Illuna gave a small smile; it was finally time for her school life to begin.
Standing in front of the Hogwarts train, she walked in with her case dragging behind her.» At least she had a lightening and expansion charm on it.
Otherwise, it would just be a bother to either carry multiple bags or one super heavy one.
She made her way to the back and placed her bag in the cupboard above the compartments.
She cooed as Midnight purred in her lap. This cat truly is the light of her life, ironic since her name is Midnight.
Illuna took out a book on potions. Might as well get a head start, especially if she will be stuck on the Hogwarts Express for potentially more than six hours.
Despite the musty smell coming from the seats, walls, and everything else in the train, she really didn't think she would be able to enjoy it for nine hours, although the scenery outside the window might be good.
Soon, two people joined her compartment. One had silky shoulder-length black hair and a slightly crooked nose. The other had long red hair that flowed like a waterfall down her back.
The redhead asked, "Could we sit here?" Illuna nodded to indicate they could sit, while still focusing on her book.
The two sat down. The girl sat on the other side, next to the boy who was glaring daggers at Illuna.
Sadly for him, Illuna did not notice, and even if she did, she would only be curious as to why.
Soon, the Hogwarts Express began to move, slightly smoke assaulting Illuna's nose, making it scrunch up a bit.
Four hours in, their compartment door was opened roughly and in stormed two boys, one with long black hair, but the other had messy brown hair with glasses on.
Both sat next to her, seeming to agree that Illuna was the one that would cause them the least amount of headaches.
They talked rather loudly, disturbing everyone else in the compartment. They began insulting another girl, seemingly randomly, calling her fat and using other unsavory words that Illuna tuned out.
Her name was Anastasia Not. Illuna had heard the name before from her father; she was from a pureblooded family.
Illuna fully understood why the two were insulting her, as Anastasia was one of those purebloods who wished to kill muggles. However, from the expressions on the other two occupants, it seemed they did not know this.
Sighing, Illuna tugged on the messy-haired boy's shirt to get his attention, although he didn't seem to notice.
The redhead on the other side did though and called out in a tiny but loud voice, "Hey, you two, she wants your attention."
She said it loud enough to interrupt their laughter and insults to another pureblood.
The boy turned to Luna. "Oh, sorry, I didn't notice you."
Illuna nodded, not minding much. "Illuna Heart...you?"
He seemed slightly taken aback by her emotionless face. "Uhh, James Potter," he answered as if unsure of his own name.
Illuna nodded. "Mr. Potter..." she said before being cut off. Interrupted by James, "Just James will do. I don't like titles."
At that, the boy next to the redhead scoffed. "Figures."
James glared at him, but Illuna spoke before he could respond. "James..."
He turned to her and nodded for her to continue. "Could you ask to not be so loud?" she asked.
The redhead over scoffed. "Yes, we can hardly hear ourselves think over your ruckus."
The boy on James' side gave a snide smile. "Why should we, though? It's not like you own the compartment."
Illuna sighed but did not continue the conversation. She had surmised that soon the conversation would develop into throwing insults at each other. Although she did not predict that the redhead would turn to her friend and grab his arm to leave.
Before they could, Illuna grabbed her robe. "C-can I come too?"
The redhead nodded, a bit confused, but agreed nonetheless. The three left to find another compartment in silence, a nice contrast to the other two who stayed.
They found an empty compartment rather quickly and happily entered, closing the door, hoping no one else would enter.
Illuna sat down with a book in hand, a small smile on her face as her cat once more jumped from her shoulder to her lap to sleep.
But before she could get immersed in her book, the redhead called out, "So, Illuna, was it?"
Illuna looked up with a small sigh. "Yes, and you are?"
The redhead smiled and introduced herself and the crooked-nosed boy next to her. "I'm Lily Evans. This is Severus Snape."
Illuna nodded and stuck out her hand. "It's nice to meet both of you."
They nodded back and took her hand each. Illuna soon responded, "Thank you for allowing me to come with you."
Lily laughed. "It's no problem. I can see why you would want to get away from those bullies."
Illuna sighed. "You would have to excuse them for their behavior."
Lily raised an eyebrow and asked, a bit heatedly, "Why!?"
Illuna didn't flinch at her tone and instead answered, "You see...it's a long story..."she hesitated.
Lily raised an eyebrow as Snape grew impatient. "Get it over with."
Illuna nodded, not caring for the animosity in his voice. "You see, the person they were insulting is from the Not family."
Lily frowned and crossed her arms in indication. "What's wrong with that family that they openly insulted them? This still sounds like bullying."
She nodded towards Lily. "It is still wrong, yes, and I suppose you're a muggle-born, thus you don't know of the wizarding world's problems."
Snape frowned when he called Lily a muggle-born. "You have a problem with my friend being a muggle?"
She shook her head, a little indignant about him even thinking she would be like that. "Not at all. My father is a muggle himself."
Lily nodded, not knowing what was going on. "So, what's the problem with the wizarding world then?"
Illuna sighed slightly, realizing this was going to take longer than she initially thought it would. Yet, before she could continue in her explanation, a knock came from the door of their compartment.
It slid open as a young woman asked with a kind smile, "Would any of you like to buy something?"
Illuna nodded slightly and made to take out some currency. "Yes, please. Tea and some biscuits would be wonderful."
After the lady left, Illuna sipped her beverage contently while dipping some biscuits in every now and again. She was fully happy to ignore Lily and Severus at that very moment.
But Lily's curiosity needed to be satiated, so she got a bit mad at being ignored by Illuna. Much to Illuna's dismay, she made her displeasure quite vocal.
Lily exclaimed as her eyebrow twitched in anger, "Are you going to tell me or not!"
The sudden shout startled the zoned-out girl, making the biscuit break off into her tea, much to her discontent.
Illuna sighed and nodded, resigning herself to her fate. "You see, the wizarding world is currently divided into two groups. The first is pro-muggle, those who approve of any muggle or muggle-born introductions to the wizarding world."
Lily nodded and gestured for her to continue. "Then there are those who believe the wizarding world should be on top and ruling over all muggles, treating them like livestock or worse."
The red-head gasped. "But they can't do that. They are human too." Illuna nodded, and Snape seemed hesitant.
Illuna continued, "This is a watered-down version of what is happening, especially since recently, some of them have been attacking muggles and, at times, muggle-borns or even half-bloods like me and Snape."
Snape sneered at her, in anger at revealing that. Was it perhaps a secret of his? Not a well-guarded one if it is; most people should know of it.
Lily looked over at Snape, her eyes going wide for a second. "You're half-blood?" she questioned, her tone now soft.
Snape nodded but indicated that he didn't wish to talk about it. Illuna was confused as to why; his situation was much better than hers. His mother actually loved his muggle-born father, unlike her own.
Illuna shook her head and continued. "The Potters, and thus James, are on the good side and are considered blood traitors. So, it makes sense to insult Anastasia, as she probably did much worse to him."
The compartment was Incased in silance for a while, awkward and quite unwelcome silance.
Illuna desided to pick up her book and read futher, she was already quite far in the charms, potion and Astronomy books. As she had read quite a bit at home in mostly boredom, but curiosity always plays a role.
She just needed to put it into practice, either at school, or right here on the train, but before she could get too far in her plans, lily once more interuped her reading "okay enough about this depression topic let's talk about each other"
Illuna looked up and upon sing lily's energetic and large smile, was a bit desturbed how 'how can anyone be that energetic right after learning off the dark side of the wizarding world.'
Snape snorted "fine I like potions and hope to be shorted into the slytherin house"
Lily smiled "i don't know what I like yet, I would like to stay with my friend 'Sev' though"
Snape blushed at the nickname, lily's wish or both.
Illuna nodded "i like Astronomy and Charms, I don't have a preference on where I wish to be shorted, perhaps I would like to go to ravenclaw"
Lily curiously asked " the house of the wise huh, why do you wish to be shorted there?"
Illuna closed her book, sure that she won't be able yo read during her time in the train
Taking her last sip of tea she answered "i heard there Is a library in the commen room, I wish to read though the books"
Snape snorted "definitely a ravenclaw"
Illuna and her new... friends? Talked for most of the ride to Hogwarts. Lily kept most of the conversation going as both Snape and Heart were never good conversationalists.
Although you can only keep talking for so long, and nine hours for people who just met, even I think that's a stretch, especially for these characters.
An hour away from Hogwarts, Illuna put away the book on potions. She had managed to finish all the theory on charms. She would have to go through it again to perfectly remember it, but she at least knows most of it.
Illuna pulled out a book, similar to a journal. She whispered to it, a password so the book would unlock.
As she began writing, causing Lily to ask, "Hey, Illuna, what book is that? A notebook perhaps?"
Illuna shook her head. "I-it's..." She caught herself stuttering before shaking her head. "It's my journal. I wish to write books on my adventures at Hogwarts or after graduation."
Lily smiled. "That's a nice dream."
To her and Severus's surprise, Illuna gave a smile at that. Sometimes, things she had not done throughout most of the trip.
Soon, they arrived at Hogwarts grounds. They got off the train, leaving their luggage as the speakers had asked of them. Lily, Severus, and Illuna talked about how Hogwarts would be while on their way.
Neither of them knew, so all had quite high expectations on it. Soon, a loud voice boomed through the courtyard.
"All first years over here with me!!!"
All the first years looked over and saw a giant of a man, double the length of an average person but at least three times the size.
The first years stopped, some fearful. Much to Lily and Snape's surprise, Illuna walked right up to the giant along with a boy they all had met on the train.
James stretched out his hand to the giant. "Hi, I'm James, James Potter."
The giant laughed. "I didn't expect the first years to greet me like this. I'm Hagrid, Rubeus. You can call me Hagrid."
Hagrid looked over at Luna and smiled. "And you, young lady?"
Luna nodded at him. "Luna Heart. Pleased to meet you. I believe I met you in Diagon Alley, especially since it's not every day you meet a half-giant."
Hagrid nodded back and scratched his head. "I suppose so." He gestured for all to get into the boats. "Well, best not keep the teachers waiting. Let's move."
He took an entire boat for himself while Luna got into a boat with Lily, Snape, and another boy she didn't know.