Due to Katrina's impatient squealing, (don't worry, sweetheart. I still love you.) I've decided to keep on writing today. :] I've also come to the conclusion that I should at least try to make my beloved chappies worthwhile by making 'em longer and more…clean, I guess. Tell em what you think! ;]

Chapter Three: A Mesmerizing Trip

Selene's POV

I stare at the woman in disbelief. We're here already? I ask myself incredulously. "But it should have taken the train much longer to arrive!" I say aloud.

The woman looks at me oddly. "Are you quite alright, dearie? We've been on the Hogwarts Express for nearly six hours. That's a bit longer than it's taken us in the past, don't you think?"

With a jolt I realize that the early dawn outside the windows has turned a suspicious evening shade. "Bu-bu-but…" I stutter incoherently.

Lysander, charming as always, steps in confidently. "I believe my friend is merely excited to finally arrive. Thank you ever so much for the notice."

The aging witch, seemingly satisfied, nods and closes the door politely. I turn to Ly, who, I can't help but notice, looks slightly amused. He claps his hands slowly, grinning from ear to ear. "Smooth, smooth. I think you handled that situation perfectly."

I push him gently, corners of my mouth tugging up. "You can't blame me. Aren't you excited to finally arrive?"

Ly's eyes widen and he starts talking much more animatedly than he had the entire (apparent) six hour trip. "Of course I am! Why wouldn't I be? I heard Hogwarts is full of all kinds of neat things. Lots of food, I reckon. And ghosts! I can't wait to see the ghosts…" I drag him by the arm out the door, mouth still spewing information.

After stepping off the train and stretching out my legs, I feel Ly tugging at my shirt impatiently. "What?" I snap, irritated.

He simply lifts a finger in the direction he's looking, mouth agape in astonishment. I sigh and glance up, stopping in my tracks immediately.

In the corner of my eye, I can see the rest of the first-year students mimicking my facial expression. I don't pay them much attention, though. What really gets me is the view. Just beyond the rickety wooden station, I can see a dark lake shrouded in the night clouds above. Trees surround the entire perimeter of the body of water, and, directly south of it, a structure lies atop a small mountain. Hogwarts. It's more amazing than I imagined. Turrets jutting out from all angles, windows displayed on every surface, even what must be a quidditch field seems to stand out behind it. I reel back in shock and follow, zombie-like, to the boats that wait just ahead.

…

Ly's POV

When I snap out of my trance, I see Selene beside me on a boat I don't remember boarding. Worried, I see the rest of the students our age on boats next to us. They, too, seem to be mesmerized by the imposing building they were approaching. Not a single adult is seen. With a terrified squeak, I shake Sel repeatedly until she blinks furiously and casts a sideways glance at me.

"What's going on?" She whispers. I can see fright in her eyes; it's unfamiliar to me and I don't know how to react. With a deep breath, I do the first thing that comes to mind: I stand up on the unsteady paddleboat and scream at the top of my lungs.

And then promptly fall off the edge.

When I resurface from the hypothermia-inducing waters, I can hear Selene laughing at the top of her voice, and the confused voices of others. With a raggedy breath, I yelp at Sel to lift me up. She obeys, laughter not stopping once.

"Sel, you have to listen to me," I say worriedly. "I think someone's charmed all the students."

She merely giggles. "Of course they have! Didn't you hear Professor Granger earlier?" She looks at me strangely.

"Excuse me?"

Comprehension dawns on her face. "Oh, I see. It must have been when you were underwater."

I glare at her maddeningly. Is she going to tell me or not?

"Right, right." She says, reading my mind. "Well, apparently some sixth-years found it funny to try and bewitch dozens of first-years into a hypnotic state for a while." She growled uncharacteristically, as if this wasn't the first time someone had bewitched her. "It's a good thing you woke up so early. I can't imagine what we would have done had we been in the state the entire night."

I can't help but feel proud. I was a hero. Sort of. I wonder what Lorcan thought of it all. He was arriving later that night from Dublin. Mother had taken up the job as Divination professor at the last minute, and, instead of going to Muggle school where mum used to teach, my twin brother was coming to Hogwarts. I hope mum knows how to drive that flying car. I recall her telling me that a family friend lent it to her, and if she wrecked it, there was going to be trouble. Something about a whomping willow.

I snap back to reality and realize I am already standing right outside the door to what should be the Great Hall. Around me are grand marble staircases and crystal chandeliers. Fancy place. I nudge Sel, wondering what she thinks of this. She gives me a gleeful thumbs up and motions for me to come to her.

"What's going on?" I ask, seeing a bushy brown-haired woman in her early thirties addressing everyone at the doors.

"Professor Granger's putting everyone in alphabetical order. That means I won't be next to you," she says sorrowfully.

Sadness pangs in my heart. "What is your surname, anyway? I don't believe you ever told me."

"Longbottom. Selene Longbottom."

I faintly recall hearing the name somewhere before I am swept away by the brown-haired woman to the back of the line.

Longbottom. Longbottom. Where have I heard that before?

…

A/N: Arrrghhh. Abrupt ending. Apologies. My head has no more willpower. *dies*