The Dark Lord's Wife

Last Minute Passenger

Boarding the train was uneventful. Unfortunately things didn't stay that way.

... As had been the case on Platform 7 ½, the train itself was mostly empty. A boon for me, and in short order I'd found myself my own private compartment.

The train was slightly delayed in leaving the station. Apparently a last minute passenger ran down nearly the entire length of the platform just as the train began departing the station. Luckily for them though, the conductor deigned to hit the brakes and allowed them to board.

... At least that was the gossip I heard as two elderly witches passed by my compartment.

When the train did finally lurch out of the station, I found myself breathing an immense sigh of relief.

Perhaps I'm in complete denial over what an absurdly spontaneous decision this was -

But I find myself beyond relieved at the prospect of being on the Continent.

Approximately twenty minutes into my journey, the soft knock I'd been anticipating came at the door.

"Yes? Come in."

At this, the compartment door slid open, an attractive chubby witch appeared, a warm smile flitting across her pretty face, "Good afternoon, dear. Ticket?"

"Actually ... I haven't bought a ticket yet."

She waved one hand in the air, her smile broadening, "That's quite alright. You can buy one now, no problems. Many passengers do."

"Perfect. Thank you."

"And destination, then?"

At this, I met her friendly smile with a rather self-conscious one of my own, "Actually ... I realise that this might sound a bit ... odd ... but I'm not actually sure of my destination. Not yet, at least."

"I quite understand. You're young, probably have all the time in the world on your hands, yes? Doing a bit of a tour, are you?"

A tour!

Why didn't I think of that?

A brilliant excuse.

I nodded back eagerly, "That's right, I'm embarking on a tour. No reason not to, I figure. Though I've left it quite open ended."

"Just as well, dear. Would you like to take a look at the map of stops we'll be making? Perhaps you could find a point you'd like to disembark at and explore?"

"Oh yes. Yes, that'd be great."

Stepping forward, the amiable witch slipped down into the seat beside me. And when she handed me a map to study, I accepted it appreciatively.

It was a big map, extensive. Basically charting an impressive amount of stops throughout the entire continent. After studying it in silence for a minute, she shifted beside me, her tone a mix of friendly and helpful, "Seeing anything that catches your eye?"

As a matter of fact ...

"Yes, actually. Though ... there's really two places I'm debating between."

"And those two being?"

My eyes seemed to have automatically fixed themselves on one spot in particular, and now, as I pointed it out to her I narrowed my eyes thoughtfully, trying - and failing - to understand why I felt so drawn to it, "... This. This region right here."

Leaning forward, the train witch followed my finger, "Northern Spain. The Basque country?"

"... Basque Country."