A New Place Comes With New Friends Open Closed

Jade had to admit that she was a little jittery, she had to give her sister that. But she wasn't in the least scared of the new school year. It was more like excitement mixed with tension; Jade had a lot of things to worry about, like making the right friends, writing letters to her grandmother and sister, keeping excellent grades, and so many other things.

But the biggest thing was that she was now entering a new environment, one full of wizards and witches her age. She wouldn't be surrounded by muggles like before, when she attended public school and had to suppress her magic. Now she was going to Hogwarts, the school of magic, and her magical career started now on the first day of school...or maybe it would technically start once she climbed aboard the train, like all the other students were doing.

Jade turned to her family. Her grandmother was busy catching up with a friend while her younger sister was glowering at someone who probably did something small like stepping on her foot or bumping into her. Jade smirked, knowing she'd miss their constant bickering, even though she often complained about it. And she'd also miss her grandmother of course, who had given them more than they could ask for, even if they didn't fully realize it yet. Jade just knew that leaving them for so many months was going to leave an ache, but still, she had to say her goodbyes.

“Grandmother, Sylvia, I'm leaving now,” she said, trying to act like there hadn't been a hitch in her voice.

Her sister rolled her eyes. “You've only just decided? I guess the bright, red train doesn't have much of a significance, then.”

Jade ignored her, turning to their guardian. “I'll miss you both so much,” she said, inviting them into an embrace that they both acceoted. “I'll write tons of letters.”

“You better,” Sylvia muttered, pushing her away quickly. But they look that shared was so solemn.

Their grandmother gazed down at Jade with a faint smile. “I just know that you'll do well, darling. Remember, practice your patience, your prudence, and your perseverance and you'll do splendid.”

Jade nodded, knowing those words well. She gave them both one last look of longing before turning to the train, making her way towards.

She gave her luggage to the porter and tried to take her duffel bag, which contained some snacks and entertainment, but they took that too. Jade sighed in reluctance and boarded, heading off to the part of the train that seemed less dense.

It wasn't long before she found an empty compartment. At first she had wanted this, to be alone, but after sitting down and scooting close to the window the young girl felt a pain of loneliness, which surprised her.

Jade got up again and looked for a space that was semi-occupied, preferably by girls though she wasn't going to complain if it wasn't. The one that finally caught her eye contained a boy who sat alone, leaning against the window.

Her eyes flicked down to the paper in his hand and then back up at him, wondering if she should interrupt his moment.

“Hello...,” Jade began, in time barely audibly. She pitied the faint look of grief on his face, since it was similar to her own. She never thought she'd ever really get homesick but it was already hitting her.

“Hey,” she repeated after clearing her throat, standing up straighter to feel, and look, more confident. “Can I come in? You look like you could use a mate.”

Jade Evening wrote: 7 Feb 2020, 17:20 Jade had to admit that she was a little jittery, she had to give her sister that. But she wasn't in the least scared of the new school year. It was more like excitement mixed with tension; Jade had a lot of things to worry about, like making the right friends, writing letters to her grandmother and sister, keeping excellent grades, and so many other things.

But the biggest thing was that she was now entering a new environment, one full of wizards and witches her age. She wouldn't be surrounded by muggles like before, when she attended public school and had to suppress her magic. Now she was going to Hogwarts, the school of magic, and her magical career started now on the first day of school...or maybe it would technically start once she climbed aboard the train, like all the other students were doing.

Jade turned to her family. Her grandmother was busy catching up with a friend while her younger sister was glowering at someone who probably did something small like stepping on her foot or bumping into her. Jade smirked, knowing she'd miss their constant bickering, even though she often complained about it. And she'd also miss her grandmother of course, who had given them more than they could ask for, even if they didn't fully realize it yet. Jade just knew that leaving them for so many months was going to leave an ache, but still, she had to say her goodbyes.

“Grandmother, Sylvia, I'm leaving now,” she said, trying to act like there hadn't been a hitch in her voice.

Her sister rolled her eyes. “You've only just decided? I guess the bright, red train doesn't have much of a significance, then.”

Jade ignored her, turning to their guardian. “I'll miss you both so much,” she said, inviting them into an embrace that they both acceoted. “I'll write tons of letters.”

“You better,” Sylvia muttered, pushing her away quickly. But they look that shared was so solemn.

Their grandmother gazed down at Jade with a faint smile. “I just know that you'll do well, darling. Remember, practice your patience, your prudence, and your perseverance and you'll do splendid.”

Jade nodded, knowing those words well. She gave them both one last look of longing before turning to the train, making her way towards.

She gave her luggage to the porter and tried to take her duffel bag, which contained some snacks and entertainment, but they took that too. Jade sighed in reluctance and boarded, heading off to the part of the train that seemed less dense.

It wasn't long before she found an empty compartment. At first she had wanted this, to be alone, but after sitting down and scooting close to the window the young girl felt a pain of loneliness, which surprised her.

Jade got up again and looked for a space that was semi-occupied, preferably by girls though she wasn't going to complain if it wasn't. The one that finally caught her eye contained a boy who sat alone, leaning against the window.

Her eyes flicked down to the paper in his hand and then back up at him, wondering if she should interrupt his moment.

“Hello...,” Jade began, in time barely audibly. She pitied the faint look of grief on his face, since it was similar to her own. She never thought she'd ever really get homesick but it was already hitting her.

“Hey,” she repeated after clearing her throat, standing up straighter to feel, and look, more confident. “Can I come in? You look like you could use a mate.”

Kevin jerked in his seat slightly, a red flush coming across his cheeks before he looked towards the door of the compartment. It was a girl. Around his age by the looks of it. She really wasn’t wrong. He could use a friend, so Kevin did what he would have done with anyone else. He smiled.

“Hello. Of course, you’re very welcome to join me. My mom says it’s nice to make friends on the train ride to Hogwarts.” Kevin gestured to the seat in front of him, “Nice to meet you by the way, I’m Kevin. Kevin O’Reilly.” Kevin shoved his picture back into his pants pocket.

“Are you a first year? I am. First year away from home. I don’t think I’d mind it. Not that much anyway.” Kevin shrugged a bit, his smile still on his face. He would freely admit that he did ramble when he was nervous, however, he also rambled when he was excited. Kevin couldn’t distinguish the feelings knotted in his stomach. He was sure it was either excitement or fear. Or perhaps both.

Kevin looked away then, chuckling nervously as he rubbed his head, “Sorry about that. I tend to babble when I talk. My mom says I get it from her side of the family.” Kevin looked at the girl then and said to her, “I really could use a mate.”

Jade gratefully sat down, taking a seat right across from the boy. She returned a smile that was first uncertain but then it turned humorous when she noticed the blush crawl up his face. She was glad that things hadn't turned awkward like she'd thought, since she had basically intruded, but he didn't seem to mind her.

“Thanks.” He introduced himself as Kevin O'Reilly so she gave her name inturn. “I'm Jade Evening,” she replied as she took a good look at him. His hair was red and his face was freckled like hers but his were darker. Jade liked gingers; they were usually really fun to be around or really kind-hearted people, and Kevin seemed to the latter so far.

He went on to ask if she were a first year, which she was, but she didn't get a chance to say so because he continued to babble on. A look of faint irritation flickered across her face but she calmed down after he apologize; Jade didn't want to get upset on the first day of school. She just hoped this ride would be as amazing as she wanted it would be.

She decided to laugh, or more like chuckle, to ease any rising tension inside her. “It's fine; you're not anywhere close as bad as my little sister. She's a real mouthful.” Jade hoped that little detail wouldn't escape this compartment. She didn't need for her sister to pester her even more than usual next school year because rumors went around about how a Sylvia Josephine was a real Lip-Smacker.

“This is my first year too! I'm really excited, but probably not as much for the school work. Do you have any brothers or sisters at this school who can help you with it? I'm the oldest in my family so I have to fend for myself.”

"I'm actually the oldest in my family as well. I have a younger sister. Her name is Olive. She's still a babe. I bet she'd love Hogwarts though." Kevin shrugged a bit. He could talk about Olive all day. He loved his sister. He was there was she was born, when she took her first steps. He had been happy when his parents informed him he was going to be a big brother. He had been ecstatic, even going as far to sleep in his parents bed just to be close to his sister.

The girl, Jade. Kevin didn't think he was going to make friends this quickly. So far, the girl had been nice. Even allowed him to babble a bit before getting her own words in. Kevin didn't really want to babble. Not by much anyway. He was naturally a nice person, he really was. Sometimes though, he got angry. He didn't like thinking about his fits often. For a moment, Kevin zoned out. It was only him shaking his head to clear his thoughts did he refocus on the girl in front of him.

"I have to say, I am really excited to be going to Hogwarts. I went to a muggle school while growing up, and though muggles have their own cool inventions, I would very much like to see Hogwarts. Also, You know, if you ever need help with your homework, I wouldn't mind trying to help you. Even if we are sorted into different houses." Kevin offered the girl a friendly smile.

He could hear his mother's words in his head, 'Just be yourself love. Just be yourself and everything will be okay.'

"Speaking of houses, do you know which one you'll think you'll be sorted into? My parents were Gryffindor and Slytherin." Kevin usually didn't share those details about his family. People usually asked him questions. Gryffindor and Slytherin? It was odd really. Even his grandparents had told him so.

Jade thought it was cool that they were both eldest kid in their family. It was something to relate about, having so much responsibility that it was quite annoying. But she felt that it was probably different given that his sister was just recently born and Jade's sister was less than a year younger than her. But she couldn't but given him a knowing smile, one that was possibly strained.

“Little sisters are pretty decent most of the time...” It was like she wanted to say more but she just let her voice trail off like the scenery crawling past their window. It was silent for a moment and Jade glanced back to see Kevin lost in thought with a troubled look on his face. She wondered if he were considering what his sister Olive would be like when she was older but for some reason she felt like it was deeper than that. Whatever it was, it was not her business, which is why she went back to looking out the window.

Finally Kevin broke the silence, talking about him looking forward to the new school year, or at least being at the castle, it seemed. Like Jade he had gone to muggle school where they used non-magic ways of doing things, of course, and also like her she was interested in seeing how things would be different at Hogwarts. He offered to help her with homework if she needed it, even if they weren't sorted into the same house. Jade thought that was very kind but she didn't say so at first, she just let him continue on, returning the smile when he gave her one.

But Jade wasn't entirely focused on the conversation. She was also thinking about something he was about to bring up, the Houses. She tried hard to remember, racking her brain for information, which house her mother had been sorted into. Had it been Gryffindor or Ravenclaw? Whichever, Jade wanted desperately to be in one of those. Maybe they'd shed some clue about what happen to her parents, what might have gone so wrong for them to just...disappear, leave their only two children alone with an elderly woman, one who wasn't always going to be around.

Jade knew that her imagination was running away from her like it usually did. She was thinking, hoping, that her mother might've left some secret message in the school for her but her mother hadn't attended since the early 2000s; by then any message would've been gone and besides, they'd disappeared after they'd graduate. That threw away any possibilities...right?

Kevin asked which houses she thought she'd be sorted into and she immediately answered, as if she had rehearsed and recited it since the beginning of time, “Gryffindor or Ravenclaw. I'm bound to be, it only makes the most sense.” She probably shouldn't have added in that last bit, it sounded very arrogant of her, but Jade wanted for it to be so true, to be sorted into either the house of lions or the house of eagles. She was so sure what it took to actually be sorted into either of them—although she liked reading books she steered more towards fiction, not factual—but she wanted in her heart for the hat to choose right; she was her mother's daughter, after all.

Jade focused more on what he had to say, though. Kevin said his parents were sorted into Gryffindor and Slytherin. That was slightly head-turning but Jade just raised her brows nonchalantly. “Really? And what about you, do you think you'll get into either of those yourself?” She paused briefly before saying, “Do your parents want you to be in a particular one?”

Kevin almost blinked at Jade's tone. Gryffindor or Ravenclaw. Sounded like she had her mind set and made up. Which was more than what Kevin could say for himself. He didn't know at all where he would get sorted. His parents had told him stories of the great talking hat and how it had never been wrong. Well, maybe once or twice, but most of the time it had been right. He did not want to be sorted incorrectly, but at the same time, he knew that where ever he went, he will be happy.

That was a partial lie. He did not want to be sorted into Gryffindor. Some of them were too loud, too rambunctious. Just thinking about it made Kevin nervous. Gryffindor energy was too overwhelming for him. He much rather would have preferred a quieter house like maybe Hufflepuff or Slytherin.

"A specific one? No, not really. My father was Slytherin, my mother was Gryffindor. They told me that they would support me no matter my house. I believe my parents, but I don't think I'll get sorted into either. Sometimes my mother's boisterous personality overwhelms me. And I am definitely not cunning like my father. I'll probably end up in Hufflepuff. My grandfather says that I'm a feeling boy. My parents agree with him." Kevin shrugged a bit, leaning back as he looked at Jade.

"Maybe you'll get Ravenclaw. I heard they were a smart bunch. I wouldn't mind them. I bet they'd be pretty quiet. Have you thought about what would happen if you don't get into Gryffindor or Ravenclaw?" Kevin's question had meant to be an honest question. It was only after he asked it did he realize he might have sounded rude. "I don't mean any harm or injury! I just, you know, wanted to know what you would think if you don't get the house you wanted."

Kevin could feel the blush crawling up the back of his neck and to his ears. He was trying to be friendly. He did not want to ruin the first friend he could possibly have when he is so far from home. At home, making friends was easy. Yet, here at school where magic was known, people could be different. He did not want to sound like those bigoted people.

His answer about his parents' preferred house was acceptable, Jade supposed. She could only dream of asking her own. Her parents had disappeared along with any knowledge about their time at Hogwarts. Her grandmother knew bits and pieces but she had been born in the United States and attended Ilvermorny. The woman knew next to nothing about the school, having only visited once or twice during her academic career.

Her grandmother knew enough to hope that her granddaughter was sorted in Ravenclaw, the house for the erudite. Many were held highly acclaimed just for being in the house as if the house it was prestige on its own. Her own opinion Jade felt like all the houses were great but she wanted to be in one pertaining to her parents, or at least her mother.

Kevin then came up with the wonderful question on how she'd feel if she didn't get into the house she wanted. She wasn't sure, honestly. Jade didn't think that he was being rude or mean in any type of way, she understood his curiosity—she had some towards him as well—but she decided to just play with his anxiety.

Jade watched the blush creep up his face as she narrowed her eyes is fake anger. Again, she wasn't at all upset but she felt like playing around, partially to be humorous and partially to lighten the mood. It felt like both of them were trying to be friendly just to mask all of the excitement, sadness, and fear weld up deep inside them.

“There's not a chance that I won't get into one of the two,” she snapped, staring daggers into his eyes. She likes watching people's reactions to her intensely negative behavior.

Jade held the look for a beats longer, her face scrunched in a nasty snarl like he had just insulted her, before looking away. She kept the look of annoyance on her face but it was quickly becoming tiring. Still, she wanted to see if he would react with apologies or snap right back.

“Honestly,” she sighed, rubbing her eyes. “If don't get into either—the sorting hat would rather shrivel up die than let that happen—then I wouldn't mind...” She thought for a moment. “I wouldn't mind Slytherin, perhaps. After all my grandfather had been in Slytherin, and both he and my grandmother are Purebloods. It would just make sense.” She glared at him again. “Like how all things should.”

Then she gave him a big, exaggerated smile before rolling her eyes.

For a moment, Kevin didn't know how to respond to Jade's angry, and almost threatening tone. A part of him wanted to shrink back, the tone having reminded him of his grandfather when he found out that his parents had been pregnant with a second child. However, another, a much larger part of him, reared up at the possible challenge. Kevin's face darkened with a red flush that was far from an embarrassed flush.

"H-Hey! What are you playing--," The large grin on Jade's face had his cheeks flushing bright pink with embarrassment rather than anger. Was she just playing? Perhaps she really did belong in Slytherin. "Jade! That wasn't nice at all! I thought we were going to have to fight or something!"

The awkward way Kevin waved his arms in exasperation was both amusing and embarrassing. Kevin was absolutely not a fighter. He had gotten into a fight once, when he was nine years old. It was on a muggle playground and he had been angry because the small boy wasn't letting his tiny sister play on the slide. So, Kevin did (what he thought) any logical kid would do. He pushed the other boy down the slide and watched him roll forward and break his nose when he landed. His father had spanked him then and had put him in the corner. It was only after he had broke down crying in hysterics did he apologize. His parents had pulled him out of that muggle school and moved him to a different one. He didn't blame them one bit.

Kevin huffed as he said to Jade, "I have to say though. That was pretty sly. I say you'd make Slytherin if you don't get into Gryffindor or Ravenclaw." Kevin offered Jade a smile in return. He couldn't be angry. Not really. Jade was probably testing her boundaries, testing who she could trust. Kevin probably would have done the same thing if he had taken after more of his father's personality. He certainly would rather be a Slytherin than a Gryffindor. Kevin knew though, that beggars could not be choosers.

"Do you know when we have to change into our robes? I have mine with me, but I have a feeling they might tell us to change like right before we get there and boy, wouldn't that be horrible. All those people in a tiny compartment trying to change. Barbaric I tell you." Kevin laughed slightly, shaking his head before looking out the window. "I hope I'll be able to send my sister some chocolate. She absolutely loves Chocolate Frogs."

Jade chuckled as she watched the different expressions cross over his face. Boy, was Kevin a vivid one. She was beginning to like him, as just a friend, of course, but a friend nevertheless. She wondered how many friends, good ones, she'd make while attending this school. After all she was going to be three for seven years, she was bound to make at least one lasting relationship. But was it going to be based off of academics or actually fun?

As Kevin talked and didn't bother saying anything; she had grown somewhat tired and liked the sound of his voice anyone. He was very amusing and interesting to listen to and Jade wouldn't mind at the least of he spoke for an hour, though he seemed to not like the fact that he droned on and on. He said that he felt like she would be sorted into Slytherin for her antics but she had to disagree; she felt like it was deeper than just little personality traits that made each house what they were. Jade felt like the beasts of each other represented what the house were, of course.

The Lions were brave, the Eagles were wise, the Serpents were cunning...and the strange badgers were just so dedicated, to anything, really. Jade couldn't understand how wizards could be focused on one goal so hard. She knew that her mind liked to wander but deep down she knew that she carries some of the same traits as the Hufflepuffs, and that's what scared her. Jade didn't want to be known for being incredibly different, she wanted to be known as 'that courageous girl who gets anything she wants...by any means'. That sounded very much like a description of a Slytherin, but so be it.

Her compartment mate mentioned changing into their robes. “Well, all we have to do is put them on, it shouldn't be that difficult,” she explained. Speaking of which, she went to get her from the luggage and came back with it on, just so getting ready for the ceremony would be less tedious.

Speaking of chocolate frogs, Jade could hear the Trolley Lady making her way down the thin corridor. Her face lights up as she imagined the treats she'd get with her allowance.

“Hey, the Trolley Lady's here! Want to try something?” After a moment of consideration, she added, “I can treat you, if you want.” Jade decided to be nice after being malevolent before.