Honest Ambitions

Chapter 3: Back to the Beginning

     Sylvie's eyes fluttered open to take in her surroundings. There before her was a steam locomotive, black and red with a gold bordered sign that read "Hogwarts Express". A sudden whoosh of air behind her told her that her aunt had made her way through as well. "Ah," she sighed, the nostalgia heavy in her voice, "I remember my first time boarding this train. It was as though I was setting off on a grand adventure. But nearly everything looks that way to an eleven-year-old I imagine. Come on, let's get you two settled." As they walked down the platform, Sylvie glanced around to see all the students and their families saying their goodbyes as they headed off to school.

Nearby, a nervous looking first year girl with curly blonde hair and freckles was debating with her mom about her Hogwarts house. As they were walking past, she caught the end of their conversation. "Definitely a Ravenclaw, I think." murmured her mother as the little girl shook her head and sighed, "as long as I'm not sorted into Slytherin." Sylvie paused, knelt in front of the girl and murmured softly, "I have it on pretty good authority that Slytherins have the most fun you know."

"Really?" the little girl mused skeptically, "But I thought only dark wizards were sorted into Slytherin." Sylvie smiled sweetly and nodded toward Ominis, "Does he look like a Dark Wizard to you?" The little girl glanced past her at Ominis who flashed a calm, if not a bit awkward, smile in her direction. "No," she said, a blush creeping over her button nose, "But he is handsome." Sylvie giggled and replied, "Well this is Ominis, and he just so happens to be a sixth year Slytherin. Don't believe everything you hear, hm?" The little girl nodded and smiled as Sylvie rose and placed a light pat on the girl's head.

The train whistle sounded again, signaling that the train would be leaving soon. Sylvie turned, shooting a wink at the girl over her shoulder, "It was very nice to meet you both." she said, as she and Ominis continued down the platform toward the nearest train door. "That was kind of you," Ominis said, "Promoting Slytherin like that." "Of course," she replied, "In order for someone to make a fully informed decision, they should know all the facts. And the fact is, Slytherin is as good a house as any to be sorted into. Rumor and inference should play no part." Ominis hummed in agreement.

They stopped in front of the nearest train door as the conductor voice boomed out above the crowd, "All aboard!" Sylvie turned and wrapped her aunt in a hug, "I'll be home for the Holidays, Aunt Lee. J' adore." "Bon Voyage my darling girl," she replied, breaking the hug, and wiping a stray tear from her eye, "And make sure you bring Ominis with you." She smiled and embraced him, which clearly Ominis did not expect, judging by the look of utter shock that crossed his face. Sylvie giggled at the look of pure confusion as his arms slowly embraced Aunt Lena in return and his hand gently patted her back. "Thank you again Aunt Lee, for having me." He murmured. "Of course, gentil garcon." She replied, stepping away and smiling, "Tu fais partie de la famille maintenant (You are part of the family now)." Ominis smiled so genuinely in response that it caught Sylvie off guard. But as quickly as it happened, it was gone. With one last wave, Sylvie and Ominis climbed up the stairs into the carriage.

As they made their way into the corridor, Sylvie turned to glance down the aisle. A tall figure with a shock of chestnut brown hair, back faced toward her, caught her eye. Her heart stopped, and her breathe held in her chest. It couldn't be him, she thought, this was just the residual effects of the dream. That's all it is. She turned to look again, hoping to catch a glimpse of their face, but the figure had suddenly disappeared. She was always aware, in the back of her mind, that there was a possibility he would come back in time for the new school year. But, after hearing no word from him since he left, she thought there would be slim to no chance.

"Sylvie?" Ominis voice rang out, dragging her firmly back to reality, "Are we going to find a compartment or stand out here in the aisle for the entire ride?" Without a word, Sylvie grabbed Ominis hand and led him down the aisle in the opposite direction of the apparent hallucination she had seen earlier, and into an empty compartment halfway down. As Ominis sat down, Sylvie closed the compartment and turn to face him. "You asked me on the ride to the station what was bothering me," she said, her voice shaking slightly, "well I'll tell you now." His eyebrows furrowed and his head tilted in her direction as she began to pace back and forth. "I dreamt about "The Incident" last night."