The Hogwarts Express
At Platform 9¾, the older Black sisters had already made their descent onto the train, leaving behind a flurry of affectionate goodbyes. In a quiet corner, Sirius, Hyacinth, and Regulus lingered for a moment. Sirius pulled Regulus into a warm, quick hug, and Hyacinth leaned in to plant a gentle kiss on his cheek. Regulus’s small smile was tinged with bittersweet relief and silent longing.
A moment later, Hyacinth’s mother, Soleil, appeared. With a tender but firm embrace, she whispered, “Have a wonderful year, my dear—but be cautious. Remember you are Hyacinth Violetta Black.” Hyacinth nodded, clutching her mother’s hand, before following Sirius through the bustling platform.
They didn’t push a trolley, instead, their charmed trunks, perfectly sized and filled with all their belongings felt weightless in their hands. As they wandered among the clusters of students, the young Blacks searched for a compartment on the Hogwarts Express. Soon, they found one—a cozy, half-lit compartment with a lone boy seated inside, engrossed in a book.
Sirius stepped forward, his excitement barely contained, “Hello, I’m Sirius Black, and this is Hyacinth Black. And you are?”
The boy looked up and offered a shy smile. “I’m Remus Lupin.”
Sirius’s curiosity immediately sparked. “What are you reading, Remus?” he asked, his tone light and friendly.The pair took a seat across from Remus.
Remus held up a battered, leather-bound volume. “It’s A History: Magical Creatures,” he explained, his eyes gleamed with a quiet passion for knowledge. Hyacinth stepped a little closer. “I’ve read that one before! It was quite interesting, I wonder what creatures there will be at Hogwarts” she said with a smile that brimmed with a mix of excitement and an unspoken promise of what might be.
A polite conversation soon unfolded with Sirius cracking a few jokes that made Remus and Hyacinth burst into laughter.
“Which house do you hope to be sorted into?” Remus suddenly asks.
“Oh, I’d be a Slytherin, I mean everyone in my family is a Slytherin” she states, calmly. She studies Remus’ face, trying to see how he had reacted to what she said. If he reacted badly, she would know who to stay clear of. After all, Slytherin House definitely does not have the best reputation among the other houses.
Sirius hummed in agreement, while Remus offered a small, understanding smile.
‘I think I might enjoy Ravenclaw, my father was in Ravenclaw,” Remus says.
Hyacinth opens her mouth to ask about Remus’ mother, and Sirius shoots her a stare almost as if didn’t want her to ask. Hyacinth raises an eyebrow at Sirius, but before she can say anything the train lurches forward and the low rumble of the engine signals the train’s departure. The atmosphere shifted as the carriages began to tremble with motion. Before the trio could fully absorb the moment, a sharp knock sounded on the compartment door. The door swung open to reveal two boys. One with round spectacles, black unruly hair, and tan skin. His smaller friend had sandy brown hair and a round face.
The taller boy’s eyes widened when he saw the Black cousins. “Sirius Black? I remember you from the Ministry Gala,” he said hesitantly, his voice carrying both excitement and uncertainty.
Sirius blinked in surprise; though they were still strangers, a spark of recognition flickered in his mind “Yes, I remember you too,” he replied.
Hyacinth doesn’t know if she should be offended that he didn’t remember her as well.
James grinned, “Would you mind if Peter and I joined you? All the other compartments seem packed.”
Sirius nodded politely, offering a small, welcoming smile. As James and Peter squeezed into the compartment, the new group exchanged tentative greetings.
“Oh, you’re Hyacinth Black, right?” James asks, a lopsided grin plastering his face.
Hyacinth nods, “It's a pleasure to meet again, Heir Potter”
James scrunches his nose, “Oh, Merlin, please don’t call me that. You can just call me James.” he exclaims.
Hyacinth answers with a smile, “Alright, James.” her voice crisp and soft. The rest of the way there, the five first years make amicable conversation and play a game of guessing the flavor of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans. Hyacinth still felt slightly uneasy about anyone else coming into the compartment, she certainly did not want anyone to report to her Mother and Father that she was seen hanging about the Potters, Pettigrews, and a half-blood.