Morgan typically preferred being right in the middle of everything, so the middle cars of the train seemed appropriate. This year felt different though. How could it not after everything they went through last term? Many of his friends not returning and feeling somehow more grown in a way that wasn't entirely good, he wasn't even sure how he felt about returning. But here he was. And without Schnitzel.

A part of him hoped that he could find his missing cat when he returned to Hogwarts, but he wasn't entirely hopeful. He had no idea what happened to his pet. So it was with an awful lot of restless energy that Morgan sat in his compartment and craned his neck to peer out the window. Could they get going already?

Quinn was at once excited for and dreading this new term. He was so happy to get away from his parents after so many months at home... usually he could handle it, but this summer was especially draining. And after his birthday had passed... it just got worse. The stuff that happened with Atlas in Diagon Alley was complicated, to say the least. Now he was in very bad graces with his mother, he wasn't sure what terms he was on with Atlas—and even if they were good, how was he supposed to explain that?—and, now that he was on the train, the thought of being back at Hogwarts filled him with fear. He thought he was over what happened last term (which was not a topic of conversation that either of his parents seemed to care much about. Quinn still couldn't understand how it was just... like nothing to them) but thinking about different places around the castle made him feel like he couldn't breathe. No dungeons for him this term. Could he skip out on DADA? What about that particular spot on the grounds where.... they had that lesson? The one he tries to block out of his memory because it always sets off a panic episode. The one that makes him able to see thestrals.

On the flip side of the coin, he couldn't wait to see his friends again. They were the reason he couldn't handle this summer... he had that taste of closeness. He wanted it back. He wanted to see Eden, Dahlia, Tadhg, Ash, Bernie... he wanted to see Atlas, even though it would be weird. He wanted to at least be able to see him. Even if they weren't supposed to hang out.... Quinn wasn't sure what Atlas would make of that. What did Mr. Flamsteed say to him? Was he punished? Quinn hoped he wasn't... he only wanted to help...

Sitting with his knees up in an empty compartment, Quinn sat and waited for someone he knew to walk by. He was thinking entirely too much... he hoped one of his friends would come soon.

Dahlia's excitement for returning to Hogwarts, was never really there. From day one her vote had been to remain at home. That or go to any other wizarding school, it didn't even matter which one. Yet, here she was all because she didn't want to be alone on account that all four of her siblings and two cousins had chosen to return to Hogwarts. There was also the small fact that she also wanted to be around her friends that would also be returning but that didn't change how she felt inside as she stepped onto the train.

At some point in time her hand must had made its way into the grasp of Elias' and she gently tugged it free. "Go with them.. I'll be along soon. I want to see if I can find a few of my friends first, okay?" This was actually code for 'I need a few minutes to be alone'. She knew her brother would understand and that she would join them all as promised a little later.

Fixing the strap of her bag up onto her shoulder and pushing her hair out of her face, Sir Frederik peeking out from his spot his spot on her shoulder, she went to find a quiet compartment. The first couple she peeked into were crowded but there was one that when she slid it open enough to peer into after giving a light tap on the door, the person inside caught her eye.

QUINN!

He was here! He was okay. Normally Lia would wait for a response before stepping into the compartment but she didn't think Quinn would mind. Pushing the door open enough to step inside she then let it close behind her. Seeing him just sitting there, she wanted to rush over and hug him tightly she was that happy to see him. Only, she didn't. Instead she walked over and quietly sat down beside him close enough so her arm touched his. That was all. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Apollo wasn't sure he wanted to go back but he survived year one with an evil mob taking over so how much worse could it get? Also, he has a BROOM now of his very own and that was just super cool. His feline was around somewhere but the twelve year old was in search of friends and instead he found one of the older housemates sitting alone?

Knock, knock. Or faked it at least cause Apollo had zero chill when it came to politeness especially when there was little risk involved of being cursed.

"Morgan! How come you're all alone? Where's all your friends? Are we early to board?" Also, did he mind a second year here who had a bazillion questions? And yes he knew his name cause housemate and Apollo made sure to learn ALL his house mate's names even if it wasn't reciprocated.

Kale Trent was going back to Hogwarts. To be clear, he didi not want to be going. Not at all. It was a horrible place that had fractured his family, tortured his father, threw his little sister into despair and had chipped away at the humanity in him. Kale had clawed his way back to whatever version of himself was now left after the void, the endless darkness and silence. If the blonde never saw the castle walls again, weLP, it would be too soon.

But when his Dad decided to go back, Kale resolved to return, too. After everything, he wasn't sure he could stand to be so far away from him. What if something happened? What if his Dad needed him? What if, what if, what if?

So he'd suffered through his packing and arranged for his therapist to come to Hogesmeade to continue treatment. It'd be dope if Hogwarts this term was like half-school and half-mental health resources. But. He wasn't taking any chances juuuuuust in case.

"Not alone," Kale announced as he entered the middle cars. He gave his bro a quick high five and threw himself down beside MF, knocking their shoulders. FRIENDSHIP! Then, he blinked at the second year. "Uh. Sorry. I don't think we've met. I'm Kale." The sixth year reached across the car and offered his hand for a high-five. Hand shakes were a boring way to say hello.

Mamie Margaret had never been happier to get on a train. Seriously, she was certain she was more excited for Hogwarts this year than she had been in any previous year. And why? Well, because she'd decided what Quidditch position she was going to practice and hopefully play in the U-17 league next summer. And she had convinced her parents to get her her very own broom.

Plus, she just plain missed magic. It was so much better to technology, she thought.

She dumped her things in the luggage car, keeping just her bag with her wand and uniform (and snacks) and went into a random compartment. She didn't really care who she spent the ride with, as she generally got along with anyone. And she could talk to a rock.

But ummm...this carriage had Apple, and Mavis's brother, and Morgan McCarthy in it. She didn't like Morgan McCarthy. She almost turned around but...Apollo was cool. They could talk about Quidditch, right? She could settle for this compartment.

"Hi!" She said perkily to the three Gryffindors, hesitating just inside the doorway. "Do you mind?" Did they mind if she joined, obviously.

No sooner had Morgan sat down and turned his eyes towards the window than he heard someone coming in. Truthfully, he was hoping that it was one of his friends or someone he could snog during the long ride. And instead it was a little kid.

Morgan had been a bit lost in thought so it took him a moment to recognize this kid. He wasn't too surprised that he knew him by name - everyone seemed to know Morgan, being a popular and friendly older student - but uh... yeah, Morgan recognized him as a younger housemate but that was as far as it went. Still, Morgan was pretty much always friendly.

"Yeah, must be early. I just got here." And that was why he had been sitting alone so far. He didn't want to think about the possibility of his friends not returning, even if he knew some of them just weren't. He didn't want to think about that at all.

But it was then that Kale showed up and Morgan shot him a grin and a reciprocated high five. "Sup, bro! I knew you'd make it. I saved you some snacks." YES. He had NOT just about started to think about what if Kale actually decided to not come back after all... He looked over at the second year when Kale introduced himself, also wondering what his name was and glad he did not have to admit that he didn't know it.

His eyes soon turned towards the door again however, when he heard yet another voice. Oh yeah, what was this girl's name? Morgan recognized her as one of the muggleborns locked in the room last year, but that's as far as he got with that recollection. Mary, maybe? A younger Hufflepuff at any rate. "Nah, it's cool. The more, the merrier." Who was he to turn away someone in need of a seat?

It didn't take long before the compartment opened up again and the headmaster's son himself appeared!!!! This was ALMOST as good as a celebrity sighting. He watched in amazement in the way Kale threw himself next to Morgan and wondered if he'd ever have a friend like that?? His best friend(s) were all females and Apollo was realizing the older he got that it was different. "Kale, yup. I know you," he leaned forward to high five him, cause well, you couldn't just leave someone's hand hanging. "You're the headmaster's son. I'm Apollo. Gonna be a second year." Just in case he wasn't sure that he'd been there a year before, but last year was weird.

"Mamie!!! Hi!" He grinned at her, patting the seat beside him. Hey, now it wouldn't feel so awkward with him there with his older housemates. "Did you grow a little? Or are you just standing up straighter?" He squinted at the Hufflepuff. She could have been slouching when he met her officially on the grounds cause apparently those guards and evil men did things to people to make them seem small.

"So what do you think this year is gonna be like now that the war is over? Do you think we'll have quidditch again?" Did Kale and Morgan even play?

The blonde dipped into snacks as sooooooon as they were offered to him. Dope. Noms. And see, THIS was why MF was the realest. He was always coming through with snacks and friendship. After last term the friendship part was really, really dear to Kale, but the snacks also helped, ngl.

He threw an arm around his bud and squished. "How was the end of your summer?" They'd seen each other on-and-off, even kissed once (eyyyy), but as the summer grinded to an end, he'd not been as in-touch with his buddy as he would like. So tell us, MF. What happened? How were the siblings? How did his parents feel about him coming back?

Turning to the other high-five-kid, APOLLO APPARENTLY!!, Kale blinked some more. The surprise was apparent on his face. How-how did he know his name? Did he have a name-tag on or something? Kale even glanced down to double-check. Nope. No, name-tags. "I-I am," he answered. The Headmaster's son, that is.

Yo what's up, lil Mamie, Kale thought as the Hufflepuff entered. Yaaaaahs. Middle Car Kiki. They need some music and more snacks STAT. Kale peaked up to see if the trolly had rolled through yet. Snacks, pls.

...oh. The war. They were gonna talk about that, huh? Kale got a little quiet, a little distant. Sorry friends. War stuff was hard.

What a warm welcome. “Thanks.” Margaret squinted at the two taller, older Gryffindors for a moment, her facial expression somewhere between bewilderment and like she was trying to glare but couldn’t quite muster that much dislike. This was clearly not going to be a nice calming train ride, not with their energy.

But Apple Apollo seemed genuinely pleased to see her, so she gave the literally little second year a grin and plopped herself onto the seat next to him. “Hi, App...ollo,” she said. She sat as tall as she could and stretched her legs out for good measure, so the younger boy could see how much she really had grown. Much more than a little, thank you very much. “I did grow! Two whole inches!” she said proudly. “Babulya even showed me how to hem, so I can make my pants legs longer if they get too short again.”

She fidgeted uncomfortably when he brought up the war like that, in the same breath as Quidditch. Like it was no big deal. Did they really have to talk about that? She looked solemnly at Apollo for a moment, completely tuning out the taller boys. But also not saying anything to Apollo for a possibly awkward amount of time.

“Quidditch?” she finally murmured. “I like Quidditch.” Not that she’d ever played.

Quinn was pulled from his thoughts as someone sat down next to him. He turned from the window, only to be met with "Dahlia!"

He quickly pulled his housemate into a tight hug, glad to see her after not talking for so long. "Oh, I've missed you so much! How was your summer? Good, I hope!" he said, grinning. He didn't want any of his heavy thoughts to leak out into the conversation, so he did his best to focus on his excitement to see his friend. He hoped she wasn't too upset that they hadn't talked over the summer... it wasn't particularly easy for him, to say the least.

Truthfully, Lia was mildly surprised it had taken Quinn until she had sat down to notice her presence. If he was feeling anything like she was, she couldn't blame him for not noticing. What she could blame him for was his lack of communication all summer. She hadn't heard anything from him in weeks. The entire summer in fact. Not a single letter, postcard or call. Not a word. While she had tried to find way to get in touch with him, her attempts had all failed. In the beginning it hadn't really been much of a big deal, she understood that everyone needed time, herself included. As the days moved into weeks and then slowly into a month and more.. well.. that wasn't good, was it? Which had led her to think that maybe she had done something to upset him in someway and he didn't want to talk with her but what had she done wrong?

Her own thoughts quickly melted away with a shout of her name and arms being thrown around her. It was in that instant in hearing Quinn's words that everything she had been currently thinking made no sense, something else had to be the reason for the lack of letters or calls. They could talk about it later. Right now... right now in this moment she was just going to hug her friend..

Dahlia twisted her upper body sideways a bit, sliding her arms around him in return so that she could hug back just as tightly. "Quinn..," she whispered softly biting her bottom lip to keep the sudden rush of tears that filled her eyes at bay. Hopefully he didn't mind that she was still very much holding onto him for the moment. "I missed you too." This was true. Her friends were one of the main reasons she was returning to Hogwarts.

Slowly she pulled back from the hug but remained sitting somewhat sideways on the sit so she could face him. Her summer? "It was.. " Lia paused for a second to see how best to word what she wanted to say. She didn't want to sugarcoat things nor did she want to say her summer had been horrible. "It was okay. It started off a bit rocky but it got better.. I.. got better.." She still was. Like most things it was going to take time and she probably was never going to fully be who she used to be but that was alright.

Charlie had left the compartment that Cooper and Celyn were in after snacking on some pumpkin pasty. She loved spending time with Cooper he always made her feel so sure of herself. But she needed to get up and start walking around because sitting still was making her a bit stir crazy, felt a bit like being locked in the room. She thought she had escaped being put in it but she had been locked up anyways.

Tucking a curl behind her ear she went down the walkway glancing in a compartment here and there, she wondered where some of her friends were. Oh maybe she would see one Seth Elliot today, he was a cutie. Instead she smiled at spotting Morgan McCarthy oooh and Kale. Kale was one of her favorite people she really hoped that last year wouldn't weigh him down even though he seemed some what okay over the summer.

Pushing the compartment door open she smiled, "hey Kale, Morgan," she waived at the two other people she didn't totally recognize, one looked familiar (Apollo). "Care if I join you all?" She was still only slightly leaned into the compartment.

Separating briefly from Aries, one to the food trolley while the other (himself) went to find a compartment, Atlas was feeling more like he was looking down at himself moving through the corridors rather than being present in his own body. Leading up to boarding the Hogwarts Express had been...nice. Weird...but nice. Dad had wanted to recreate the whole first year experience since he had...missed it...and Atlas thought that it might unearth feelings he did not want to confront, a reminder of last year, but it hadn't. It had been like, well, like they were rewriting the story and that was a cool way to approach his second year.

So there was a little more pep to his step, though not quite a skip because that would be embarrassing and was reserved for a very finite situations, as he peeked into compartment after compartment for the environment that would suit both his and Aries' needs...which brought him to the compartment featuring a hugging Dalia and Quinn.

And a whole rush of A LOT consumed him instantly.

He had NOT meant to slam his fingers in the door while trying to slam things shut quickly so he wouldn't be noticed...but it happened...SLAM...and Atlas could hardly contain the roar in frustration at himself that this had happened in the first place. Muttering under his breath and blowing on the throbbing possibly broken finger, the Gryffindor leaned against the wall beside the doors.

Quinn could hear the sadness in Lia's voice as she talked, and it dampened his own excitement to see her. Of course she would be upset... honestly, he was surprised he wasn't more upset about it. I mean, when he thought about it he was upset, but.... he didn't think much about it. He couldn't let himself.

"Oh, Dahlia... I'm here for you if you ever need to talk—"

SLAM

Quinn jumped out of his skin at the force with which the door was shut. He didn't even get to see well enough who had opened the door before it was slammed shut again. Quinn cocked an eyebrow at Dahlia before getting up, slowly sliding the door back open, peeking his head out...

A small gasp escaped Quinn's mouth. His face flushed and his mouth went dry. Seeing Atlas now, he was.... much less keen to see him than when he was by himself. He didn't have to think about the intricacies of what was going on between them when he was alone, he only had to think about his.... friend? And now that he was in front of him, he was presented with all the stupid complexities. This sucked.

It also dawned on Quinn that Atlas had slammed the door so hard.... because of him. Was it because of his mother's letter? Or... was it because.... of what Quinn did.... in the alley..? Quinn's throat started to get tight as he observed Atlas blowing on his fingers. He swallowed thickly. "Um.... are y-your fingers.... alright....?" Quinn strained out.

Morgan did not notice whatever was going on with the Hufflepuff girl's facial expressions - Mamie, he caught from the younger Gryffindor - being much more concerned into delving into the freshly-baked cookies he brought and happily sharing them with his best buddy. And the younger one was called Apollo, he thought, as he tried to commit that to his goldfish memory. As long as he remembered it for this train ride, he figured he'd be good.

"You're famous, dude," he nudged Kale with his elbow as he seemed very surprised that someone he didn't know would know him by name. "Everyone knows you," he added before stuffing another cookie in his mouth. He tried not too hard to not talk with his mouth semi-full. "It was cool. Had to take my OWLs the other day though. And some other stuff happened.." But he'd wait till it was just them in the dorm to talk about that stuff. And even though he was sure he did not do all that well, Morgan was glad that all that extra studying over summer was over. Just in time to start studying and homework and classes for school. Ugh.

He glanced over at Kale when Apollo asked them about... well. Could they please not mention the W word? They'd been through enough that he didn't care to think about, and from what he remembered, Apollo hadn't been locked in a crowded room for half the term or trapped in a mirror. But he could maybe steer the conversation. "Don't know," he shrugged. "Quidditch is funny here. One year they have it, the next they don't. It's been like that for a while." At least as long as he was there, for one reason or another. Not that he really paid attention to the why or the game in general. It had bothered his sister much more than him. "You guys want some cookies? My mum's a pretty great baker," he said, leaning towards Mamie and Apollo to offer some of what was left in the box.

And just then another voice filtered into the compartment and Morgan turned his head to see one of his housemates. "Hey, Charlie," he greeted her, shooting her a grin. "Sure, come on in. It's the best compartment on the train." Might as well make it a party.

She was sad. Sad that she hadn't heard from him for weeks and weeks. Sad about everything that had happened. Even sad about returning to Hogwarts. None of that was going to be said though. Not right then anyhow. It all could've waited because all she had wanted in that moment was just two minutes to enjoy a hug and let herself not cry. Things would be alright now. Quinn was alright. Well in the sense that he was sitting right there beside her, otherwise she had no clue how he was. If he was like everyone else, chances were he was suffering in silence.

Meh, she knew he was being nice. Being Quinn. And truly she appreciated it but she didn't want to talk about it. Not really. She never did. "I-I know.. the same goes for you too, you know." If he ever wanted or needed to talk about anything she'd be there to listen even if she couldn't help at all.

SLAM!!!

What in the name of Merlin?!?!

Lia startled so badly that poor Sir Frederik nearly toppled right off of her shoulder. Good thing her shoulder was nearly level enough with the back of the seat and he was able to hop him up onto it. This was a very good thing because had the pygmy puff had gotten hurt, the twelve year old would never had forgiven herself.

Catching the look on Quinn's face, she shrugged her shoulders. Who that was, it definitely wasn't one of her siblings or cousins otherwise they would've just come into the compartment. Curiosity quickly getting the better of her, she got to her feet and walked over to the compartment door. Being short and also standing behind Quinn she was only just barely able to catch a glimpse of who was on the other side.

Was that Atlas or Aries? Dahlia wasn't entirely sure. Why was Quinn asking about his fingers though? What was going on?

Oooppsss... Apollo forgot that sometimes just because he made it his business to know his older housemates (particularly those of notable background), apparently that didn't mean that he knew them.

"Yea. Kinda. Famous." He agreed at what Morgan said. To be honest, was it a bad thing that people knew who were based on your father?? Even if your father was kidnapped for like two years and impersonated by a dark wizard.

Oh, they didn't want to talk about what happened. Okay. He could do that. Really. Even if he sometimes (read: most of the time) lacked a filter of his thoughts, he could read the room. And particularly Mamie's face. Good thing Charlie showed up then. "Hi there, of course. I'm Apollo" In case, like her male older housemates, she too failed to learn his name. Mamie might appreciated another female present. He turned toward her, "We're gonna play. Promise. I got my own broom now." Thanks to a first year, even though he would have had one anyway, but he also got extra money too so a win-win. Wasn't it?

He nodded at Morgan at the cookie taking one of them because he wasn't about to turn down sweets. "Um. These are.... AHHH--- Mazing." And on that note, it looked the train was slowing to a halt and there were skeletal black horses waiting for them with carriages. Feast time?

Another Gryffindor, this one a girl, walked in, and Margaret smiled politely, relieved for the distraction from the bad thoughts. "Hi, I'm Margaret," she said to the older girl. Charlie, based on how the other Gryffindors referred to her.

And then Morgan McCarthy was talking about Quidditch and offering them cookies, and Margaret decided the cookies were a good enough peace offering. Well, since he was eating them too. "Do they have nuts?" she asked, hesitating before taking one. "I didn't know you knew about Quidditch." Not that she really knew anything about those older Gryffindors. Was that a weird thing to say? Maybe...

She nodded eagerly at Apollo's promise to play, impressed he had his own broom already. She'd only just gotten her parents to buy her one. And she could not wait to try it out. Maybe tomorrow, even. She glanced out at the horseless carriages as the train started arriving. Home.