Going away to school had once been the hardest thing that Jake had ever done...but that was before the day that he'd had to go BACK to school, after a few weeks of being home, reunited with his parents, and finally safe.

He had done alright until he'd gotten to the station. He had been quiet all morning, but he had gotten ready - helped pack his trunk - and gotten to the car on time. He tried to be brave so his parents would be proud of him. He had done this twice before already...once for camp, and once for school. He knew that if he could do that, he should be able to do this too. But that was before Kyle, the mask, the fire...When they had made it back to the platform and his parents had started their goodbyes a terror had gripped Jake so deeply that he couldn't stand it. He had clung to his mother, suddenly wanting to be anywhere but here. He wanted to go back home...to let the train go on without him so he could just go back to his bed. He hadn't been able to help it. He had cried and begged not to go and when his father had finally picked him up and taken him from his mother he had cried even louder. He had tried to reach for her and pleaded to not go on the train, to not have to go back. His father had carried him onto the train still bawling.

Now Jake was sat down in a compartment where his father had put him, patting his head and trying to calm him down. Jake felt hurt and betrayed and afraid, but he also felt embarrassed, and that was why he was able to quiet down. He didn't want anybody to have seen him crying...he knew that they already had. He wished he hadn't done it...but he hadn't left his parents side in days. Why did he have to go back? He missed his friends...he really did...but Hogwarts was scary and dangerous. You got hurt there...He didn't need to learn magic. He just needed his Mum.

His dad had done his best to keep the little Hufflepuff calm, but soon it had been time for the final goodbye. Jake tried once more to be brave, but then his Dad was gone and the train started moving, and Jake hadn't felt brave anymore...so he had gone to his backpack and taken out Freddie - his favorite stuffed animal - and hugged the dog plushie to his chest, sniffling as new tears ran down his cheeks, a painful emptiness inside of his chest. He hoped nobody was going to walk in...the train had been filled to the brim on the way to school, but with some of the students still at Hogwarts for the Winter holiday, it seemed he had found an empty spot after all. Normally he wouldn't want to be alone on such a day...but that was before what had happened on the platform. Now he didn't want to see anybody at all.

Hearing chatter, laughter and also crying and arguing in the background, while he was standing at the platform, Alan was talking with his parents, as he said his goodbyes to them. His mother gave him an envelope with a bit of pocket money and what seemed to be his Hogsmeade permission, which made the third year grin slightly. His mom was quick to scowl at him, warning him to not eat to not spend all his money on candy again and to brush his teeth. Alan just groaned at the lecture, seemingly having to remind them yet again, that he was no child no more; after all he was nearly fourteen!

The third year, hopped onto the train, after giving his parents a tight hug with a promise of sending them an owl every now and then. Sure he was sad, that he had to leave their side yet again after just barely three weeks of being with them; but he knew that adventures and friends were waiting for him in the castle walls that he knew as Hogwarts; his second home or so it sometimes felt. There was no way of actually being alone, as there were always people around and while that was not always good, it was also a weirdly reassuring thought, that you were actually never on your own.

Over the course of time, Alan had made some acquaintances and oddly enough a sum of people he was comfortable to call his friends. People who looked out for him and people that brought out the best of the Gryffindor. However there was a bit of worry, that accompanied his cheerful nature, as he had to find his friend within the compartments of the Hogwarts Express. So while the young metamorph made its way through the cabins of the train, his worry for his friend slightly grew. He had gotten quite the shocking owl and just wanted to make sure his friend was okay. If he were not to find his friend on the train, he would make sure to catch up with her at the next possible chance; which seemed to be most likely the dinner in the Great Hall.

He was now wandering through the train, to find her, but luck was not on his side. Yet, when he was faced with the sight of an empty compartment, he looked around confusedly, as he heard a light sniffling sound. Was there someone crying? The third year bit his lip in worry as he slowly, walked through the compartment, looking around as he searched for the source of the small sound, when he was faced with a kid, that was holding a stuffed animal close to himself. 

"Are you okay?", he would ask the other kid carefully, as to not scare him.

Jake had heard the kid who had entered the compartment before he had seen him. He had been far too lost in his own thoughts to notice when he walked into the compartment. But soon the sound of footsteps was unmistakable and to Jake's dismay, he knew what he would see if he were to look up. Though he tried to be quiet, he couldn't stop his sniffling - and it didn't take long before he felt the weight of a pair of eyes upon him.

Jake looked up then...now very conscious of the stuffed animal he still held against his chest. Caught red-handed, the small Puff quickly placed Freddie beside and behind him, removing him from view much too late, his cheeks tinged red.

The boy who regarded him now was a dark-haired boy that looked familiar. Perhaps he had seen him once - in the Great Hall. Jake couldn't tell how old he was. He was taller than Jake, but something in his face didn't look very old. Maybe he was an older first year, like George, or maybe he was a younger second year, like Lamik. Since Jake didn't remember him from class that probably meant second year.

Jake knew what he was supposed to say in response to the question. 'Yes I'm fine' and then the other boy would go on his way and leave Jake where he was. But at the gentle question, and the concern in the other boy's voice Jake felt the tears coming again before he could stop them. Crying in front of others was something Jake didn't ever want to do - but when he was crying there was nothing that could stop it no matter how much he didn't want to. And so...Jake was forced to answer the question truthfully.

"N-No..." the little boy sniffled. "I..."He swallowed down his words, trying to stop himself from saying anything more or giving in to childish instincts. He knew what happened to boys who still cried out for their mums. He had to keep it together. But he wasn't holding Freddie anymore and that made it harder. He quietly shook his head, choking down those words, but he coudln't choke down the tears, and before he could help himself he was sobbing miserably.

When the third year found the source of the crying, he was surprised to find a rather small looking kid. He was wearing a scarf, woven with yellow and black colors and leaving no doubts as to what house he was in. And based on his figure he could be a first year, a rather small one at that. Alan disregarded his first thought that he might have been a younger sibling from someone that sneaked onto the train quickly, because the kid was carrying a trunk along and asking about such things would have been quite insensitive of the Gryffindor; not that he was known to think before he spoke.

He watched as the boy hid something, pushing it behind his back, which made Alan curious what this was all about. He was sure he had found him while holding a stuffed dog; was the Hufflepuff ashamed? Alan frowned slightly at that, before he let his features melt into a genuine smile, as he looked over to the kid again.

"W-would you mind, if I keep you company for the train ride? It gets incredibly boring on your own", he asked, as he pointed to the seat that was across from the blond haired boy. "Are you nervous about Hogwarts?", he added, hoping that was the reason. Because then Alan could just help by talking about that he had no reason to worry or distract him by talking about something else. Alan had no idea what he was supposed to do when someone else was crying, but Griffith taught him to keep calm, if you want someone else to also stay calm; so that is what he would be trying to achieve. If it would work? Only time could tell. 

Normally Jake would have tried as hard as he could to stop the sobbing once he started. Now, he felt too weak to do so. He sobbed openly in front of the other boy. He knew what was going to happen next. A sneer, some mean words, maybe he was going to be called a crybaby...but none of that happened. Instead, the boy asked if he could keep him company. It took a moment before Jake answered.

There was something that had happened, when the other boy had asked. It had only been slight...just a second...but Jake had heard it. The other boy had stammered. It was something that Jake did all the time. It never happened at home when he talked to his parents. But as soon as he was with somebody he wasn't completely familiar with it was hard to get out a sentence. Jake couldn't imagine what anybody would be nervous about talking to him, but that flash of something familiar in the dark-haired boy's manner made him feel just a little more like somebody that Jake could trust, and his genuine smile even in the face of Jake's tears did the rest.

Jake thought for a moment, and then nodded his head in acceptance with a shy "Okay," through his tears. As the kind-seeming boy sat down and asked if he was nervous, it took Jake a moment before he could answer, and a little longer before he felt ready to.

"Um...I dunno...I guess so...." Jake mumbled, putting his feet up on the seat and hugging his knees to his chest in absence of his soft plush. Curled up, Jake looked much smaller than his eleven years, and he answered Alan's questions in a small voice that wavered, threatening to return to sobs at any moment.

"I just don't wanna go back. I mean...Bad stuff happens there...And...I just miss my Mum and Dad." The words sounded painfully small coming out of his mouth, though he had tried hard to compose himself before he said it, and hearing how vulnerable it sounded brought a fresh round of tears down his cheeks. Of course, not much time had passed - one would think he could only miss them so much when he had just seen them. But it was the feeling of moving further away from them as every second went by. The knowledge that he would soon be in a place that they could never reach, unable to communicate with them except with days of delay. Where the safety and comfort they provided was miles and miles gone, and he was alone. He knew what it felt like - he had felt it before. And he didn't think he could do it again. He needed them now more than ever. The desperation bled into his voice. He had experienced things at school that made this much more than just a child's uncertainty. And so even though it had just been a matter of minutes, he felt very deeply homesick and did miss them with a painful yearning and an emptiness inside that nothing could breach.

Alan felt relieved when the other boy finally spoke up, looking at him with teary eyes; non-hidden surprise visible beneath the veil of tears, that streamed down the blondes face. Alan was wondering what could have happened to make the young boy cry this desperately, but he was none to judge; mainly worried that the boy might have been hurt or that something has happened to him.

With a grateful nod, the third year then sat down across from the smaller boy, leaning into the cushion of the seat comfortably, as he dragged his trunk to sit right in front of him. He then proceeded to use his closed trunk as some sort of stool to rest his legs on; not having to worry about dirtying another seat like this, he crossed his legs over the shut suitcase. A small figurine of a plastic lion seemed to be bound to the handle of the red trunk with a piece of string. It looked like it was an addition made by the Gryffindor himself. Stickers were plastered all over the suitcase, evidently picturing different kinds of creatures and animals.

With a slight yawn the Gryffindor shrugged off a smaller duffel bag that he had previously draped over his shoulders, rolling his shoulders with a soft sigh as he finally got rid off the additional weight on his small shoulders. Now that this was done, he put his focus on the child in front of him again, giving him an apologetic smile. He just always had to wake up so early, if he had to catch the Hogwarts Express, especially since he could barely sleep from excitement of finally meeting his friends again; excitement and some amount of worry, that he just could not do without.

In some sort Alan was happy that it seemed to be homesickness and not an injury of some sorts, at the other hand Alan had no idea how to deal with this situation either; but he stayed calm, hoping that he did not scare the other kid. A glimpse of plush caught his eyes at the back of the other boy, right behind the seat and Alan wondered whether this was a cushion of some sort. "It can be scary, i-it really can be! But it also is incredibly nice s-sometimes! I am sure you have s-some friend that you are gonna see again, right?", he asked, stumbling
over his own words every now and then, but apparently the other child was not bothered by it.

"D-did you bring a cushion to the train?", he suddenly asked, tilting his head slightly as he glanced behind the other kid curiously. No sense of judgment apparent, only curiosity and a sense of kindliness.

If it wasn't for the older boy's stammering, Jake might not even have heard his question, so lost was he to tears. But hearing a stammer come out of another boy besides himself was something novel to Jake, and he tuned in enough to her what was being asked of him, even though he was still crying too much to do a very good job of answering. If there was any consolation though, it was that his face did grow thoughtful as he considered Alan's question.

"W-well yeah...." he admitted, thinking about all of his friends at school. It wasn't just one friend - it was a lot. Jake had arrived at school just wanting to be alone, but that wasn't how he felt now. There were so many other kids that he had met. He didn't know for sure if they were his friends, but he thought that they were. Some of them in his dorm room like George and Jack and Ozzy. Others around the common room like Saskia and Abi. Other ones in all other houses...Lamik, and Ruthie, and Gem, and so many more. "I g-guess so...." he said.

Why couldn't there be a school at his house? Jake wished, imagining vividly, that all of his friends could come and live at his house with him. A room would be built at the end of the hall, as big as all the common rooms combined, and all of his friends would live inside there, sharing bunk beds like the one in his dorm room. Sometimes, if Jake missed George, he could sleep there. Maybe sometimes, friends could sleepover in his room. And if he really was scared he could still crawl into his parents bed, like he had every night on Christmas break. His parents would teach them all, and he would have everything he needed. All of his friends, his mum and dad, and his home, and no danger because it wouldn't be allowed.

It was a nice thought, but then how would he ever learn to do magic?

Jake still cried, but slower, and if Alan looked he might see a sort-of fondness in Jake's expression that showed that even if the small Hufflepuff was not ready to share everything on his mind, he was perhaps imagining some long-missed friends.

"D-did you bring a cushion to the train?"

Jake looked confused and shook his head for a moment. What was he talking about...? But Alan's head tilted and then Jake knew. His face grew red quickly. He wanted to lie and say yes. A cushion for the train made sense and his parents might have put one there. But they hadn't of course. And Jake knew with certainty that if he did lie then Alan was going to know it, and then he would think Jake was a liar. He was caught red-handed and if he didn't do this himself, what if Alan just tried to grab it? Plus the look on his face was....was what? It was hard to describe...Jake had used to fear every other kid he met. But he had learned that some kids were nice - and Alan's face looked much more like their faces than Kyle's. Perhaps there were just many types of kids...and Alan reminded him much more of Lamik and Ruthie but with something in his voice that sounded...well...like Jake.

So Jake reached behind himself, and slowly revealed the shameful secret...made worse by the fact that at times like now Freddie was not just his stuffed friend but a little boy's comfort object. "Not a cushion..." he said softly, slowly showing the golden dog, and bracing himself for what was to come. The look of a boy who had been wounded by words before. "Um...Just Freddie..."

He sunk down in his chair and looked down, unable to meet Alan's gaze in case some judgment appeared there. He waited for the next words having no idea what they were going to be. But when he looked down he saw something. His gaze fixed on a lion figurine that adorned Alan's trunk. And from there he looked down and saw stickers - many old and faded and well-worn, others fresh and shiny and vividly showing the animals and creatures that lay upon them. Always fascinated by animals, Jake forgot for a moment about his sobbing, forgot for a moment that he had shown Freddie. He wished he could look a little closer. It was just a moment of surprise and curiosity, but the change it made on his face was striking.

Alan glanced over at the other kid, looking at him as he pulled out what he was hiding behind his back. The Hufflepuff seemed to be quite embarrassed about whatever it was that he kept hidden there, but Alan was just waiting patiently and with no judgement. His eyes widening slightly as the younger kid pulled out a stuffed animal; a dog. Alan could not wonder whether the plushie was as soft to the touch as it looked. "Is that its name? F-Freddie?", he asked curiously, as he leaned closer to have a look at the plushed animal- without overstepping any boundaries of personal space.

"I got one too, somewhere in my trunk; a lion... i-ironically... And well, s-some more at home, but the lion is special!", he admitted without an ounce of doubt. He has met other children at Hogwarts with plushies, for Alan it was somehow a normality. "I got that lion in my first year, when my parents knew what house I was sorted in, they send it to me per owl!" The Gryffindor smiled at the memory, leaning back in his seat again, as he glanced at the Hufflepuff, wondering whether he was still listening or if Alan just had bored the poor guy with his story.

Jake flinched a little as Alan leaned closer. Nobody at Hogwarts had ever tried to take any of Jake's things before - yet - but that didn't mean it was never gonna happen. The other boy seemed nice, and Jake liked his kindly eyes, but he couldn't help his natural reaction. Alan didn't reach for the stuffed animal though, just observed it and asked its name. "U-uh, y-yeah," Jake answered, holding out Freddie a little further for inspection, and giving his head a small nod. "I-I've had him forever..." Or as long as he could remember anyway.

"R-really? You got one too?" Jake asked, surprised. He knew that Lamik had a stuffed lion, but he had thought it was just the two of them that still liked stuffed animals. Were there really more kids who did? If Lamik liked them, and this boy did, did that mean that maybe there were a lot of others and Jake just didn't know it? Just hearing him talk so openly about his own made Jake feel a little safer, and a bit more relaxed. Jake also had many more back at home, and knew just what it meant to have some plushies that were just special. The small Hufflepuff wiped at his eyes again with his forearm, but he was beginning to be calmer, more able to speak.

The mention of Alan's parents made Jake's face grow glum once more, just a bit, but this time he didn't cry. He just couldn't help thinking about his own. "My mum and dad got me some badger things too...u-um...once I told 'em what Hufflepuff meant. N-Not a stuffed animal, just some jammies, but they're really cool...O-oh, and slippers too." Jake's eyes drifted downward as he sat with the homesick feelings that came whenever he thought about his Mum and Dad, his bedroom, and all of the things that reminded him of home comforts.

As Jake looked down, he stared at the sticker'd trunk which had caught his eye before. The lion figurine especially mesmerized him. "Um...W-what's that?" Jake finally asked, pointing down at the lion figurine. He had never seen anything like it on a suitcase before. He wondered if the older boy would let him see his bag. Maybe he could get a closer look at the stickers...and maybe he could even see the lion plushie that was inside of it...but he didn't dare ask. He didn't even know the other boy...he looked up at him, the question on his lips, but he decided to wait.

Alan offered the obviously younger boy a smile, as he nodded. "That is a-awesome! You must have b-been going through a lot together", Alan wondered, thoughtfully. He wondered why the other kid seemed so nervous, but he was glad that he seemed to be warming up to him. He was speaking in longer sentences and was genuinely less scared to be himself; at least that was how it seemed to Alan and it made the Gryffindor happy.

Alan nodded, proudly and unashamed of the fact that he too owned a stuffed animal. "It is just... uh... nice having s-something to snuggle, I guess?", he tried to explain with a crooked smile on his face. He leaned back in his seat slightly. "I c-can show him to you at one p-point, when we reach Hogwarts", he offered , "It w-would just be a bother to dig him out of my t-trunk now, because then I would have to put everything b-back into the suitcase again..." He explained, hoping the reasoning would make enough sense for the Hufflepuff, since after all Alan would be quite bothered since his trunk was full of stuff.

When Jack asked him something, Alan at first was slightly confused, until he saw him pointing at the lion figurine that had been attached to his trunk and Alan's eyes lit up slightly. "Oh, that! Th-that is a small cub figurine I got for Christmas from my parents!", he explained, grinning from ear to ear, as he took it from his trunk and handed it over to the Hufflepuff. It was a small figurine that one could bend to take up different positions. "Adroable, r-right?!"