Crossroads of Two Worlds

37-Hogwarts Expressed Distaste

Finally, the day I'd been waiting for came rolling around.

September First.

Hermione had offered to come and get me and then apparate me to King's Cross Station while her husband took Rose and Hugo, Rose's younger brother, by car.

So, I scrambled around my cabin at Camp Half-blood, finishing the unceremonious shoving of all my things into my trunk. I could only hope that I wasn't forgetting anything, but that was probably unlikely.

Just like McGonagall had done the year before, Hermione appeared in my cabin without a sound and startled me by speaking, "Are you ready?"

After nearly jumping out of my skin, much to Hermione's amusement, I nodded, "I think so, but I'm probably forgetting something."

She waved away my concerns, "If you have, just owl me and I'll get it to you."

"How? You're not a demigod so you're not allowed here."

"I'm here now, aren't I?"

"Yes, but I have no idea how you did it... or how McGonagall did it last time 'round."

She laughed at my obvious confusion, "Come on, Alana. Let's get you to King's Cross."

The Hogwarts Express

I found my two best friends in the same compartment Rose and I had last year. Rose was already reading some textbook for Defense Against the Dark Arts and Kaley was eating a box of Bertie Botts while writing in a notebook.

Neither of them looked up when I entered the compartment.

"Some welcoming committee you are!" I remarked on their lack of reaction to my arrival.

Rose scoffed and, still not looking up from her book, responded in what I knew was sarcasm, "Well, Alana, if you were the Queen, maybe we'd bring out the trumpets. We did see you over the holidays, it really hasn't been that long."

I looked over at Kaley to see her grinning at Rose and I, "No defense from your end?"

"Tough, little miss sunshine, defend yourself."

Wow, Kaley had gotten sassier over the summer holidays. I could already tell that this was going to be an interesting year, just like the last, and probably just like every other one to come in the future.

About an hour into the train ride, Albus came bursting into our compartment. It surprised me how much the dark-haired Potter had grown over the summer, he was taller than me and Rose now.

With a wicked grin that only he and Scorpius seem to have mastered, he spoke to all of us, "Just out of curiosity, has anyone asked you where I am?"

Rose, Kaley, and I looked at each other, then back at Albus.

"No."

Rose's eyes narrowed, "Why, Al? Why would someone have asked us that?"

Looking rather sheepish, he shrugged, "You know how my mum and dad like to experiment with spells? Well, I decided to try one out on Alvie Green."

"Seriously? That's like, the worst possible person you could have picked to prank! You're going to be killed! Don't you realize that he's the kid who tortured all of the animals last year? That's the first sign of a Psychopath!" Rose exclaimed in extreme concern.

"Well hang on- it wasn't a prank, not really. At least, I didn't mean it to be at first, but then it was rather funny and I-"

I sighed, "Albus, you're rambling. And also, underaged wizards aren't allowed to tamper with spells. Potions and transfigurations yes, but only in school. Who convinced you to rebel?"