The End Of The Year Train Ride

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~~~(POV: Alexander Aevum)~~~

~~~(Location: Hogwarts Express)~~~

~~~(Date: June 23rd, 1992)~~~

~~~(Time: 8:49 AM)~~~

My time at Hogwarts has been an experience, to say the least. The first year is over and in the rearview mirror. I'm surprised to say I even made some friends. One of them is sharing this cabin with me.

Daphne has ignored the unwritten rule that Gryffindors and Slytherins shouldn't be seen together. Let alone be friends. She sees me looking at her and smiles. Before turning her attention back to her book.

It's not a school book but a fantasy story. I've come to learn a great deal about Daphne. One is she likes to read fiction more than most her age.

More friends I've made are Harry and Ron. We didn't start that way at the beginning of the year. My helping them in the ladder part of our time seems to have brought on more friends than I thought I'd have.

Especially considering what I did to Gryffindor. If it weren't for McGonagall, our house would've lost. Thanks to the surprise points from Albus, we actually won the house cup. Most of the hate and anger I was receiving had disappeared.

Then there is Hermione Granger. The girl who always found a way to get me to talk. Gave me attention when I didn't need or ask for it. She's a very caring girl, if not a little sensitive.

I think that's okay, though. There need to be sensitive people in the world to compensate for others like me. Ones who aren't sensitive. How I treated my house this year is proof of that. I'll have to change for next year.

Blatantly disregarding the rules and concerns for others may play well in my head. But the actual results seem to differ.

"What do you plan to do this summer?"

The sudden question from Greengrass takes my thoughts from my behavior, and I look toward her. The book she was reading is now closed. Her full attention on me. Daphne is someone I've come to trust.

"Since we're not allowed to practice magic outside Hogwarts grounds, I'll have to find something to fill my time."

It's become a major subject of debate inside my head.

"I was thinking..."

She halts in her words as her eyes focus on the glass on my left. I'm sitting by the door. Curious to see what she's looking at, I turn my head and see Hermione standing there. Opening the door to the cabin a second later.

"I've been looking all over for you. You could've waited for me at the station."

A slightly awkward silence descends on everyone after Hermione takes a seat across from me. It's not silence between myself and them. But rather Hermione and Granger.

The two of them have made it clear their not friends and have no intention of being that anytime soon.

"As I was saying before. I was thinking it might be nice for you to come and visit my family's home this summer. I'd really like it if you'd come to meet my parents."

There isn't a moment for me to think before Hermione spins her head in the direction of Daphne.

"You can't actually be serious, can you!?"

The look of anger on Daphne's face is apparent at the sudden tonal shift of Hermione.

"You're from a pure-blood family! Greengrass dislikes muggles, muggle-borns, and half-bloods as much as the Malfoys. Your parents would sooner spit on Alex before letting him into your home."

The sad part is Hermione makes a great point. I doubt once Daphne's parents find out she's been hanging out with someone like me, they'll be happy with her.

"What do you know, Granger?! You may have good grades, but you have no working knowledge of the real wizarding world."

The slightly elevated and venomous tones of their words aren't lost on each other. This is escalating into something that I don't want to deal with.

"What I do know is Alex will have a much better time visiting my house this summer rather than yours. My parents won't curse his very existence, unlike yours."

A small and almost silent sigh escapes my lips as the two go back and forth. I don't know how I got into this.

The train ride is looking to be a long one, and not in a good way. The next school year can't come soon enough. It'll be difficult to resist using magic outside Hogwarts, but I take solace in the fact I'm not alone in my suffering.

I'm glad I'll get to see everyone at the orphanage again. I've missed them.