This is the first chapter of my first major-ish story, and the first one with an actual plot. It's Wynlan's Second year, and he struggles to stop an explosive plot.- Jack.*.
The station was as crowded as Wynlan's first experience of it. People thronged and chatted, socialising and talking animatedly. It made Wyn uncomfortable, as he saw students noticing him and muttering comments to each other. Whether it was his mind imagining things or it was true, Wyn felt that this year would possibly be even worse than the last in terms of the unspoken hatred for him. He sighed, and thrusted his luggage onto the steaming train, Ice hooting happily. Setting off down the carriage, he sought his friends. They were in a compartment near the end, the door shut tight. Wyn drew it open. "I swear, if that's you again, Grainnè, I'll skin you alive." He heard Tobias' voice, and stepped inside.
"Bonjour, mon amis." Wyn smiled broadly, and was met by grins. The sight of the compartment was familiar and comforting to him. April was curled into a tight ball in a corner, finishing one sketch and beginning another, dressed already in her Hogwarts robes. James sat opposite her, kissing Iona. Tobias grinned by the door. "Honestly, you two need to slow down." Wyn joked at the romantic pair. Iona gave him the finger and laughed. Wyn took a seat beside April and nudged her. "What're you drawing?" He asked, inquisitive.
"Hey. I thought I'd draw you. I've painted you before, but I've never drawn you. I'll have to give you that portrait sometime." She showed him the sketch pad, blushing slightly as she always did when showing her work. Wyn's head was fully drawn, even in the short space of time. His eyes sparkled with a strange glint, and his smile was blurred. "It's brilliant." He smiled. She glowed. Praise was not something she often received. "You're eyes always shine like that. The shade changes, but that's always there. And you're smile is blurred because it's... sad. Weak, somehow." She explained her image. Wynlan was again amazed at how April always saw the hidden feelings behind his... facades.
"Hell!" Tobias yelled as the Hogwarts Express suddenly juddered into action, screeching along the rails. Iona looked up from James. James was comically annoyed. Wyn laughed and grabbed the back of his seat.*.
The ceiling of the Great Hall was a deep, navy blue, marred by clouds of rain and jagged bolts of lightning that crackled overhead. Headmistress McGonagall took her place at the lectern, its top adorned with an eagle in flight, its candles flickered, casting strange shadows across the teacher's table. "Welcome, welcome, simmer down. The First Years are about to come in, they don't want to be frightened by you lot." She said, voice jovial. A hush fell upon the four houses of children. The doors flew open and a tall man with flat black hair and round brown eyes strode in, a stream of First Year students following him. Where their eyes were full of nervous apprehension, his spoke of comfort and support. It was the Professor of Herbology, Neville Longbottom. He called out the names, one by one, in a strong voice that commanded the attention of the entire Hall. "Let's hope for some good Ravenclaws." April whispered to Wynlan.
"Touchè." He replied. Tobias stared at the empty table, yearning for food, whereas James stared at Iona, yearning for something very different. "Look at him. Lovestruck bloody puppy." Tobias shook his head. James ignored him, or was too engrossed in watching his girlfriend. His face looked as if he were in a dream; the large, hazel orbs of his eyes contrasted the dark ebony of his skin as they widened. April laughed softly to herself and twirled a lock of her auburn hair. The Sorting Hat crumpled its face and leapt into song:
Ah, little First Years,
Soon you'll know my face,
Get rid of all your fears,
It's time to learn your place.
I am the Sorting Hat,
That's my given name,
There's no doubt of that,
And no doubt you know my game.
I'll put you where you ought to be,
I know which house you'll reside in,
I know best you will see,
So wipe your tears and grin.
"Huh. Not the best it's ever done." Wyn muttered. But the Hat wasn't finished. It lowered its voice to a harsh whisper, and continued:
But beware little beasties,
As you tuck in to your feasties,
A terrible plot is afoot,
And Hogwarts may be shut,
So beware the man who appears,
Heralded by false cheers,
For a terrible plot is afoot,
And Hogwarts may be shut.
The Hall was silenced, staring rapturously at McGonagall for explanation. She was on the spot, and couldn't really find one. "Take no heed, take no heed. I assure you, Hogwarts will not close. There is no plot." She attempted, at least.
"Well, for a warning, that wasn't a very good song." Tobias shrugged.
"How can you be so light hearted about this?" Wyn asked him.
"McGonagall just said it was nothing."
"And you believe her?" Wynlan was incredulous.
"Sure. The Hat's old, probably going barmy." Tobias turned to the banquet that had just appeared, stuffing himself with sausages and mashed potatoes. Wyn knew there was no chance to get anything out of him now. He took a roll and bit into it, staring at the food he wouldn't eat.*.
Wyn took the stairs slowly, yet not too slowly, for fear of the staircase moving. "I can't believe Tobias." April said quietly, as Tobias was only a few steps ahead of them.
"Me neither." Wyn replied. His mind, and indeed many other students' minds, was racing. What plot, what man, what drums? His normally so confident brain could not even provide him a hypothesis. It was completely unknown. There was only one clue. One thing was for sure: Hogwarts couldn't close. If it did, Wynlan would have to suffer his father for a whole year, maybe more. He banished the dreaded thought to the recesses of his head. It would not happen. "He must see sense eventually." Wyn murmured, more to himself than anyone.
The Ravenclaw doorknob spat out a riddle when Tobias reached it. "You will always find me in the past. I can be created in the present, but the future will never taint me. What am I?" Its voice was croaky yet matronly.
"A doorknob?" Came Tobias' sarcastic reply.
"Do you want to get in or not?" The doorknob snapped.
"Fine, fine. History." Tobias waved a hand. The doorknob made a snarl-like noise and the door itself swung open. Tobias strode in happily and collapsed on a sofa. Wyn couldn't help but laugh.*.
"Tobias, come on. Both of us need to go to bed." Wyn smiled down at his friend. Tobias lounged on a patchwork sofa of differing shades of blue.
"But why do I have to sleep in my bed? why can't I just stay here, in my clothes, by the fire. It's too much effort." Tobias' last word was a groan. He still had his grin on, though.
"Honestly, last year I was making you get pit of bed, not in." Wyn laughed and pulled out his wand. "Wingardium Leviosa." He murmured, in the soft voice he often used with spells, as if they were animals to be gently coaxed into a task. Tobias clutched at the sofa's armrest as Wyn lifted him higher.
"Wait what? No, Wyn, I swear if you drop me-" Tobias said, laughing dinfully. Wyn walked forward, Tobias floating forward before him. He made his friend bump on the roof of the stairway as he made his way up to the dormitory, much to Tobias' amusement. Kicking the door open, he sent Tobias shooting into his bed. James roared with laughter at the sight.*.