The Hogwarts School Bus
October 30th wasn't long coming, and during the time leading up to our departure rumours were flying about how we would travel to Beauxbatons. The most popular of these rumours was the theory the 7th years had created; the idea of bewitching the Hogwarts express. And so people agreed it was almost definite that we would be travelling to Beauxbatons on the enchanted flying Hogwarts express. Me and Lorcan however agreed this wasn't likely as the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th years would still need it for the Christmas holidays. And as October 3oth approached, we still had no clue for sure about how we would be travelling to Beauxbatons.
We sat in the great hall that morning, our trunks packed as we would be leaving at noon. People were talking excitedly all around us; I nibbled on my toast and watched what was going on. "You exited the?" Lorcan asks while shovelling cereal down his gob. Truth be told I'm a little apprehensive, I mean I have no idea what the people on Beauxbatons are like. "Yeah, I guess" I tell him, still looking around me. "Bit nervous though" I state flatly. "No need to be nervous" he tells me "You've got me!" and with this he flashes me a bright grin, which makes me smile.
"Come on then" he says, pushing his cereal bowl away from him "lets get our stuff". We head up to Ravenclaw tower and both grab our trunks, along with a bunch of other 6th year Ravenclaws. "Good luck Dominique!" one of the 3rd years calls to me as were heading downstairs. As I turn to her, bewildered she says "We're rooting for you!" and gives me a thumbs up, which all her little friends copy.
As me and Lorcan are walking down the steps I say to him "what was all that about?" He takes a moment before answering and speaks in a low voice "I think Ravenclaws are rooting for you as Hogwarts champion". "Me!" I say incredulously "what about James, or... or Dean Wood?" "I dunno" he says shrugging his shoulders, "I wouldn't worry about it, it's probably just because your mom was a champion" "mhmm" I agree, but this comment only makes me want to prove myself more.
When we reach the entrance hall it's packed full of 5th, 6th, 7th years and their trunks. Professor McGonagall steps in front of the crowd and begins giving instructions. "We will head out presently to where our mode of transport is waiting. You will leave your trunks here, we will tend to them later, just get on and find yourselves seats, it's going to be a long journey". With that she turns her back and begins walking swiftly out the door. The large eager group follow and I glance at Lorcan who has a look of exuberant curiosity on his face. As the two of us are at the back of the group we here gasps before we even reach the door. "What is it, hurry up" I hear an impatient but familiar voice behind me, I turn to see James, and next to him Fred. "Come on, Come on" he says, pushing Lorcan in an attempt to hurry the crowd up. He doesn't seem to care though; his neck is craned in an effort to see what exiting thing is waiting for us outside.
When we finally get outside we see what all the gasping was about. Sitting in the grass in front of us is a large, red, double decker London bus. And when I see it I gasp too, squeezing Lorcans arm as he gazes at it wide eyed. Professor McGonagall's stern voice breaks the moment of wonderment. "Come on now, hurry up get on board".
When we climb inside we see it's three times the size of your ordinary bus, with extremely comfortable seats and a large and very grand staircase leading to the top. Me, Lorcan, Fred and James head upstairs to find seats as the bottom is already quite full. We choose seats right at the front so we can stare out the large window. "This. Is. Amazing". James says in awe as we sit down. People are starting to pile in and take seats behind us. "Hey look!" I hear one of them shout, I look towards where she's pointing and see our trunks zooming like arrows into the bottom compartment of the bus. "Wow" I whisper, the only person who hears is Lorcan who gives me a look of agreement.
And like that were off, rising into the sky and sailing through the clouds. The journey passed quite contentedly with lots of exited chatter about the year ahead and how amazing Beauxbatons will be. After about an hour I feel my eyes grow heavy and then I'm out like a light. I wake up some time later due to the exited shrieks emanating from James beside me. I realize I've fallen asleep on Lorcans shoulder.
I look outside to see the most beautiful white castle with powder blue turrets. White winged horses grazing out on the lawns, a beautiful blue glistening lake and acres upon acres of land.
As the bus descends a rush of anxiety sweeps us. I start straightening my dirty blonde hair and patting down my jeans before grabbing my sapphire blue robes. "You look perfect" Lorcan whispers in my ear. I feel a blush rising in my cheeks. Since when do I blush at something Lorcan says to me?
"Attention please" Professor McGonagall's voice rings through the bus. "We will depart the bus in an orderly fashion" she says sternly. "We will be greeted outside by Madame Maxime headmistress of Beauxbatons and her students".
And with that we all begin departing the bus.
A/N: Thanks for reading! I'm gonna hopefully upload 2 chapters on Monday just to get the story moving. Special thanks to . and RavenxIsxAxBlackxRose my faithful reviewers
Monday's chapters will be called, fittingly Welcome to Beauxbatons and The Arrival of Durmstrang.