Chapter 17
The wind howled fiercely as Scorpius and Albus found themselves perched on the roof of the Hogwarts Express.
Scorpius, his voice trembling with both excitement and fear, remarked, "Okay, now we’re on the roof of a train, it’s fast, it’s scary, this has been great, I feel like I’ve learned a lot about me, something about you, but—"
Albus interrupted, his tone calculating, "As I calculate it we should be approaching the viaduct soon and then it’ll be a short hike to St. Oswald’s Home for Old Witches and Wizards..."
Scorpius, his enthusiasm waning, interjected, "The what? The where? Look, I am as excited as you are to be a rebel for the first time in my life—yay—train roof—fun—but now—oh."
Suddenly, Scorpius noticed something alarming. "Albus. The Trolley Witch."
Albus, seemingly unfazed, asked, "You want a snack for the journey?"
But Scorpius urgently pointed out, "No. Albus. The Trolley Witch is coming towards us."
Albus turned to see the Trolley Witch approaching with her trolley, her presence unexpected on the train roof.
"Anything from the trolley, dears? Pumpkin Pasty? Chocolate Frog? Cauldron Cake?" she offered, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness.
Albus, taken aback, inquired, "What is your name?"
The Trolley Witch sighed, "I’ve forgotten. All I can tell you is that when the Hogwarts Express first came to be—Ottaline Gambol herself offered me this job..."
Scorpius gasped, "That’s—one hundred and ninety years. You’ve been doing this job for one hundred and ninety years?"
The Trolley Witch nodded solemnly, "These hands have made over six million Pumpkin Pasties. I’ve got quite good at them. But what people haven’t noticed about my Pumpkin Pasties is how easily they transform into something else..."
With a swift motion, she demonstrated, turning a Pumpkin Pasty into a grenade-like explosive.
"And you won’t believe what I can do with my Chocolate Frogs," she continued ominously. "Never—never—have I let anyone off this train before they reached their destination. Some have tried—Your," she pointed at Scorpius, "grandmother cousin Sirius Black and his cronies, Fred and George Weasley. All have failed. Because this train—it doesn’t like people getting off it..."
The Trolley Witch's hands transformed into sharp spikes, a chilling smile spreading across her face. "So please retake your seats for the remainder of the journey."
Albus acknowledged, "You were right, Scorpius. This train is magical."
Scorpius, his tone grave, replied, "At this precise moment in time, I take no pleasure in being right."
But Albus was determined, "But I was also right—about the viaduct—that’s water down there, time to try the Cushioning Charm."
Scorpius pleaded, "Albus, this is a bad idea."
Albus, with a hint of hesitation, declared, "Is it? Too late now. Three. Two. One. Molliare!"
He cast the spell and jumped off the train. Scorpius watched with growing concern before making the decision to follow his friend, incanting the spell as he leaped into the unknown.