Seventh Year..Hooray?

Location:Hogwarts Express, Compartment 8
Date:: September 1st
Status: Open

Emmeline Breeanna Vance laid back in her seat, gazing out the window at her frantically waving family. Well, frantically waving older brother and sister. Mr. and Mrs. Vance couldn't make the trip to see their youngest off on her final trip from King's Cross Station-Platform 9 3/4, so her older siblings had insisted upon making the journey.

Serena, her 20 year old sister, was pretending to sob into her 22 year old brother Hunter's arm. Hunter was reassuringly patting Serena's shoulder as he seriously waved Emmeline good bye. She returned the wave, and laughed when Serena feigned blowing her nose into Hunter's sleeve, causing him to drop the serious act and push Serena off of him. The two gently smacked each other on the shoulder before resuming waving to their sister.

The train then began to pull away, and Emmeline watched her brother and sister until the train pulled the corner, and the two apparated away. She sighed and stretched out across the seat. I can't believe I found a compartment all to myself this year. Usually I end up having to share one with the first years. Not that that bothers me, but at least now I can do some reading without having to worry about a first year crying onto my shoulder because she misses her parents on throwing up on the floor because he gets motion sick.

Emmeline sat up and retrieved the book she'd been carrying and had placed on her lap. Leaning against the wall with her legs full length on the seat, she began reading Ancient Magic of England and Ireland. She was then completely immersed in her reading, all sound fading around her except for the quick turn of pages.

Munching on a licorice wand, Karen stepped back from the baggage cart as a 6th year Ravenclaw offered to put her luggage up for her. As he dusted his hands off, she thanked him gratefully as she patted his shoulder a few times making his neck flush under his t-shirt. As he walked toward the 6th year compartments, Karen gave him a slight wave and turned away. Being quite average height, she had to move to the corner so she wouldn’t get trampled by the younger students. As embarrassing as it was, many if not most of them were quite taller then her. ‘What in Merlin do these kids eat nowadays? Bottles of Skele-Grow?’ She thought to herself with a shake of her head. As she tip toed up to peek over the crowd, her left hand grasped a compartment door to keep her balance.

Suddenly one of the giant 4th years bumped into her causing Karen’s hand to slip as she accidentally pushed the compartment door open and toppled inside. Grimacing as she smacked her elbow against the side of the door, a sharp pain shot up her arm. As she sat upwards, Karen leaned against the door for a moment and massaged her arm. Hearing a cough in the corner, startled, she looked up and saw Emmeline gazing at her strangely. Feeling a flush creep up her cheeks, Karen hastily stood up and threaded her fingers through her brown curls.

“Sorry, one of the 4th years pushed me and I fell in here. They’ve gotten a lot larger then I remember.” She explained with an embarrassed smile. “I hope I’m not bothering you. I’m Karen Rosmerta.”