The train was moving steadily on its way, quietly without much disturbances, but the trip was not going to stay so peaceful.
A boy their age poked his head into their cabin. "Excuse me, has anyone here seen Lindsey?" The boy spoke, his voice meek and soft. Albus looked up. The owner of this voice was a scrawny, honey-haired boy. In fact, he looked rather familiar...

"Silas?" Albus asked, causing Rose to look up immediately. Silas grinned. "So you do recognise me. I was waiting to see when you would. But seriously, has anyone seen-"

Silas didn't even look surprised when the chocolate frogs floated out of his pocket. He just turned around, and completely contrary to his behaviour previously, yelled. "LINDSEY ALICE LONGBOTTOM!"

Lindsey emerged, laughing uncontrollably, like she had completely seen it coming. "Well, well, getting more observant now huh, kiddo?" She gave his head a push, and he returned the favour. Lindsey was older than Silas by three years. She had already changed into her uniform, and from it Albus could see that she was a Hufflepuff, just like her mother Hannah. From the cheeky behaviour that was brinking on rough, one would think she would have been in Gryffindor, but truth to be told she never behaved this way to anyone other than her brother, and James. Similarly, Silas was soft-spoken around everyone but his sister.

In fact, that exchange had been considered milder than average. Expletives were not unusual, but only if Dad and Mum were very, very much out of earshot. Albus didn't understand how two could get along so well although they argued every other day. Sure, he did get into arguments with his older brother too, and quite frequently at that, but after an argument he and his brother would feel awful. On the other hand, arguing made Lindsey and Silas feel better than before, even strengthening their bond. Albus couldn't help but find it weird.

"Lindsey, how's Hogwarts like?" Rose asked. Lindsey furrowed her brows. "It's hard to say. I really like Herbology lessons. The professor's awesome."

"Lindsey," Silas flatlined, "The professor is our father."

"Exactly. Dad's awesome, isn't he?"

"Of course he is, but you're giving them a biased opinion." Silas explained. Albus waved to get their attention. "But we know him too."

Silas groaned inwardly. "This whole conversation...nevermind."

"Let's continue. I love the common room. It's so cozy. Bonus points for it being next to the kitchen. It smells amazing."

"Not everyone here is going to be sorted into Hufflepuff," Silas commented matter-of-factly. Albus had realised that Silas was going to counter-attack everything Lindsey said.

"Okay. What house do you think you'll be in? This question is open to the floor." She asked.

"Just to add that 'open to the floor' means anyone can answer," Silas explained. "Well I think I'll be in Gryffindor, like Dad."

"I want to be in Gryffindor, too," Both Albus and Rose chorused. Lindsey feigned a hurt expression. "Really? No one in Hufflepuff?"

"Sorry," Albus apologised quietly. Lindsey just smiled at him. "There's nothing to be sorry about. Anyway, which houses do you think the others would be placed in?"

"Silas could be in Ravenclaw," Rose pointed out. "He always has an argument for everything you say."

"Well observed," Lindsey nodded. "But he seems to only have comebacks for me and me alone. Too shy to argue with anyone else, huh?"

Silas bristled. "No I'm not."

Lindsey just shrugged. "Maybe you'd fit in Hufflepuff too, since you're a sweet kid, aren't you?"

"Who said others can't be sweet?" They turned around to see James walking towards them. "Did you know a lot of the children of Mum and Dad's friends are on this train this year? You should go out to see them."

"We'll leave the moving about to you," Rose replied.

"James! Why aren't you in your uniform yet? Do you know we're nearing Hogsmeade Station? What kind of an example are you?" With a wave of Lindsey's wand his trunk unlocked and his uniform floated out and towards them, landing on James' head. With another twirl the trunk locked itself. She lifted the clothes off his head to stop his muffled complaining.

"Are you my mum or something?" He protested.

"Well, I'm a year older than you," she answered simply, as she used the wand to tie his tie while it was levitating in mid-air.

"Actually you're older than me by a little under two months."

"That's more than enough. I'm still older than you, therefore I am still more superior and have authority over you."

"You, telling me what to do? I'd like to see you try." James scoffed.

Lindsey cleared her throat. "I don't think your house mates will appreciate if you're the cause of a wonderful kickstart of the year involving Gryffindor losing house points." She smiled saccharinely as James grumbled under his breath and left to change.

The train slowed to a halt just as James had finished putting on his uniform. "We're here," Lindsey chirped brightly, "Let's go." The station was packed. Amidst the chatter one could hear the cries of "Firs'-years over here! Firs'-years over here!"

"I'm assuming you want to head there yourself, Silas?" He nodded. "I'll be fine."

"Alright then, take care," Lindsey turned to leave, but suddenly Silas hugged her from behind. She chuckled. "Alright, you're crushing me." Silas let go, and she ruffled the hair on his head affectionately. "See you around."

The three of them walked towards where all the first years were standing, as the silouettes of James and Lindsey - who seemed to be squabbling again - faded into the crowds.