How It Started

Chapter 4 - Neville Longbottom.

I stood awkwardly next to my grandmother, by the post I would be running through soon. My grandmother was looking at me oddly, with a small grin plastered to her face. She began patting my shoulders, and urging me forward.

" Gran, why the hurry? " I asked, as I held my feet in the spot. She began trying to shove me forward once again, but I stood my ground.

" Oh stop it Neville, I'm just excited for you. " She continued trying to me forward and we were almost, eye-to-eye with the large brick post. I looked around for some help, to get away from my grandmothers over-bearing weight, I sighed with recognition, leaning into her palms with my back.

She gave one last shove and I toppled through the post, falling flat onto my face. I rubbed the space between my eyes and looked back but alas my grandmother was already gone, I stood back up, wiping my pants down and holding back onto the cart in front of me, I wandered around the train station, trying to spot someone I knew.

All attempts however, were futile.

I scanned the crowd, two children seemed to be bickering by the train, they both had foolishly bright blonde hair. It was almost white in colour, the blonde boy appeared to storm off from what I assumed to be his sister.

I tried to continue along the scene taking place in front of me, however a grinning face appeared in front of mine.

I jumped up in fright, fiddling around my pockets for my wand. I could not find it quick enough and the small girl began laughing at me, I frowned.

She seemed to notice my frowning immediately and stopped, she brought her hand forward in one steady and swift motion, I took it, shaking it rather vigorously.

" Hermione Granger. " She informed me, I smiled at her kindness.

" Neville Longbottom. " I told her, she smiled at this, I couldn't tell this was caused by humour or niceness.

I assumed humour, it always was when introducing myself. She let her hand fall away from mine and I felt a pang of heat touch my face, I had completely forgotten, I had just been gripping onto her hand for dear life. I smiled awkwardly, rubbing the back of my neck.

" It's fine. " She said promptly, sitting down on one of her many bags that were stacked. I stood for a short moment, before attempting to do what she had down and sit down on the suitcases, I slipped over one of them and was quickly planted on the floor.

She turned her head over and a large smile fell onto her face, I ran my hands through my hair, standing up.

" That was intentional. " I said, she began laughing then and I couldn't help but smile.

" I don't know whether you have got your definitions wrong, but I don't believe that's quite what intentional means. " She spoke, her words were very well dictated.

" Maybe your dictation is wrong. " I informed her, she shook her head, the small smile still there from when she was laughing previously.

" I am rarely wrong with my words, Neville. " She informed me, I raised my eyebrows at this. She did strike me as the, ' Nerdy ' type. To be fair, I struck many people as that type too, but that wasn't because of my smarts.

" Are you excited? " She asked me, dismissing my thoughts, I looked over at the large train we would be boarding rather soon.

" Yes, I believe so. " I said, trying to mock her posh dictation of words. She smiled swiftly before replying.

" Me as well, any chance to learn something new is a good one. " She rested her hands in her lap, and stared at the train in awe as she said this. I ran my finger's along the rim of the cart I was pushing awkwardly, not knowing how to prolong this conversation.

Hermione stood up, in one brief motion, and took the cart by the handle, as she walked away.

" See you later! " She called out, as she practically skipped off with her cart. I continued to awkwardly stand with my own cart, until the loud whistling sound that came from the train began.

This must mean it was time to board, I saw many of the older students beginning to swarm at the door. They must be looking for a good seat. A mob of redheads charged at the door and my eyes widened, was that one whole family? The youngest of them, looked about my age. Their significant red hair, quickly boarded the train.

I realised then, I had just been standing here by a fool, letting people board without actually making the move to board myself as well. I adjusted my grip on the handle of the cart, making a move for the door.

I was hit back by the blonde boy, as I tried to join the line. I nearly toppled over, again, but my grip on the cart prevented that from happening. I looked at him, then directly down at my suitcase.

" Watch where you're going. " The boy's voice demanded of me, I nodded my head, not knowing how else to respond to that sentiment. I heard a shuffling of stomping, as his blonde hair rounded the corner of the train and onto it. I began, making my way onto the train slowly.

I was practically running down the aisle of the train, looking for a good seat to sit. I found an empty carriage and barged my way inside, I sat down, pulling my toad out of my blazer pocket.

" Hello. " I said, I know it's impossible, but it felt as if he was smiling at me. I set him down on the table in front of me, as I heard the door slide open.

" Mind if I sit? " Hermione asked. I nodded, spreading my hands out in a motion for her to sit wherever.