His first year had come and gone by in no time, leaving behind some excellent memories. Summer too had scurried by and there had been moments where he learnt new stuff. There had been new sweets that papa Ren had taught him and Vasco to prep and new Quidditch moves taught to him by Papa Raju, for example. But now Vi was back on the express, heading off to his second year and this time, he wasn't going to have to be homesick for Di.

{"What do you think so far?"} Viano asked eagerly in Spanish, wanting to know all of Di's thoughts on the Hogwarts Express so far. {"Pretty impressive, right? You can choose any compartment you want to sit in, by the way."} Since Vesper was with her friends, she wouldn't miss his presence that much. Plus, the Gryffindor wasn't about to leave his best friend alone in unfamiliar territory. So... yes. Di was stuck with him.

Diego couldn't help but feel conflicted. He was excited to go to Hogwarts! But... he already missed his papa and daddy after saying their goodbyes and hugs. He wished he could snuggle his raccoon plushie that was currently packed in the trunk. It smelled like home and he was already missing it.

It was nice to have his best friend though, who he had to go a whole school year without last term. Their linked hands dropped as he rubbed his previously tear-soaked eyes. It was hard to see with tears in his eyes, so being shown around was needed. He could've noticed his crush Zen following two older students if he hadn't been crying.

Diego couldn't be sad for long with Vi being so cheerful with him. "It looks great." He replied. "Let's sit here." He moved to slide open and shut the compartment door behind him. "How long does it usually take to get to Hogwarts?" There were lots of questions for Diego to ask Vi now that they were alone.

SPOILER!!: Di! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charely Potter

Diego couldn't help but feel conflicted. He was excited to go to Hogwarts! But... he already missed his papa and daddy after saying their goodbyes and hugs. He wished he could snuggle his raccoon plushie that was currently packed in the trunk. It smelled like home and he was already missing it.

It was nice to have his best friend though, who he had to go a whole school year without last term. Their linked hands dropped as he rubbed his previously tear-soaked eyes. It was hard to see with tears in his eyes, so being shown around was needed. He could've noticed his crush Zen following two older students if he hadn't been crying.

Diego couldn't be sad for long with Vi being so cheerful with him. "It looks great." He replied. "Let's sit here." He moved to slide open and shut the compartment door behind him. "How long does it usually take to get to Hogwarts?" There were lots of questions for Diego to ask Vi now that they were alone.

Viano couldn’t blame Diego for feeling the way he did; it was a natural response to this sort of change. Having experienced it himself last year, Vi knew he couldn’t stop all the emotions running through his friend but could be there for him. Maybe, just maybe, it would soften all the negatives. Vi hardly had time to give Di’s hand a reassuring squish before his own was dropped.

The older guy looked around at the younger one in concern. There was no judgment for tears. In fact, Vi was just glad that Di was able to express the sadness, and he mentally told himself that he could learn from his bestie. Bottling up his feelings was something that came naturally, and it was mostly only Vesper who successfully got him to talk about them. Vi’s train of thoughts was interrupted by Zen passing by with her two brothers. Much to his own surprise, he didn’t bother pointing her out to Di and soon, he found himself averting his eyes from the trio. Most likely, if Di saw her, he’d want to go after her which would in turn mean that Vi got left behind.

It was okay; Di could be sad for however long he needed to be. As long as the sadness eventually left. Vi was smiling though. {“I’m pleased to hear you think so! Just wait until you get to Hogwarts!”} And hopefully be Sorted into Gryffindor too. He followed Di into the compartment then headed for a seat near the window. {“Many hours. But there’s plenty to see and do during that time. The view out the window’s great.”} Though Vi was a superb view himself. {"And we can always play a couple of games.”} Which reminded him of something that had crossed his mind recently. {“Would you be up for helping me practise Quidditch, Di? You could be Keeper. Or Beater?”}

The rhythmic clatter of the Hogwarts Express rolling along the tracks filled the narrow corridor as Alaric Ashcombe trailed his hand along the cool metal wall, his steps slow and deliberate. His light blonde hair fell into his eyes, but he didn’t bother pushing it back—his free hand was already clutching the strap of his bag so tightly his knuckles had turned white.

He peeked into one compartment after another, his gray eyes scanning for a miracle: an empty car, a space to think. Each time, his stomach twisted tighter at the sight of other students, chatting and laughing like they’d known each other for years. How did they all look so confident?

"Too full" he muttered under his breath after passing yet another compartment. His heart raced as if he’d just dodged a Bludger, though all he’d done was avoid eye contact.

Reaching the back cars, the crowd thinned, and the noise dulled into a faint hum. A flicker of hope stirred in him, though his nerves still buzzed like a swarm of restless doxies. Finally, he stopped outside a compartment with no occupants. His hand hesitated on the door handle, and for a moment, he glanced over his shoulder, half-expecting someone to swoop in and claim it before he did.

"No one’s going to bother you" he whispered to himself, though the words didn’t do much to calm the anxious knot in his chest. Taking a deep breath, he slid the door open and stepped inside, setting his bag down carefully as if the wrong move might shatter the fragile quiet.

The seat by the window called to him. He sank into it, letting his head rest against the cool glass as the countryside blurred past. One deep breath, then another. The nerves hadn’t left, but at least now he had space to think—to prepare for what awaited him at Hogwarts.