A Long Ride Closed

Piper bit her lip. She was the only one with weird nicknames. Everybody else’s was cute. She assumed that was what happened when you had an older sister.

“I guess that first years don’t have many privileges,” she sighed. “It’s a shame. I’m sure it will still be fun!” she said, to make the mood happier.

Piper was starving. She had heard that Hogwarts had a big feast after the ceremony. She fell into her seat and groaned at the thought of food. She'd received some treats from her friends, and her mother packed her signature ham and cheese sandwich. But Piper had eaten that on the car ride to the station. However, she was still famished.

Her hands rested on her pockets, and there was a jumble of coins in it.

Place these coins in your pocket, her mother had insisted. They sell snacks I've been told.

Piper had tried to convince her that she was full, but her mother wouldn't listen. It was hard to admit, but it seemed like her mother was right. She hated when she had to admit those things. She liked being right. It was one of her bad traits.

"I'm starving," she said. "Isn't there supposed to be snacks going around?" she asked, taking a coin out and observing it. The coins were sure different than muggle coins.

Word count (not including this): 225 words

"Yes, there should be a trolly around here somewhere selling snacks. My dad packed me a few things. He said that with all the students onboard the trolley can get swamped. Are you hungry? I have some liquorice twists and..." Adriel trails off as she begins to dig through her belongings. After awhile she finally pulls out a paper bag. "Here it is. I've got a little assortment of trail mix, it's sweet and salty. It's my absolute favorite traveling snack." She gives Piper a smile and sticks out the bag towards her.

"Go ahead and have some. You guys are welcome to some too." She smiles at the other girls. "It'll help tide us all over. I'm not sure about you guys but I just know my stomach is going to start growling any second now." As if on cue Adriel's stomach begins to rumble. Her cheeks tint pink with embarrassment but she just laughs it off. "Looks like I was right. I can't wait till we get to Hogwarts I've heard the tables there are lined with every food imaginable. There's going to be lots of treats we've probably never seen before. Isn't that exciting?" Adriel was grinning as she imagined the spread. She probably shouldn't be since it's just making her stomach grumble more.

I'm going to go ahead and complete the thread, since it's not very active anymore. Your welcome to say one more comment of saying goodbye.

"Thanks!" Piper said, accepting the bag and flipping a coin to Adriel.

After a few snacks and a lot more conversations, the train entered a dark forest. Piper peered out the window, taking not of her surroundings. The sky had turned dark now, stars shining bright above the train. Through the dark, almost scary, forest, Piper could see bright lights, and they weren't coming from the train, nor the stars. She squealed excitedly, but quietly. Almost the whole day had passed now, and it would be totally expected to arrive around this time. They were close, she felt it in her gut.

The train slowed down, moving slowly and cautiously through the forest. "We're here!" Piper said happily to her new friends. She was so excited for what came next, the entrance, the sorting, her dorm. The thoughts raced rapidly. The train halted to a sharp stop, and Piper watched as other excited students got off to enter their new or not new home.

Piper got up, pockets pushed in the robes she had changed into sometime during the train ride. "Good luck on the sorting ceremony, hope you get the house you wanted. It was so nice meeting all of you. Don't be a stranger, okay? I'll see you guys around the castle."

She offered and hand, and after getting a few shakes, she waved goodbye, but she hoped to see them soon, to her friends, and stepped off the train.

That ride wasn't as long as she thought.

Piper leaves the thread.

Word count: 250 words

Adriel accepted the coin with a smile having caught it between her fingers. She placed it snuggly into her pocket then continued conversing with the other girls. They shared laughs, swapped stories, and even snacks once the trolley finally arrived. Adriel was giggling to herself when she glanced out the window to find the countryside she had grown used to was now replaced with a dense forest. It was eerily dark outside. Adriel couldn't remember seeing the sun set so that meant.. Adriel let out a gleeful squeel "We're here! We're here! We're finally here!!" She chanted to herself internally and climbed into her seat to get a better look out the window. There was three lights awaiting them. She wasn't so sure who or what they were but imagined them to be wisps floating about.

The train finally came to a screeching halt and students were ushered out of their compartments to greet the fresh air. Adriel took I'm a deep breath excited to make it to the boats and ride on towards the castle. Then she realized the group would be parting ways now. She frowned for a bit before smiling to the others.

"Good luck on the sorting ceremony, hope you get the house you wanted. It was so nice meeting all of you. Don't be a stranger, okay? I'll see you guys around the castle." Piper said to them and out stretched her hand.

Adriel shook it right away. "It was a pleasure meeting you Piper I've had a lot of fun. I hope I see you all again around the castle and I'm sure you'll get the houses you wanted!" Adriel said cheerily but really she was feeling a bit anxious. "Well I wish you all luck! And and extended hand in friendship. If you ever want someone to talk to just come and find me! And with that Adriel shook hands with the rest of the group then headed off towards the lights