Rose Weasley was leaning against the window of the scarlet, smoky Hogwarts Express, watching her breath fog the window, fade away, fog the window, fade away as she breathed. She hadn't changed her position since she had pressed her face against the window to catch a last glimpse of her family before they curved out of sight. Only she and her cousin Al were in the compartment. Had James been with them, the two of them wouldn't still be sitting in a thoughtful silence, reflecting on the families they'd left behind, and the new chapter in their lives they were speeding towards through the London suburbs. Eventually, they left London, and progressed into the countryside. There were pastures so green that they looked like illustrations from a book-an artist's ideal green, with no wilting browns and yellows. She wondered why the Hogwarts Express didn't pass through wizarding villages. Looking out of the window would be much more interesting then.
Albus opened his mouth to say something, but James chose that moment to slide the door open in his usual, noisy fashion, and fall into the compartment with about five other boys. "Did you buy any food from the trolley?" he asked breathlessly, flinging himself into the seat beside Al. "The trolley hasn't come this way yet," said Al. "James, we've been on the train for-" Rose checked her watch-"Fifteen minutes. Dont tell me you're hungry already!" James sat up straight, trying to look dignified. "When you've been Sorted, you actually start enjoying the train rides." he said. Rose flinched. He'd hit a sore spot. She looked at Al, who had been more nervous than her about the Sorting in the months leading up to September the First. He looked surprisingly serene. "So, Al, what if you're in Slytherin?" asked James mischievously, going back to his favourite taunt. His friends sniggered. "Ah, it's alright," he said, surprising everyone, "Slytherin House would have gained a good student, then, wouldn't it?" Seeing that everybody's jaws had fallen open, Al quickly amended, "But I'd much rather be in Gryffindor."
When the backdrop grew dark blue, the trees black, and the air nippy, the Hogwarts Express chugged more lethargically, until it finally stopped, as did Rose's heart. "We're here!" exclaimed Albus, straining to see the castle through the window. Peering out of the window herself, Rose immediately saw the ancient, candle-lit castle across a black lake, which had only the perfectly round, white moon positioned in the centre. The castle spoke of hundreds of years of students gone by, hundreds of spells cast, hundreds of secrets of magic passed on. It stood still, beckoning to them. "Let's go," said Rose, standing up. Al looked a little green as he stood up slowly. He looked like he was having second thoughts about leaving the warm comfort of the Hogwarts Express. James had long since departed with his group of irritatingly chatty friends. Rose took her cousin's hand, and they got off the train.