Despite having been to Guild Street once before Julian couldn't contain his excitement at returning. Especially now that he could see it without feeling as if he was out of place. He was a wizard now, this is where he belonged, or was supposed to anyway. He couldn't really understand what motivated people to wipe memories. But as far as he knew no one had done it intentionally, it had just been the archway that wiped John's memories. The same arch that Hodge and Julian were walking under now.

The two walked in silence down the brightly lit thoroughfare. Today was a fair bit quieter than when Julian came last, he must have come during peak hour the first time he came. However, he still was getting looks from people as they passed by just like last time. Instead he decided it was better to look anywhere but them. The windows reflected off the signs of the shops, divulging their contents. Some advertised ingredients for potions, plants that were different from anything Julian had seen and even broomsticks (He guessed that's where the stories about witches came from). He was snapped out of looking at more shops by Hodge.

'Julian, why don't you get your shopping list out.' He suggested.

Julian did as he said, looking over the shopping list, there wasn't a lot to buy. There were items that would make sense at a regular school, a uniform and books for whatever subjects would be there. But there were other things he didn't expect, such as a cauldron, a telescope and strangely, gloves made from dragon hide. The one that he was most interested in was of course the wand.

'Mr Hodge, you said these all these are being paid for right? Why is that?' Julian asked.

'Ah, well you see.' Hodge paused, it seemed like he was attempting to find the right way to word it. 'The school pays for the first year of supplies for students who need it, to get them going. Sometimes more if they really need it.'

'And I'm one who needs it?' Julian said, raising an eyebrow.

'N-No, not exactly.' Hodge fumbled his words, looking uncomfortable. 'It's just that with you being muggle-born, you don't exactly have access to wizard money.'

Julian supposed that it did make sense, it's not as if he had any idea that wizards had different money or even what it was. But to him, hearing it like that it just made him feel different and not in a good way. But he supposed it wouldn't be good to be mad about it.

'Thanks, Mr Hodge.' Julian muttered.

'It's alright. I mean that's what we're here for, to give you a leg up!' Hodge said proudly. 'Now, what would you like to get first?'

Julian was just itching to get the wand first, everything else just seemed like filler. But at Hodge's suggestion they went buying the other supplies first. 'Best to save it for last.' Hodge suggested with a smile.

They moved from shop to shop collecting the different materials on the list that Julian had.

First, they stopped by Binders and Borders, a large book shop spread across multiple rooms that had books stacked by the walls to almost impossible heights. When asked how this was possible Hodge simply shrugged 'Magic'. Eventually, the two went to pick up the book list from the counter the clerk simply snatched a floating pair of books without looking at them and they made the transaction right then and there.

'How'd she know? She didn't even look.' Julian exclaimed as they walked out of the shop. 'Ah, was it magic?'

'There's a lot of first years.' Hodge pointed out.

Over time they picked up other items; the cauldron was smaller than Julian expected being only a little larger than his hands put together. The gloves didn't look too different from regular gloves considering they were made of dragonhide, when purchasing them Hodge made a note that Julian should be glad he didn't have to pay for them, further punctuated by his muttering of 'absolute theft' under his breath.

After a while, Julian realised that they hadn't gone into any of the alcoves high up on the walls. They had only gone into the shops on the ground level.

'You go there for the cheaper shops; the ground level is more expensive. I'm sure you'll be going up there next year onwards.' Hodge explained, 'You're lucky the school's paying for you.'

Next, they arrived at to pick up the uniform, a set of robes at a shop named Ms Ward's Thread. Which found itself to be quite a frustrating experience as Julian was forced to stand completely still while the attendant took his exact measurements. The robes were plain white in colour, which seemed more bland than anything else.

'This is the uniform?'

Hodge turned his gaze away from the window to reply, 'There's a bit more to it than meets the eye.' After which he said nothing else. Somehow this proved to be just as frustrating as standing still for the measurements. It seemed Hodge wasn't so keen on giving many answers to Julian. On other occasions during their shopping, he had asked Hodge what kind of spells there were, as well as what the school actually was like or where it was, all of which usually was followed with 'You'll find out at some point.' All he did learn from him was to do with rules, he now knew that he couldn't bring his own broom as a first year. It wasn't as if he was going to but it was enough to make him feel restricted. To his surprise he was able to bring his own pet, which definitely wouldn't have gone well at his primary school, however even that was dashed, the school wasn't covering pets that weren't necessary to their education, Hodge would attempt to cheer him up. 'You can buy one yourself.'

He winced in pain, the attendant had accidently poked a needle into his ankle. Somehow the lack of communication hurt more.

Eventually, Julian and Hodge found themselves in front of the wand shop, Southern Cross. The part the Julian had been waiting for since he saw the list. The shop seemed to be one of the oldest on the street, with no windows to peek inside. They seemed to like their privacy.

As the two of them walked inside, Julian was struck by the difference of its interior. The whole shop was brightly lit, all coming from a large window in the ceiling. Julian questioned this as the shop was at the foot of a building that was four stories at least before realising once again that it was magic, he'd have to get used to that.

While waiting for what appeared to be the store owner to be finished with a previous customer, a blond girl around Julian's age with her two parents. Julian observed the high shelves stacked with small boxes, presumably wands. Which one was meant to be his?

His thoughts were interrupted by the front door opening and closing. The previous customer had left and it was time to get his wand. As if on cue, a tanned woman in bright blue robes tapped him on the shoulder.

'Hi there. You buying your first wand?' She said brightly extending her hand to shake. 'I'm Olive Cross, pleased to meet you.'

He shook her hand, not sure how to respond to someone so forward. 'Yes.' He said quickly, 'I'm Julian by the way.'

'Pleasure.' She let go of his hand quickly, pausing a moment with a gleam in her violet eyes, 'You seem excited.' She said more to herself than to him. After which she turned to quickly rifle through a shelf. Not after an agonising couple of minute, she brought out a box containing a thin wand longer than his forearm.

She handed the wand to him, Julian felt the wand in his hand for only a fraction of a second before it was snatched out of his hand. What was with that? He didn't even get to think if he liked it.

She paused with her hand on her chin, she then went to another shelf across the shop at an impossible speed for someone walking. Once she returned, she placed a similar wand in Julian's hand. Julian held it for a moment, wondering what he was supposed to be doing while holding it. He moved his hand to wave it, if only to occupy his hand.

'Not good.' She snatched the wand out of his hand, nearly knocking over Hodge as she went to pick up another one. That one didn't work either. He wished he knew why these wands weren't for him.

Over time Julian had tried several wands, the criteria of which seemed to become stranger each time, Mrs Cross had tried taking his pulse, temperature, heart-rate and even smelled his hair. This sort of behaviour was not making him feel like he was any closer to getting his wand. It was the same every time, give and snatch. Eventually he had to ask.

'Why do none of these wands work?'

'Good question.' She shouted from the back while retrieving another wand for him. 'Nobody usually asks. But unfortunately, I can't really explain it.'

'Why not?'

'Wands are pretty complicated.' She came back with the next wand, give and snatch. 'They like choosing who they want.' She made it seem trivial.

'So… what then? I haven't found it yet?' He felt almost insulted.

'It'll happen when it happens.' Cross parroted, as if she'd said it many times.

'When'll that be?' He demanded.

'Sometime, soon hopefully. You'll find out.' He stepped back fuming, this was too much. It's just magic, it all works by magic. Who cares how or why? He was supposed to just find out eventually. He didn't care about the wand she was about to give him or that Hodge was rising out of his chair.

'This is so stupid.' He roared. 'Why can't you just tell me?'

He was looking right at Cross' face. Expecting her violet eyes to dim and throw him out of the shop. But instead she looked relieved.

'Ahh, there we go.' Cross breathed. 'I got it. One second please.' She ran quickly back to another wand. Julian growled starting to follow her when he felt Hodge put a hand on his shoulder.

'Just wait and see.' Hodge assured with a smile.

He breathed for a moment, 'Fine.' He sighed. Julian slapped his cheeks, he'd let himself get out of control there.

'Here we go.' Cross sang out as she returned with a dark brown wand. 'Hornbeam, Dragon Heartstring, 26 centimetres.' She announced as she handed the wand to Julian.

Julian took the wand and held it up, this time felt different. He felt a sense of easiness, even though he never had a chance to think about the other wands, he had never felt anything close to this.

He took notice of Cross standing back as if her job was finished. 'Wave it.'

He did as she said, a few sparks of red light shot out of his wand across the room.

Cross clapped, 'there you have it.' She reached for Julian's wand to place it in its box. 'You're paying?' She asked Hodge.

Julian stood still, watching as she exchanged several gold coins with Hodge. 'What was that?'

'That's how I work.' Cross explained. 'I find it's better to get a sense of what the customer is like so I can find a wand that fits them best. Though the wand still chooses the wizard and all that.'

'So then what were all the wands before it?' Julian asked, not sure he was happy about being played like this, even if he did get his wand from it.

'I was testing you, dear.' She smiled handing the box to Julian. 'I was waiting for you to show yourself.'

'Seems unfair.' He stated. He definitely didn't understand her.

'Maybe, but you have to push yourself to get what you want.' Her violet eyes twinkling as she said it. 'Besides, I'm the wandmaker here.'

As much as he wanted to, Julian couldn't argue with that. He muttered a goodbye as he walked out of the shop, Hodge giving a wave as he followed behind him.

'You don't like her, do you?' Hodge asked plainly.

Julian didn't want to answer. His silence probably said it all.

Hodge tried to cheer him up. 'Well, if nothing bad happens to your wand, you won't need to come back, right?'

Julian wasn't paying attention. He spent the rest of the trip out of Guild Street seething to himself. The only thing that broke his thoughts for a moment was the archway at the entrance. It's large imposing structure feeling more imposing than anything else. He looked for the inscription trying to remember what the words were. He found it but something was off. The inscription was different. The words instead wrote, Wait and see.

By the time he'd processed the difference, Hodge and Julian had walked out of the arch. Hodge gripped Julian's shoulder to apparate him back home.

Julian spent the next week sitting indoors reading books. The content of which was far more interesting than any school book he had read before. He had devoured the Standard Book of Spells Grade 1 at record pace, he had even tried the instructions for performing the magic. Sadly, nothing had happened, he was partly glad about this however, he was sure his mother would have his head off for burning down the house by accident.

Surprisingly, his mother had handled learning about magic quite well. Julian even caught her looking at the books he was reading over his shoulder. She had required proof that magic existed and so Hodge was happy to oblige. Julian wasn't sure whether or not his mother was happy that he was a wizard, what with having to pull him out of his old primary school and having to accept she wouldn't see him for most of the year; but he at least knew she was happy with their new couch.

Hodge had given them some wizard money, as part of the school's program for muggleborns. He didn't know how to feel about being given so much, but he supposed he couldn't complain. He didn't think he'd forget when his mother had been told the exchange rate for wizard money.

'Each of these Galleons are worth almost 9 dollars!' She had fumed that night, holding the bag of coins they'd been given. 'Please, promise me you'll spend it wisely, Julian.'

'Yes, Mum.' He droned. He didn't even know what he would spend it on, it didn't seem like there were shops at Mornington, according to Hodge at least.

There was one thing he hadn't done; he still hadn't talked to Hannah since before he met Hodge. He wasn't sure whether he wanted to meet with her. Julian had went straight into his books, he was apprehensive about meeting Hannah again and instead decided to push it off until he met her the day they left.

The night before he was meant to go to Mornington, he had been encouraged by his mother to pack then instead of in the morning, 'You want to be late?' She had scoffed. He spent his night packing all his clothes and supplies into an old suitcase. Once finished he had a look at the letter once again, taking a moment to look at the ticket that came with it.

It read that it was for a platform zero at Flinders St Station. Odd place for it, how did one of the busiest stations in the city have wizards every year pouring into it on February 1st? Even weirder was that he knew for sure there was no platform zero.

It seemed it was a puzzle that wouldn't get answered anytime soon, luckily he was spared thinking about it any further by a tapping on his window. He looked at the window, it was probably nothing, he was going to finish packing when he heard another tap.

He opened the curtains, he blinked trying to adjust his eyes to the dark, searching for who made the noise. He finally saw who it was that was waving to him under the street light. It was Hannah.

That represented another problem, Hannah. She seemed really keen to stick with him, but something had been nagging at him with how she had become like that. He was certainly good friends with her before the incident at Guild Street, but it wasn't until their interactions since then that he'd realised how aloof she had been. He hadn't really known much about her life at home for instance, granted she was hiding magic from him, but she hadn't lied about it, she simply had never talked about it. What nagged him most was a question he had failed to ask before, what would she had done if he hadn't turned out to be a wizard?

He opened the window, the night was quiet enough he didn't have to speak too loudly. 'What are you doing here?'

'Seeing you.' Julian sighed and snuck out the window.

As he walked across the front garden towards her he muttered, 'How are your parents ok with you coming out now?'

'It's not like I told them I was.'

'Ah.' He said as he sat on the curb. A moment later she followed suit and sat next to him.

'You're coming to Mornington, right?' She asked straight out.

Julian blinked in surprise, remembering he hadn't told her about everything that had happened since he'd seen her last.

'I hope so, I haven't been packing for nothing.' He hoped keeping it light would make him happier to interact with her, it didn't. She punched him on the arm playfully.

'You had me worried there you know.' She said, looking down for a moment, 'How come you didn't tell me?'

He scratched the back of his head, 'It just got lost in the shuffle I guess. Felt like I needed to get prepared, I barely know anything about magic.' He lied. He wasn't about to admit that he felt strange about his friendship with her.

'I guess that's ok.' She said. Her face then began to brighten up as she looked back at him.

'So you went back to the Guild right? Did you get your robes? Did you get your wand?'

He laughed and then began telling his story about the journey to Guild Street, talking about Hodge, the strange items, she thought it was funny when he was surprised by magic, it must've been normal to her. Eventually he told her about the tricky wandmaker Cross.

'She's just like that.' Hannah commented leaning backwards to pick at the grass behind her, 'she does that kind of trick with everyone, pretty much every kid wants their wand more than anything else.'

Julian shrugged, it made sense but something about that behaviour rubbed him the wrong way, pushing people just to see them at their worst felt wrong. 'Whatever, I got my wand, so it's all good now.' He lied. In all honesty, he hoped he never had to go back to Cross again.

In telling Hannah his story, he suddenly realised he didn't even feel so uneasy around her now, why had he been dreading this again?

'You looking forward to tomorrow?' He asked.

'Of course!' She said excitedly. 'I can't wait to get into all of it, I get to find out about the school, my mum won't even tell me anything about it. You are too, right?'

'Yeah' he said half-aloud. He figured he'd be honest, 'It still doesn't feel real, a few weeks ago I was ready to go in for year six. Now I'm a wizard and I'm going to a school who even knows where.' He stifled a laugh, 'Right now I'm not even sure I want to leave. John's still here, maybe I could have become friends with him again.'

Hannah sat back up. 'John forgot about us, Julian.' She turned away from him. 'Maybe we should too.'

Julian felt his stomach tighten. 'We can't do that' He countered. 'We can hang out with him next holidays or something.'

'He might move, we'll make friends at Mornington.'

Julian gave Hannah a careful look. 'Well yeah, but we don't have to just drop him.'

'Why not?' Hannah turned to face Julian. Her face lit by the street light. Although they were under the same light her face looked cold.

'Cause we can't leave a friend behind.' He argued. He couldn't believe she was acting like this. 'What if it were me? Or if had been you who forgot about us?'

She grimaced for a moment but recollected herself. Her face remained passive as she turned away from him again, her silence filling the quiet night with more noise than it had before.

He thought he had been stupid to be worried about her behaviour since she had told him about magic. It was one thing he didn't want to be right about. He had held himself back from asking her what she had been going to do back then, but now he didn't care.

'What would you have done if I wasn't a wizard?'

She didn't answer again.

'Were you just going to leave us behind?'

After a pause, she turned to face away from him.

'You were going to, weren't you?' He growled as he stood. He grew louder with every word, he didn't care that his mum would probably hear him now. 'You would have just gotten up and left for Mornington all happy to be with your magic and all kinds of-

'YES.' She broke her silence. 'You want to know, fine!' She stood to match him, 'You think I had any choice? Before a few weeks you were a muggle! I would have had to at some point, that's how it works, Julian!'

'Then why tell me to just forget about him!' he threw back. 'It sounds more like you wanted to play with us for a while before you threw us in the bin.' He was starting to run out of breath, his throat was hoarse and by the looks of it, so was she.

They stood there for a moment, their breathing ragged. Hannah spoke up first. 'I'm leaving.' She turned and hesitated before walking out of the light towards her house.

Julian stood on the grass next to the curb looking at where Hannah had just been before yelling as he kicked the ground.

He scowled as he silently snuck through the gardens and through his bedroom window. He finished his packing, ranting in his head all the way. It took him too long to sleep that night.

His mother's voice was too loud. He just wanted to turn over and sleep in some more.

'Come on! Get up!' She called as she shook him awake, his vision coming into focus. 'We have to leave in fifteen minutes!'

Leave? What for?

Julian widened his eyes, he threw off the covers. Grabbing his clothes in a mad dash to get dressed as fast as he possibly could. Although he had packed the night before, the morning rush had never been a smooth process for him. He rushed to prepare toast, holding it in his mouth as he and his mother attempted to push his heavy suitcase into the car. Amazingly the two managed to drive out of the house with a minute to spare. 'You got everything?' She asked as she turned onto the main road.

'I hope so.' He replied, grimacing at the thought of leaving something behind.

The drive felt like it took way too long to Julian, why wizards thought having the train leave from one of the busiest stations in the city was a good idea was beyond him. After some high-speed driving in which Julian was sure his mum had broken plenty of rules, he saw the yellow building of Flinders St Station up ahead. He tapped his fingers against his leg nervously as his mum dropped him off next to the station. 'I'll be right behind you!' She called as she drove off to find a park.

Now came the hard part, the one thing he had never figured out properly was how to get to this platform zero mentioned on the ticket. He mentally cursed himself for not asking Hodge before he had left. In fact, knowing him he probably left that part out just to make Julian find it himself. He knew he couldn't stand around forever, walking around with a suitcase wasn't exactly uncommon but that didn't mean he wouldn't stand out. He started walking along the side of the station, every time he saw an entrance into platform one he stopped to look for people in robes, capes or even other people with suitcases. However, nothing caught his eye. He was looking for so long that his mother had miraculously found a park in the city and found him.

'Didn't Mr Hodge tell you where to go?' his mother asked as they checked a tunnel that connected to the station underneath a street, with little foot traffic coming through.

'I think we'd be there if he had.' He replied, doing a quick look of the tunnel, the gates to the station were at the other end with shops on both sides of the arcade. There didn't seem to be much in the way of people who looked like wizards.

But then, a small family came walking from the stairs behind Julian and continued to go through the arcade, Julian spied them, the youngest of which were two boys with one walking behind like any other family, but Julian was more interested in the wooden trunk the older boy had, you definitely didn't see that every day. He started following them, his mother following him once she noticed the family.

The family turned left into an empty clothes shop of all places. Julian had to take this as a sign, it's not as if he had anything else to go on. He went inside the shop with his suitcase, by the time he had made it there the family were missing from the shop, this had to be the place. He went up to the clerk, who immediately held out his hand as if expecting something.

After a pause the man sighed and asked, 'ticket?'. After fishing through his pockets Julian handed it over. The man took a careful look at it as if it wasn't a one of a kind.

'Alright, go through,' he said when he handed it back to Julian, gesturing to the door to the back of the shop. Julian cautiously stepped away from the desk towards the door, his mother close behind him.

'Faster please, haven't got all day.' The man waved for the next in line to come up, Julian looked back to see several others standing behind him waiting for him to go. In response Julian quickly went through the door hearing the man mutter 'muggleborns' under his breath.

Julian went through the curtains that barred the door and found himself being in completely different surroundings. He and his mother were standing on an underground train platform double the size of the regular platforms found just above them. It made sense considering the many people who cluttered the entire area, most of which were students who like him had come with his parents.

He glanced at his mother, she had never seen any wizards before, he could imagine her being a little on edge considering she stuck out like a sore thumb in regular clothes, but then again so did he. Although, on occasion Julian did notice other kids in dressed like him. It seemed they were in the minority here.

Julian figured that he had nothing else but to head up to the blue steam train that sat next to platform ready to depart. Julian gazed at it interested, he had never seen an older train before. Melbourne only used modern trains unless there was an event on.

He turned to his mum to say goodbye, 'I'm going to get on.' He said.

'You should.' She bent down to give him a hug,

It was only now becoming real that he wouldn't see his mother for months. Julian's mother had never been too overbearing, it wasn't as if he was waiting to leave. But he'd be lying if he said he wasn't scared.

'I know this is probably not how you thought your year was going to go.' She started. 'Neither did I, really.'

Julian grunted in reply. Holding her tightly.

'I just want you to know,' his mum continued. 'We're both new to this world. So don't try to ruffle any feathers, alright. Save your energy for when you understand more about them.'

'I'm not gonna start fights, if that's what you mean.'

'Julian.' She moved back, giving him a stern look. 'Just don't do anything unless you need to.'

'I'll be ok, mum'

'You will?'

'Definitely.' He didn't entirely mean it.

Eventually she let go. Julian left to board the train waving goodbye as he did.

He tried to put his suitcase on the train which he initially had a difficult time with, thankfully some older students were helping others bring their trunks onto the train. It was mostly painless, until one of them started inspecting his suitcase, completely fascinated, like he had never seen one before. Julian pulled the suitcase away from him and walked down the train hoping to never have that happen again.

The train didn't take long to fill. He had spent at least ten minutes looking into different compartments to see if he could find any that were free. It seemed most of the older students took up a whole compartment for their friend groups. He was searching for an empty one when he noticed someone coming the other direction. Someone he definitely didn't want to see after last night.

Hannah was walking through the carriage in his direction, she was far enough away that she hadn't noticed him yet. Julian couldn't go the other way for fear of her noticing him from behind and starting another argument. He turned around to go into any compartment just to avoid her. He looked back, she was getting closer. With nowhere else to go he went straight into the compartment he stood next to.

As soon as he closed the door behind him the train started moving away from the platform. He didn't bother checking the rest of the compartment, it seemed empty when he walked in. He was too busy looking out the window to watch the parents waving goodbye. It took him a moment but he even found his own mother waving goodbye, standing completely separate from the wizard parents. After only a minute the train sped up and the view of the platform was completely obstructed by the side of the tunnel that they were now going through.

He stepped away from the window, deciding he might as well sit down on the seat behind him when heard a yelp, he had just sat on someone.

'Look where you're sitting,' a girl scowled.

He turned around quickly, the girl in question must have been the same age as him. She had been lying down on the seat seemingly trying to get some sleep, why she had done it right when the train left he definitely couldn't answer. She wasn't dressed any more casually than he was but somehow she made it look like she was, her face wore a very frustrated expression framed by light-brown messy hair that ended just above her shoulders. Her light blue eyes glared at him before she decided it wasn't worth it.

Julian stood there wondering what her problem was, it must be more trouble than it was worth. 'Sorry' he muttered moving to leave.

He was at the door when he realised he didn't have anywhere else to go, maybe Hannah could still be out there. He took another look over the compartment. The girl was an odd one, but the compartment was peaceful at least.

'Do you mind if I stay here?' He asked, hoping she'd agree. She paused as she looked back over at him, when she finally did speak he had fully expected her to tell him to leave.

'Fine. Just don't bug me alright?' She said relaxing on the seat again, though she didn't fall asleep again.

After putting his suitcase up on the shelf above, Julian sat down on the opposite seat. Once he sat he took every effort to not stare at the girl reclining opposite him. He thought he would look out the window for moment, before realising constant darkness was quite boring. It suddenly started dawning on him that he could be spending the next several hours on the train with this girl around him without anything to do himself. He figured maybe he could re-read some of his textbooks a little.

It only took about a page or two of re-reading Magical Theory before he was bored. The first time had been fun and he was sure he would enjoy it at the school but he was much more interested in doing the magic than thinking about how it worked.

He was interrupted by a knock on the door to the compartment, a table of food was coming past on wheels on its own, how it accomplished this forced Julian to remember that it was because of magic. He looked over the section of lollies, not recognising a single one, although he did have some wizard money now. He didn't feel like he wanted to waste it on sweets that might not be good.

Instead he looked to the girl opposite him. 'Hey, you want anything?' He asked her.

She looked away from the roof of the compartment over to the table, she suddenly looked hungry, 'Sure.' She got up and opened to grab some of the food from the table. She came back inside the compartment a few minutes later. Putting her mixed assortment of sweets on the seat next to her. Julian looked at them interested before realising he was acting a bit rude, he was reaching into his bag for a different book, thinking he could maybe re-read the Standard Book of Spells when he felt something soft collide with his chest. He nearly fumbled catching the second one.

He looked up at the source, the girl had thrown it to him, giving a short laugh. 'Take some. You're interested right?'

'Right.' He spoke slowly. He took a bite out of the cake she had given him. It tasted like a jelly donut but the flavour was a strange mix that he couldn't put his finger on. He figured if he could taste the colour red this is what it would be like. It was strange but, he liked it.

'This is good.' He admitted his mouth still full. After he finished the small cake, he asked her 'What else you got?'

She passed him a piece of a chocolate bar that had pieces of what the girl called Fizzing Whizzbees put in it. As he was chewing it he realised he was floating off the ground a little, which was a lot harder than anyone would think, straight away he lost his balance and started falling backwards and eventually ended up upside down before he fell back on the seat. As soon as she saw him fall on his face she couldn't stop laughing despite how much Julian repeated that it wasn't funny.

'I think people that clumsy have it coming.' She told him once she calmed down. 'What's your name by the way?' She asked.

'I'm Julian, Julian Vital.' He replied. 'And you're?'

'Ellie Idle.' She answered, giving a smile. 'So you're a muggleborn right?'

'Uh yeah.' He muttered, hoping this wouldn't become like the guy who looked over his suitcase earlier.

'Knew it.' She sat back down. 'Most people our age know how to float with Fizzing Whizzbees.' She said.

'Great.' Julian groaned. 'You're not gonna let that one go are you.'

'Nope.' Ellie smiled. 'Well, maybe if you top it.'

'Great...'

Figuring he'd rather avoid being laughed at for the moment he asked. 'Wait, so if you're not a muggleborn why are you wearing those clothes?'

'I'm blending in,' She explained. 'My dad actually likes muggles, he always tries to teach my sister and I what muggles are up to. And to be honest, muggle clothes are easier.'

Julian nodded, it made sense, even though he would have assumed most wizard born people to not have any idea about muggles. 'So your sister goes here?' He asked.

'Yeah she does. And before you ask what the school is like. I can't help you.' She shrugged. 'I only know a bit. Keeps the surprise I guess. I only know about the houses really.'

Julian more than understood that feeling.

'So what do you know about them?'

'Gold is Lioncrown.' She said with a mouthful of food, 'They tend to have the best students there, my sister complains about them, there's this one guy keeps beating her in tests.'

'Which is she in?'

'Owlsight. They're light blue-green. They're meant to be all about being smart and stuff, I think.' She added.

'Red is Defanon, they do really good in sports and duelling I think.' She shrugged as she went on. 'Purple is for those Imphorn guys, don't know anything really. Though whenever my sis mentioned a great prank or joke it's always one of them.'

'So what's the last one?' He asked, he didn't feel he was good at any of those last three.

'Um…' Ellie scratched her head. 'Terracetable? Hold on, it's… Turtlescale, no wait.' She seemed at a complete loss.

Julian frowned, he could just find out later and was going to ask more about the other houses when Ellie blurted out 'Terrascale! Yeah that's what they're called.' She muttered as if still not sure.

Julian smirked, 'So what's with them?'

'No clue. My sis never mentioned them doing anything, I reckon they're in a different area than she is?'

They both shrugged.

After talking some more, he was about to ask her why Ellie wasn't with her sister when the compartment became tinted by dark blue light coming from the window. The two of them looked over at it in surprise. The outside wasn't a dark tunnel anymore. Instead when they looked out they noticed the darkness outside had a little more colour in it than before, with it growing brighter as time went on. Eventually, Julian peered upwards noticing a light source, which also became clearer as they continued.

The further they went the more it became clear exactly what was happening, the train had gotten closer to the light source, so much so that the compartment was turning into a bright blue. Once this happened he looked back over to the light, 'It's the sun.'

He was wondering where the blue came from when it hit him.

The whole train was underwater, and if the bright blue was any indication they were going higher and higher. He looked over at Ellie, it seemed like she understood as well. They both shared a look, no wonder why nobody told them anything.

They both looked back out the window just in time to see the train surface above the water level. It easily rose out of the water as it continued travelling forward, the front part coming out first followed by the carriages behind it. Once the whole train was above the sea it continued moving on top of it as if there were train tracks just underneath the surface. Julian took a moment to see where they were. All around the train was water, obviously they had risen above in the open ocean with land faintly visible on the horizon.

Julian certainly found it an amazing view, but he couldn't stare at it forever. Instead he took another lolly from what Ellie had got and chewed it absentmindedly for a moment before spitting it out back into the packet, he really hated liquorice.

'That's not gross at all.' Ellie commented sarcastically as she turned away from the window to sit down next to the sweets.

Julian glared at her watching as a cheeky grin spread on her face. He sighed, she wasn't going to make it easy on him was she? But still, even if she teased him constantly, he honestly didn't mind her.

'So, what's it like growing up with magic? Do you know any spells?' He asked, hoping to get the conversation going again. She responded telling him how she'd heard of some spells her sister had learnt. They continued talking for a while, she started chatting about some magical games. Both wondered what was waiting for them at Mornington and all the while Julian had no reason to look at the beautiful view outside the train.