The Final Compartment PV Closed

Ah, the Hogwarts Express. It was a great sight to see in person, now that it was finally his time to go to the great Hogwarts. Daniel had heard about how his parents had enjoyed their many later year rides together, tucked in a compartment in the front of the train so that they could get off quicker and be at the school sooner. Honestly, Daniel didn't care where he sat. His parents ushered him eagerly towards the front, and his brothers - ever so young and eager - kept attempting to get on themselves. Despite Daniel's annoyance at his brothers, he was glad they were there. They were enough to distract his parents. He gave them a simple wave and then shuffled himself up into the first compartment of the Hogwarts Express.

He didn't worry about his trunk, as his parents had set it in the back compartments. Daniel, though, was already changed, so it didn't really bother him all that much. He wore the dark, unmarked uniform most first years would wear, and simply carried the billowy cape and hat, folded and tucked underneath his arm. The front compartments were already pretty packed with students, old and new, and he sighed in irritation. No matter, he figured. He'd just walk until he found a relatively empty compartment.

His walk brought him along as the Hogwarts Express started to move. He, momentarily, lost his footing (although didn't trip, just stumbled ever so slightly), and grumbled his annoyance under his breath. They were wizards. Why didn't they just portkey themselves to Hogsmeade to get to Hogwarts? He didn't complain more than that as he kept walking, though. Several compartments he passed were on the emptier side - meaning, they had seats - but they were filled with girls and he wrinkled his nose. Only if he had to, he figured. He'd keep looking.

More steps brought him towards the end of the compartments and he grumbled, pushing open one of the doors. Inside was a lone boy with piles of sweets, and Daniel's eyes narrowed. What did he do, buy the whole train's worth of snacks before the train even moved? Did he steal them? He glanced around, all the empty seats. He'd suck it up and nudged his chin towards the seat closest to him and the door (which would be, of course, diagonal to the other boy). "... Want company?" he quipped.

Aurelia hastenly pushed the cart carrying her heavy trunk and textbooks through the two platforms 9 and 10.

“Excuse me, coming through...” Aurelia said as she swerved past the muggles waiting for their train. Aurelia caught a glimpse of one of the many clocks on the walls. It was 10.58am. 2 minutes before the Hogwarts express left.

The last time she boarded the train to Hogwarts was exactly a year ago when she was still a first year. Her parents had fetched her as well as bid her goodbye, but this time, her Mother had merely dropped her at the door of diagonal alley before apparating off again. Aurelia couldn’t blame her, she knew her parents were extremely busy. Money didn’t just drop from the sky, was what her Mother always told her.

However, the twelve year old was terrible at keeping track of her own time even though her Mother had dropped her off two hours early. She had spent too much time eating her lunch and now she was two minutes from being late.

With a quick glance to her left and her right, ensuring that no muggles were watching her, Aurelia sped through the magical brick wall which separated platform 9 and 10. Aurelia was panting once she had stepped up the train and taking a mental note to wear a watch the next time she was going to board the express.

The girl peered into the compartments as she walk past them. Almost all of them were full, the ones that weren’t were occupied by roudy older years. Aurelia sighed as she continued down. She had heard from her friends that usually, at the back of the train, had quiter compartments. It was true, during her first year, she had sat in a compartment far behind, in it were two nice Hufflepuffs, she wondered if that would be the case today.

Aurelia slid the door of the last compartment open. There were two boys in it already. A corner of her lip pulled upwards slightly when she realised that one of them didn’t have a house badge on his dark coat. First years, Aurelia thought. Being a second year, Aurelia felt like she she some sort of superiority over the younger first years.

The boy with the no-house school robe was already seated down while the other one seemed like he had just came in as well.

“I don’t really care if you want company or not, you are stuck with me for the trip.” The Gryffindor girl said as she plop herself down on one of the seats.

The Escanora Heir made his way through the crowd being shoved here and there by people who either didn't see him, or were trying to beat him to a seat as quick as possible. It was one of the things he didn't miss about Hogwarts, the struggle of finding a seat on the train. He dragged a rather large black and gold suitcase his Aunt had got him behind him while carrying three rather large, books in his free hand.

Lucien sighed as he almost dropped everything again, if people didn't stop bumping into him, they were going to wish they hadn't. He made his way to the very back. From his experience, it was either empty, or crowded. At this point he didn't care as long as he had a seat. This was the first time he had ever been late, and the only reason is because he got trampled by much taller 7th years or shoved around by excited 1st years.

His Father hadn't even come to say goodbye to him this year, or his Aunt and Uncle. His step-mother, step-brother, his twin sister who had most likely already found a seat, and his half brother. Only the weird side showed up, which was fine by Lucien. He preferred them anyways. As he made his way to the last compartment he smiled as he heard someone say “I don’t really care if you want company or not, you are stuck with me for the trip.” Looks like there were people for once.

Lucien stuck his head through the door making sure there was enough room in the compartment before pulling his suitcase in with all of his books stacked against the handle since he had gotten tired of carrying them. "Looks like you'll be stuck with another addition." He said sitting in any empty spot.

With the train on the move, it didn't take long for someone to enter the final compartment of the lot. Moreland raised an eyebrow as he looked over at the other First Year that stood in the doorway. It was obvious due to the basic school uniform just like the rich Wizard's own, with the lack of any House colors or badges. With a critical eye, Moreland gave the newcomer a once over, before he shrugged in reply to the other boy's question.

"Sure," Moreland said simply, knowing there was a great abundance of seating available, at least twelve spots. "The more the merrier."

Part of being rich was having luxuries, especially with doting parents who wanted to spoil you. The Wizard sat forward, his elbows on his knees, as he looked to the other blonde boy. This would be that integral first impression and would basically determine how Moreland viewed the arrival from this point on and more than likely how they would interact. Still, before much else could be said, another student entered the doorway, this one a girl who wore the colors of Gryffindor, and burst in with little regard for pleasantries.

'Ah, Gryffindors, as subtle as rampaging bulls.'

"Good to know, welcome." The Wizard said in response to the girl. Moreland went to open his mouth to speak, but another student entered, this one a Slytherin by the looks of it. Another Second Year, simply due to the robe colors and badges, who seemed more sociable than the girl. "Fine by me. Could you lock the door? No point in filling the compartment if we don't have to..."

There was a moment of quiet, before the boy broke the silence. Moreland glanced from the trolley to the three other students, before easing back and getting comfortable on the long seat. The boy smoothed out his robe front, before picking a piece of lint from his pant leg and flicking it to the ground.

"I'm Moreland. Make yourselves comfortable, and feel free to help yourself to the trolley of sweets and drinks, they've been paid for. What are your names?"

It was nice getting to know new people. Made things so much easier to decide if they would become enemies...

Daniel waited as the boy answered and then took his seat diagonally. He had literally just sat down when another person flew into the compartment - a girl with red lined robes. Just judging by her uniform, Daniel could tell that that she was older than him. He didn’t care save for the fact that she seemed to sit next to him. He tucked one of his legs up and underneath him before he went to shut the compartment door. Nope. Another boy stepped in and took the last seat in the little compartment. Suddenly, the empty seats were filled, and Daniel couldn’t help but wrinkle his nose.

He didn’t really care for other people, but he did care that they were all jammed into one area. As the first, original boy asked to lock the door, Daniel flicked the small switch without having much issue. Best to not have more people barge in just for the trolley of sweets.

He rolled his shoulders and leaned back, not quite interested in starting the conversation, or, rather, adding to it. Not just yet, at least. The other first year introduced himself, and then said something about the trolley, and Daniel eyed it. Chocolate frogs were fun, but his favorite was Cauldron Cakes and Sugar Quills. He pondered how many were on there, and if he could just pocket a handful or ten for later, once they’ve arrived at the dorm. They were paid for, after all. Finally, he let himself answer.

“Daniel. Nice to meet you all,” he said simply. It wasn’t because he was boring, it was more that he was simply someone who didn’t like engaging in extra conversation. Not unless it was interesting or meaningful. He could, of course, probe the older students about Hogwarts, but he also just wanted to explore it himself. “Seems we’re joined with senior students. What year are you two in?” he quipped towards the Slytherin and Gryffindor alongside him and Moreland.

Good to know, welcome.

Aurelia gave a small smile at the response, she couldn’t tell if the tone was sacarstic or not, it didn’t really matter, she was in the compartment now. The girl looked around, the compartment was much bigger than the usual ones, with 12 seats instead of the usual 6. That meant more leg space for her.

Then the door slid open once again. A darker hair boy walked in stating his presence. Slytherin. The many slytherins the Gryffindor weren’t very nice, especially muggleborn hater York boy who set the tables of the ballroom ablaze. Of course, almost everyone who were in Hogwarts the year before would have remembered the incident. Perhaps, or hopefully, this Slytherin would be different. Now the first years entering the Scottish castle would have no idea what was in store for them.

Could you lock the door?

“ There’s really no point in doing that. Locking doesn’t work unless the door is Alohamora-proof. And I don’t think the doors on the express are.” Aurelia told the first year who was making his way to lock the door but he did so anyways. She just wished there would be a girl walking through the door so she wouldn’t be the only one.

I'm Moreland. Feel free to help yourself to the trolley of sweets and drinks.

Aurelia then realised that Moreland had blue eyes. She then regretted ever entering the compartment. The twelve year old some how has a phobia of blue eyes up close even though she has a pair herself. Her lips pressed together tightly, as long as she didn’t look into the boys, eyes it would be fine.

Aurelia directed her attention to the cart of sweets which the first year beside was already reaching out to. Confectionaries didn’t really fit her tastebuds besides dark chocolates and the only Choclates there were were chocolate frogs. Eww, the girl thought. Her gaze lowered to the silvery blue box on Moreland’s lap. Chocolate frogs. Both chocolate frogs and Blue eyes did Not make a good combination for the girl.

Calm down, Aurelia. The girl told herself mentally. She was going to have a decent ride to Hogwarts, she really didn’t want her first day of school be ruined by an anxiety Attack.

“Aurelia Bezuidenhout. First year.” She introduced briefly right after Daniel had introduced himself.

Lucien smiled as the others all introduced themselves. Aurelia had introduced herself as a first year and managed to confuse Lucien. He shrugged it off not really thinking much about it, she did seem a bit unsure of the group....unsure or nervous, Lucien couldn't tell which. Then again, it could have been neither. "Lucien Avery Escanora. Feel free to call me Lu or Avery most people struggle getting my first name right so I'm used to it." The heterochromatic boy stated with a shrug. "I'm a second year." He finished speaking, his blue and green eyes glimmering from the light shinning through the compartment window.

Lucien simply grabbed a cauldron cake from the trolley with a smile. He wasn't a fan of sugar but his sister was. If he didn't get her one she would most likely be upset considering she couldn't get it herself since their father had given Lucien all the money and told him to split it with Ara later on. He felt bad for Aurelia, she was the only girl in the compartment. "So...what house are you two aiming for?" He spoke unsure of what else to say. Conversations had never been a big skill of his. He tried his best to make small talk.

He figured if he was going to be riding with people he didn't know he should at least try to make friends. Mostly because he had been instructed to make friends by his Father. The black haired boy had never been very fond of people.

Moreland listened, smiling. He liked seeing how people acted around strangers because it gave a good indication of what kind of person they were. Did they wall themselves off and have pointless chitchat, or did they blabber and discuss anything and everything, it was all very interesting. So far each of the Hogwarts students was acting as Moreland would suspect, giving away very little and keeping the conversation light and airy.

"It's good to meet you, Daniel," Moreland said with a nod. Even with such a brief interaction he believed the pair had a similar manner. Perhaps Daniel was pure-blood. "What House are you expecting? Or are you mostly playing it as it comes?"

Which brought him back to the Gryffindor, or so he had believed her a Gryffindor. She was wearing the school uniform, right? Why was she claiming to be a First Year, unless the uniform was a hand-me-down and she hoped to land that House? Odd.

"I recognize the last name, Bezuidenhout, from a book I have on pure-blood families," Moreland said as he sat forward and stared at Aurelia. She seemed a bit uneasy looking at him though he didn't know why. "Are you from the same family, Aurelia? Perhaps you're aware of my family, the Harcelers, we're old money from Alderley Edge, England. Quite rich, very visible in upper social circles, that kind of thing."

The Slytherin was quiet, perhaps reserved, which seemed to fit with a lot of types in the House according to Moreland's father. It was entirely possible this was the first meeting between a friend or bitter rival, and that made Moreland kind of excited to see which it was.

"Lucien, I see you're in Slytherin," Moreland said pointedly, using the boy's first name and saying it how he had with the same inflections. "I'll admit I'm interested in that House. Hopefully the sorting ceremony is still accurate after so long. My father was a Slytherin and he thoroughly enjoyed his time with his fellow snakes, so I'm hoping to have a similar experience. No offense to the other Houses, of course."

Moreland looked to Aurelia, shrugging, before regarding them both.

"Any tips for new students? Anything or anyone we have to look out for? Secret passages or shortcuts? That kind of thing."

He ignored the girl. Even he knew that, technically, magic shouldn't be used on the train. Then again, if the door was locked, it also probably meant the compartment was full. He locked it anyways and sat back in his seat. Defiance was his favorite. People didn't tell him what to do. He sure as bloody hell wasn't gunna listen, either. He eyed the girl wearily before he allowed a leg to come up and underneath his other, sort of sitting on it as he settled in. If anything, it'd be a relatively long train ride with people he'd rather observe than converse with.

"Any house is fine with me. I don't think the house rivalries are all that interesting. They're just places to sleep and people to bond with while you're studying," he said simply. Neither of his parents were in the same house as one another, and that meant that Daniel had no expectations for himself. He doubted Hufflepuff; he clearly wasn't friendly or loyal as other people tended to be. Gryffindor could be one possibility; courageous and outspoken when he needed to be. Ravenclaw, like his mother, for his unrelenting curiosity... Slytherin for his sharpness? He wasn't really sure.

He scratched his chin as he let the conversation mill about more. He eyed the trolley again but decided not to take anything - not yet, at least. He would make himself wait until they were closer to Hogwarts. Nothing like adding several snacks to a bag for later. He knew that he'd probably want snacks once he was settled into the dormitory for the night. It was only natural.

"Lucien," he, too, had said the name without much issue. Being from Wales, he was used to strange names, and the name the Slytherin had really wasn't all that hard, "What is the best thing you've done at Hogwarts thus far?" he glanced towards Aurelia, "I... I would ask you, as well, but it seems like you're a first year like us, despite your Gryffindor robes. What's your opinion on the book choice thus far, then? Any particular spell you're eager to learn in the future?"

It wasn't just aimed towards Aurelia - but also to Moreland and Lucien. He was really just trying to open conversation. He wasn't the best communicator, but he tried. That was all that mattered to him, in all honesty.