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If you want to be the last to leave or want to hang with the more rowdy crowd, then the back passenger cars of the train are for you. Just like the other cars, a long corridor provides access to the many compartments, each labelled with a letter, available for you and your friends to hunker down in until the train has come to a complete stop. Cushioned seats and large windows, allowing perfect views of the British scenery on your journey, await.
Well, what are you waiting for? Slide open a compartment door and make yourself at home. Place any of your belongings not in the luggage car on the racks above you. Chat with your friends about what you did this summer, enjoy munching on the snacks you bought from the trolley lady, get ahead of the game by reading your textbooks, or take a long nap as the train travels over numerous hills and mountainsides. Whatever you do, exhibit your best behaviour -- the prefects will be regularly patrolling the corridors and poking their heads inside your compartment to make sure you are doing so.
Bella pushed up the door to an empty compartment on the back of the train dragging her heavy trunk in with her. After lifting the trunk up on the rack she collapsed on the cushioned compartment seat in a sweaty heap with her diary in her lap. The diary had fallen open so that anyone that entered could see that Bella had written hearts around Apollo's name and had written how cute and fantastic he was and it wasn't just because he was her BFF.
Bella pushed up the door to an empty compartment on the back of the train dragging her heavy trunk in with her. After lifting the trunk up on the rack she collapsed on the cushioned compartment seat in a sweaty heap with her diary in her lap. The diary had fallen open so that anyone that entered could see that Bella had written hearts around Apollo's name and had written how cute and fantastic he was and it wasn't just because he was her BFF.
This time, the reason Ash didn’t wanna come to Hogwarts was because she’d miss home. That was strange. Home kinda sucked. There was Father! And... and Megan Olivia, but she had the awful feeling that she might miss the lady. She’d miss her brothers. Both of them. And her bodyguards... and her friends. She liked them. Ugh. When had she decided to have feelings? Feeling meant crying and crying was dumb. So she slipped into a compartment and sat down, intentionally ignoring all her emotions. She almost pulled out her sketchbook, but that would make her feel things. She didn’t wanna feel things.Instead she just looked straight ahead. Oh. There was Bella. She glanced at the book in her lap... ohhhh that was NOT a book. She raised a sorta amused eyebrow at Bella. “Your journal is open, by the way.”
This time, the reason Ash didn’t wanna come to Hogwarts was because she’d miss home. That was strange. Home kinda sucked. There was Father! And... and Megan Olivia, but she had the awful feeling that she might miss the lady. She’d miss her brothers. Both of them. And her bodyguards... and her friends. She liked them. Ugh. When had she decided to have feelings? Feeling meant crying and crying was dumb. So she slipped into a compartment and sat down, intentionally ignoring all her emotions. She almost pulled out her sketchbook, but that would make her feel things. She didn’t wanna feel things.Instead she just looked straight ahead. Oh. There was Bella. She glanced at the book in her lap... ohhhh that was NOT a book. She raised a sorta amused eyebrow at Bella. “Your journal is open, by the way.”
Bella was on her way to Hogwarts, but she for some reason wasn't filled with the usual start of term excitement. Was it because it was her third year already? Or was it because she didn't want to face Apollo? It was probably the latter, but Bella wasn't going to admit that to just anyone and especially not to Apollo if he showed up on the train. There was the mum reason too, but Bella wasn't in the mood to think too much about that. She was staring out the window, willing the train to leave the platform by the time Ashley waltzed into her compartment. Hearing Ashley's comment Bella's face immediatley went blood red with embarrassment as she quickly turned away from the window to close her journal mumbling to Ashley. "I was just doodling hearts Ashley...I uh am not in love with Apollo...he is my...he is my BFF, you know?"
Bella was on her way to Hogwarts, but she for some reason wasn't filled with the usual start of term excitement. Was it because it was her third year already? Or was it because she didn't want to face Apollo? It was probably the latter, but Bella wasn't going to admit that to just anyone and especially not to Apollo if he showed up on the train. There was the mum reason too, but Bella wasn't in the mood to think too much about that. She was staring out the window, willing the train to leave the platform by the time Ashley waltzed into her compartment. Hearing Ashley's comment Bella's face immediatley went blood red with embarrassment as she quickly turned away from the window to close her journal mumbling to Ashley. "I was just doodling hearts Ashley...I uh am not in love with Apollo...he is my...he is my BFF, you know?"
Ash liked being called Ashley. It wasn’t right. She wasn’t Ashley anymore, obviously. Ashley didn’t really exist, cuz she was replaced by Ash. She never felt like much of an Ashley now. But clearly, some people still thought of her like that. She liked it. Ashley was a better person. And a more likable person. And a happier person. Etc. It was even more interesting because how had Bella met her again? Oh yeah, finding her sleeping in a hallway, in danger of being murdered. She was definitely Ash by that point.
Ash smirked and tilted her head. “Of course you’re not in love with Apollo. Just like I am not a muggleborn, or a surfer, or an arsonist.” Outrageous lies, they were talking here. She snorted. “Course you’re in love with Apollo.” Lots of people crushed on their best friends. Tadhg and Dahlia. Theodore and herself. She leaned forward and looked in Bella’s eyes. “I won’t tell.” True. What would be the point?
Ash liked being called Ashley. It wasn’t right. She wasn’t Ashley anymore, obviously. Ashley didn’t really exist, cuz she was replaced by Ash. She never felt like much of an Ashley now. But clearly, some people still thought of her like that. She liked it. Ashley was a better person. And a more likable person. And a happier person. Etc. It was even more interesting because how had Bella met her again? Oh yeah, finding her sleeping in a hallway, in danger of being murdered. She was definitely Ash by that point.
Ash smirked and tilted her head. “Of course you’re not in love with Apollo. Just like I am not a muggleborn, or a surfer, or an arsonist.” Outrageous lies, they were talking here. She snorted. “Course you’re in love with Apollo.” Lots of people crushed on their best friends. Tadhg and Dahlia. Theodore and herself. She leaned forward and looked in Bella’s eyes. “I won’t tell.” True. What would be the point?
Bella scooted backwards against the compartment seat, kicking off her shoes and pulling her legs up under her on the cushioned seat. Pulling her journal up to her chest she said slowly but firmly, looking across the compartment at Ashley. "Stop saying that about yourself Ashley! You are a good and likeable person. I know you aren’t an arsonist." Why the lies? It was just the two of them there and the door was shut so nobody could hear them unless they had extendable ears, and they weren’t allowed on the train. They were friends, they had connected after that near life and death experience a few years back.
Taking a long breath, she said quietly as she met Ashley’s eyes. "You have to promise to not tell anyone that I’m in love with Apollo. I do not want to be the centre of the gossip talk of the feast." That’d be so horrible and would make her wish she could sink into the floor and disappear. "Are you going to miss any of the professors that left?"
Bella scooted backwards against the compartment seat, kicking off her shoes and pulling her legs up under her on the cushioned seat. Pulling her journal up to her chest she said slowly but firmly, looking across the compartment at Ashley. "Stop saying that about yourself Ashley! You are a good and likeable person. I know you aren’t an arsonist." Why the lies? It was just the two of them there and the door was shut so nobody could hear them unless they had extendable ears, and they weren’t allowed on the train. They were friends, they had connected after that near life and death experience a few years back.
Taking a long breath, she said quietly as she met Ashley’s eyes. "You have to promise to not tell anyone that I’m in love with Apollo. I do not want to be the centre of the gossip talk of the feast." That’d be so horrible and would make her wish she could sink into the floor and disappear. "Are you going to miss any of the professors that left?"
Ash tilted her head. Was she nice? Not really. Was she likable? Apparently. Was she an arsonist? Sorta... yeah. There was lots of technical stuff that made it not her fault, but she had definitely started a fire with the intent of destroying stuff. Also, what did she do in the evil daydream simulation? She burned down the house. “Not legally, maybe.” And Bella was free to use whichever interpretation she liked, although Ash would always see herself as an arsonist. Sure she was possessed, but she wondered if maybe she only got possessed because she was weak. And the other incident only happened in her head, but that was fully her fault. She liked fire.
Yeah, sure, whatever.” She held out her hand. “Let’s pinky promise. That’s like an unbreakable vow. I don’t even want to tell anyone. You’re my friend, so I don’t even want to hurt you a little tiny bit.” And what was the point of telling? Hurt two of her friends??? Make herself look bad??? Tell everyone something that they probably should have figured out themselves??? Nah. Plus, Ash liked having more information than everyone else.
She looked out the window uncomfortably. “I don’t know. I liked them. I wish they didn’t leave. But now that they’re gone... I can’t bring myself to care very much, not when they’re probably perfectly happy to never see me again.” What was the point of missing people? They were dead, gone, and/or hoping to never see you again. They wouldn’t miss you. Why care? Because you loved them. NO. No no no no no. No. Ash didn’t miss anyone. She didn’t care. Not even a little bit. No. She wouldn’t let herself care. ANYWAY.
Ash tilted her head. Was she nice? Not really. Was she likable? Apparently. Was she an arsonist? Sorta... yeah. There was lots of technical stuff that made it not her fault, but she had definitely started a fire with the intent of destroying stuff. Also, what did she do in the evil daydream simulation? She burned down the house. “Not legally, maybe.” And Bella was free to use whichever interpretation she liked, although Ash would always see herself as an arsonist. Sure she was possessed, but she wondered if maybe she only got possessed because she was weak. And the other incident only happened in her head, but that was fully her fault. She liked fire.
Yeah, sure, whatever.” She held out her hand. “Let’s pinky promise. That’s like an unbreakable vow. I don’t even want to tell anyone. You’re my friend, so I don’t even want to hurt you a little tiny bit.” And what was the point of telling? Hurt two of her friends??? Make herself look bad??? Tell everyone something that they probably should have figured out themselves??? Nah. Plus, Ash liked having more information than everyone else.
She looked out the window uncomfortably. “I don’t know. I liked them. I wish they didn’t leave. But now that they’re gone... I can’t bring myself to care very much, not when they’re probably perfectly happy to never see me again.” What was the point of missing people? They were dead, gone, and/or hoping to never see you again. They wouldn’t miss you. Why care? Because you loved them. NO. No no no no no. No. Ash didn’t miss anyone. She didn’t care. Not even a little bit. No. She wouldn’t let herself care. ANYWAY.
You should write your diaries in code.”
Hold up! Stop the train. Wow, Ashley was serious about the arson thing or was that how she was supposed to interpret it? Suddenly feeling very uncomfortable Bella was super glad when Ashley held out her hand for a pinky swear. Anything to quit them talking about arson because that was a very scary water to discuss and something she didn't want to think too closely about.
Leaning forwards Bella held out her left hand's pinky to connect with Ashley's. "You are my friend too Ashley and I don't want to hurt you in any way either, not even a teeny tiny bit." It was reassuring to hear that Ashley wasn't going to out her secret at the feast, someone else would have jumped at the chance. "Do you think Apollo knows how I feel about him? That I have a crush on him I mean?" He hadn't exactly showed to her that he did when they had hung out during the summer. Now that Bella thought about it she realized that he hadn't even noticed when she had felt akward or had been close to kissing him.
After making sure that her diary was locked, she sat it down on the seat next to her. Refocusing on Ashley and what she was saying Bella's eyes widened with slight shock and some flaring anger. "That's so not true. If Professor Schome and Professor Recard was here they'd protest as much as me. You don't think so but I know for a fact Ashley that many people care about you and would miss you if you'd disappear. If you were to get hurt right know there'd be many of our peers on this train that would come running to your aid and not just me."
Heaving a sigh to control her anger Bella finished. "You are worth getting know Ashley so please stop thinking that you aren't." As for her jdiary, she wasn't going to write it in code. It'd be too complicated.
Hold up! Stop the train. Wow, Ashley was serious about the arson thing or was that how she was supposed to interpret it? Suddenly feeling very uncomfortable Bella was super glad when Ashley held out her hand for a pinky swear. Anything to quit them talking about arson because that was a very scary water to discuss and something she didn't want to think too closely about.
Leaning forwards Bella held out her left hand's pinky to connect with Ashley's. "You are my friend too Ashley and I don't want to hurt you in any way either, not even a teeny tiny bit." It was reassuring to hear that Ashley wasn't going to out her secret at the feast, someone else would have jumped at the chance. "Do you think Apollo knows how I feel about him? That I have a crush on him I mean?" He hadn't exactly showed to her that he did when they had hung out during the summer. Now that Bella thought about it she realized that he hadn't even noticed when she had felt akward or had been close to kissing him.
After making sure that her diary was locked, she sat it down on the seat next to her. Refocusing on Ashley and what she was saying Bella's eyes widened with slight shock and some flaring anger. "That's so not true. If Professor Schome and Professor Recard was here they'd protest as much as me. You don't think so but I know for a fact Ashley that many people care about you and would miss you if you'd disappear. If you were to get hurt right know there'd be many of our peers on this train that would come running to your aid and not just me."
Heaving a sigh to control her anger Bella finished. "You are worth getting know Ashley so please stop thinking that you aren't." As for her jdiary, she wasn't going to write it in code. It'd be too complicated.
Ash shrugged. "I dunno. I mean, it's obvious. But maybe he's oblivious." A lot of people were like that. "That doesn't really say much about whether he likes you back tho. He could be ignoring it to spare your feelings, or he could have a big crush on you without realizing at all that you liked him too." It was complicated. Ash thought the world would be easier if everyone would say everything they thought and fight over that instead of going in circles and misunderstanding each other.
She looked up. "If they were here. Which they are not." Because they left, get it? "You know, every professor I talk to one-on-one leaves that same year. Except for Kazmi, I think? But I've gotten 3/4 already." She shrugged. It might not be her fault, but it was definitely a sign. Don't get attached.
You don't think so but I know for a fact Ashley that many people care about you and would miss you if you'd disappear. Really? Would they really miss her, or would they just feel guilty? She didn't know. Obviously some people really would miss her, and obviously Kinsay would feel guilty(and maybe miss her, but who knew). But the rest? What about them?
Ash opened her mouth to speak further, then thought better of it. She looked out the window. She sighed. She let her cat sit on her head like a hat. She paused for a really long time. "How was your summer, Bella?"
Ash shrugged. "I dunno. I mean, it's obvious. But maybe he's oblivious." A lot of people were like that. "That doesn't really say much about whether he likes you back tho. He could be ignoring it to spare your feelings, or he could have a big crush on you without realizing at all that you liked him too." It was complicated. Ash thought the world would be easier if everyone would say everything they thought and fight over that instead of going in circles and misunderstanding each other.
She looked up. "If they were here. Which they are not." Because they left, get it? "You know, every professor I talk to one-on-one leaves that same year. Except for Kazmi, I think? But I've gotten 3/4 already." She shrugged. It might not be her fault, but it was definitely a sign. Don't get attached.
You don't think so but I know for a fact Ashley that many people care about you and would miss you if you'd disappear. Really? Would they really miss her, or would they just feel guilty? She didn't know. Obviously some people really would miss her, and obviously Kinsay would feel guilty(and maybe miss her, but who knew). But the rest? What about them?
Ash opened her mouth to speak further, then thought better of it. She looked out the window. She sighed. She let her cat sit on her head like a hat. She paused for a really long time. "How was your summer, Bella?"
You are worth getting to know, Ashley..."Thanks."
'It's obvious.'Going from angry to scared to worried took only a matter of seconds. Gulping down hard Bella repeated worriedly. "You really think it’s obvious to everyone that I'm in love with Apollo?" Oh sweet snidgets, please let it not be true. Was she such an open book to everyone but Apollo? Not wanting to finish that line of thinking Bella said instead hastily. "I hope that Apollo is just oblivious because if he knows about my crush, but hasn't said anything because he doesn’t feel the same or thinks it’s silly...That’d be horrible.." It would totally complicate their relationship. Would Bella have the guts to tell Apollo how she felt? Maybe it was dependent on a lot of things. It’d be super scary. Was it okay to be in love with her best friend? Maybe it meant that she was cursed..She’d have to ask Professor Euka as soon as term started.
Eyes widening slightly Bella shook her shoulders and murmured back to Ashley with some firm for a 13 year old. "Don’t lay that weight on yourself or read in signs where there are none, Ashley. It’s not your fault those professors left. You only did what all kids our age do and if you didn’t want to talk to at least one professor alone that you like more than the others, then that’d be weird." Just saying. Bella was by no means an expert but what else could she say to pull Ashley away from the gloom?
Watching as Ashley put her cat on her head as hat Bella blinked and asked bewildered "When did you get a cat?" Had she known that Ashley had one, probably but she didn’t remember it this second. "I had a good summer. I went to the Diagon Alley celebration. Did you visit it too? The magical bumper cars were pretty fun as well as the fireworks booth." She didn’t mention the magical mirror maze because she was still not completely over the nasty things certain mirrors had said to her about certain people. "Did you have a good summer Ashley?" Bella wondered, wishing that she hadn’t forgotten her kneazle at home.
'It's obvious.'Going from angry to scared to worried took only a matter of seconds. Gulping down hard Bella repeated worriedly. "You really think it’s obvious to everyone that I'm in love with Apollo?" Oh sweet snidgets, please let it not be true. Was she such an open book to everyone but Apollo? Not wanting to finish that line of thinking Bella said instead hastily. "I hope that Apollo is just oblivious because if he knows about my crush, but hasn't said anything because he doesn’t feel the same or thinks it’s silly...That’d be horrible.." It would totally complicate their relationship. Would Bella have the guts to tell Apollo how she felt? Maybe it was dependent on a lot of things. It’d be super scary. Was it okay to be in love with her best friend? Maybe it meant that she was cursed..She’d have to ask Professor Euka as soon as term started.
Eyes widening slightly Bella shook her shoulders and murmured back to Ashley with some firm for a 13 year old. "Don’t lay that weight on yourself or read in signs where there are none, Ashley. It’s not your fault those professors left. You only did what all kids our age do and if you didn’t want to talk to at least one professor alone that you like more than the others, then that’d be weird." Just saying. Bella was by no means an expert but what else could she say to pull Ashley away from the gloom?
Watching as Ashley put her cat on her head as hat Bella blinked and asked bewildered "When did you get a cat?" Had she known that Ashley had one, probably but she didn’t remember it this second. "I had a good summer. I went to the Diagon Alley celebration. Did you visit it too? The magical bumper cars were pretty fun as well as the fireworks booth." She didn’t mention the magical mirror maze because she was still not completely over the nasty things certain mirrors had said to her about certain people. "Did you have a good summer Ashley?" Bella wondered, wishing that she hadn’t forgotten her kneazle at home.
Ash shrugged. “It’s obvious to me. But I’ve known you for a while, and I also know what I’m looking for.” What was she looking for? The telltale signs that two besties were crushing on each other... the whole “doodling hearts in a diary” thing was a pretty good sign. “Keep in mind that I’m the only one who saw this. I might be biased because I know it’s true, so everything becomes obvious.”
Ash felt guilty about worrying her friends so much. Although... it was hard to feel much of anything when she was being shaken so hard. “Alright alright, I won’t.” Stop shaking her pls.
“I got her when I was starting first year. I used to call her Luna but then she got a few scars like I did and now I call her Scar instead.” Ash winced uncomfortably as the cat shifted, a paw uncomfortably close to her eye. She pulled Scar back down to sit it her lap. ”Sure I went to the festival. Face painting, fireworks, zap-a-snitch... awful mirror mazes that I didn’t mean to enter... what else could a girl want? My muggle bodyguard hit a snitch on his first try. Can you believe?” She shrugged and looked out the window. “My summer was... alright, I guess. I saw my boyfriend. I saw Father. I saw stepmom 2.0 and my little brother that I didn’t know existed. I saw my other brother. I saw my bodyguards again, and all my muggle and wizard friends. I- I got a therapist.” She tapped her fingers on the window. Her cat meowed. “This is the first time I’ve ever felt homesick. But it’s also the first time I wanted to come back.” It’s complicated.
Back Cars 
x3
