The old steam train belched white smoke and let out a low, resounding whistle.
The train carrying the future of Britain's wizarding world began to move.
Hermione sat quietly in the compartment with Gadding with Ghouls in her arms. This was already her second time reading it that summer.
Crookshanks lay obediently on Su Er's lap. The big ginger cat had surrendered to Su Er's practiced petting technique and purred contentedly...
The sunlight, no longer quite so scorching, streamed through the glass window onto the two of them.
The entire compartment felt warm and cozy.
Before long, the compartment door slid open with a clatter.
"Have you seen our Little Ronnie?" A redheaded boy poked his head inside. "Hello, Su Er."
"You..." For a moment, Su Er couldn't tell who this was.
"I'm Fred," the redheaded boy said. Then the other twin came in too. "Nonsense, I'm Fred!"
Right behind them, a little girl with flushed cheeks squeezed inside as well. It was Ginny.
"Are you asking about Ron?" Hermione closed her book. "I haven't seen Ron or Harry. Weren't they with you?"
"We did come together. Harry and Ron were the last to go onto the platform, and we haven't been able to find them since. Mum was frantic." Fred shrugged. "Naughty Little Ronnie, always surprising us when we least expect it."
"Have you checked all the compartments?" Hermione asked next.
"We're still looking. We've only just reached yours," George said. "Percy disappeared as soon as he got on."
"I'll come and help you look, then." Hermione stood up.
"I'll sit this one out," Su Er said. "Maybe they're eating snacks in some compartment. You could try Neville's. When Hermione and I came over earlier, we saw him going into a compartment over there with a little girl from