The Last Compartment of the Last Car PV Closed

OOC: RPing the boat ride sounds good, shouldn't take too long. We can probably just keep it as an extension of this thread, as well, for convenience's sake. Aurelia, if you would like to recall your exeunt and stay with us for the boat ride, feel free to do so.

Ami paused, waiting for Howie to catch up with her. He seemed nervous, really nervous, and she shot him a small smile. "Calm down, we'll be fine." No, we won't. "The teachers won't let us get hurt." Hopefully. 

Grabbing his wrist, Ami dragged him to the end of the train, pulling him along out through the door and out onto the station platform. Looking around for the groundskeeper, she spotted the man waving his arm and gesturing to the boats in the water. "I guess we're going down there." 

The crowd of students on the train platform was incredibly overwhelming. Seventh years that were as tall as trees called to their friends, loud and overbearing, clearly the kings and queens of the school. Second and third years traipsed around as well, looking down at the tiny first years as if they were mere fleas. Was there really a difference between the first and second years? Honestly, Ami and Howie were taller than quite a few of the second years milling about, which Ami found kind of hilarious.

Making her way to one of the boats, Ami dumped her backpack in, crawling in right after. "Come on, get in the damn boat, Howie. It's not gonna tip over." Oh boy, it better not tip over- Ami got the general sense that neither of them knew how to swim.

Whose dumb idea was it to lead first years across a lake in order to get to the castle? Seriously, it was just a recipe for complete and utter disaster.

Howie stumbled out into the crowded corridor of the Hogwarts Express. Jostling with the other students, he looked around for Ami, her red hair his only beacon of hope for what would surely be the end of his life. He pushed his way through the crowd towards her, it was rather rude, as he bumped several of the others out of his way. But hey, these were his last moments so did it really matter?

She must have been able to see the dread in his eyes for she immediately told him to calm down. Yeah, sure Ami. Don’t know how to swim, never been in a boat before, but sure, calm down. He remained frozen in place, the muscles in his legs malfunctioned. Jesus take the wheel! Hmm, no. Ami take the wheel! She grabbed him by the wrist pulling him along. The angel of death. 

Ami dragged him out of the train, and down towards the lake edge. An adult beckoned them towards the boats lined up on the shore. The moon and stars reflected off the black water, a cool breeze ruffled through his hair. At least it was a beautiful night. She tossed her pack into one of the boats and followed in after. 

"Come on, get in the damn boat, Howie. It's not gonna tip over."

Sweet, sweet lies. He tossed his backpack in the rowboat and made his way in, clinging to the sides. “This is sketchy dude.”

With a sigh, Ami pulled Howie up to the front of the boat with her, the boat swaying from side to side precariously. "Calm down. Of course, it's sketchy, it's a bunch of pre-teens with boats. It's what makes it fun." No, it was what made it absolutely positively terrifying. Terrifyingly fun? Adrenaline, yes, that was a thing. Adrenaline was good! Right?

The boats pushed off from the shore, and the mass of first years began to make their way to the castle through the water. At the front of the group was the groundskeeper, holding a lantern and calling out different sights and landmarks.

Ami, obviously, didn't pay attention. She was too busy trailing her fingers through the water, as if trying to entice some creature to come and nibble on her appendages. Dangerous? Of course. Thrilling? Most definitely. Worth it? ... Sure. Why not?

"Excited?" Ami asked, not taking the time to actually turn to Howie. Yes, it was rude, but she was also a little preoccupied with trying to get something to bite her. Strange hobbies, sure, but it at least gave her something to do. Listening to adults was boring. "I mean, we're about to get sorted in like, 15 minutes. You know, meet the rest of our classmates, the rest of the school, the professors... do you think you're ready?"

An embarrassing whimper escaped Howie’s lips as Ami pulled him into the front of the boat with her, causing the boat to rock precariously side to side. With a jolt the boat began moving themselves across the lake towards the castle, it’s spires reaching up into the night sky, illuminated in the moon light. Her words actually calmed Howie down a bit, or maybe it was just having her sitting right next to him. Safety in proximity. At least he would have someone to grab onto if needed. Fortunately for them, the ride was smooth and the water was calm.

Howie looked out over the water, the yellowish light from the Caretaker’s lantern shining out across the lake. He was pointing around, identifying different sights for the students. Howie barely heard his words for his eyes were transfixed on the approaching castle, filling his head with thoughts of the future. What would come of the next seven years? What would he learn? Who would he meet? Would he succeed or fail in this brand new world? 

His eyes shifted over to Ami as she asked if he was ready, pointing out that it was only a short time away before they would be sorted and begin thier journey through Hogwarts. The moon light reflected off her pale skin, illuminating her warm brown eyes. She was a pretty girl, and he was glad to have met her, hoping that they would remain friends during the upcoming school year. It would be good to have a strong and confident friend like her.

“Yeah. I’m excited. I mean...we get to do magic right! It’ll be good to get settled in and start getting to know everybody. Plus, we get to live in a freakin castle!” His fears were subsiding, his usual bright attitude settling back into place. “I’m as ready as I’ll ever be. How bout you mate? You ready for this?”

Ami pursed her lips, and with her hands on her hips, glanced at Howie and sighed, shaking her head. "Mate? I am not a mate. How rude of you, I'm a homie." Ooh, did those words really just come out of her mouth? Yeah? Maybe? Well, that was weird. She was never doing that again.

Living in a castle, she believed, was not all it was made out to be. It sounded uncomfortable, if she was honest- all that stone, everywhere... but, it still sounded cool, as an anecdote. "Hey, guess what? I go to school in a castle." "Ready..." Ami laughed somewhat nervously, shaking her head of long, cascading red locks. "Sure. As if you could ever really be ready for something as life-changing as this."

The boats drifted across the lake, before finally docking at the far side, close to the castle. They were so close, now... and Ami was so close to her imprisonment. Shoving it all underneath a convincing wide smile, Ami crawled out of the boat before helping Howie out. She couldn't help but dip her fingers in the icy lake water, however, and splash him in the face- it couldn't be helped.

"Come on, let's go," she said, shouldering her backpack once more, waiting for him to catch up before setting off to head towards the castle.

I'm a homie.

Howie gave her a smile, saying nothing for now as she was clearly regretting her words. Oh yes, what great ammunition Ami had just handed him. He would pocket it for now, saving it to torment her with in the upcoming year. She will now and always be his ‘homie.’ 


The black water of the lake finally gave way to the shore, shining white in the moon light. It wouldn’t be long now until they landed. Her answer to his question was fully loaded. When he thought about it, she was right. This experience would be life changing. It had only been a couple months since he had learned about his magical abilities, and here he was now, about to begin his magical education. The first true steps into integrating into the wizarding world. These next seven years would shape and mold him into who he would be for the rest of his life. Only time would tell what would come of it.

The bow of the boat thudded against the shore, jolting Howie from his thoughts. The time had come. He accepted Ami’s help out of the boat, then looked up at the castle, towering up into the sky. I’m not afraid of you. A sudden blast of cold to the face.

Howie coughed and sputtered as he blinked away the icy water. Finally clearing his vision, he saw Ami a few meters away, a ‘it had to be done’ smile on her face. “Ami! You git!” He laughed as he took off after her, closing the gap in a few strides. They turned towards the castle together. Howie gave her a playful slug on the arm. “C’mon Homie. Let’s go get sorted!”

Oh boy. This was going to stick, wasn't it? This, homie thing? Well, that was quite unfortunate. With a heavily exaggerated sigh, Ami followed Howie up the winding path that would lead them to their impending doom. Doom? Was that the right word? Of course not, future, that's what it was.

She still had her reservations about the school, however, even with all that Howie had pried from her. She rearranged her facial features and body language into that of a stone statue, save for one last, grateful smile directed towards her first... friend? Had she already made a friend so quickly upon her transition into the magical community? That... that would be a question for another day, as the pressing problem of those massive fricking front doors was a far more important issue.

"I guess... I guess I'll see you around," Ami said quietly, before stepping through the doors to whatever terrible fate awaited her. She had complete confidence in Howie, that he would turn out perfectly fine. Hogwarts would help him grow as a person, help him find his footing and help him mature. She was sure of it.

For her? It would be her paradise and hell, all rolled into one. She would learn who she was, who she wanted to be, and who she didn't want to become. Friendships and alliances would be forged, enemies and feuds rooted out.

It was just another obstacle to conquer- just far more dangerous than any other one she had faced before. Good luck to you, Ami Charity Procoppio- you're going to need it.