Disclaimer: Don't own it. You know that well enough by now!
A/N: This chapter is horrible. I hate it. But I said I would get it out Saturday, so I will have to. I'm giving myself more time for the next one.
Delayed Start: 6. Train Sick
This was it. This was the day. Aileen stood next to her luggage at King's Cross Station, anxiously waiting for Harry, Ron, and Hermione to come. After getting her owl, Amaya, in Diagon Alley, she had written a letter to them about how worried and nervous she was. Hermione replied, saying that they would meet up with her on the first day.
Aileen looked around her again, but still didn't see them. Her mind wandered to the ticket held tightly in her hand. Platform 9 3/4. She knew that she had to walk through the wall, but was too nervous to do it alone. Suddenly Amaya screeched as someone passed right in front of her cage rather quickly.
"You all right Amaya?" Aileen asked. Amaya just looked at her, and make a quick up-and-down motion with her head, signifying a yes. She was a really beautiful owl, with pure black feathers. On her forehead there was a raindrop-shaped section in a midnight blue color, which accented her green-gold eyes. Aileen was lucky to have gotten her, she was definitely the best owl at the store, and cost as much. Aileen didn't exactly have the money, but she fell in love with the bird the second she saw her. Harry realized this and was sweet enough to pay the difference. Aileen thanked him nonstop for the next three hours, making him threaten her with a silencing charm.
Amaya suddenly cooed, and relaxed into her previous state.
Aileen looked at her, and then back at the ticket. "Charlie!" she whispered.
"What?" he whispered back.
"Have you seen them yet?"
"No. I would have told you if I had."
"I know, it's just.." Aileen sighed.
"What, do you think that they aren't coming?"
"Well, what if they forgot or something?"
"I highly doubt it. I'm sure that we just got here too early. It's still 10:30, the train doesn't leave until 11."
"But what if they did?"
"Ai, they couldn't forget you. Not after the little incident with that Malfoy kid."
Aileen winced. "I hope he's okay..."
"What? He looked like he was going to attack you! Besides, that bite could be fixed with some simple healing magic."
"I guess that you're right..."
"Speak of the devil." Charlie hissed lowly. Amaya stopped cooing, and turned to face in the direction that both Aileen and Charlie were looking. There was Draco, not more than twenty feet away, with two large and stupid looking boys trailing behind him. Charlie was right, there wasn't a scratch on him. Still, Aileen was relieved that he hadn't spotted her yet.
All of a sudden, Aileen spotted Harry. That was good. However, so did Malfoy. That was bad.
"Oh no." Aileen whispered. At that point, Harry noticed her and started to come over, as Hermione and Ron appeared running after him from behind a crowd. He hadn't noticed Malfoy yet.
"Harry!" she called, waving her hands, "Behind you!" Malfoy was coming up quick, and he didn't look happy. However, Harry was still too far away to hear her, and just waved back. Then Malfoy saw her, and changed from charging at Harry to charging at her.
They reached her at the same time. One was glad to see her, the other looked like he wanted her dead. Harry finally noticed that Draco was there, and a large amount of verbal fighting ensued.
"What the hell are you doing here? Haven't you caused enough trouble?"
"I could say the same about you, Potter! This is between me and her!"
"You leave her alone, she didn't do anything!"
"Oh yeah, like that little pest of hers was totally content with me last time!"
"He was protecting her!"
"He attacked me!"
"You deserved it!"
"SHUT UP!" Aileen hollered, as Ron and Hermione finally got over to them. "Shut up now!"
They stopped. Harry took a step back, and Draco glared at her. Charlie appeared from out of the collar of her jacket, and Malfoy stepped back as well.
He snorted. "This isn't over yet, Curter." Then he spun around and walked quickly back to where his goons were. Everyone sighed.
"I won't ask," Ron said, rolling his eyes.
"You guys," started Hermione, "It's almost 11. We have to get to the train, now!"
"Yeah, lets go," sighed Harry, running a hand through his forever-messy hair. "Aileen, you know how to do it?"
She nodded. "I'll go first and get it over with."
They all positioned themselves in front of the barrier. Aileen took a deep breath and started to walk quickly towards it, while pushing her luggage. Right before she went through, she closed her eyes tightly, out of fear. A whoosh went through her ears, and she was through. She opened her eyes slowly and gasped.
It was beautiful. The black train puffed out steam that partially covered the golden "H" etched onto the side. Multiple open entrances carried students into the train. All around her, she was surrounded my witches and wizards of all sorts, some first years giving their parents a last good-bye hug, some seventh years strutting around and looking dangerous. Aileen was amazed by it all. Harry came next, then Ron, and finally Hermione.
"Hey," started Ron, "Let's get a seat!" They all nodded their heads and went to the train. A wizard put their luggage into storage compartments before they went on. Luckily, they were able to get a seat that wasn't so far back, and was far away from Malfoy.
"So, finally, we're going back to school!" cried Hermione.
"Oh, please don't talk about school yet, Mi." moaned Ron. "I'm definitely not looking forward to another year of Snape."
Aileen cocked her head at him. "Snape?"
"This horrid teacher who hates all of the students." grumbled Ron.
"Although I hate to degrade a professor," said Hermione, "I have to admit, he's right. The only student he actually seems to like is Malfoy. And he hates Harry, more than anyone else."
"Why?"
Harry shrugged. "I don't know, why don't you ask him."
Hermione glared at Harry for a second, then turned back to Aileen. "Don't do that."
"Um, I kinda knew he was being sarcastic. I wouldn't have done it anyway." mumbled Aileen, running a hand through her short hair.
"Oh, well, good then." said Hermione, satisfied.
They sat in silence for a ways further, until the food cart came by. Everyone got tons of candy, and Ron showed off his 'eating and speaking at the same time' ability.
"Whell," he said, stuffing food in his face, "Thish must be the bwest candy I've hahd in a wong time."
"Ron, don't..." started Hermione.
"Down't whrat?"
She sighed. "Never mind."
Ron shrugged and continued eating. Aileen had a chocolate frog, but nothing else. She was too excited to eat. "How much longer will it be?" she asked.
"About a half hour." Harry said, broken from his trance of looking out the window. "We should probably get changed into our robes now."
"Okay. Hermione, lets get to the bathroom so we can change."
She nodded. "Yeah, let's go." They left the two boys and went to the bathrooms. After they changed, Aileen decided to ask Hermione a question.
"Ah, Hermione?"
"Yeah?"
"Why um, did that evil wizard try to kill Harry?" Charlie poked his head out of the pocket in her robe to hear the conversation better.
Hermione sighed. "This is a long story, one that I shouldn't tell you. That's Harry's job. Not mine."
"Is it that serious?"
"Yes. Harry is more well known than you'd think. Somewhat of a celebrity."
"Really? Why?"
"Because of the wizard. Because of Voldemort."
Aileen cringed. Had she heard that name before? Where? She couldn't think. "Is that the wizard's name?"
"Yes. But don't go talking about it."
"Why not?"
"Harry should tell you."
Aileen nodded, and fell silent.
"We should go back." They walked back to their seats, finding both Harry and Ron dressed in their robes. Ron was groaning and holding his stomach.
"Ate too much candy?" asked Aileen, concerned.
He just nodded, then groaned again. "Train.. Moving.. Sick.."
"We'll be there soon." With that, the train started to slow down, and Aileen realized that they were already there. It gave a final lurch, and stopped.
Everyone slowly started to move out of the train, the first years going into boats and the rest into carriages that would bring them to the school. Aileen stepped out of the train followed by Harry, Hermione, and the sick Ron. They were ahead of him, so they stopped for a moment to let Ron catch up. He took a few steps, then bent over gripping his stomach tightly.
"Ohhh," he moaned. Then he promptly showed everyone what he had eaten in the past eight hours. Needless to say, no wonder he had gotten sick.
"Ewwwww," said everyone in unison, and went to help him clean up.
A/N: Well, that's chapter six for ya. I know it was sort of a filler, but it was necessary. The train ride is always a filler. But it has to be there. It's a good chance to deepen the plot. The confrontation with Draco was needed, as well as the talk with Hermione about Harry. All will be made clear soo-... well eventually anyway. :)
Lovebuggy: Of course she is! Why wouldn't I make Aileen sweet as pie? Mmm. pie..
Sever13: Hey thanks! You're my second reviewer! Wee! Yeah, I thought the large pendant would add some humor to the story, that's why I made it so big. Haha. Concerning Draco, I like him too. However, the mind works its magic in many different ways. Mine made me do that for a reason (stupid mind!). A reason that will cause the major conflict of this story. You'll see soon enough.
Lemme pick a good day...Saturdays should be good. Yes, I want to give myself enough time for this one, it's important. Saturday you shall see the sorting hat. (A/N: ooh, ahhh) (A/N to the A/N: You're IN the A/N! You don't need an A/N in the A/N!) (A/N to the A/N to the A/N: Shut up! You're doing it too!)
(Me: Oo;; uhhhh...), Kyogera