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 Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2007 11:20 am
This is the familiar platform 9 3/4, the place where old friends meet with one another after the long, drawn out summertime. Stopped on the tracks of the Platform is a large, familiar scarlet train, waiting for it's passengers to board so it can make it's way to Hogsmead.
It is a cool day in September; the sky is covered in white, puffy clouds. There is no chance of rain, or sunbathing. Younger people, or those who get cold easily, might feel the need for a light jacket.
When you get on the train, please head over to the Hogwarts Express thread. If you wish to hang yourself out the window and shout something to someone who has yet to get on, you should post your action in both threads, so that both may hear you. The people in the compartment may look at you funny while you're screaming out your lungs, but your parents who you're screaming to will not see them at all.
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Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2007 5:32 pm
Edith stared at the large red train with the words "Hogwarts Express" unmistakably advertised on the front. It was nearing 10:30 am, and her friend still had not shown. They had agreed to meet back at the Platform before boarding the train, just before they seperated for the final two weeks of summer vacation.
Summer... The Hufflepuff girl stared at her fingernails.
She had been to Sophie Ether's house before. The past two summers, actually. They were nice people- Muggles. Always cooking. Edith ate a lot more often over there, the pressure to do so not only coming from Sophie, but from Mr. and Mrs. Ether. Especially Mrs. Ether. She always fussed over Edith, how she looked like she'd blow off in the next light storm, never to be seen again. Sometimes, such royal care felt over the top. Sometimes, she didn't want to eat. She didn't have to eat. Hunger just wasn't something she had any great experience with. Nevertheless, the Hufflepuff liked the summers at her friend's house. There had been no such thing as a sleepover prior to then.
This summer had been Sophie's idea. She was the one to suggest a trade-off. For the first time since becoming acquainted in their Second Year, Sophie convinced Edith that they should spend part of the summer at her house. Edith's.
Sophie had met Edith's mother before. Each year, Cyril and the Ethers met on Platform 9 3/4 to bid their daughters farewell. Edith had never even told Sophie she had a dad. The girl had probably assumed there'd been a divorce, or otherwise seperation...
"Are you alright, Ed?" her mum asked, nudging Edith.
"Just a little nervous, is all..." Edith lied, grinning widely back. She and her parents had always been close.
"Finally! The mysterious inside of Edith's house!" Sophie had announced, before the door flew open.
Because Edith hadn't told her friend that Neal and her mum weren't the only occupants of that small brick house, Sophie's attention snapped to the doorway the moment Cyril called out her greeting. It was really the only warning there had been...
"No reason to be nervous, you silly," Cyril said comfortingly.
Immediately upon stepping past the ironic "Welcome" mat, Edith and Neal and Cyril were all swept into a grand, "Oh my gosh I missed you for the past four hours!" hug. It wouldn't have been anything out of the ordinary, had Demence not been, well, a Dementor. But, seeing as he was, Sophie Ether was obligated to cry out. And, because it was the way their dad had always been, he was obligated to shriek in return, then zoom off to the master bedroom.
It could have turned out a lot worse than it did, Edith admitted. Sophie had initially wanted to go home that very instant, which was totally logical. But, after copious amounts of explanation and reasoning (and one large chocolate cake after dinner), the other girl decided not to leave. Instead, she and Edith spent most of the time either in the girl's room or the kitchen. They had woken up in time to see Edith's mum off one morning, and it nearly set Sophie off again to witness a quick "good-bye" kiss between Cyril and Demence.
That was the worst of it. It was a fine time, for the most part. Stealing snacks to bring to Edith's room, a.k.a. Club Whatsitsname. Watching silly morning cartoons whilst eating colorfully packaged Muggle cereals. Staying up far too late. Sneaking around the house, avoiding the others like littly boys should avoid cheek-pinching aunties.
"Yeah, I'm a great Fifth Year, now," Edith said, and she laughed. ~~~~~ Neal didn't like house guests.
It wasn't as though they'd had them ever-so-often. Usually the folks next door stopping by to invite them to dinner, or a quick lunch party. On some occasions, his mum had a couple of coworkers over for tea parties, or something like that. Neal didn't like tea. It was always too dry on his tongue.
Whoever it was, they always went to great lengths to fuss over he and his sister. They were strange children, there was no doubt, and guests seemed to like acting overly surprised when either emerged to go to the bathroom or fetch a snack from downstairs. But the novelty always wore thin, and they always seemed to suddenly have to be somewhere. One particularly interesting excuse had something to do with sugar cookies, though Neal could not recall the details.
He didn't think any little friend that Edith would make was going to be different.
She came over that summer, giggling as they made their way to the front door. Sophie- Neal couldn't recall her last name. Before Cyril could be bothered to unlock the front door, it swung open.
"We've a guest!" his mum had shouted into the house.
They had a lot of fun that evening. Neal wouldn't have thought being a welcoming party was enjoyable. However, in an attempt to restore Sophie's trust, they baked a cake- Muggle style. With an egg-beater and everything. It was nice, dark chocolate, iced in the same flavor, with the words, "Wellcom Welcome Sof Soap Sophie!" scrawled across the top in pink icing. Courtesy of Demence, of course. They didn't even bother with a proper dinner, and devoured almost the entire cake. Much to the displeasure of four stomachs the next morning.
Neal smiled to himself in recollection.
After that, Ed and Sophie spent the better part of their time in Edith's room. They crept around the house at night. Edith said they were practicing being spies, which was really a joke-code for, "Sophie feels weird here."
Neal was almost upset when summer was coming to an end. Almost. As much as he didn't mind Sophie, it would be nice to have the house quiet again- sort of- if only for a couple of weeks.
Edith laughed nearby, and Neal wondered what she was thinking about. Maybe the upcoming year at Hogwarts. He was looking forward to his first trip to Hogsmeade. It had always made him a little jealous when Edith and the others went and he was stranded back at school.
Neal rested an arm on his sister's shoulder.
"You're an old woman."
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Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2007 3:26 pm
The hour long drive to King’s Cross from Oxford seemed a long one, mostly filled with Sophie chattering about what school would be like for the year, the radio music filling up the background.
“But don’t worry! I promise that I’ll come home for the Winter Holidays.” Sophie said, leaning forward from the back seat to make sure her parent’s heard her over the low drone of the music.
“I can’t wait to get back, you know. Remember, how I charmed one of my CD players to work in Hogwarts? Well, I think I was able to charm another one for Edith! I bet she’ll be surprised, but you can’t tell her! It’s going to be my Christmas present to her, ‘cause I still have to tweak it a bit before we get there. Too bad the only CDs she will be able to listen to will be the ones I already have.” She leaned back against her seat, thinking that it would have been a good idea to buy some when they went out to get her school supplies.
She had to go alone, because muggles like her parents where not allowed to go down Diagon Alley, but they did take her ‘school shopping’ in London while they where there as well, it would have been perfect to get some CDs then.
But then I probably wouldn’t have had enough money… When she was in Diagon Alley, she had almost bought a new cauldron, after finding a crack in the one she already had, but she looked in the wrong place. Apparently, Weasley Wizard Wheezes didn’t sell quality stuff. She found out the hard way when the cauldron she was looking at blew green smoke up at her. She could still smell the stench even though it had been a week.
“Maybe you could send me a catalogue, or something. To find some better songs…”
After what felt like forever, to a teenage girl, anyway, the silver colored van parked somewhere outside Kings Cross Station. While Sophie stood around, bounding from one car to the next as her father loaded her baggage onto the two trolleys. Even though people had always asked her for one, she still has yet to bring her kitchen sink with her to school. After both the carts where loaded, Sophie grabbed her oversized messenger bag purse and led the way to her platform. It didn’t take long to find her friend after traveling though the stone pillars to Platform 9 3/4, and the entire family we ready to meet up with Sophie’s friend’s family.
“Edith~ Hello!” Sophie yelled, skipping her way merrily towards the waiting girl, the Hogwarts Express sounding the whistle to let people know it’s okay to begin entering the train. There would be three more whistles, one to warn people there where only ten minuets left, one to warn people of five minuets left, and one to let everyone know that the train was heading out.
“Good to see you again~” She said stopping nearby, her parents waving at Cyril from a short distance away.
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Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2007 4:25 pm
After dislocating Neal's arm from her shoulder, the Hufflepuff swivelled around to the sound of her friend's voice from somewhere off to the left. She smiled and her mother waved back to Sophie's parents. Edith then tugged at the seam of the robe she had flung on after stepping through the gate. She messed up her hair and checked Cyril's watch. It was about 10:45 am, now, leaving them with fifteen minutes, still, before they had to board the train.
"It's only been two weeks..."
But Sophie was always the clingy sort. Two weeks probably seemed like ages, with no one to drag about to perform meaningless tasks.
"Did something shocking happen since last we met?" she asked, bemused.
There was a good amount of time left before the Hogwarts Express left. Edith supposed that they would clamber on in a few minutes, as there was really no one left to wait for. All they had to do was load Sophie's grand amount of luggage. ~~~~~ Neal hadn't gotten on board yet. It wasn't like he had any particular affinity for waiting on his sister's friend. He simply didn't have anyone else to ride with on the train. The compartments filled up easily, if he went too early, he was bound to have a few strangers shuffle in alongside him because, "everywhere else was full." He never had liked strangers. Outgoing people frightened him- not because he hated people, but because he preffered not to talk. It was even worse when he felt alone in a room full of strange people.
The Ravenclaw didn't make friends easily.
"Be careful at Hogsmead, okay?" Cyril told Neal, hugging him around the neck.
"Yes, of course, follow my sister. I know, Mum," he replied, having to bend down just slightly to reach his mother.
"You are not supposed to be taller than me, boy,"
"That's your own fault, isn't it?"
And Neal was thus hit upside the head. (( We're waiting for everyone else. XD ))
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Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2007 5:24 pm
“Oh, gosh yes! Something did happen.” Sophie pushed her bag behind her back a short way, trying to hide her present as though Edith’s poor eyesight had gotten super powers during the summer.
“Well, I was going shopping, right? For my school supplies.” For some reason, she felt the need to explain things more then once, no matter who she was talking to. “When I stopped to get some ice cream, you know how it’s across the street from that new wand store. Oh, gosh. Now I’m hungry.” She seemed depressed for a moment, before resuming her little anecdote.
“So I was outside, and it was nasty by the way, the ice cream. I swear, I will never again buy outrageous flavors like that again. Well, apparently someone was trying out for a new wand, or perhaps their own wand… you know, I’m not really sure… But something went wrong and they blew the door off the place. Scared me so much I dropped my Griffin Chunk Swirl, one of the new flavors it seemed. Not sure if they still have it though…” She was quiet for a moment, as if pondering something. “It’s probably not there anymore. Nasty sight to see though. The door, not the fallen ice cream, of course.”
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Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 6:49 pm
Megan Lee had just walked through the barrier and was staring at all of the commotion, afraid to get in the middle of it. There were kids running around and waving at their friends. Owls that had gotten out of their cages.
This was the first time for her. She didn't know anyone who was going and she was pathetically alone. Her mother and father dropped her off at the train station, at her request. She wanted to experience the whole thing by herself. Now, she had wished that she hadn't made that request.
There were a couple of kids who were staring at her. And she decided to get on the scarlet train before she got even lonlier.
She picked up her things and walked into one of the cars.
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Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 9:02 am
Goodness, if Sophie wasn't the talkative one. As much as Edith enjoyed having a friend, she did wish the girl would slow down. Often, she couldn't tell what the other Hufflpuff was saying. This time it had been something about dropping ice cream and an exploded door.
Accident-prone girl...
A second grand whistled sounded from the Hogwarts Express, and more people began boarding the train. Ten minutes left. If they wanted a seat at all, they'd better hurry.
"That's a great story and all... You know, I'm glad the rest of your summer was eventful! But I think we'd better hop on the train now..." ~~~~~ "Unless you'd like to sit with a couple of snotty first years..." Neal interrupted, rubbing his eyes.
"You were a snotty first year not so long ago, 'tard," Edith rebutted.
Neal put an arm on his older sister's head. He was so much taller than her, people would often confuse their ages. That was alright- he liked "being" a fifth year from time to time. It was Edith who didn't enjoy it so much. Aside from being used as an armrest, she'd always have to correct others, and, as the "younger" one, would rarely get more responsibilities. Even their parents did it sometimes.
"And, Neal, watch your sister!"
"At least I'm not a dwarf..." he taunted.
"Oh, knock it off," Cyril cut in. "Edith is not a dwarf, and first years are not snotty." She laughed. "So, come on, let's get you all settled in..."
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Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 12:58 pm
Kali stood at the plat form of 9 and 3/4. She knew what she would have to do. Her parents walked through in front of her. Then she herself passed through the magical barrier.
They were there, and there was the Hogwarts Express. Kali's father was dressed in a formal wizard's suit, and her mother was a plain dark blue dress. Kali was dressed in a black, long sleeved shirt and pants. Her parents tried to act normal.
"Now, remember what I told you, Kali," her father whispered, "Slytherin is the house to be in."
"Yes, dear," her mother said, "that is the only house for a respectable pureblood."
Kali nodded her head, and walked towards the train. She didn't even look back, just boarded the train.
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Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 6:13 pm
“Oh, yeah.” Sophie looked at a large clock, studying the numbers for a moment. She had never been good with non-digital clocks; something that greatly hindered her at school.
“So,” she chirped, bouncing back and fourth on the balls of her feet, “Where are we going to sit? Somewhere close to the front, I hope. Last time we were in the back, and we had to do all that walking… Not fun.” Her shoulders slumped a bit, and her mother patted her head once she returned from dropping off all of Sophie’s baggage.
“Have a good year hunny.” Her mother cooed, before giving Sophie a hug. “Will we see for you the winter holidays this year?” She looked from Sophie to Edith.
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Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 4:38 pm
Edith always liked the winter holidays. It was her favorite season, winter, and best spent at home, sipping hot cocoa around the television... Or outside, getting whacked by snowballs. Either way, it was all good. "Best time of the year," and whatnot, and whathaveyou.
The Hufflepuff smiled respectfully and turned away from Mrs. Ether, leaving all the important answers to the woman's daughter. She threw an arm around her mother, with a single black purse slung over the other.
"Guess we'll be seeing you, then," she said nonchalantly.
Cyril released Edith stared at her daughter with mild amusement.
"Oh, you don't even pull that "I Don't Care" attitude, clinging to my skirt when you were going into first year..."
"As you like to remind me..." Edith smiled. "Love you, Mumma; be home for Christmas!"
"You'd better, girl." ~~~~~ Neal was careful to avoid the little exchange between his mother and sister. It was definitely mushy, girly stuff. And mushy, girly stuff wasn't cool. Besides, he'd already gotten his "au revoir" hug. He didn't really need another one.
They had approximately seven minutes left to board the train. They'd miss it at this rate.
"Okay, come on Ed," he urged, taking hold of his sister's sleeve. He tugged on it, leading Edith toward the train. "Bye, Mum- we've a train to catch!"
He waved excitedly back at Cyril.
"Oh, don't forget to send Nikel home this time!" Cyril shouted. "Before the two-week mark!"
That was her last send-off.
Neal thought she had forgotten the family owl incident...
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Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 5:09 pm
Sophie watched her friend leave her side, heading to her mother’s a few steps away. “Apparently!” She chirped again, skipping over to hug her parents. “I’ll see you then. Don’t have too much fun while I’m away! Mmkay?” She gave them both a kiss and her father threw out an embarrassed laugh.
She then picked up her bag she had dropped moments before and followed her friend onto the train, turning back to wave at her parents every few steps.
“I love you! Buh-bye! See you soon! I’ll miss you!” She’d shout a new phrase every time to her parents, standing lovingly at one another’s side, her mom waving a handkerchief up and down like they did in those movies she so loved.
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Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 6:05 pm
She had been waiting for about thirty minuets for her friend’s to arrive, but it seemed that they where not to show. Grumbling under her breath at their lateness, Freya pulled the Lethifold cloak closer around her body.
She stood next to the entrance to the second train car, beside her one suitcase, and a large bird cage draped with a silvery sheet. She glanced at a large clock face for a few seconds before glaring angrily at it. She had been waiting all this time. With a mumbled curse, she carried her suitcase and bird cage into the train car.
She looked back to no one, as there was no one to look back to. Her father had an important position in the ministry, and could not be here to see his precious daughter off. Her mother was elsewhere, buying Freya her back to school gift, which would arrive soon after she did.
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