Albus Potter and the Mystery of Eloise Elfenben #Wattys2017

Chapter 3

A/N: I am skipping the epilogue because I really don't want to rewrite it. Also, everyone knows basically what happens so it felt unnecessary. For context, I am starting when Albus and Rose board the train. Enjoy!
-------------------------------------------------------

Albus hugged his book to his chest nervously as  he and Rose searched for an empty compartment. Eventually, they stumbled across one at the end of the train with only one student occupying it. A short girl was lying across the far chair. She was wearing second- hand Hogwarts robes with her wand tucked behind her ear. Her bright blue (but kind of faded and old- looking) sneakers were on the floor next to her. However, the most noticeable thing about her was her long, neon green hair. Albus cautiously opened the door.

"Hi... Is anyone else sitting here? Could we sit here?"

"Um, sure, if you want to, I guess. What's your name? I'm Dahmari Moon." She seemed like a nice enough person, so Albus and Rose sat down. As nerdy as it sounded, Albus didn't actually have that much experience with other magical kids his age outside his family. Sure, he had gone to muggle school, but most of the kids just wanted to be his friend because he came from a magical family. He hoped Dahmari wouldn't be freaked out when he shared his last name.

"Um, Albus. Albus, uh, Potter."
Surprisingly, Dahmari didn't react. She simply smiled over at Rose and asked the same.

"Hi Rose, hi Albus. So... Could you guys tell me a little about the whole Wizarding World? I'm a Muggle born, and, well, I don't really know much." She seemed to be gaining confidence after Rose's friendly, enthusiastic greeting. Rose had always been more adept at, well, people in general.

"Oh! So our government is the Ministry of Magic..." Rose jumped into an in- depth explanation of how wizarding government worked, while Dahmari struggled to keep up. Albus opened his book, a muggle one called The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.

"Want anything from the trolley dears?" The kindly old witch peeked into the car. Albus forked over 3 galleons to buy Drooble's Best Blowing Gum, Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, and Chocolate Frogs for everyone, since Dahmari didn't have any wizarding money. As the three kids stuffed their faces with sweets, Rose asked, "So how did you get your hair like that?"

"Oh! I, uh, I'm a metamorphmagus." She demonstrated by turning her nose into a beak.

"That is so cool! Our cousin, Teddy Lupin, is one too!"

"Oh cool! Does he still go to school?"

"No. He graduated two years ago. He's undergoing training right now to become a Healer. He's such a Hufflepuff." When Dahmari seemed confused, Rose began explaining about the Hogwarts Houses. Albus, again, tuned her out and focused on his book.

Soon, the train came to a stop and the first years were lined up by Hagrid to get in boats to go across the lake. Again, Rose, Albus, and Dahmari sat together, as they were all eager to make friends.  As customary, all the children's jaws dropped when they glimpsed Hogwarts for the first time. Time seemed to fly by, and soon they were lined up in front of a tall, wooden door. Hagrid raised his fist and knocked three times.