Jenna stepped into the train compartment, slightly anxious, but completely ready for fifth year to begin at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. She set her to-do trunk on the rack on the ceiling and looked out the window.
Parents and younger siblings were waving fiercely at the students heading off to school. Jenna observed the scene and smiled. She couldn’t wait to go back to school.
She heard the door behind her open, and her smile grew. Her best friends walked into the compartment. Roy Rockerrad - a Gryffindor - and Aderan Killistin - a Hufflepuff.
“Guys!” she exclaimed and they all hugged in reunion.
“Well, you’re a sight for sore eyes, Frink.” Roy commented as they released each other and the boys stuck their cases on the racks. “Not more than two owls all summer.”
“Sorry.” Jenna said. “You know it’s hard to get letters out where I live.”
Aderan shrugged. “At least you got some out.” he said.
The trio sat down just as the train began to pull out of the station.
“So, how was your summer?” Aderan asked.
Jenna shrugged. “Nothing special. I was mostly working and reading and working some more.”
“Ugh. Muggle life.” Roy made a face and stuck out his tongue. “I don’t know how you stand it.”
“Well, I’m richer than both of you combined this year because of it, so when I can buy more than you two…”
“You know you’ll share.” Aderan smiled crookedly.
Jenna rolled her eyes. “Oh, I don’t know. I love my sweets.”
“Seriously, though,” Roy looked at her. “How’s your dad? Is everything going alright?”
Jenna frowned and sighed. “My dad is...my dad. He’s fine. We’re fine. Okay?”
Neither of them looked happy with that answer, but they knew it was a rough topic for her, so they dropped it.
“Well, I’m just happy that we all get to be together again.” Aderan said honestly.
“Ew! Sentiment! It hurts my soul!” Roy jumped to the other side of the compartment next to Jenna and buried his face in her shoulder. “Shield me!”
“Nu-uh. You hang out with Hufflepuffs, you deal with the sentiment at your own risk.” Jenna pushed him away smiling. The three continued to joke and laugh, and you wouldn’t have been able to tell they hadn’t seen each other for a summer.
“Treats from the trolley?” sang the trolley lady as she pushed her cart of sweets through the hall.
“Oh, yes please!” Jenna opened the door, digging her hand around in her pocket for galleons.
She picked out a small hoard of sugary treasures, paid the trolley lady, and waved as she left.
“Ooo! I want some chocolate frogs!” Aderan said, reaching for a box of said candy.
“Hold on, Aderan. Just wa-”
“Hey, watch out, Badgerfaces!” called a voice. The young man who belonged to it came barreling full speed into Jenna, sending sweets flying over the floor and knocking her to the floor.
Jenna gained her bearings and glared up at the one face that could and would spoil everything in her life. The snide face of Renner Yezen.
He smiled wryly at her and ran a hand through his stylized strawberry-blonde hair. “Oops, sorry, Puff. Didn’t mean to startle you. But ah, thanks for sharing.” he started picking up her candy.
Jenna glared at him, but then Roy stepped out of the compartment. “Yezen, that’s not yours.” he said dangerously.
“Or what?” Renner stood up. The two were both tall. Renner was just slightly taller. “What’ll you do, Rockerrad?”
Jenna stood. “Roy...leave him alone.” she said softly.
Renner smiled. “You heard the Puff. Scurry back on back to your compartment now like a good guard dog.”
Roy clenched his fists and tensed, but Jenna set a hand on his shoulder. “This rat isn’t worth it, Roy. Come on.”
Roy gave a look to Jenna, but finally turned around and pulled her into the compartment with him.
“That’s what I thought,” Renner winked at Jenna. “See you around.”