Catching up

Nora was daydreaming while looking through the window of the train cabin where she had been sitting by herself. Time at home did that to her sometimes. More often than not, actually. It had been the first time going home after she had become a Hogwarts student. After she had found out she was a witch and had been introduced to the world of magic. She had wanted to spend time with Mrs. Ravenshaw; there were so many questions she’d thought of asking her but all she could manage was a quick visit and a short talk before her mother noticed she had been gone for too long.

Whit all that going through her mind Nora failed to notice someone walking into the compartment and speaking to her.
“Grace! Hi! I’m so sorry… I don’t know how I did not hear you coming in! Oh! And who is this?”, said Nora with a smile of surprise and joy as she looked at the ferret Grace had brought with her into the compartment.

“Bandit what…?”, Nora seemed lost for a second. “Oh, that’s some…eh…long name!”, then she laughed again.

“This is Althea!”, and as Nora introduced her new pet, the owl stood like a queen looking very dignified. “A friend of mine, a neighbor actually, gave it to me. Not for Christmas, though. It was before that. I guess things got a bit busy before we all left for the holidays… It feels like we had not talked in ages! How was Christmas?”

"DAaAD m'fine-," Keegan groaned for probably the fifth time. Lev put a hand on Keegan's head and ruffled his hair, knelt down and pulled him into a tight hug. The two were standing in front of a barrier, one Keegan had to go through, soon if he didn't want to be late for the train.
"Gettofff-," Keegan said embarrasedly, taking a hand through his dark hair.
"go on-, get out of here you punk," Lev got up and pushed Keegan forward. Keegan grumbled and shoved his hands in his jean pockets. Shrugging his shoulders as he watched his dad salute him off. Keegan huffed as got his owl and trunks situatied taking a deep breath as he ran at the a barrier to platform nine and three quarters with his new owl, Elionwy and old charity shop suitcase, accidentally slaming into someone on the other side. Keegan flinched and tensed before quickly running away, not waiting long enough for the wizard to catch a good look at the 12 year old, but the wizard, another Hogwarts student started to chase him, calling after the young boy. He clamored onto the train the student started chasing him close behind. shit shit shit Keegan thought, sweating as he bolted down the aisle. Keegan burst into the only open cart not caring who was in it and slammed the door of the cart. Panting sinking his back into the door breathing. before noticing the girls staring at him. Grinning sheepishly at the girls he swallowed thickly. Elionwy squawking angrily at Keegan. "Er-...hey there...,"

But before Grace could say the next word, a boy rushed inside the compartment shutting the door behind him. "Er...hey there...", said the boy once he turned around to face them.
Nora took a second to register what was going on, then with a mischievous grin she replied with a tone that sounded like she was almost singing the words. “I knooow you… Not so grumpy this time, I see.”

In fact, he looked anything but angry and Nora’s curiosity was over the roof to find out what was going on with him. She had seen him at the Hufflepuff common room a few times, but they had only talked once when they had both just arrived at Hogwarts and had sneaked out of their dorms looking for snacks because they couldn’t sleep. Their conversation had been far from trivial at the time and it was yet to be seen if they would become friends or disappear in the midst of the crowd of new faces that permeated the school.

There were people that intrigued Nora, that she felt drawn to. Grace, for instance, had this light that shone into the room that lifted your spirit, while Keegan… Well… That was the thing… She did not know what drew her to him. She just felt like he was a good guy, and both him and Grace had a strong presence. Nora liked that. Because she was strong too, in her own way. The difference was that Grace was an open door from the very beginning. It was so easy to be around her, talk to her. Keegan on the other hand, did not seem to be too sure about who he would let get close to him, which made Nora even more curious about him. She had hoped they would meet again, become friends, go on adventures together even. He did seem like the kind of person who had a lot to offer. She just did not know if she was the type of person he would want to be friends with. And that was something Nora had learned and experienced most of her life. The constant attempts to approach people, to get to know them, to be a part of their inner worlds; followed by the realization that they already had enough people to go on their adventures and there were no more spots left. Always the new girl, always the third wheel. That’s something that made it so easy to like Grace. She was right in on the spot. It was so refreshing to be welcomed without the long looks! And just like that the year was over, they went home for the holidays and now it was time to get back on track. And who just showed up out of nowhere…?

“Keegan, right? Long time no see”, Nora continued with a suspicious look, but still smiling at the corner of her mouth. “So… What is going on? Is there aaaanything out there we should be concerned about…?, she spoke once again almost singing the words and having way too much fun.

I wished that I’d been able to tell Nora about Bandit’s name and all but then a boy who I sort of recognized but did not know the name of, came storming into the compartment. My mind was thinking who even is his guy? And why was he rushing so much? But then some much wiser voice inside of me said, All good questions that will be answered in time. but my brain hates waiting to get answers to things so as soon as the boy sat down, and Nora had asked him the question we all wanted to know (he wasn’t very good at answering fast) so i took it into my own hands by introducing myself. (And bandit)
“Hi, it’s Keegan right? We’ve probably had classes together before and not even realized, but I’m Grace, and this is my ferret Bandit” As I finished speaking, bandit straitened up, looking proud to be introduced by what she considered an inferior being. Bandit always thought of herself as a queen. Then anxiety mode kicked in, all I could think was I know most compartments have at least three people but it’s starting to feel a little bit cramped in here. I like the idea of me and Nora, having room to sit wherever they like. But now, Keegan was here and things were a bit different. Then I looked down at bandit and realized something. Bandit only see’s Keegan as just another person to pickpocket