Continuing from The Early Birds (Platform 9¾)

The Hogwarts Express loomed before them, a magnificent scarlet beast breathing clouds of white steam into the air. Mamori weaved his trolley expertly through the students and parents, making occasional glance back to make sure Corvinus was keeping up.

They approached one of the less crowded carriage entrances. The morning sun made the glossy red paint of the train gleam as it did, more or less, with the bustling activity on the platform. Mamori paused for a moment, taking in the scene.

"Right then," he muttered, more to himself than to Corvinus. With a barely audible grunt, he lifted his trunk onto the train; then he turned to his friend. "Want some help with yours?"

Once aboard, Mamori led the way down the narrow corridor. A mix of scents — chocolate frogs, pumpkin pasties, and the leather of new trunks — filled the air. The low hum of conversations drifted from occupied compartments as they passed.

Mamori stopped halfway down the carriage. "What about this one?" he said, sliding open the door to an empty compartment. Stepping inside, he moved towards the window so that he could take in the view. "We can see the entire platform from here."

Placing his trunk in the overhead compartment, he sat down upon one of the plush seats. The fabric was worn but otherwise comfortable, with a faint smell of peppermint and old books.

"Oh, Cor! Those cookies your aunt made — now seems like the perfect time to give them a try," he then suggested, stomach giving a slight growl of anticipation.

August 22, 2024
Interacting with: @Hanako Tone, @Jack Burnett, and @Mamori Anezaki

Corvinus spared her mother one final glance before disappearing into the crowd, following Mamori towards the grand express itself. Her eyes are fixed only on his pink hair, using it as some sort of pin point to weave through all the wizards and witches alike.

Coming after him at one of the carriages' entrances, she only smiled as he showed his concern. "Nope, I got this." She replied, face pinkish with struggle as she pulled her trunk up with all her might. The trunk did come up, but it fell on her foot. Corvinus hissed, almost kicking it back off to the platform again. "Agh, stupid luggages! So unnecessarily heavy."

Grumbling, she followed Mamori through the corridor, the sweet aroma of pastries and sweets abruptly filling up her senses. Almost immediately, her mood shifted from grumpy to happy again, pushed by an urge to get a taste of those sweets.

After entering the compartment and when everything had been done and dusted with their trunks, Corvinus sat down right beside Mamori. And as mentioned, she pulled the cookies— which are contained in a small plastic bag— out of her pocket, the bag dangling in-between her fingers.

"Cookies, yum yum! You'll absolutely love these!"