At Last!
Roman couldn't wait to go to Hogwarts. I mean, sure, the magic and all that was cool, but he had known about that his whole life coming from a long line of wizards (all Slytherins). And as an introvert, he wasn't even particularly looking forward to meeting new people. What he was most excited about was getting away from his godforsaken family! When he was at home he couldn't relax for a second- he always had to be working towards something, practicing a skill, becoming the next great wizard. Since age four, he hadn't had a second to figure out who he is outside of his family's rules and expectations. Now all he had to do was be sorted into Slytherin (easy, both his entire lineage had done it so it's clearly in his blood) and the pestering would stop. They would leave him alone for 9 months. 9 glorious months!
Once he and his parents arrived at Platform 9 3/4, he gave them a half hearted wave and stepped onto the train. Finally. Though... now he actually had to talk to someone else (not his strong suit). He walked down the train, trying to find a compartment with no one in it. Yes! There it was! Roman tugged open the door and plopped down inside, exhaling loudly and setting his trunk down next to him. 'Now let's just hope I can ride this train in peace and quiet...'.
Once he and his parents arrived at Platform 9 3/4, he gave them a half hearted wave and stepped onto the train. Finally. Though... now he actually had to talk to someone else (not his strong suit). He walked down the train, trying to find a compartment with no one in it. Yes! There it was! Roman tugged open the door and plopped down inside, exhaling loudly and setting his trunk down next to him. 'Now let's just hope I can ride this train in peace and quiet...'.
At Last!
Angelo was exhausted, both mentally and physically. He trudged through a crowd of students, trying to board the crimson train that is the Hogwarts Express. Running through a wall with ridiculous looking luggage was not his forte. He was looking forward to getting some sleep in the train rather than watching the picturesque scenery outside of the window. I just hope I don’t get stuck with noisy jerks—
His thoughts were cut off by a particularly harsh shove, in which a few other students clambered and chattered nervously, hissing back at some giggling fools behind. He whipped around and shot harsh glares at faces he didn’t recognise, an insult on the tip of his tongue, but he decided that getting onto the train and hopefully getting a break from magic held priority over some pranksters.
After he climbed onto the train, he took a moment to gather his surroundings. Compartments— he had to sit with other students. He didn’t know what he was expecting, maybe something akin to the Tube?
He continued walking down the coach, peeking through the doors of each passenger compartment. Four people? No way I’m making that five. Older students? Don’t want to bother them… He shook his head with warm ears and continued his search for a good seat, a sigh heaving through his chest.
Maybe he was being too picky and idealistic. After all, there were so many students he barely had space to breathe. Maybe he’d have to suck up his stomach and deal with it.
He stopped outside a door, seemingly forgotten in the back of the coach. He rapped lightly before sliding the door open, eyes landing on a brown-haired boy who seemed to be at peace. Great, he was going to be the party-wrecker. He scrubbed a hand over his face briefly, voice failing him for a moment.
“Can I… Can I sit here?” He asked, clearing his throat awkwardly. He swore he heard his voice crack.
He already missed home.
His thoughts were cut off by a particularly harsh shove, in which a few other students clambered and chattered nervously, hissing back at some giggling fools behind. He whipped around and shot harsh glares at faces he didn’t recognise, an insult on the tip of his tongue, but he decided that getting onto the train and hopefully getting a break from magic held priority over some pranksters.
After he climbed onto the train, he took a moment to gather his surroundings. Compartments— he had to sit with other students. He didn’t know what he was expecting, maybe something akin to the Tube?
He continued walking down the coach, peeking through the doors of each passenger compartment. Four people? No way I’m making that five. Older students? Don’t want to bother them… He shook his head with warm ears and continued his search for a good seat, a sigh heaving through his chest.
Maybe he was being too picky and idealistic. After all, there were so many students he barely had space to breathe. Maybe he’d have to suck up his stomach and deal with it.
He stopped outside a door, seemingly forgotten in the back of the coach. He rapped lightly before sliding the door open, eyes landing on a brown-haired boy who seemed to be at peace. Great, he was going to be the party-wrecker. He scrubbed a hand over his face briefly, voice failing him for a moment.
“Can I… Can I sit here?” He asked, clearing his throat awkwardly. He swore he heard his voice crack.
He already missed home.
Last edited by Angelo Angelov on 22 Jul 2025, 20:58, edited 2 times in total.
| Sta: 6 | Eva: 8 | Str: 4 | Wis: 4 | ArcPower: 6 | Acc: 7 | The Muggle Condition |
At Last!
Roman was lazily staring out the window, watching the world fly by him when he heard a gentle knock on the door. 'Ah, well, can't be alone forever.'
He turned his head and saw a short boy with wavy black hair and- wow- piercingly blue eyes standing there somewhat awkwardly.
"Can I... Can I sit here?" he muttered.
"Sure, why not?" Roman said, gesturing to the seat in front of him. He wasn't exactly sure what to think of this boy- he seemed a bit awkward like him, so maybe neither of them would say a word and it would just continue as it had been. 'Though... I should probably introduce myself... It's the polite thing to do.' Damn his parents, still in his head! Ultimately he decided it wouldn't hurt... maybe this guy would be a Slytherin too and he'd at least know one person in his house.
"Err... I'm Roman, I'm a first year. And yes, the name is like the one in "Ancient Romans". As long as you don't start calling me Spartan or Athenian like some blokes in the past have done, this train ride should be fine. So, uh..." His mind stalled a bit trying to find a new topic of conversation. He wasn't so good with the words but for some reason he didn't feel like being his quiet self right now. Maybe it was first day nerves.
"Oh yeah! Uh, what's your name?" 'God Roman, why didn't you ask that earlier... now he's going to think you're thick!'
He turned his head and saw a short boy with wavy black hair and- wow- piercingly blue eyes standing there somewhat awkwardly.
"Can I... Can I sit here?" he muttered.
"Sure, why not?" Roman said, gesturing to the seat in front of him. He wasn't exactly sure what to think of this boy- he seemed a bit awkward like him, so maybe neither of them would say a word and it would just continue as it had been. 'Though... I should probably introduce myself... It's the polite thing to do.' Damn his parents, still in his head! Ultimately he decided it wouldn't hurt... maybe this guy would be a Slytherin too and he'd at least know one person in his house.
"Err... I'm Roman, I'm a first year. And yes, the name is like the one in "Ancient Romans". As long as you don't start calling me Spartan or Athenian like some blokes in the past have done, this train ride should be fine. So, uh..." His mind stalled a bit trying to find a new topic of conversation. He wasn't so good with the words but for some reason he didn't feel like being his quiet self right now. Maybe it was first day nerves.
"Oh yeah! Uh, what's your name?" 'God Roman, why didn't you ask that earlier... now he's going to think you're thick!'
At Last!
Roman... Angelo stood at the door for a rather long moment, looking at the brown-haired boy, trying to connect his appearance to his name. Roman sounded and looked like a nice person. Angelo sucked in a subtle breath, his nerves cooling down for a moment. Perhaps this train ride won't be terrible. His eyelids were still as heavy as rocks, though, and he was already planning on having some rest.
“Roman? I’m Angelo,” he replied, coming in to sit on the seat opposite of Roman, near the window. “And, uh, thanks for letting me be here.” Do you want to know my last name too? He found himself thinking, but that definitely wasn't needed.
He settled into his seat, his head leaning against the backrest almost on instant. A small silence fell over the compartment as he contemplated Roman’s words, deciding if he was content with conversation. After a moment, he spoke. “I’m a first year as well,” he said. “What… what house are you anticipating? They call them houses, right? My dad said my mom was a Slytherin, so maybe I'll be one too.” Or was it Ravenclaw his mom was in?
He plays back his own words in his head, internally frowning at how clueless he sounded about magic. I'm no better than a muggle, he thought. He didn't want to embarrass himself in front of anyone, much less this Roman boy who was kind enough to let a wreck like him into the same room.
“Roman? I’m Angelo,” he replied, coming in to sit on the seat opposite of Roman, near the window. “And, uh, thanks for letting me be here.” Do you want to know my last name too? He found himself thinking, but that definitely wasn't needed.
He settled into his seat, his head leaning against the backrest almost on instant. A small silence fell over the compartment as he contemplated Roman’s words, deciding if he was content with conversation. After a moment, he spoke. “I’m a first year as well,” he said. “What… what house are you anticipating? They call them houses, right? My dad said my mom was a Slytherin, so maybe I'll be one too.” Or was it Ravenclaw his mom was in?
He plays back his own words in his head, internally frowning at how clueless he sounded about magic. I'm no better than a muggle, he thought. He didn't want to embarrass himself in front of anyone, much less this Roman boy who was kind enough to let a wreck like him into the same room.
Last edited by Angelo Angelov on 17 Jul 2025, 01:57, edited 1 time in total.
| Sta: 6 | Eva: 8 | Str: 4 | Wis: 4 | ArcPower: 6 | Acc: 7 | The Muggle Condition |
At Last!
"Uh, yeah, they call them houses," Roman responded. 'Well, I guess this guy must be a muggle-born.' He tried desperately to push muggle-born stereotypes out of his head (lazy... not real wizards... trying to steal their place...) and focus on the conversation at hand. Those were his family's thoughts, not his. Angelo seemed similar to him- a bit awkward socially, preferring the company of himself and only himself. Or, that's what it seemed like to Roman. Not all muggle-borns were bad.
"Oh, Slytherin... and it's not even close. I mean, I guess I don't particularly feel like one house or another, you know. Like... deep down, or whatever. But ever since our family started attending Hogwarts, we've been Slytherins. Every last one! A bit of a miracle, really. So, I mean, that's just what I'll have to be in... not like I really have an option. If I'm not in Slytherin... gosh, I don't even know! My parents would be pissed, that's for sure. 'You let down the bloodline Roman! You disgraced your family Roman! You'll never amount to anything, Roman!' But the odds of that happening are ridiculously low. I mean, 10 centuries of Slytherins and I'm the special one." Roman barked out a laugh at the thought of him being special at anything.
He then paused, realizing he rambled on a bit. He ducked his head a bit, embarrassed. 'Great job Roman, scaring off the first person you meet by talking too much of all things.'
"Sorry, if you want we can just ride the whole way in silence. I'm a bit out of sorts today anyway."
"Oh, Slytherin... and it's not even close. I mean, I guess I don't particularly feel like one house or another, you know. Like... deep down, or whatever. But ever since our family started attending Hogwarts, we've been Slytherins. Every last one! A bit of a miracle, really. So, I mean, that's just what I'll have to be in... not like I really have an option. If I'm not in Slytherin... gosh, I don't even know! My parents would be pissed, that's for sure. 'You let down the bloodline Roman! You disgraced your family Roman! You'll never amount to anything, Roman!' But the odds of that happening are ridiculously low. I mean, 10 centuries of Slytherins and I'm the special one." Roman barked out a laugh at the thought of him being special at anything.
He then paused, realizing he rambled on a bit. He ducked his head a bit, embarrassed. 'Great job Roman, scaring off the first person you meet by talking too much of all things.'
"Sorry, if you want we can just ride the whole way in silence. I'm a bit out of sorts today anyway."
At Last!
"Every single one was a Slytherin?" He said incredulously. Either Roman's family had an incredible stroke of luck, or they were the worst people on Earth. While he was wandering the platform earlier, subconsciously listening to conversations about houses from eager students, Angelo had picked up some Slytherin stereotypes before: selfish bullies, muggle-haters, prone to the Dark Arts— whatever the hell that was. It sounded bad enough. Wait, muggle-haters. Does that mean he'll hate me? I'm a half-blood— not even! I'm pretty much just a muggle, he thought, his expression becoming slightly wary. He adjusted himself in his seat uncomfortably, a small gesture betraying his inner thoughts. It was probably good for Angelo to be cautious around Slytherins, then, but he didn't want to make Roman seem like a bad guy. If he would become a Slytherin, he'd for sure be the nicest Slytherin he'd ever meet!
"No, it's okay," he blurted, after the boy had apologised for his ramblings. "I'd be nervous too," he replied, trying to sound empathetic to Roman's dilemma. The second he imagined his dad being disappointed in him, he felt a large pit grow in his stomach and a disheartened frown flashed across his face, disappearing as quickly as it came.
After Roman had suggested silence, he hummed in contemplation. "I guess we don't have to talk the whole way. I'm... I'm a little tired myself," he admitted, his voice getting slightly breathy near the end of his speech.
His thoughts drifted to the stereotypes about Slytherins. If his mom really was a Slytherin, was she a terrible person too?
"No, it's okay," he blurted, after the boy had apologised for his ramblings. "I'd be nervous too," he replied, trying to sound empathetic to Roman's dilemma. The second he imagined his dad being disappointed in him, he felt a large pit grow in his stomach and a disheartened frown flashed across his face, disappearing as quickly as it came.
After Roman had suggested silence, he hummed in contemplation. "I guess we don't have to talk the whole way. I'm... I'm a little tired myself," he admitted, his voice getting slightly breathy near the end of his speech.
His thoughts drifted to the stereotypes about Slytherins. If his mom really was a Slytherin, was she a terrible person too?
| Sta: 6 | Eva: 8 | Str: 4 | Wis: 4 | ArcPower: 6 | Acc: 7 | The Muggle Condition |
At Last!
"Yeah, no problem," Roman told Angelo after he said he was feeling a little tired. They rode in silence for a bit, allowing his mind to wander.
'So... since I've boarded the Hogwarts Express, I've been oddly social, met my first muggle-born ever, and spilled my entire backstory to said muggle-born. We're doing great, Roman, just great. I mean... I guess it could be worse. The guy could be Chatty McChatterson. He seems chill, like me. Well, like me most of the time. On days when I'm not acting like I just had 10 shots of cappuccino. No! Stop overthinking! You'll just make it worse. Just... act natural.'
About half an hour, the candy trolly came around. Roman perked up. For such a quiet boy, you would never assume he becomes rabid when candy is mentioned. Especially Chocolate Frogs. He absolutely adored collecting things, and Chocolate Frogs were perfect for that- why not collect a card and have a delicious snack? That came alive!
"Yes ma'am, I'd like 10 Chocolate Frogs please." The trolley lady arched a judgy eyebrow but did as he asked. "Thank you, ma'am."
Roman sat back down in his and Angelo's compartment, grinning like a 4 year old on Christmas morning as he stared at his purchases. He noticed Angelo looked a bit confused.
"Oh, uh, I collect them... see, inside are wizard's cards- every one of them has different cards of different wizards and witches, you know? And the goal's to get them all. I'm only missing a few." With that explanation that he felt sufficed, Roman began his quest.
'So... since I've boarded the Hogwarts Express, I've been oddly social, met my first muggle-born ever, and spilled my entire backstory to said muggle-born. We're doing great, Roman, just great. I mean... I guess it could be worse. The guy could be Chatty McChatterson. He seems chill, like me. Well, like me most of the time. On days when I'm not acting like I just had 10 shots of cappuccino. No! Stop overthinking! You'll just make it worse. Just... act natural.'
About half an hour, the candy trolly came around. Roman perked up. For such a quiet boy, you would never assume he becomes rabid when candy is mentioned. Especially Chocolate Frogs. He absolutely adored collecting things, and Chocolate Frogs were perfect for that- why not collect a card and have a delicious snack? That came alive!
"Yes ma'am, I'd like 10 Chocolate Frogs please." The trolley lady arched a judgy eyebrow but did as he asked. "Thank you, ma'am."
Roman sat back down in his and Angelo's compartment, grinning like a 4 year old on Christmas morning as he stared at his purchases. He noticed Angelo looked a bit confused.
"Oh, uh, I collect them... see, inside are wizard's cards- every one of them has different cards of different wizards and witches, you know? And the goal's to get them all. I'm only missing a few." With that explanation that he felt sufficed, Roman began his quest.
At Last!
A knock echoed through the cabin after the trolley left. Zephyrus stood there with a slightly awkward smile. "Sorry for interrupting, but is there a free seat in here? I got kicked out from my last cabin." Zephyrus felt a little bad for just barging in, so they at least wanted to be polite about it. They had gotten kicked out of the last cabin because the other students didn't want a first year sitting with them. So off Zephyrus had gone to find a cabin with a free seat.
They glanced down at the chocolate frogs surrounding one of the boys and snorted as they stepped further into the cabin, letting the door behind them. They took a seat next to the chocolate- covered boy and slowly picked a box up. "It looks like you bought out all the chocolate frogs from the trolley. I would worry for a stomach ache if I were you." Zephyrus paused for a moment, deciding that barging in AND border-line insulting one of the occupants wasn't the smartest thing to do. They quickly set the box down and cleared their throat. They stuck a hand towards each of the boys for a handshake.
"My name is Zephyrus Vale. I'm a first year. And you are?"
They glanced down at the chocolate frogs surrounding one of the boys and snorted as they stepped further into the cabin, letting the door behind them. They took a seat next to the chocolate- covered boy and slowly picked a box up. "It looks like you bought out all the chocolate frogs from the trolley. I would worry for a stomach ache if I were you." Zephyrus paused for a moment, deciding that barging in AND border-line insulting one of the occupants wasn't the smartest thing to do. They quickly set the box down and cleared their throat. They stuck a hand towards each of the boys for a handshake.
"My name is Zephyrus Vale. I'm a first year. And you are?"
At Last!
"So, they're like trading cards or something?" He mused, looking at the collection of chocolate frogs that Roman bought with curiosity. They moved and jumped like real frogs, and even the figures on the cards seemed animated too. "I hope you're just buying them for the cards, I'd definitely get a cavity if I ate ten chocolates... but there's probably some sort of spell to fix that anyway, right?"
While he was admiring the borderline absurdity of the chocolate frogs and their respective cards, he looked up to see that a new first year had joined him and Roman. They had radiant sun-bleached hair and warm hazel eyes, and he would be lying if he said he wasn't both captivated and intimidated.
"Sorry for interrupting, but is there a free seat in here? I got kicked out from my last cabin," they said, an awkward smile on their face. Angelo instinctively scooted over towards the window, wordlessly offering the space beside him.
He cleared his throat, a bad habit he made every time before he spoke. "Oh, uh... I personally don't mind, but I guess Roman was here first... anyway, I'm Angelo Angelov," he introduced, feeling his nervousness coming back full force like a freight train. He extended a hand as well, shaking Zephyrus' hand with an odd, not loose but not firm grip. Zephryus? Was that like, a weird wizard naming convention or something?
After Zephyrus settled down into their seat, another moment of silence filled the compartment, and Angelo let his thoughts wander. Zephyrus... sounds like something only pure-blood wizards would name their kid, right? It sounded a very odd to him. Maybe they are a pure-blood... and they look so confident. Maybe they'll be a Gryffindor? I heard a few people mumble that they were brave and chivalrous and all.
After some more silence, convinced that neither of them wanted to strike a conversation, he leaned his head against the window of the train, looking at the scenery pass by idly. He mulled over his journey in King's Cross to his conversation with Roman. Before long, he felt his eyes become half-lidded and his focus slipping away. He tuned out, the rattling of the train and the sights of the countryside coaxing him to relaxation.
While he was admiring the borderline absurdity of the chocolate frogs and their respective cards, he looked up to see that a new first year had joined him and Roman. They had radiant sun-bleached hair and warm hazel eyes, and he would be lying if he said he wasn't both captivated and intimidated.
"Sorry for interrupting, but is there a free seat in here? I got kicked out from my last cabin," they said, an awkward smile on their face. Angelo instinctively scooted over towards the window, wordlessly offering the space beside him.
He cleared his throat, a bad habit he made every time before he spoke. "Oh, uh... I personally don't mind, but I guess Roman was here first... anyway, I'm Angelo Angelov," he introduced, feeling his nervousness coming back full force like a freight train. He extended a hand as well, shaking Zephyrus' hand with an odd, not loose but not firm grip. Zephryus? Was that like, a weird wizard naming convention or something?
After Zephyrus settled down into their seat, another moment of silence filled the compartment, and Angelo let his thoughts wander. Zephyrus... sounds like something only pure-blood wizards would name their kid, right? It sounded a very odd to him. Maybe they are a pure-blood... and they look so confident. Maybe they'll be a Gryffindor? I heard a few people mumble that they were brave and chivalrous and all.
After some more silence, convinced that neither of them wanted to strike a conversation, he leaned his head against the window of the train, looking at the scenery pass by idly. He mulled over his journey in King's Cross to his conversation with Roman. Before long, he felt his eyes become half-lidded and his focus slipping away. He tuned out, the rattling of the train and the sights of the countryside coaxing him to relaxation.
| Sta: 6 | Eva: 8 | Str: 4 | Wis: 4 | ArcPower: 6 | Acc: 7 | The Muggle Condition |
At Last!
The silence echoed through the cabin as Zephyrus leaned on the wall behind them. They couldn’t decided if it was a good silence or an awkward one. Either way, they used the silence to think about their family for a moment.
Their parents had been extremely excited when Zephyrus got their letter. Their twin brother didn’t, so they would be heading into this magical school with no backup support. They had promised to write to their brother as soon as they had gotten there. They just hoped that he’d be okay in his own boarding school. Soon those thoughts drifted towards the boys in the cabin. ‘Angelo Angelov. What an interesting name. I think he said the other boy was named Roman.
They glanced over to the other occupants with mild curiosity. This was their first time meeting other magical kids since growing up in the muggle world. Finally the silence got to them and they decided to break it.
“What houses are you hoping to get into? I don’t really care. My mom was in Ravenclaw though.” They leaned forward, towards the boys with curiosity. ‘Might as well try and get to know them. Maybe we could be friends. That would be nice, having my own group of friends at school.’
Their parents had been extremely excited when Zephyrus got their letter. Their twin brother didn’t, so they would be heading into this magical school with no backup support. They had promised to write to their brother as soon as they had gotten there. They just hoped that he’d be okay in his own boarding school. Soon those thoughts drifted towards the boys in the cabin. ‘Angelo Angelov. What an interesting name. I think he said the other boy was named Roman.
They glanced over to the other occupants with mild curiosity. This was their first time meeting other magical kids since growing up in the muggle world. Finally the silence got to them and they decided to break it.
“What houses are you hoping to get into? I don’t really care. My mom was in Ravenclaw though.” They leaned forward, towards the boys with curiosity. ‘Might as well try and get to know them. Maybe we could be friends. That would be nice, having my own group of friends at school.’