Chapter 17: To Hogwarts

"Hey Simon, you made it!"

"We almost missed the Knight Bus because of Sue!"

Simon stared daggers at his younger sister. Sue merely shrugged. "I needed to test what you got me from Brazil actually worked before you were gone. You came back last night and were going to be away in Hogwarts. I could be stuck with useless crushed peppercorns and have no way to get back at you till December!"

Simon wanted to add that Sue's use of the Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder nearly cost him his leg should he had tripped in the bathroom but decided it was a story for another time. Fred and George were motioning to him to hurry up and get onto the train.

"Cedric and Phoebe got on already!"

"Alright, this is it then," Simon said, facing his parents and sister, "I will see you all in December."

Dirk was already looking teary eyed at his son. He was always the more emotional one of the two parents in the Li household. "Remember to write home a lot! We are so proud of you!!"

"Don't get in trouble!" added Jane. However, given all the stories he had heard from Dirk about the pranks Jane pulled when she was in the Academy, Jane sounded more like she was saying *"Cause trouble but don't you dare get caught!"*

"And you," Simon pointed to Sue, "Look out for mum and dad, would you?"

"Yeah, sure whatever," replied the nine-year-old who lazily waved at her brother.

Simon saw Mrs Weasley give Fred and George a few more goodbye kisses while Charlie and Percy quickly used the opportunity to rush onto the train. Waving goodbye once more, Simon took his trunk and suitcase and got onto the Hogwarts Express.

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Simon and the twins slid the compartment door open to the familiar faces of Cedric and Phoebe, who were sitting with a girl Simon had never seen before. She had curly black hair and extremely large light blue eyes that seemed to move about with fervent energy. And she was having an animated conversation with Cedric while Phoebe was engrossed with a copy of the Daily Prophet in front of her.

"This is Sharon Fawcett," Cedric said, pointing to this new girl, "Her family just moved to Ottery St. Catchpole around the time Simon you went to China." Simon thought he vaguely recalled some Fawcetts who lived near the Diggorys and Weasleys in the books.

"Hi, I am Simon."

"As you may remember, I am Gred."

"And I am Forge."

"I will never forget these interesting names!" Sharon replied and sounded like she genuinely believed the twins, before Phoebe looked up from her reading to clear things up. It seemed like Fred and George had been going by these names and these names only in the few times Sharon had met them this summer.

"Just ignore these two idiots," Phoebe added.

"Anyways, I got you guys things from my trip," Simon noted as he took a seat in the compartment. He passed En-han's notes to Fred and George, the book to Phoebe and the poster to Cedric.

"Um…I'll get you some treats when the food trolley lady comes by," Simon told Sharon.

"Oh, you really don't need to – we just met! That is so kind of you," Sharon beamed before diving back into her conversation with Cedric. They seemed to be talking about the recent Quidditch league results. Fred had joined the conversation while George pored over En-han's new notes with great interest.

*"Phoebe does not seem to be enjoying the company of this little ray of sunshine,"* Raze mused as he slid under Simon's hoody.

*"Well, you know Phoebe. She has always been kind of 'dark and edgy'."*

As the children munched on pumpkin pasties and other snacks, they shared what they did over the summer. Fred and George liked the story about Zeren swallowing a tadpole. Cedric was impressed by the wildlife Simon saw in his recent trip and said he would write to his dad to ask more about these creatures from overseas. Simon was sure with Cedric's father being a Ministry employee for the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, he should have no difficulty arranging some trip for Cedric to broaden his horizons in the study of Magical Creatures in the future. Sharon just seemed impressed by the stories of Simon's travels. She had yet to travel overseas.

"We are almost there," Phoebe commented, putting an end to the discussion, "We should put on our robes."

The children all quickly changed as the train began to slow down. The twins told everyone they could just leave their bags here as Charlie had informed them that all luggage would be delivered to their rooms.

Simon felt a bit uncomfortable to leave his suitcase behind but he trusted Uncle Diego's security charms on the suitcase. If it could keep magical beasts from coming out, it should keep strangers from prying in. Knowing no familiars or pets were allowed during the Sorting, Simon quietly slipped Raze into the suitcase.

*"My, my, it is quite spacious in here!"*

---

"Firs' years! Firs' years follow me!"

Simon followed the crowd as they moved towards the shadow of the large figure. It was Simon's first glimpse of Hagrid. While his size and rough appearance matched the movie portrayal, his features were quite different. He looked less like Robbie Coltrane and more like Robin Williams. Damn the "all-British and Irish cast" policy! Also, real-life Robbie Coltrane did not deserve to play such a tolerant and good-vibes-only character!

"Wow, he is so tall!" Sharon awed at the groundskeeper towering over them.

"He looks tough but Bill and Charlie say he is a huge softie," Fred shared, looking proud to have this piece of 'insider information'.

The groundskeeper led the students to the boats at the Black Lake.

"Four on a boat! If yeh have more 'n four, the boat won' hold! Don' wan' ter swim before the feast if I were yeh!"

"Fred and I can go join another boat," George kindly offered, "We should have no problem making new friends unlike you lot."

"Now, I am kind of offended," Simon quipped, before the twins departed on a boat with two girls.

"I heard there is a giant squid at the bottom of this lake," Sharon chattered away, "I read that…"

Cedric politely nodded as Simon spied the outline of the Hogwarts castle in the distance.

"Does it hold up to what you read in *Hogwarts: A History*?" he asked Phoebe who was also gazing at the imposing structure in front of them.

"We shall see."