Dear Rose [Scorose]

Chapter Two

The train whistle screeched like an owl as we slowly pulled out of the station. Hugo and Lily waved to the crowd while Albus, my cousin Louis and I began pulling money out of our pockets for the trolley witch.

"I've got enough for a Bertie Bott's and a pack of Licorice Wands," Albus was saying as he counted out Sickles on the seat next to him. Louis nodded, his wavy platinum blonde hair (which he'd obviously inherited from Aunt Fleur), shaking around his pale forehead.

"Good. I'll cover the Cauldron Cakes and Fizzing Whizbees. Rose, you'll get Drooble's and Chocolate Frogs?"

I shook my head. "You know I hate Drooble's. Plus, Mum says it's bad for your teeth. Wears them down or something. I'll get Acid Pops instead." Acid pops were James' favorite trolley candy when he went to Hogwarts. I had never had them and I decided to trust his judgement, just for today.

The trolley witch gladly accepted our money and handed us each what we asked for. "What's your name?" I asked her, completely out of the blue. "I've never asked, and nobody seems to know." She smiled and her old face lit up.

"You can call me Opal. I remember when I was your age, riding the train and always getting so excited for the trolley to come by. Well, long story short, the old witch passed and here I am."

"That's a nice story," I replied, truthfully. "Full circle."

She nodded. "It does seem so."

And with that, she continued to mosey down the train. I sat back down in the cushiony leather seat and shut the glass door.

"She seems nice," Lily commented, casually leaning across her seat to steal a Cauldron Cake from Louis.

"She seems lonely," I replied. "Imagine being on the train, giving people candy all these years, and nobody asking about who she is. What does she do when she's not giving us candy?"

Lily bit her lip and shrugged, the Cauldron Cake forgotten. I nodded, as if to say, "There you go."

Albus, Louis and I divided the candy evenly among ourselves, Hugo, and Lily. Hugo and Lils instantly began stuffing sweets into their mouths, but I just nibbled on a Licorice Wand. I wanted the candy to last the entire ride.

There was a click as the door slid open. "I've finally found you!" a voice said from the doorway. I looked up. Lorcan stood in front of us, his platinum-blonde hair messy as usual. "Alright if I sit for a bit? I'm sitting with Trevor just down the car."

"No," Louis said with a perfectly straight face. Albus glared at him and moved aside for Lorcan to sit down.

"But not mushy gushy stuff, okay?" Lily exclaimed through her chewing, arms crossed. "That means no cuddling, kissing, touching-"

"I can't touch him?" Lorcan asked, poking Albus' arm. Lily's eyes grew squinted and serious and she squared her jaw (like her dad did if he ever got mad).

"No. Touching."

"Got it. No touching." Albus laughed, rolling his eyes. Lorcan stood up.

"I'll be right back," he announced, "I just want to ask Trevor something. He mentioned something to me about Licorice Wands-" he glanced at the flimsy red stick I was sucking on- "and it was so interesting. I forget what it was though. See you!" He quietly slipped out of the compartment.

Suddenly something heavy fell on my lap. Lily's head, motionless. I giggled as I shoved her sleeping body against the window and Louis got up to use the bathroom.

"I think I might take a nap as well," I told Albus as I closed my eyes. I was still so tired from quidditch the night before.

I began to dream before Lorcan got the chance to tell me about Licorice Wands.

~

Lily shook me awake. My eyes flew open, and it felt like I had fallen asleep just a moment before. "Rosie, wake up!" she squealed, "We're going to miss the thestral carriages!"

Quickly I gathered my things and followed my cousin down the train where we hopped off and inhaled the humid, foggy air.

"It must be rainy here," Lily said. I nodded in agreement. The atmosphere was thick like wet cement, and you could practically feel the moisture on your tongue.

Our footsteps echoing into the night, we ran down the train platform together, occasionally stepping in a puddles. But luckily, we made it to the last carriage before the gates closed. As soon as we sat down, Lily let out a sigh.

"It took me forever to wake you up," she muttered, "I had been shaking you for minutes! Any longer, and I would've left you!" I looked at her and grinned. Lily would never leave anyone behind on the train, especially not family. She was definitely a Hufflepuff, through and through.

"Is that so?" I remarked.

"Would I lie to you, Sleepyhead? You know I don't lie." Definitely a Hufflepuff.

The trees, half shadowed by the Forbidden Forest and half glimmering in the light of the crescent moon, slowly formed an opening where I could see all of Hogwarts castle, and below it the shimmering lake. I squeezed Lily's hand. "We're back!" she whispered, barely containing her excitement. I nodded, breathing in the scent of the lake water and the freshly fallen pine needles surrounding it. It was the smell of my second home.