Nineteen Years Later: the Continuing Hogwarts Story

Chapter One: the Hogwarts Express

“Mind if we join you?”

Two girls had slid open the compartment door and the older of the two was sitting down next to James.

“We were in a terrible rush getting here; thought we’d nearly missed the train,” she said.  “I’m Mattie, by the way. And this is my sister—“

“—Evie,” the younger one finished.

“Hullo, I’m James”

“And I’m Al, his brother.”

“Hi, I’m their cousin Rosie, a first year.  What years are you?”

Evie replied, “A first year, clenching her arms to her sides and with a painful grimace, “And bloody scared, too.”

“I told you, you’ll be fine,” Mattie reassured. “I’m in my fourth year and a Ravenclaw.  You?”

James spoke up first, puffing up his chest with pride.  “I’m entering my second year.  A Gryffindor. Rosie and Al are both first years, too.  You’ll all do great, once you get the hang of it.  Just watch out for Professor Gruen.  And those Slytherins.”

Al, Rose, and Evie looked at each other, anxiety visible in their expressions. 

“Who’s Professor Gruen? “ Rosie asked quietly.

“Potions mistress.  Nearly everyone’s on her bad side.  You’ll see…” James replied.

“Oh, yes, she’s batty,” Mattie concurred.

Before Al could demand any more answers from James and Mattie, the old witch with the cart of sweets came by.  James leapt eagerly from his seat, pulling out gold and copper coins from his pockets.

“James,” Al nagged, “Dad said not to spend all your money on candy!”

“Come off it, Al, we’re not even at school yet and you’re acting like a prat.”

Al scowled and slumped in his seat, until a neatly wrapped chocolate frog was tossed into his lap.  James smiled at him.  Al tried to frown but found himself smiling back, in spite of his efforts.

James had treated everyone in the compartment to chocolate frogs, which they quickly devoured.  They traded cards as they began to pull out their black robes and slip them on.

“Cornelius Fudge?” Evie whined, “But I’ve got him three times already.  Anyone want it?”

“I’ll take it,” said Al, snatching it up.  “Even though my dad says Fudge was the worst Minister of Magic in the last hundred years.”

“Who is your dad anyway?” asked Mattie.

Her sister rolled her eyes at Mattie’s rudeness. “Yea, and what’s his favorite color while we’re at? And do you wear socks when you go to sleep?

“Evie, I was just—“

“—and your favorite variety of potted plant? And where does your family buy groceries?”

“Evie, it was an innocent question,  I’m only interested—“

Evie poked Al in the chest, demanding, “And what is your worst nightmare?  Are you afraid of the dark? Do you like anime?”

By now the whole compartment was roaring with laughter. Al hadn’t laughed so hard since the Cheering Charm James had practiced on him last Christmas. There were tears in everyone’s eyes and they all found it hard to breathe.

 The conductor walked up to the door and slowly pulled it ajar. He stuck his large and shiny  forehead in.

“Is everything alright in here, students?”

James took a deep breath and said red-faced, “Oh yes, everything is perfect.”

“Just fine," said Rose.

The conductor raised an eyebrow, but closed the door and continued down the aisle, calling, “Four minutes and twelve seconds to Hogwarts, witches and wizards!”

The excitement in the train was palpable as everyone gathered their belongings and adjusted their robes.  Finally, someone at the front of the train yelled, “I can see it!  We’re there!”

Al craned his neck to look out the window. There stood the most magnificent castle he’d ever seen, the crystal windows shimmering in the moonlight. He rubbed his clammy palms on his robes; he’d never been so happy or so nervous. He was finally here.  Hogwarts.

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Thank you to BlackRayne for the awesome cover!!! Hope you like the story so far... the pace will pick up a lot soon!