"Are you sure you'll be alright? Do you have everything?" Mars' mother asked her, before she pulled her in to give her one last hug.

"Of course, mom. I'm fine." Mars smiled up at her mom. She was bubbling with excitement and nervousness. "Now I've got to get going before I miss the train!" The young girl said as she freed herself from her mothers embrace. She grabbed her trunk and headed for the train, after looking back at her mom one last time. "I'll write to you, love you mom." She smiled while she waved goodbye.

Mars took one last breath, before turning away to look at the train she was to board. She headed onto it and looked around. She wanted to make friends, but in all honestly she was exhausted and didn't feel like approaching someone. Eventually, she found a nice comfortable looking seat near a window and made herself comfortable there. She sighed as she sat down. It was actually happening. She was on her way to the Hogwarts. It wasn't a dream.

The red-head opened her trunk to double check that she had everything she needed, which of course she did. She then closed it and looked around for something to do.

"Hmph, maybe I should've sat near some people after all.." She said to herself. She shrugged, before turning to look out of the window. 'Perhaps I will be approached.' She thought hopefully.

As she initially guessed, all the good seats were taken. Most of the compartments were full, too. Aeri continued to look for a vacant division, struggling with her luggage as she went.

Finally, an empty seat, although not one by the window. Good enough for me, she thought.

She sat down and made herself comfortable, and looked at the student seated next to her. Aeri thought she didn't seem like she wanted to be bothered. Would this person mind that she sat without asking first? Hopefully not. But Aeri prepared herself for an embarrassing interaction, just in case she wasn't welcome.

She reached into her pocket and took out the list of stuff she needed for school. A small "Good luck!" was scribbled on the margins of the sheet, and she was sure it was from her mum. It has only been a few minutes since she boarded the train, but she already felt a strong urge to go back to the platform and tell her mum she just really wanted to stay home.

Students who were loitering outside her compartment began to settle down. Aeri felt the floor rumble a little, as the train started to leave. It'll be an awkward train ride, for sure; but she didn't think she could handle a few hours of dead silence, especially since all her books were at the very bottom of her luggage.

With all the strength and confidence her introverted self could muster, she looked at the red-haired girl beside her and said, "Hi, I'm Aeri. By any chance, is this seat taken?"