Amaranthine - A Hogwarts Fanfiction

CHAPTER 2 - ERIC

  If the bustling streets of Diagon Alley had been crowded and packed with wizards and witches enjoying the hot British summer, shopping for new supplies, or maybe some new ingredients, for baking of all things (not for potions, like the rest of the student body of Hogwarts would have bought) the bright, bubbly spark of cheerfulness that was Imogen had bought, King's Cross Station in the rush of noon could be called a war zone - it almost seemed that way with the loud, shrill voices trying to over voice another, people running as if they were chased by rabid dogs trying to not to miss their train, and those obnoxious ones taking up all too much space than they actually needed. Well, Eric could be counted amongst the latter two groups - he was awfully late, and could not by all costs miss the Hogwarts Express - and his cart full of all his clothes, his dirty cat Freja, and all those books and supplies for the upcoming school year (did you really need two entire suitcases for books, papers, quills and potion ingredients? Sometimes the professors at Hogwarts could be all too overblown.) took up a lot of space, it wasn't exactly what would classify as light packing.

If you hadn't noticed quite yet - Eric was stressed. In fact, he was very, very stressed. Missing the Hogwarts Express was something you simply didn't do - it left the station only one time - at 11 AM. If you missed it - you were doomed for the rest of your school year. Not really a clever system, but it had been the same for centuries - wasn't going to change only because Eric would miss it, now would it?
"Sorry, sorry!" was a phrase Eric would utter several times during his stressful journey to Platform 9 and ¾, with the just as stressed muggles running around it was quite a difficult one. He cursed to himself silently - his younger brother who was always a bother, had been even more bothersome than usual - well, it was him who was the reason why Eric was so late. You see, his brother had taken Eric's newly bought robes and dirtied them, smashing rotten food on them, splashing mud on them, and smooshing them into their dirty backyard. Let's just say his mother got really mad at Eric - because of course their wonderchild Albin wouldn't do such a thing with that sweet, saccharine smile of his (it was all fake, Eric thought bitterly. In fact he thought it quite often about everything surrounding his family) - so Eric had to wash all his robes, which was quite a pain since he couldn't use magic outside of Hogwarts and his mother wouldn't help since apparently washing his own clothes was a good lesson in discipline. In result of these events, they had been an hour late.




Bitter thoughts aside, he forced himself to go even quicker - it was 10:55 at the moment and he didn't have much time left. Which in hindsight, was not the best move... since he crashed into your typical couple - tall, brown haired guy with a shorter dark-haired, plump chick clutching at his waist. "Hey, watch it, kid!"
"Sorry, sorry" He said for the hundredth time and quickly reassembled his cart, pretending to be ignorant of the couple's matching annoyed huffs.

Eventually, he did make it to Platform 9 and ¾. With his life barely intact. He might be exaggerating just a little bit - but walking through the buzzing King's Cross was a stressful experience! Walking through the brick wall was always something he didn't particularly enjoy - it was supposed to be solid. Sometimes magic was just outright scary, even mundane magic such as walls you could walk through.

He made it onto the platform and was instantly caught off guard by all the wizards, witches and students bustling about. Stressed parents saying goodbye, students ready to start a new year, and nervous first years uncertain of where to go could all be found on the platform dashing around. It was always a bit of a shock to him to see all these familiar, and unfamiliar faces after a whole summer spent with his family at his aunt and uncle's old cottage in the forests of Norway.

Eric quickly shook himself out of his stupor - there was no time to stand and ogle, the express was going to be leaving in mere minutes. Speaking of the Hogwarts Express - there it was, in all it's glory. He remembered hearing all about it when he was younger; the sleek black exterior, the smoke belching out of it, and of course, the notorious dessert cart. But now it was not just a legend in the stories his mother would tell!

His mother appeared beside him, slightly frustrated. "Honey, next time, wait for us," his mother instructed.

"Sorry mum, you know how I am when travelling, I just always feel like we'll be late," He said defensively, attempting to look at his beloved mother kindly.

"I'm well aware of it, Eric! Now, I'm certain you don't want to miss the Express when you walked so quickly here," She said, giving him a pointed look.

"That's right Eric, go on," His father said bemusedly.

"Right then," He responded.

After a series of swift goodbyes with his mother, brother and father he was almost running towards the train in hope of not missing it. Not noticing a short little thing running towards him with happy skips, he was a little shocked when the thrilling sound of Emily's bubbly voice passed through his ears, a bit too loudly for his taste.

"Hey, Eric! Why are you walking so briskly? You still have a few minutes to get on!"

"Emily! Warn a guy next time, will ya? " He said, a tiny bit annoyed, rubbing at his ears with his free arm.

"Sorry! Now, answer my question!" She shrilled, albeit in a little quieter tone, but not by much.

"Yes, I know Emily, I thought you knew that I'm a very, very worried traveller. I didn't take you for such an oblivious girl" He said jokingly, smirking back at her, which, he maybe shouldn't have because it resulted in him getting punched in the side rather hard.

"Ow, Em. No need to be like that," Eric chastised, but with a hint of laughter in his tone.

Emily grinned back, smacking him once more in the arm, albeit, lighter.

The duo walked briskly, with Emily leading the conversation, gesturing widely, and Eric just nodding his head at what she was saying as they walked together. Emily and Eric had met, along with the popular peer that was Imogen, in their first year. All being Hufflepuff they had quickly bonded and become close friends and he was grateful for it. They were his closest friends, people he could trust his life with, and annoy how much he pleased without them wanting to skin him alive.

They made their way through the cramped space of the train, with students laughing, talking and looking for somewhere to sit. It was evident that months had passed since they had met their classmates - most of the students were not usually this rambunctious or loud. Even the ones who were often timid and quiet, hidden in the shadows, were chatting more than usual.

They walked along the train, peering into compartments to see which were empty. One of them included a group of kids who were talking louder than anyone on the train; the loudest being a bold, cinnamon haired girl who talked so fast she looked animated. Another compartment they passed had a group of girls so closely packed together over a book that their features were indistinguishable.

Emily and Eric eventually found a compartment where Imogen was sitting, talking cheerfully with a young lanky boy with messy black hair, arms crossed. This was a first year, and a very quiet one at that. He seemed introverted by the way he was looking disinterested on chatty Imogen, he probably regretted he had chosen to sit in that compartment. Still, the scenario played out in front of Eric - the sullen, shy boy and the shining, talkative Imogen grappling with being in each other's presence. Eric tried not to laugh out loud, but he at least managed to turn it into a half cough.

At hearing laughter, Imogen abruptly stopped her monologue about the delicious food that was served at Hogwarts and smiled brightly when she was who was standing at the entrance.

"Eric! Emily! You're finally here!" She said brightly standing up to engulf the two Hufflepuffs in two large hugs.

"Imogen!" It was a friendly sight to see someone so welcoming after such a lousy day.

Awkwardly, silence engulfed them, so Emily and Eric sat down and tried to start a conversation, but there was no need, as Imogen the social butterfly she was swooped in and saved them all.

"Meet Constance, a first year that just moved to England. He's an absolute genius, has already analysed the grammatical placement in one of my summer essays. I dare say he'll win the House Cup for Ravenclaw, he's that sharp. Poor thing, though, he lost his parents to - " Imogen rattled on, gesturing in wide circles with her hands.

"Imogen, that's enough," Constance's voice caught everyone by surprise. "I would appreciate what you overhear in a shop in Diagon you would keep your mouth shut about."

"Oh gosh, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to upset you! What can I do, if there's anything I can do! Wait, don't leave!"

Constance abruptly left the carriage, and the situation only went downhill. Imogen had never been good at handling situations when she had upset anyone, so it all culminated in her bursting into tears. In a situation where Eric was being a true friend, he would come to her side immediately, but he was distracted by a new presence in the trailer.

A girl, with long brown hair and the most peculiar coloured eyes he had ever seen, one green, one brown, walked in. She was effervescent. She was marvellous. She was gorgeous. The moment Eric saw her his breath hitched in his throat, but he managed not to look too awkward.

"Do you mind if I sit here?" The girl asked curiously.

"Don't you worry, Amber," Imogen said halfheartedly whilst wiping away her tears.
"Come on, sit here in the compartment with us. We won't bite."

Emily, Imogen, and Amber engaged in a much more jubilant conversation of what they had done during the summer, but Eric only caught bits and pieces of the conversation. (How was your summer - good, good, it was very hot though.. Ah, been enjoying the farm, Amber? Oh! Imogen, done any theatre? Yes, of course, I have) Eric remembered her as a student in Charms class, and he had talked to her once or twice, but he had really never taken a good look at her besides fleeting glances during meals and classes.

"Eric, you've never met Amber properly have you?" Emily asked, noting the questioning look he was giving the girl.

"Oh - what? No, I don't think I have. " Eric peeped.

"Well hi, Eric, nice to meet you!" Amber said, giggling a little.

Unbeknownst to him, Imogen and Emily shared a duo of looks at each other, trying not to break into laughter.

"Nice to meet you too! So I've heard you live on a farm?"

"Oh, yes I do! Which is a wonderful thing since I love animals! Did you know we have a few magical creatures there? This year we got a few fwoopers!"

"Oh, that's amazing! You gotta tell me more!"

And on continued the stories of themselves, who they were, and who they wanted to be. Hopefully, he would get to know Amber even more. She was quite impressive - with all her talent with animals, and just the brightness she exuded like a star.
-o-

The remainder of the odyssey to Hogwarts passed quickly; with all four fourth years talking avidly with each other about everything that had happened during their eventful summers.

Before they knew it, the four peers were being told that there were only five minutes until arrival, so they, in turn, put on their Hogwarts robes and pulled their trunks down from the overhead luggage rack.

And as the train pulled up to Hogsmeade Station, the quartet obtained a glance of the glistening castle in the distance. Soon, they would be at Hogwarts.  

AUTHORS NOTE:

Thanks for reading the second chapter! It's a little shorter, but I'm moving so yeah. Next chapter will introduce Malissa and her group of friends! It will come out on Wednesday :3

~Mio