Chapter 22 – A Train Ride and Hogwarts Castle
Staring off into the train platform, I notice there are a variety of families at the train platform. There is a family of red-heads hugging and saying goodbye to a smaller redhead, parents who look like they decided that wearing just black wasn't good enough, and put mascara on their eyes, staring at their children like they are the bane of their existence. Moving my hand to pat Meowser, I completely miss and end up patting my thigh.
Looking down, I notice that Meowser has completely disappeared from my lap and has appeared in the arms of the girl in front of me.
"Betraying me already, Meowser?"
"Meow."
"Right."
Giving one last look at Meowser, I turn my attention back to the train platform. Watching families depart from their kids, I realize I forgot to say goodbye to my parents! Or was it their fault for not following me through? I'll send them an owl asking if they forgot.
I kept watching when the train's whistle went off. Watching the chaos that was caused, I smile. Before I could admire the scene more, I hear the compartment's door open.
"Is this- Oh, never mind."
The boy looks at the woman across from me, before backing out and closing the door. Looking toward the girl, I raise my eyebrow in confusion.
"That was weird."
"Yes." She replies, before playing with Meowser.
"Meow."
'Sorry buddy, deal with it until we get to Hogwarts.'
Looking at Meowser with pity, I return my attention to the platform that Is slowly moving away. Gazing at the scenery that flashes by the window, I stare at it in wonder. Some time goes by as I sit in silence reading my notes in Dororthy, preparing questions in order to ask the Hogwarts teachers the first chance I get.
"What's its name?"
"Dororthy," I replied automatically.
"Good name."
Looking up at the girl, I nod my head and turn back to Dororthy, finishing up my worth with Dororthy.
"Can you get Glorf for me?"
"Glorf?" She asked.
"Glorf the Devourer, my trunk," I reply.
Seeing her chance, Meowser escapes from the girl's arms and runs back to my head. Opening Glorf The Devourer, I place Dororthy on top of all my stuff, before putting Glorf back to where it was stored. Turning to the girl in front of me, I ask a question.
"So, what's your name?"
She seemed startled and looks at me with a weird gaze.
"Luna."
"I'm Zane."
Following that, there was no further discussion. Admiring the scenery, I feel that my head is suddenly lighter.
Looking toward the girl again, I see Meowser is being held captive... again. Looking at her in confusion, I can't help but ask,
"How are you doing that?"
"Doing what?"
"Taking Meowser off of my head without me noticing?"
"I just walk up and take him."
"Oh."
'So she isn't doing anything particular.'
Thinking to myself, I decided to ignore how she keeps kidnapping Meowser, it's not like im the one getting kidnapped. Looking back outside, I lose track of time, completely missing the cart lady that serves chocolate, something I found out later from Luna and regret heavily.
[Several Hours Later]
Seeing her get up and go to her trunk, I look at what she is doing out of curiosity. Seeing her grab the Hogwarts Robe, I can't help but speak up.
"What are you doing?"
"Getting dressed for Hogwarts."
"Huh. Ok, let me know when you are done."
Seeing her nod, I walk out of the compartment to see other people within the train also taking turns changing in the compartment. Hearing a knocking behind me, I walk back in and open Glorf to grab my own robe. Struggling to put on the robe, by the time I've put it on correctly I feel the train starting to slow down.
"Leave your luggage on the train. Leave your luggage on the train." The PA System announces.
Taking Dororthy out of Glorf, I put it in my robes before closing Glorf and preparing to leave the train. Looking around for Meowser, I see he is still being held captive and is staring at me for help. Looking the other way, I sit back down and look outside the window, seeing the train coming to a stop at the station called Hogsmeade.
Turning my attention to Luna, I ask her a question.
"Can I have Meowser back?"
"No."
"...Ok."
'Sorry buddy, I tried!'
Making my way out of the right side of the train, I see Luna following me with Meowser in her hands. Walking onto the platform, I hear a booming voice to my right.
"Firs' Years, Over 'ere!"
Looking towards a voice, I see a large, tall man with a violently unkempt beard in patchy clothes. Staring at the large man, he returns the favour before looking toward Luna.
"Why didn't you leave your pet on board?" He asked.
"I like my cats free-range," I replied.
Eliciting a chuckle from the man, he turns attention elsewhere, rounding up all the first years.
"Alrigh', Follow me!" He shouted.
Leading us down a hill and next to a dock, he points to some dingy boats.
"No more than 4 a boat."
Walking into a boat with Luna hot on my tail, I wait for other people to enter the boat. After all the first years in the boats, I saw it was just me and Luna sharing a boat. I noticed people were actively avoiding the boat, and with there being enough boats for other people, we ended up alone.
The man boards a boat of his own before shouting towards the lake.
"FORWARDS!"
Feeling a tug beneath my feet, the boats start to move forwards. Watching the lake slowly disappear behind us, we approach a cliff face, where the man caution's us.
"WATCH YER' HEADS!"
Seeing the man duck down, I look towards the opening we are being dragged to, to see that I won't get hit by the cliff face. Coming out of the other side, I am greeted by a majestic castle, illuminated by warm light from within. Admiring the view, the man announces where we are.
"Welcome To Hogwarts!"
The boats slowly docked into the boathouse attached to the lake. Leading us to get off of the boats, the man takes us up a set of stairs and into a separate room, where a stern lady was waiting for us.
"The first years, Professor."
"Thank you, Hagrid." She says, before turning towards us.
"Welcome to Hogwarts, let's get you ready for your sorting ceremony."
Gulping, I get a bad feeling in my gut.
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Authors Corner:
Today was long.
8 Hours of lectures has officially ended my mind. Writing this was draining. But worth it.
I named the trunk Glorf because it sounds funny, and by the time I saw the other peoples suggestions, I had written it and I am a lazy person.
Hogwarts! Finally!
Everyone is avoiding Luna, why? i wonder.
um, I keep forgetting things to say.
Oh right, scribblehub doesn't hate me anymore after I complained about my VPN, that's great, I think?
There probably won't be another chapter today. Uni has begun its death spiral.