The platform was very steamy from my window. I couldn't see anyone. The empty compartment in which I sat had no company either. I tried my best not to take it as an omen. Besides, we hadn't even left for Hogwarts yet, and it isn't like anyone would remember me.
Upon entering my Second Year I had transferred to Salem's Institute in America because of my parents divorced. I was living there with my mother, and it was only meant to be for a year, but the case ended up lasting a long while. I was now entering my sixth year of schooling, and my dad had won the case a week ago. I was quickly transported to him, to the big house in the country, and now back to Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
I rested my cheek against the window tiredly. I had barely had time to process leaving my mother, let alone going to the school I hadn't attended since first year. But sitting on the train, looking out at the vaguely familiar platform, it occurred to me how much I had forgotten. I barely remembered anyone's names, the professors, the routes and the layout of the castle. Also, it was pretty much certain that no one would remember me.
I looked at the trunk beside me. I was too heavy for me to lift onto the shelves above. My name was carved into the side; Eleanor Redbrook. It felt safe to have that there, kind of like a nametag.
With a sudden lurch the train began to move. As if by magic, the steam cleared and the families that stood on the platform had a clear view of their children that were leaving for the long year. Behind the front line of families, stood my father. He was dressed in his work robes, black and grey, and stood with his arms crossed. It was sad seeing him so lonely there on the platform. Upon seeing the steam clear he searched me out. I waved to try catching his attention and after a few moments he found me. He waved back and I earned a rare smile.
The train had left the platform for less than a minute when a boy slid open the door. I turned to look and saw a boy with dark untamed hair and bright green eyes behind a pair of glasses.
"Uh, hi," The boy bit his lip, "Sorry, but we got on late. Everywhere is full. Do you mind if we, uh…" He faltered.
"Share the compartment?" He nodded. I smiled, "Of course."
He looked very relieved as he thanked me. He put his head out the door and I heard him yell out along the corridor.
"HERE! I FOUND ONE!" He yelled. I raised my eyebrows wondering just how many people were down the corridor, when all of a sudden many people began to file in. The majority of the party were redheads, and there were at least eight students.
"Sorry, it's really hard to find a compartment for us all." The boy said, taking a seat beside me. "I'm Albus by the way. Albus Potter." He stuck out his hand.
"Oh, I'm Eleanor Redbrook," I shook his hand, "And honestly it is no problem. It is actually kind of nice to have some company." HE tilted his head, probably recognising the name. Redbrook was very influential name.
"Have I met you before? I feel like I have met you and I haven't." He asked. Albus looked as if he was a third year. He would never have met me.
I was just about to tell him that when two boys burst into the compartment.
"Heard you found a compartment." One said. He had dark skin and dark hair, but shocking blue eyes and a mischievous grin.
"Might just bunk in," Said the other. This boy was tall with dark brown-almost black hair. He looked quite similar to Albus, except for his hazel eyes.
"What is that bloody trunk doing on the seat? Fred, help me move it – " The boy with the hazel eyes stopped in front of me. It was like he had come to a blockade. He stared at me.
"No. Fucking. Way." He said. I raised my eyebrows in surprise. A girl behind him threw a chocolate frog at his head and made a disapproving sound.
Albus looked back and forth between us, and I looked at him with a baffled expression.
"Do you two now each other?" Albus asked. Everyone in the cabin was quiet.
"Uh, no, maybe? I don't believe so."
"Yes we do! Holy shit! Fred!" Fred bounced over, just as confused as everyone else.
"What is it James?" He looked at me quizzically.
James smiled at me. "It's Redbrook! The Redbrook!" Fred still looked confused. I was beginning to remember. James elaborated.
"First year! The Redbrook legend! My greatest competition." I gasped and James grinned. Fred's confusion was replaced by understanding and awe.
"Holy shit! You were the one who turned all the Slytherins into snakes. That was the best prank pulled by a first year ever. George said that not even he and his brother could pull that off." Fred grinned.
My stomach turned. Despite being worried about no one remembering me, I would still have preferred that to anyone identifying me for that specific moment. Now that I thought about it, the two boys did look familiar. They seemed to appear in the aghast crowd running from the snakes. Two laughing faces amongst the terror.
James and Fred lifted my trunk between them, over my head and onto the racks above. They sat down on the space where it had lay – otherwise known as really, really close to me- and just stared. I smiled and gave a little wave of "Yes, that's me!" and slowly but surely, people went back to their conversation.
"So, Redbrook! Where have you been all these years?" Asked Fred, who was sitting closest. I hadn't expected the questions to come so soon, let alone at all and it was all I could do to not jump up and run off the train.
"Well, after first year, I went to America, to Salem's. I lived there with my mum." I began after a brief pause.
"Salem's! Wow, what was that like, I have heard, it is really modern!" Albus enthused. I nodded and after a bit of prodding, I told them about the school. Time began to roll by very quickly. In fact by the time I had exhausted their questions about Salem – keeping it as non-personal as possible – I was shocked to find it was darkening outside.
I had relaxed a bit around the boys and the rest of the contents of the cabin. Three redheads named Lilly, Rose and Hugo, sat on the floor laying an entertainingly loud game of exploding snap. Fred's sister Roxanne, who looked very similar to Fred, but had earned that she was a year older; She sat next to a boy an a girl named Louis and Molly. Soon after the group's arrival, a boy with white blonde hair had come in and sat down next to Albus. His name was Scorpius Malfoy, and was apparently the only member of the carriage, besides me, who wasn't related to anyone.
It turned out that the family that they came from were the Potter-Weasley brew. Like, the Potters and Weasleys. The great second wizarding war, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named defeating Potters and Weasleys. I was shocked, but James was quick to make sure that I understood that they didn't want any trouble.
"After all, we know who your father is. No need to go on about it right," He smiled at me. I blushed. Here I had been thinking no one would recognise my name. Thomas Redbrook was the Vice-Minister of Magic, after all, how could I be as stupid as to think no one would put two and two together.
By the time the Hogwarts express had reached Hogsmeade, the little town just outside of the school, everyone had changed into their robes. I walked with the contents of my compartment to Thestral drawn carriages. I didn't tell anyone I could see it. There would be too many questions.
The group piled in, not leaving much room for me to sit. Albus tried to shuffle around.
"Don't worry about it. I will catch the next one." I smiled, and as they disappeared around the bend, my smile fell. I hoped I would find them later, at the feast. They were the closest things to friends as I could hope for. Most people had left by now, with barely anyone on the road. The last carriage was wandering up towards her when she felt someone tap her shoulder.
"Redbrook, you look so lonely. Ride with me?" It was James. He grinned at her with a lopsided smile. It felt odd him talking without Fred to talk back.
"You can call me Eleanor, you know. I thought you had left with the other kids?" I asked, genuinely curious.
He pointed to a shiny gold badge on his chest. "Prefect duties," He stated simply. I must have looked surprised because he laughed. As the carriage pulled up, he hopped in first, and turned around, offering a hand up. I took it.
This boy was very different to the one in the compartment. He seemed smart and thought out, as opposed to the prankster I had thought he was. I went to pull away from him when I had climbed in, but he held onto my hand for a moment. It felt hot. I looked up and saw his hazel eyes flash in the light of the carriage. He held onto my gaze.
"You shouldn't judge someone based on a first impression, Eleanor. You might come to learn that there are many facets to a person." And with that he sat down, leaving my hand cold as I sat down across from him, and we trundled up to the castle looking pointedly out the window.