Chapter I: Second Part
Somewhere along the way, Rose had finally convinced them to change topic, though only after Albus had given a dramatic retelling of the 2014 Quidditch World Cup Finale. He still hadn't fully gotten over Brazil's defeat. If it had been up to Albus, he would have continued discussing Quidditch all the way to Hogwarts, but after Rose's threatening glare, he had decided to relent.
Instead, they were now discussing their future classes. Albus had loyally declared that Neville would no doubt be his favourite professor. However, while he adored his godfather, even he wouldn't say Herbology was the class he was most looking forward to. Rose on the other hand seemed to be equally excited for all classes, a sentiment shared by Romulus
"Oh please. You're saying you are excited for History of Magic?" Albus mocked, "Romulus can be forgiven, but you know the tales about Binns as well as I do. Not even aunt Hermione was willing to call him a gifted teacher and that's saying something."
"I never said anything about Binns Al! Rumour has it the headmistress got rid of him," Rose said.
"What? He's a ghost, how do you get rid of one of those? How did O'Faolain kick him out of the castle?" Albus exclaimed.
"He got exorcised or something," Rose explained, "I heard mom complain to dad that it took the Ministry a lot of effort. Apparently Binns was quite determined to stay."
"Binns. Determined. Somehow I have a hard time picturing that. Then again, teaching's all he does. He's probably telling the creatures in the Forbidden Forest everything about the Goblin Rebellion. Regardless, good news for us," Albus concluded.
"Splendid news!" Sophie agreed, "though I suppose that means all the self-study on the Goblin Wars me and Ambroise did this summer was for nought."
"You self-studied the Goblin wars? I haven't done anything," Romulus exclaimed, clearly worried.
"Neither have I," Albus reassured the boy, "and it's definitely not the norm. Occasionally you just have people who are just a tad too motivated," he said with a pointed glare at Rose.
"I just scanned through the school books. It's not as if I studied them by heart. I have no desire to emulate mom," Rose protested.
"And I solely prepared in advance because my brother insisted. Besides, I expected to sleep through all the actual history of magic classes. Ambroise is the twin destined for Ravenclaw, not me," Sophie said, "I'm aiming for a fun house. One that doesn't require you to solve riddles to get in the Common room. I hate riddles."
"I just hate a particular Riddle," Albus grinned, receiving a prompt punch from Sophie.
"That joke was abysmal," she declared, "I so hate British humour. There are two things I miss about France, their cuisine and the lack of puns. I warn you, I will hex you sideways if you continue to make such jokes."
"Hex me? I'd like to see you try Frenchie," Albus challenged as he stuck out his chest, "I am the scion of a family of famed duellists. I am-"
"You are sometimes a bit of a blowhard, just like your brother, yes, we know," Rose interrupted, "now, as the train is slowing down I suggest we all get ready? I'm not sure what house you end up if you miss the Sorting."
"Probably Hufflepuff," Albus muttered under his breath.
"An interesting question, but not one I would like to discover the answer to empirically. Perhaps we can waylay someone on their way to the Sorting and find out?" Sophie suggested, "or would that count as unethical experimentation?"
Albus decided to ignore that comment and started digging through his luggage for his robes.
"And that's why I came in uniform," Rose remarked smugly.
"And drew a lot of attention," Albus said.
"As if Hedwig didn't," Rose scoffed, "a white owl hooting indignantly all the time. No, the girl in robes definitely attracted more attention."
"Regardless of who attracted the most attention, if you gentlemen would be so nice to leave the compartment so I can change?" Sophie asked.
"Why should we leave? There's two of us who need to change, it'd be much more practical if you left instead," Albus countered.
"Chivalry is dead," Sophie huffed as she gathered her robes.
"What gave it away? That I failed to arrive at the station in my armour on my trusty steed? Or that I haven't lopped off any peasants' heads recently?" Romulus deadpanned.
"By the time I'm through with you, you'll wish you'd brought your armour!" Sophie shouted as she stormed out. Rose just sighed and went after her. Albus exchanged a grin with Romulus.
"Good one," he commented.
"I aim to please," Romulus replied with a flourish.
A few minutes later all of them were dressed and the train had finally reached its destination. The students disembarked in a hurry, all of them clearly enthusiastic to go back to Hogwarts. In the distance, Albus spied his brother James who, judging by his gestures, was describing how exactly he was going to win the first Quidditch match of the season. It didn't take Albus long to find Hagrid; his familiar voice already echoed loudly across the station
"Firs'-years! Firs'-years over here!" Hagrid shouted, waving a lantern in his one hand. Some streaks of grey ran through his beard, but apart from that he looked exactly like the old pictures and he clearly still had the same energy.
"Wow, he's huge. I hope I end up as tall as he does," Romulus whispered. Albus grinned, even if the boy hadn't been short for his age, he doubted he'd ever match Hagrid's length.
"Oh, so that's the Half-Giant," Sophie remarked, "he looks friendly enough. Somehow I was expecting him to carry a club and perhaps devour a few kids. Though then again, if he did that stuff he would have lost his job a long time ago so I suppose he's a good one."
"What? Half-Giant?" Romulus blurted.
"Don't mind her, Hagrid's great," Al said as they made their way towards him.
"I never said he wasn't great, I'm just saying he is not living up to the stereotype, which is quite disappointing. What's next? A Brit who knows how to cook?" Sophie muttered, "oh hi Ambroise," she added with a wave towards a boy a bit further. Albus assumed it was her twin as the boy had the same chin and brown hair as Sophie.
"So that's your twin?" Rose asked.
"Yeah, let's just hurry along before he approaches us and starts trying to steal you away from me. He tends to do that," Sophie muttered.
"Ah, Al, Rose! Good to see you!" Hagrid bellowed, "I see you've already made some friends. Good to see the Hogwarts Express bonding still takes place. Follow me to the boats first years," he added in a louder voice.
"Good to see you too Hagrid," Al said as he gave him a hug.
He already knew he would take Care of Magical Creatures in his third year, though he did hope he would have learned some cures for burns by then. The four of them followed Hagrid to the boats and quickly found themselves together in a boat, slowly drifting towards the lake.
"I heard there's a giant squid in there," Sophie mused as she stared at the dark water, "anyone brought any squid treats?"
"Squid treats?" Rose asked with an arched eyebrow.
"You know, salmon, codfish, tasty first years," Sophie said as she stuck her hand in the lake and quickly withdrew it again, "Cold. Very cold."
Albus swallowed a biting remark as at that moment their eyes fell upon Hogwarts. The massive castle appeared from the darkness, parts of it illuminated.
"Magical," Romulus breathed.
"You can say that again," Albus agreed as he stared at the magnificent castle. Nothing could have prepared him for this sight. He could hardly imagine he'd spend most of the next seven years there. It looked too grand, too imposing. One could hardly imagine a battle had taken place here 17 years ago. If Albus hadn't been convinced of Voldemort's madness before, he would have been now. Only a complete fool would try to bring such a formidable fortress down.
"It has truly began Al," Rose whispered, "we've finally made it to Hogwarts."
"Now I know why they made us take the scenic route," Sophie chimed in, "I never thought I'd say this, but I'm too much in awe to make a disparaging comment. Good job Hogwarts, keep it up," she concluded with a crooked smile.