A Long Ride Closed

Summer smiled as she listened to the happy chatter. It had seemed very awkward in the compartment at first, but as more girls joined and began to chat, Summer felt herself relax. Every once in a while, she added to the conversation, and when she did, it was rather like a monologue. As one girl talked about secret passages Summer smiled. She had been wondering the same things, and had even brought some of her best drawing supplies to attempt map-making. ”I’ve always loved exploring and trying to find secret passages.” she told the girl. “As a kid, I would find all sorts of ‘secret passages’ my dad would make me out of pillows and cardboard boxes.” Summer’s face lit up at the memory. She had had a wonderful childhood, and while she was excited for Hogwarts, she would also miss the cottage a lot. Summer tuned in again when the talk of patronuses came up. She had been dying to find out what her’s was once she got to Hogwarts, and when she found out she had to wait until her fifth year she’d been thoroughly disappointed. When the same girl asked what riding a broom was like, Summer was the first to answer.”I suppose it’s a little like riding a bike, but not quite the same. I honestly find it much easier to ride a broom.” Summer frowned for a moment as she tried to remember the girl’s name. It started with a P, didn’t it? After a while she gave up. “Alright,” Summer commanded, “I need you all to tell me your name and a fact about yourself, ‘cause honestly? I already forgot your names.”

Do you mind if I add you guys as acquaintances? Also, I don’t mind if anyone adds me as one.

Adriel giggled enjoying how excited everyone else is it helped her to relax. "I was wondering about the house rivals. Is it more of a friendly competition type of riveraly? I always imagined it to be like that. I'm pretty competitive myself and get worked up during competitions... I'm a very sore loser" she chuckles and shakes her head remembering all the times she lost it during a game "and on the subject of flying I've never rode one myself but my dad told me it's like riding a horse. The brooms got a mind of its own in a sense like our wands. As long as we trust and believe it should go smoothly...I think? Don't quote me on that I don't want to be held responsible if someone gets hurt" she laughed "I wonder what it's like to fly I also wonder if it's possible to fly without a broom. Like a superhero... I'm kinda rambling aren't I sorry about that" Adriel gave the group a sheepish grin. She enjoyed talking to them and learning about their interests.

“Alright,” Summer commanded, “I need you all to tell me your name and a fact about yourself, ‘cause honestly? I already forgot your names.”

"Oh right again with the introductions being last how silly." Adriel shook her head braids swaying to and fro. "My name is Adriel Hollyn Greynore. You could call me by any name you choose though sometimes people just prefer to call me Holly. A fact about me hmmm... well let's see. I have lots of notebooks that I like to document things in. I've got notebooks for all sorts of things like recipes, new facts, interesting ideas, mythical creatures it's a bit ridiculous." she shrugs.

“Alright,” she heard Summer command, “I need you all to tell me your name and a fact about yourself, ‘cause honestly? I already forgot your names.”

"Oh right again with the introductions being last how silly." She heard Adriel. "My name is Adriel Hollyn Greynore. You could call me by any name you choose though sometimes people just prefer to call me Holly. A fact about me hmmm... well let's see. I have lots of notebooks that I like to document things in. I've got notebooks for all sorts of things like recipes, new facts, interesting ideas, mythical creatures it's a bit ridiculous."

“Me next!” Piper offered. “I’m Piper, Piper Isabella Hargrove. I prefer Piper, but I have a bunch of nicknames. Pipes, Pippy, whatever. They’re stupid names my sister Peggy gave me. I don’t care though. Now, a fact.

Piper thought for a second. There were plenty of facts about her, but none were interesting. The first things that came to her were, my hair is brown, or, my middle name’s Isabella. But one, the first one was obvious if you could see, which everybody in the compartment seemed to be able to do, and the second, she had already said. “I like chocolate frogs,” she said. “My mum bought me one in Diagon Alley”.

Piper, she told herself. That is the most childish thing you could possibly say.

She smiled softly and turned to the window to look into the green fields across from her as the other girls did their introductions. The scenery outside was so beautiful, and it turned Piper away from the conversation. She grew up in a busy town, all the land was occupied by houses. Any chance to see the country land excited Piper. She tried to stay in the conversation while she took in the amazing scenery outside.

Word count (not including this and quotes): 203 words

@Summwe Chesser, @Aoife Quinn, of course you can add me

Aoife zoned back in as Summer asked them all their names again. She listened to Adriel first, talking about her notebooks for all sorts of things, which honestly sounded pretty interesting. She wished she could be that organised. Then Piper went next, who came up with liking chocolate frogs and a whole host of nicknames for herself. Aoife had to hold herself back from calling her Pipes from that moment on.

"Okay, me. I'm Aoife, Aoife Quinn, no middle name unfortunately and yes I know it's a weird name, it's Irish, we just deal with it. It's spelt dead weird but it's easy to pronounce." The name had become a sore spot for a couple of people she'd met who weren't all that familiar with Irish names. "And... the fact is that... I'm really good at climbing things. Trees usually, but I can climb some walls, bookcases, sides of houses sometimes." Sat on the train to Hogwarts, that didn't sound as impressive as it once did, back home amongst the Muggle kids. "Oh, and I really like making people laugh. Only when we're allowed to though," Aoife added quickly, with a playful wink at the end. They didn't need to know about the cheeky, silly side all that much yet. They'll probably find out soon enough though!

Adriel looked from girl to girl as they spoke mentally writing down their names in her head so she didn't forget. Roni, Aoife, Introduction Savior, and... Adriel did her best not to wheeze Pipes. She wondered if it was just a shortened version of her name or if it had any meaning. Like maybe pipes meant her wind pipes and she was very loud, or maybe her sister was calling her bagpipes. Adriel wasn't really sure, but what really piqued her interest is the one nickname she expected Piper to have wasn't said... "Surely someone has called her the Pied Piper they had to have. If not then I shall be the first it's a brilliant name. Pied Piper Charmer of Hogwarts... I wonder if she would like that title."

Adriel sat back in her seat shifting slightly to get more comfortable and waited politely for the other girls to finish talking. She learned that Piper liked chocolate frogs. "I've never had a chocolate frog before. I love chocolate but I've heard that they jump. I wonder if their sentient.. Oh no what if they are! What if they feel somebody chomping down on their head?! Mental note ask Piper if the chocolate frogs are sentient and if so is a chocolate frog ghost haunting her."

Once Piper was done speaking Aoife chipped in. Turns out she was an excellent climber and loved making people laugh. Adriel was mildly impressed she had never been much of a climber herself. Especially when it came to trees she would always get scratched up. Adriel wondered if there were any spells to help with climbing if so Aoife would become a spider monkey in no time. On another note Adriel just had to hear one of her jokes she loved laughing.

"I have several comments and questions ladies. First, Piper does anyone call you the the Pied Piper? And if not consider the following Pied Piper Charmer of Hogwarts". Second, again Piper I've heard that chocolate frogs jump so I have to ask are they sentient? Do you have a little chocolate frog ghost haunting you right now?? Thirdly Aoife I am impressed by your climbing ability." Adriel claps some in a small bravo. "I've never been to good at climbing and tress always scratch me up. I bet you get to see the best views. How far have you climbed before? Also I would like to request a joke. Lastly introduction savior what is your name and an interesting fact about you?" Adriel went from girl to girl with her comments and questions giving each a happy smile as she spoke.

Summer listened attentively as the girls filled her in about themselves. First there was Adriel, who had all sorts of notebooks that sounded rather fascinating. Her brain also seemed to function a mile a minute. There was Piper who had originally been rather shy and who had a whole host of nicknames she couldn’t wait to use in conversation. She also like chocolate frogs, which instantly boosted Summer’s opinion of her. There was Roni, who was a second year and seemed very nice. And there was Aoife, who had a really cool name and was a good climber. As Summer chanted these names as a pattern in her head, Adriel started talking a mile a minute, giving all the girls her comments and questions, smiling all the while. When she had stopped and there was a lull in the conversation, Summer decided to give all her comments. ”First off, I’m Summer Chesser, and it’s a pleasure to meet you all. Fun fact? Uh... my name’s not actually Summer. It’s actually Summwe which was my great-grandmother’s maiden name. Oh! And I’m a super big fan of muggle musicals,” she shrugged, they were rather fabulous. “Adriel, your notebooks sound amazing. If you don’t mind I’d like to see one sometime. Piper - I hope you know that I will probably be using a lot of your nicknames. Oh, and chocolate frogs are amazing. Roni, I’ll probably be coming to you with millions of questions. Aoife, you’re name is really cool. Also, would you mind teaching me to climb trees sometime?” She paused to catch her breath. “Oh! And I have chocolate frogs if anyone wants some!”

Adriel took a breath she really needed to work on sayin and thinking less. It would be the death of her eventually. After her little rant of comments and questions the compartment fell into a calming lull. Despite how energetic she was she did enjoy calming moments. She leaned forward some. Her elbows rested on her knees and her hands held up her face as she looked at the other girls. The one she had yet to know the name of and subsequently named her introduction savior spoke.

”First off, I’m Summer Chesser, and it’s a pleasure to meet you all. Fun fact? Uh... my name’s not actually Summer. It’s actually Summwe which was my great-grandmother’s maiden name."

Her name turned out to be Summwe Chesser. Summwe was a very interesting name but it sounded like she preferred Summer instead. Which is every bit as wonderful. Summer after all was the best season, or was it spring? No fall. Adriel really could not make up her mind. Maybe there is a spell for clear focus. She would need to learn that one first. Her thoughts shifted back to the conversation as Summer mentioned muffle musicals, Adriels notebooks, and chocolate frogs.

"What muggle musicals have you seen? My penpal from the states told me about one named Hamilton. Also I would be delighted to share with you the vast knowledge of my notebooks" Adriel said with a chuckle. "Well that aren't really vast but they will grow as time goes on. And on another note i would love a chcolate frog so i may learn its secrets!" she declared to the group with a giggle.

Piper turned to the girls as they asked her a question. She turned bright red as the girls conversed about her many nicknames. Maybe she shouldn’t have shared them. But again, it was really only annoying when Peggy said it.

“Yes,” she admitted. “Pied Piper is one of my nicknames, I find it the most stupid though. You’re welcome to call me it. As long as I call you something in return. I’ve never been called Pied Piper Charmer of Hogwarts. That sounds way more professional. I think I’d like that better,” she said, giggling happily.

She enjoyed as the girls shared facts about themselves. Each of them was as different as the last, but all shared their fun and bubbly spirit. Piper felt like she’d known these girls for years, and she realized how fast time had gone by. About 2 hours had passed, and the girls were only on their 2nd conversation.

Soon the conversation switched to chocolate frogs. “I don’t think they’re alive, more like conscious with no emotions. I don’t think the have ghosts like humans. If they do, then I’m probably in danger,” she chuckled, but her eyes were wide.

It’s just a funny joke, she told herself, but she couldn’t get the idea out. She quickly change the subject to get her mind off of it.

“I’d love a chocolate frog, Summer!” she said, looking for a coin or two to give her.

Word count (not including this): 240 words

Adriel was pleased to hear that Piper liked the title she came up with. In her opinion it was quite clever. She wasn't to sure why Piper disliked being called the Pied Piper more then all of her other nicknames though. Then again Adriel didn't have many nick names and the ones she did have were all very basic. Perhaps it got annoying after a while to hear certain nicknames. Especially if someone was using the wrong tone when saying them. Adriel would learn soon enough since Piper requested to call her by a nickname as well.

"I will definitely be calling you Pied Piper Charmer of Hogwarts. I won't use it all the time though. It will mainly be muttered under my breath when you enter a room or said within earshot. It's one of those titles where one might go-" Adriel gasped exasperatedly but not over-dramatically. "It is she the Pied Piper Charmer of Hogwarts." Adriel made a face of awe then smiled at Piper. "I know it sounds silly but its a proper hero's title. If you can't tell by now I read far to many fantasy books." Adriel then giggled giving her a small shrug of apology. "I don't really have any interesting nicknames. There is Ads, Addie, Holly, and my dad calls me pumpkin but you're welcome to call me whatever you want. Also I am relieved to hear that I can eat the chocolate frog without worry. I love chocolate almost as much as I love my notebooks." Adriel grinned. Conversing with these girls seemed to come naturally. It helped that they were all interesting and very forthcoming. Adriel hoped this little train ride would lead to long term friendships.

Nicknames, notebooks and... chocolate frogs. The conversation leaped from subject to subject as the girls all leaned in closer and started sharing everything the could about themselves. They all seemed really nice. Any minor apprehension that Aoife had held before, about people being a bit weird or distant at first, had melted away quickly.

"I think Addie's a pretty great nickname. Suits ya," she told Adriel, grinning at her. "Much likePipes suits Piper. And Summer suits... Summer." She frowned at her own lack of creativity for that last one. "Well, that's more a given name than a nickname, but I like your name anyway. Summer, my Dad is really into one musical that's like... what's it called... it's a lot of blonde girls and boys wearing leather jackets and singing... whatever it is, he's in total love with it, I swear."

Aoife reached into her pocket, hearing the jingle of a few coins. "I haven't had a chocolate frog in aaaaages. I used to hoover them down but y'know, parents made me cut them down. Spoilsports," she groaned, rolling her eyes a little. That was what parents were good at, right? Stopping you from having fun?

"I can teach ya to climb trees, no problem. It's dead easy, if I can do it, anyone can, trust me," she assured Addie, nodding. "I'm not so sure about some of the trees at Hogwarts though. I heard they still had some weird punching and shaking trees there, and that's not even getting into what's in the Forest out there. I heard there might even be vampires and pixies in there," Aoife told them all, with the sage nodding of someone repeating a rumour she'd heard fourth-hand. "That's why first years aren't allowed near it. Because we haven't got the magic yet to deal with pixies."