne @Maisie Fenwick Rose Williams |
| Interacting with: @Rosaline Everhart @Camille De Varenne @Maisie Fenwick Rose Williams |
Sta 8 | Eva 8 | Str 6 | Wis 5 | Arc Power 4 | Acc 10
Abilities: Evasive Maneuvers, Keeper's Catch
The Scarlet Express
Forward Dated 01/09/2025
Stamina: 6|Evasion: 6| Strength: 5|Wisdom: 4|ArcPower:6|Accuracy: 8|
Thoughts
Speaking
Maisie pushed her trunk and bag into the overhead space and settled down. The girl, Rosaline and the boy, Fred, opposite her seemed eager to talk.Mentions: @Camille De Varenne@Rosaline Everhart@Frederick Buckley
The boy next to her didn't talk much, and she regretted sitting next to someone who wasn't willing to speak, or do anything but put up airs. But as she glanced at him again, something on her mind stirred and she tried to remember why there was something... familiar about him.
Do I know him? Oh wait... Bloody hell, he's that boy from Grandpa's business. De Varenne? Oh, he's Camille De Varenne! What's he doing here though, isn't he meant to be at Beauxbatons?
She tried her best to keep a neutral expression. Although she came from a rich family, she didn't want to be in their shadow. She wanted to make a life for herself with her own wits and talents.
"Hiya! I'm Maisie. Glad to meet you all! Hi, Camille! Didn't expect you here." She said in a bright and cheerful tone, as she looked around. Confidence, psychologically, is an attractive trait, and helps put others at ease.
It was silent for a while, before Rosaline asked about which house they'd be sorted. The good old question everybody asks first years.
Hearing Camille's indifference and Fred's opinions, she wondered which house she'd be in. Her oldest brother was in Gryffindor and about to become an auror; Matt is a Ravenclaw and Michael a Hufflepuff. Almost no one in her father's family was ever a Slytherin. From what she heard, they all turned into dark wizards. Her mother was a Pukwudgie. Though that didn't matter much, seeing she wasn't in Hogwarts.
"I don't know...not Slytherin I hope though...they have the most dark wizards.. She said out loud. You're right though, Fred. It doesn't matter what house we're in. A wand isn't any better than a wizard, I guess this is the same."
She fingered inside her cardigan, feeling the bumps on her wand. A wand is only as good as the wizard.. As she withdrew her hand, she felt a jingle. Pulling out a rather heavy small pouch, she realized her mother, unknown to her, had filled her money bag full of gold. She took out a gold galleon and with a grin, asked, "Now, who wants some chocolate frogs?"
(387)
The Scarlet Express
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@Frederick Buckley@Maisie Fenwick Rose Williams❀⊱┄┄┄┄┄┄⟡┄┄┄┄┄┄┄❀⊱┄┄┄┄┄⟡┄┄┄┄┄⊰❀┄┄┄┄┄┄┄⟡┄┄┄┄┄┄⊰❀
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The sea mist clung stubbornly to the Vale mansion that morning, feeling cool against Seraphina’s cheeks as she stood by the fireplace in the entrance hall. Her trunk was ready at her side, packed neatly days in advance, though she had checked it more than once the night before just to be sure she hadn’t forgotten anything. The polished walnut handle of her wand case caught the light and she brushed it absentmindedly with her fingers, as though touching it might steady the flutter in her chest.
As always, Cassian stood nearby, poised and silent, like a sentinel. Although he had finished his time at Hogwarts, his presence felt like an anchor: steady and immovable. Bram shifted impatiently; his satchel was stuffed with odd bulges that were most likely not on the approved supply list. Seraphina envied his confidence. For him, the world seemed to open eagerly. For her, it felt vast and untested.
"Ready?" her father asked at last, his voice calm and final. The sound of it seemed to mark the beginning of something inevitable. Lysandra gave her children one last sharp look, softening it slightly when her gaze lingered on Seraphina.
The girl bent down to stroke her black cat one last time, wishing she could take Nyx with her. Her purr rumbled against Seraphinas hand, and the thought of leaving her behind made her throat tighten. She was going to miss Nyx, and the big library full of leather-bound books, the portraits of ancestors that always greeted her, and her room with the cosy reading nook. She had never been away from home for this long before.
Due to the safety wards in place, they couldn't Apparate from the estate grounds, so they travelled via the Floo Network instead. One by one, they stepped into the Floo. Seraphina stumbled out of the green flames at the Leaky Cauldron, almost losing her balance. Cassian caught her elbow and whispered, "Mind your footing." Her cheeks flushed as she nodded and glanced at her mother, hoping she hadn't noticed.
London pressed in at once: buses roared by, people hurried past and the air was sharp and fast. Cassian guided her towards a waiting taxi while Bram bounded ahead, full of curiosity. The ride passed in silence. Seraphina sat between her mother and Bram, her hands folded tightly and her eyes fixed on the blur of buildings outside. Cassian rode up front with their father, scanning the streets as if even London required guarding.
Soon enough, King's Cross loomed into view, high-arched and echoing with hurried voices. The barrier between Platforms Nine and Ten looked entirely ordinary. Too ordinary. Bram strode through it without hesitation and was swallowed by the brickwork. Seraphina froze. "Watch me, " said Cassian softly, resting a hand on her shoulder. He walked forward and passed through the wall as if it weren't even there, reappearing moments later on the wizarding side. His nod was steady and reassuring.
"Go on, Sera," her mother urged. Seraphina swallowed, pushed her trunk forward and the world shifted. The roar of the Muggle station faded away.
Steam curled in the air. The scarlet Hogwarts Express gleamed, alive with sound. Families crowded the platform, owls hooted, trunks thudded. For a moment, she simply stared, awe catching in her throat.
The farewells came quickly. Lysandra smoothed a stray strand of hair behind her ear and looked at her with warm eyes. Her father, Thaddeus, spoke few words, but they were heavy: “Stand tall. You are a Vale.”
Cassian bent close, lowering his voice so that only she could hear him. "Don't lose yourself trying to fit in. Remember who you are." For a moment, his storm-grey eyes softened, but then the mask of composure returned. Seraphina nodded, forcing her chin to remain steady, and then turned away. Her steps were measured and careful, though her heart felt tight inside her chest. She would not let her emotions show, not here, not now.
Seraphina boarded the train, weaving her way past the compartments that were already filled with laughter. She hesitated outside one where four unfamiliar faces were bright with chatter. For a moment, she almost passed it by. But the train lurched, and her courage, though thin, pushed her forward.
She straightened her posture and drew a steadying breath, trying to display a confidence she didn’t truly feel, before sliding the door open. Pointing toward the seat nearest the entrance, beside the brown-haired girl, she asked softly, "Excuse me, is this seat taken?"
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| | | - | ⟡Ency⟡ | - | | | - | STA: 6 | EVA: 5 | STR: 2 | WIS: 8 | ARC: 7 | ACC: 7 |
| | - | "The sea whispers secrets to those who listen." |
| | - |
The Scarlet Express
@Maisie Fenwick Rose Williams@Seraphina Vale
She listened as everyone talked attentively, nodding occasionally and giving small words of agreement. She liked that everyone had their own opinions. Having a curious nature, she loved knowing how and what people thought of things. Surprised at Camille’s opinion, it made Rosaline think again about the meaning of the houses. After everyone in the compartment finished their sentences, she said calmly, “I’m not sure what house I’ll be sorted into. Most of my family members are Slytherins and Ravenclaws, so I guess maybe one of those houses?” Answering Frederick, the boy next to her, she said with a smile, “Yes, I’m a first year.” She paused a moment, looked around, and continued, “I agree with what you were discussing. Regardless of which house one was sorted into, they can just choose their own paths. Yet the houses can let you meet people like-minded, I think.” After finishing the long sentences, she realized she might be talking too much again, and her cheeks flushed a rosy pink.
She was surprised that Camille and Maisie knew each other. The wizard world wasn’t that big after all; this wasn’t unusual. She sometimes wondered what it would be like if she were a pureblood. Though she would be reluctant to part with those Muggle films and music. They were too good to leave behind.
After Maisie’s proposal, she recalled her mother, Elowen, visiting Gringotts while they were out shopping together. Finding her purse in her handbag, she found it full, with a little note from her parents, “This is your pocket money,” with a smiley face at the end. Seeing this, she couldn’t help but show a smile. She took a gold galleon out and asked, “I’d love some chocolate frogs and some Pumpkin Pasties.” Her eyes lit up. She grinned as she thought she’d soon have the sweets she loved.
The train started moving forward, to Hogwarts, her new school, and new adventures. The Hogwarts Express shook as the window view shifted from cityscape to countryside. The door suddenly opened. A girl with light brown hair walked in. Rosaline greeted warmly. “Hello.” The girl seemed very polite.
stamina: 6 | evasion: 5 | strength: 5
wisdom: 8 | arcane Power: 7 |accuracy: 4
Lovely Creature