Dorian looked across the limousine seat to Eric. "I heard that your shop was milling with professors this week. Making new desks for everyone?"

Eric let out a heavy sigh. "Testing out of my classes. Looks like I'm going to be a teaching assistant this year, at least most of the time."

Dorian's eyes lit up. "You'll be grading the tests?"

Eric gave him a twisted smirk. "Only for students that aren't Ravenclaws, and nothing for this year. Besides, I didn't pass the classes you'd need me for."

Naomi's voice drifted out from a darkened hood. "Snape didn't pass you?"

Dorian turned to her. "Snape would never admit that a student that left Slytherin House would be good for anything."

Eric chimed in. "Well, it's true that I didn't pass the test. I'll be honest, though; our class probably won't be seeing potions as complicated as the one he set before me. That and the analysis portion; students usually don't study reactive analysis until fifth year."

Dorian turned back to Eric. "Clearly he didn't want you to pass. Did you get a chance to mention it to Dumbledore?"

"He stopped by after the testing. He said that Snape's explanation was that if I was going to forego his class, I'd have to prove myself exceptionally above my peers. That's why the test was for a student finishing two years above the session I'm supposed to be entering. Still, he has requested my services as an assistant. I suppose I should be honored."

Naomi's voice rose again. "So, what classes will you be taking?"

"Well, I've got independent projects in most of my other classes, I'm still taking potions, and Professor Trelawney insists that there's value in my attending in the company of other students, so there you have it. Other than that, it's advanced study and assisting the professors."

Dorian was green with envy. "I wish I had that kind of opportunity."

Naomi's voice chimed again. "Personally, I wouldn't want to lose quiet time."

Arriving at the station, they found that Mr. Wainwright had already arranged for porters, making quick work of moving their property from the van following the limo to carts. While the porters were perhaps a little too curious about the contents of all the wooden chests, not to mention the caged animals, a sizable gratuity for each of them put a quick end to any misgivings.

As they made their way to Platform 9-3/4, Eric and his friends found themselves in the middle of a mass of students heading for the train. Eric found this to be the most fun part about the whole trip – getting to the platform. Dorian, however, was puzzled. "They don't see us. Why doesn't anyone notice students disappearing into a solid wall?"

Eric turned to him. "It's a discretex charm. There's two of them anchored in the bases of the arch. Lots of wizards try not to stress it, which is a good thing, but the fact is that people passing by on either platform really don't plan on seeing people disappearing from sight. The charm enhances their perceptions of an ordinary world. Anyone on platforms nine or ten would have to be deliberately looking for people vanishing or seriously paying attention in order to find the path to the Hogwarts Express. Either that, or a wizard would have to make a serious show of leaving, which would mean instant trouble with the Ministry."

Naomi looked over to Eric with an expression that almost suggested a smirk. "Is that why nobody's looking at you?"

Eric grinned in reply, revealing a copper torc around his neck, it's ends scribed with sigils. "That, and the fact that my hair is tucked under my cloak."

Passing onto the platform was easy enough, though Eric did notice that there were a few more cloaked figures around than usual. Obviously, these were Ministry agents, watching over the boarding which was a rather noteworthy event on the wizard's calendar. The passage onto the platform went as smoothly as ever, though, and soon they were aboard the express, having claimed their usual booth. Naomi was a bit delayed by her parents, who said their goodbyes with a sentimentality that was only slightly out of the ordinary, given their otherwise extremely proper nature.

It wasn't long before they were joined by Luna Lovegood, their dear ( if somewhat insane ) fellow Ravenclaw. Dressed in her usual flurry of color and patterns, with baubles and dangly things clipped almost everywhere imaginable, she was a splash of insane color to an otherwise fairly reserved group. As the train started off, the circle of friends each sank into their own activities. Luna began reading her father's publication, taking special care to look for the hidden messages in the pictures. After a few minutes, Dorian began borrowing pages from Luna. Eric began writing margin notes in his textbooks, except for the Monstrous Book, which clearly wasn't interested in co-operating. As for Naomi, she settled into meditation, intending to pass through the trip quickly and quietly.

The trip to Hogwarts passed in a manner that was beginning to become familiar to Eric. Urban settings became more and more rural, then downright wild as the train wound it's way north. As each of his companions set about passing the time, Eric began jotting down ideas – things to investigate in Hogsmeade. Third year students were allowed periodic trips to the town, and Eric already had received notice from Hagrid that his guardian was willing to let him go with the other students ( provided that he behaved himself and didn't get into any trouble ). The trail of his mother stopped at Hogsmeade, which is where he had to start.

As the sky dimmed down, the train suddenly pulled down to a stop prior to the Hogsmeade station. As the students began to look about in confusion, the lights went out, and the train was doused in darkness. Luna was the first voice to be heard. "It's finally happened. We've fallen through the Hogsmeade Hole!"

"You know, Luna, life would be far simpler if you didn't believe things just because your father printed them." Naomi's dry attitude was strangely heartwarming.

"That's typical. My father devotes his life to warning the world of things that are happening right in our midst, and all you can do is scoff!"

The banter of the group was cut off when the door to the compartment slid open. No light was present, but a sinister breathing could be heard. Eric strained to see, but was caught up suddenly in a wave of cold, unlike anything he ever experienced. He tried to look about, but the darkness had somehow grown thicker, almost as though he was immersed in tar. He could no longer hear his friends, or even be sure that they were anywhere around him. His heart began to race as he strained to see or hear anything but found himself sinking further and further into the blackness.

Then there was a light. It was a burning crimson, but it was bright, warm, and with it he could hear a voice bearing power, both alien in nature yet strangely familiar. It was chanting, not exactly calling to him, but nevertheless providing a beacon out of the darkness. "Amoranu Kaiserix – nefiran vanlair impotium Regina – invaneqran expurgis!"

Even as Eric's senses returned to him, he began to doubt them. The doorway framed a black, hooded figure, it's very presence seeking to suck the light and warmth from the room. Standing in direct opposition to it was Naomi, her body radiating the crimson glow he had sensed. As she stood, she appeared far more imposing than ever, as if she had somehow managed to grow two feet. The figure in the doorway shrank from her, as if fearing some dread reprisal.

"There is nothing for you here. Begone!" Her voice carried with it the all-surrounding presence of thunder, and whatever had entered the room quickly shrank from it. She then turned to her friends, and Eric could see why the creature was afraid. In addition to her imposing stature, her eyes glowed a yellowish orange, like coals the heart of a bonfire. However, once she was sure that the hooded creature was gone, the crimson glow vanished and she returned to her former self. Leaning over to Eric, she set her hand on his forehead. "Are you alright?"

Luna was the first of the group to act. "Illuminus dochs." A small marble of light rose from her wand, casting a greenish-blue light through the compartment. Other than the fact that the train was still dark, everything appeared to be as it should be, at least within the compartment they were in.

Dorian, though, was the first to speak among the group of them. "Ok, they were creepy. You, however, were downright scary."

Combing stray hairs out of Eric's face, Naomi didn't bother to look up. "That was the idea. It's called the Kaiserix, and it's good for these kind of situations. It's an expression of will, giving those watching an idea of how much potential a person would have if all they needed was the will to wield it. What it doesn't reveal, however, is how much of that power the caster currently has. They could have all they need, or very little. It's up to the watcher to call the caster's bluff."

Eric looked up at Naomi. "And if the spellcaster isn't bluffing?"

"The Kaiserix is also a forum – one which can cause considerable damage." Naomi reached for Eric's hand. "You're still shaking."

He was, indeed, still shaking. His head was still caught up in the cold. The darkness, the absolute isolation was still clinging furiously to his heart. He could see that everyone was about, but there was something, a wall of some kind that was cutting him off from everyone around him.

"Is everyone all right?" A shabby looking fellow had peered into the compartment.

Looking up at him, Naomi suddenly lunged. As the man staggered back, she snatched a large wad of foil from his hands. Tearing it open, she began breaking it apart. She pushed a block of something sweet into Eric's mouth, then handed pieces to everyone. "Eat it. You'll feel better."

The man appeared rather put off. "While I appreciate your wish to help your friends, I was hoping to pass that out to everyone who needed it."

Naomi suddenly stopped. In the blue-green light it was hard to tell, but Eric was fairly sure she was blushing. "I'm very sorry, sir."

The man looked the group of them over. The chocolate she stuffed in Eric's mouth was having it's effect, and the others seemed to be improving quickly. "Well, I can overlook it this time. It's obvious that you all needed the aid, and it's good to see people who care about their friends so much. In the future, however, I would appreciate it if I could have the chance to offer assistance myself."

As the man departed, Naomi turned back to Eric. "Are you feeling any better? Maybe you should have some more."

Eric declined. "I'm better, really." He paused for a second. "Um, why weren't you affected by those things like we were?"

Naomi ducked back. "I was meditating. Whatever those things were, they seem to have a power that affects emotions. While I meditate, I try to silence all my feelings. No emotions means no effect. That's why I was able to act so quickly."

Dorian piped up. "Not to mention powerfully."

The lights returned to the train, and as far as anyone could tell, the halls were clear from those things. A blow from the whistle, a sudden jerk, and the train was moving again. It wouldn't be long before they were at Hogwarts, and all of this would simply be an extremely unpleasant memory.