The Scarlet Express
Mother and father couldn't make it, so I had to go to the station alone. Funny how muggle-borns get their entire family to take them, and a pureblood can’t even convince her mother to at least drop her off at the Tube. I remember when I first got my letter, dear old muv was ecstatic. She jumped up and down, squealing with joy. She knew it was going to come, since I’m a pureblood, but she did indeed seem so joyful. I should’ve known it was too good. I had to go by myself to Diagon Alley so I could get my things, and now I have to go alone to the train. Muv gave me ten pounds for a snack, and I took ten galleons for the train.
I walked down to the Picadilly line, got a pastry from the corner shop, gave 50p to a poor woman, and bought some muggle chocolate. I knew London like the back of my hand, because muv had made me (in her words, ‘You need to see it from all points of view.’) Muv loved muggles. Her best friend was a muggle-born, and she had grown to appreciate their beautiful cultures.
Snapping out of my trance I hopped off the train. I had arrived at Kings Cross Station. I pushed my trolley through the crowd of people, until I saw some of my own. They were heading to 9¾. I ran after them. Realising what time it was, I sprinted through the barrier onto the station. When I crossed, my jaw dropped.
The Hogwarts Express was beautiful. The sleek red and black engine, the smoke billowing, covering us like a canopy, everything. I must admit, I’ve got a soft spot for trains. I wove through the crowd and made it on the train.
I pushed through the corridor until I found an empty compartment. I slipped inside and savoured my five seconds of quiet. As I was storing my things, I remembered Farv had given me a book to read, so I pulled that out, and settled in, reading. The Chronicles of Narnia, by C.S. Lewis. There was a note in Farv’s atrocious handwriting: Sorry for not being here! Promise you’ll write! I packed a surprise for you, Leona Lion. XO Farv.
I smiled at my childhood nickname. Everyone called me Lion because I was (supposedly) tough. I shuddered. Younger Leona had clearly been naive. I thought about the surprise, but pushed it out of my mind. Farv had an incredibly horrible sense of surprise. Excitement jolted through me as the train began moving, though the hallways were still packed with kids. Then, the door slid open, and a head poked in.
I walked down to the Picadilly line, got a pastry from the corner shop, gave 50p to a poor woman, and bought some muggle chocolate. I knew London like the back of my hand, because muv had made me (in her words, ‘You need to see it from all points of view.’) Muv loved muggles. Her best friend was a muggle-born, and she had grown to appreciate their beautiful cultures.
Snapping out of my trance I hopped off the train. I had arrived at Kings Cross Station. I pushed my trolley through the crowd of people, until I saw some of my own. They were heading to 9¾. I ran after them. Realising what time it was, I sprinted through the barrier onto the station. When I crossed, my jaw dropped.
The Hogwarts Express was beautiful. The sleek red and black engine, the smoke billowing, covering us like a canopy, everything. I must admit, I’ve got a soft spot for trains. I wove through the crowd and made it on the train.
I pushed through the corridor until I found an empty compartment. I slipped inside and savoured my five seconds of quiet. As I was storing my things, I remembered Farv had given me a book to read, so I pulled that out, and settled in, reading. The Chronicles of Narnia, by C.S. Lewis. There was a note in Farv’s atrocious handwriting: Sorry for not being here! Promise you’ll write! I packed a surprise for you, Leona Lion. XO Farv.
I smiled at my childhood nickname. Everyone called me Lion because I was (supposedly) tough. I shuddered. Younger Leona had clearly been naive. I thought about the surprise, but pushed it out of my mind. Farv had an incredibly horrible sense of surprise. Excitement jolted through me as the train began moving, though the hallways were still packed with kids. Then, the door slid open, and a head poked in.
Last edited by Leona Chesterwell on 21 Aug 2026, 04:24, edited 1 time in total.
be who you are, everyone else is already taken
The Scarlet Express
I nervously walked down the train hallways, dodging people and trying to find a nice, quiet compartment for the next few hours. This was the first time I was going to be living on my own, in a dorm, in a strange yet special magical school called Hogwarts.
I had spent the past month learning whatever I could from the books I'd gotten. Right up until running straight through a wall (What?) and laying eyes on the most magnificent steam engine train my parents and I ever laid eyes on, I was feeling confident. Then, of course, I had to say goodbye to my two biggest supporters - Mum and Dad.
Leaving them was hard. Even now, walking down a crowded hallway, I felt alone. I hated feeling alone.
I looked at all the closed compartment doors, thinking that I should suck it up and open them if I ever wanted to find a friend on this train.
One by one, I gingerly opened compartment doors... or at least, tried to. Some of them wouldn't budge, others were already filled with people leaving me mortified for intruding on their conversation. Finally, I opened a compartment door with a girl about my age sitting inside.
The first thing I noticed was the book in her hand. The Chronicles of Narnia. I recognise that title. Some of my classmates in primary talked about it, but I had never read those books myself.
Hailey, you're staring.
Oh! "Um... Hello! Would you mind if I sat in here with you?"
I really, really hope the girl doesn't mind me sitting with her.
I had spent the past month learning whatever I could from the books I'd gotten. Right up until running straight through a wall (What?) and laying eyes on the most magnificent steam engine train my parents and I ever laid eyes on, I was feeling confident. Then, of course, I had to say goodbye to my two biggest supporters - Mum and Dad.
Leaving them was hard. Even now, walking down a crowded hallway, I felt alone. I hated feeling alone.
I looked at all the closed compartment doors, thinking that I should suck it up and open them if I ever wanted to find a friend on this train.
One by one, I gingerly opened compartment doors... or at least, tried to. Some of them wouldn't budge, others were already filled with people leaving me mortified for intruding on their conversation. Finally, I opened a compartment door with a girl about my age sitting inside.
The first thing I noticed was the book in her hand. The Chronicles of Narnia. I recognise that title. Some of my classmates in primary talked about it, but I had never read those books myself.
Hailey, you're staring.
Oh! "Um... Hello! Would you mind if I sat in here with you?"
I really, really hope the girl doesn't mind me sitting with her.
The Scarlet Express
The Chronicles of Narnia was open in my lap, but I’d stopped reading about three pages ago.
I’d barely had a moment of peace since getting on the train. The corridor outside was full of people shouting, dragging trunks around and attempting to find their friends. Every now and then, someone would laugh so loudly I could hear it through the closed door.
Then the door slid open.
I jumped.
A girl stood in the doorway, about my age, her hand still resting on the compartment door. She looked nervous. Not just a little nervous, either. The kind where you could practically see someone thinking about turning around and running away.
She was staring at me. Well, more specifically, she was staring at my book. For a moment, neither of us said anything.
I raised an eyebrow.
She seemed to realise she was staring and immediately looked away.
"Um... hello!" she said. "Would you mind if I sat in here with you?"
I blinked. I don't know why, but I’d half expected someone to burst in and announce that the compartment belonged to them, or tell me I was sitting in the wrong place, or something equally horrible. I looked around the compartment.
"Uh—yeah. Of course."
Smooth, Leona.
I quickly moved my book and some of my things off the seat beside me, even though there was absolutely nothing stopping her from sitting there in the first place.
She stepped inside, closing the door behind her.
I looked out the window.
Why was I being so weird?
I'd spent the entire journey to King's Cross wishing I didn't have to be alone, and now someone had actually come into my compartment and I was sitting there like I'd forgotten how conversations worked.
The train rattled beneath us as London slowly disappeared behind the trees.
I glanced at her again.
She still looked nervous.
That made two of us.
"So..." I started.
My voice came out slightly quieter than I wanted.
I cleared my throat.
"So, what's your name?"
There.
A completely normal question. People asked each other their names every day. Probably.
I gave her a small smile and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.
"I'm Leona, by the way."
I leaned back against the seat. Still, despite myself, I felt a little less alone. And maybe that was enough.
I’d barely had a moment of peace since getting on the train. The corridor outside was full of people shouting, dragging trunks around and attempting to find their friends. Every now and then, someone would laugh so loudly I could hear it through the closed door.
Then the door slid open.
I jumped.
A girl stood in the doorway, about my age, her hand still resting on the compartment door. She looked nervous. Not just a little nervous, either. The kind where you could practically see someone thinking about turning around and running away.
She was staring at me. Well, more specifically, she was staring at my book. For a moment, neither of us said anything.
I raised an eyebrow.
She seemed to realise she was staring and immediately looked away.
"Um... hello!" she said. "Would you mind if I sat in here with you?"
I blinked. I don't know why, but I’d half expected someone to burst in and announce that the compartment belonged to them, or tell me I was sitting in the wrong place, or something equally horrible. I looked around the compartment.
"Uh—yeah. Of course."
Smooth, Leona.
I quickly moved my book and some of my things off the seat beside me, even though there was absolutely nothing stopping her from sitting there in the first place.
She stepped inside, closing the door behind her.
I looked out the window.
Why was I being so weird?
I'd spent the entire journey to King's Cross wishing I didn't have to be alone, and now someone had actually come into my compartment and I was sitting there like I'd forgotten how conversations worked.
The train rattled beneath us as London slowly disappeared behind the trees.
I glanced at her again.
She still looked nervous.
That made two of us.
"So..." I started.
My voice came out slightly quieter than I wanted.
I cleared my throat.
"So, what's your name?"
There.
A completely normal question. People asked each other their names every day. Probably.
I gave her a small smile and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.
"I'm Leona, by the way."
I leaned back against the seat. Still, despite myself, I felt a little less alone. And maybe that was enough.
be who you are, everyone else is already taken
The Scarlet Express
The girl seemed really nice, and she even moved her things away to let me sit right next to her. Feeling a little more comfortable, I moved my things into the compartment, making sure to shut the door behind me in attempt to drown out the noise outside.
I sat next to her, in the seat she so politely cleared out for me. It would be rude not to.
Then silence.
I had no idea what to say to her. I was never the best person to start a conversation, even more so when I was with a stranger. Oh, this wasn't great. I had come in here looking for a friend and we might just end up sitting in awkward silence for who knows-
"So, what's your name?"
Thank goodness.
I looked at her curiously. The girl gave me a smile.
"I'm Leona, by the way."
I smiled back at her, "I'm Hailey. It's nice to meet you..."
Okay, Hailey, it's your turn to choose a topic. Come on, think, what can you guys talk about?
I looked over to the book on her lap.
"I've heard people in my primary school talk about this before, but I've never read it. Could you tell me about it?" I asked, pointing at the book.
I found myself not caring that I was willingly allowing myself to be spoiled of the book's contents. I would rather hear someone else talk right now than to carry a whole conversation by myself. If the girl, Leona, wanted to talk about anything else at all, I would probably let her, and listen in silence.
At that thought, I got reminded of Eclipse - my best friend in primary school. Both of us being ridiculed for our difference in ethnicity, we often hid together during lunches. Eclipse would entertain us with her whispered ramblings about space, and I would sit and listen in silence. Occasionally, I would be the one rambling, but it was still mostly Eclipse.
I hope Leona wouldn't judge me for my mixed ethnicity. No, wait, I hope she would pick up on the conversation starter. You're talking about books right now, and you haven't met any bullies. Yet. Your first day is still going to be awesome, and you are going to make a good friend.
I sat next to her, in the seat she so politely cleared out for me. It would be rude not to.
Then silence.
I had no idea what to say to her. I was never the best person to start a conversation, even more so when I was with a stranger. Oh, this wasn't great. I had come in here looking for a friend and we might just end up sitting in awkward silence for who knows-
"So, what's your name?"
Thank goodness.
I looked at her curiously. The girl gave me a smile.
"I'm Leona, by the way."
I smiled back at her, "I'm Hailey. It's nice to meet you..."
Okay, Hailey, it's your turn to choose a topic. Come on, think, what can you guys talk about?
I looked over to the book on her lap.
"I've heard people in my primary school talk about this before, but I've never read it. Could you tell me about it?" I asked, pointing at the book.
I found myself not caring that I was willingly allowing myself to be spoiled of the book's contents. I would rather hear someone else talk right now than to carry a whole conversation by myself. If the girl, Leona, wanted to talk about anything else at all, I would probably let her, and listen in silence.
At that thought, I got reminded of Eclipse - my best friend in primary school. Both of us being ridiculed for our difference in ethnicity, we often hid together during lunches. Eclipse would entertain us with her whispered ramblings about space, and I would sit and listen in silence. Occasionally, I would be the one rambling, but it was still mostly Eclipse.
I hope Leona wouldn't judge me for my mixed ethnicity. No, wait, I hope she would pick up on the conversation starter. You're talking about books right now, and you haven't met any bullies. Yet. Your first day is still going to be awesome, and you are going to make a good friend.
The Scarlet Express
"Hailey," I repeated, smiling. "Nice to meet you."
Okay. Great. We had names now. That was definitely progress.
Then she pointed at the book in my lap.
"I've heard people in my primary school talk about this before, but I've never read it. Could you tell me about it?"
I looked down at the cover.
*The Chronicles of Narnia.*
"Oh, this?" I held it up slightly. "Honestly, I've only just started it."
That wasn't entirely true. I had been reading it for about half an hour.
I just hadn't actually taken much of it in.
"My dad gave it to me," I added, running my thumb over the edge of the cover. "Well, technically, he packed it for me."
I hesitated.
"He was supposed to come with me today."
Why did I say that?
I quickly looked back down at the book.
"But apparently he thought sending me off with a surprise hidden somewhere in my things would make up for it."
I made a face.
Hailey probably had absolutely no idea what I was talking about.
"My dad has a horrible sense of humour."
I flipped the book open again and skimmed over the page.
"Anyway, from what I know, it's about these kids who find this whole other world called Narnia. There's talking animals and witches and..." I paused, trying to remember what Farv had told me. "A lion."
I looked up at Hailey.
"Which is probably why he packed it for me."
I immediately regretted bringing that up.
"Sorry. My family calls me Lion. It's a stupid nickname."
I leaned back against the seat.
"Apparently I'm meant to be tough."
I laughed quietly.
"I'm not, though."
The train rocked slightly beneath us, and I glanced out of the window. London was getting further and further away now, disappearing behind fields and trees.
For some reason, the sight made my stomach twist.
I'd been excited about Hogwarts for months. Ever since the letter came, really. But now that I was actually on the train, heading somewhere I had never been before, it suddenly felt a lot more real.
I looked back at Hailey.
"So, have you got anyone else going to Hogwarts?" I asked. "Friends from your school or anything?"
I realised that could have been a bad question.
Maybe she didn't.
I quickly added, "I don't, by the way."
Well. Not anyone I actually knew.
"I mean, I know of some people who are going, but that's different."
I closed the book and placed it beside me.
"Also, I'm kind of hoping Hogwarts doesn't expect us to know loads already."
I lowered my voice slightly, like the train itself might hear me.
"Because I'm a pureblood and everyone keeps acting like that means I should already know everything." I rolled my eyes. "I don't."
A small smile crossed my face.
"So if you ever see me accidentally blowing something up in Potions or getting completely lost, just pretend you didn't see it." I paused. Then I tilted my head at her. "Deal?"
Okay. Great. We had names now. That was definitely progress.
Then she pointed at the book in my lap.
"I've heard people in my primary school talk about this before, but I've never read it. Could you tell me about it?"
I looked down at the cover.
*The Chronicles of Narnia.*
"Oh, this?" I held it up slightly. "Honestly, I've only just started it."
That wasn't entirely true. I had been reading it for about half an hour.
I just hadn't actually taken much of it in.
"My dad gave it to me," I added, running my thumb over the edge of the cover. "Well, technically, he packed it for me."
I hesitated.
"He was supposed to come with me today."
Why did I say that?
I quickly looked back down at the book.
"But apparently he thought sending me off with a surprise hidden somewhere in my things would make up for it."
I made a face.
Hailey probably had absolutely no idea what I was talking about.
"My dad has a horrible sense of humour."
I flipped the book open again and skimmed over the page.
"Anyway, from what I know, it's about these kids who find this whole other world called Narnia. There's talking animals and witches and..." I paused, trying to remember what Farv had told me. "A lion."
I looked up at Hailey.
"Which is probably why he packed it for me."
I immediately regretted bringing that up.
"Sorry. My family calls me Lion. It's a stupid nickname."
I leaned back against the seat.
"Apparently I'm meant to be tough."
I laughed quietly.
"I'm not, though."
The train rocked slightly beneath us, and I glanced out of the window. London was getting further and further away now, disappearing behind fields and trees.
For some reason, the sight made my stomach twist.
I'd been excited about Hogwarts for months. Ever since the letter came, really. But now that I was actually on the train, heading somewhere I had never been before, it suddenly felt a lot more real.
I looked back at Hailey.
"So, have you got anyone else going to Hogwarts?" I asked. "Friends from your school or anything?"
I realised that could have been a bad question.
Maybe she didn't.
I quickly added, "I don't, by the way."
Well. Not anyone I actually knew.
"I mean, I know of some people who are going, but that's different."
I closed the book and placed it beside me.
"Also, I'm kind of hoping Hogwarts doesn't expect us to know loads already."
I lowered my voice slightly, like the train itself might hear me.
"Because I'm a pureblood and everyone keeps acting like that means I should already know everything." I rolled my eyes. "I don't."
A small smile crossed my face.
"So if you ever see me accidentally blowing something up in Potions or getting completely lost, just pretend you didn't see it." I paused. Then I tilted my head at her. "Deal?"
@Hailey Eve
be who you are, everyone else is already taken
The Scarlet Express
"Deal," I instantly responded. This was a real chance for a friendship, and I was sure going to take it.
I had questions. Why couldn't Leona's dad come see her off? Who was placing all these expectations on her? Like- tough and an expert of magic at eleven years old? I snorted in my head.
Still, I held those questions back. The subject of Leona's dad brought forth a sad longing in her eyes. It pained my heart to see it, and I had literally just met her.
Yeah, no. I don't want to see that face again on this train ride. Still, the whole expectations thing was bugging me. I didn't want my new friend to carry those expectations all year.
I decided to offer my two cents, "And, well, I may be muggleborn, but I know that expecting an eleven-year-old to be some sort of magic Mary Sue, just because they have magical parents... It's a bit much, don't you think?"
Wait, does she even know what a Mary Sue is?
Eh, she has a muggle novel in her hands, maybe she does.
Wait. Something's a bit off about this conversation. There's something missing...
Not once had Leona asked where I was from. She was acting completely normal.
That little realisation caused a short-circuit in my head. The first thing people usually do, when they see me for the first time, is to ask where I was from, or screw up their faces trying to figure that out for themselves. I look Asian, kind of, but I was very proudly British, thank you very much. I just had an Asian mum, who was now also a British citizen.
Alright, enough trying to justify your origins, Leona's been quiet for a while now.
And, in a scramble to find something to say, I spectacularly blundered by blurting out the realisation in my mind.
"Why haven't you asked where I'm from?"
The moment the question left my lips, I wanted to facepalm.
I had questions. Why couldn't Leona's dad come see her off? Who was placing all these expectations on her? Like- tough and an expert of magic at eleven years old? I snorted in my head.
Still, I held those questions back. The subject of Leona's dad brought forth a sad longing in her eyes. It pained my heart to see it, and I had literally just met her.
Yeah, no. I don't want to see that face again on this train ride. Still, the whole expectations thing was bugging me. I didn't want my new friend to carry those expectations all year.
I decided to offer my two cents, "And, well, I may be muggleborn, but I know that expecting an eleven-year-old to be some sort of magic Mary Sue, just because they have magical parents... It's a bit much, don't you think?"
Wait, does she even know what a Mary Sue is?
Eh, she has a muggle novel in her hands, maybe she does.
Wait. Something's a bit off about this conversation. There's something missing...
Not once had Leona asked where I was from. She was acting completely normal.
That little realisation caused a short-circuit in my head. The first thing people usually do, when they see me for the first time, is to ask where I was from, or screw up their faces trying to figure that out for themselves. I look Asian, kind of, but I was very proudly British, thank you very much. I just had an Asian mum, who was now also a British citizen.
Alright, enough trying to justify your origins, Leona's been quiet for a while now.
And, in a scramble to find something to say, I spectacularly blundered by blurting out the realisation in my mind.
"Why haven't you asked where I'm from?"
The moment the question left my lips, I wanted to facepalm.