Chapter 2

They reached the station and navigated their way to Platform 9. Norman knew how to get to Hogwarts, but sometimes James would make him fly beside the train so he could keep an eye on him. This was one of those times.

"After you," James's dad offered, stepping aside so that James could run into the barrier. He took a deep breath and raced at it, feeling the strange whoosh of cold air brush his skin as he emerged onto Platform 9¾. James was greeted by a scarlet steam engine blowing out puffs of smoke, with the words 'Hogwarts Express' written in gold on the front.

A mass of students bustled around, boarding the train and saying goodbye to their families. Alec, his face a mess of blonde hair and stormy grey eyes, came running over.

"James! You didn't miss the train this time!" Alec grinned, brushing James's shoulder affectionately. James edged away the tiniest bit, hoping that Alec didn't notice, and smirked. Last year, he'd managed to miss the train, and had ended up having to fly on Normen to school. The teachers certainly weren't happy about that.

"Did my invention work? Can I have it back?" Alec pestered, tugging gently on James's sleeve.

James pulled the strange device out of his pocket. "Yeah, I think it worked,"

Alec beamed, and James handed him the small black device. He accepted it, then looked away at someone in the distance.

"Well, see you on the train. The same compartment?" he cocked his head to the side slightly, his wide silver eyes shining. The good-looking boy started to drift further away, edging towards his parents who watched him from across the platform.

"Sure," James smiled and watched him run off.

As soon as he was out of sight, James felt a hard tap on his shoulder. He whipped around to see a girl with long, ink-black hair and brown eyes that were filled with curiosity - and sassiness. She wore a patterned shirt with skinny jeans and glasses.

"Meenakshi," James gave her a look which said 'Of course you'd be here'.

She smiled at him slyly, "Didn't think you'd make it. How's Normen?"

But before James could answer, the train whistled, and James jumped out of his skin.

"Bye Dad!" he called, giving his dad a half-hearted hug before grabbing his bag and darting towards the train. It pulled away from the station only minutes later, students waving to their parents as the steam train exited the station.

James found Alec's compartment and collapsed on the seat opposite him. He dumped his bag on the floor and grinned, peering out the window, his hazel eyes searching for the snow-white Hippogriff.

A few seconds later, Meenakshi slid open the door to their compartment and sat down, followed by her two best friends, Lise and Eunice. Lise was already wearing black and green Slytherin robes, and Eunice was still casual.

"Hey boys!" Meenakshi's in the sassiest voice she could muster.

"Hey…" Alec stared at them, with an almost annoyed look in his eyes. If he didn't like them, he never showed it though.

Meenakshi shooed James from his seat, motioning for him to sit beside Alec so she and the other two girls could sit together.

James got up and moved, lugging his bag with him, and the three girls settled down opposite.

Eunice pulled her Gryffindor robes out of her bag and laid them on her lap.

"Please don't -" Alec began, but Eunice cut him off.

"Don't worry, I'm not getting dressed!" she snapped.

Alec raised his hands defensively. Suddenly, James shot up towards the window, pressing his hands upon the glass as he spotted his Hippogriff soaring down beside the window.

"Normen!" Alec beamed, excitedly. His metallic grey eyes lit up at the sight of the Hippogriff, and he leaned towards the window.

Meenakshi sighed. This was going to be one long year.

Later, after the girls had bought as many sweets as they could carry from the sweet trolley, Meenakshi got up and announced that they were going back to their own compartment.

"Come on girls, Summer, Clover and the others are probably wondering why we're not giving them any of these sweets,"

Lise slumped, looking depressed. Clearly, she didn't like her compartment, but she got up and left anyway.

Once the trio were gone, Alec looked from James to the door and asked, "Can I find Isaac?"

James nodded, feeling suddenly tired. They were only halfway to Hogwarts, and he was already dreading the mountains of homework he knew he'd get.

Alec left, and James was alone in the cabin.

But not for long.

He was just starting to nod off when he was interrupted by a scream from outside. His heart pounding against his chest, James jumped to his feet. Norman had disappeared from the countryside outside his window.

He tried to open the door to his compartment, but it was locked.

Outside, he could make out a black shape hunched over a body. The body was lifeless and still, and as James watched, the black shape devoured it, leaving no trace. Not even a smudge of blood.