Chapter Text
Quest: The Hogwarts Express.
Everything changed. I cannot even fathom seeing Hogwarts without Professor Fig, let alone, another teacher taking his place. It’s not Hogwarts without him, it really isn’t. Although, I do miss seeing my close friends such as Poppy, Natty, Ominis and even Sebastian, though I do still think about his actions that he had committed last year, I will struggle this year, and I know it.
During the summer holidays, I had been spending it at my mum’s and step father’s house, rarely with my father and step mother. My entire family are full of muggles, also known as people without the ability to harness magic, which means that I did not tell my family about my adventures that I took part in last year or they would probably go ballistic at me and force me to participate in a muggle school again, which is something I distain with a full heart. Ugh, I really do hate reading about shake-pear, or what ever it’s called.
And oh Merlin. I have to see Headmaster Black’s face and whiny voice. Why me.
As I departure to King’s Cross station, the first time I have been to Hogwarts in that way, I notice all the students that I had encountered last year, though, I don’t honestly know them well such as Imelda Reys, Evorett Clopton, Zenobia Noke and even “Puffskien Dunkien” where he had told his sob story to me about him. I could hardly keep a straight face hearing that nickname, but I let my kindness take over into allowing myself not to give in to blatantly making fun of the poor fellow.
I turn to hear a familiar voice, a voice who I had definitely had my shares with.
Sebastian Sallow and Ominis Gaunt.
I didn’t want to make a total fool out of myself, so I just waited and waited until they would notice my presence, although I do not think Ominis could, but Sebastian could definitely. Sebastian’s lousy owl gripped onto his trolly as Sebastian was helping Ominis with the directions of the platform, sliding his hand onto Ominis’ hand-me-down trolly. That’s when he saw me.
Sebastian gasped in awe, “ Evangelina, you’re here!” Sebastian ran towards me and grabbed me into a warm, but friendly, hug. Ominis relaxed his eyebrows at the sound of Sebastian practically singing my name.
“Hello, Sallow. I can see you haven’t changed much with your same cunning smile.” I remarked as I gently took him off of me, looking up at him with a wide smile. He laughed.
Sebastian cleared his throat, “Well I can see you still have your insightful remarks still intact, honestly, are you sure you don’t belong in Ravenclaw?”
“Im not prone to flattery, Sallow. It’s not going to work.” I rapidly replied, now directing my view to Ominis. He had a polite smile edged open his face.
“Hello, Evangelina. Have you been well?” Ominis questioned.
I then smiled at him, “Yes, thank you for asking. How was your break?” I didn’t hug him, due to Ominis despising physical touch.
“It’s been wonderful, the only downside is Sebastian being in it” Ominis responded, landing a cheeky smile whilst Sebastian looked flabbergasted at him.
“Oh, you shut your lousy mouth before I match your ability to speak with your non-existent sight.” Sebastian then replied. We then laughed it off. As we do this, I then feel a light tap on my shoulder.
I turn around to then see Poppy Sweeting and Natsai Onai. They gave me the biggest hug of the century, I could feel my inner organs start to squeeze but then felt the biggest sigh of relief when they let go. But that wasn’t even the most funniest part of the interaction with Sebastian practically looking as if he’s about to plot murder.
“How com Evangelina found that hug more enjoyable then mine, mine was far superior than that measly, boring hug.” Sebastian pointed out, crossing his arms and looking to the other side of the platform.
“Oh please Sebastian, could you not be cocky for once? I just wanted to hug my friend.” Natty replied, sounding as if she was going to burst out of laughter from Sebastian’s jealous remark.
“Heh, I think Natty, Poppy and I need a ‘girl talk’. Come on girls!” I then suggested as I grabbed Poppy and Natty by there arms, leaving Sebastian embarrassed and speechless.
“Evangelina! I cannot believe that we get to see you finally! I have told my Gran all about our adventures! She really loves that I’m friends with you!” Poppy then joyfully expressed, petting her puffskien, Gerald, whilst speaking. Oh Gerald.
“That’s wonderful!” I said as my head turned to then look at Natty, shocked. “Merlin’s beard, Natty! You’re not in a wheelchair anymore! How does it feel?” Natty had briefly mentioned about that via the owls she had sent. But I had never actually witnessed it in person.
“Ah yes, it honestly feels refreshing, like seeing Professor Black not speaking. Or in nicer terms, seeing a thestral for the first time.” Natty went on as she readjusted one of her suitcases to another compartment with her magic as poppy fixed her thick, brunette hair that I could tell she had grown out over the summer with her hair being down to where her lower neck had been.
“Well then you two, it says here the train leaves at 11 o’clock so we best be heading, you don’t want to be late do you?” I rapidly remarked as I gathered my things. This was monumental. My first time, through the barrier. No time like the present. 1, 2, 3…
It felt normal, like I was going through nothing, but wow, the infamous Hogwarts Express I had so longing to aboard onto. It was magnificent, nothing like I had seen before.
I saw students with their families wishing them goodbye, 1st years who had been biting their nails in anxiousness, the platform number labelled ‘Platform 9 ¾’ in all its glory. I then, with one foot at a time hopped onto the train, mesmerised. I saw Amit in his carriage with some of his other Ravenclaw friends who I was unfamiliar with and then waved as he happily waved back, I saw Leandor Prewett, who I had bested last year in summoner’s court and also known as my friend, Sebastian’s rival, looking from the first day in defence against the dark arts last year. I saw tens of students in every carriage, and then I had noticed Ominis and Sebastian in one of the further end of the train. Sebastian acknowledged me and beckoned me to come over to accompany himself and Ominis. And like the good friend I am, I stumbled into the carriage, followed by Poppy and Natty.
“That is Evangelina, I presume and her other friends.” Ominis had guessed, looking where the sound of my steps had made. It’s good to say Ominis knew me.
“No, it’s actually Imelda Reys and her squad.” Sebastian commented, sarcastically, sounding very monotone.
“Oh no… she’s going to force me to join the quidditch team although I had assured her many times I can’t due to the fact I cannot see a single thing.” Ominis replied, looking panicked. I have had a couple encounters with Imelda, last year, I had beat her record in the speed of which I fly but, she wasn’t very horrible to me. I’ve experienced far worse. Me and the girls then sat down. We saw Adelaide from our carriage amd beckoned her to sit accompany us, which she did.
“Ominis, it’s sarcasm.” Sebastian remarked as he then chuckled in his accomplishment of getting Ominis to fall for his trick.
“Blast you, Sebastian.” Ominis then responded, trying to smack Sebastian but then misses his aim.
Sebastian then laughs it off.
Something I haven’t mentioned yet was the upcoming event, that unifies 3 wizarding schools together. The Triwizard’s Tournament, every 5 years that involves Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang which makes 1 student from each school complete in a set of challenges. It had stopped its hiatus this year and it’s been 100 since it’s halt.
“Do you think you both are going to compete in the tournament?” I question as Sebastian settles down. Sebastian then looks and me with a cunning grin. Oh Merlin. I knew he was going to start-
“Well obviously, I’m no coward, Evangelina .” Sebastian boastfully admitted as he laid his hand over his chest as the train had started moving.
“I do want to, but I think I won’t because of my mother, she’s a tough person.” Natty sighed looking down.
Adelaide then said, “ Nope. Not my thing!”
“I think you know what I’m going to say..” Poppy laughed.
“No, I’m good. I think it’s stupid honestly, theres no point to it, it’s only for the connections of the 3 schools.” Ominis blurted out, “Evangelina, are you thinking of putting your name in?”
“I honestly don’t think I would compete, I’m not an “eternal glory” type witch if you know where I am coming from.” I responded, Sebastian looked flabbergasted by my response.
“You’re joking.” Adelaide responded.
“Are you kidding me? If I were you, I would do it 100%, you’re an amazing duellist, you defeated a dragon made of some dark magic of some sort!” Sebastian declared, looking faithful in me.
“I’m taking a good break this year, Sallow.” I then said, looking down at my bag.
“Well I guess I get your point, but don’t let that be your final answer. Consider.” Sebastian mentioned, resting his elbow on the windowsill, staring at the surprisingly blue sky.
“I just realised something Evangelia ,you never had a back to school feast. Which means you don’t know the song.” Natty realised, putting wide smile over his face.
“I’m confused, what song are you referring to?” I questioned as all of them smiled at each other as Adelaide counted down saying 3, 2, 1.
“Hogwarts, Hogwarts,
Hoggy hoggy Hogwarts.
Teach us something, please.
Whether we be old and bold
Or young with scrubby knees,
Our heads could do with filling.
With some interesting stuff,
for now they’re bare, and full of air.
Dead flies and bits of fluff.
So teach us things worth knowing.
Bring back what we’ve forgot,
Just do your best, we’ll do the rest.
And learn until our brains will rot.”
“Please, never sing that again.” I ask politely. That was no use.
“You’re gonna have to learn it!” Poppy teased as all of them then sang the irritating song again, again, again, again and again.
“Dead flies and-“ they started as a lady with a trolly appears.
“Anything from the trolly my dears?” An old, white lady with a red apron and a big trolly filled with a bountiful amount of magical sweets.
“Er… 1 fizzing- wizbee please!” Poppy asked as she handed her gallions.
“No thank you.” Ominis said sorrowfully.
Adelaide shook her head.
“1 jelly slug, please.” Natty asked, holding her gallions out.
“Can I have 2 exploding chocolate Bon bons please?” Sebastian asked politely, holding out his gallions.
The woman takes the gallions and gives the sweets and then looks at me.
“Uhm, can I have a chocolate frog please?” I ask as I hand my gallions out and she gives the chocolate frog. “Thank you.” The lady leaves, heading to the next carriage asking the same question.
“Who do you think you’re going to get?” Sebastian questions as he hands one of his Bon bons to Ominis.
“Pardon?” I ask, confused. “I’m going to get a chocolate frog.”
“Nobody gets it for the chocolate, the frog will run away before you say quidditch. It comes with a card of a famous witch or wizard.” Natty informed me as he took the wrapping off of his chocolate.
I open the box. Right then and there, the frog leaped out the box with all that remains is a intricate looking card. I flip the card to reveal the magical figure.
“Hengist of Woodcroft.” I remarked as I inspect the peculiar card that appeared to be moving as Ominis was reading the Daily Prophet with brail that had a Hogwarts student on it, in Askaban clothing. Which is what Sebastian would’ve turned out if it hadn’t been for me.
“Ugh, lucky. I have a streak of getting boring Godric Gryfinndor.” Sebastian complained as he rolled his eyes, “6 times in a row by the way.”
About 2 hours later:
“We stopped.” Poppy said abruptly as Ominis got up from his nap, clearly knackered.
“Maybe it’s because we are here.” Sebastian had responded, getting up from his seat to gather his belongings.
“Finally, I don’t want to hear Sebastian’s annoying voice anymore.” Ominis complained while I handed him his things.
“Thank you, Evangelina.” Ominis praised, grabbing onto his things as he got off of the train. I, however, couldn’t find my wand. Perhaps I had dropped it. At this point I was the last person on the train, desperately rummaging through the train, although I thought.
I checked under one of the seats that wasn’t in a carriage until I looked up from me being unsuccessful. There was a person. A 7th year looking student.
“Are you, looking for something, Evangelina?” He interrogated as he raised an eyebrow at me. He had my wand.
“Why do you have my wand, and know my name?” I questioned in panick.
“Oh please, everyone knows it.” He scoffed, responding quick, like he knew what I was going to say before I had even said it. His black hair looked like the night, with multiple scars across his face, dark under eyes, fair skin and oak, brown eyes.
I snatched my wand out of his hand as he stared at me.
“Do you know who I am?” He asked, now looking nice and polite.
I feel as if I knew him somewhere, but I’m unsure to who he was. “No.” I replied coldly.
“Well, allow me to introduce myself. I’m Finn Rookwood.” He stated as he put his hand out, expecting me to shake it. I knew who he was. A descendent of Victor Rookwood. There, I ran out of the train. Fleeing Finn Rookwood.