Whispers of the Dove / R.L & S.B

🌼~°2°~🌼

<<<<Willow>>>>

I stepped onto the Hogwarts Express, feeling a wave of discomfort settle over me as I took in the sight of bustling students and parents saying their goodbyes. The platform was alive with laughter and chatter, a scene I'd only ever seen from a distance. I hurried along, wanting nothing more than to find a quiet compartment where I could hide from the noise and avoid the curious stares.

I'd hoped to arrive early enough to secure an empty compartment, but it had taken me longer than expected to gather the courage to leave my small London apartment-a place I hardly ever used but still clung to as my last safe haven. Now, there was no turning back.

As I made my way down the corridor, glancing into each compartment in search of an empty seat, I couldn't help but feel a surge of irritation toward Albus. This whole ordeal was his idea. He insisted I get the "full experience" of arriving at Hogwarts by train rather than simply Flooing to Hogsmeade and walking up to the castle. "It's tradition, Willow," he'd said with that maddening twinkle in his eye, as if tradition was reason enough to subject me to this chaos.

Finally, I reached the last compartment, peering in through the glass. To my relief, it was nearly empty, with only one occupant-a man curled up by the window, a blanket draped over his head. From his age, he was clearly a professor, not a student. I couldn't see much of him, but his stillness and the way he was huddled against the window suggested he was asleep. At least I wouldn't have to make conversation.

With a quiet sigh, I slipped into the compartment, closing the door as softly as I could. I heaved my luggage into the overhead bin and settled across from him, drawing out my own blanket and draping it over my shoulders. The compartment was silent, just the way I liked it.

As I sat there, eyes closed, I felt a sense of calm start to wash over me. Maybe, if I managed to sleep through the journey, I could avoid the anxiety simmering in my chest, the nervous energy that seemed to twist tighter with every mile closer to Hogwarts.

I wasn't sure how much time had passed, but I slowly drifted back to consciousness as hushed voices filled the compartment. The sound of feet shuffling and the faint whispers of bickering roused me, pulling me from sleep.

"Come in, guys. This is the only compartment with any free seats," a boy's voice whispered.

The door slid open, and I counted three sets of footsteps entering. I kept my eyes closed, hoping they'd settle quietly and let me go back to sleep.

"Who are these people sitting here?" asked one of the boys, sounding curious.

"It looks like Professor Lupin and Professor Langley," said another voice, this one thoughtful and surprised.

"Of course you'd know that, Hermione. How do you always know everything?" grumbled a different voice-a boy's, frustrated.

"It's written on their luggage, Ron," she replied with a sigh. "Just sit down."

There was more shuffling as they arranged themselves, finally settling down. The sound of whispered conversation filled the compartment again, mostly lighthearted chatter as they caught up on what had happened over the summer.

I considered pretending to stay asleep, but curiosity got the better of me. I slowly opened my eyes, letting them adjust to the soft light in the compartment. Across from me, Lupin still appeared to be asleep under his blanket. The students didn't seem to notice my movement, so I had a moment to observe them quietly.