According to what Alphonse told me, Hogwarts was different many years ago. Back then, some Hogwarts students used to arrive at the school in whatever way they preferred. Some rode broomsticks (a difficult feat when carrying trunks and pets); others took enchanted carts and later carriages; some tried to Apparate (often with disastrous effects, since the castle and grounds had always been protected by Anti-Apparition enchantments); others rode a variety of magical creatures.
The bustle of magical families made it almost impossible to walk. Some cried with joy to see that their children would finally be able to study in one of the most famous magic schools; others cried at the thought of the time they would be separated from their families; and others simply couldn't wait to get on the train and have their parents leave them alone.
Iolita leapt down from the top of the cart, where she had been sleeping peacefully, to perch on my head once again. The burning of the gem on my wrist flared momentarily while Iolita settled back on my head.
"Easy, it'll all calm down soon."
Alphonse covered my gem with bandages as a precaution, to avoid questions or suspicions about why a child would have a gem embedded in his wrist.
Steam from the scarlet engine filled the platform. Different animals darted around the wizards' legs while owls screeched at each other, some hungry as they watched rats scurrying everywhere. Meanwhile, hordes of students and parents moved through the vapor almost like lost souls wandering the world, their voices through the mist growing louder amidst the chaos surrounding us.
Even the Weasley family, who had entered just moments before us, vanished into the noise and crowd.
"Well, listen to me. We're finally here. This is the moment of our farewell. I know it won't be that hard for a child as intelligent and well-mannered as you, but remember this: you still have plenty of time to become whatever you want to be in life, so don't pressure yourself. Have fun, make friends, enjoy every class and every corner of the school," – said Alphonse as he adjusted my clothes. – "One more thing about last night… the question you asked me. I believe there's a hero in all of us. It gives us strength and makes us noble, it keeps us honest, and in the end, it allows us to die with pride. That's why I know you'll find someone like that in your life. Because even though I've suffered much in mine, it would be unfair to say life was bad to me, when it was this very life that made me meet you, my lord."
Those last words made my skin prickle. An image returned to my mind. A vivid memory of when Alphonse was in my arms, surrounded by great darkness, where only the sobbing cries of people could be heard amid the catastrophe. A place where there was nothing but death—the day they took control of Beauxbatons Academy. A day I do not hope to live again in this time.
Finally, at 11:00, a whistle blew announcing the train's departure, and the hiss of pistons filled the platform as the train began to move, creaking out of the station while families stood to watch their children leave for school.
Without another word, Alphonse hugged me tightly, almost as if this were the last time we would ever see each other. But this time, it won't be like that. This time I have one last chance, just one more attempt.
After storing away my belongings, I decided to find a seat where there weren't so many people. The noise of laughter and shouts from the students reuniting with their classmates was quite bothersome. The Express was faster than I had imagined, and even bigger than I had thought.
Iolita hadn't left my head for quite a while, so it was best to sit down as soon as possible so my neck could rest.
The gem hadn't hurt again. The pain from earlier was very strange, since it hadn't hurt since the first time it appeared on my wrist, not even during training had there been any unusual signs.
"Are you new, right?" – asked a thin boy with glasses who was sitting alone in one of the compartments.
"Yes, it's my first time here."
"I see, I understand how you must feel. Being new is always a drag," – said the boy.
"What year are you in?"
"Me? … I'm new too," – said the boy with a wide smile. – "Can't find somewhere to sit? If you want, you can sit here. As you can see… people fight over seats here." – he finished with a sarcastic tone as he smiled.
"I suppose it's not that bad," – I said as I took a seat.
"Right? I'm so excited! This is going to be the best stage of my life. Sure, we'll have to study theory and all the boring stuff, but I can't wait to cast spells, play Quidditch, and tame incredible beasts," – the boy said excitedly. – "By the way, what's your name?"
"My name is Dion, it's a pleasure. And what's yours?"
"Uhh, Dion… what a curious name. It's pretty uncommon around here… People usually call me the Great Dementor-Slaying Wizard, but my friends and family call me Patrick," – he said while striking a ridiculous pose on the Express seat.
"Oh, look how ridiculous that boy is, hahahaha." – laughter and voices echoed from other students passing through the corridor, making Patrick sit back down, a little embarrassed.
"Did you eat anything before coming? Or are you hungry?" – Patrick asked.
"Honestly, I haven't eaten anything. I was too anxious about getting here on time."
"Ohh, so we're the same. But the good side is, I heard someone always comes down the corridor with a cart full of magical sweets. They're insane."
How curious. On the Beauxbatons carriages, there were usually snacks and the occasional candy for students on their way to the academy, meant to provide an elegant and comfortable experience for each one.
"Children, would you like some sweets?" – we could hear a lady's voice approaching from the back of the Express, pushing a cart.
"Hey, brat, got some money to lend us?" – the same boys who had mocked Patrick moments ago came directly at him, threateningly, since they were older students.
A silence filled the compartment where we were sitting.
"Ohh, not talking? Seems like you want us to make you talk," – said one of the three bullies intimidating Patrick.
How can older students do this to first-years? That's cowardice at its worst…
"Eh, no, no, let me check how much money I've got," – Patrick said nervously, searching his pockets.
After Patrick pulled out some silver Sickles and bronze Knuts from his robe—
"That'll do," – said the boy, snatching the money from Patrick's hands.
"But that's all I have," – Patrick said.
"Too bad, we need it more."
What disgusting people… Alphonse asked me not to get into trouble, but I'm sick of just watching this. The gem began to burn on my forearm, and Iolita awoke, quite agitated.
Iolita leapt straight at one of the three bullies, while the other two crashed into each other and fell to the floor. Without hesitation, I drew my wand and aimed it at all three.
"Slugulus Eructo!"
Moments later, a green light shot toward the three older bullies. A rather repulsive spell for anyone who receives it, a spell I'm not proud to use on my first day at the academy, but, as my teacher used to say, it's a good lesson for bullies who hurt innocent people.
Seconds after being struck by the spell, the three began to let out loud burps, accompanied by slugs pouring from their mouths. This spell had the side effect of weakening its victims due to the retching caused by slug vomiting.
"Y-you (vomits a slug)… how dare you (vomits another slug)… attack us…" – said one of the bullies.
Without lowering my wand, I kept it aimed straight at them.