Magical Encounters

Chapter Seven- The Hogwarrt's Express

Disclaimer- you know it

Ariana grunted as she pushed down the last of her spell books and pulled down the lid of her trunk. She got up from her previously crouching position and looked down at the trunk warily. Ariana had stuffed so much into it that she was deathly afraid the lid would pop open at any minute. As if to reassure her Abby jumped onto the trunk and patted it with her paw while looking up at Ariana. Ariana smiled down at her and then quickly scooped Abby into her arms and hugged her as tightly as she could without hurting her. Ariana laid down on the bed and put Abby on her stomach gently sneaking a quick look to her clock.

"Only half an hour more Abby." Ariana said smiling at the kitten, who by this point was lying on her back and biting her own tail. "I think we should probably go downstairs and say good-bye to everyone."

Ariana put abby in her kitty carrier promptly and took her downstairs. She had to return to her bedroom one last time to get her trunk and as she shut the door she felt only a second of doubt and that was followed by a wave of excitement. Downstairs everyone was waiting for her on the foyer. Ariana went around one by one hugging everyone and saying good-bye and receiving many in return. Mary was crying and as Ariana approached her the tears came more quickly.

"Swear you will send a letter home at least every two weeks." Mary said, embracing Ariana tightly.

"Sure," Ariana replied, smiling up at Mary. "I promise I will. Don't worry Mary, Everything is going to fine."

"Okay kiddo," Mary began just as they heard a car pull up to the driveway of the orphanage. "That's him I guess. Let me help you get outside honey."

Mary helped carry Ariana's luggage to Neville's car and even managed a smile in his direction. She helped Ariana into the car and handed her Abby's carrier before speaking. "Listen Ari, you better watch yourself in this school, ok? Make sure you hang out with the right type of people. I love you Ari and you are amazing, never forget that ok? Good luck honey."

Mary smiled at Ariana and shut the door quickly, tears welling up in her eyes once again. Ariana waved good-bye fighting back her own tears until she felt the car start and her excitement build up again. Neville waved a quick good-bye and then they were off.

They rode in silence for some time before Neville handed her something which Ariana quickly read. It was a train ticket and Something on it made her read it more than twice before looking a Neville in confusion and speaking to him. "Wait, Neville, there is something wrong here. This says that the train is at platform nine and three quarters. How is that possible?"

"It's through a wall," Neville said smoothly, oblivious to the panic that was clear on Ariana's face. "Between platforms nine and ten. But don't worry it's not dangerous and I will be there with you."

"Okay," Ariana mumbled not entirely reassured.

Neville and Ariana reached the train station at ten minutes till eleven and they very quickly made their way toward the platform. When they reached the proper place Neville stopped and looked seriously at Ariana. "Now what you have to do, and don't freak when I tell you, is run straight through that wall. Now don't worry you won't feel anything."

"Uh, okay." Ariana whispered clutching tightly to the cart which was carrying all her luggage. She took a deep breath in and made like she was going to go through the wall but backed out before she even moved. You can do this, Ari, come on! She thought to herself before breathing in and dashing toward the wall. She closed her eyes just as she hit the wall- but she didn't hit the wall, she went right through it.

Ariana opened her eyes to find a giant train in front of her. Her mouth hung agape for a while until Neville came behind her and lead her through the array of people toward the trains entrance. They walked in and Neville assured Ariana that he had put her trunk in the appropriate destination and that it would be ready for her when she reached the school. "Now listen, Ari, you can keep Abby with you and just let her loose on the ground so just leave your carrier on the train and it will see it's way to the school. Now, regrettably I must leave you. I have to see the other teachers. Most of the compartments will be full by now but I think you might be able to find Roxanne and Fred. See you at school and don't forget to put your robes on before getting off the train."

Before Ariana had any chance to speak Neville was hurrying down the corridor of the train in what Ariana guessed was the opposite direction of where she should go. With that in mind Ariana set off down the corridor and tried looking for a familiar face in the compartments around her. Ariana walked for some time before she felt the train lurch to life. She was just about to give up when , in her peripheral vision, she saw a compartment filled almost entirely with redheads.

She knocked on the door timidly and it was opened by a small boy sitting nearest to the edge. Ariana looked around at the group and smiled before speaking. "Hey I can tell this place is full, but I just wanted to say hello again to Roxie and Fred. So, um, hi."

"Hey!" Roxanne exclaimed. "Guys this is the girl we were talking to you about. Ariana this is Rosie, Albus, James, and Lucy."

There was a soft chorus of hellos and briefly exchanged pleasantries, but before long Ariana knew that she should find a place to sit on her own and let Abby out. She waved good-bye and continued down the corridor. Ariana was walking quickly, looking down at her feet, when the train suddenly lurched forward and Ariana was propelled onto something.

Not something, some one.

Ariana groaned and put her hands down around the being she had toppled onto and lifted herself up. She looked down at her victim and nearly lost her hold on the ground. An incredibly adorable boy was underneath her and laughing joyously, showing off his amazing smile. Ariana stood up and held out her hand to him mumbling sorry to her feet as he pulled himself up with her assistance.

"Hey there," He said softly, still chuckling slightly. "Are you okay? By the way don't even worry, that was kinda fun and besides you're cute so I don't see how this was a bad thing."

"uh," Ariana stuttered. "Okay. I'm Ariana."

"I'm Drake Zambini," He stated in a cool voice. "Now no offense, but you look like you need some where to sit. I think I can help you. follow me."

Ariana followed Drake to a compartment a little further down the corridor and he opened the door and lead her inside. There were three people in the compartment. One was a stunning black-haired girl who looked up at Ariana quickly and raised an eyebrow. She was pale and perfectly fit, a trait which the boy beside her was carefully admiring with his eyes. The boy himself was quite attractive and didn't even lift up his copper head to acknowledge Ariana.

Ariana couldn't get a clear view of the third boy who was sitting near the window next to the brown haired boy until she herself had slid into the seat across from him. She heard Drake introducing her to the other two and saying that their names were Brooke and Tyler but she barely acknowledged him. Because at that moment the third boy had looked up from the window right at Ariana.

Ariana was captivated. The boy was very nearly perfect. He has a strong bone structure with soft features that she could see were contrasted against the hardness seen in his eyes. Oh and the eyes! They were grey and the most intense she had ever seen. The grey sparkled in the light of the compartment as he shook his golden honey blond hair out of his eyes. It fell in quiet waves along his face and forehead shinning beautifully against his bronze tan skin.

He locked eyes with Ariana sharply and she had to stifle a gasp as she noticed that amid the grey pools that were his eyes there were specks blue near the center. He glanced at her up and down before looking up at her nervous expression and allowing his thin mouth to settle into a smirk. Ariana heard Drake say that he hadn't met this boy before but it seemed as if he was a million miles away.

The boy looked at drake and held up a hand. "I'm Scorpius Malfoy. Nice to meet you." He looked at Ariana whose stomach dropped. "And you are?"

"I…" Ariana started before swallowing and trying again. "I'm Ariana. Um, do you lot mind if I let my cat out?"

Everyone shook their heads and Ariana the cat carrier. Abby jumped out and onto Ariana's lap, laying down and proceeding with her grooming. Ariana looked up to see that Brooke and Tyler had begun talking to one another and Drake was looking at her kindly.

"So," he began. "What year are you in? I'm a second year student and both of them are in their third" - He gestured to Brooke and Tyler- "and we met each other last year. We are all in Slytherin."

Scorpius spoke first. "This is my first year." He lounged back lazily against his seat. "I'm expecting to be in Slytherin. Not like there is any chance I will be in anything else. My father was in Slytherin and so was my mum so that's where I'm going."

"I'm a first year too," Ariana began. "But, uh, what is Slytherin?"

"It's a house," Drake answered as Ariana started to pet Abby. "In Hogwarts there are four houses. Slytherin is one of them. The houses are like groups that divide the students. Each house has it's own dormitories and common room. In general I guess most people interact the most with their own house. At the end of the year there is a point count and a competition, you get points for loads of things throughout the year."

Ariana nodded at him and looked at Scorpius, who had a look on his face that Ariana couldn't quiet describe. "Are you a muggle-born?"

"if you are asking whether my parents were muggles," Ariana began. "Then the answer is no. I don't know anything about my mum but my dad was a wizard. I'm only confused because I was brought up in a orphanage."

Scorpius nodded looked away as if he was thinking about something. That's what it was. Ariana thought. Before, he looked at me with disdain. I bet he has been raised to think magical folk are better than muggles. He acts cool but I bet he is freaking out about being in Slytherin or whatever. His dad seems like the kind that wants him in a certain spot and that's it. Actually it's as if he can't even start to believe that he will be anywhere else. He knows its unacceptable.

Ariana looked at Scorpius and noticed that he was looking back at her. She smiled encouragingly and hoped he would make conversation. Scorpius smirked at her and looked away, making Ariana think that the closest he ever got to a smile was that handsome smirk. Ariana looked down at Abby who was now asleep and resolutely decided to close her eyes and lean against the window.

Ariana woke when Drake shook her shoulders lightly and told her that she should put on her robes. Ariana got up to do just that when she realized with a shock that Abby wasn't on her lap anymore. Just as she was about to start asking what happened she looked at Scorpius and her heart melted.

Scorpius was already dressed in his robes. He was leaning against the window asleep. He looked like an angel as his hair came down softly across his face. However, what really made Ariana smile was the fact that across Scorpius' lap lay Abby with her head cupped in on of his hands. His other hand was on her tiny body and they looked like a match made in heaven

Ariana chuckled to herself and showed Drake the scene. They both smiled at each other and pulled on their robes. In the hustle and bustle of all the noise Ariana watched as Scorpius' eyes slowly opened and he yawned and stretched himself out a little bit. He looked down at Abby who was also waking up and stretching. He smiled down at her. Ariana's heart fluttered, his smile was beautiful.

Ariana was still looking at him when he looked up and handed her Abby. He smirked at Ariana and , as the train slowed to a stop, he walked past her only quickly locking eyes with her. Ariana watched him as he went keeping her expression blank so she wouldn't look pathetic and then she herself left the compartment. As Ariana made her way through the train corridor through the mass of students she felt her excitement build up again within her. Her mind flowed away from Scorpius and she continued to feel her anxiety grow but none of that mattered.

She was finally here.