A Ride to Remember
1 September, 2026 | The Hogwarts Express | outfit | word count: 455 | speaking:#520000
The scarlet train hissed softly as steam curled around the crowded platform. The train had seemed enormous from the platform, stretching farther than Vivienne could see, its polished windows reflecting the crowded platform beside it. Vivienne had already made her way inside the train and found an empty cabin, after bidding goodbye to her family. There was no doubt that she'd miss them at least somewhat, but her initial sadness had subdued almost completely now as she waved her final goodbye to them through the windows of the still-not-moving train.
Today felt almost surreal. She had known about Hogwarts for as long as she could remember. Stories of the castle had filled her childhood. Relatives spoke of it often, tutors taught of it even more often. She'd been excited for this day since the last few months—there was something about being completely free to do whatever she wanted to that made her excited to finally reach the school of magic. It was weird, how she could love her parents so much, but also at the same time feel suffocated in their presence. They loved her fiercely, in the way only parents could. And yet, there was always an expectation attached to everything. Their love almost felt conditional.
Lost in her thoughts, Vivienne gazed outside the window. There was activity everywhere on the platform, students hurried along while parents called out last-minute reminders. Somewhere nearby, an owl screeched loudly enough to make several people turn their heads. Many of them would attend the school for the first time, and the rest would be seeing it after a whole long break. Vivienne wondered how she'd settle in there, how she would form a routine with her classes and homework and make friends and have fun. Vivienne hadn't really made any friends that go to Hogwarts yet, except maybe a few acquaintances she wasn't sure if she would meet again. She wasn't a hard person to talk to—but rather someone who could communicate fairly well, by virtue of her parents' teachings. She didn't think she would have too much of a hard time making friends, but as a 10-year-old's mind would be, hers was also nervous about it, no matter how confident she was. Yet here she was, sitting alone in a compartment of the train that would take her to Hogwarts. Not that she minded being alone, she loved her company. But she wouldn't mind someone else to talk to on such a long ride.
She continued to look outside, barely paying attention to what was happening around her inside the train. The Hogwarts Express would depart soon, and with that, would begin a new chapter in the life of every passenger of this train.
@Mercedes Rubio | @Sofia Clayton
Last edited by Vivienne Thorne on 16 Sep 2026, 12:05, edited 2 times in total.
The powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be?
A Ride to Remember
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made by: chelsea mitzchel
"Dialogue" Sofia stepped timidly onto the train, the noise from outside faded as she reaches the door. Her eyes were glassy from recently saying goodbye to her family. A slight momentary feeling of fear overtook her before she composed herself again and continued walking down the train.
Being a muggle, Hogwarts was a completely new experience and never in her life would she have expected to be here. Her mother always told her "Make the most out of every opportunity you are given" and that is what Sofia was going to do.
She walked with purposeful strides, quiet confidence beaming off her, which died down the further she went.
In every cabin she went past she saw older years catching up with friends or first years like her, who has already made friends. Sofia wasn't the best at making friends she was always told to be louder and more outgoing, but that just wasn't her. Soon her feet were dragging along the floor, she sighed and muttered to herself "Alone again, I suppose"
At last she peered round a cabin at the end, her face brightened. There was a girl. Only one. She stepped closer and hesitated before opening the cabin door. The door swung open softly and Sofia stepped in, the girl looked up and Sofia blushed slightly. She was nervous.
"I hope it's okay if I sit here, there doesn't seem to be any other spaces." Sofia's gentle voice broke the silence in the cabin. Her face was hopeful but already waiting for rejection. She had done this many times, it wasn't anything new. She was always expecting the worst for such a positive girl.
But she hoped that Hogwarts would be a new start, with new friends, and a new girl would blossom out of her. And it all starts here.
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ooc notes :: outfit
A Ride to Remember
“Out of my way.” A boy’s raspy voice echoed through the sea of students, sliding into the train with much effort.Location: The Hogwarts Express
Mention(s): @Vivienne Thorne, @Sofia Clayton
Dialogue: Hex #126966
OOC Note(s): Hi guys
Word Count: 375
Today would be the most exciting moment for students attending Hogwarts. Some gleamed with joy, some were nervous, and some were expectant. Mercedes? He walked down the passenger carriages like a tired businessman, carrying his luggage loosely with eyes that expected nothing more than disappointments and underachievement. As a Muggle, he and the Rubio family were unaware of magic and the wizarding world until informed that he was a wizard. Mercedes was just another child chasing big dreams without anything unique, no talents whatsoever.
“Make us proud, son!” Were the last words he had heard from his parents. So full of hope that their son would finally be as skillful and competent as any Rubio would be. He couldn’t shake off the feeling of bitterness in his heart at the thought of leaving his dreams, all his hard work ignored because magic lit a spark only his parents saw.
Carriage after carriage, Mercedes searched for a seat with that deadpan glare, finding that most of the cabins were already full. He raced others for a seat, and came only a few seconds late. Options became thinner, he had exhausted himself jumping from one carriage to another in hopes of an empty seat. Just as he was about to give up, he heard a small voice speaking somewhere near the last few rows of cabins he hadn't checked. Dragging the luggage one last time, he checked the final cabin.
“I hope it's okay if I sit here, there doesn't seem to be any other spaces.” A girl spoke in a shy voice, standing by the doorframe of the cabin. When he walked closer to take a peek at the cabin’s insides, he found another girl gazing out the window. The cabin itself was relatively empty, with only two girls so far. Without wasting time, he interrupted the two with a question.
“Excuse me, can I sit here?” He asked in a firm, urgent voice. A contrast to the voice of the shy girl he stood next to. In that moment, his eyes were flashing between the two girls, praying that he’d finally get a seat.
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