- Gifted -

2. Finally... Hogwarts

Caroline found many kids running to grab seats. She started to look for one herself since that she wasn't looking forward to be standing for hours.

Spoting an empty seating in a cabin where there were two similar gingers and a dark haired boy, she decided it would be a good opportunity to make some friends. They were looking inside a box and clearly having fun and Caroline slightly oppened the door.

"Can I sit here?" she said poking her head in the cabin.

The three guys looked at her all at the same time, completely loosing interest in what was inside the box. She realized they were probably older but it didn't bothered her seeing that it only meant they knew Hogwarts better and could even help her out.

"Of course, darling!" answered the gingers simultaneously "I'm Fred" stated one of them "And I'm George" said the other "And what's you name?" both added.

"I'm Caroline. Caroline Lupin" She sat next to the other boy, who warned her while grinning "I'm Lee and don't let the weasley twins mess with you. It's the other way around. The one on the right is George and on the left is Fred."

"Yeah sorry about that." apologized George followed by Fred "Yeah sorry force of habit". She chuckled and nodded her head as a sign of understanding and forgiveness.

"Anyways what's inside the box you were looking at?" Lee grabbed it, passing it to her "Go on, open it" she was apprehensive but grabbed the box and slowly opened it up while looking at the twins who were visibly amused.

She looked inside and saw a small tarantula which made her jump and shriek. Caroline closed the box immediately with a scared look on her face. They all started to laugh at her reaction including the scared one.

"That was not funny!" Caroline said trying to contain her laughter. "I'm sorry, darling, but it actually was quite a lot" replied George and to that she rolled her eyes while smiling.

"Whatever" she opened the box again carefully "Looking at it now, it's actually kind of adorable" she paused "I wonder where's Moony..."

The weasleys looked surprised and both spoke "Monny?" "Well that name is familiar" observed Fred "Do you know him?" asked George "Can you introduce us?" spoke Fred again

"Uhm I know two Moonys, the one I was referring to being my cat, but I guess you aren't talking about that Moony. You'll meet them both one day" "Wicked" muttered the twins.

Lee had a curiosity on his expression "Who is the non cat Moony you guys are talking about?" "Don't worry. I'll introduce you to him as well" Caroline said smiling.

There was silence for a few seconds but it was interrupted by Fred "You know what George?" "What?" "I think we should give her a nickname." "Your right, mate. Caroline is a long name"

Lee and Caroline looked at each other and chuckled at the various attempts to find a suiting one.

"Carol?" "That's tacky Fred. What about Linny?" "Oh I like that one. How do you feel about it Linny?" and as they all laid their eyes on her waiting for an answer, she smiled "I love it"

"I never saw you at Hogwarts before and your definitely not a first year, transferring?" asked Lee. The twins locked eyes and spoke at the same time as if they could read each other thoughts "Beuxbatons?" Caroline explained her situation after being cut off by them "No, I was actually homeschooled by my dad-"

Out of nowhere the train stopped. "What happened?" she questioned "No idea" replied George and Lee spoke after "Do you think the train broke down? It never happened before"

The lights flickered and then it went almost completely dark. They all exchanged clueless glares and as they looked through the window Caroline realized what made the train stop. Dementors. A group of Dementors. She had never saw one in real life but her dad's description of them and the illustrations in the books she read matched perfectly to what she was seeing. The windows froze and so did the air.

The boys were silent still trying to process what was happening. Caroline was now standing up with her hand on her wand. "You guys stay here I'm going to check if there are any inside the train" "Acting brave, huh?" said Fred. They all stood up as well and George spoke to her "Aren't you younger than us? Stay here Linny. We'll check it out"

Caroline was used to have her father always concerned about her and what George said reminded her of him. -My dad. I should find him. He'll know what to do- she thought.

"Trust me I know what I'm doing. Stay. Here" and she ran out of the compartment looking at her surroundings and ready to fight.

Concerned but fearless, she went looking for her dad leaving the boys astonished and worried.

Out of nowhere she shivered. The air had gotten colder which meant a dementor was close. She turned around and saw it. It was right in front of her ready to take all of her happiness. She knew exactly what to do and didn't hesitate.

"Expectro Patronum!" a bright light came out of her wand and a brown bear appeared growling at the dementor wich made it fade away. It all happened really quickly.

The lights came back. The twins and Lee had gotten out of the cabin a bit after her and had seen everything. She saw them in the corner of her eye but kept searching for her father.

While fast walking through the train corridor she saw Remus with an agitated look as well, probably looking for her. She ran to him hugging her dad relieved.

"Are you okay Caroline?" she nodded "I used the patronus spell on one but there might be more"

Her dad's expression softened and he had a small smile "I'm proud of you" after inhaling he continued "I think there aren't any left. I defeated one too. My patronus must have scared them all away"

"Thank God. Those were probably the only creatures I hoped to never find. But why were they here anyways?" "I don't know, dear. I'm going to have a word with the driver. Go back to your seat, we'll talk later" He kissed forehead and went on.

Finally able to lower her guard down, Caroline went back to George, Fred and Lee who were next to the door of their cabin. They were staring at her. Lee was smiling with his thumbs up, Fred was smirking and George had a sweet grin.

"So our Linny isn't just brave but also a great witch" said George followed by Lee "I bet she will get sorted into gryffindor"

"If I were you I wouldn't bet on that. After all you barely know me. I have many other qualities"

"A bit cocky aren't you?" said Fred in a suprised tone "You were the ones feeding my ego, now deal with it" Caroline backfired. "Alright, I take that back" said Fred with his hands on the air.

They all laughed once again and then went in to the compartment. "What year are you entering, Linny?" asked George. "Third year. You?" "Were all on our fifth year and gryfindors" answered Lee.

"Poor Linny. She's in the same year as Ron" spoke Fred. "Who's Ron?" "He's our little brother. An annoying one" clarified George.

The rest of the trip was full of laughter and fun and then they eventually reached the end of the train line. They got up, grabbed their trunks and walked off the train.

It started to rain and everyone was already gathering up. There were carriages to take them to Hogwarts and Caroline ran to one next to her new friends.

She was staring at the view, barely seeing through the droplets on the window but what she saw was enough to amaze her.

Caroline was finally there. She was finally at Hogwarts.