Train Ride
Merula frowned and glared at anyone who dared look her way as she waited for her friend to show up. Her aunt shown her to the train Platform 9 3/4 before leaving her, going about her own business. She had expected it since her parents were put in Azkaban. There was no one at the mansion except for the elves and herself. It was lonely except for the days that Wren visited.
"Rula!" Merula heard before she was tackled to the ground. "Merula. I found you."
"Yea, you did," Merula smiled, hugging Wren until Mr. O'Rourke pulled Wren off.
"Manners, little bird," Mrs. O'Rourke giggled, helping Merula up. "How are you, Merula?"
"Fine," Merula mumbled, taking Wren's hand. "Better now."
Wren beamed, "I feel better standing next to you too."
"Me too!" Avery butted in, hugging Merula. "Love you, Rula."
Merula smiled sadly and rubbed Avery's head, "I love you too, Avery. Wren and I have to get going now."
Avery pouted, "Don't go. Stay with me."
Persephone picked Avery up, holding him close, "In a few years, you can go with them to Hogwarts. Say bye to Merula and Wren."
Avery sniffled, "Bye-bye sis. Bye-bye Rula."
Wren smiled, "Bye Avery. I'll miss you too. Bye mathair. Bye athair."
Cormac hugged both girls, lifting them off the ground. "Safe journey, little ones."
"Athair, can't breathe," Wren laughed.
Once they were set back down, Persephone handed Avery to Cormac before hugging the girls. "We love you both. Protect each other. Merula, you can come to us for anything."
Merula nodded as she held back the tears, "Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. O'Rourke."
The girls gathered their things and headed to the train. With help from some stewards, their luggage was tucked safely away, leaving the girls with a suitcase and a pet carrier each.
"When did you get an owl?" Merula questioned as they searched for an empty cabin.
"Recently," Wren answered before stopping. "Rula, this cabin."
Merula glanced back and frowned, "It's taken."
Wren beamed, "Rowan's a friend."
Before Merula could protest, Wren had Roux knock on the window and Rowan opened the cabin door. Wren grinned and walked in when Rowan stepped back.
"Wren, it's good to see you again," Rowan smiled hesitantly as Merula followed Wren into the cabin.
"Same," Wren smiled, setting the pet carrier down. "I'll let you out in a bit, Witcher. Rowan, this is Merula Snyde. Merula, meet Rowan Khanna. We're her first set of friends."
Merula huffed, "Looks like a half-blood."
Wren frowned at Merula, "Rula, none of that please."
"Sorry, habit," Merula apologized to Wren before turning to Rowan and holding out her hand. "Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Rowan."
"Thank you, Merula," Rowan replied, shaking Merula's hand. "Nice to meet you."
"Yay!" Wren cheered. "We're all friends now."
/ - / - /
"May I have one of each item please?" Wren smiled politely at the woman pushing the food trolley down the aisle.
The lady beamed back, "Why of course, little one."
Merula rolled her eyes but smiled as Wren paid for the food and drinks. Rowan stared in disbelief since she hadn't seen anyone hold that many coins in their purse before or order that much food.
Wren gasped as she looked through the food, "Meat pies!"
"You're sharing, right?" Merula questioned, itching to grab a sandwich.
"Yep, all for us," Wren confirmed. "Take what you like. Rowan, eat up."
Rowan blushed, "If you don't mind."
The trio ate and drank their fill. They occasionally fed Ashe and Witcher some tidbits while Roux waited for the leftovers.
/ - / - /
Merula shook Wren awake. They were arriving soon and a prefect had informed them to get their robes on.
"5 more minutes," Wren mumbled.
Merula rolled her eyes, "Get up, Wren. The train is stopping soon."
Wren turned away, "I don't want to."
Rowan giggled, "But aren't you hungry? There's going to be a big feast."
Wren sat right up and rubbed her eyes, "Do you think there will be Shepard's pie?"
"You wake up for food," Merula groaned as she opened Wren's suitcase and took out the black robes. "Hurry up, bird brain."
"Food is life everyone," Wren huffed, accepting her robes. "Roux, get Witcher back in his carrier."
Roux glanced at the kneazle who huffed before padding into his carrier. He knew better than to go against a magical being and he trusted Roux like he had Tali. Before the carrier door was close, Wren reached in and scratched Witcher's head.
"I'll get you something from dinner, Witcher," Wren promised as Roux closed the carrier. "Roux, help Ashe settle into the owlery and give her a fresh mouse."
"Yes, Miss Wren," Roux responded.
Merula hummed, "Is Roux going to follow you everywhere?"
Wren shrugged, "She won't be with me during class time but she already knows what duties she has. I think there's an agreement where she has to help in the kitchens when not tending to her daily duties."
"So if I needed Roux to help me with something?" Merula trailed off.
"Yes, you can borrow Roux as long as orders are within limits," Wren stated before turning to Rowan. "So how do I look?"
Rowan giggled, "Like a witch. I hope we're in the same house."