As Lovers Go

Chapter 4 - On The Express

Iliana quickly brushed her hair down with her hand and pulled it back into a messy bun as she'd woken up on the seat of the Hogwarts Express. She couldn't remember the in between details between waking up that same day and arriving at King's Cross the next day, but the fact that she was on the Hogwarts Express headed toward her longed destination was reason not to question any bit of it. She gazed out of the window as small droplets of water had glided down due to a light drizzle despite the sun being out. She could see the familiar pastures they always passed upon travelling on the Hogwarts Express - those beautiful green pastures that added both tranquillity to the older students and anxiety to those of their first year. Propping her feet up on the seat beside her and hugging them into her chest, Iliana turned away from the window and stared at the door in front of her. Doing so, however, she'd found herself to be staring into very familiar eyes, for propped up on the seat beside her was the very black dog she'd met just last term. How on earth could it have made its way onto the train? Let alone find her, her compartment, and slyly sneak in without a sound? Surely it couldn't have been that sly or clever a dog, could it have?

Iliana's perplexed look quickly turned into a look of relief and joy as the dog proceeded to lick her cheek in the most affectionate way. Iliana giggled a bit as she pet the dog's head soothingly. "How did you find me," she asked as though he could truly speak the answer to her. The dog continued to sit there, wagging its tail every time Iliana stroked its head. Iliana smiled a bit as she continued to stare out of the window, her hand involuntarily stroking the dog's head as she gazed. Time passed, and Iliana could feel a strange presence beside her at that moment. It was as if the dog had disappeared, and in his place, a person, of the same aura, was sitting. Iliana turned back several times only to see the dog either lying down or sitting upright as it had done previously. There was no doubt about it, there was something inexcusably human about this dog. Perhaps it was the way he leaned in at her slightest touch or seemed to address every word or sentence she spoke as if he could actually understand her with a nudge of his snout on her arm. Then, in a second, everything stopped. The train, the passing pastures, all were frozen as if time had stood still. In her compartment, Iliana watched as the black dog had begun to fade into the frozen air.

In a moment great light was entering into the compartment, and in that same moment, she could distinctively hear a voice calling, "Mum? Mum?" It wasn't her voice, and it wasn't a voice she recognized. Who on earth was this? What on earth was happening? Surely, she couldn't be dying, and she was sure she cast that butterbeer to the side upon receiving it. Was she stunned? Blinded? Was she in danger? Iliana shut her eyes against the overpowering, magnificent light; then, two hands, that of a woman's she could feel, placed themselves on either of her arms, shaking her back into consciousness … shaking her back into reality. Iliana's eyelids flew open as she woke up back in The Leaky Cauldron, in her small room she'd rented. A woman, standing in her maid's uniform, looking highly disturbed and slightly annoyed stood over her; her eyebrow arched, and her lips drawn into a thin line. "Ma'am? You alright," she asked. Iliana immediately propped herself up on her elbows, taking several glances around the room, making sure everything was the same as she'd fallen asleep. "Ma'am," the woman asked once more, this time a bit annoyed. Iliana looked up instantly and gave a slight nod, before slipping off of her bed and proceeding into the bathroom. "Mental," was what the woman whispered as Iliana passed her. Could she blame her? Not at all, after that occurrence, she had thought herself to have lost a bit of her marbles as well. What in Merlin's Beard was that? That entire dream, vision-like image, was she really that anxious to get back to Hogwarts? Was she truly that antsy to see a dog that probably didn't even remember her?

Staring at her face in the mirror, Iliana could note the look of tiredness becoming evident. Regardless of the previous nap she'd taken, the worry of the return of the Dark Lord, the stress of a new term, and the ridiculousness of the strange dream had begun to kick in. Closing her eyes, she tried desperately to lock all these feelings into a tiny drawer and promised to unlock it later; for now, she needed to take things one creaky floorboard at a time. Quickly rinsing her face off with icy cold water, Iliana dried her face and proceeded back outside to a rather clean bedroom as she watched the maid swish her wand, summoning all moving housecleaning instruments (brooms, mops, etc.) and immediately inducing them to follow her out the door. Iliana approached the window overlooking the train tracks now. She couldn't ever remember having dreams as vivid as these; this was strange, very strange to her. She supposed things would become clearer in time. The rumbling in her stomach had interrupted her thoughts; at this moment, perhaps these thoughts, these dreams could wait. Right now, food was necessary, and after supper was had, she'd needed to get a good night's rest. These actions would have to fill the void of wondering for the time being, and in secret, she was glad. Her mind could do with a rest from all the pondering. Besides, perhaps time would tick its way to the sounding of the Hogwarts Express horn when thought of this time was ignored. With this in mind, Iliana proceeded back downstairs to the pub area of The Leaky Cauldron. Making her way through the now crowded dining area, she sat upon one of the bar stools and quickly ordered up a bowl of soup.

Her fear that her nightmares returning might induce a regurgitation of her food, she decided upon something light. Courteously nodding as she accepted her bowl of soup and a glass of water, she settled herself down in one of the far corners of the room. Seating herself there, she glanced around at the unfamiliar faces in the pub. Some were rather innocent and genuinely entered the bar for a bit of food or a sip of fire whisky. Others were not to be thought of as so gentle; drinking, dancing, shouting were heard from amongst a group situated in the corner opposite of Iliana. These were escorted out at five minute intervals just to be Rennervated out of their unconscious drunken state and return within the other five minutes. Iliana marvelled at how intertwined the wizarding world and the world in which she was forced to live in every summer - the human world - was. Regardless of the ability to perform magic, to wield spells and all sorcery at ones finger tips, of the stereotypes and equal names both possessed for one another, the fact that there were myriad similarities could not be denied. It was in this way, then, that perhaps similarities of wizards were recognized. Regardless of their stand point there were the ones better at wielding spells and the others who weren't as gifted; the ones who led and those who followed. So why, Iliana's mind wondered, drove someone such as You-Know-Who to carry out such a terrible bidding?

Suddenly, Iliana lurched forward by a wizard casually brushing past her table, obviously on the verge of collapsing. Iliana watched the man uneasily - sure that he would either topple over onto her or throw up on her at any moment. To her relief, the man did neither and joined his comrades not a moment to soon. Iliana's thoughts lingered once more on the black dog. She could think about it all day, she told herself, but why, she asked. Why a dog? A silly dog that perhaps didn't understand a word or gesture that she showed or said. What on earth could she think was so human about it? She shrugged nonchalantly to herself, perhaps it was just the feeling of having a sort of companionship that brought that humanness. Still, though, it was rather eerie, she thought, to be attached to something quite like this. No, no … stop, she mentally scolded herself. You promised no more thinking for tonight, she reminded herself mentally once more. At once, she agreed. Her brain was exhausted from the answerless and chained questions. Taking a spoonful of soup, she pressed it against her lips. Cold as ice. She made a slight shudder before taking a brave sip and pushing the rest away. At least there was a bit of food in her system. Rising from her seat, she slowly made her way upstairs. Exhaustion had now almost taken over. In a second, she'd flopped herself on the bed, and allowed her mind to be filled not of the mysterious and humanlike dog which provoked many answerless questions, but of her long-desired destination to come. Tomorrow, she would board the Hogwarts Express for Hogwarts. There, perhaps, she may find her peace. With these thoughts in mind, Iliana's eyes weighed themselves down as she slowly drifted off to sleep.

The opened window's light nearly blinded Iliana as her eyes blinked themselves open. Using her forearm to cover her face as she lazily rolled over onto her back, a sudden thought had occurred to Iliana. Today was the day! Immediately, she sat up. A grin spread far and wide across her face. Off the bed she hopped, quickly changing and stowing all clothes into her trunk and grabbing her ticket off the bedside table before descending down the stairs of The Leaky Cauldron. She compensated the landlord for the time she'd taken there and caught a cab to King's Cross Station. She was finally going back! Finally! Upon arriving at King's Cross Station, Iliana was determined to make her way onto the platform she went every year, the one marked on her ticket that would take her straight to the Hogwarts Express - Platform 9 ¾. Her eyes searched for platforms 9 and 10, and finally, she'd found it. Checking to see whether or not any suspecting muggle's eye might be watching her, Iliana took it upon herself to walk hastily between platforms 9 and 10 into the concrete pillar. Just as swiftly as she had seemingly been "absorbed" in the concrete had she stepped out on the other side onto Platform 9 ¾. The train whistled, and Iliana's lips twitched into a large smile. The beautiful Hogwarts Express waited there in all its glory for its eager and anxious passengers to board it, so that it may take them to their longed destination.

Stowing her luggage away in the suited compartment, Iliana boarded the train and immediately searched around for an empty compartment. She passed several filled with boys and girls discussing, laughing, anxiously wondering about what Hogwarts would be like. It was riveting, to say the least, the energy that each compartment generated. Even the Slytherins, perhaps the gloomiest if not most menacing house in Hogwarts, had a certain energy to them. This was not too unusual, of course, as Hogwarts always managed to bring out some sort of excitement in even its dullest student. Iliana tugged the napsack, which carried her robes and writing journal and which she decided to keep with her, closer as she looked into several compartments. In a sudden moment, however, she'd come in contact with a very tough wall. Iliana was a bit shaken, jumping back almost immediately. Who on earth conjured up a wall there, she wondered. As her eyes wandered up, however, she'd noticed that it was not a wall, but instead, a student. It was Cedric Diggory, a fellow Hufflepuff, who had been crossing the train no doubt on his way to his friends when he'd run into petite Iliana. "I'm so sorry," Cedric apologized earnestly. Iliana's mouth gaped open. Words had been formulating in her mind, but no sound left her mouth. Not only was Cedric perhaps one of the most loyal gentlemen in Hogwarts, but he was the most sought after. This, of course, was owed to his handsome physique and his charming personality. Although Iliana had not known him well enough, the mere presence of him was enough to leave her speechless.

The two awkwardly stared at one another, Iliana's mouth opened, as though trying to force words or sound out of her mouth. Cedric gave a small chuckle. "Um, you take care now," he stated before smoothly sliding past her. Iliana's eyes widened in astonishment as realization settled in. Someone noticed her. Well, not primarily, but surely afterward, he'd actually apologized without simply blowing her off with an "oh-I-didn't-see-you-there." Iliana walked numbly to the last compartment, a transfixed smile on her face. Flopping herself down on the seat nearest the window, Iliana gave a small, happy sigh. As she turned her head toward the window, she immediately thought of how different perhaps this year may be. Perhaps she might actually be noticed. Perhaps she might actually stand out a bit more than she did in her previous years. Maybe she wouldn't be invisible anymore. Wouldn't that, she thought, be a birthday gift in itself? Birthday, yes, her birthday was nearing. She'd just only mentally remembered. Being born on September 2nd, the day after one arrived at Hogwarts was always a numbing experience. With the hassle of getting used to a new schedule and a new year, the day just felt ordinary to Iliana. Then again, she'd never had any friends to celebrate her birthday with, so it never really factored in that she did have a birthday.

Still, though, her smile had not diminished. The thought of being noticed by one of her year's most handsome members was a rejuvenating thought. One that would no doubt inspire many writings and drawings tonight. Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad, she thought. Perhaps this year might actually turn out … differently.

Hours passed and day turned into evening which, in turn, turned into night. The starry sky heightened the feeling of anxiety as the task of changing into school uniforms went underway. They were nearing the school; it would only be minutes now. Iliana smoothed over her black uniform with both her hands before retaking her seat in her compartment. Closing her eyes, she breathed, "Soon," to herself. Perhaps it was both mental and physical exhaustion that had finally weighted down her eyes, but before she knew it, Iliana had drifted off to sleep. The confusing and once, stowed-away thoughts had not come to light once more. Instead, they stayed confined to their sole drawer in her desk of memories. There they would not escape until she was properly ready to decipher these dreams and come up with a solution. She was not one to be completely devoid of an answer. For now, though, her mind was more interested in regaining hours of precious sleep, she missed out on due to her tossing and turning just early this morning. After all, how could one truly enjoy Hogwarts with a less conscious mind?