Author's Note – Heyy! Sorry, I haven't updated this for so long, but I've had a pretty busy week. We had guests from New Zealand earlier, and then I spent a day at the mall, watching the Golden Compass (I won't recommend it, it's a mix-up of the stories of Lord of the Rings, Chronicles of Narnia and Tomb Raider, and some aspects of Harry Potter as well so it's all a big clutter!) and then I had an eye test, after which the doctor banned my from using the computer for two days. And so finally! Enjoy!
Disclaimers – If I were JK, I'd probably been rolling in dollars! But, no! I'm not.
Chapter 5 – The arrival
'What do you reckon?'
Alexannah had been acting rather weirdly ever since Charlie had arrived at their compartment door and informed them that the train would be arriving in half an hour at their final destination. Earlier on, she had taken to gazing at the rushing countryside through the sole window in their train compartment. Now, however she was glaring fixedly at her painted nails, as though they were responsible for all her troubles and sorrows.
'What's with you?' Mia finally asked, having observed her companion's vexing behaviour for the last quarter of an hour.
'Nothing.' Alexannah replied shortly. 'I was just thinking about the Sorting.'
Mia smirked. 'You're worried about the Sorting?' she asked dubiously.
'It's just-' she broke off and shifted uncomfortably in her seat. 'My mom would be really happy if I'm put in Ravenclaw. Only, I don't think I'll be in Ravenclaw. See, I never really inherited my mom's brains or anything. Alexandra's the genius of the family.' She sighed morosely.
'Is it relevant? I mean, does it really matter which house you're Sorted into? You'll still be the same and we'll still be friends. Won't we?' Mia added worriedly.
'Of course we will.' she said reassuringly. 'It's just that you spend all your school years with your housemates and-' She buried her face into her hands.
Mia put her arms around her friend's shoulders comfortingly. 'Look, don't worry. You can't change what is to come. Just don't worry about it, okay? Your mother will understand.' She smiled placatingly at her distressed friend.
Alexannah looked up at Mia. 'If you had a choice, which house would you choose?' she asked quietly.
'Gryffindor.' Mia provided at once. 'But let's not worry about the Sorting.' She glanced briefly outside the windowsill. 'We should get ready to leave, you know.'
Alexannah sat up and dragged her trunk from under the seat and dumped it on the top. Then, she pulled her wickerwork basket from next to her and placed it carefully on her lap. Mia did the same, after which she picked up her owl cage and amused herself with the tawny owl.
At last the train slowed down and they heard the loud racket up and down as everyone scrambled to get their pets and luggage assembled, ready to get off. Alexannah shot a nervous smile at Mia.
'I suppose this is it, then.' she said softly. Mia nodded, pressing her forehead against the train window to get a first distant glimpse of Hogwarts, but it was a moonless night, so she pulled her head back in.
The train had finally arrived, puff of smoke billowing out of it, at what, Alexannah had told Mia earlier on, was called Hogsmeade Station. Leaving their luggage and shooting nervous grins at each other, they shuffled out of their tiny compartment and made their way out of the train, feeling the first sting of cold night air against their faces as they joined the crowd outside.
The sky was cloudy and moonless as Mia and Alexannah followed the large throng of babbling Hogwarts students off the train. Mia could make out the tops of the silhouetted pine trees away in the distance, beside what was undoubtedly a large, eerie lake.
'Firs' –years over 'ere, please…firs' years…'
A loud gruffly voice called out from somewhere near the lake, disrupting the eerie silence of the chilly night. Mia grasped Alexannah's hand firmly and marched across the platform towards the source of the voice, where a large beetle-eyed man stood around a crowd of timid looking first years. They stopped and waited until all the first years had gathered around the man; then watched and followed him as he walked artfully along a narrow path that led through the trees down to the bank of the eerie black lake.
Mia gaped; Alexannah had just spun and her heel and shrieked excitedly. Then had just caught their first glimpse of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
It was a huge, rambling castle, a jumble of numerous towers and battlements silhouetted against the dark, cloudy sky. Mia rubbed her temples with her palms.
She had seen this before…
Like in a dream…
Or in a dream of a dream...
'Its magnificent, isn't it?' Alexannah whispered wordlessly. Mia nodded silently. She just wanted to savour the moment, remember it forever…
'Mia!' Alexannah called out loudly, after what seemed like ages, distracting her from her thoughts. She grabbed her hand and pulled her to the edge of the lake, where small boats were bobbing up and down in the silent waters.
'We're supposed to sit in!' she said frantically pushing her into the only boat which was not completely occupied. Mia sat in willingly; her mind had lost all it's impulse to do anything but stare at the glorious castle in front of her.
She was so pre-occupied with the splendour of the scene that she did not notice the other occupiers of the tiny boat which they shared. She had eyes for nothing but the castle…
That would change. Soon.
A/N: Seems like another totally useless chapter with nothing but a big, boring conversation and an arrival. Bah! I probably can't update this soon 'cause school starts on Jan 6th here and an Algebra assignment and loads of projects to do plus a New Year's party to attend. I'll try my best but please don't be mad at me for not updating sooner. And please, please, please review!