Chapter 5: The Train Ride
I am not the amazing J.K. Rowling and there for do not own Harry Potter. (Sadly)
September first finally arrived and Rose was practically bouncing in her seat. She couldn't wait any longer and random things around her had started glowing. Remus, the responsible adult, had gone to get her a calming drought. Rose had a feeling that he though things would start exploding with her excitement. But she didn't care really. Rose had packed yesterday afternoon and was sure she had everything she needed. She sat on the floor in the hallway, watching as Sirius and Harry ran franticly around all of Grimmuald Place searching for something. Harry had come through the hall with Sirius about ten minutes ago freaking out over his missing caldron. Rose had to laugh; she had seen him pack it earlier that morning when she came to tell him that breakfast was ready.
Remus came back with the potion in one hand and a chunk of chocolate in the other. Rose downed the horrible smelling liquid while her godfather sat on the floor next to her and bit into his treat. Immediately she began to feel her excitement wear down and her energy fade away. Rose slumped down slightly and sighed barely noticing the blue light that had faded from every object in a three foot radius of her as the potion kicked in. She smiled up at the sandy haired man and rested her head on his shoulder.
Finally, Harry and Sirius came down the stairs and around the corner with goofy grins across their faces. Sirius was carrying Harry's trunk at his side. Without even looking up Rose asked a very important question. "Did you pack your tooth brush?" The smile fell from Harry's face and he smacked his palm to his forehead then turned and ran back up to his bathroom. Both Sirius and Remus laughed and Rose grinned slightly.
Rose didn't know what happened that afternoon in Diagon Ally after Remus and her left but something changed in Sirius and Harry. Sirius was no longer a jerk towards her and Harry seemed very comfortable in her presence. Maybe Harry saw her new control over her magic and felt less afraid of her. Maybe Sirius sat and thought about how much of a jerk he was being and decided to change his ways. She had asked Remus but he seemed to be at as much a loss as she was. Don't get me wrong, Rose loved that everything was going so smoothly and if not knowing something would keep the peace, then she was perfectly okay with it.
Harry returned holding his toothbrush high above his head, a triumphant grin on his face. "Got it this time." He said reaching over to put it into a pouch on the front of his trunk. "Okay, I'm guessing we're all ready then!" Rose exclaimed jumping from her spot on the floor. Remus followed her actions and in seconds Rose had grabbed his hand and her own trunk and raced towards the door. She didn't even touch it, but the front door flew open anyway and then Rose and her godfather were outside and in the middle of the street. "Were do we go from here?" Rose asked while bouncing on the balls of her feet. Remus put one of his hands on either of her shoulders, and with a chuckle, pushed her down so that she could no longer bounce. "Calm down cub we have quite a bit of time till we need to meet up with the Weasly's."
"How much longer?" Rose groaned and Remus chuckled. "Wait till Sirius and Harry get out here." He told her. Rose pulled her wand out of her pocket "Acio Harry Potter!" She exclaimed with a quick flick of her wand.
Thankfully the front door was still open because in a matter of seconds the raven haired boy came zooming out and then headed straight towards Rose. He and Rose collided and fell onto the pavement. "Could you get off me?" Rose asked from under her brother. He groaned and rolled to the right. Rose stood up and then stepped over to help Harry get up. "Why and how did you do that?" Harry asked while rubbing his head. Rose laughed. "I didn't think it would actually work but I just used the summoning charm." Harry stared at her and then laughed. He didn't know that acio worked on people.
Then Sirius came through the door and ran over to Harry wrapping him in a hug. "What the hell just happened?" He asked. "Rose used the acio charm on Harry." Remus explained. Rose noticed that Harry's trunk had been left in the house and quickly summoned it. It then came soaring out to her and with a flick of her wand it slowly set itself down. Rose didn't know a spell for closing doors so she just stuck her wand in her pocket and used her mind to will the door to shut itself. Then she turned to Remus. "Can we go now that Harry and Sirius are out here?" Rose practically begged.
"Wow! How come you're so exited?" Sirius asked. "It's a school of magic!" Rose exclaimed. Sirius turned to Harry. "How come you're not as happy as Rose?"
"Well it's not my first time going to Hogwarts. I'm kind of used to it." Harry shrugged. "How could you not be excited about school? You get to see all of your teachers again and you have something to do in the afternoon instead of just being kicked out of the house. Then there's snow, which if you haven't noticed, doesn't seem to come in summer! And the school library if fantastic! You can borrow a book and just read for enjoyment or you can hide there from all sorts of people, because for some odd reason nobody likes to go there. And I can't think of any bad things about school so why you're not excited for, like, the best thing in the world is a mystery that even Sherlock Homes would never figure out, even if it's not your first time going to school!" Rose said all of this extremely fast while she bounced on the balls of her feet and waved her arms around at certain moments to show emphasis.
Remus dug around in his pocket while Sirius and Harry laughed at Rose. Eventually Remus found what he was looking for. He pulled a large vile of a dull purple potion from a pocket in his cloak and uncorked it. "Rose, I want you to drink a few drops of this potion." He said holding the vile out to his god daughter. He hadn't noticed that Rose had still been talking and sent a short glare at him for interrupting. But she took the vile from his hand and gently pored five drops onto her tongue.
Rose instantly knew what the potion was and that she had taken an over dose. She felt her knees wobble underneath her. She quickly handed the vile to Remus, not wanting to spill any of it on the ground. It was becoming harder and harder to stand and black dots were forming in her vision. Rose heard voices, but they were all blended together. It kind of sounded like when the adults would talk in the Charley Brown cartoons. Wahwah, wahwah, wahwah. Rose laughed at that thought. His voice sounded strange, as if it was coming to her from the opposite end of a long tunnel. Then she felt her legs give out from under her. Everything went black and sound faded away. The last thing Rose thought was if someone was going to catch her or not.
"Remus you broke my sister!"
"I promise you Harry, she'll wake up in a matter of moments."
"No Moony, I think you broke her."
These words meant almost nothing to Rose as she began to wake up. Then she recognized the voices. It was Remus, Harry and Sirius. "Why I broke?" Rose heard herself mumble, her words were slurred so that she could barely understand herself. Or her hearing wasn't all the way back yet.
Rose opened her eyes and instantly shut them again. Why was the world so bright? Then her hearing came back to her in full. The noise of hundreds of people talking seemed to attack her ears, and win the battle. Rose groaned and covered her ears in a futile attempt to block out the noise. Then Rose noticed were she was. She found that she was not standing or lying down but that she was on some ones back. With a quick peep through her eye lids, Rose saw that Remus was carrying her piggy back style through a train station. Harry was pushing a cart with his trunk and cage with Hedwig inside it while Sirius pushed a cart with her trunk and owl on it.
"See Harry I told you she wasn't broken!" Remus exclaimed and Rose couldn't help but smile. "I thought someone said I was in fact broke?" Rose questioned. She felt Remus shake with silent laughter. Rose wiggled slightly. "Do you want to get down?"
"Yes please." Rose answered And Remus let his arms fall so that she could slide off of his back. "Thank you." She said to Remus and then to Sirius. He then moved out of Rose's way so that she could push her own cart.
Rose blushed slightly in humiliation and tried to take a step. Her knees wobbled uncertainly but it was only a couple steps until she was able to use the cart to support her weight. Harry watched her carefully, ready to catch her if she fell. But she didn't and so he continued to lead the small group to the barrier between station nine and ten. When they finally reached the barrier he turned back to look at Rose, a huge grin was threatening to split her face in two. Harry almost laughed at the look Remus was giving her. It was almost as if he was wondering whether or not to give her another dose of the calming drought. But he made no move to get the vile from his pocket, yet at least.
"Alright Rose, all you have to do is run right through that barrier over there." Harry explained with a gesture towards the Barrier she was to go through. "Follow me."
That's when Harry took off full speed at the barrier and disappeared. "Okay then." Rose said to herself and then ran after her brother.
Only a moment before she reached the barrier was she beginning to have doubts. What if she was heading to the wrong one? What if that wasn't a magical portal, because it looked like solid brick. What if a muggle saw her and tried to follow her. Two more steps and Rose half expected to run into solid brick. But there was no impact and Rose kept running for a few more steps. She turned back to the solid looking bricks she had just passed through and saw Remus appear, quickly followed by Sirius. Rose looked around and saw a sign that read station 9 ¾ and to her right was a huge, bright red train. "Wow." was the only thing she could say.
Hundreds of witches and wizards were walking around, talking with friends, and saying good bye to their parents/ children. It was loud and beginning to give Rose a head ache. She turned back to Remus and saw him gesturing for her to put her trunk on the train. She nodded obediently and did as she was told.
She got to the back of the train and easily lifted her trunk. Little boy was trying to do the same but had dropped in on his foot. Rose quickly pulled out her wand and cast a feather light charm on it. The little boy gaped and then thanked her. She ruffled his hair and offered him good luck this year before she left to return to Remus. When she got there he was talking to Mr. Weasly, Sirius was talking to the twins Fred and George, Mrs. Weasly was fussing over Ginny and Harry was talking to Ron and Hermione. The clock a few feet away showed that they had three minutes until eleven o'clock, when the Hogwarts express left the station.
Mrs. Weasly seemed to notice this too and began telling everyone to get on the train or they'll miss it. Rose quickly ran up to Remus and wrapped her arms around his waist. He in turn wrapped his arms around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head. "Bye Remus." Rose had said when they finally pulled apart. "Bye cub, remember to write." Remus replied. "Of course." was Rose's response. And then she climbed onto the train just before it began to move. Rose shut the door and began to look for an empty compartment, which she found right around the middle of the train.
Rose stepped in silently and closed the door behind her. She then dropped herself onto a seat nearest the window and rested her head against the cool glass. It was only a moment later when a toad appeared at her feet. Rose looked down at it and smiled. She picked up the toad and began to stroke its back with two fingers. It croaked softly almost as if it enjoyed it. Rose laughed at its actions.
Then the thought came that someone might be looking for their pet toad. Rose stood to leave and find the owner but before she could leave the compartment door slid open and a round faced boy holding a cactus appeared at the threshold. "Have you seen a toad any were?" He asked. Rose took a step closer to him and stretched out her hands. "Here you go. I found him about a minute ago. I was just about to go out and search for his owner." She said with a smile. Rose watched as the round faced boy took his toad in one hand and stuck out his other for Rose to shake. "Neville Longbottom." He said, "And I don't remember ever seeing you in Hogwarts before." Rose pumped his hand one more time before speaking. "I'm Rose Potter. And this is my first year at Hogwarts." Neville looked confused. "Why are you just starting school now?" He asked. Rose shrugged. "Take a seat and I'll tell you." She said gesturing to a seat and Neville sat in it.
"Well I guess it starts with the Williams. The Family I grew up with in America. And then this thing called Destination Apperation, which is something Harry did on our birthday, I believe it's supposed to take you to, like, your destiny or something. So he showed up with Sirius and my godfather Remus. I made dinner at the Williams house for them. Remus made me drink this potion that wrote out the names of my parents over my head and it read James and Lilly Potter So they took me home with them." Rose explained wile Neville opened and closed his mouth, not sure how to respond to that story. Then Rose laughed. The boy in front of her looked like a fish. Neville blushed. "Well I didn't know Harry had a sister." He finally said. "I didn't know I had a brother." Rose replied. "I thought I was just some sort of freak." Neville shook his head. "You're not a freak. You're not any more freak-like then anybody on this train." Rose couldn't help but smile. If only he knew. "Thanks Neville. That means a lot." The boy smiled and nodded. "Do you mind staying here or do you have another compartment to go to?" Rose asked "Naw, I was actually looking for a compartment when I lost Trevor. But now I've got him and a place to sit. It would be great if I could stay here." Rose smiled, happy to have some company.
Just then the compartment door slid open again to reveille a girl with blond hair holding a magazine. She was already in her school robed and Rose could just make out the Ravenclaw symbol on her left breast. Her eyes were slightly glazed and she had a dreamy expression on her face. "Do you mind if I join you? All of the other compartments are full." She asked. "Of course you can." Rose replied. "The more the merrier" Neville put in. The blond girl smiled and stepped in, closing the compartment door behind her. "My name is Luna love good. May I ask what yours is?" The girl named Luna asked with an airy voice. "I'm Rose Potter." Rose said and as she spoke Luna took the seat next to Rose. "And I'm Neville Longbottom." Luna nodded. "Well Rose I am shocked at the small amount of nargles you have, nearly none." Rose nodded. "What are nargles?" She asked. Luna smiled dreamily at her. "Nargles are small creatures that live in mistletoe. They are quite the little thieves." She explained and Rose nodded. "Well then I am glad to be lacking nargles. I enjoy being able to keep all of my things." Rose said. "Neville, I believe there is a purple earth worm on your shoulder." Neville instantly brushed his hands against his shoulders nocking the strange worm onto the floor. But then he looked at her with confusion. "What earth worm?" he asked. Rose watched the worm turn and ugly green color and hiss at Neville. "That is a nargle." Luna informed. "Oh. What do we do with it?" Rose questioned. Luna seemed to ponder this for a moment, "Well we should put it out side so that it will not take any of our things. It seems particularly interested in your shoe laces Neville." Rose laughed at his confused face. "Neville can you see the nargles?" Neville looked at her and shook his head no. "Luna, why can't Neville see them?" Rose asked the blond. "He does not have the sight." The girl answered. "If he does not see them he will not believe. And if he doesn't believe, he will never see." Rose nodded, it made sense. "Okay then." Then she got up and pulled the creature off of Neville's shoe and set it out side of the compartment. Rose came back in to hear Luna begin to tell Neville about wrackspurts. She listened intently to the other girl, completely fascinated. Wrackspurts were creatures that craw into your ear and make your brain go all fuzzy. Then Neville left so that Rose could change into her school robes.
Rose told Luna and Neville about the venues fly trap when she was done. Both Neville and Luna seemed interested in the strange plant that eats insects. But she was interrupted when once again the compartment door slid open and Draco appeared with two freakishly big boys behind him. "What do you want Malfoy?" Neville asked with venom that Rose didn't believe could come from a boy that seemed so sweet. "We want this compartment." Draco smirked. "Good for you." Rose said with a smile. "Why don't you three join us? Neville you can sit over here between me and Luna and Draco and his friends can sit on the other bench." Rose watched as Draco's smirk turned to a frown and then to a smile. "Ah Rose, it's nice to see you again." Rose stood up and Draco hugged her. Neville stared. "You're friends with Malfoy?" He asked almost sounding angry. "Yes. Is that a problem?" Rose answered. Neville sent a glare at Draco and his two big friends but when he looked at Rose, his expression softened. "No, it's not a problem." Rose beamed. "Yes! Everybody can be friends!" Rose exclaimed and sat back down patting the seat next to her.
Neville got up from his seat and sat between Rose and Luna. Draco sat across from Rose and his friends sat across from Luna and Neville. "This is Crabbe and Goyle." Draco said gesturing to the boy next to him and then the boy farther away. "Hello Crabbe and Goyle." Luna said in her dreamy voice. The three boys on the opposite bench sneered and Crabbe and Goyle nodded. Rose sent a glare in Draco's direction and his emotions were hidden. "So I was telling you guys about the venues fly trap right?" Rose asked Neville and Luna. "Yes I do believe you were." Luna replied. Neville sent another glare towards Draco before turning back to Rose and smiling. "What's venues fly trap?" Goyle asked. Rose smiled at him and he smiled back uneasily. "Well Goyle a venues fly trap is a plant that catches its food and still uses photosynthesis." Rose was cut off once again when the compartment door slid open. She through her hands up in the air in exasperation. "Why am I unable to get through this conversation without that door opening up?" She asked to no one in particular. She heard a chuckle. "Sheesh sis, if you don't like me you could just say something." Rose laughed and looked over at her brother. "Oh no Harry I love you, most of the time." Hermione and Ron stood behind Harry and on either side of him. Rose was glad to see that Ginny wasn't there. That girl annoyed her. "What do you need bro?" Rose asked. Harry's smile fell from his face and suddenly he was all series. "I had forgotten to tell you something that is very important." He stated plainly. "What's it about?" She asked. "It's about a very evil man who is determined to kill all muggle-borns, muggles and anyone that tries to stand in his way. He killed our parents and has been trying to kill me. His name is Voldemort." Rose didn't miss the winces of everyone but Harry. Harry still wasn't done though. "Last year he was resurrected in a graveyard and is most likely building an army similar to the one he had during the war that killed our parents. But the Ministry refuses to believe it. The world is going to become a dangerous place Rose, and I suggest that you be as careful as you can." Rose nodded. She was not exactly sure why Harry was so worried for her. He knew of her power. Maybe not the full extent of it, But he still knew. Then it hit her. Harry cared for her. Rose smiled and kept nodding. She gave him a hug which he returned easily. "I'll be careful. Don't worry. And I think you should take your own advice, if Vollymont really wants to kill you." Harry chuckled and let go of her. "His name is Voldemort, not Vollymont." Rose shrugged. "I'm not good with names." She said. Harry laughed again and left with his friends.
"Now, as I was saying before my brother interrupted me with the important and slightly frightening news, a venues fly trap is a plant that catches insects to get its nutrients like vitamin B, were as most plants absorb those things through their roots. Venues fly traps also use photosynthesis, which is the proses that plants undergo to create glucose which is kind of like sugar, plants use that for food-"Can People survive on sugar like plants?" Crabbe asked interrupting Rose. "No Crabbe, humans cannot survive on just sugar. We need to get our nutrients from meats and vegetables." Crabbe looked down at his lap. He was clearly disappointed that he could not survive on sweets alone. Every one still looked very interested in what Rose had to say about the plant, so she continued.
By the end of the train ride Rose's mouth was dry and her saliva came as foam. She had learned about all sorts of plants in the wizard world like his Mimblus mimbletonia (the cactus she had seen him with earlier)from Neville, the strange and fascinating creatures that no one seemed to be able to see from Luna, and which candies were the best from Crabbe and Goyle. They had continued their conversation when all six of them climbed into a carriage pulled by a skeleton, snake, Pegasus, thing that Luna called a thestral. When the school came into view rose couldn't contain a gasp. It was a giant castle, huge really. No bigger than huge. As big as big can get. For a moment Rose worried about how on earth she was going to be able to find her classes. She brought this thought up with the rest of the group and they laughed at her saying that she'd be fine. They walked to the great hall together and Rose gapped at the sealing that looked exactly like the sky outside. Draco, Crabbe and Goyle left for the Slytherin table and Luna left for the Ravenclaw table. Rose fallowed Neville to the Gryffindor Table and they sat down near Harry, Ron and Hermione. Then the sorting began.