Chapter 569 - Onto the Platform (1/2)
After one last sweep through the Hogwarts Express, Rowan and Severus returned to the Prefect's compartment. And the remainder of their trip, they chatted with Pandora and Andrew about various topics. With thirty minutes until Hogsmeade station, the Head Boy Travers loudly interrupts the ongoing conversations. ”We'll be arriving in thirty minutes. Please aid the first years and transfer students into changing into their robes.”
Rowan and the rest of the Prefects all rush over to the first year and transfer students' compartments that are recalled from memory. To her great delight she found that the three… future Hufflepuff's were all conversing rather rapidly. With no need of further prodding all three of them began to put on their robes, before she moved onto the next compartment.
After seeing all the work, it took to be a Prefect, Rowan had a lot more respect for Percy Weasley. Maybe he had a perpetual stick up his bum, but then again, the poor kid was stuck with the likes of George and Fred Weasley as younger siblings. If that did not drive anyone crazy nothing else would.
Not to mention the added fact that he was a Prefect for two years and then Head Boy. No wonder the Percy Weasley had control issues. Anyone would after that.
The Hogwarts Express finally squeaked to a stop and Rowan and the rest of the Prefect's pointed the first years and transfer students out the doors and in the right direction. Thankfully, Hagrid showed up just on time shouting for the first years and transfer students. Hagrid had taken his new makeover to heart causing several of the first year and transfer girl's hearts to go all pitter patter.
After making sure that every single last first year and transfer student had been picked up by Hagrid, Rowan and the rest of the Prefect's finally were able to go and grab a carriage. Unlike the time's before they were on the last carriages to Hogwarts. Rowan and Severus made sure to ride with Andrew and Pandora. If Lupin noticed something was off between them and Lily, he wisely did not comment on the subject.
For most of the ride, Rowan and Severus stared at the Thestral's, before them until Pandora says, ”So, I'm guessing the two of you can see the Thestral's pulling the carriage?”
”Yes, why?” Rowan asked as she glanced away from the reptilian, skeleton, winged like horses.
”Mm, so can I,” Pandora softly admitted, before glancing at Andrew. ”And what about you, Andrew?”
”Same,” Andrew confessed. ”I saw my grandad die in his bed. I was pretty young, but I still remember him going all quiet and like.”
The air is a bit grave as Pandora says, ”My older brother, Alun was standing right next to me. He was just going to start Hogwarts when a muggle car hit him instead of me. After that mum and dad moved to the countryside not wanting to risk losing me too.”
The air is rather still as Pandora as if in afterthought says, ”I've long ago decided that if I ever have a daughter, I'm going to name her Luna, an anagram of Alun.”
”Well, that's a very lovely and kind thought, Pandora,” Rowan said as the two boys muttered in agreement.
Severus glanced at the Thestral's before them and distantly says, ”Rowan and I saw our grandmother die along with Abraxas Malfoy. It isn't something we like to recollect.”
All four of them sigh, before Andrew wryly chuckles, ”Well, at least we're all crazy together.”
There is a pause, before they all begin to slowly chuckle that evolves into gasping laugher. Maybe they were nervous about their future Prefect duties. Or maybe, they just simply needed to laugh. Either way, their peals of laughter could be heard from the other carriages causing other students to stare at their carriage.
Their laughter finally died off with them holding their aching side. The rest of the trip passes by a lot lighter as they chattered about their summer holidays. The carriage finally rolls to a stop in front of the front entrance as Andrew jumps out first followed by everyone else. They are about to enter inside when students let out shrieks.