Lifting trolls
The steady hum of London surrounded them—car horns, the rush of footsteps, the rhythmic clatter of suitcase wheels over pavement. Morning chill clung to the air, thick with petrol and damp concrete. Amongst the thick crowd of impatient commuters, a flash of fiery pink hair.
Vi moved through the station with purpose, her trolley rattling under the weight of not just her own trunk but Powder’s as well. They were late—again.
"Come on! Let's go!!," she barked over her shoulder, grey eyes scanning ahead for the familiar archway to Platform 9¾.
Powder practically bounced along beside her, gripping the strap of her stuffed backpack with one hand and a small, half-eaten pastry with the other. "It’s not that bad, we’ve got like—" she glanced at the massive clock hanging above them "—okay, yeah, we might be cutting it close."
"You think?" Vi shot back, adjusting her grip on the trolley as she weaved between commuters.
Claggor and Mylo followed in step behind them, their own trunks rattling along. Claggor, as always, kept his steady pace, unfazed by the chaos. Mylo, on the other hand, was mid-rant, hands flying as he animatedly explained some ridiculous Quidditch strategy to nobody in particular.
"—and if you pull off the Hawkshead Formation while feinting left, then boom! Keeper’s done for, open goal. Easy win."
Claggor hummed in thought. "Problem is, their Beaters would see right through it."
"Not if you—"
"Shut up about Quidditch," Vi growled, cutting through his rambling. "We’re gonna miss the stupid train if we don’t move faster."
They reached the barrier. Without hesitation, Vi pushed forward, vanishing through the solid brick wall and emerging on the other side, where the scarlet Hogwarts Express loomed against the billowing white steam.
"Go, go, go!" she called, barely waiting for the others to step through before sprinting down the platform. The train whistle blew a sharp warning, and doors were already slamming shut.
They all but threw themselves onboard. Powder nearly tripped, and Mylo yanked her forward, the force of it sending them both stumbling into the nearest corridor. A second later, the train jolted forward, and the platform disappeared from view.
Panting, Vi ran a hand through her hair. "Every. Damn. Year."
Powder grinned. "Yeah, but we always make it, don’t we?"
Mylo dusted himself off. "Told you we had time."
Vi let out a grunt. "Next time, you can push your own trolley. Now let's see if we’re lucky enough to find somewhere to sit."
“I’m sure your girlfriend saved you a seat.” Mylo teased, with an impish smile on his face.
“She’s not my- ugh!”
Powder cackled.
As the train gained speed, they made their way down the narrow corridor, pushing past first-years scrambling to find seats. They reached a compartment near the middle of the train, the door already open, revealing their friends comfortably settled inside.
Caitlyn and Mel sat on one side, their heads tilted toward each other in quiet conversation. Caitlyn’s polished accent carried over the sound of the train, though the words themselves were lost beneath the chatter of students in the corridor. Mel smirked at something she said, twirling a loose strand of hair between her fingers.
Across from them, Jayce and Viktor were hunched over a mess of parchment, blueprints, and half-filled notebooks, completely absorbed in whatever project had taken hold of them this time. Notes were scrawled in the margins, small calculations squeezed between rough sketches. Jayce gestured animatedly at something on the page, while Viktor tapped his quill against the parchment, expression sharp with focus.
Ekko was sitting on the floor beside them, legs crossed, flipping through a small, leather-bound notebook. His bag was tossed haphazardly beside him, one strap still looped over his shoulder. He glanced up as Vi leaned against the doorframe.
"You two arguing about something that could explode again?" she asked, smirking.
Jayce looked up, grinning. "Not this time."
"No promises," Viktor added dryly.
Ekko snorted. "They were already going at it when I got here. Something about spell-powered generators. I figured I’d let them wear themselves out before jumping in."
Mel glanced over, lifting a brow. "Finally decided to grace us with your presence?"
Vi rolled her eyes and stepped inside, shoving Mylo forward before he could make some smart remark. Claggor followed, dragging his trunk with ease, while Powder slipped in behind them. Without hesitation, she dropped onto the floor beside Ekko, legs sprawling out as she leaned over their scattered papers.
"Ooh, is this the thing you were talking about last week?" she asked, tilting her head to study the sketches.
Claggor chuckled as he settled into a seat next to Mylo. "You lot never stop, do you?"
"Merlin, could you two take a break?" Mylo groaned, slumping back as he grabbed one of the blueprints off the pile. "We’re not even at school yet."
Jayce made a move to grab it back, but Powder snatched it first.
Vi shook her head, finally stepping forward and sliding into the seat beside Caitlyn. For a second, neither of them spoke. Caitlyn glanced over, her lips curving into a soft smile.
"Close call?" she asked, amusement lacing her voice.
Vi let out a breath, rubbing the back of her neck. "Yeah, uh—every year."
Their eyes met briefly before Vi looked away, pretending to focus on adjusting the frayed edges of her boxing wraps. Caitlyn chuckled, nudging Vi’s knee lightly with her own before turning back to Mel.
Outside, rolling fields stretched endlessly beneath a pale morning sky, the city long gone. The steady rhythm of the train filled the compartment, blending with the murmur of conversation and the distant clatter of the trolley cart. For now, it was just them, the gentle rocking of the train, and the long journey ahead.
The early morning and adrenaline rush had finally caught up to Vi. Combined with the steady warmth of the compartment and the train’s rhythmic rocking, sleep clawed its way in. Her head lolled, finding its way onto Caitlyn’s shoulder.
Caitlyn tensed at first, stealing a glance at the peaceful look on Vi's face. She couldn’t help but relax, letting Vi get the rest she so clearly needed.
The train rattled beneath them, the soft murmur of conversation filling the compartment. The outside landscape shifting from rolling fields to thick forests, the sky dimming to the dusky hues of evening.
Inside, the blueprints and notes had finally been put away, replaced by a chaotic game of Uno in the center of the compartment. Jayce had lost his mind when Viktor first introduced him to the game, and soon enough, the Pilties had started playing it at dull galas just to pass time. Now, the small deck of colorful cards had become a staple among the group.
Caitlyn, however, had been banned from playing—at least for now. A particularly heated match a few weeks prior had ended with her nearly breaking Jayce’s nose after he hit her with a brutal string of +4s. She had taken the ban with dignified silence, though the occasional sideways glance at the game betrayed her true feelings.
"You're actually evil," Mylo groaned, glaring at the +4 Powder had just gleefully placed on top of the pile.
"Should've seen it coming," Powder chirped, waggling her fingers as she leaned back against Viktor’s seat. "You’ve been holding onto that Wild Card for, like, ten turns."
"That’s strategy," Mylo grumbled, snatching four cards from the deck. "Not whatever cursed bullshit you just pulled."
"Speaking of cursed bullshit," Jayce muttered, narrowing his eyes as Viktor placed down a Skip card, robbing him of his turn yet again. "You and Mel are conspiring, aren’t you?"
Viktor lifted his gaze just enough to offer a deadpan expression. "I do not conspire. I simply play well."
"He's lying," Mel cut in smoothly, flipping a Reverse card down onto the pile. "Viktor taught me how to count cards at the last gala. It was very educational."
Jayce threw his hands up. "I KNEW IT!"
Powder cackled, kicking her legs out. "Maybe if you weren’t so busy flexing your arms in the mirror, you’d learn how to play properly."
Despite the loud chatter and groans of betrayal, Vi remained sound asleep, head still resting on Caitlyn’s shoulder. Caitlyn had considered nudging her awake at some point, but when she glanced down at Vi’s peaceful expression, she chose against it. Instead, she let her be, quietly flipping through the pages of her book while the game continued around them.
A crackling voice cut through the noise: “We will be arriving at Hogwarts in ten minutes. Please ensure you are in your school robes.”
Caitlyn sighed, tilting her head slightly. “Vi,” she murmured. No response.
She nudged Vi’s arm. “Vi, wake up.”
Vi stirred with a grunt, blinking groggily before realizing where she was. As soon as she noticed her position, she jerked upright, rubbing her face. “Shit, sorry—didn’t mean to—”
Caitlyn smirked, her tone playful. “You drooled on my sleeve.”
Vi's face instantly turned red. “I did not.”
Caitlyn raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile tugging at her lips. “Didn’t know you were the cuddly type,” she said, almost casually.
Vi rubbed her eyes, confused. “What?”
Caitlyn shrugged, her voice light. “Nothing. Just didn’t think I’d be your personal pillow.”
Vi quickly grabbed her uniform, her cheeks still flushed. “I wasn’t—”
Caitlyn didn’t respond directly, just stood to pull down her trunk. “Come on, we need to change.”
Around the compartment, everyone was already swapping out their Muggle clothes for Hogwarts uniforms. Vi, Jayce, Claggor, and Mylo pulled on the red and gold of Gryffindor, Jayce tugging on his sweater with practiced ease while Vi struggled with her tie. Caitlyn and Ekko donned the deep blue and bronze of Ravenclaw, Ekko adjusting his robes with little care, while Caitlyn meticulously straightened her prefect badge. Powder, Mel, and Viktor buttoned up the green and silver of Slytherin, Mel pinning a sleek silver serpent brooch to her robes while Powder grumbled about how itchy the uniform was. Viktor, as always, looked entirely unbothered.
As Vi shrugged into her robes, Jayce raised an eyebrow. “Damn, Vi, what the hell were you lifting over the summer—trolls?”
Vi smirked, flexing slightly. “Wouldn’t you like to know.”
Jayce let out a low whistle. “We need to hit the gym together. You could probably crush a Bludger with your bare hands at this point.”
Before Vi could reply, Mel reached over to Jayce, casually fixing his collar. “Are you asking Vi to the gym because you want a workout partner, or because you’d like an excuse to show off?”
Jayce put a hand to his chest, feigning offense. “I’ll have you know, I am very serious about my training.”
Mel’s eyes flicked over his arms, her hands following the movement down to his biceps. She gave them a playful squeeze, smirking as she did. “Mm. Well, it’s clearly paying off.”
Jayce grinned, flexing slightly. “You think so?”
Mel tilted her head, her smirk deepening. “Oh, absolutely.”
Caitlyn rolled her eyes, tugging her robes into place. Vi, meanwhile, resumed struggling with her tie —until she noticed Caitlyn stealing a glance at her arms.
Caitlyn looked away immediately, clearing her throat. “You really spent your whole summer in the gym, didn’t you?”
Before Vi could answer, Powder groaned dramatically. “Oh my God, you have no idea. If she wasn’t in the gym, she was talking about the gym. I swear, I had to drag her out of there just to do literally anything else.”
Vi shrugged, flashing a confident grin. “Gotta attract the ladies, right?”
Powder rolled her eyes. “Yeah, well, next summer, I’m locking you out.”
The train came to a slow stop, and the group shuffled off, the chill of the evening air hitting them immediately. On a dirt path outside the station, driverless carriages slowly made their circuits, picking up incoming students and taking them on their way. Vi and her brothers briefly hesitated, glancing at the absence in front of the carriage, before quickly climbing aboard. Powder, however, ran to the space with a grin on her face. “Hey there,” she murmured as the invisible creature gave her a playful nudge.
Ekko watched from behind with a warm smile on his face as Powder interacted with the Thestral, her fingers brushing over its leathery wings. After a moment, she stepped back, climbing into the carriage beside the others.
The Zaunites were soon carted off into the night like the rest of the students.
The Pilties settled into the next carriage, the sound of the wheels rumbling beneath them. Caitlyn adjusted her prefect badge, a small smile on her face as she sat back.
“Look at you, Miss Prefect,” Mel teased, raising an eyebrow. “You gonna start enforcing all the rules now?”
Caitlyn pouted, glancing over at her. “I’m just here to make sure things run smoothly.”
Jayce snorted. “Right. You’re going to be all serious this year, huh?”
Mel grinned, leaning back in her seat. “You could at least use the badge for some fun. Sneak around, break a few rules.”
Caitlyn rolled her eyes. “I’ll leave that to Vi. She’ll be sure to misuse the badge.”
Jayce leaned in, adding with a laugh, “Maybe join her, a little mischief wouldn’t hurt.”
Caitlyn sighed, but there was amusement in her eyes. “I think I’ll stick to doing my job.”
As the laughter faded, the carriage rumbled on, the towering silhouette of Hogwarts slowly coming into view. The familiar image of the castle loomed ahead, standing tall against the evening sky.
The Great Hall fell quiet as Headmaster Cassandra Kirraman rose from the staff table, her sharp eyes scanning the room with an air of calculated authority. She was tall, her movements precise, with the presence of someone who had experienced a lot. Her robes were neat, the deep navy of Hogwarts’ colors complementing her calculated demeanor. With a faint, knowing smile, she raised her hand for silence.
"Welcome, students, to a new year at Hogwarts," she began, her voice steady and commanding. "I trust you’ve all had a restful summer, though I’m sure some of you spent it in more... constructive pursuits." Her gaze lingered on certain students—those prone to mischief—before continuing.
"Before we dive into the new year, I’d like to remind all of you of the Triwizard Tournament. It’s an event that’s grown more prestigious with each passing year, and this year, the selection process will begin soon. Only 6th and 7th-year students are eligible, so I trust those of you who wish to participate will prepare accordingly." Her eyes flickered to the students she knew were eyeing the tournament, a silent challenge to those eager to prove themselves.
"In the coming weeks, we will also host students from other wizarding schools as part of an exchange program. Some will be joining us for classes, so I expect all of you to show them the same courtesy you'd expect in return. But, be warned," she said, her tone turning more pointed, "Some of them may choose to sit in on lessons. Try not to scare them off," she added, her gaze briefly shifting toward Powder with a smirk that carried a sharpness akin to a blade.
"And finally, as the year progresses, don’t forget the Yule Ball. Yes, the glamorous evening where you can set aside your schoolwork and enjoy a night of music, dancing, and... perhaps a bit of romance," she said, her eyes twinkling ever so slightly. "I encourage all of you to attend—it's an event that will remain in your memories long after you leave these halls."
The students murmured among themselves at the mention of the ball, excitement building in the air. Cassandra’s smile widened just a fraction.
"That will be all. I look forward to seeing what this year holds," she finished, her gaze already shifting toward the staff as she returned to her seat, the air of quiet authority settling back around her.