Traveling to Hogwarts
DATE: Sept. 1st, 2025 — INTERACTIONS: open to anyone
WORD COUNT: 467 — BANNER: Ellie Randensmith
The day finally arrived, the day Leo would be heading off to Hogwarts for the first time. After being taken to the train station from camp Leo was surprised to see his parents and the twins all show up to see him off. His brother Max came over and ruffled his hair, causing Leo to let out a quiet groan in annoyance. His mother came over next and gave him a tight hug, he almost felt like she was going to suffocate him and not let him go. “Make sure you listen to your professors and the prefects and don’t get into any trouble, I don’t want to get any owls back about you misbehaving.” She said to him as they stood there alongside the train as students and their families went by. “Yes, mom, I know.”
“Don’t forget to send an owl once you are settled in, we want to hear about everything, camp, school, friends, quidditch.” His dad added and patted his back to which Leo nodded.
“Mom,” Leo chuckled softly and tried to wiggle out of her arms. “I have to go, I want to find a good seat.” She sadly let him go, her eyes welling up with tears as she leaned her head on her husband’s shoulder. “I’ll see you guys during the break.” He added and his sister handed him a present wrapped in dark blue paper. “Obviously we are hoping you will get into Ravenclaw too so we chose the blue color but this is a little something we all thought we would send you off with so you can write in about your first year.” Leo opened the present up to reveal a leather journal engraved with his initials. He smiled up at them all as he held the new book in his hands, “Thank you, I will make sure to use it well.” He said before they called again for the students to board the train. With some final goodbyes and hugs Leo made his way onto the train with his trunk to try to find a cabin.
As he walked down the aisle he looked in the cabins, many already had some people in it but he managed to find one that was empty and went inside. He placed the trunk down and took the seat by the window so he could look outside. Leo looked out in the sea of people and saw his family still standing by waiting for the train to head out and gave a soft smile. While they were hard on him at times, he knew he was going to miss them, even the twins. Leo looked down at the journal in his lap and held onto it tightly as he waited for the train to begin the long journey to Hogwarts.
Last edited by Leo Noxley on 23 Sep 2025, 21:44, edited 1 time in total.
Leo Noxley — pc ency
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Nadira Bakari — inpc staff ency
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Sakura Hirano — inpc ency
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| STA. 5 EVA. 5 STR. 5 WIS. 5 ARC. 5 ACC. 5 |
Metamorphmagus Year 1 |
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Traveling to Hogwarts
| ────── | @Leo Noxley───────────────────────────────────────i[outfit] 1 September 2025 ────────────────────────────────── #322A4C_________________________________________________________ Sophie arrived at Platform 9 ¾ just in time. She jumped onto the train, and shouted her quick goodbyes to her guardians Bryn and Connie on the platform. “Send an owl if you need more clothes, dear!” Connie called cheerfully, rubbing sleepy eyes. “Remember to introduce yourself to the house elves, and be polite, or your robes’ll never be ironed properly,” Bryn added, before stifling a yawn. It had been their fault Sophie had missed the Hogwarts Express. They never woke before 10 o’clock, be it Monday or Saturday, and never left the house before noon; and although Sophie had reminded them, time and time again, that they must leave no later than 10:30, she had been forced to (in the literal sense of the word) push them out the front door. Regardless, she smiled and promised her guardians she’d do as they told. She knew they hadn’t meant to sleep in and make her late, and it would be a while before she saw them again. “Tell Llyw I say goodbye,” she called in reply. Bryn and Connie’s little son Llywelyn took after his parents and had slept through the morning chaos. Sophie then made her way quickly through the carriage. Due to her late timing, she found most of the compartments full to the brim. To be expected, but Sophie had hoped for a quiet journey to Hogwarts. Perhaps it had been too much to ask for. Not that Sophie opposed the idea of friends, but being stuck in a small room for hours, unable to escape, seemed a cruel sort of torture. What if they farted? Snored? Or even worse, initiated small talk for the entire train ride? Sophie shivered, and hurried along the corridor. Just as she thought there was no hope, Sophie found an encouragingly empty compartment. Upon further examination, she noticed a singular student by the window, his face turned away toward the crowds outside the train, and an object held in his hands. She slid the compartment door open, and leant her head in. “Hello,” she said, in the most calm, casual tone she could muster. “Do you mind if I sit here?" _________________________________________________________ |
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Last edited by Sophia Brown on 13 Oct 2025, 04:56, edited 1 time in total.
Traveling to Hogwarts
Leo had honestly hoped he would get to enjoy the ride to Hogwarts alone, after all he was not really one for small talk with strangers. He would be perfectly fine sitting in the cabin by himself reading, drawing, maybe have a snack or two when they come around. But of course he knew his hopes of a quiet ride alone was most likely not going to come true.
With the train filling up and getting ready to set off, Leo honestly thought maybe he might get to be alone for the ride until he heard a door open and realized it was the door to his cabin. Leo turned his head to the door and saw a girl peaking her head inside without fully stepping in and nodded as he heard her question. “Sure, I don’t mind.” He gestured to the open seat across from him. He knew the other cabins were probably filled up so although he would love to be alone he wasn’t going to deny someone sitting with him in his cabin.
With the train leaving from the station, Leo unconsciously rubbed his fingers over the journal in his hands, tracing the pages and the binding. He felt a little bit of an awkward silence fall between the two of them and while he wasn’t one for small talk, his sister did tell him to try to make friends. ‘You never know who you’ll meet and where.’ She told him in her endless stream of advice she was giving when they were shopping for his school supplies. So to be polite he decided to introduce himself and hoped the quiet girl across from him would be friendly enough, after all they were going to have to spend the whole ride together, might as well learn each other’s names and years at the very least.
Leo looked up at the girl and cleared his throat before quietly speaking up, “I’m Leo, by the way, Leo Noxley. Are you a first year too?”
Leo Noxley — pc ency
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Nadira Bakari — inpc staff ency
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Sakura Hirano — inpc ency
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| STA. 5 EVA. 5 STR. 5 WIS. 5 ARC. 5 ACC. 5 |
Metamorphmagus Year 1 |
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Traveling to Hogwarts
| ────── | @Leo Noxley───────────────────────────────────────i[outfit] 1 September 2025 ────────────────────────────────── #322A4C_________________________________________________________ “Thank you,” Sophie smiled in reply to the boy, relieved. She slipped into the compartment, closed the door behind her, and settled into the window seat opposite the boy. From this vantage, she could study him properly. He looked young—likely around her own age—with black hair, eyes nearly as dark, and fair skin. He had a strikingly pleasant appearance, although Sophie dismissed this thought as quick as it had come. For all that glitters is not gold, she reminded herself prudently. From her position by the window, she could see the parents still milling about on the Platform, some peering for one last glance, some deep in conversation, the train long forgotten. Sophie supposed Bryn and Connie must be long gone, eager to return to their bed. Deep underneath her, she could feel the train groaning and creaking, as the engine began to awaken. Sophie noticed the boy rubbing his fingers along the object she had seen in his possession earlier. She could make out a journal, a handsome one too, made of leather. Sophie guessed he must feel slightly awkward, having been so suddenly intruded on, and she felt guilt stir within her. If she had been in his place, she’d have hated for someone to come ruin her solitude. The boy spoke after some time, his voice as quiet as the summer rains, and Sophie jumped to the question eagerly, happy to end the silence that had fallen over the compartment. “Nice to meet you, I’m Sophie Brown. It’s my first year too.” She paused, hesitating before asking her question. “Is that a journal you have there? It looks lovely. I have a journal too, in my bag—” she laughed for a moment, then admitted the source of her humour, “—though I am not much of an author, I’ll admit. Or an artist. Mine is mostly scribbles,” she smiled. _________________________________________________________ |
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Last edited by Sophia Brown on 13 Oct 2025, 04:56, edited 1 time in total.
Traveling to Hogwarts
The girl across from him seemed to be pleased that the silence between them had been broken as she introduced herself, Sophie Brown, another first year like him. He figured she must’ve been around her age when she had entered the cabin so he was happy to hear that she was simply for the fact that they were both about to embark on the same exciting journey today. It was a big day for them after all, the first trip on the Hogwarts Express, getting sorted into their houses and then finding their dorms, a lot to look forward to.
After introducing herself Sophie had pointed out the journal in Leo’s hands that he had been keeping a tight grip on and mentioned that she had one as well. He smiled as she went on talking and thought to himself, okay she seems to be nice enough, at least the ride won’t be horrible maybe. He nodded at the girl and lifted the journal up to show her, “Actually my sister, well my family, just gifted this to me before getting on the train this morning.” He started to explain and traced his fingers over the initials on the front. “I like to write a little, I read more than I write though. But maybe this will inspire me to write more.” Laughing softly, he put the journal back down on his lap before pulling out a drawing notebook, flipping through some of his drawings. “I actually draw more than anything,” Leo said and sighed softly, he knew his family would flip out if they actually knew how much time he spent on drawing instead of studying, even though he was still really smart and able to keep up with his lessons.
He put the notebook down and looked back across at the girl. “Are you excited to be going to Hogwarts?” He asked her, as they continued their ride to the school. “Did you have a specific house you are hoping for?” Honestly he was curious about that specifically, maybe because he didn’t know what he would want since his family is full of Ravenclaws and they just assumed he would be one too so it honestly didn’t seem to matter what he would want anyway. Either way, he was curious to get to know his new cabin mate some more since she seemed to be friendly.
Leo Noxley — pc ency
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Nadira Bakari — inpc staff ency
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Sakura Hirano — inpc ency
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| STA. 5 EVA. 5 STR. 5 WIS. 5 ARC. 5 ACC. 5 |
Metamorphmagus Year 1 |
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| —————————————— | —————————————— | —————————————— |
Traveling to Hogwarts
| ────── | @Leo Noxley───────────────────────────────────────i[outfit] 1 September 2025 ────────────────────────────────── #322A4C_________________________________________________________ Sophie thought it strange that this Leo seemed so down on the prospect of drawing. She loved art, though lacked the patience and dedication it took to ever be any good at the craft herself, and could not imagine why someone would have an opinion contrary to hers. I wonder why, she thought to herself, but the question never left her lips. Sophie had decided she rather enjoyed Leo’s company and had no wish to jepordise it by prying too far, too soon. “I am very much looking forward to Hogwarts,” she said instead, her eyes brightening. “I can’t wait—to learn all those spells, and potions, and everything else. There’ll be piles of food for breakfast and dinner, and Quidditch matches, and centaurs in the Forbidden Forest…” She paused, then added lightly, “I suppose I don’t really have any House in mind.” That was not quite true. Not a true lie, but more falsehood than fact. Sophie knew the sea would run dry and the moon would turn to cheese before she was sorted into Hufflepuff. She was too certain of herself, too convinced of her own path, to ever imagine belonging there. At least she could recognize her own self-absorption. Then there was Ravenclaw… her parents, her true parents, had both been sorted into Ravenclaw, long ago. Sophie shivered at the thought. The echo of memories seemed to linger too heavily on the house. She could never feel at home in the Ravenclaw Tower under the weight of so many ghosts. “I bet it’ll be between Gryffindor and Slytherin, though,” she admitted at last, with a little shrug, casual and hopeful. “What about you? Got a favourite in mind? My family’s been talking about the Sorting ever since I got my letter. They both went to Hogwarts back in the day. Did your parents go to Hogwarts—or are you the first?” _________________________________________________________ |
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Last edited by Sophia Brown on 13 Oct 2025, 04:56, edited 1 time in total.
Traveling to Hogwarts
Leo listened intently as the Sophie talked. She was so enthusiastic about everything that she was looking forward to at Hogwarts it was nice to see someone so excited. He couldn’t blame her though, after all everything his siblings mentioned about their time at Hogwarts made Leo excited too, although his parents expectations were also weighing on him already. But for now he wanted to focus on the excitement of the day.
He nodded as he listened to her talk about what house she was thinking about, watching as she kind of shrugged off the question at first. “I don’t know if there is a house I’m hoping for,” He admitted before looking out the window at the scenery as it passed by them. “My parents and my older siblings all were Ravenclaw, so I suppose I will most likely be in Ravenclaw.” It would be interesting to be in a different house than his family though since he always felt he was different than them. But even if he ended up in Ravenclaw he would be happy anyways, and it would certainly make them happy too. “I don’t know which house I would really fit into other than Ravenclaw though so.” He chuckled softly as he said that, realizing it was probably the truth.
Leo turned back to the girl. “You mentioned the quidditch matches, were you hoping to play for your house team or just go to watch?” He asked curiously since he was thinking about trying to get on the house team for whatever house he was in. As the two of them sat and talked, the door to the cabin opened and an older lady who was pushing a cart asked the two if they wanted any treats. Leo immediately sprung up, wanting to buy some every flavor beans and a chocolate frog to see if he could get a new card for his collection. He turned back to Sophie, offering a small smile, “Did you want anything? I don’t mind paying for it.” He asked as he pulled out some coins from his pocket that his father had given him to use for snacks.
Leo Noxley — pc ency
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Nadira Bakari — inpc staff ency
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Sakura Hirano — inpc ency
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| STA. 5 EVA. 5 STR. 5 WIS. 5 ARC. 5 ACC. 5 |
Metamorphmagus Year 1 |
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| —————————————— | —————————————— | —————————————— |
Traveling to Hogwarts
| ────── | @Leo Noxley───────────────────────────────────────i[outfit] 1 September 2025 ────────────────────────────────── #322A4C_________________________________________________________ “Yes please,” Sophie said eagerly, then turned to the lady by the trolley, an old woman of grey hair and a slight hunchback. “Can I please have… a packet of Pepper Imps and a Pumpkin Pasty?” She did have some coins in her luggage, packed tightly among piles of chests and trunks, but had not thought she’d have need for them on the train. She told Leo so, “But I promise, as soon as I lay my hands on that purse, I’ll come find you, even if you’re high up in the Ravenclaw Tower I’ll scale it in the dead of night. I swear,” she said earnestly, praying Leo could see she was telling the truth. Sophie thanked the lady as she handed her the sweets, and thanked Leo again for his generosity. Outside, the noon sun shone down upon fields of tended crops and herds of livestock. They had long left London. She brought up her packet of Pepper Imps to the window, so she could admire the shiny, light blue packaging as it glimmered in the bright light. “My favourite,” she told Leo, “I had a packet this morning from my family as a farewell gift, so I’ll save them for later.” She carefully placed the packet in her pocket, and instead focused on her Pumpkin Pasty. It tasted of cinnamon and nutmeg and autumn, the pastry soft and buttery as it melted in her mouth. Delicious. The lady and her trolley left soon after, and Sophie returned to the old conversation. “Ravenclaw is a good house, they’re intelligent, and don’t mind standing out a bit, I think that’s cool,” she told Leo honestly. “If you think you’ll be in Ravenclaw, I’m sure the Sorting Hat should put you there. You know yourself best.” “I do like flying, and watching Quidditch games too, but…” Sophie considered Leo’s question for a moment, taking another bite of her Pumpkin Pasty as she thought. “I suppose I don’t really see myself playing. I don’t know why. I’ve never been much good at schedules and rules though, so maybe it’s for the best. Do you play Quidditch, or fly?” She glanced at the sweets lying in Leo’s lap, and caught a glimpse of the golden packaging of a chocolate frog. “Hey, a frog! What card did you get? My cousin loves those things. If you get Herpo the Foul, he’d give you good money for it,” and she laughed. _________________________________________________________ |
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Last edited by Sophia Brown on 13 Oct 2025, 04:56, edited 2 times in total.
Traveling to Hogwarts
Leo waited as Sophie gave the woman her order, paying for the sweet treats before taking his. He chuckled softly and nodded at her, “Okay, okay. No rush though.” He said as he took his seat by the window again. As he opened up the pack of every flavor beans he noticed the girl across from him taking a bite and enjoying her pumpkin pasty. He was considering getting one as well but decided this was enough. He was happy to see she was enjoying it though and decided to blindly pick out a bean and see what flavor he got. While turning to look out the window, he pulled one out and placed it in his mouth. The flavor was something he immediately recognized as one of his favorite breakfast items, bacon. He couldn’t help but laugh at the taste as soon as it hit his tongue, “Bacon, surprisingly really good.”
He turned his attention back to the girl as she spoke again, continuing their conversation from before their little snack interruption. Sophie made good points about Ravenclaw as well. He just needed to remain open minded to whatever house he was put into in the end. As they talked he popped a few more beans into his mouth, a couple not great flavors mixed in with a few good ones.
“I never played myself, no, my older brother did and I’ve been to some matches to watch.” He was definitely excited to get started with flying class and possibly try out for the house team for whatever house he joined. “Hopefully I will do well enough in flying class and can make it onto the house team.” He added as he put the box of beans down to pick up the chocolate frog. “Alright, I’ll have to take him up on that then.” He started as he heard her mention a card her cousin needed, opening up the container. He quickly held onto the frog and took a bite, the creamy milk chocolate flavor immediately making his tastebuds happy as he loved chocolates.
When he pulled out the card he looked at it and turned it around to show her, clearing his throat before speaking again. “No luck on that card,” he said showing her the Bathilda Bagshot card, a name he recognized from the cover of their history of magic textbook. It was still a new card for his collection though so he wasn’t complaining. He placed the card inside the cover of his new journal and placed the journal down on the seat beside him.
“What are you looking forward to the most?” He asked Sophie before taking another bite of the chocolate frog.
Leo Noxley — pc ency
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Nadira Bakari — inpc staff ency
|
Sakura Hirano — inpc ency
|
| STA. 5 EVA. 5 STR. 5 WIS. 5 ARC. 5 ACC. 5 |
Metamorphmagus Year 1 |
|
| —————————————— | —————————————— | —————————————— |
Traveling to Hogwarts
| ────── | @Leo Noxley───────────────────────────────────────i[outfit] 1 September 2025 ────────────────────────────────── #322A4C_________________________________________________________ “Looking forward to the most?” It seemed a difficult question at first. Sophie fell silent, thinking it over. Then, after a moment, the answer struck her—sudden and obvious. “Magic,” she said to Leo, certain. “Being able to flick my wand, and for it to actually do something.” She pulled her wand from the back pocket of her grey-blue jeans. In the daylight it glowed a rich, tawny brown; light applewood streaked with darker veins. Its surface curved and knotted like an elongated branch. Sophie gazed at it fondly, her eyes shining. “Can you imagine?” she said, looking back at Leo. “Real, actual magic. To think… won’t it be incredible?” A small voice in her mind told her she might be sounding a bit too eager, but she brushed the thought aside. “Transfiguration seems the best class. What about you—do you have a class you’re most excited for?” “Applewood, and a phoenix feather core,” she added, holding her wand up for him to see. “Pretty, isn’t it? Supposedly it means I have ‘great personal charm,’ which couldn’t be further from the truth. Still… I love it.” She pocketed her wand carefully, and peered outside. The world unfurled in great sweeps of heather and stone, a land washed in the deep greens and purples of late summer. Rolling hills rose and fell, their slopes stitched with bracken and gorse, and streams flashed beside the tracks; thin, twisting ribbons of light. “We must be nearly there,” she told Leo solemnly, seriously. “Hogwarts is someplace deep in the Highlands, my uncle told me, and it looks like we’re right in the middle of them. Did you know? I’ll have to pop my uniform on.” Sophie threw her black school clock over her clothes and buttoned them up. “So,” she said grinning, returning to their old conversation. “What about you Leo? What are you most looking forward to?” _________________________________________________________ |
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