Chapter 3 Hogwarts express
In the remaining days of August, Eve found herself immersed in a world of magic and wonder. From morning till evening, she delved into the pages of various books, eagerly absorbing every bit of knowledge about this newfound world. While she may not have been an exceptionally brilliant child, she possessed a solid academic foundation that allowed her to grasp the concepts.
As her days passed, Eve's mind and eyes opened wider. She began to reconcile with the fact that being a witch was nothing like the old fairytales depicted, with haggard women, crooked noses, and warts flying on wooden brooms. It was far more intricate and complex than she had ever imagined.
On this particular evening, her chosen companion was "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," a weighty tome brimming with descriptions of magical creatures from around the world. As she traced her fingers along the pages, she stumbled upon an illustration of a puffskein, a tiny, fluffy creature with endearing, beady black eyes. Eve's connection with the creature seemed almost tangible; she could feel its soft fur through the page, and its calming presence washed over her as she continued to read.
In the pre-dawn hours of September 1st, the Warren household was a scene of utter chaos. Eve's anticipation had left her too excited to pack her books the night before, and the prospect of her impending journey had held her captive all night, as she hungrily consumed every morsel of knowledge within her grasp.
"Sweetheart, we only have thirty minutes before we hit the road," Mrs. Warren shouted from downstairs. "I'm sending Sebastian in to help with your packing."
A bleary-eyed Sebastian ascended the stairs, pushing open the door to Eve's room. His eyes widened as he took in the books and papers strewn across the floor and her bed. "I thought you had everything packed. It's incredible how much stuff you have to bring," he murmured, rubbing his face tiredly. Settling down beside Eve, they embarked on the task of closing numerous books and carefully stowing them away inside a brown leather trunk adorned with delicate painted flowers.
"You know I'm going to miss you, right?" Sebastian's expression was tinged with sorrow. In response, Eve playfully nudged his folded leg. "No, you won't! You'll probably declare, 'Life is so much simpler without my bratty little sister bugging me.' You won't miss me at all," she giggled. Sebastian shook his platinum blonde locks. "That's not true. I'm genuinely going to miss you. You'll be away for most of the year, learning who-knows-what with that magical wand of yours." Pulling her into a warm embrace, he gazed down at her fondly.
Eve's gentle, light grey eyes met her brother's, and she could discern the sincerity of his sadness. She held him a bit tighter in their embrace, sharing a quiet moment. "I'll be back before you know it. I believe Christmas will be my first break," she reassured him with a comforting smile. Her tone then playfully shifted, "And when I return, I'll have to turn you into a little piggy, of course." Sebastian's expression went from sorrowful to alarmed. "Wait, you can actually do that?" he asked, his voice filled with concern. Eve nodded, even though she was well aware that performing magic outside of Hogwarts was strictly forbidden for minors. But there was no need to burden her brother with that information at the moment.
Once the books had been meticulously stowed away, and the room's floor was once again visible, Sebastian carefully maneuvered the hefty trunk down the stairs, positioning it alongside Eve's other belongings. A hint of doubt crept into her father's voice as he inquired, "Is that everything?" Eve responded with an exuberant nod before a realization struck her. "Oh, wait! I almost forgot to feed Fluffy!" She had uncovered something extraordinary about Fluffy, her feline companion. After pampering the cat with petting, a meal, and some leisurely lounging, Fluffy would mysteriously vanish. Eve had uncovered the secret: she could summon her cat at will by simply saying, "Fluffy, I need you." She called out, and like magic, a white fluffy cat with sky-blue eyes materialized out of thin air beside her leg.
Skipping cheerfully into the kitchen, Eve had a furry companion tailing her every step. With care, she filled Fluffy's bowl with wet food, and the hungry cat eagerly devoured it, expressing contentment through joyful purrs. As the meal concluded, Fluffy wound affectionately around Eve's legs, seeking her attention. "Alright, Fluffy, you can return now. I'll reunite with you soon in our new home," Eve said with an exuberant smile, and like clockwork, the cat vanished into thin air, leaving only the memory of its presence.
"It's time to hit the road," Eve heard her father announce. She made her way to the lounge, where her father stood, tapping his timepiece and shaking his head with an amused smirk. With precision, the Warrens loaded their trusty blue Skoda with all of Eve's magical belongings, preparing for the journey ahead.
Sebastian nervously fiddled with the hem of his t-shirt; his expression once again clouded with sorrow. "Come here, you," he urged, pulling Eve into a heartfelt embrace. Sebastian had secured a job, much to their parents' relief, and it meant he wouldn't be accompanying Eve to London. "Have an amazing time, okay? Don't ever let anyone make you feel like you're anything less than incredible," he whispered, giving her one final, affectionate squeeze. Eve beamed at her brother, knowing deep down how much she'd miss him but reluctant to admit it. As the car began to pull away, she waved goodbye to Sebastian, watching his figure slowly recede into the distance.
Throughout the car journey to London, Eve dedicated her time to practicing wand movements in the backseat. She gracefully swished her white wooden wand through the air, carefully tracing the intricate patterns she had studied in her books.
As they pulled into King's Cross Station, the family parked their car and loaded their trunks onto a sturdy metal trolley. Eve, eager to take charge, insisted on pushing it towards the platforms. However, as they arrived at the junction of platform 9 and platform 10, a puzzled expression graced every face.
"I told you there was no such thing as platform 9 3/4," Mrs. Warren asserted with an argumentative tone directed at her husband. Mr. Warren, looking a bit sheepish, conceded his mistake.
Not one to give up easily, Eve's father approached a railway worker dressed in a blue jacket with a comical hat perched on his head. Although Eve couldn't hear their conversation, she saw the worker burst into laughter and shake his head. Her father returned, hands tucked in his pockets, with a bemused expression on his face.
"He said platform 9 ¾ doesn't exist, and he's tired of people asking him," Eve relayed with a tinge of disappointment. She felt as though her magical adventure had been snatched away, her eyes beginning to well up with sorrow. In her frustration, she pouted and flung her arms to her sides, lost in a momentary stupor.
Eve's gaze shifted further down the platform, where her attention was immediately captured by the sight of a familiar family. Among them was a black-haired man, a red-haired woman, and three children, each diligently pushing trollies loaded with trunks. Her heart leaped with excitement, and she couldn't contain her enthusiasm. Pointing eagerly, her voice rising to an exhilarated pitch, she exclaimed, "We must follow them!" In her eyes, a newfound spark of hope blazed brightly.
With a brisk stride, Eve hurried towards the family, determined to catch up. As she pushed the trolley, one of its wheels suddenly jerked to the left, causing it to veer off course and collide with a solid stone pillar with a resounding crunch. Startled by the noise, Eve's parents rushed after her, concerned for her safety. In the midst of the commotion, five pairs of eyes quickly swiveled in her direction, all fixating on Eve's flushed and embarrassed face.
Eve managed a nervous giggle, attempting to conceal her embarrassment. "I'm okay, Mum, Dad," she reassured them as a strong arm enveloped her shoulders. Mr. Warren took her trolley from her, and together, they proceeded towards the other group of five people on the platform.
The taller red-haired woman spoke first, her voice soft and calming. "Is this your first time at Hogwarts, sweetie?" Eve, feeling a bit nervous, nodded and edged a little closer to her father. The red-haired woman smiled warmly, her eyes full of kindness. "It's Albus's first time at Hogwarts too," she said, gently nudging a slightly bashful Albus forward, who had been hiding behind his father.
Albus's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as he recalled his awkward encounter with a purple-haired girl where he nearly tripped. He managed a polite smile while keeping his lips pressed together. The red-haired woman continued, "I'm Ginny, this is Harry, my husband, and these are Albus, James, and Lilly. We are the Potters," she said, pointing to each respective family member as she introduced them.
"Pleasure to meet you all," Mr. Warren warmly introduced himself, gesturing to his family. "I'm Alex, this lovely lady is my wife Jodie, and this bundle of nerves here is Evelyn, though we call her Eve for short." He took a step to the side, allowing Eve to stand without the protective shield of his frame. Nervously, Eve twirled a strand of her hair around trembling fingers and mumbled a shy, "Hi," while keeping her gaze fixed on the ground.
Mr. Warren then continued, addressing the Potter family. "We were wondering if you could lend us a hand. You see, we're supposed to find platform 9 ¾, but the station steward told us it doesn't exist. It looks like you're headed in the same direction, and we're feeling rather lost," he explained, gesturing towards the Potters' trolley, which was laden with trunks and a cage atop it, containing a white owl.
Harry chuckled, a joyful memory surfacing. "Of course, I once had trouble finding the platform too. No trouble at all following us," he assured the Warrens with a friendly grin. With a wave in the direction of a pillar flanked by signs labelled 9 and 10, he beckoned them to follow.
As both families made their way towards the pillar, the parents engaged in conversation, while the children trailed behind. For Eve, the excitement that had bubbled within her was now replaced by a sudden wave of nervousness. Her knees trembled, and she cast quick, uncertain glances around. It was a feeling she couldn't quite pinpoint—perhaps it was the reality of leaving her parents for months, as she had never been apart from them for a single day. Or maybe it was the presence of the young boy with tousled brown hair and deep, fierce green eyes.
Eve's head snapped back to the present as the short, red-haired girl beside her spoke. Lost in her thoughts, she hadn't been paying attention. "I'm sorry, what was that?" Eve asked apologetically. The girl, Lilly, grinned despite her downtrodden expression. "Hi I'm Lilly. I can't believe you are going to Hogwarts that's so cool! I wish I was going to Hogwarts too! But I'm only 9," she explained, her lip curling with a touch of disappointment.
Eve flashed Lilly one of her characteristic reassuring smiles. "Hi I'm Eve. Don't worry, those two years will fly by like magic," she replied, letting out a giggle as she realized the pun she had just made.
Harry stood in front of the pillar, his gaze shifting to Eve. He spoke softly but with unwavering conviction in his voice. "It might seem scary, but you have to run at the pillar dead center. You'll pass through the magical barrier that separates our world from the muggle world. James, Albus, why don't you go ahead and show Eve how it's done?" He nodded to his two sons, who responded with smirks of confidence. Leaning back to gather momentum, they propelled themselves forward with their trollies, heading straight for the seemingly solid brick pillar.
Eve couldn't bear to watch, her fingers instinctively covering her eyes. Through small slits between her fingers, she caught a glimpse of what happened next: the two boys simply vanished through the pillar. There was no sign of them anywhere; they had disappeared into thin air. She realized her mouth was hanging open and quickly shut it, mentally preparing herself to follow suit and run toward the pillar.
With a quick glance towards her parents, who nodded their approval for her to proceed, Eve steeled her nerves. She let out a long, drawn-out breath to steady herself and then dashed forward with all her strength. Her eyes tightly shut as the wall grew closer and closer. But instead of hearing the expected impact of a wall, she was met with the distant whistle of a train. Intrigued and a little bewildered, she cautiously opened her eyes, which immediately sparkled with amazement at what she saw, prompting an involuntary gasp.
Before her stood a cherry-red steam engine, emblazoned with the words "Hogwarts Express" in elegant golden letters, its front adorned with the same crest she had seen on her acceptance letter.
As Eve moved further away from the entrance, she heard familiar voices behind her. Everyone else had successfully followed her through the barrier. Turning around, she caught a glimpse of her parents' reactions, both wearing expressions of utter wonderment. She had never seen them so amazed before, not even the time she managed to open a pickle jar all by herself for the first time.
Overhead, owls gracefully soared through the sky as the two families proceeded down the platform toward the waiting carriages. Eve's eyes darted left and right, taking in the wondrous sights. Light sandstone bricks lined the walls, and a glistening glass roof allowed the morning sunshine to stream in. The steam rising from the engine created a misty effect in the air, adding to the magical atmosphere of the platform.
As Eve strolled past the carriages, each filled with excited students conversing with their parents through open windows, her attention was drawn to a lean man. He was flanked by a woman with long brown hair, dressed elegantly in a green suit. The man, in stark contrast, wore all black and was engaged in conversation with a child who bore an uncanny resemblance to him—a pale complexion and platinum blonde hair, much like her own family except for her dad.
As they drew nearer, the man looked up, and Eve observed a significant moment when his eyes locked with Mr. Potter's. In silent understanding, both men exchanged a nod before diverting their gazes elsewhere.
Outside an empty carriage, the Potters and Warrens bid their farewells to the children about to board the train. Mr. and Mrs. Warren both stooped down to Eve's height, enveloping her in a warm embrace. Amidst her mother's sniffles, a tear landed on Eve's neck, and the tightness of the hug made it hard to breathe. "I can't breathe," she managed to gasp out.
Stepping back, Mr. and Mrs. Warren gazed down at their child, their eyes filled with pure admiration and love. Mr. Warren retrieved a handkerchief from his pocket, gently handing it to his inconsolable wife. "We have a present for you," he said, producing a slim box from his other pocket and handing it to Eve. "Go ahead, open it," he urged with warmth in his voice.
Eve eagerly opened the slim box, revealing a solid black screen measuring about six inches diagonally. Her excitement bubbled over, and she almost dropped the box as she leaped forward to hug her father's waist. "Thank you, thank you! I can't believe it, my first phone!" she exclaimed. Mr. Warren's tone turned more serious. "It's not a toy. We're getting you this now because we won't see you for a while, and you need to stay in touch with us. Your mother's and my numbers are already programmed in, as well as your brother's," he explained, running his finger through her hair as he looked down. "I'm glad you like your present," he added, his voice softened with affection.
A loud, drawn-out, high-pitched whistle echoed from the front of the train. "Quickly, kids, get on board now," urged Mrs. Potter, ushering the children onto the train, their floating luggage expertly managed by Mr. Potter. The three children entered their cabin through a sliding glass door, revealing green leather seats accented by chestnut wood-panelled walls. A spacious window occupied the centre, offering Eve, James, and Albus a final glimpse of their parents standing on the platform.
The train inched forward ever so slightly, and another whistle pierced the air as the wheels began to turn with purpose. Through the glass, Eve locked eyes with her father and mother. Her father maintained a proud and stoic demeanor, wearing a stern expression, while Mrs. Warren, gripped by emotion, could barely stand on her own. The two pairs of light grey eyes met, and for what felt like an eternity, they gazed at each other. A tear slipped free from Eve's eye, mirroring the tears in her mother's eyes. At the same moment, they both mouthed those three powerful words, "I love you."
With a stronger jolt, the train surged forward once more, and the view of her parents grew smaller. The station passed by, and they entered a dark tunnel, instantly illuminated by the cabin's overhead lamp.
The three children settled into their seats, and the cabin buzzed with conversations about all things magical. Eve's curiosity and questions had been building up inside her, and now they flowed freely from her mouth. The earlier nerves had disappeared, replaced by a renewed sense of excitement.
Pressing her face against the window, Eve's eyes darted from left to right as the dark tunnel swiftly gave way to rolling countryside. She marveled at how quickly they left the bustling city of London behindHer gaze focused on the older boy.
"How did we get here so fast? It's only been 5 minutes. We surely can't be outside of London!" Eve questioned, her eyes searching for an explanation.
James simply chuckled, stretching his arms out wide and wiggling his fingers dramatically, playfully building suspense within the cabin. Eve leaned in closer in her seat, captivated.
"Magic!" James exclaimed with a hearty laugh. "But in all honesty, I have no idea. You keep forgetting which world you've stepped into, Eve."
Laughter rippled throughout the cabin like a contagious wave. Albus doubled over, clutching his stomach, his eyes squeezed shut in mirth. The other passengers in the cabin fixated their attention solely on the laughing boy, each displaying a unique expression. Eve wore a puzzled look; she found James's peculiar antics mildly amusing but not gut-bustingly funny. In stark contrast, James's face was a mixture of anger and exasperation.
"WHAT IS SO FUNNY!" he bellowed, his frustration evident.
Amidst fits of laughter, Albus struggled to speak, wheezing so hard that he ended up laughing even harder. He raised a placating hand toward James, signaling for a moment to regain his composure. After taking a few deep breaths, he finally managed to speak.
"Did you not see yourself just now?" Albus asked, his voice laced with humour. "You looked absolutely ridiculous. I knew you were a bit of a looser, but you took it to a whole new level with that display," he said, stifling another laugh that threatened to bubble up.
James's brow furrowed, and he crossed his arms. In response, he stood up from his seat, glaring down at his brother with fury burning in his eyes. "I'll show you who's a loser," he spat. Without hesitation, As James launched himself at Albus, throwing a flurry of wild but relatively weak punches, Albus couldn't help but goad his brother further. "Stop it, that tickles," Albus said teasingly, encouraging James to ramp up his frenzy. James, caught up in the heat of the moment, yelled, "DIE!" as his onslaught grew even wilder. Eve sat motionless, torn between wanting to intervene and not wanting to offend either of the boys, whom she hardly knew.
She bit her bottom lip in contemplation, her gaze darting between the battling brothers, struggling to decide on the right course of action. Her hand rested flat on the green leather seat, ready to defend Albus if necessary. Just as she hesitated, the cabin door slid open, and Eve turned her head to see a girl of similar height but with a bit more weight to her, fiery red hair, and a face adorned with light brown freckles. The newcomer's brown eyes fixated on the two boys in the midst of their brawl.
"JAMES AND ALBUS POTTER, WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING?!" she screeched, her voice carrying a ferocity that surprised Eve for someone of her size. Feeling slightly intimidated, Eve shifted her weight on the seat as she watched the two boys immediately cease their fighting. They turned their heads and locked eyes with their furious cousin, whose stern stare had the same effect on them as their mothers' did when they had misbehaved. Sheepish and ashamed, both Albus and James gulped simultaneously.
Having spent every holiday with their cousin, Albus and James were well aware of Rose's fiery temper. Despite being just 11 years old, she was an imposing little girl, and the mere thought of her wrath was enough to scare them both.
Rose tapped her foot impatiently, waiting for a response to her question. "Well! What is going on in here?" she demanded. Albus and James exchanged glances before both pointing at each other and exclaiming in unison, "He started it!"
The heated squabble between the two boys quickly reignited, with fingers pressing into chests and voices raised in anger. Just as tensions escalated, a loud audible sigh escaped Rose's lips, she marched forward. With a shift motion, she leaned up and banging their two heads together, causing Albus and James to recoil in pain, their foreheads throbbing as they rubbed at them.
"Right, I've had just about enough of this. Now behave" Rose commanded, crossing her arms as she spoke. Pointing to opposite sides of the cabin she directed them to their seats
Albus found himself seated across from Eve, who had yet to receive any acknowledgement from the fiery-tempered girl. Rose, still seething with anger, continued to vent her frustrations. Her breathe were laboured and long as she spoke. "Not even one day into the school year, and you two are already at each other's throats. This year is going to be a mess with both of you in Gryffindor." She rolled her eyes and sighed "I'd even be tempted to ask the sorting hat to place me in Hufflepuff so I don't have be anywhere near the two of you. I'm already getting a headache and it's only been five minutes"
Suddenly, Eve began to feel a tickle in the back of her throat, and she struggled to hold her breath as best as she could. Making a noise right now was the last thing she wanted to do, for fear of provoking the girl's anger.
As the urge to cough grew increasingly difficult to suppress, Eve's face turned a shade of purple, her eyes bulging. She couldn't hold it any longer, and she lurched forward, sputtering and coughing forcefully. The sound drew the fierce brown eyes of Rose, whose expression softened as she realized what was happening.
It wasn't that she hadn't noticed Eve; it was just that she had been so preoccupied with her two troublesome cousins that she hadn't taken her attention off them for a second, it was time to greet new girl with the amazing purple hair.
Once Eve had recovered from the coughing fit, an outstretched hand was thrust in close proximity to her own. Eve cautiously shook the offered hand, but Rose's handshake was anything but tame. She shook Eve's hand with playful aggression, nearly dislocating Eve's small shoulder in the process.
"Hi, I'm Rose Granger-Weasley," beamed the ginger girl, her enthusiasm shining through. "And these morons are my cousins." She let go of Eve's hand and pointed two fingers at the culprits. Eve couldn't help but smile in agreement with Rose's words. Albus and James seemed to lean more towards the physical side of the spectrum than the intellectual, from what she had observed during their short time together.
"Hello, Rose. I'm Evelyn Warren, but you can call me Eve," she replied, sounding a bit timid. Rose's presence and aura made Eve feel somewhat insecure about herself. Rose noticed Eve's eyes darting anywhere but her own, and she decided to remedy the girl's fears. She scooted closer, claiming the green seat next to Eve, and affectionately placed her hand on top of Eve's.
"I love your hair; it's so vibrant and colourful," Rose remarked sincerely. "My mum would kill me if I dyed my hair. She thinks people who dye their hair are hoodlums. But I think it's super cool."
Eve's reaction resembled that of a deer caught in headlights, her eyes wide open and her mouth slightly agape, completely stunned. She couldn't believe she had heard correctly – someone other than her family actually liked her hair. It left her utterly flabbergasted, and a warm sensation spread from her heart. Her parted lips curved into the cheesiest grin she had ever worn.
Rose's expression shifted slightly, appearing somewhat puzzled. "Um, Eve, are you okay? Your mouth is doing this weird smile thing, and your eyes are kind of freaking me out," she observed. Eve snapped out of her dazed state, offering a simpler, closed-lip smile in response.
"I'm so sorry," Eve began, her voice quiet as she tucked her fingers inside her cotton sleeves. "The compliment caught me off guard. I'm not used to them." Her mind wandered back to the times she had been bullied for her colorful hair and clothing choices.
The joy she had felt just moments ago now seemed infected by a sadness, creeping over her like a virus. No matter how hard she tried to focus on positive thoughts, the sadness threatened to crush her happiness beneath its weight.
Once again, Rose picked up on Eve's change of mood. Still holding her hand, she squeezed it tighter and leaned closer, her lips mere inches from Eve's ear. In a gentle whisper, she reassured her, "You are among friends here. It's going to be okay." As Rose pulled away, she noticed a single tear escaping from Eve's red eyes.
"Friends?" Eve thought to herself, but the word slipped out of her mouth unintentionally. To her surprise, Rose, Albus, and James all nodded in agreement. She contemplated for a moment whether she should share everything that had happened to her over the past six years at school, but she quickly shook her head, dismissing that line of thinking. It was too soon to burden her newfound friends with all her problems.
The concept of "friends" felt somewhat foreign to Eve, and she suspected it would take some time before she fully embraced it. However, her contemplations were abruptly interrupted by a knock on the cabin door. A young woman appeared, pushing a cart laden with an assortment of sweet treats, drinks, and chocolates. Eve didn't recognize any of the brands or items.
Rose, being closest to the door, slid it open, and the young lady greeted them with a cheerful and melodic voice, "Anything from the trolley, my lovelies?" Without hesitation, Albus and James dashed forward, seemingly oblivious to the phrase "Ladies first." Both Rose and Eve shot them cold stares.
Albus reached into his pocket and retrieved a gold piece, requesting, "Three chocolate frogs, please." The lady promptly obliged, handing over three purple pentagon-shaped boxes. James followed, confidently declaring, "Four chocolate frogs, please," and then he cast a smirk over his shoulder at his brother, clearly revelling in outdoing him yet again. After the money exchanged hands, the boys settled down, eagerly admiring their newly acquired boxes of chocolate frogs.
"I'm not sure what to get; I've never seen any of these before," Eve confessed, gesturing at the array of goods before her.
Rose tapped her chin thoughtfully, pondering for a moment. She considered which items would be good for Eve to start taste-testing. There were Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, a classic choice, along with cauldron cakes, chocolate frogs, and a plethora of other options. It was challenging to pick just one or two to recommend. Finally, Rose chuckled playfully and said, "I don't know, just get the lot." She used a joking tone to indicate that it was all in good fun.
"I'll take the lot!" Eve declared with excitement, reaching into her pockets and producing a dozen gold pieces. Three sets of eyes landed on Eve, all of them speechless, as handfuls of sweets, chocolates, and confections were handed over and placed on a fold-out table.
As she gazed at the mountain of treats before her, Eve felt like she was in heaven. She had no idea what she had just bought, but she could clearly see the envy in the eyes of the other wizards and witches in the cabin, some of whom were practically drooling at the sight.
"I didn't think you were actually going to do it," Rose said with a playful grin as she shoved a handful of fizzing whizzbees into her mouth. "You know, our dad once told us a story about how he did exactly this—buying everything from the trolley." They all shared a hearty laugh while indulging in sweets and chocolates.
Albus tossed Eve a box of Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans. She eagerly turned the box over, expecting to find a list of flavors like jelly beans typically had. However, her excitement quickly turned to disappointment as she discovered that the only flavor listed was 'Every flavour.'
With curiosity piqued, she selected a bean from the box. It was yellow in color with tiny black dots speckling its surface.
The general chit-chat in the cabin came to an abrupt halt, and all eyes were fixed on the bean held by Eve. This was a special moment to witness, the first time a Muggle was about to try a Bertie Botts Every Flavour Bean. She bit into it, and instantly, a repulsive expression overtook Eve's face. Her tongue swelled, and she attempted to speak, but all that came out were sputters. Laughter filled the small room as everyone tried to guess which flavor she had just experienced.
""I know it has to be bumblebee! Bad luck, Warren," teased Albus, sticking his tongue out in a mocking fashion.
A few minutes later, Eve finally returned to normal, but she pushed the box of beans as far away from her as possible. "Never again!" she declared emphatically.
Another knock resonated on the sliding door, drawing everyone's attention to a skinny figure dressed in black with medium-length platinum blonde hair standing in the doorway.
"What can we do for you, Malfoy?" James presumed as he looked just like Draco Malfoy, eyeing the newcomer. The boy shifted nervously from side to side on the carpet and hesitated, creating an awkward silence that enveloped the cabin.
"Can I... erm... get some of those? My father didn't pack me any lunch and told me to buy from the trolley," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper, while a long, pale finger pointed towards the mountain of treats
"You'll have to ask Eve," James replied, gesturing toward the purple-haired girl. Scorpius's gaze followed the gesture, landing on a fair-skinned girl with long purple hair cascading past her shoulders. Her forehead was framed by bangs on either side, and she wore a pretty smile that complemented her light grey eyes. Scorpius was momentarily taken aback, his breath catching in his lungs. He quickly gulped and then asked, "Miss, may I procure some of your treasures?"
Feeling something stir in her stomach as she locked eyes with the new boy, his voice as smooth as silk caressing her ears, Eve replied, "Why, yes, good sir, you may help yourself to my treasures. Just don't plunder them all; I've worked hard and slayed many dragons for my horde." She couldn't help but let out a soft giggle, fully aware of how silly her words sounded. Eve couldn't quite pinpoint where this newfound confidence had come from, but she certainly enjoyed it.
After the boy left with handfuls of treats, the remaining occupants of the cabin slumped in their seats, chatting and eating for the remainder of the train ride.
"We have to get changed into our robes quickly; we'll be there any moment. I lost track of time," said James.
"I'm not getting changed in front of my cousins. Gross!" Without hesitation, James pulled his sleek dark cherry wand from his jumper sleeve. With a swish and flick, he aimed it at the fold-out table, causing it to suddenly expand in size, stretching all the way to the glass sliding door and up to the roof, effectively separating Eve and Rose from the two boys. With another flick of his wand, the glass turned a matte black, preventing anyone from seeing inside.
""There you go, now get changed; we don't have long!" James yelled through the newly formed wall. Quickly, each child changed into their school robes, all plain except for James, whose robes were accented with crimson red lining.
A loud whistle pierced the air, interrupting the conversations happening on the train as it pulled into Hogsmeade station. Smoke billowed all around, creating a hazy mist around the train.
Eve moved to grab her heavy trunks from the overhead storage, but James placed a hand on her shoulder. "There's no need; they will be brought to our rooms later on. Let's get a move on; we don't want to be the last off the train." The group shuffled their way out into the hallway and disembarked from the train, stepping onto a solid concrete path running parallel with the train tracks.
Eve had forgotten just how many students were on the train, and now, in front of her, stretched a sea of black robes with vibrant accents. There must have been close to 500 students.
A loud male voice pierced through the surrounding chatter, calling out, "First years! First years over here, please!" Waving goodbye to James, who was in his third year, Rose, Eve, and Albus pushed their way through the sea of black robes toward the booming voice.
Before them stood a tall man with a full beard, dark black hair slicked back into a ponytail, holding a lantern as night was descending upon them. The train ride had been a long one.
The tall man meticulously counted each child in front of him, and with an approving grunt, he introduced himself, "Right, now that we have everyone, all 71 of you, I'm Professor Inkwood. I'll be your Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher this year, but for now, I'm here to guide you to Hogwarts. Stay close, and make sure you keep up!"
Eve locked arms with Albus and Rose, and they all walked in unison, ready to begin their magical education. Feeling a mixture of anxiety, excitement, fear, and hope, Eve took a deep breath, summoning every ounce of confidence she could muster. This was the beginning of a journey that would change her life in ways she couldn't yet imagine.