Chooooo! Chooo Choooooo!
The red and black train screamed it's final call. I was finally here- the Hogwarts express.
"You have everything right? Robes, books, quills, and cauldron?" Kingsley asked worriedly, as if he had somehow forgotten something despite the fact that he checked my luggage trunk almost seven times now.
"My wand." I stiffened, "We forgot my wand."
"What?! How is that possible! I checked-"
I grinned widely, flashing the grey handle of my 12 ½ inch hazel wand from the side of my pocket. Unicorn Hair core from Ollivander's.
Kingsley groaned, "Oi! You little -!"
He playfully whacked the side of my head. I feigned hurt, willing a single crocodile tear to trickle down, rubbing the spot where he 'hit' me with apparent tenderness.
"We both know that didn't hurt." He rolled his eyes dramatically.
"You always worry too much Uncle." I laughed musically, dropping my charade,
"I'll be fine. I promise."
"It's not a question of being fine, for you, it's more of a question of being 'good.'" He returned with a good natured grin of his own, "Now, off you go! Be fearless little minnow. I'll see you at Christmas!"
I rose up to the tips of my toes and pressed a quick kiss into his cheek before running onto the ruby train, past a large family with red hair and one black haired student who everyone else seemed to be whispering about.
"Could it be-"
"Did you see his scar? I wonder-"
I ignored them all. I was more interested in the large crimson and black locomotive that waited before me. Nearly skipping with excitement, I walked onto the train, almost tripping on the jutted ledge out from the pavement. I walked by the cabins, passing a sobbing first year and several older students that were grinning and hugging in the walkway. Most of the cabins were full to my dismay. I'd never felt comfortable around large groups of people, so I kept looking for a smaller party. Finally, near the end of the caboose, I found a cabin occupied by two others- first years by the looks of them. The one on my right was a bushy haired girl who had her nose tip firmly behind a book. On the left, a plump brown-headed boy clutching a toad who I recognized instantly, though it had been two years since I had last seen him.
"Neville is that you?" I asked, pulling back the glass sliding door. The boy nodded, crimson shading in his cheeks, "Sylver right? I nearly forgot we'd be in the same year."
"Mind if I take a seat? Everywhere else is-"
"My name's Hermione Granger! What's yours?" The girl burbled eagerly, interrupting him in her excitement.
"...Sylver, Sylver Bones." I replied unsteadily, taken aback by her abrupt enthusiasm. I gingerly shook her outstretched hand.
"Oh I'm just so excited to begin! Aren't you?" She didn't pause for a response, but instead continued on, "I've heard that the defense against the dark arts -"
Wow, she talked fast. It was clear she had done her research, much more so than me for she knew facts and stories of the classes, school, and history that I'd never heard before in my life. I was so distracted, I hardly even noticed the train began to roll forward, inching out of the King's Cross station and into the greenery. After several minutes of her explanations, I began to tune her out, not wanting to say anything that could be perceived as rude. I shimmied down in the velvety fabric, settling comfortably into the window seat. I was just about to close my eyes for a quick nap when the cabin door opened, revealing a cart filled with treats.
"Anything from the trolley dears?" The attendant asked.
"I'll take a pumpkin pasty please." Neville replied eagerly, placing his toad down to his side. He pulled out several knuts from his pocket.
"Nothing for me I think. I've heard the feasts in the Great Hall are well worth the wait." Granger said.
"I'll take a pop. Ocean water flavor please." I replied sleepily.
"Do you really like those? I tried one with my Gran once, tasted like seaweed and salt. Horrible really." Neville recalled with a grimace.
I shrugged, "I've always enjoyed them."
I took the proffered drink from the attendant and she closed the door behind her with the flick of her wand. I twisted off the lid too quickly, and the liquid foamed and shot into the air.
"Oh no you don't!" I exclaimed, twisting my hand into the air. The liquid halted, suspended mid air, gently swirling with my twirling fingers. I frowned and redirected the foaming liquid back into the container, before taking a large swig of it. Neville and Hermione stared at me with their jaws agape when I realized my error.
"Wha-how did you do that? You can't have possibly mastered wandless magic?! Or silent spells! We're not supposed to start those till our 6th year! I mean-" Hermione began.
"Calm down! It's not anything really!"
"Not anything! You just controlled that water with a flick of your hand! How am I not supposed to-"
"Shhhhh!" I hissed, pressing my fingers against her mouth as three first years strolled past our cabin: a blond haired male with a pinched expression and two hulking others following him in tow. I relaxed once they passed, sitting back in my seat, pinching my nose in annoyance. So much for keeping it on the down low.
"I'm not strictly human, so to speak. And I'd rather keep that fact under the radar if you please. Not everyone is so accepting of it, similar to how some treat muggle borns."
"Sh-she's part siren." Neville offered, "My gran told me once at a party."
"Neville!" I gave such a scathing look he nearly choked on his pumpkin pastry.
"S-sorry!"
"Are you really? I read all about them in Newt Scamander's Magical Beasts and where to find them- but I mean, how does that even work?"
"Well you see, when a man loves a mermaid-" I smirked.
"Not that!" Hermione flushed red, "The magic!"
I sighed thoughtfully, "It's hard to explain. Judging by your book knowledge, I suppose you must already know that most wizards rely on names or rather, spells to control or alter a thing. For example, the spell aguamenti can conjure water, and even control it to some extent. But water is more than just a name, more than just a feeling. I don't need to say the words for water because I know water, and to know a thing, is to control a thing. At least that's my theory at present."
"Is it possible to do it with other elements then- say fire or air?" She pressed.
I shook my head, "It's never worked for me. Then again, I've only been able to move the water. Perhaps it's just a siren-."
"Trevor! Oh no! Gran's going to kill me!" Neville interrupted, "I've lost him again!"
I bit back a laugh as he frantically began to search, turning over all of the seats in our cabin.
"Come on, let's see if we can't find him in another cabin." Hermione said, drawing back the glass cabin door with a click. Neville nodded solemnly.
"I'll stay here in case he decides to return." The two nodded and left. With that I looked out the window at the passing hills and trees till my eyes closed and my dreams overtook me.
