WHEELS OF DESTINY
CHAPTER 21: WHEELS OF DESTINY
As we made our way toward the platform, I couldn't help but marvel at the scene unfolding around me. Witches and wizards in robes of every imaginable color hurried past us, their flowing attire looking out of place in the middle of a muggle train station. Trunks hovered in midair, magically propelled by their owners as they rushed to catch the train, and the odd assortment of pets—cats, owls, even the occasional toad—added a layer of strangeness that seemed almost surreal.
Cries of "Hurry up, we're going to miss it!" and "Watch out for the muggles!" filled the air as families bustled through the station. It was pure chaos, yet there was an odd kind of order to it as well, a rhythm to the frantic energy. I couldn't help but think how remarkable it was that the Statute of Secrecy hadn't been broken with all of this going on. Muggles, with their inherent skepticism, would probably just shrug it off as some strange costume party or eccentric gathering, their minds naturally bending over backwards to deny the fantastic.
Both worlds, wizarding and muggle, had their blind spots, their peculiar ways of seeing—or not seeing—the world around them. It made me wonder how long that delicate balance could last.
We arrived at the barrier between platforms 9 and 10. I glanced at Aunt Amelia, who gave me a firm nod, her expression a mix of encouragement and seriousness.
"Just walk straight ahead, Ares," she reminded me, her tone calm but authoritative. "Don't hesitate."
Taking a deep breath, I squared my shoulders and walked towards the wall with steady steps. As I approached, I braced myself, but instead of slamming into the brick, it felt as though I was passing through a thick, slightly resistant jelly. There was a brief moment of pressure, and then... I was through.
The sight that greeted me on the other side was even more mesmerizing than I'd imagined.
The platform was a whirlwind of activity. Parents hugged their children tightly, some with tears in their eyes, while others offered last-minute advice, their voices almost drowned out by the excited chatter of students reuniting after the summer. Owls hooted from their cages, cats meowed from beneath trunks, and I even caught a glimpse of a large toad escaping from its owner's grasp, hopping away into the crowd. It was pure, magical chaos.
And there it was—the iconic sign: Platform 9¾. It felt strange to see it in real life, a mark of the hidden world I was stepping into.
Then, my eyes landed on the Hogwarts Express—the majestic, gleaming crimson train that I had read so much about. The sound of its powerful whistle echoed across the platform, and I couldn't help but think about the history behind it. I remembered Aunt Amelia telling me that the train had been stolen by wizards back in 1830, launching the largest memory and concealment charm operation in magical history. The sheer size and beauty of the train made it easy to understand why the Ministry had gone to such lengths to hide it from the muggle world.
I stood there for a moment, just taking it all in. The shiny, polished body of the train, the matching crimson compartments lined up behind it—it felt more real, more magnificent than any movie or book could ever convey.
"Wow!" Susan's voice broke through my thoughts as she stepped up beside me. Her eyes were wide with amazement. "It's huge!"
I smiled at her reaction. "It really is something, huh?"
"Alright, dear," Aunt Amelia said, catching up to us. Her voice was firm but warm as she placed a hand on Susan's shoulder. "You'll get your time on that train soon enough, but for now, stay with me. It's not your turn yet."
Susan pouted but nodded, clearly trying to take in every detail for when it would finally be her time to board the Hogwarts Express in a few years.
Aunt Amelia then turned to me, her expression softening for just a moment before returning to its usual sternness. "Alright, Ares, this is it," she said, her tone serious. "I want you to stay safe, keep your head down, and remember—you're representing the Bones family now. Don't be afraid to write, even if nothing's wrong. I expect regular letters."
Her gaze sharpened. "And I doubt I'll have to worry about your grades, but don't let that give you an excuse to break rules and go wild. If you cause any trouble, you'll be receiving a howler right in the middle of breakfast, understood?"
I straightened up instinctively, almost like I was a soldier being addressed by a commanding officer. "Yes ma'am," I replied, my voice formal. "I'll do my best to stay out of trouble."
Aunt Amelia's lips twitched, as if she was suppressing a smile, but she quickly composed herself. "Good. I know you will."
Before I could say anything else, Susan rushed forward, wrapping her arms around me in a tight hug. "You better not forget to write to me either!" she said, her voice slightly muffled as she buried her face in my chest. "I'm going to miss you."
I hugged her back, giving her an affectionate squeeze. "I won't forget," I promised. "You'll be getting so many letters, you'll be tired of reading them."
She giggled, pulling back and looking up at me with a watery smile. "Promise?"
"Promise," I said, giving her a wink.
Aunt Amelia glanced at her watch and gave a quick nod. "It's almost time. Go ahead and find a compartment, Ares. We'll wait until the train leaves."
I nodded, picking up Artemis's cage and making sure my trunk—still in necklace form—was secure. "Alright. I'll see you soon."
I gave Susan one last pat on the head and turned to Aunt Amelia. She gave me a nod of approval, and with that, I made my way towards the train.
The train's whistle echoed across the platform, signaling the beginning of the journey. As the Hogwarts Express began to move, I waved one last time at Aunt Amelia and Susan before stepping inside. My heart felt a little lighter, their support carrying me forward into the unknown.
After a bit of searching, I found an empty compartment, tucked away near the back of the train. I stowed Artemis's cage carefully above me and settled in. With everything in place, I decided to pass the time by pulling out one of my fourth-year books—Advanced Runes Studies, a personal favorite of mine—and started reading.
The rhythmic clatter of the train on the tracks soon faded into the background as I immersed myself in the text.
A flash of red outside the window caught my attention for a brief moment. I glanced up to see a group of familiar redheads rushing by—a Weasley stampede, no doubt. That had to be Bill, Charlie, and Percy, heading to their compartments. Next year, if memory serves, Fred and George would be joining Hogwarts too. I chuckled to myself, thinking of the legendary pranks they'd eventually be known for. It was odd to be in the same world as them, but oddly comforting too.
At eleven sharp, the train gave another loud whistle, signaling its official departure, and we were off. The magical journey to Hogwarts had begun.
Time passed quietly as I read, though I couldn't help but notice the occasional creak of the compartment door sliding open. I'd glance up to see unfamiliar faces peeking in. Most of them, especially the girls, would gasp when they made eye contact with me, then quickly close the door and scurry away. The boys, on the other hand, would take a good, long look, purse their lips, and then leave without a word. Their reactions were... odd, to say the least.
I tried not to dwell on it, figuring that maybe they were just shy or a bit startled by a new face. First years probably had their own social circles already forming, and I wasn't about to force myself into one.
About halfway through the trip, I heard the door slide open again, but this time, something was different. Instead of hurried footsteps leaving, someone actually stepped inside. I looked up from my book and saw a girl with short, spiky, bright pink hair standing there. She was older—probably a few years above me—but what caught my attention more than her unique hairstyle were the tears in her eyes.
She looked like she had been crying recently, and although she was trying to put on a brave face, the red around her eyes gave it away.
I wasn't sure what to say at first. She clearly wasn't just another curious onlooker passing by. After a moment of hesitation, I closed my book, placing it beside me, and met her gaze.
"Hey... everything alright?" I asked, keeping my voice gentle.
The girl blinked, as if surprised by the question. She quickly wiped her face with the back of her sleeve and gave a shaky grin.
"Yeah, yeah... just... y'know, family stuff. Mind if I sit here for a bit? Don't really feel like being around people right now."
"Of course, go ahead." I gestured to the seat across from me.
She plopped down, a bit of her usual energy slowly returning as she sank into the cushioned seat. For a moment, there was just the sound of the train as we both sat there, her pink hair catching the light of the window.
"I'm Tonks, by the way," she said after a while, her grin becoming a bit more genuine. "Nymphadora Tonks, but please, for the love of Merlin, just call me Tonks. I'll hex you if you use my first name."
I chuckled softly, sensing her attempt to lighten the mood. "Ares Bones. And don't worry, Tonks it is."
She raised an eyebrow. "Bones, huh? Any relation to Amelia Bones?"
"She's my aunt."
"Wow." Tonks leaned back, clearly impressed. "Your aunt's pretty high up in the Ministry, you know. She's one of the good ones. Tough, but fair."
I nodded, feeling a swell of pride. "Yeah, she's... she's pretty great."
Tonks studied me for a moment, as if weighing something in her mind, then nodded slowly. "You look like you've got it all together. I could use some of that right about now."
"You seem pretty tough yourself." I offered a smile, hoping to ease whatever burden she was carrying. "Family stuff, you said?"
Tonks sighed, running a hand through her pink hair, making it spike up even more. "Yeah... it's nothing major. Just... complicated. Let's just say I had a bit of a rough send-off this morning, and I wasn't exactly in the best headspace when I got on the train. But, hey, it happens, right?"
She gave a small shrug, though I could tell it still weighed heavily on her.
"Yeah, it happens," I agreed, giving her space if she didn't want to talk about it. "If you need some quiet, feel free to stay here as long as you want. I've got some reading to do, so I'll be keeping to myself."
"Thanks," she said softly, her usual bravado dropping for just a moment. "I appreciate it."
With that, I picked up my book again, but this time I kept an ear out for any more footsteps, half-expecting the door to slide open again. For now, though, it was just me, Artemis, and Tonks, riding towards whatever Hogwarts had in store for us.
Tonks gave me a look, half amused and half puzzled, like I'd just asked if wands were made of cheese.
"Oh, right, sorry," she said, rubbing her eyes again. "You're probably too young to know about Metamorphmagi. We're wizards and witches who can change our appearance at will. My hair, for example, wasn't always pink—it's just how I feel today."
She gave a small, humorless laugh and shook her head. "Sometimes it's a blessing, other times, it's more of a curse. People don't always trust someone who can change how they look whenever they want."
I sat back, absorbing that. "I knew about Metamorphmagi from books, but I didn't think there'd be one on the train with me."
"Yep," she said, forcing a little grin as she pointed to herself. "Here I am. The rare, weird, and apparently relationship-wrecking specimen."
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The mention of her housemate's accusations brought her mood back down. She looked out the window, biting her lip.
"That's ridiculous, though," I said, frowning. "You can't control what people think about you. And that whole thing about seducing some guy you've never met? Sounds like they're just jealous or looking for someone to blame for their own problems."
Tonks shrugged, looking tired. "Maybe. Doesn't make it easier to hear though. People can be cruel, especially when they feel threatened, I guess."
There was a quiet moment between us as I tried to process what she'd told me. I couldn't help but feel angry on her behalf. Tonks was kind, strong, and brave in everything I'd read about her. She deserved better than petty jealousy from her own housemates.
"You know," I began, "they're the ones missing out. I mean, here you are, one of the coolest witches in Hogwarts, and they're too busy being idiots to see it."
That got a small smile out of her, the corners of her mouth lifting just a little.
"Coolest, huh? You barely know me," she said, raising an eyebrow.
I shrugged. "I know enough. Anyone who can stand up to that kind of nonsense and still be kind to a firstie like me is pretty cool in my book."
She let out a soft laugh, and this time it was genuine. "You're alright, Ares. A cheeky one, but alright."
"Glad to hear it."
She leaned back in her seat, her posture relaxing just a little. "Thanks. For listening, I mean. I didn't want to bring this into your compartment, but... I needed to get away."
"No problem," I said, waving it off. "Everyone needs a break sometimes. Plus, I've got a feeling this year's going to have plenty of drama. It's just the beginning."
Tonks gave a small nod, her expression softening. "Yeah, you're right. It's just... you'd think people would get better as they grow up. But sometimes they just get better at being awful."
I glanced down at my book, feeling the weight of her words. "Well, not everyone, right? There are still good people. Like you."
She seemed to think about that for a moment, then gave me a warm smile, one that felt far more genuine than before.
I grinned back, feeling the playful jab. "Well, I didn't say I was perfect. Just... versatile."
Tonks chuckled, shaking her head. "Versatile, huh? You sound like you'd be a hatstall—the Sorting Hat might have trouble picking for you."
I shrugged. "Maybe. I've thought about it, but I guess I'll just wait and see. What about you, though? How's Hufflepuff been?"
Her expression softened, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Hufflepuff's great. People think it's just the house for leftovers, but it's not like that at all. We're tight-knit, and we look out for each other. Lots of loyalty, kindness... you can really count on your housemates." She paused, glancing toward the window, her earlier sadness creeping back. "Well, most of the time."
I nodded, understanding where she was coming from. "I guess every house has its ups and downs."
"Yeah, but it's worth it. You'll see. Whichever house you end up in, just remember it's not about where you go. It's about what you do while you're there."
I smiled at that. "Sounds like something a wise Hufflepuff would say."
She grinned again, looking more like her usual, confident self. "Wise and cheeky, don't forget that."
The train began to slow, and the familiar sight of the Hogwarts grounds started to come into view through the windows. My heart sped up a little as I realized we were almost there.
Tonks noticed the shift in my expression and nudged me. "Getting nervous?"
"Excited," I corrected. "And maybe a bit nervous. It's just... everything's going to change now, isn't it?"
Tonks smiled, her tone soft but reassuring. "Yeah, it will. But that's the best part, Ares. Hogwarts changes you in ways you don't expect, but you're going to love it. Trust me."
I nodded, feeling a mix of anticipation and gratitude. "Thanks, Tonks. For the talk and for sitting with me."
"Anytime, firstie," she said with a wink. "And who knows, maybe we'll cross paths again in the halls."
"I hope so," I replied, genuinely meaning it.
Tonks was quiet for a moment, clearly processing everything I had said. I could see her expression shifting as she considered my words, her eyebrows furrowed slightly in thought.
"Wow," she finally said, leaning back in her seat. "You've really thought this through, haven't you? I mean, I've never heard someone break down the houses like that. Especially Hufflepuff. You're not wrong, about the way people see us, but... I don't think I've ever thought of it like that."
I nodded, understanding the weight behind her words. "It's not a bad thing, Tonks. I actually think the house has the right idea about loyalty and hard work. It's just that the mentality can limit people, you know?"
She sighed, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Yeah, I get that. But still, you've got a pretty strong opinion on all of this for someone who hasn't even been Sorted yet."
I grinned, feeling more at ease now that we were having a real conversation. "What can I say? I like to be prepared. Plus, I think it's important to know what kind of people you're going to be surrounded by for the next seven years."
"And that leaves Ravenclaw," she said, raising an eyebrow as if she were bracing herself for my analysis.
I chuckled, appreciating her reaction. "Ravenclaw. The house of knowledge and wisdom. Honestly, I think it's the house that fits me best—at least in terms of values. I enjoy learning, and I'm constantly curious. The pursuit of knowledge is important, and I believe understanding the world and how it works can help me achieve my goals. But," I paused, my grin fading slightly, "I've heard stories about how competitive Ravenclaws can get. That competition could be good, but sometimes it can also be isolating. It's easy to get so caught up in your studies that you forget to actually live."
Tonks leaned forward, her smile widening. "So, by process of elimination, I take it you're hoping for Ravenclaw?"
I shrugged. "It makes the most sense for me. But I'm open to wherever I end up. Every house has its strengths and weaknesses. In the end, I'll be the one deciding what I make of my time at Hogwarts."
Tonks nodded, her expression thoughtful. "You know, Ares, I think you'll do well no matter where you end up. You've got a good head on your shoulders, and you're thinking about things most people don't even consider until much later."
I smiled at the compliment. "Thanks, Tonks. That means a lot."
"Just remember," she said, her tone shifting to something more playful, "if you do end up in Hufflepuff, you better not hold any of that 'leftover' stuff against us."
I laughed, feeling a sense of camaraderie with her now. "I promise, if I'm in Hufflepuff, I'll wear that badger with pride."
The train began to slow down as we approached the Hogwarts station. My heart thudded in my chest as I realized we were almost there. The excitement was building, and I couldn't help but feel a mixture of nerves and anticipation.
Tonks stood up, adjusting her robes and grabbing her things. "Well, this is it. Welcome to Hogwarts, Ares."
"Thanks," I said, standing up and grabbing my own belongings. "I guess we'll see soon enough where I belong."
She gave me one last grin before heading toward the door. "I've got a feeling you're going to surprise a lot of people here. Good luck!"
As I started rummaging through my trunk for my robes, I couldn't help but think back to my conversation with Tonks. She had been a great distraction from the jitters I felt about arriving at Hogwarts. I chuckled, imagining her reaction if we ended up in the same house, though I knew it was unlikely given our year difference.
The excitement and anticipation were practically buzzing in the air. I quickly shrugged off my regular clothes and pulled on the Hogwarts robes, which still felt a little too big. I'd probably grow into them soon enough. As I straightened the fabric, I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the window—dark hair, intense eyes, and features that had caused confusion earlier. I shook my head slightly, the reflection a reminder of my past and the things I had yet to explain.
"Focus on the now, Ares," I muttered to myself. "Hogwarts is a fresh start."
The train gave a slight lurch, signaling it was nearly at a stop. I hurriedly finished adjusting my robes and packed away my other belongings before stepping out of the compartment. The corridor was buzzing with activity as students—some younger and wide-eyed, others more experienced—filed out toward the exits.