Olive Wood and the Cup of Potions

The Hogwarts Express

Olive was packing up her trunk for the journey on the Hogwarts Express. 

"Olive! Hurry Up! We need to get to the station before 11!' Oliver called out from downstairs. 

'Coming! Coming!' She called back. After checking if she had left anything behind, she ran down the stairs, trunk in hand. 

'Ah, good. There you are. Come on, we don't want to be late.' He said taking the trunk from her. Olive took the seat next to Oliver who was driving. They were heading to King's Cross Station in Oliver's flying/regular driving car. He enchanted it to fly when he came back after graduating from Hogwarts. 

'You know, it's quite thrilling to me that you're finally going to Hogwarts. It was like a home for me there. But I think, it'll be more of a home for you considering you hate Aunt Daisy and Uncle David.' Oliver said. She chuckled at that.

Sure, she hated Number 10, Accreton Drive, but then again she would be in an orphanage if the Smiths hadn't taken her and Oliver in. King's Cross was a good 20 minutes away from their house and they were soon there, walking towards the magical barrier. 

'Platforms 9 and 10.' Oliver said. 'And great timing too. It isn't 11 'till 10 minutes!' Oliver said. They stopped in front of the magic barrier and stared at it. 

So many things were going on in Olive's mind. What if the barrier didn't work? What if she crashed into the brick wall instead of going through it to Platform 9 3/4?' 

'Calm down, Olive.' Oliver said. 'Here, we'll go together.' He said grabbing onto the handle of Olive's cart. She smiled and they ran towards the wall. Olive closed her eyes expecting impact, but it never came. When she opened them, she saw a scarlet steam engine on the tracks and the sign 'Platform 9 3/4' hanging above them.

They walked forward a bit and talked until the whistle sounded. 

'Well, looks like this is goodbye. For now.' Oliver said helping Olive put her trunks into the train. 

'Yeah, for now.' Olive said. The whistle sounded again. Olive gave her brother a quick hug and he boarded down the train. She saw him through her window and waved goodbye. He waved back. 

The train began chugging away slowly and picked up speed. 

'Bye, Oliver!' Olive called out. 

'Bye! He called out in return. The train soon went through a corner and Oliver was out of sight. 

Olive rested back in her seat looking out the window. 

'Hello, do you mind if me and my friends sit here? Everywhere else is full.' Olive swiftly turned her head around to see 2 boys and 1 girl standing near the door. 

The girl had bushy red hair and was in Gryffindor by the guess of her robes. Then there was the red-haired Gryffindor boy and last the black-haired one.

'Please.' Olive said gesturing for them to take a seat. The ginger girl sat next to me and the boys sat on our opposite. 

'I'm Hermione Granger, by the way. Second year. And these two are Ron Weasley and Harry Potter.' The girl whose name was Hermione said. 

'Hello.' Harry said. 

'Pleased to meet you.' Ron added. 

'Same. I'm Olive Wood. First-year.' Olive said. 

'Olive Wood? Can we see your scar?' Hermione asked suddenly all giddy. Olive ignored this and pulled a few strands of her raven black hair away to showcase her lightning-shaped scar. 

'Awesome.' She heard Ron whisper. 

'If you don't mind me asking, how'd you know I had a scar?' Olive asked. Ron and Hermione were silent.

'They know, but they won't tell me. I've been trying to get it out of them for ages now.' Harry said. 

'Really? People are always so mysterious around me.' Olive sighed. 

'Well, if you wish to know why you should ask Professor Dumbledore when you get the chance to.' Hermione suggested. 

'Yeah, I'll do that.' Olive replied. 

The rest of the journey was spent learning more about each other and cracking jokes (mainly Ron) now and then. 

The candy cart witch came around soon and asked if they wanted anything. 

'Need anything, dears?' she asked kindly. 

'No thanks, I'm all set.' Olive and Ron said together, each holding up sandwiches to which they both gave disgusted looks. They looked at each other and smiled.

Harry looked at both their faces and said, 'We'll take all of it.' he pulled out a handful of money and gave it to the witch. 

She looked pleased. Taking the money gratefully, she gave us all the candy and walked off with the empty cart. 

'I was joking you know.' Olive said taking a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans. 

'Still, I can't believe you spent half of your money on candies, Harry!' Hermione scolded. 

'Oh, don't be like that. You know you love it.' Ron teased. 

Hermione giggled and took a handful of Acid Pops. Olive laughed and took a red-flavored bean. 

Oh no, don't eat that!' Harry called out. But it was too late. She had already eaten it and now, smoke was coming out from her ears. 

'Bloody Hell!' She yelled after the smoke died down. 

Everyone laughed at her expression and before they knew it they were approaching Hogsmeade station.