"There you go, Mistress Integra. That should be everything you need," Walter said.
Integra nodded, her expression a bit surly. Her father had again failed to accompany her. "Thank you, Walter. I will see you during Christmas." She turned and pulled her luggage cart towards the train stations. In just a few minutes she was at platform number 9.
She glanced over towards platform number 10, noting that there was no such thing as platform 9 3/4s. She almost lost her cool, thinking that someone had tricked her when she remembered an important piece of information that her father had imparted to her.
Just because it looks impossible, does not mean it is.
She tapped her chin with her finger thoughtfully. She dragged her luggage cart over to the brick column that lay between the two platforms. Just before her fingers touched it, she stopped and glanced around. No one seemed to be watching.
She closed her eyes and then just walked forward. When she didn't hit the expected wall, she smiled but did not open her eyes for another two seconds of walking forward.
In front of her lay Platform 9 3/4s, the antique red train laying in front of her.
"This way, missy!" a rather plain and normal man said; while grabbing her luggage and starting to load it for her.
"Thank you," she replied automatically, nodding her head slightly as the aristocrats were always won't to do. With that she entered the train. She smiled as she realized why Walter had insisted on arriving early. He had wanted to test her, as he and her father did constantly. He must have known about the entrance trick.
Only ten minutes later, a young girl entered the compartment. "You don't mind sharing, do you?" she asked.
"Not at all," Integra replied. With a small frown, she realized that the girl did not have a proper upper-class accent. Most likely, she would be the only person of noble birth here. That was something she would just have to adjust to then. "Lady Integra Wingate Hellsing."
"Hermione Granger," the other girl said as they shook hands. "I've never met any nobility before." She tried to curtsy as best as possible.
"I fear that being of noble birth will not help much at Hogwarts. They would not even let me put my family crest on my robes. I guess that is because Hogwarts has houses that you live with while you are there." Integra pushed her glasses back up her nose.
"Hellsing?" Hermione muttered. She smiled suddenly. "Like the book Brahm Stoker's Dracula?"
"That book was not accurate at all," the noble said with a pout of vexation.
Hermione blinked in surprise. She gulped suddenly as at thought occurred to her. "So Vampires are... real?"
"Oh, yes. My family has been hunting Vampires and other monsters that threaten Queen and Country for generations."
"Wow! I did not realize that he was a wizard!" she gushed. "I wonder-"
"My ancestor was not a wizard. As a matter of fact, I am the first witch in my family," she almost snapped out, a tone of dislike in her voice.
"Ah. I see. Me too! I mean, I'm Muggle born too!" the other girl replied quickly.
"Oh? What do they do for a living?"
The frizzy-haired girl smiled and replied, "They're dentists."
In no time at all, the train finally left. After about an hour, Integra noticed Draco Malfoy walking past. The blonde girl narrowed her eyes slightly in anger.
"Who was that?" Hermione asked.
"Draco Malfoy. A pureblood wizard with airs." Integra didn't continue until the other girls questioning look prodded her to it. "He believes that if you are not born of Wizarding blood that you are less than him."
Hermione seemed to think deeply upon it, but did not speak of whatever she thought.
The rest of the trip was uninteresting except for the treats and snacks. Integra only bought a modest amount, while Hermione just looked on after she explained that her parents were very strict on treats for the most part. Being dentists and all.
In no time at all it seemed it was evening and the train had arrived at the Hogwarts train stop. They were directed by a huge man into small boats. For some reason, no seemed willing to sit with Integra and Hermione.
Soon they were across the lake towards the castle with only the scare of nearly losing one boy who managed to fall out of his boat. The boats entered a cave beneath Hogwarts and the giant, shaggy man handed them off to a strict looking older woman who led them upstairs.
After a quick fright of ghosts (where Integra nearly pulled out her 9mm pistol) they waited to enter into the main hall.
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(Posted Thu, 25 Nov 2004 01:16)
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