The Train to Reality ((plot people))

[Fiona O'Reilly S5]

Fiona picked up her cat with a weak smile and placed inside the cat pen. Dottie meowed out of the cage and Fiona stuck her finger inside to pet her cat. It would be awhile before Dottie would be free. Home. That's where she was headed. She hadn't been home in ages. Not really since she had seen her parents…Fiona shook the image and thought from her mind. She had, had enough reminiscing the last few weeks. She turned to her trunk and picked it up. She made her way out of her dorm room, though it was a bit awkwardly. As she pulled her bags into the common room she looked up. She nearly broke down when she saw her friend, Dominic, looking at her. He had been there for her the last few months. They had really bonded recently. “So you’re going to stop by my home over break, right?” Fiona asked him. “I’ll be there when you need me. Just make sure that your aunt and uncle understand. If they don’t, then I told you what to do,” Dominic said in a hushed voice. “Thank you very much Dom. I don’t know how I’m going to survive such a hard thing. I guess I’ll just have to take a deep breath,” Fiona said with a little laugh. Dominic knew better than that. He pulled her into a hug and brushed her hair back. “Contact me if you need anything. My ‘foster parents’ are picking me up in Hogsmeade. They want to go traveling for Christmas Break,” Dominic sighed. Fiona pulled out of the embrace as she nodded in agreement. “I’ll let you know if I need anything,” Fiona said. Dominic nodded.

Fiona turned from Dominic and headed out of the common room and toward the castle doors. Her trunk was pulled behind her and her cat was meowing at the constant swinging of the pen. Fiona opened the doors of Hogwarts and quickly climbed into one of the carriages, pulled by a threstral. She sighed to herself as it began a slow trot down to the train station. She touched the pearl on her neck out of habit and thought about the upcoming confrontation. Some how she didn’t see it going very well. The carriage slowed and came to a halt. The door opened and Fiona stepped out carrying her cat and dragging her trunk behind her. The man that had opened the door helped her into the back of the train and stored her trunk for her. Fiona nodded in thanks as she sat down and opened her cat pen. Dottie came rushing out and jumped in her lap. She smiled as she began to pet the cat.

Fiona sighed as she looked out the window of the train. It wouldn’t be long now until the train took off. She looked around the compartment. She was completely alone and at the very back of the train. She stood on the seat, knocking her cat off her lap, and opened her trunk, which was in the rafters. She quickly pulled out her potions book. She would at least have something to read if she was by herself. Fiona looked at the old book as she closed her trunk and quickly sat back down. Dottie immediately jumped back into her lap and started to purr. Fiona ignored her cat as she ran her fingers along the old book. It had been her fathers and now it was hers. It had a lot of powerful potions in it and there were many she wanted to try, but couldn’t. Fiona sighed again as she opened the book to begin reading.

((All god-moding was done with permission from the other character.))

[aubree]

"Nobles go!" Aubree angrily screamed at her owl. She quickly opened the window and watched the bird fly into the cloudy day. She could hear his faint screeches in the back ground. Sure, it might be sort of cruel to yell at her beloved pet, but Aubree was annoyed. Why did she have to be so darn nice sometimes? She was a Slytherin after all. But, no Aubree had to open her big mouth and invited Alex to live at her house. It's not that Aubree didn't like Alex because she did like her even though she didn't really know her. It was just that the whole idea would only lead to pressure and other things Aubree didn't want to deal with. She had no idea how her parents would react to Alex and was hoping they would at least be decent. She loved her parents, but they could be a bit over whelming. Aubree knew Alex could take it, but she was more concerned on if she could take it. Aubree was bring in a new child to the Montogue family. What if they liked her better? Aubree couldn't even think of that at the moment. She just concentrated at packing and trying to not think about her parents.

It was freezing outside and Aubree pulled her thin jacket close to her neck. She has changed at the Hogsmead station into her creme silk pants, green silk shirt, and thin white jacket. It was the appropriate clothing to wear for her parents and even though it wasn't suitable for frigid weather, Aubree knew she could stand it. Her hair was tracing down her back as usual. It was like a Montogue scar she would be forever left with. If anyone knew anything about the Montogues, they would know they all had blond hair. It was like a bad curse and it made Aubree feel like she was the rest of them. Not that it was a bad thing, the Montogues were a worthy Slytherin family, but Aubree wanted to be know over all of them. She was going to be better than them one day and the sooner they realized that the better. Aubree walked to the icy train pulling her luggage behind her. She quickly dropped it off at the luggage and headed to find a seat.

She seemed to be early and that sort of bugged her. Usually when she was early, the younger years were too. The only people Aubree saw were some third years and a few first years. There wasn't a Slytherin in site. Aubree huffed her way through the hall to the back of the train. This was the very place where the train attack had occurred. Of course, it was necessary, but no Slytherins should have been harmed. Aubree was hurt by the fact that they were. The whole thing should have been planned more carefully. But, of course it wasn't. Aubree suddenly noticed a compartment that wasn't empty. She then saw that the only person in it was Fiona. Aubree gave a weak smiled and headed into the small room. "Hello, Fiona. May I sit with you?" She asked. Aubree had planned to sit with Alex, but she figured Alex would get the clue and sit in with her and the other Slytherins that would probably be joining.

[Fiona O'Reilly S5]

Fiona sat thinking about her parents. Her da's big dark brown eyes and brown hair. He had always loved her and had never wanted to hurt her until the last few months of his life. She smiled as she thought about the time her da had taught her to fly. She had been only 2 or 3 at the time. Mum was furious, but da was happy. Fiona's thoughts switched to her mum. She looked almost exactly like her. The long red hair, the green eyes, and the slim body. Her mum definitely loved her more than Fiona had ever thought. It had become apparent the night they died. For her mother to risk everything, her own life, to save her daughter from the pain. At the same time, Fiona wished that her mum would have just let it happen. It would mean that they would both be alive. That they would have gone to her birthday party. They would have seen her off at the train station. They would be picking her up from the station. Alas, it wasn't going to happen, ever. They were dead. They were six feet under. It didn't matter what Fiona did, they would never come back.

Suddenly a sound from the door interrupted Fiona's thoughts. She didn't jump, though she was quite startled. She looked up at one of her dorm mates. "Sure, just watch Dottie, she'll try to jump in your lap, but I'm sure you already knew that. She does it all the time in the dorm room" Fiona said as she motioned to her cat who had already jumped down off her lap and was sniffing Aubree. Fiona moved and grabbed her cat pinning her down so Aubree could get situated in the compartment. Fiona looked out the window as Aubree got situated. She watched as the snow covered trees blew in the strong wind. She would miss Hogwarts, but she knew that she'd be back soon. Fiona squinted her eyes as the sun came out behind a cloud and reflected off of the snow, causing a blinding light to eliminate the castle grounds. Fiona cracked a smiled and then looked back at Aubree.

Fiona's eyes tried to adjust to the darkness of the compartment. Everything seemed to be black with a slight outline of color. She rubbed her eyes quickly trying to get them to adjust, but it was useless. She would just have to wait for them to adjust on their own. Fiona looked to where she thought Aubree was. "What are your plans for Christmas break?" Fiona asked as she tried to pretend like she could actually see. However, it didn't last long and she was able to leave that darkened world behind and enter into the colorful world that she was used to. Fiona looked over just in time to see Dottie try to leave the compartment. In a flash, Fiona had dove and grabbed her cat. She quickly shut the compartment door and shook her head at her cat. "Sorry about that. You were saying?"

[alexandra]

Alexandra checked everything in her dormitory, making sure she hadn't forgotten anything that she wished to take with her. After finding the last pair of socks she was trying to find, Alexandra, satisfied with her search, took hold of her trunk and Vampire's cage, turned around and walked out the dormitory. Her heart instantly started pounding when she walked out of the castle along with the rest of the students. Nervous butterflies flew around her stomach, making her want to fall over, assume the fetal position, and die. The closer she came to the horseless carrages, the more nervouse she became. She was going to meet her new family within that same day. She is meeting with the people who are taking her in and letting her live in their home. It was unnerving!

She stepped into the carrage and closed her eyes, which seemed to help the qeasiness until the carrages stopped in Hogsmead station. The butterflies started up again, only twice as bad, as she climbed out of the carrage, pulling her trunk with her. The Hogwarts Express, as usual, was scarlet and billowing smoke. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves, and walked forward, along with the throng of students waiting to board the train. The moment her foot stepped onto the train, she found herself suddenly calm. Something about the train always calmed her. She looked about, happily recognizing the train't interior.

The whole thing was completely frightening! Meeting someone for the first time, who might be her new family... acually there was no might... it was official, now. She was going to live with the Montogues! The fact that she was in the same train that, not too long ago, was completely destroyed by Death Eaters, also made her nervous, but for some reason, seeing the train, back to normal and peaceful once again, had composed her. She took a content deep breath and walked down the hallway, dragging her trunk behind her and holding her owl, Vampire's cage in her other hand. She wondered where she should sit. Knowing she had to find Aubree, she started for the back. Aubree was a Slytherin and Slytherins usually sat in the back. She hoped Aubree was there.

Peeking into a compartment every now and then, Alexandra's heart jumped when she saw Aubree sitting inside. Her face instantly smiled and she opened the compartment door, entering inside. She hadn't noticed Fiona standing off to the side of the compartment door. Her presence surprised Alexandra. She jumped and smiled again. She said a quick hello and placed Vampire's cage in a seat, while putting her trunk under the seat. She sat down beside Aubree and smiled again.

"Hi!" she said, "Sorry if I'm intruding... but I was sopposed to meet Aubree..." she said to Fiona while glancing at Aubree.

[aubree]

"Yes, I remember." She said. That cat was always jumping in her lap which was something Aubree wasn't used to. She had always had her owl, Nobels, but never a cat or any other animal. She then sat down comfortably even though the seat were as hard as stone. Aubree looked at Fiona who seemed to be in a trance of some sort. Fiona asked Aubree what she was doing over the holidays. Then, Fiona went into a deeper trance and then caught the cat right before it went out of the compartment. Aubree sighed and then started to answer. "Well, Alexandra is coming to stay at my house, but other than that I guess I'm not really doing anything." she sighed. Aubree wanted to go somewhere exciting for holidays, but of course her parents wouldn't have time for that. The year before, Aubree visited her aunt in Paris which was great fun in the beautiful city. Lights glimmered everywhere there and Aubree got to met worthy Beauxbatons students that were good company. How she wished the holidays could be like last year, but of course that wouldn't happed.

"What about you, what are you planning to do over the holidays?" Aubree knew Fiona lived with her aunt and uncle since her parents died. She couldn't bare to think of what would happen if her own parents died. There was no one really near her that was family. Well, of course her aunt, but Aubree would have to change schools if that happened. She didn't want to do that at all. Hogwarts might not be the best place on earth with all the mudbloods, but it wasn't horrible. Darmelle would probably die of not constant shopping. Aubree gave in evil inside laugh at the thought. That little twit would never last a second as a Death Eater. She would probably say the cloaks were not stylish enough and demand them changed. She was so unlike Aubree in many ways and that's why they never really saw eye to eye.

Suddenly, Alexandra walked in smiling. She did have a right to be happy since she was getting a home within hours. Aubree would be happy if the situation was switched. It was weird, Aubree had offered a girl she didn't really know to stay with her. She was so oddly caring sometimes and it really confused her. Aubree was supposed to be mean and heartless, but of course that wasn't true at all. Aubree let her lips release a small smile and looked at Alex. "Hello, Alex. Sit, of course if Fiona doesn't mind." She said in her normal cool tone. Aubree then looked at Fiona waiting for her to say something.

[Fiona O'Reilly S5]

Fiona smiled at Aubree's answer about the cat. Fiona figured she wasn't a big cat fan, but she didn't really seem to mind Dottie. Dottie, though she was a wild cat, was pretty loving and kind to everyone. Fiona liked that about her cat. She could always count on her to be there for her, but of course there wasn't much fun in being friends with a cat. They couldn't talk to you and they were rather skittish at times. Fiona returned to her seat after capturing her cat. She was smiling about it, but she was getting rather annoyed by having to have constant eyes on her today. If she wasn't careful she would put her cat back into her pin and not let her out until they got back home. Her cat seemed to read her thoughts and immediately calmed down and lay in her lap. Fiona's attention turned back to Aubree as she talked about what she was going to do for Christmas break.

"Alexandra's staying with you? I should have guessed that. I'm not doing much for the holidays. I'm not really going to celebrate it with my aunt and uncle, I'm mostly going home to get them out of my house. I may not be 17 yet, but I'm going to write the minister of magic and see if I can stay in the house on my own. Be considered an adult at the age of 15. My house elves can take care of me. They always have," Fiona said. She bit back the sorrow inside. There was no way she was going to show weakness in front of anyone anymore. It had happened too often and that was enough for her to quite. "If all else fails I'm going to live with Dominic Oswald and his brother Damien. He's been there for me many times," Fiona said as an after thought.

Fiona was waiting for Aubree's response when someone entered. She turned and looked to see Alexandra. The sight of Fiona must have scared Alexandra, because she jumped. Fiona giggled at the sight and quickly regained composure. "Are you all right, I know I'm scary sometimes, but are you all right?" Fiona asked quickly as a smile spread across her face. Alexandra said something about meeting Aubree. Aubree then asked Fiona if it was all right if she stayed. "Of course it is. You shouldn't even have to ask. Go ahead and sit down Alexandra. We were just talking about our plans for the break. Anything exciting happening for you when you're at Aubree's?" Fiona asked as she held her cat still. Dottie wanted to get up and attack Alexandra for fun. She liked to do that to people for the fun of it, but Fiona wouldn't let her do it this time.

[alexandra]

Aubree smiled and asked Alexandra to sit once she noticed her and just as Alexandra was about to do so, Aubree asked Fiona if it was alright that Alexandra join them. Alexandra paused, waiting for Fiona's answer. When she assured them that it was fine, Alexandra sat, smiling shyly. She thanked them with her eyes and focused on Fiona's cat, who had that look in her eye that meant she wanted to play. Alexandra mentally smiled at the cat and looked back to Fiona, who started to speak once again. Alexandra listened to Fiona intently, as she always did, and thought about her answer.

"Well... nothing really. I'm going to live with Aubree and my stuff was already sent over there so... I don't know. Whatever she and her family is doing, I suppose," she then fell quiet. It was a long sentence and she usually didn't say that much, but this seemed the right occasion to say something like that. She looked down at her feet for a second and then looked up again to look at Fiona, waiting for her answer.

[Fiona O'Reilly S5]

Fiona watched as Alexandra entered the compartment and sat down. She smiled at Alexandra. She hadn't really talked to her much, but that day at her birthday party had been one to remember. Especially the way Alexandra had insulted Padme, it was done so subtly that it was just great. Fiona smiled as the event replayed in her head. She sighed as she turned her attention back to Alexandra as she began to speak about her break. She talked about just being with Aubree and doing what her family did. Fiona nodded her head. "That sounds cool. I'm not doing much myself," Fiona said. She didn't want to elaborate too much on her plans for the break, but she didn't want to appear like she wasn't going to say anything at all to them. They were her friends and her dorm mates.

Fiona sighed to herself as she looked out the window. The train looked like it was about ready to go. There weren't anymore students outside the train and she could almost hear the engine roaring. Though she wasn't sure. Everything seemed kind of like a blur. It had been for a while. Ever since her birthday party things have gotten weirder and weirder. She wasn't sure what she was going to find when she got home. She just hoped that her aunt and uncle weren't going to fight her for the house. They had no right to stay there and they had no right to sell her parents possessions. They were definitely going to get hurt if they weren't careful. Most of her parents possessions had some sort of trap on them. They didn't trust people and they certainly weren't going to let anyone have their possessions, especially if they were mudbloods or half-breeds. Her aunt and uncle weren't even in the picture. They were close, but they definitely weren't close enough to her parents to get anything in their will. Fiona watched out the window as the surroundings began to change. The train was definitely moving now. Her heart seemed to beat faster at the thought of going home. Home. She hadn't been home since she watched her parents die. Fiona was brought out of her thoughts by her cat's claws digging into her leg. "Ouch!" Fiona said as she picked up her cat quickly and sat her down next to her on the seat. She looked up at the other two to see if they were saying anything.

[alexandra]

Alexandra nodded, knowing what Fiona meant. Her parents had always gone out of town or something with her twin sister, leaving Alexandra at home alone. She had never had a real Christmas until she had ran away and moved in with Angelique. The memories of her and Angelique's Christmas' made Alexandra want to cry. She missed her cousin, she did and it killed her inside to admit it. She wanted everything to be right with her and the woman who basically raised her, but that was impossible now that she had moved in with Aubree. She sighed silently and looked out the window, thinking about what had happened to her life. Why did everyone seem to hate her? And why was the only person who did show some sort of compassion have to team up with the purebloods who resent her and leave Alexandra homeless? It made Alexandra angry to even think about what Angelique had done to her. All she wanted to do was yell at her cousin and scream at her and tell her how much she hurt her.

Alexandra was wrenched from her deep thoughts when Fiona screamed out in pain. She jumped in surprise and looked over at Fiona with wide eyes. Fiona sat there, moving her cat over with a glare in her eye. Alexandra relaxed her tensed shoulders and smiled slightly. Nothing was wrong, just a little accident with the cat. Alexandra felt relieved that nothing went wrong. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing heart. Ever since the attack on the last train ride, Alexandra was still jumpy about the train. The thought of more Death Eaters coming at her and blowing up windows and things made Alexandra's skin crawl. She shivered, her eyes closed, and looked up at Fiona, who was looking at her and Aubree. Alexandra looked over at Aubree, wondering what to say. Should she ask if Fiona was alright? Or stay silent and let conversation strike up between the two of them?

"Ummm," she said in indecision, "Are you alright?" she asked Fiona, concern showing in her eyes, but her facial expression blank.

[Fiona O'Reilly S5]

Fiona forced a smile when Alexandra asked her if she was all right. She was fine, but she wasn't much for talking at the moment. She was a bit too worried about her coming time with her aunt and uncle. It should make to be an interesting encounter, but mostly she was just worried that she was going to freak out before it happens and decide to not confront them. She sighed and then realized Alexandra was probably waiting for her to say something. "I'm fine. Just the cat," Fiona said as she looked over at her cat who was purring with delight. She must not have understood why she was moved off of Fiona's lap. Fiona shook her head at the cat and pushed her onto her side with her hand. Dottie meowed and tried to pat at Fiona's hand. Fiona smiled as she played with her cat for a few moments.

((Sorry rather short. Don't have much to say at the moment.))

[aubree]

Aubree nodded when Fiona explained she was going to kick her aunt and uncle out of her house. Aubree knew some of Fiona's situation, but of course not all of it. "That seems right. I know you can take care of yourself." Fiona was a strong person and Aubree knew she could handle anything. Aubree, however, wasn't so sure of herself. She was raised a rich girl and liked all the perks. Of course, she was no way like her sister, Darmelle who wouldn't know anything useful. She would just sit there drinking Butterbeer and order the house elves to make her something all the while having a facial. She was so ditzy and Aubree couldn't stand her. She would never last two seconds without her parents that was sure.

Alex soon came in and answered Fiona's question of what she was doing over the winter holidays. Alex answered and Aubree gave a little cut in. "Actually, they will let us do what ever we want as long as we don't kill ourselves." She said in annoyed tone. She was annoyed at her parents for always acting that way. They didn't care what Aubree did as long as she was alive. It was a rule with them basically. They gave her space as long as she came home at a decent hour and behaved accordingly.

Aubree watched as Fiona's cat started to claw her and Aubree looked at the cat. She didn't particularly like cats for those reasons, but didn't hate them either. She was so used to her owl, Nobles, that Aubree didn't really know how to act near any other one. Nobels was calm and gentle with a bit of a fiery flare to him when needed. He was just like Aubree herself and she was very used to him. Aubree got him upon getting her Hogwarts letter. He actually flew to her at the Owl Shop. Aubree now looked at Alex and Fiona. "So, next year is the OWLS. Are you both ready for that?" She asked trying to start a conversation.

[Fiona O'Reilly S5]

Fiona forced a smile at Aubree's compliment. Everyone thought she could take care of herself, but in reality she couldn't. It was hard enough trying to do everything she used to with her parents, alone. Now she was going to staying in her home by herself without her parents there. They would never be there. Fiona shook her head of the thoughts. She didn't need to be depressed right now. She was supposed to be excited. At least that's what she felt she needed to be. Most of the other students were excited for Christmas break. They would be seeing their parents and receiving presents. She wished she could be as lucky as they were going to be.

As conversations continued Fiona kept finding herself drifting off into day dreams. Of course they all focused on her parents and life without them. Fiona shook her head of these thoughts as Aubree began to speak about O.W.L.s. Fiona shrugged her shoulders. "I don't think they'll be that hard. I study a lot as it is, not studying per se, but I read enough to know what I need to know for the O.W.L.s. I just don't know why the professors thinks it is funny to continue to give us large amounts of homework. I don't see how that will help us in the look run," Fiona said. She was definitely annoyed by the fact that she had so much homework this Christmas break and she knew that next year would be worse. Especially since they were going to 5th years next year and would have to be studying 24/7. Fiona shook her head at the thoughts. She didn't want that.

[alexandra]

Alexandra soon felt confused when Aubree mentioned what her parent's were like. They didn't care? That surprised her. She was used to her parents not caring... but she had gotten the impression that Aubree's parent's were different. Well she hoped. Maybe all rich Slytherin families were the same. Alexandra hoped not. She didn't want to be neglected as she had been when she lived with her parents. When she had lived with her cousin, Angelique, she had been able to do what she pleased, but there was never anything for her to do. Alexandra never had a "social life". She was what everyone called an outcast...

Alexandra was jolted from her mental confusion by Aubree's voice. She perked up and listened as Aubree asked about O.W.L.S. next year. She shrugged. It wasn't too big of a deal. Fiona gave her input on the subject and Alexandra couldn't help but agree with everything she said. She smiled, understanding. "Yeah, I know. I'm not too worried, though..." she said, looking at Fiona. And she meant it. She wasn't all that worried. She did pretty good in all her classes. She usually didn't have anything else to do, so she studied a lot.