Adrian Craddock and The Philosopher's Stone

The Hogwarts Express and The Sorting

1 September 1991

Today was the day. The that Aiden has been waiting for ever since he got his acceptance letter last year. Which is why when he woke up, he was almost a literal ball of energy. 

As soon as Aiden woke up he made breakfast, ate, brushed his teeth, put on his school robes and made himself presentable. It was only then that he realized that he should probably go wake Ethan up, which he did. He then waited for Ethan to get ready as well. In between doing the things mentioned above, Aiden could not stop bouncing up and down. He was just that excited.

Eventually when Ethan was done the two made their way to the fireplace. Grabbing some floo powder after his godfather ignited the fireplace with a quick 'incendio!' , Aiden threw the powder in the flames, stepped right in and shouted, "Platform 9 3/4!" After a rather uncomfortable travel experience, Aiden fell face first onto the ground and was sure he chipped a tooth. With some effort he looked up and all pain was forgotten when he saw the gleaming red paint of the Hogwarts Express.

He didn't even hear Ethan appear behind him with his school supplies, who wore a faint smile at seeing the Express, after laughing at Aiden's predicament, of course.

Prying his godson off the floor and giving him his supplies, Ethan knelt down to eye level with Aiden and placed his hand on the boys shoulders.

"Aiden," began Ethan."I just want to tell to have fun up there in Scotland and to not just make me proud but your mun and dad as well. Just do your best at all your classes and be safe. Hogwarts will be your home for next few months so don't you go missing me, you hear me kiddo?"

With tears in his eyes and not caring about the people around them watching, Aiden went to hug his godfather. "I hear you." he choked out.

"Good kid. Also don't come home for Christmas as I'll be in Russia then for an Auror mission and it honestly scares me just to think to leave you alone in the house."

"Alright Uncle Ethan, I'll see you Easter then?" 

"Of course, son. Goodbye and see you soon." Ethan watched as his godson pulled away from the hug and ran over the train. But not before waving goodbye.

Ethan's thoughts while walking back to the fireplace were hopes that his friend's son would keep himself safe.

oOo

Since he had arrived early, Aiden was met with mostly empty compartments. Sitting next the window in one of said compartments, he pulled out Fantastic Beasts and started reading. He was so engrossed in the book that he would not have seen someone entering the compartment until they snapped their fingers.

Looking up from the text, Aiden saw a girl with bushy brown hair, brown eyes and a (kinda) cute overbite look at him expectantly, almost as if she was expecting something from him.

"Can I help you?" he asked.

"Oh, weren't you listening?" At Aiden's negative shake of the head she continued. "I asked you if someone was sitting here when I walked in. I'm a bit early and don't want to sit with some of the older students."

 "Well, I'm not expecting anyone, so sure, you can sit here with me." Aiden said and gave her a small smile when she sat next to him. "I'm Adrian Craddock by the way but you can call me Aiden." He held out his hand. 

She shook his hand eagerly and replied: "Hermione Granger, pleased to meet you."

"Pleasure's all mine, Hermione.

"So, what were you reading before I interrupted?"

Aiden held up his copy of Fantastic Beasts, which made Hermione smile.