Authors Note: Thanks for continuing to read this. Hopefully, people will like this chapter, Other countries are actually here (FINALLY). Please comment if you have something to say, but you don't have to. Thank you for reading, and ENJOY! (Oh, btw, Oliver the cat is named after 2p! in case you were wondering. that reminds me, no 2p!, even though they are awesome, just aph, sorry 2p! lovers out there.)

Chapter 3

Hogwarts Express

The next month was terribly hard for Arthur. He couldn't wait for the day he would go to Hogwarts. He spent all his time reading his books, learning all kinds of things. He was absolutely enthralled. His parents started to worry about him, all he did was spend time in his room, cat in lap, reading books. Even they were slightly relieved the day he burst out of his room, hauling his luggage, cat in cage, and rushed them out the door in a tizzy.

Jarod drove their run down car to Kings Cross, watching Arthur jump in his seat the whole way there. Peter found his brother's sheer energy exciting, and he started jumping around too, trying to imitate his brother. Jarod and Mary watched from the front, enjoying the last moments they could with their son for the next many months.

When they finally drove into king's cross station, Arthur was the first out of the car. He had already taken his trunk out of the car before his parents were ready with little Peter. Mary and Jarod felt they were moving at a fast pace, but to Arthur, they couldn't move any slower.

"Come on! Come on! Come on! Let's move, I don't want to miss the train!"

Jarod was finally at the point where he wouldn't have it. "Artie, for god's sake, you are not going to miss the train. Plus, we aren't going to see you for a dreadfully long time." He put a hand on Arthur's shoulder, "You may not miss us, but we will miss you like the sun."

Arthur blushed slightly. "It's not like I'm rushing to get away, I am excited, that's all."

Mary smiled at her son and gave him a kiss on the forehead. "We love you too Arthur."

Arthur pushed his mother away slightly. "Mum, you are embarrassing me." His face was a shade darker.

"Mary," Jarod was grinning at Arthur. "Artie must really feel bad, he didn't call you mother." Mary laughed at this, but Arthur just frowned.

"Our son loves us!" Mary pretended to rejoice, dancing with Peter in circles. Peter started to laugh.

Arthur huffed, trying to hide his small smile with a frown. He couldn't help but love his family. They might be embarrassing, but they really did love him more than anything in the whole world.

By the time they got to platform nine, Mary was bawling her eyes out. "I love you so much, sweetie." She then continued to cover him with kisses. "Send letters every day, and if you want to come home, just send a letter."

"Mother, please now you are really embarrassing me." Arthur couldn't help but catch the eye of a few people. He couldn't hide his blush.

He then noticed one group of people in particular. They were three boys, probably a year older than he. The first had long blond hair and startling blue eyes. Arthur instantly hated him, he looked so snobby and, just terrible. The second was a tan looking guy with dark brown hair and green eyes, he was energetically talking to the blond on, and the other boy. The last one had white hair and red eyes. He was also rather energetic, in fact, Arthur could hear his obnoxious voice from where he stood.

He caught the eye of the blond one, who winked causally. Arthur scowled back, hating how hot his face was feeling. He was about to look away when he noticed something. They were all carrying owls, except the white haired one who was carrying some small chick thing. Could it be that they were wizards too?

He watched them do something that made his heart stop. They walked straight into the platform between nine and ten, but instead of crashing, the melted through and disappeared. Arthur froze. His mother was still covering him with kisses, and Peter was now hugging him from behind.

His mother finally let go of him, eyes red. His father gave him a pat on the back, obviously trying not to cry. "We love you son."

This time, Arthur felt tears in his eyes. He was going to miss his parents, and even his little brother. Feeling tears start to streak his face, he collected them all in a giant group hug. They hung there for a while until Arthur separated, and dragged his trunk away. He waved as the left, all wiping tears from their eyes.

As soon as they were out of sight, he dragged his trunk to the place between platform nine and ten. Just as he put it down, he felt himself fly backwards. Someone had just come sprinting through the wall right at him. Arthur groaned on the ground, clutching his temple. "What the hell was that for, you twit."

Arthur opened his eyes to find someone standing above him, with a stray curl coming out of his head, and glasses that were falling down his face. His blue eyes looked at him, slightly apologetic. "Sorry bout that dude." He then continued to run off without helping him.

Someone else came through the opening soon after, almost identical to the one who had just gone by. "Alfred wait!" His voice was quiet, and the curl on the top of his head fell down in a spiral. He looked down, surprised to find a person sitting on the ground. "Oh dear, did my brother knock you over."

"If he is the annoying guy with glasses and an American accent, then yes, yes he did."

"I am sorry aboot that, Alfred can be rude sometimes, but he really is a good guy." The boy held out a hand. Arthur took it gratefully. "I'm Matthew, but you can call me Mattie."

"Arthur, and thanks," Arthur smiled at the blond boy ahead of him.

"Hey, do you need help with your trunk, I have an extra arm."

"That would be wonderful, thanks. I was an idiot and didn't get a cart."

Mattie smiled at this. "It happens to the best of us, here, we should move before someone else runs us over."

Arthur laughed at this and followed Mattie inside the platform wall. His eyes were met by a beautiful red steam engine, glistening the soft light. He couldn't stop his gasp of admiration.

"Cool, isn't it. I really am sorry about Alfred." Mattie looked down at the ground, almost in embarrassment. "He forgot tony, so he ran to go get him."

Arthur looked at Mattie strangely. "Tony?" He questioned.

Mattie's cheeks turned a shade pink. "Well you see, tony is Alfred's stuffed alien he has had almost his whole life. It is the only thing he has left from America."

"Wait, so you guys are from the US?" Arthur looked at him, impressed. He had never been out of the country.

"He is, but I am actually from Canada. Our parents were divorced, but then they both died, and we came to live with our grandmother in England. Our other was the witch, father was not too happy about it."

"I'm so sorry." Arthur gave him a sympathetic look, but Mattie just smiled.

"Don't worry, life is good now. Our grandmother is the sweetest lady on the planet, and we have lots of space to play. It kinda reminds me of my old home in Canada.

Mattie smiled and stopped as Arthur got to the door of the train. "I'll see you at some point, Arthur! I am going to wait for Alfred." He smiled, "bye."

Arthur gave a small wave as he left, and entered the car. I seemed as though none of the stalls were empty. He finally decided to be brave and ask to sit with two boys his age, both blond, but almost polar opposites otherwise.

Arthur coughed while he stood in the doorway, attracting the attention of the two. "Umm, excuse me. Is it alright if I sit here."

One of the boys, with a cross like hairpin in his hair, looked up from his rather large book. He nodded, and looked back to the book, obviously trying to ignore the other one. This boy had spiked hair and was being quite loud. Arthur almost instantly regretted sitting there.

The spiky-haired one started talking within seconds of Arthur sitting down. "Hey, I'm Mathias!" He gave a wide smile. "This is Lukas, what's your name?"

Arthur was slightly annoyed at the boy already. "Arthur," he said curtly.

"Cool, you're from around here, aren't you." Before Arthur could respond, he continued on. "I am actually not from around here, you can probably tell from my accent. I am Danish, oh and Lukas isn't from around here either. We happen to live in the same neighborhood, isn't that cool." He looked back at Lukas. "Hey Lukas, where are you from again."

Lukas looked up, also looking slightly annoyed with the Dane in front of him. "Norway." His voice was soft and monotone.

Mathias looked to the doorway as somebody passed. "Hey, Luke, it's Berwald. Oooooooooo, it looks like he made a new friend." Arthur couldn't help sigh in relief as the obnoxious boy ran through the door, almost tackling the taller blond haired boy.

Lukas looked up from his book. "I hate that guy."

Arthur laughed at this. "Who wouldn't, he is probably the most annoying person I have ever met."

He earned a glance and a small smile at this. "He has been following me ever since we got here."

"That really stinks, don't worry, I am not that loud." Under his breath, he also muttered, "Or as annoying."

He got another smile. "I like you, what is it again, Arthur?"

He nodded and looked at the book in his lap. "What are you reading?"

"About trolls. I want to keep one as a friend, but my mum says they are too dangerous."

"That sounds really cool, and I read with you?"

Lukas nodded, and made more room on his side, moving his trunk to the floor. They talked there for a minute, Arthur learning tons. Unfortunately, they were interrupted again by a knock on the door. Looking up, Arthur saw a Japanese kid, still about their age standing in the door. He ducked his head as the looked up.

"Hello, I am Kiku. Can I sit here, it seems quiet." He gave a small smile.

Arthur smiled, "sure, come on in Kiku. I'm Arthur, he's Lukas."

"I am very pleased to meet you." Arthur noticed his accent was very strong.

He sat across from them, watching them as they continued to talk about trolls. It was slightly awkward at first, but soon he had joined them in their discussion, and they were laughing spans smiling like old pals. Well, not Lukas who was still rather stony-faced, but he was still enjoying himself.

Soon after, the train started to move. Kiku looked out the window and waved to his parents. Arthur looked out too, seeing parents wave, mother crying, father smiling with pride. Even Lukas waved at a family at three, two blond parents, and a young boy with white hair. A small stroke of homesickness pained him, and he looked away and moved back to the other side of the bench. He was going to miss home.

Soon after the station was out of sight, Mathias burst through the door again. "Did you miss me?" He walked over and slung his arm around Lukas, who scooted away from him. "Berwald made a friend, his name is Tino. He is from Finland." He then rolled his eyes, "But they were boring, so I came back."

Arthur swore Lukas gave him the death glare.

"Umm, excuse me." Kiku was looking at Mathias with curiosity. "Who are you?

Mathias was obviously startled by the Japanese boy who was looking at him. "When did you get there." He swung his head around to question Arthur and Lukas, but they just sighed. "I'm Mathias, and you are?"

Kiku smiled, "Kiku, pleased to meet you."

Mathias smiled but went back to talking to Lukas, almost exclusively. Arthur scowled, for the stupid jerk had taken his spot, and he was enjoying himself. He caught the eye of Kiku, who was staring at him from across the seat. Arthur furrowed his rather thick eyebrows. "Is something wrong Kiku?"

"No, it's just, well, pardon but you look lonely." Kiku gave him a small smile. "You are almost distant."

"Lonely," Arthur's voice hit a high note. Coughing he continued, "I am not lonely, not at all. Heh heh." Arthur's face felt hot. "If anybody is lonely, it is you, sitting over there by yourself."

Kiku smiled at this. "No, that's not it. You didn't wave to friends or family as we left. Even Lukas gave a small wave, but you didn't."

Arthur sighed. "My parents are muggles." He looked down at his hands.

Kiku smiled, "Why would that matter?"

Arthur peeked up at him. "Well, because everybody else probably has magic in their family, I am, well, kinda a black sheep, at home, and now I will be here because I am at a, well." He looked back down at his hands. "Disadvantage." He then blushed intensely. "But that doesn't matter to me, I was just thinking, you know, why should I care about that." He tried to laugh, but it stumbled in his throat.

Kiku gave him a soft look. "There are lots of muggle-born people going to Hogwarts, in fact, almost everybody at this school has muggle relatives in one way or another. You are not a black sheep at all."

Arthur looked up, "Thanks, Kiku. that was really nice."

Kiku was about to respond when someone slammed through the door. "Come on Mattie, we can stay in here!"

Arthur groaned as he saw the stupid American who had rammed him over earlier burst through the door. Mattie timidly followed, face pink from trying to catch up, and a stuffed polar bear in his arms. His eyebrows were scrunched in frustration. In his quiet voice, he sounded somewhat angry. "Alfred, it is not polite to bust into compartments." He looked around and saw Arthur. "I am so sorry Arthur," He sounded rather tired.

Alfred didn't seem to be listening, for he just laughed, and dragged his bags inside, bringing Mattie along with him. With one arm, he lifted his bag up onto the storage rack and did the same with his brothers. "Hi dudes, I'm Alfred." He caught the eye of Arthur who was glaring at him. "Hey, you're the one I knocked over earlier."

Arthur scoffed, "Watch where you are going, twit." He looked at Mattie. "Hey there."

Mattie smiled in return and sat across from him. "Can we sit here, every other compartment is taken."

"Sure, feel free."

Alfred interrupted them. "Wait, Mattie, you know this guy." Arthur gave him another glare.

"I was cleaning up your messes while you were getting Tony." Mattie huffed slightly. "Poor Arthur was almost crushed."

"Yeah, whatever bro." He sat down on the other side of Kiku who was looking at the whole spectacle with amusement.

Arthur sat in his corner, a sour taste in his mouth. He did not like this American twit with the stupid bomber jacket. This was going to be a long train ride.

Arthur talked to Mattie as soon as Alfred had calmed down. He was talking between Mathias and Kiku like they had been friends since the beginning of time. Mattie was good company, talking about America and Canada. He was extraordinarily quiet. In fact, at points, Arthur almost forgot he was sitting there. He was almost relieved when the sweet cart came past, followed by an old lady. His eyes bulged as he looked at the endless sweets. He grabbed the small amount of coins he had left in his pocket. There were a couple silver coins and twice as many bronze ones. Maybe he could get something.

Arthur opened his mouth, but he was interrupted by the American. "I'll have 20 chocolate frogs!"

All of the children in the compartment except Maddie looked at him like he was insane. The lady on the cart took his money and hobbled off. Arthur realized he had forgotten to get something, he was preoccupied looking at the boy in front of him with an arm full of boxes.

Arthur scoffed, "I hope you are not going to eat all those yourself."

Alfred gave him the, are you really that stupid look, and continued to open the boxes. "We are playing a game dude."

Mathias spoke up at that. "I know this game. You have to catch as many frogs as possible. The winner gets white frogs and the cards!"

Alfred nodded. "Mattie and I play this all the time, and I always win because I am the hero."

Mattie sighed behind him.

Alfred handed some of the frogs around to be opened. They each got three, and Alfred and Mathias got four. Arthur noticed that Lukas was hiding a sort of smug smile. Arthur raised his eyebrows, but Lukas didn't seem to notice.

"Okay." Arthur decided that the Americans voice was too obnoxious. "On the count of three, let your frogs go, and no cheating. Okay, One... Two... THREE!"

All the frogs sprung free as soon as the box opened, causing Arthur to shriek in panic as one flew at his face. Falling onto the floor, it slipped off his face and started bouncing around. Arthur took a moment to compose himself. Taking a deep breath, he stood and went after the frog like nobody's business. It took him longer that he thought, mostly because the frog was so fast. In one quick burst, he reached out and caught the frog with one hand, almost dropping it on the floor.

He looked around at his competitors and frowned. Already both Alfred and Mathias had caught three and were after the lone white frog hopping around the room. Mattie had caught two and was on his third, and poor Kiku was still on his first. Arthur almost gasped as he looked over at Lukas. The blond haired boy was holding five frogs, and was on his sixth. Arthur watched him leap through the air gracefully, catching the frogs in a soft grip. It took effort for Arthur to look away. He went after another frog, trying to be as fast as Lukas. As soon as he caught one he heard a cheerful cry from behind.

As soon as he caught one he heard a cheerful cry from behind. The American was holding the white frog in his hand, shouting. "I'm the hero!"

Arthur wanted to punch him, but instead an older student with a badge on their shirt reprimanded Alfred. Arthur found extreme pleasure in this. After they left, they made count. Alfred almost cried when he saw that Lukas was holding seven. He came in second with four, and an extra point for catching the white frog. Mathias and Mattie had caught three, Arthur had caught only two, and poor Kiku had only caught one. But Arthur couldn't help but smile as Kiku's grin as he looked at his frog with pride. He liked Kiku, he was nice.

Lukas and Alfred got to eat four frogs, and everybody else got three. When Lukas got handed his white frog, he handed to Kiku. "I don't like white chocolate," is all he said, and went back to his window seat, munching on a frog head. Kiku thanked him and ate it happily. It seemed that Lukas was nice too.

Arthur was about to eat one, but it slipped from his hand and jumped out the door. Before he knew it, the frog was clasped in a slender hand. It belonged to the long haired guy on the platform, the one who had winked. Arthur scowled. The boy peeked past the door. When he saw Arthur, a smirk appeared on his face. "Honhonhon, look who we have here Gilbert. It's a little first year." His accent was french and mocking. The white haired kid with red eyes from before appeared behind him, a smirk on his face.

Arthur stood. "Give that back, before I knock your teeth in." This made the boy smile wider.

This made the boy smile wider. "Ooohon, I'd like to see you try, eyebrows."

"Don't you dare, Frenchie!" Arthur's face was turning red.

"Oh, so you noticed. I am french, In fact, in France, one of my favourite meals is Cuisses de Grenouille. Do you know what that is?" He winked at Arthur, making him blush deeper.

"Why should I care, just give me my frog back."

"They are what you call frog legs," he snapped a leg off the frog in his hand, and delicately put it in his mouth. "But I happen to like these frogs better." His smirk widened as Arthur gawked. This stupid Frenchie was eating his frog.

Before he could rip the long locks of hair out of the boy's head, his frog was snatched by Alfred, who was looking kinda angry. "Hey man, not cool. I paid for this."

The Frenchie raised his eyebrow, smile fading. "I am sorry Monsieur, I did not mean harm." He left winking one last time at Arthur before leaving.

Arthur couldn't stop himself as he left the compartment, face red in angry. "You owe me, Frenchie."

The boy just left laughing with his friend, as they walked down the hallway. Arthur growled as he went back into the compartment. Alfred gave him back his frog, frowning slightly. "Sorry about that bro, you can have one of the legs off of mine if you want."

"I'm fine, and I don't need any help." Arthur's tone was sharp, but the American didn't seem to notice.

"I'm the hero, so I have to do stuff like that. Duh!" He sat back down and started chatting with Mathias again. The only difference was that Arthur didn't really hate him as much.

It was going to be a very long day.