September 1, 1991
King's Cross - London, England
"C'mon now then! Blow the candle little Elliot!," An ear breaking shout comes from Ezmond's mouth as Richard foolishly showers me with paper designs in the middle of the train station, yeah, in the middle of King's Cross Station.
Looking around, I can see lots of people are rushing around as 11 AM approaches quickly. Yet here we are, group of 9, Owlers, Raizel and me, as they apparently wanted to celebrate my birthday before I part off.
We were getting large amount of gazes from others, some even staying to watch us like were in some kind of event.
"Yeah yeah, I get it, now will you shut off?" I asked silently for others not to hear. They didn't bother hearing my words and the reckless ones were jumping around like monkeys as they wait for me to blow the candle.
I looked at my watch for a bit, seeing the 55th minute pass on, staring in front of me as Raizel embarrassingly holds a big tall cake that should cost high with how the designs of it are very extravagant. It holds three layers coated with milk and dark chocolate. Frosting in sides acting as a barrier, white chocolate that mixes in. 11 candles were standing tall waving with the air. There's a note in the middle simply saying "Happy Birthday Our Head Owler".
I squint my eyes cringing, quickly finishing the matter as I blow off the candles in one breath, the group clapping like jovial kids in a children's party.
"Enough of this, I'm very late if you see the time," I held my luggage in tight hands. As they stay still, getting the cake in the box, to bid goodbye to me.
"Have a good first year," Kennedy in the side silently said, and others soon follow.
"Happy birthday Elliot! Good School Year!"
".... ehm... Happy... birthday...."
"Merry Birthday little Owler! Make sure to make a good impression to your homo Headmaster!"
"YAH, HDJDKDJJ, NOT MY HAIR!"
"Happy Birthday El, wish you a happy year"
Grey finished it off with her proper message. I laugh a bit at their different reactions, others were cold, others were silly happy, and others didn't really care at all.
"Goodbye! Don't dare skip a day of training!" I waved my hands straight off going for the brick wall
of the Platform 9 3/4, holding the golden ticket in my hands very carefully. Going in, it was being squeezed in inside, pretty uncomfortable for a moment or so.
Arriving at the other side, I see the scarlet themed engine train that now is pulling off smokes indicating its about to go off.
There were a lot, as in a LOT, of people, sending goodbye to their children or relatives that is now inside the train. Squeezing in, I got hold of the handle of the train, only seconds left before it will go off.
Pissed off by my big luggage, I didn't care anymore and just used a wandless and nonverbal charm, as others were too focused on their kids that they should noticed about the sudden reduction of my luggage's size. 'Reducio'
11 AM hits the clock, the large honk sounding and the train started moving almost knocking me out of balance.
Looking through the small hallway, most compartments were already filled, cursing my squad under my breath. I swear I'm not a late person.
I put my shrinked luggage in my bag, my clothes fully mixed in with the people's smell as It was very crowdy outside. I walk forward staring at each compartment, most of them locked as people inside are already conversing and interacting with each other like the extrovert they are.
The train was already moving so it was pretty dizzying for me already, though I have taken my medications regarding my motion sickness, simple pill for a day won't brush it off when your literally walking while the train is moving.
There were some others staring at me, making weird smiles and all, I looked behind me to see the lady that are serving sweets and foods already going around. I then fasten up my pace, on forward as I still see the fully boarded compartments. This will be those times you see me very desperate that even asking where it's socializing, I accepted it.
Going forward, I managed to get a glimpse of Harry's compartment. Where he send me a nice smile while Ron sends me a goofy smile even though he doesn't know me yet, only going along as Harry looked at me. I returned a fake one back, seeing as how Hermione isn't in yet; Then there was Neville, Finnigan, Abbot, Thomas and other more.
Bullshitting my way through, I sighed, wave of relief going to my whole soul as I arrived at an empty, well technically not, a compartment with a sleeping boy in the side.
I opened it, thankful it was not locked, he was not responding to my entrance, meaning his either deep asleep for not hearing the loud ass door or just very introverted to the max he will stay in that rather uncomfortable position pretending to sleep in a moving train.
I didn't bother, looking up, I saw his luggage, not that well in condition but who I am to judge? Most people would probably question me if I arrive in Hogwarts without any luggage so I will enlarge it again maybe later.
Without any carry, I sat on the hard seat. Laying my head back, sweats starting off the day. Since we're practically going to Scotland from England, should take about 5 hours or so. Which will be pretty troublesome if you're just sitting in without doing anything.
There were no movements from the boy rather, he was short, to compare, probably Neville's height. Not that it's really short for their age, but rather short for my height.
His face is covered with a black coat that has some holes among the parts. Presumably the hand me downs that you can buy from Diagon Alley. If I were to guess, most people are off there buying, if they're either not that well financially, orphan, or just rather very stingy. And if you're homeless or orphaned without any budget or money in you, all the equipments will be free for you, but the catch is its already used by others. Hand Me Down Clothes in other words.
I stopped observing, going to my business, the pill for motion sickness is rather going off well. I looked at my watch for which only few minutes have passed, as then the compartment door opened as the lady carrying a trolley ask her usual words.
"Anything off the trolley my-... dears?" Her eyes landed onto the sleeping boy, and I just smiled giving her some few galleons to buy some pumpkin juice and loads of chocalate frogs. It's not the brand I really prefer but it will do.
I handed some few galleons, and by loads of cholocate frogs, I mean all. She then gave me a package that contains them all, about few hundreds or so, as I divided it on half, the other onto the bag, the half for myself.
I sent a look to the sleeping guy, no hints of waking up. I shrug, staring off the window to pass time, seeing the beautiful scenery that the strange places the Wizarding World gives.
Then a knock was on the door, seeing the proper already dresses Hermione, if I recall, it's about Neville's toad.
"Have you see-"
Opening the door, I let her speak. Only for her to stop a bit as she stares into my eye uncomfortable, turning away as faint light pink blush hides under her bushy hair, continuing as she avoid my eyes. "Have you seen a toad? A boy named Neville lost one."
I only shook my head, and she immediately parts off closing the door properly. I lay my eyes back again to the window. I guess it's the start of the event that ruined my whole life in the past. It's giving me a few anxiety as all the people that disdained me in the past are just innocently popping up in my eyes, knowing nothing of the future they unintentionally gave to me.
It gives me few shivers, talking to the people that brings back the nostalgic yet painful backstory. But I shrug at that thought, fully sweeping off it out of my mind, this is what I prepared for those years. Training, suffering, hardworks, and risking chances that can almost lead me to trouble. Some little problems that will occur now isn't a thing to worry for I guess.
I closed my eyes, blinking.
I gulped, going into the food I bought, picking one chocolate frog opening it, and unfortunately picking a live one. It goes off around the room, my fast reflexes unluckily not catching it as I was caught off guard, but seeing where it landed, I grunted as it just foolishly decided to go to the sleeping boy's cloth, jumping up and down. I'm not sure what to do, the boy might cursed me because of the troublesome frog, so I quickly gone up to grab the frog, only to also grab the coat with it. Revealing the sudden woken up boy in his sleep.
Brown hair, chocolate eyes, broken glasses, and freckles.
He looked at me petrified, as I do the same widening my eyes and mouth simultaneously, for him to also do the very same.
"........" He sends me a... broken look? His eyes were full of disgust, hatred or some depressing feelings hidden in it.
"Justin..."