Disclaimer: Any characters you recognize belong to JK Rowling. The others are mere inventions by me.
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Tears of the Phoenix- Chapter 1
'So, that's it.' he thought, as he sat down on the window-still. The landscape was nothing but a blur of green and grey; the thick fog made it almost impossible to distinguish one tree from another. The dark clouds hovering above the castle completed the rather depressing scene. He could remember many mornings which had been just like this, but he'd always been fascinated by them; had seen the true beauty of nature in them, only today it just added to his sad and depressed state of mind.
As the first drops of rain touched the grey stone walls, he thought back to the first time he had seen the castle, seven long years ago ...
*Flashback*
The whistle of the bright red train pierced through the clear september morning. The station was overcrowded by a cheerfully bustling throng of wizards and witches of all ages, their trunks and pets; creating a muddle of colors and noises.
Nobody seemed to notice the small, blond-haired boy who desperately tried to get his heavy trunk and bulky birdcage into the train. Suddenly he felt the weigth of the trunk being lifted from his hands and, looking up, saw it being raised effortlessly into the train by a tall 15-year old boy. He then carried it into a yet empty compartement, only pausing a moment when he asked it's owner 'You coming?'
Stumbling the smaller boy followed him, carefully avoiding other students and trunks scattered in the narrow corridor.
Once they were inside the compartment the 15-year old put down the case and extended his hand to the younger boy. 'Hello. I'm Quinlan Seaton.' He grimassed. 'My friends call me Quin.' They shook hands. 'My name's Albus Dumbledore.' Quin smiled. 'You a first-year, right?' Albus nodded. 'Don't worry. No time at all and you're as bad as the rest of us.' He said, indicating two laughing wizards running away from an equally laughing witch who tried to hex them.
'SEATON!' a female voice yelled through the train.
'Ewww....' Quin made a face. 'That's Professor Pumpkin, the herbology teacher. Guess she found out it was me who hexed her Bubotubers.' He said. 'I better get going. See you.' He slipped out of the compartment, winked and was gone.
Albus placed the birdcage ontop of the trunk and sat down in a window seat. Exhausted as he was, he leaned his head against the window and closed his eyes.
When he woke up the trolley-witch was standing in the doorway. 'Do you want something, dear?' she asked him friendly. He bought some juice, a pastrie and a couple of chocolate frogs. After his lunch he decided to wander around the train for a while. He saw many students, a few already in their school robes. In one compartment were several young witches and wizards; in their midst sat Quin, laughing at something a boy had just said. Though Albus liked the older boy, he didn't dare saying 'hello' to him. Sure, Quin had helped him back at the station, but now he'd probably be annoyed by him. Instead Albus returned to his compartment and started reading one of his spell books.
Before long a girl in robes with a 'P'-badge walked through the train, telling everybody to get ready. Albus put on his school robes and left the compartment; his trunk and birdcage would be brought straight to his dormitory. He went along with the stream of students, all eager to get some fresh air after the hours on the train.
'New students over here!' a fierce looking man bellowed over the crowd of students. 'I am Mr. Fowl, the caretaker.' He said when all first-years were there. 'Follow me.'
He led them towards a group of small boats, which carried the over the large lake. Once they were at the other shore, Mr. Fowl nodded towards the silhouette of a magnificent castle against the orange glow of the setting sun. 'Hogwarts.'
*End of Flashback*
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