The ancient scarlet engine lets out its ever familiar screech, reminding everyone on the platform that they need to board. There aren't many children, the war saw to that, and the ones that climb aboard the train aren't children anymore, innocence stripped away by the war. They have scars covering their faces, and the bright station brings out the deadness in their eyes. Some have words carved brutally into their arms, reminding them of past punishments and tortures, while others have a clean face and a branded arm, screaming to the world that they chose the wrong side - and paid for it.
Many people board the train; werewolves, ghosts, disfigured and scarred people alike, united in making sure that Hogwarts receives it's first years.
Young Colin Creevey guides the first years onto the train, using his death to part the others, though they tend to let the small ghost through. The children adore Colin, and Colin adores the children.
Lavender Brown stalks the platform, giving small smiles to familiar faces, and calming the fretful parents worried about the safety of their children, calmly informing them that she is a werewolf, and she is locked up once a month for maximum security, not that she is a danger to the kids; she loves kids.
Hermione Granger sits with the first years, the word Mudblood displayed clearly on her arm, and she tells stories of her adventures with her best friends, letting them know that she is there to help them with anything; she knows the feeling of helplessness all too well.
Theodore Nott walks down the train corridor, his wooden leg thumping every time it makes contact with the worn carpet. The thump reminds everyone of the great Auror Moody, it has a calming quality on the occupants of the train.
The engine lets out a last screech, and as the train picks up speed, the four of them throw any luggage left on the platform onto the train, and Lavender scoops up one of the first years and leaps through an open doorway, the child shrieking with delight, not caring if she is as dangerous as her mother says. The parents are finally calmed with this performance, and wave to their laughing children playing with the four.
The Hogwarts Express has left the station and is streaking towards the ancient castle and the quartet relax, Hogwarts will be receiving her first years.
So I had written this earlier this year and found it sitting on my AO3 account, gathering dust, so I changed some things and decided to throw it up here. I also found another series I had begun to write there so I may revamp that as well and post it. But I have my hands full at the moment so we'll see!
You guys who are currently reading Safe and Sound, you may get the next update later today. Let's see if my muse kicks in!