Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry discussion

Carriage 2: Compartment E

The fifth compartment of Carriage 2. It can seat eight, but for comfort's sake, usually seats no more than six.

[Enter Alice Keenam from Carriage 2 Corridor, message 27.]

Once they were inside, Alice shrugged her bag off of her shoulder and placed it down on the empty bench. Walking over to the window side of the compartment, she sat down and removing her boots, she pulled her stocking-ed feet onto the bench, tucking them underneath her, the layers of her skirt falling around her legs. Leaning her face on her hand that was on the arm propped up against the window ledge, Alice smiled contentedly at the rain that splashed against the glass. "So, Evander, it's going to be your third year, right? You must be excited about all the electives you'll get to take," she said to the boy with a small smile. "Have you thought about which ones you're interested in yet?"

[Enter Evander August from Carriage 2 Corridor, message 28.]

The boy gave a sigh, and regretfully shook his head no. "I haven't really given it much thought yet," he admitted ruefully as he took a seat opposite Alice. "Definitely Care of Magical Creatures, but I'm not sure what else. What N.E.W.T. level classes are you planning on continuing with this year?"

Alice's smile brightened at Evander's answer as she said to him, "You like magical creatures? That is my favorite class. I will definitely be taking that this year as well as Herbology." She thought for a moment and then added, "Muggle Studies as well, since I am one--or was one, I should say--and... Astronomy and Transfiguration." Alice shrugged then. "I might change some around at the last minute if I can. I'd love to give Apparition a try."

"That sounds very exciting," Evander said. "What electives would you recommend?" he queried, suddenly feeling anxious that he didn't have a plan for the year.

"Oh, you're very smart, sweetheart, I think you'd be good at almost anything," she told him with a sweet smile as she shifted slightly in her position.

Evander beamed up at the girl, pleased by the compliment. "Thank you," he commented, suddenly brimming with confidence.

"It's about thinking about what you want to do," Alice continued, giving the boy a charming smile. "Care of Magical Creatures is a wonderful course. I'm sure you'll love it," she told Evander with confidence. "You get to leave the classroom as well and enjoy some of the great weather we have this time of year--when it's not raining," she added with a laugh, nodding to the gloominess taking place outside their window.

Evander shrugged, but while nodding. He couldn't disagree. After all, the weather of Great Britain was notoriously horrible.

"So your brother and sister start this year?" Alice asked, remembering the boy saying that he twin siblings that were two years younger. "You must be happy to have them at Hogwarts finally," she mused, arching a thin black brow.

"Well..." Evander frowned, clearly not feeling a strong yes or no. "I guess so—I mean..." He trailed off, his mouth pressed into a thoughtful line. "I'm not really sure, actually. They can be a pain in the butt, sometimes, and I'm sure I'm excited to have that follow me here."

Alice smiled and giggled softly, so low it could barely be heard. "Oh, that bad huh?" she asked with a teasing tone. "Are they like you?" she wondered. "Good, studious, well behaved students?"

Evander burst out laughing at that, and took a full minute to be able to calm down enough to speak. "Oh no," he assured her, shaking his dark head emphatically. "Not even close. They're... troublemakers, to say the least."

"Troublemakers," Alice repeated, shifting her position to tuck her legs underneath her other thigh. "What kind of trouble?" she asked, enjoying the laughter that her question had brought to the boy's face. He certainly should laugh more, she mused silently. It brought out a side of him people rarely saw and it was... quite nice.

Sighing, Evander wiped his watering eyes. "What about you?" he questioned. "Do you have any siblings, attending Hogwarts or otherwise?"

Alice shook her head. "Only Jamie did, and lucky for me, he's still at Hogwarts," she replied with a small smile. "He's taken a liking to his cottage," she chuckled. "I'm afraid he'll never come home now."

"Oh." Evander smiled up at Alice, giving a nod of understanding. "I like Jamie," he told her, recalling his first experience with the man. "I didn't know you two were related though."

Alice giggled softly at Evander's comment. "Well, we look nothing alike," she agreed. "But we do have the same last name," she pointed out with a wink. "I can introduce you formally if you'd like," she offered the young boy.

Evander couldn't help but to blush and beam all at once. "Yes!" he exclaimed, enthused by the prospect. "I mean, if it isn't too much trouble."

[Exit Ender to Hogsmeade Platform, message 7.]

"No, of course not," Alice replied. "He would love to meet anyone who I'm friends with," she told him with a wink. Shifting positions again, she added, "Plus he'll probably take you on an extended tour of the grounds if you want. Meet some of the magical creatures he helps to care for."

[Exit Alice Keenam to Hogsmeade Platform, message 6.]

September 1st: The train has arrived at Hogsmeade Station and all students have unloaded onto the platform, dressed in their robes.