THE HOGWARTS EXPRESS
The bustling atmosphere of King's Cross Station on the first of September felt like a strange mix of excitement and tension, as students and families swarmed about, preparing for the train to Hogwarts. Among them stood the Black family waiting for their final goodbyes before their children boarded the Hogwarts Express.
Alphard Black stood beside his daughter, Hermione, his stern, unfeeling gaze softened only slightly by the proud affection he held for her. His tall frame cast a shadow over her, yet she stood poised and graceful, her dark eyes taking in the station with an intensity that only she could possess.
"Don’t forget, Hermione Ara," Alphard’s voice was steady, but his eyes held a rare tenderness. "You’ll be in Slytherin, like the rest of the family. It is our duty.”
She nodded without replying. She had heard this countless times—both from him and others. She wasn’t sure if the certainty was for her benefit or for his. But there was no time to dwell on it; there was a train to catch, and her future to face.
Not far off, Druella Black and her daughter Narcissa stood in their usual regal manner, the older woman’s serene face betraying a hint of melancholy as she watched her youngest prepare for another year at Hogwarts. Narcissa, in her sixth year, was more self-assured than ever, a quiet pride radiating from her as she adjusted her robes. She had grown accustomed to this ritual, and it no longer seemed to phase her.
Nearby, Sirius Black stood, a little further away from his parents, Walburga and Orion, who stood like looming shadows by the platform. Sirius, his first year like Hermione’s, looked more relaxed than she felt. He was joking with the train conductor as if there wasn’t a world of expectation resting on their shoulders. Despite the seriousness of their family's history, Sirius always seemed to take everything in stride.
"Just promise me you won’t make a spectacle of yourself, Sirius," Narcissa said gently, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Our family name carries weight, and I’d rather not see you cast it aside so carelessly."
Sirius let out an exaggerated eye roll, though his grin remained perfectly intact. "Honestly, Cissy, you fret far too much. I’ll be positively splendid." With an effortless charm, he tossed a wink in Hermione’s direction, clearly intent on keeping the mood light.
Hermione smiled faintly, still not quite sure what to say. She had always been a little quieter than Sirius, more reserved. She turned her attention to Regulus, who stood next to his parents, his expression unreadable. His dark eyes seemed to weigh everything, but there was no sign of excitement or nervousness. He was still too young, not yet of age to attend Hogwarts, but he wasn’t going to let that stop him from looking every bit the part of the second Black heir.
"I'll write to you, Regulus," Hermione said softly, her voice barely rising above the hum of the station. She wanted to offer some kind of reassurance, though she wasn’t entirely sure it was needed.
Regulus gave a small nod, his lips pressing together in a brief acknowledgment. "Take care, Hermione," he said in his usual quiet tone, before turning his gaze back to their parents.
"See you soon, Regulus," Sirius said with a playful grin, his voice loud enough to be heard across the small group.
“See you at Yule,” Regulus muttered, his tone flat but carrying a hint of something unspoken. “Make sure you make good choices at Hogwarts,” he added, almost as an afterthought, though his words were serious.
Sirius, surprised for a brief moment, grinned. “I’ll try, little brother,” he said with a wink. “But no promises.”
Regulus didn’t reply, his gaze shifting to the ground, though the brief exchange left a strange feeling lingering in the air between them.
As the platform at King's Cross became a blur of activity, Hermione and Sirius boarded the Hogwarts Express together, stepping into the bustling train car. The compartment they entered was relatively quiet, with just two boys inside. One of them, with his messy black hair and glasses, was immediately recognizable.
“James!” Sirius exclaimed with a grin, his mood instantly lifting as he spotted the familiar face.
James Potter, ever the mischievous one, looked up and flashed them both a grin. “There you are! I was beginning to think you’d forgotten about me,” he teased, making room for them to sit. He gave Sirius a playful shove before turning to Hermione. “Hey, Hermione. Excited for Hogwarts?”
Before Hermione could respond, the other boy, who had been sitting quietly in the corner, gave a small, nervous wave. His blonde hair was neatly combed, and he looked a bit unsure of himself, but his smile was warm. “Hi, I’m Peter Pettigrew,” he said softly, his voice almost a whisper.
“Peter’s a bit quieter,” James explained with a chuckle, “but he’s a good guy. I met him at Fortescue's the same day I saw you in Diagon Alley.”
Hermione offered Peter a friendly smile, noticing the shy way he was holding himself, but also how kind his eyes were. She nodded. “Nice to meet you, Peter.”
A sudden flash struck her, seemingly out of nowhere. It wasn’t just a memory—it felt like a fragment of something real, something yet to unfold. She saw a girl standing in a rickety, long-abandoned house, its wooden beams groaning under the weight of time. The air was thick with dust and the lingering echoes of past screams, as if the very walls held onto their tragedies. Cold and bewildered, the girl stood amidst the decay, surrounded by two boys her age and three imposing men, their expressions unreadable in the dim, flickering light.
And then, she heard the voice.
"It's me... it's Peter... your friend... you wouldn't..."
The words echoed in her mind, so clear, so real, like a whisper from another time. The vision faded almost as soon as it had come, leaving her breathless for a moment, her heart racing.
Sirius, still grinning as he sat down next to James, caught her expression and raised an eyebrow. "You okay, Hermione?"
Hermione blinked rapidly, trying to shake off the unsettling feeling that had just washed over her. She had no idea what that flash had meant, but she did know one thing—Peter Pettigrew felt more significant than he should.
“I’m fine,” Hermione said quickly, brushing the moment aside. She gave Peter another polite smile, though the unsettling feeling still clung to her.
Peter’s face was still soft, his nervousness only making her more uneasy. “Er, nice to meet you...” he mumbled, unsure of her reaction.
Sirius, oblivious to the brief moment of confusion, leaned back and chuckled. “Don’t mind her, Pete. She’s just thinking about the brilliant year we’re going to have at Hogwarts! Also, she is the odd one.”
The train started moving, and the four of them settled in comfortably—Sirius, still grinning, James adjusting his glasses with a thoughtful look on his face, and Hermione, now quietly watching the two boys she’d just met. The compartment was quiet for a moment until the door slid open again.
A boy with dark, shiny hair stepped into the compartment, his pale face framed by greasy locks. His expression was guarded, eyes flicking over them with a hint of scepticism. Behind him, a slightly skinny boy with messy hair and a large, oversized sweater stepped in, his face looking timid, but his eyes warm with curiosity. The third figure was a girl, with vibrant red hair and a gentle smile.
“Excuse me,” the girl said politely, her voice soft and friendly, “Is it alright if we join you?”
Before anyone could respond, Severus Snape’s gaze darted around, clearly sizing them up. He looked a bit uncomfortable, his posture stiff, as if he’d rather be anywhere else.
“Sure,” James said easily, offering a grin. He’d already been in too many similar situations to mind making room for a few more.
“Thanks,” the red-haired girl said with a smile, moving to sit down beside James.
Severus hesitated for a moment longer, but he reluctantly followed the others in, taking the seat closest to the window, avoiding eye contact with anyone.
The quiet boy, who seemed to carry an air of exhaustion with him, sat next to Lily, his hands wrapped around the edges of his sweater for warmth.
“Remus Lupin,” the timid boy said softly to Hermione, giving her a shy smile. He seemed kind, though his voice betrayed the nerves that were written all over his face. “Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too,” Hermione replied, her gaze flicking back to Severus briefly. She couldn’t help but notice the tension in the air.
Meanwhile, Sirius and James had already launched into an incessant chat.
“So, I’m telling you,” James said, shaking his head as he adjusted his glasses, “Gryffindor is clearly the best house. Courage, bravery, it’s all in our blood.”
Sirius grinned and nodded in agreement. “Of course. You can’t beat a bunch of fearless daredevils, right?”
Severus snorted, but it wasn’t a friendly sound.
Severus, who had been listening in silence, scoffed. “Fearless or just reckless?” he muttered, crossing his arms. “Charging into danger without thinking doesn’t make you brave. It makes you an idiot.”
James turned to glare at him, but Sirius cut in first, smirking. “Right, because hiding behind ambition and cunning is so much better? Face it, Slytherins just want power, and they’ll do anything to get it.”
Severus lifted his chin slightly, his expression impassive but his dark eyes gleaming with something sharp. “Power isn’t a bad thing. Ambition isn’t either. It’s about knowing how to use it. Slytherins don’t just rush into things like fools—we think ahead, we make plans. That’s why we win.”
James let out a short laugh, shaking his head. “Win at what? Sneaking around and stabbing people in the back? No thanks.”
Sirius snorted in agreement. “Honestly, it’s pathetic. A bunch of self-important cowards who only care about blood purity and playing dirty.”
Severus’s jaw tightened. “You don’t know anything about Slytherin,” he snapped. “It’s about being resourceful, about knowing how the world works and how to get ahead. It’s not our fault if the rest of you are too naïve to see it.”
James’s face immediately shifted from amused to irritated, his easy-going manner gone. “And it’s not our fault you lot would sell your own grandmother for an advantage.”
“Bold words from the so-called heroes,” he muttered, his tone sharp and laced with superiority.
James’s face immediately shifted from easy-going to a scowl. “What’s your problem, Snape?”
Lily looked at Severus, her expression softening slightly, but her eyes were still clear with concern. “Sev, you’re just starting to make things difficult—”
“Difficult?! You think Gryffindor is all that? Just a bunch of loud-mouthed children pretending at bravery. It’s pathetic.” Severus turned to her, his expression softening slightly, but his stance remained rigid. “I’m just telling the truth, Lily.”
Before Severus could speak again, James stood up, fists clenched, his posture radiating irritation. His easy-going demeanor slipping away. “Oh, here we go,” he said, rolling his eyes. “Didn’t realize we’d picked up a commentator. Got something to say, Snape, or are you just here to sulk and glare at people?”
“Don’t act like you know everything, Snape,” Sirius interjected, his grin now replaced by a sneer. “Maybe you should keep that loser attitude to yourself.”
James, however, wasn’t done. “Yeah and here’s some truth for you—Gryffindor doesn’t need schemes and underhanded tricks to prove we belong at the top. You’ll see.”
Severus scoffed again but didn’t reply. The tension in the compartment lingered, unspoken but heavy, as the train continued rattling toward Hogwarts.
Hermione watched the exchange, feeling the tension build between them, and glanced at the others—Lily looked a little uncomfortable, and Remus, the quiet boy, looked like he wanted to fade into the background even more than he already had. The compartment had gotten much quieter after that, the uncomfortable silence hanging in the air.
The awkward silence continued for a few more seconds before Lily took a breath and gently placed a hand on Severus’s arm.
"Sev," she said quietly, her voice calm but firm, "I think it might be best if we find another compartment. It’s... not worth the trouble."
Severus, whose face had turned red from anger, looked like he was about to argue, but one glance at Lily’s concerned face made him hesitate. With a muttered, "Fine," he stood up abruptly, his dark hair falling over his face as he moved toward the door.
Lily gave Remus a soft smile before following Severus, clearly trying to keep the peace. “We’ll be back later,” she said, though it didn’t seem like she was entirely sure of that.
As Severus and Lily left the compartment, Sirius and James barely acknowledged their departure. They immediately fell into a lively discussion about Quidditch, their voices animated as they debated which team had the best strategies and who would be the best Chaser of the year. Peter, despite his shy demeanour, chimed in now and then, though his contributions were quiet compared to the exuberant chatter of James and Sirius.
Hermione found herself letting out a quiet breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. It had been a bit unpleasant, but the moment they left seemed to lift a weight off her shoulders. She turned toward Remus, there was something calming about him, and it was easy to see that, despite the tension around them, he wasn’t one to stir the pot.
"Are you okay?" Remus asked gently, his voice soft but sincere. His worn sweater and scars only seemed to add to his quiet warmth, as though his calmness came from knowing hardship and still choosing kindness. Hermione found herself nodding without thinking.
"Yeah," she replied, the words slipping out easily. "It’s just... strange, you know? Everything’s different here."
"Yeah," Remus replied with a soft smile. "I guess we’re all in the same boat, huh? Lots of new things to get used to." He adjusted his worn sweater as he spoke, and Hermione could not help but notice how his calm demeanour contrasted with the energy coming from the other side of the compartment.
Hermione smiled faintly, feeling oddly at home in the conversation. There was no judgment in his words, no rushed responses—just understanding. She couldn’t help but feel a sense of comfort in that, as if she’d known him for much longer than just a few minutes.
As the train continued on its way, Hermione's thoughts drifted for a moment to Lily Evans. Something about her had caught her attention, though she couldn’t quite pinpoint why. There was a familiarity to Lily’s green eyes, a certain brightness that reminded her of something—someone. She tried to push the feeling aside, but it lingered, like a distant memory she couldn't quite grasp.
Turning back to Remus, Hermione was glad for the conversation they were having. He made everything feel simpler somehow, as if things didn’t have to be figured out in an instant. She was grateful for the quiet understanding he offered, especially when it felt like everyone else was so caught up in their own world. Meanwhile, on the other side of the compartment, Sirius and James were deep in their quidditch debate, their voices rising in excitement as they argued about strategies, while Peter quietly watched them. It was a stark contrast to the quiet space Hermione and Remus shared.
Across the compartment, James’s voice cut through, arguing fiercely about a particular play in Quidditch. Sirius was nodding along enthusiastically, but his attention flickered toward Hermione and Remus for a brief moment.
“You two look awfully serious,” Sirius teased, a mischievous grin pulling at his lips.
James rolled his eyes, clearly eager to dive back into the conversation, but his gaze lingered on Remus and Hermione. “I’ll leave you two to your deep philosophical discussions then,” he said, his tone light but a little smug.
Hermione raised an eyebrow at the playful jab but kept her tone casual. “We’re just talking, James. Some of us don’t need to yell about Quidditch to have a good time.”
Sirius laughed, the sound bright and free. “Touché. But you’ll come around, Hermione. You’ll see that a bit of chaos is good for the soul.”
James nodded enthusiastically. “Exactly! Life’s too short to be quiet all the time.”
Remus smiled faintly, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “I’ll keep that in mind,” he replied, the calmness of his voice unshaken.
The atmosphere on the Hogwarts Express had shifted as the train slowed to a halt at Hogsmeade Station. Hermione and the others made their way off the train, feeling the cool evening breeze against their faces. The sky above was darkening, and the majestic silhouette of Hogwarts Castle loomed in the distance, its lights twinkling like stars against the mountain backdrop.
As the first-year students gathered by the edge of the Black Lake, the boats bobbing gently in the cool evening air, Hermione watched as the boys clung to each other, their laughter and animated chatter echoing in the growing dusk. James, Sirius, and Peter were already elbowing each other, excited to make their way across, clearly eager to stick together. It was a familiar dynamic she could already sense, and though they were all a part of her world now, Hermione couldn’t help but feel a slight distance.
With a soft sigh, she glanced around, looking for another group to join. The air was crisp with anticipation, and the castle loomed grandly in the distance, its towers lit up against the darkening sky. Hermione’s eyes soon landed on a set of twins standing near the edge of the water—Azza and Salim Shafiq. Both had dark, sharp eyes that seemed to take everything in with a quiet, dignified air, their expressions calm despite the busy surroundings. They weren’t speaking to each other, but their subtle, synchronized movements suggested a deep understanding.
Hermione hesitated for only a moment before deciding they would be a better fit for her quiet nature than the rowdy boys. She took a step in their direction, but before she could approach, she noticed another boy standing nearby. He wasn’t with the twins, but he had the same air of quiet reserve about him. He was tall for his age, with dark brown hair and an easy, though somewhat shy, smile. He caught her eye as she glanced over, and there was a brief, unspoken acknowledgment between them.
Hermione recognized him vaguely from her knowledge of the Sacred Twenty-Eight families. Marshall Fawley. His name rang a distant bell, but she hadn’t yet had the chance to place him in her previous interactions. From the way he stood, slightly apart from the others, she could tell he wasn’t the type to immediately jump into group conversations, but he seemed friendly enough.
Taking a deep breath, Hermione made her way over to the three of them, feeling a bit like an intruder at first but also relieved to find someone more reserved, like herself. As she approached, Azza’s dark eyes flicked over to her, and a faint, welcoming smile tugged at the corner of her lips. Salim glanced up next, his gaze assessing but not unfriendly.
“You’re Hermione, right?” Azza asked, her voice soft and warm, though still carrying the dignity that seemed to surround the twins.
Hermione nodded, smiling back. “Yes. I—uh, thought I’d come say hello. I’m not really one for the crowds.”
Marshall gave her a small, genuine smile, stepping forward a little to join the conversation. “Same here. It’s a bit overwhelming, isn’t it? All the excitement and... the boats.” He gave a small, wry chuckle, his tone easy and friendly.
Hermione smiled at the unexpected warmth from him. “Indeed, it’s a lot. But I suppose it’s just part of the tradition, right?”
Azza nodded. “Exactly. It’s a big change for everyone. But you’ll find your place here.”
Salim, who had been silent until now, gave a slight nod, his eyes thoughtful. “Everyone finds their own way eventually.”
Hermione felt a sense of relief as she stood there, her nervousness from earlier slipping away. The trio was quiet, but their calmness was reassuring, and it was clear they had no pretensions. It felt easier, somehow, to be with them, surrounded by their composed presence.
“Shall we get in the boats?” Marshall asked after a beat, glancing toward the dark water.
“Yeah, I think we should,” Hermione agreed, feeling a sense of comfort settle over her at last. The boats waited patiently by the edge of the lake, ready to carry them toward the towering castle, and for the first time since boarding the train, Hermione felt as though she was exactly where she needed to be.