The Hogwarts Express
"Alistasia, are you listening to me? I suppose not. Just make sure you don't forget anything," exclaimed a exasperated, middle-aged woman.
"What? Oh were you speaking to me? I apologize for my inconsiderate behavior. I thought I saw a Nargle over in that corner there," explained a young red-headed girl.
"A Nargle? I'm not even going to ask. Alice, you must start paying attention if you're going to succeed in Hogwarts! The teachers have extremely high expectations."
"Don't be foolish mum, it's only school," said Alice as she proceeded to stare at the corner of the room, not seeming even vaguely interested in the current topic of conversation.
"Only a school? Rubbish! Did you know that Harry Potter attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry?"
"He did?" inquired Alice, her hair now long and lilac, seeming fascinated by every aspect of the school.
"Yes, and I don't believe he became who he was because he slacked off in school! Oh, your hair! Don't change it all the time. It might frighten the other students."
"All right, all right. But you can't expect me never to use my abilities as a Metamorphmagus. Are we going to the train or not?"
"Yes, yes of course. Come on then!"
They set off. After traveling in muggle traffic for around half an hour, the duo arrived at King's Cross Station.
"Now what? I don't see the Hogwarts Express," Alice whined.
"Dearie, don't be silly. It's on platform 9 ¾! Right through this barrier" her mother exclaimed with a smile spreading from ear to ear. "Go ahead."
Alice was feeling squeamish, as if there were a million butterflies inside of her stomach. "A-all ri-right." She set off. Running through the train station, pushing a cart holding a trunk and cage containing a hooting barn-owl, Alice seemed determined to make a ruckus. She ran faster. The barrier was getting closer, closer. It was gone. Alice found herself inside a train station, excluded from all muggles. She looked around in awe, wizards and witches from all over London were gathering here. There was a dazzling scarlet train on the track to the left. Her mouth formed a comical 'O' as she heard a gleeful woman behind her. It was her mother.
"Amazing, isn't it? Wait until you see the school," her mother declared. "I'm going to miss you so much," she said as she took Alice into a giant hug. "I won't see you until June eighteenth."
"Mum, I can't breath," she grumbled as she released herself from the tight grip. "Wait-did you say June? What about at Christmas? We have a break then," Alice clarified.
"Well-yes-you do, but I'm going to be in Egypt, you see. I'm going to the Egyptian Centre for Alchemical Studies."
"That's what I get for having an Alchemist for a mum. I wonder what house I'll be sorted in. Maybe Slytherin like you, or Gryffindor like Dad!"
"My mom was a Hufflepuff, and my dad was a Slytherin, so that's a big possibility."
"Yes, and dad's parents were both Gryffindors. That seems to be the most probable assortment."
"I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Send me a letter as soon as you find out, or as soon as anything exciting happens. I love you honey, I'll miss you."
"Love you too, mum," Alice said as she waved, blew kisses, and twirled off to the train. She sat down in a compartment toward the back, next to a tall, skinny, black boy, a larger built boy staring out the window, and an attractive, blonde girl.
"Salutations. Are you all first years? I'm Alistasia Laceland, but you can call me Alice, if you'd like," she inquired, vividly curious and a little too outgoing.
The skinny boy spoke first. "I'm a first year too. My name's Russell Armantia. Nice to meet you," he offered his hand. Alice shook it firmly. He pointed to the other boy, "That's Lawrence Addams. He's a Second Year Ravenclaw."
The blonde girl squirmed in her seat. "I'm Cynthia Williams. Pleasure to meet you," she said with a sparkling smile.
Russell stared at her then blushed. "Are you by any chance an…erm…Veela?"
Cynthia giggled. "Actually I'm one-fourth Veela. My grandmother on my father's side was one. I'm also a first-year. What house are you hoping to get? I don't really care, but I've heard awful things about Slytherin."
Russell chimed right in. "Yeah, Gryffindor is the house for me. Harry Potter was in Gryffindor, you know?"
Alice changed her eye color from green to purple. "I don't really mind at all. All the houses have wonderful meanings. Hufflepuff seems to be open to different people though. It seems like you would learn the most from your house-mates there."
Lawrence looked up at the other students, eying Russell. "There's nothing wrong with Slytherin. It's for the ambitious, the cunning, the self-preservative. I, personally, am glad I was placed inside of Ravenclaw. We tend to get along well with all the houses. There's a strong rivalry between Gryffindor and Slytherin, as well as a rivalry between Slytherin and Hufflepuff."
"Slytherin actually sounds quite fascinating, aside from the rivalries," added Alice.
Cynthia looked up with her bright blue eyes. "Could you tell us the meaning of all four houses?"
"Of course," replied Lawrence. "I've already told you about Slytherin, but Gryffindor tends to stand for bravery. The four houses stand for the quality that the founder valued most, with Hufflepuff being an exception. Godric Gryffindor valued bravery. Salazar Slytherin valued ambition, and a pure-blood heritage, though not necessary. Rowena Ravenclaw valued wisdom, and I quote 'Wit beyond measure is man's greatest treatsure.'. Helga Hufflepuff didn't value any certain trait. She just took 'the rest.'"
All three of the other students' mouths opened.
"Who would want to be in Hufflepuff then? I mean if it's only for the unexceptional," cried Cynthia.
"Well I do," Alice quickly objected. "There's more differences between students, so you wouldn't really complete. Also, because of the differences, you would learn more from your house-mates, and teach them more as well."
Lawrence beamed at her, appreciating her optimism.
"You'd best be putting on your robes," a blonde boy with a pointed face said, peaking in the car window said. "The train's almost there."
The students changed into the uniforms, and scurried back into their compartments. They peaked out the windows of the now stationary train. They were all squealing amongst themselves. The doors suddenly opened, and the students sprinted out of the train.
