A McCollum's First Ride Public Closed

Colin's hands flew up and covered his mouth, but he couldn't hide the deep blush. He felt so embarrassed! This boy had told him his name and he'd already messed it up --- twice! "Donald! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to cock up your name and we've only just met!"

But as the talk turned back to sports, and in particular the game Donald played, football, Colin listened more intently. "We used to play a similar game, but never used our heads to hit the ball! How does that even work!?" He screwed his face up in concentration, trying to imagine how one would whack a ball with one's head. "Do muggle players have to creep along the ground to hit the ball with their heads?"

He looked Donald up and down. He looked much bigger and stronger than Colin was. "Anyway, in quidditch, age doesn't matter so much, as I understand it. Everyone's flying on a broom, so what matters is your flying ability! And wizarding kids don't always make the best flyers! I think you'd make a fair beater, Donald. Or a keeper! A strong lad like you with a big bat in your hands would terrorise many older players!"

He smiled brightly when Donald said he'd fight against the likes of Voldemort, or any kind of dark lord or queen. "Right! Ma says our world is really only just starting to recover from the big war. She said that when she came to Hogwarts, there were maybe only eight or ten kids starting in each house. And, bloody hell! --- You saw how many students were waiting to get on the train today!"

It struck him that muggle-borns might have heard of Voldemort and the Wizarding War, but probably wouldn't know about hexes and curses.

Colin looked around as if to see if some spy from the Ministry were hiding under the seat. "You can't be too careful, right! So. A.K." Colin looked from one to the other. "Well, you know there are charms and spells and hexes and curses, right? Some are stronger than others. Some are helpful and some are hurtful. You see, A.K. is one of the strongest and most dangerous curses." He lowered his voice almost to a whisper, as if some dark wizard would jump out from behind the upholstery and demonstrate the curse on him! "Ma won't tell us the actual words, but A.K. is one of the unforgivable curses --- it's the killing curse. I've heard tell that all you have to do is point your wand at someone, say the words, and they just --- drop." Colin held his breath and flopped back onto the seat with his legs and arm dangling dramatically over the edge. He remained dead for a few seconds, then sat back up again. "No blood, no screams, and worst of all, no defense against it! When you're hit with it, you don't even know you're dead! Until afterwards, anyway." He let out a long low whistle. "They say Voldemort used that curse thousands of times, on wizards and muggles alike." He thought about that for a moment, and about fighting against such powerful magic. What kind of magic would kids like him and Donald have to learn to not only defend against that kind of darkness, but prevail?

After a few moments, Colin looked up with a quizzical look in his face. "But Donald, what's a video game?"


@Donald McCollum // @Shiawase Mamori // @Charlie Edwards

"Huh. I see. Fascinating. I guess magic requires more precision than I thought," Shiawase said as Colin and Charlie talked about spell-casting. Then Colin asked if they were Muggle borns.

"Depends. What's a Muggle?" she asked lightheartedly. "Techy nollogie? You mean technology? Oh! Has your dad been successful at combining the two? Because I think if they can work together, it would be amazing! Just the implications alone are exciting!"

Colin then started talking about the castle. Talking about the Hogwarts houses did cause her to squirm in her seat a bit. She didn't know what he meant about this Voldmort or Death Eaters, but they definitely sounded bad. And he mentioned A.K.ing before?

"Yes. That . . . sounds bad. I should think being sorted into Slytherin would mean . . . you get a bad reputation, then?" That absolutely sounded bad. But soon enough, the conversation moved on to sports. She smiled as Donald talked about doing his best to win if she was making sweets.

"Well, then, I suppose it's settled! You will do your best and I will make you your favorite dessert! What is your favorite? And what of you, Colin, if you're trying out for the team, too? And it would of course be rude to offer desserts to you two without offering some to Charlie as well. Yeah? So come on! Lay 'em on me! Nothing is impossible for me to cook!" She was fired up now.

And then there was all this talk of history repeating itself and that name Voldy Mort again and Colin explained what A.K.ing is and . . . the mood dropped significantly. Shiawase frowned. This was probably not the place to talk about stuff like this, was it? What had Charlie said? No such thoughts are needed? Shiawase was ready to change the subject. Fortunately, Colin already did, as he asked what a video game was.

"You never played one? Well, it's . . . hard to describe. It'd be much easier to show you. I wonder if they'll have any at Hogwarts."

She cracked a smile.

"Just like how the book of spells can describe the wand motion and the way you pronounce the words and all that, but you don't really get a good grasp of what's going on until you see it for yourself, I should think."

@Donald McCollum@ | @Colin McCoire | @Charlie Edwards

"I have read the herbology book and then some!" She smiled in a matter of fact kind of way, tilting her head slightly as she listened to him speak of his grandmother being a potions master, and wondered if she would ever get the chance to meet her and learn from her. . "Sometimes you would only need a small garden or greenhouse to make some pretty potent potions...but..as a matter of fact, the greenhouses are only used to make a large quantity of the herbs and plants that you would need...maybe enhance the quality of them as well....but you would be surprised at what you can find out in the wild, and what varieties we have yet to discover." She sat back and thought on her statement a moment, making a mental note to walk around the grounds when she could to see what she could find.

Only mildly paying attention to the conversation at hand as she jumped when Colin suddenly proclaimed her to be the next Dark Queen, her eyes widening at the thought,"Merlin's beard I hope not!" setting back on the seat as she moved away from him slightly, before turning her attention to Shiawase and Donald.

Nodding her head as she listened along for the sports bit, thinking the same thing Colin spoke, how do they use their head to hit the ball...wouldn't that hurt them?

Her attention was pulled more to Shiawase, thinking for a moment of what her favorite treat would actually be,," Something I always enjoyed growing up...was a simple meringue cookie, not too sweet and depending on how they were made could be crisp all the way through or like a marshmallow!! Those are my favorites, I never really like many sweets."

As the conversation took a turn to Colin explaining what the killing curse was, she watch his dramatic explanation unfold, sitting back even more in her seat than one would think possible. . "I can see why she wouldn't tell you the name of the curse...the words just muttered..are devastating.." Looking down she frowned, she did know the name of that curse, diligent in her studies she knew a lot more than what she wanted to even at times, but she wouldn't utter them even to her new friends.

Pulling herself out of her thoughts, looking over to Donald when he was asked what a video game was, then to Shiawase as she gave a little detail of them being fun to play,,"I don't know if they will have them at Hogwarts..I have never heard of this either...I am kind of curious to see if they do." This was going to be an interesting adventure, she was sure of it, and so much more to learn from everyone.

@Shiawase Mamori,@Colin McCoire ,@Donald McCollum

Donald smirked slightly as Colin apologized for calling him by the wrong name, and he wasn't entirely sure what he meant by beater but he figured that a keeper was a lot like in football. "People use bats in Quidditch? What do you do with those, knock each other off of their brooms? Sounds like an extremely dangerous sport. I love it." He was very unsettled by the explanation of the A.K. spell. His soul tightened around his throat as he swallowed nervously. Was that the spell that killed his mother? Then he muttered something more to himself than to his new friends, they would have had to be really focused to hear what he actually said, "So anyone in the wizarding world can kill someone if they have a wand and know two words..."

The subject was changed to video games and it was a very refreshing change. Shiawase mentioned that she was afraid to be sorted into Slytherin and asked what everyone's favorite dessert was before explaining a bit about video games to Colin. Both he and Charlie had never seen one before.

"My favorite is chocolate chip cookies, the warmer and softer the better! I do wonder if they'll let you cook in their kitchen, but there has to be some kind of spell for cookies and just cooking in general, right? I should hope it doesn't really matter what house we get sorted into, we'll all stay friends no matter where we get sorted into right? And a video game is a game you play with a controller and move around a guy on a television set. There's lots of different video games, I like the shooter ones myself, there are sports games too. I'm surprised there aren't any Quidditch video games out there yet."

Charlie's excitement was so strange in how natural it seemed. She had gotten into the car very shyly and didn't seem so sure she wanted to reveal anything about herself, but in their conversations, Donald could tell that the quattro was going to get along splendidly with each other. Charlie already said she read an entire textbook!

"What kind of plants do you like Charlie? Are there plants that us... I guess I'm from the muggle world? Us muggle-borns never would have seen before? Seems a bit unfair to be honest, but I guess you guys didn't get to grow up with video games so we'll have to call it even there."

@Shiawase Mamori Charlie Edwards Colin McCoire

Colin sat back in the corner of the long bench as he listened to Shiawase and Charlie and Donald talk. Shiawase asked what a muggle is. "A muggle!?" Colin blinked. He looked from one to the other in astonishment. He hadn't asked Charlie, but he had the feeling she was a pureblood. She had a ---curious way --- about her. "Um. Well, a muggle is someone who doesn't have the ability to work any magic at all. Let's see." He stuck out his right thumb and tapped with his left finger, then tapped each succeeding finger in order. "But --- there are also Squibs. They can't do magic either, or so it's said, but I don't believe it. They come from magical families. And then, there are kids who are born to muggles but can work magic. These are muggleborns. And then there are kids who have one wizarding parent and one muggle parent. These are half-bloods. Last are pure-bloods. Both parents and I think their grandparents too all have to be wizards." He nodded, tapping his fingers again to make sure he didn't miss anybody.

He looked over at Charlie. Might as well get it over with! He narrowed his eyes a bit and said: "Charlie, you're pure blood, I reckon." He smiled and shrugged a bit. He turned back to the others. "I am too. Whole clan's been magical forever, I think!"

As the conversation turned towards herbology, Charlie seemed to brighten up. She'd read the whole book! Colin looked on with admiration as she talked about greenhouses and especially about herbs you can find in the wild. "I'm impressed, Charlie! You've read the whole book? And then some? Bloody hell, I thought I was the only one to read that far ahead! Well, Liam, too. And you like traipsing around for wild herbs? Aye! My great-great-grandmother would love you! She's often taken us out into the hill country to collect herbs and roots. Some of the best grow up in the Highlands, she always says! Better than six kinds of imported muck, she says. She thinks potions work better in a place where the ingredients are found locally. I bet if you ever visited, she'd have you puttering around in her workshop in no time!"

Donald asked about bats in quidditch. Colin thought about that for a moment. "Aye, we use bats in quidditch. They don't look like cricket bats or hurling sticks. What is that game? An English game." He snapped his fingers. "Rounders! Like that --- short and really thick. There're a couple of balls called bludgers, and if you were a beater, it'd be your job to whack those bludgers into the other team's players! Brilliant, right! And you'd also have to defend your own team's players from the other team's beaters! I think you can knock other people off their brooms, too! I mean, why not?" The way Donald lit up at his description of the dangers of quidditch made Colin hope he'd never have to face the lad on the pitch!

But Donald's expression darkened when Colin was talking about that unforgivable curse. He looked suddenly sad. Colin didn't catch every word, but he got the hist of Donald muttering something about someone with a wand killing someone. "Are you okay, Donald?" If he were really a muggleborn, how would he even know to feel so strongly about it?

But the talk switched back to video games again. This time is was Donald's turn to be coy with the descriptions. He talked about controlling someone with a telly vision set. "Surely that's some kind of magic," he said half to himself.

He thought about what Shiawase had said, and now Donald. Suddenly his face lit up! He cried out loudly: "Woohoo! I've got it now!" Colin has just experienced an epiphany in wizard-muggle relations! A veritable watershed moment!

"How could I be so lame? Even a Gryffindor should be able to figure it out! It's just plain logic and common sense! Right. Video is Latin, means something I see, and games, well, in context, games are something I watch, right? ERGO, video games is just a muggle code word for field glasses. Brilliant!"

He nodded, satisfied at having puzzled out the greatest mystery of the day. "Muggles and their magic! Why can't they just speak plain?"

@Charlie Edwards || @Shiawase Mamori || @Donald McCollum

"Oh, okay! I think I got it. How fascinating. I suppose in that case, yes, I am Muggle-born," Shiawase said. She smiled as Charlie and Colin discussed how they already read the whole book. Aaahhh, reading and learning.

"I'm afraid I didn't get through any of my books all the way yet. But I did read a few lessons ahead of where we'll start in all of them. I'm not sure I fully understood, though. Perhaps it will all become clear during lectures. And if not, I can find answers in the library! I can't wait to just. Be among books! It'll be so fun!"

Then there was more talk of Quidditch. Sounded . . . scary, to Shiawase. The talk of beaters reminded her of dodge ball, which . . . was not a game she particularly enjoyed. Imagining dodgeball but high up in the air, trying not to fall, just sounded awful! But, to each their own. She also noticed Donald muttering something, but couldn't make out the words. While she was curious about what he said, she figured this wasn't the time or place to approach him about it, and besides, if he wanted everyone to know that business, he'd have said it loud enough for everyone to hear, wouldn't he? So even though she was dying to know what he'd said, she did not ask about it and just moved on in the conversation.

"Meringues, not too sweet, and chocolate chip cookies, got it! Both are easy enough to make. I should think there'd be a spell for it, but honestly, I wouldn't go for that if I could access the kitchen. So much of the joy of cooking is the love you put into the dish, the effort it takes to make something from scratch, the smell of the food as it's cooking . . . ." She smiled softly. "It just wouldn't feel right to expedite the process with magic, even if the end result is the same. Because it's the time and effort that's put into it that makes it feel special. And besides, even if it tastes good in concept, it might not taste good in practice, and so you have to taste test as well. Make several failed batches of everything before you truly get good at it and hone your skills. And when I'm eating something someone made for me from scratch, I recognize those efforts, and it makes the food that much tastier!" Her gaze drifted to Colin. "Anyway, is there something you'd like me to make for you as well, for Quidditch games in the event you make the team?"

And then Colin came out with a gem of an idea on what video games were. She was caught so off guard, she couldn't help but laugh a little. But she promptly covered her mouth, because she knew he was serious and that this was no laughing matter! It was just. His reasoning was so good but he came to such a wrong conclusion and he was just, so sure he was right! It was a silly situation to be in. She quickly composed herself by clearing her throat.

"No, that's not what we mean by video games," she said, with an amused smile. "Your reasoning for thinking that is very impressive, though! It made so much sense!"

@Charlie Edwards

@Donald McCollum

@Colin McCoire

"Well...I wouldn't mind seeing the whomping willow that is one of Hogwart's prized possessions..but I don't really have a favorite in mind...I know one that I dislike the most...that would be the mandrake roots..you have to be careful with those a fully grown mandrake can kill a human in seconds." She wrinkled her nose, remembering the time she had to help transplant a few into bigger pots. Looking back up at Donald, she thought for a moment,"You know that is a good question....I suppose to the normal person..any plants that we have in our greenhouse would be something you have never seen before...there is this one plant called Vervain...it has this long stem of pink flowers that kind of droop down to the ground..very useful for healing potions and remedies but you do have to be careful of the spikes."


Turning her attention to Colin as he explained what a muggle is, as well as going along the list of what kind of bloodlines there can be. Nodding her head when he asked her if she was pure blood,,"Yes...I am a pure blood...magics been in the family for me as far as i can remember and have been told..i don't quite remember if there has been anyone born without magical abilities."She sat back and pondered in her memories, not a single person she brought to mind didn't have magic of some sort that they were able to use.

"I have..it is kind of a needed thing when that is something you work to perfect..i know it is not a book we need for first year, at least i don't remember it being on the list but i still read it anyway." Shrugging her shoulders like it wasn't that big of a deal, letting a grin form on her lips,, "What books have you read Colin?" Turning to look at Shiawase as she spoke about how far she had read, "It will all be explained in lectures and myself and I am sure Colin wouldn't mind helping you understand things, as I am sure others in the class as well."

As the conversation switched over to what treats everyone wanted, and how making them by hand makes them much better than by magic,"That sounds a lot like making potions as well...not something you just want to carelessly put together with the flick of a wand something will be bound to mess up I am sure that way.....so..I imagine doing the same with cooking and if you don't taste it will make an off-treat..not very enjoyable."

@Donald McCollum ,@Colin McCoire ,@Shiawase Mamori

Donald listened closely as Colin explained what muggles were and then the different bloodlines.

“It seems a bit random, doesn’t it? I know if I was a Squid… or whatever you called it, I would be downright furious. I’m the first McCollum that I know of who has magic, first of my family to attend Hogwarts, and it does seem a bit unfair to my cousins and them. Oh well, at least Shiawase is in the same boat as me!”

The explanation of what a beater was in Quidditch came next. Smacking around a nasty ball called a bludger to hit at the other team sounded extremely fun and like something Donald could get behind. He was athletic and couldn’t say he was the best at his old school at every sport, but he was usually one of the first to be picked when they were choosing teams.

“Sounds brilliant! I guess I’ll have to try out that position in Quidditch when I get the chance.”

His friends noticed Donald’s sudden sadness when discussing the killing curse, but none of them pried into his more personal business and he didn’t say it aloud, but really appreciated it. They didn’t have to know what his family was… at least not yet. The conversation moved on and Colin gave his final interpretation about what a video game was. Donald, realizing that he was not going to be able to explain them decided to patronize his new friend with a chuckle instead.

“That’s exactly right Colin,” he waved Shiawase down as she complimented Colin’s reasoning. “Video games are field glasses.”

Charlie said she didn’t really have a favorite plant but spoke about the Whomping Willow and mandrakes. She said she disliked mandrakes because they were dangerous and fully grown ones could kill humans. Donald was your typical boy and didn’t really go out of his way to think about flowers, but the way Charlie described the vervain, it sounded like a cool plant.

“Do a lot of flowers useful in healing potions have spikes? I guess I didn’t realize how hazardous gardening could be, especially if there are herbs that can kill people. Honestly, immense danger seems to be a pattern here in this wizarding world. What exactly is a whomping willow anyway?”

The girls started talking about how cooking and brewing potions were similar and his hopes for a cookie conjuring spell were diminished; alas, at least he knew Shiawase would make him some homemade ones.

As their conversation continued, excitement and some cheering from other cars erupted throughout the Express, with a few loud toots from the train whistle, attention was brought to the school, finally visible through the window. Donald had seen a couple of pictures here and there, but nothing could prepare him for the grand majesty that was Hogwarts. He pressed his head up against the glass and his jaw opened in wonder.

@Charlie Edwards@Colin McCoire
@Shiawase Mamori

Colin really couldn't argue with the unfairness of magic. "Aye, it's not fair, really." He looked over at Shiawase's chair with wheels. He thought of his own sister's inability to see properly. He looked over at Charlie --- she didn't seem the kind of pure blood that would turn him into a giraffe or something for speaking ill of other pure bloods. "It's bloody unfair is what it is. I mean. Shia, there's bound to be some kids who will laugh at you because you ride around in that machine of yours; and Donald, both of you are muggleborns." He sighed deeply. "You'll both get --- looks --- maybe some rumours about you. From our lot." He pointed to himself and Charlie. He looked towards Charlie again. "The way I see it, you two are magical, you're wizards, and that's what matters. Not how many wizarding grandparents you've got!"

He was happy as the conversation turned back to happier topics. Colin listened as Shiawase described cooking and baking. When she asked him what kind of sweet he liked, if he ever made the team, Colin just blushed. "Um. I don't know how to make anything! I knew it happened at home, somehow, but I was always shooed from the kitchen on account of being a culinary disaster in motion. But --- what I do like --- it's too simple for you I'm sure!" he said with a nervous laugh. "I like empire biscuits. They're just shortbread biscuits with jam in the middle. But they're yummy!"

Even though Charlie downplayed her own reading, Colin was still very impressed. "Charlie, you'll probably make Ravenclaw with all that reading! I hope to myself, anyway! I've looked through all of our school books, but I like history and defense so those I read. But we're lucky to have a huge library at home, so I've read a lot of books already. I mostly like to read fairy stories and myths and ancient legends; and of course history!"

Colin was very pleased when Donald confirmed that 'video games' was just another word for field glasses. He laughed merrily as he leaned back in the seat. "I wondered how I could have been so stupid not to get it! It just makes sense! I'm sure I'll do fine if I ever visit places in the muggle world! Just have to think carefully and reason everything through logically."

Charlie would clearly be the herbology expert among them. She seemed to know a lot about almost any kind of plant! He nodded vigorously when she said that Colin and herself would help explain anything the other two didn't understand in classes or about the wizarding world in general.

Colin only barely noticed that there were sounds of cheering from the other other compartments. It wasn't until Donald shot up and came over to the compartment window that Colin realised that they'd talked all throughout the journey from London and that they were really here at Hogwarts! He looked up at Donald's blissful expression, then over to Shiawase and Charlie. He suspected that they all shared the same sense of awe and wonder at the sight of their new home. And surely mixed with some fear and worry about what would happen to them next!

@Donald McCollum | @Shiawase Mamori | @Charlie Edwards

Shiawase wasn't paying too much attention about the plants, until Charlie brought up one that's used in healing remedies. Shiawase's eyes sparkled.

"Really? Is that so? I have a bit of a fascination with healing, myself. Maybe if there's something like that around school, you could point out the plants useful in healing to me? I would love to learn more!"

Shiawase smiled when Donald said she's in the same boat as him. "Indeed! We're practically twins!" She chuckled. "Though in all seriousness, it is a comfort that I won't be the only one at this school who is Muggle born!"

But she adopted a more serious expression when he mentioned kids laughing at her and possibly spreading rumors about her. She nodded.

"So, in other words, same ol', same ol'." She cracked a smile and shrugged. "Doesn't bother me so much. I've been disabled my whole life, and people have certainly made up rumors about the nature of my disability and laughed and whatnot. But, I find I can curb that behavior by talking to people and telling them the truth. Some people spread rumors or laugh simply because they don't understand - either because they don't understand me or don't understand how their words hurt others. People usually bashfully and awkwardly back off once I explain why I'm in the wheelchair and politely ask them to knock it off. Although there are some who are just mean-spirited and won't stop no matter what you try." She shook her head. "For those people, there's nothing for it. I simply ignore them. So, all of this is to say, I have a pretty thick skin. You don't have to worry about me."

She nodded as Colin mentioned that they're still full-fledged wizards like anyone else at this school. "Agreed. And I will work hard in all my classes and get top marks! Just wait and see!"

Then Charlie and Colin both talked about books more, and it made Shiawase incredibly happy. She would have to see what books were in the Hogwarts library and then see if she could find anything to properly geek out with them about! Assuming she could understand what she read in the first place. She nodded at Charlie's reassuring words.

"Good, then. Thank you very much for offering to help me. But, I'm pretty confident I'll understand the teachers' lectures . . . and if I don't and I do need help, I'm definitely not letting anyone help me for nothing. I'll just find you with a basket of hand-made meringues and ask if you want a study partner." She winked.

Colin was bashful in his desert pick but Shiawase simply nodded excitedly. "Don't think about how easy or difficult something will be for me to make! This is about what you enjoy, and if that's your favorite, then I'll make it! All three of you chose great deserts! I'm starting to get hungry now!" she declared. And she nodded when Charlie talked about how cooking is similar to potion making, though she didn't fully understand the process of potion making. "Yes, very astute, Charlie. There are certain steps you need to take with cooking, and if you try to rush any or just skip over them, the entire taste is off!"

Even though Shiawase had said Colin was wrong but complimented him on his reasoning, Donald chimed in that that was indeed what they were. And Shiawase was . . . not happy about that. They shouldn't be teaching others wrong information! And so, she was ready to open her mouth to correct this misunderstanding, but then there were sounds of cheering from other compartments. And the train whistle. And then she saw it in the window. Hogwarts. She leaned forward and pointed.

"That's where we'll be staying?! A literal castle?! Are we like royalty now?! In that case, I've been so rude this whole time! Hold on!" She used her crutches to stand up and bow to each person in turn. "Your Majesties!" She laughed merrily. "This is going to be so much fun!" She clapped delightedly. "Just think, we're so close now! Our year at school is going to start soon! Oh, man! I wonder what it's like in there! The place looks huge! I can't wait to explore all of it!"