A/N Don't own them.... Never have...Never will. The only characters that are mine are Magentra and Pimpernel (so far) Warning- contains spoilers of first Harry Potter book though I don't know why you'd be reading HP fanfics if you hadn't read it already
Chapter 2
Ouch! Pimpernel! Magentra yelled, annoyed. She'd awakened to Pimpernel pecking her face. Get off! Sitting up and rubbing her thumping head, Magentra groggily looked at the clock which was ominously flashing in bright red numbers. Yawning, she turned over and closed her eyes again only to be smacked with another frenzy of pecking from Pimpernel. All right, all right you bleedin owl! she yelled, sitting up. Groggy, after only 5 hours sleep. Looking down she realized she'd slept in her clothes.
yelled Lupin, calling her by her pet name. Get up, you still have to eat and pack, and the ruddy train'll leave without you if you aren't on time.
Ugh, why oh why does the bloody train have to leave so early? she grumbled. Lupin's laughter sounded up the stairs, It doesn't leave until 11 am, now get up sleepy head!
Magentra grumbled loudly as she pulled on a shirt and pair of jeans, brushed out her long hair and brushed it back into an elastic band. She opened her drunk and piled in the packages from the day before which had been haphazardly spread about her otherwise tidy bedroom. Even after piling her mountain of robes, books and supplies into the trunk, there was still plenty of room. Mage glanced around her room and took some posters off her wall and rolled them up, placing them in the trunk with a few books and workshop supplies she'd quickly retrieved from the basement. she sighed once she'd gotten it all in, anything else Pimpernel?
The owl squawked in reply but stayed put. Magentra shook her head I guess you're right, I've pretty much packed the whole room. I shouldn't need anything else.
Magentra! Breakfast! Lupin called up the stairs. Magentra bolted out of the room, the trunk floating weightlessly behind her
Leaving it by the front stairs, she followed the delicious smells that were wafting from the kitchen, while doing her best to rub the remaining sleep from her eyes.
Good morning sleepyhead Lupin greeted.
Wide eyed, Magentra gaped at the table. Steaming dishes of sausage, pancakes, soup and a pot of tea were crammed on the kitchen table along with doughnuts, cereal, porridge, hot chocolate, French toast, waffles, rolls, biscuits and juice. Whatever you don't eat you can take with you and give it out on the train. Goodness knows I won't eat it, Lupin continued, elbow deep in dirty pans and soap suds. He wiped his hands off and handed Magentra a clean plate, Come on, we haven't got all day, he smiled.
Magentra filled it to overflowing and sat down to eat, managing to devour only about a tenth of what Lupin had made.
The owls came as she was piling the rest of the food along with her lunch into a large wicker picnic basket Lupin had handed her. Pimpernel flew into the room and dropped a copy of the Daily Prophet, on her head.
What's this?
Lupin looked up from the pan he was scrubbing furiously at, Another surprise. I just though that perhaps you wouldn't want to miss out on all that was happening in the wizarding world.
Promptly receiving a startling kiss on the cheek and a large hug, he blushed furiously at Magentra's affection You're the best.
Suddenly the clock chimed 10:00 am. Best or not, he replied, drying the pan and draining the water from the sink, If we don't leave soon we're going to miss the train.
He grabbed the keys. Carefully they loaded the trunk, owl and basket into the car and drove to Kings Cross Station.
Upon arrival, Magentra excitedly loaded her belongings onto an empty cart as Lupin dug up her ticket and handed it to her.
Do you want me to-
she cut in, slightly embarrassed we should say goodbye here.
All right, Lupin sighed, shaking his head at the young woman that stood before him. He kissed her on the cheek and smiled I'll see you next summer.
she whispered. Slowly, she walked into the station.
Platforms nine and ten didn't take long to find. Clutching her ticket and desperately trying to find platform 9¾, Magentra barely avoided crashing into a young, dark haired boy wheeling a cart almost identical to hers, though he had a white owl instead of black and wasn't sporting the picnic basket.
Oh, excuse me, he said shyly, glancing up from underneath long dark lashes and blue eyes that were framed with dark, broken glasses.
That face. It was so much like- her eyes closed and she could see it perfectly.
No Lily! Take Harry and Mage, I'll try to hold him off, Pl-
Are you okay? the boys voice cut through her memories like a knife. She looked at him and nodded. Shyly she extended her hand The names Mage, Mage Lupin.
The boy returned her hand shake and smiled broadly, Harry, Harry Potter.
Magentra nodded I know, I could tell by your looks and your scar. Are you going to Hogwarts too
The boy turned pink and nervously tried to smooth his unruly hair down over his forehead. His nod confirmed Magentra's suspicions Yes, I'm a first year.
Magentra pretended as if she didn't already know an nodded Don't worry. I'll be a fourth year but this is my first year at Hogwarts- the first transfer student in over 100 years, so, like you, I have no idea what I'm doing either.
Harry looked at her apprehensively Do you want to ride in the same compartment? he asked quietly.
Mage smiled
They wheeled their carts towards a guard that was leaning against a barrier between platforms 9 and 10. Excuse me sir, Harry asked the idle man But do you know where platform 9 ¾ is?
The large, purple faced man scowled at Harry, Platform 9 ¾, think you're being funny do you?
Harry looked at Magentra and shrugged, What do we do?
Suddenly a woman with flaming red hair and clutching a girl by the hand walked past, followed by 4 boys with equal piles of luggage on their carts.
It's the same every year, the woman's voice sounded across the station Every year, packed with Muggles. Her exclamation ended right as the group reached the barrier between platforms 9 and 10.
Harry looked and Magentra and whispered questioningly
Slowly they approached the woman as one by one the boys said their farewells to their mother and ran at the barrier, vanishing, much to Magentra and Harry's surprise, without a trace. Finally, only the younger was left.
Harry stepped forward E-e-excuse me but how do you get on the
The platform dear, the woman smiled broadly, Don't worry dear, it's Ron's first year too, she motioned to the flame haired boy. Pointing at the barrier she smiled Now all you've got to do is lean into the barrier. Best take it at a run if it's your first time, her laughing eyes and winking smile filled Mage's vision.
Magentra took it at a slight run, and suddenly, when she was about to crash into the barrier, there wasn't one. Instead a large, crimson train labeled Hogwarts express puffed steam in front of her. Harry and Ron came through the barrier. Ron climbed onto the train while Magentra and Harry piled their luggage in the last car. And none too soon. No sooner were they seated that the train whistled sharply and began to move at a slow, then steadier pace.
May I sit here, all the other compartments are full, asked Ron, apparently at the door. nodded Magentra, there's plenty room.
He sat down and smiled, I'm Ron, Ron Weasley.
Harry grinned I'm Harry, Harry Potter.
Ron's eyes grew wide, Y-your Harry Potter he exclaimed D-do you really have the
The what? Harry asked
Ron pointed to his forehead.
Oh, you mean this, Harry replied, pushing up his unruly bangs to reveal his lightening bolt scar.
Ron smiled enviously
Magentra reached out her hand, Magentra, Magentra Lupin, but most people call me Mage for short.
Ron smiled I'm Ron, Ron Weasley, pleased to meet you.
Magentra yawned, I don't mean to be a spoil sport but I'm bloody tired, and leaning her head against the window, Magentra fell asleep.
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Would you like anything off the cart dears, chirped an older witch pushing a cart piled high with sweets.
Magentra jolted awake, sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes.
Ron held up some dry-looking corn beef sandwiches and replied er-- no thanks. I'm all set, attempting to cover his glum look with a smile. Magentra and Harry, money bags full, both immediately felt sorry for him.
Harry smiled as Magentra jingled her bag of coins, We'll take the lot.
After paying out Sickles and Knuts, the witch went about her way, knocking on the doors of each compartment, this time with a picnic basket full of doughnuts, pancakes, fried chicken and two, very dry, corn beef sandwiches wrapped in plastic and stuffed under the cart. It was picked up halfway down the hall at the Weasley Twins' compartment.
What's this? Magentra asked, holding up a squarish box.
You don't know what those are? Ron exclaimed.
Magentra shook her head, I live with a bloody wizard but he never buys wizards candy.
Thos're Bertie Bott's every flavor beans. Oh, and beware, he warned, When they say every flavor they mean every flavor. There's strawberry, chocolate and coconut, as well as spinach, tripe and pepper, He opened a box and popped a bean in his mouth. Fred swears he got a bogie flavored on once.
Magentra snorted and apprehensively reached for a jet black bean. Popping it in her mouth, her face immediately turned read and she spit it out with a gag.
Magentra choked, despite Harry and Ron's laughter
Eventually after getting soybeans, tofu, broccoli-cheese soup and squid, Magentra gave up on the beans. She reached for a smaller box and opened it, catching the chocolate frog in mid air as it jumped out of its box.
So where're you from? Ron asked between bites of chocolate frog and cauldron cake.
Magentra replied.
Ron screwed up his face The only time we go to London is shopping for school. Mum says it's the cultural center of England.
Magentra laughed, It's not as special when you live their all your life, but I guess it is.
She cleaned up the wrappers and bottles from their feast and stuffed them into a bag.
How about some magic? Ron asked.
grinned Harry as Magentra asked, Do you know any?
Fred and George gave me a spell to turn Scabbers yellow, Ron replied doubtfully pointing to his pet rat.
Magentra brightened up and looked at him expectantly.
Suddenly a young girl with bushy hair appeared in the doorway, Have any of you seen a toad? A boy named Neville's lost one.
all three replied.
she looked at Ron's battered, second hand wand, are you doing magic. Well, let's see then.
Nervously Ron pointed his wand at Scabbers and chanted Sunshine, daisies, butter, mellow, turn this stupid fat rat yellow.
Sparks shot out of the wand and Scabbers let out a high-pitched squeak.
Are you sure that's a real spell? questioned the girl.
Ron just shrugged.
Well it's not very good is it? I've been practicing a few simple spells, and it's all worked for me. For instance, she pointed her wand at Harry, Oculas Repairum.
The tape holding the bridge of Harry's glasses flew off them and they appeared good as new.
Uninvited, she plopped down on the seat by Magentra and stared at Harry.
I'm Hermione, Hermione Granger.
Harry, Harry Potter.
I've read all about you, she turned to the other two, you are?
Ron and Magentra gave their names.
she looked bored. Finally, Hermione stood up and walked towards the door.
Thoughtfully she looked back at them You'd better get your robes on, the conducter said we're almost there.
Ron grumbled, Loony that one is, pulling on his decrepit robes as the train slowed to a stop.
All off! a voice called.
Harry, Ron and Magentra climbed off the train.
Hagrid, the large, kind and rather scruffy looking gamekeeper at Hogwarts called out to the students Firs' years this way, and led them to the lake where several boats were waiting.
Magentra followed the rest of the students to a trove of horseless carriages waiting to take them to the large Hogwarts castle that was looming in the distance.
She climbed into an empty carriage with two other girls about her age who were glancing at her and whispering furiously. As soon as everyone was secured, they jolted off towards the school.
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