❀ 1.2 ❀
❀ Fear, Fun, and Travelling Companions ❀
IT WAS 1ST SEPTEMBER, and Isla-Mae had had just about enough of wizards not explaining anything about their world to newcomers.
Bernardo had just driven them both down to King’s Cross station, and was now standing with Isla-Mae, looking just as confused as she was feeling. The ticket said to find 'Platform 9¾'. But that was easier said than done, because they had asked a security person where they could find this 'Platform 9¾' , the security guard had glared at them for a few moments before walking off and mumbling about 'stupid, time-wasting foreigners'. Bernardo didn't ask any of the station's staff about the platform after that.
Suddenly, and without warning, Isla-Mae felt her shoulder be tapped, and a voice whispered, “ Hiya there, trouble, having… trouble? “ Isla-Mae was just about to turn around and punch the owner of the voice before she realised it was Gideon, Fabian was wheezing in the background, and there was a girl Isla-Mae had never met before. But she had bumped into her, in Diagon Alley. This time, Isla-Mae had a chance to see what the girl looked like, and she studied the girl’s face like a predator would their prey. “ Hi, I’m Iris, “ The girl said, in a higher voice than Isla-Mae expected.
The girl - Iris - had long, wavy, light brown hair, and deep, chocolatey-brown eyes. Her face was scrunched up to stop herself from laughing, and she sported a beetles t-shirt, one with the Abbey Road album cover. She looked kinder than she did when Isla-Mae had first bumped into her, more carefree, more happy. Isla-Mae wasn't sure if 'happy' was the right way to describe it, but 'happy' was a close as she could get.
" Uhh, " Stammered Isla-Mae. " I, um, I'm Isla-Mae, I'm a first year, " Isla-Mae trailed off at the end of her sentence, trying not to sound lame. She failed.
Iris stuck out her hand to shake Isla-Mae’s, and Isla-Mae reciprocated the action. “ Well that interaction went on for way too long. Let’s just get on the train now, oh, hi Mr. García, “ Said Fabian, acknowledging Bernardo for the first time. Bernardo looked confused, but happy at the same time, so he said, “Hello, young men and woman. Are you my mija's friends? Will you show her around? Are you-"
Bernardo was cut off by Isla-Mae, who said, " Yes, yes, and yes! Padre, you don't have to bombard them with questions," She shook her head and smiled at Bernardo. “ Now, can any of you tell me how to get to the train? We both seem to be confused, there are no directions on the ticket, “ The trio of 15 year olds led the short first-year, and her father, through a wall and into a bustling train station, full of life and colour.
" Goodbye padre, te veré en las vacaciones de Navidad. ¡Te quiero! “ Bernardo nodded, hugged his daughter, and said, “ Yo también te quiero, Isla-Mae,” While smiling and helping her get her trunk to the train. He hugged her one last time and, as she stepped on the train with the twins and Iris, he felt an overwhelming rush of pride for his daughter. He was happy for her, and he was confident she would adapt to Hogwarts as best she could.
Meanwhile, Iris and the twins were leading Isla-Mae down the compartment corridor. They stopped at a compartment door where there were two people; a boy and a girl. The girl looked about two years older than the boy and had blonde hair, dark skin, and beautiful caramel-coloured eyes. The boy looked similar to the girl; with the same eyes and skin, just shorter, and with browner hair. They both looked at Gideon, Fabian, Iris, and Isla-Mae, then each other. They had a confused look on their faces, and were trying to piece together what was happening, like some mystery.
" Sammy and Jen, this is Isla-Mae. Isla-Mae, this is Sammy, this is Jen, " Explained Iris, as the twins vigorously nodded, while Sammy and Jen smiled. " Isla-Mae is going to be in your year, Sammy. Jen, can you look after Isla-Mae? We have a few people to talk to, and you can explain stuff to her. Okay? Bye,“ Fabian, Gideon, and Iris all waved goodbye and walked out, leaving Isla-Mae to talk to Sammy and Jen.
” Hi. Quick introduction, I’m two years older than you. First off, there are four houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Gryffindors are the brace ones, Hufflepuffs are the hard workers, Ravenclaws are smart, and Slytherins are ambitious. Now, this is just one trait fore each house, but each house has its own criteria, animal, and colours. Also, most teachers pit the houses against each other, and that is one of the reasons that Slytherin is so despised, " Jenny rattled off the short introduction really quickly, and Isla-Mae had to close her eye as to not make her head spin with the amount of information that had just been forced into her ears and brain.
“ I am in Ravenclaw, Iris is in Hufflepuff, and the twins are in Gryffindor, “ Jenny continued, after catching her breath. Up until this point, Sammy hadn’t said anything, and he was feeling like he needed to input something so he exclaimed, “ I like peppermint and cheesecake! What do you like? I can bake as well, some of my old friends said that it was a girly thing to do, but I don’t care“ Isla-Mae was stumped for a few moments, until she thought of tea, “ Ginger tea, oh, and flower language, though I guess that isn’t food. Although, is that what you meant? “ Sammy didn’t look like he had processed what she said until a few seconds later.
” Ginger tea… Ginger tea is good. Right? I’ve had a few friends that have liked Ginger Tea. I mean, I’ve personally never had it, but it must be good if more than one person likes it. Right? “ Asked Sammy, directing his questions to Jen. Jen shrugged and Sammy looked content. " Meh, doesn't really matter anyway, "
Suddenly, a redhead girl and a pale-looking black-haired boy knocked on the glass window of the compartment door. “ Do you know if we should get changed into robes yet? Only, Sev and I don’t know. I’m Lily, by the way, and that’s my friend Severus, “ Both Sammy and Isla-Mae shook their heads, but Jen said, “Well, there are five hours till we actually get to Hogwarts, but most people get dressed in the last two, so I’d say that getting changed now would be a good idea.
Here’s an idea: I’ll show you where to get changed, in fact, how about you two, Sammy, and Isla-Mae, all get changed so you don't have to worry about it later. I'll get changed after you, for privacy," All the - almost - first-years in the compartment nodded, and Jen looked proud at herself for thinking of the good idea.
Everyone in the compartment - Sammy, Lily, Jen, Severus, and Isla-Mae - stood up (or stayed standing) and walked with Jen to the loos, to get changed into their school uniforms. They walked to the end of their carriage, and the four first-years walked into the gender separated toilets.
After all of them - including Jen - got changed, they were walking back to their compartment, when four laughing boys were all sauntering up the carriage to get changed. One boy had scars on his face and mousey-brown hair, another had grey eyes and past-ear length straight black hair. Another looked as so: one was chubbier, had light brown hair, and was wearing such a happy smile Isla-mae thought he had just won the lottery. The last one was darker than the other three - he seemed to be desi - and had dark, almost black, hair and glasses.
They all looked very joyful and excited to almost be at Hogwarts, they were children after all. They were all smiling broadly, until they saw Severus, and their faces dropped into tiny smirks. " Oi, Snivellus! Did you decide where you're going? Maybe hufflepuff because you've got no brains, no brawn, and you look like you've been dropped in a grease bucket, " the boy with black, messy hair said, while the pale, black-haired boy next to him snickered.
Isla-Mae found the boys irritating, and they acted very immaturely and childish. The one with scars on his face looked a bit uncomfortable, but he didn't look like he was going to do anything. And the chubby boy was looking confused until he saw Severus and realised that that was who they were mocking.
Jen just walked straight past them with Sammy following in her wake. " Sev, they aren't worth you time. Take deep breaths, okay? " Severus nodded, and they walked off with Isla-Mae trudging along with them, silently glaring at the four boys. Less so at the scarred boy and the chubby boy, but still slightly mad that they didn't stop the other two. She was also mad at herself; for staring at the ground and trying not to explode.