Compartment 7 Finished

Adam saw this next disaster coming before it arrived, and stepped forward, saying, "As much as I'd love to meet your pets, I don't think we really have time, Kaegen. Look!" The train was chugging steadily towards Hogsmeade Station, and Adam could begin to see houses from the village appear. Smiling, he offered, "I'll hold Vortigern while you get your stuff ready, if you'd like."

Adam had pulled his trunks down from the overhead storage while the others were dealing with the aftermath of the acid salamander. He was surprised to see Avalon summon a house-elf to clean up, but he didn't say much about it; at least he helped them clean up. Eris had woken up, thank God; he didn't want to have to explain to the professors what had happened in Compartment 7. Now that everyone was present and conscious -- except for Eri, who he had lost track of a long time ago -- he felt himself grow even more excited about the upcoming experience. He was finally going to Hogwarts, and he was going with all of these wonderful people that he had met!

He looked at Kaegen, at Michelle, at Eris and Avalon, and smiled. He was so glad that he had taken the journey with them! Now, as the castle started to disappear behind trees and the woods thickened around them, Adam looked to Avalon and asked, "You know, you started all of this. Want to say something to finish it?"

Eris groggily came too and looked around the compartment with a sleepy look of confusion. Finally she looked out the window, and blinked once, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. There was the station. It was lit up with candles, and a man stood there, looking at the train. Then there was a castle.

It was beautiful, with the windows lit up. There were turrets and towers everywhere Eris could look. Even from the outside it looked magical. There was something other about it. Eris forgot about the acid salamander and the recent drama on the train, as she pressed her nose up against the glass. All around the train, other kids did the same thing, but Eris couldn't see anything but the beautiful castle, with a moat. It was something out of fairytale. When she finally pulled her nose away from the castle, just as the train pulled to a stop and let out a second whistle.

"Leave your trucks on the train, they will be carried up to the school separately." A voice said, probably the conductor. Eris sagged in relief, heart pounding in her chest. She really was dreading carrying her trunk up, but it was real. She was really at Hogwarts. She turned to look at the other kids in the compartment, each of them all in various states of getting ready. "I hope we stay friends even after we're sorted." She confided in the other kids.

What a journey this had been. She had met up with Adam and Ava again, and only strengthened her growing friendship with the two. Eris had also met three new people. She had met another girl from a muggle background, a bookworm who seemed to be quite sad about going to school, and a strange boy who had a lot of pets, and a nasty throwing arm. She looked at the mark on Michelle's head for proof of her thoughts, and couldn't help thinking they had done so much damage and had so much fun on one train ride. What could they do with a whole year together?

Eris looked to Avalon after Adam had spoken, grinning from ear to ear , waiting for a glorious speech of some sort.

As everyone seemed to already be on Kaegen’s case, Ava decided to not waste her energy on reprimanding him. She thought the creature had been interesting as well, and it wasn’t the salamander’s fault for protecting himself in such a stressful situation. This was the start of an eventful first year, that much was apparent, and Ava would not have it any other way. 

As Michelle looked out of the window, Ava did as well. Her eyes widened as she saw that they were so very close to their destination! She moved as close as she could to the window, trying to see as much of the castle as was possible. There wasn’t much to be seen though, as the trees obscured her view.

As Adam stopped Kaegen and Michelle from their continuous bickering and they all got their trunks, Ava suddenly felt like it all was real. They were about to get off the train and become students at Hogwarts! She looked at everybody around her. Adam and Eris, who she really liked and who had proven to be dependable friends; Kaegen, who she thought was weird, but someone who cared for magical creatures deserved a second chance; Michelle, who was righteous and friendly; and Eri, who was silent and mysterious.

As the train was about to come to a halt, she knew this was one of the last moments they would all be together like this. She bit her lip. She knew there was a large chance she would be the only one to join Slytherin – would they all hate her after this? She could not let that happen – these were her first friends after all, and she could not simply let their friendship end here, could she now?

As Adam suggested, Ava spoke to them all, hoping they shared her sentiment. “Everyone,” she started. “Our ways may separate from this point onward, but we will always remember the amazing train ride to our first year at Hogwarts, won’t we? I mean, being attacked by an acid salamander is not easily forgotten. And we have had so much fun as well! And candy galore, might I add.” She paused. “We will begin an amazing journey once we will get off this train. We will meet new people, choose sides, and fight each other for the House Cup and Quidditch Cup. We will be busy with homework and other activities. But I don’t want that all to ruin our friendship. As I said before, let’s meet up soon and stay in touch. That is all I wish for, and I hope you all feel the same.”

She smiled as she looked at them all. “Welcome to Hogwarts, everybody. Let’s have a wonderful seven years.”