The Next Marauders

Chapter 1

The Hogwarts Express

Tessa looked back as she prepared to run at the wall between Platforms nine and ten. She saw her parents watching her worriedly.

Ever since she got her Hogwarts letter her parents had been struggling to decide whether or not it was telling the truth. They stopped believing in magic when they were kids, but here they were, their daughter about to go to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Getting there was like final test. In her letter Tessa had been given a ticket to Platform 9 3/4, a platform that wasn't even supposed to exist. Her parents had driven her to the train station, and, as expected, there was no Platform 9 3/4.

Tessa glanced around worriedly, wondering if she wouldn't be able to get there, when she caught sight of a boy who looked about fifteen running at full speed towards the brick wall between Platforms 9 and 10. He had a trunk and several odd shaped packages. Sitting on them was an owl, which was unusual. She had never seen an owl except for at Diagon Ally. Instantly Tessa knew he was a wizard, and watched him as he collided with the brick wall. But he didn't. He disappeared right as he hit, running right through. He didn't come back out the other side. Tessa watched as a few more people ran into the wall. This must be the way in, she thought.

Tessa took a deep breath. Okay, just willingly run into an apparently solid brick wall. No problem. She began to run. She sped up as she got closer, and closed her eyes, bracing herself for the impact. But it didn't come. She opened her eyes and gasped. There were hundreds of kids and their families, most dressed in cloaks. Parents were holding their kids, warning them to stay out of trouble. Many of the kids had pets, ranging from owls to toads.

Behind everyone was an enormous red train. On the front it read, "Hogwarts Express".

She climbed the steps into the train, hauling her luggage and the crate that held the cat her parents had gotten her up. She walked through the train until she found an empty compartment. Setting down her stuff, she took a deep breath. "I'm almost there," she said to herself, almost not believing it.

Tessa Thapp had short, strait, layered blonde hair and dark brown eyes. She was short for her age, and a little pale with freckles on her nose and cheeks. She was already wearing her black school robes that reached all the way down to the floor on her.

She opened the crate and let out her cat. She was a silver tabby with icy blue eyes. Tessa had named her Flinch, because she seemed to be afraid of almost everything. Flinch purred and stepped out of the crate cautiously, then jumped up onto Tessa's lap. "Hey there, Flinch," she said stroking her back.

Suddenly a boy walked up to the entrance of the compartment. He had light brown hair and blue eyes.

"Uh, hi, could I sit here? I mean, everywhere else is full..." he asked awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck.

Tessa smiled warmly. "Sure you can!"

The boy relaxed, then set his things down. He had a pet owl that seemed to be sleeping. He put it on the seat then sat down next to it.

"Tessa Thapp," Tessa said holding out her hand.

The boy hesitated for a second, glancing at her hand, then reached his hand out to shake it. "Alexander Greft," he said. "But you can call me Alex. Alexander is a mouthful."

Tessa let out a small laugh as shook Alex's hand. "Okay, Alex."

He smiled back.

Alex's eyes fell on Flinch. "Who's this?" he asked as he reached to pet the cat. Tessa expected Flinch to shy away, but she stayed and contently nuzzled Alex's hand.

"Flinch," Tessa responded, staring at Alex and Flinch.

"Why Flinch?"

"Because she's always afraid of everything. You must be good with animals, she likes you." Tessa answered, amazed.

Alex shrugged. "I've never actually pet a cat before. I'm not around animals much, except owls."

Tessa raised her eyebrows. "Wow." she said, impressed. "So, whose your owl?"

"Oh, that's Hoot. Real lazy owl, if you ask me." Alex said lightly.

"Hoot?" Tessa questioned.

Alex let out a small snort. "When we got him my little brother was making hooting noises at it, and now that's the only thing he responds to."

He and Tessa started cracking up at this, and at that moment a girl walked up to the compartment.

Alex and Tessa turned towards the girl. She looked about their age, except she was a couple inches taller that both of them. She had long, dark brown hair tied up into a high ponytail. She had dark hazel eyes, and a confident expression.

"Hey! Mind if I join you?" she said cheerfully.

"Not at all," Tessa said with a welcoming smile.

"Go ahead." Alex said, quietly.

"Thanks!" the girl responded. She dropped her stuff and plopped down on the seat next to Tessa.

"I'm Cassandra Flentworth," she said, introducing herself.

"I'm Tessa Thapp, and this is Alexander Greft, but he prefers Alex." Tessa informed her.

Alex waved shyly. Cassandra looked at him with an eyebrow raised.

"You know, I'm not gunna kill you, there's no need to be shy."

Alex smiled and relaxed a little.

"Oh yeah! And this is Flinch-" Tessa pointed to the cat on her lap. "-and that's Hoot!" she pointed to the snoozing owl.

Cassandra raised her eyebrows and said, "I don't wanna know."

Tessa and Alex grinned peevishly.

"I don't have a pet. I don't really get along well with animals." Cassandra said eyeing Flinch, who looked back up at her.

The three continued their conversation until the train started.

Another boy came sprinting through the train and ran into their compartment. He had short, dark, auburn hair, freckles, and brown eyes. Quickly he put down his stuff and plopped down next to Alex. He let out an exhausted breath, relaxing his body, and then looked around the compartment. The other three were staring at him silently.

"Uh," he started awkwardly, turning slightly red. "Sorry, everywhere else is packed, and the train was starting to leave."

Tessa suddenly smiled. "No problem!" she said warmly.

The boy smiled back. "Chris Johnson," he told them.

"Hey Chris! I'm Tessa Thapp." Tessa greeted.

"Cassandra Flentworth," Cassandra said proudly.

"Alexander Greft. Call me Alex." Alex said, getting more used to being around new people.

Chris smiled in greeting.

"Finally going to Hogwarts," Cassandra mused. "I've been so excited ever since my sister came back from her first year."

"Me too," said Alex, nodding. "What House do you think you're going to be in?" he asked the others.

"Maybe Ravenclaw I guess." Chris said uncertainly.

Cassandra shrugged. "Gryffindor sounds cool," she answered.

"What are Houses?" Tessa asked curiously. She hadn't known about Houses, being new to the Wizarding world.

"Oh, are you muggleborn?" Alex asked, surprised.

Tessa knew what a muggle was from visiting Diagon Ally. Muggleborn must mean that she had been born and raised in a non-magical family.

She nodded.

"Cool," Alex said. "I'm pureblood. Honestly, I think sorting people based on their blood status is stupid. A lot of pureblood families think that they are way better than muggles."

Tessa nodded. It was stupid.

"I'm a half-blood." Cassandra said.

"Me too." Chris said.

Alex nodded. "Anyways, Houses at Hogwarts are like you home and family. There are four: Gryffindor, the brave, Ravenclaw, the wise, Hufflepuff, the loyal, and Slytherin, the ambitious and cunning."

Tessa nodded in understanding.

An old lady pushing a trolley came up to the door. "Anything from the trolley dears?" she asked.

Chris, and Cassandra started to get up, but Alex stopped them. "Treats are on me," he said smiling. They didn't protest.

When Alex finished buying he dumped them all on the seat. "Dig in," he told the others.

Tessa was amazed by the different kinds of treats. She got a Dumbledore Chocolate Frog card, and several different types of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, including lime, plastic, and wood.

The four continued to eat and talk until the train slowed to a stop.

Please review!

Constructive criticisms are appreciated.