Forward Thinking (OPEN)

Minerva waved goodbye to her mother from the window of her empty compartment. It was her second year at Hogwarts, and her she was just as excited for it as she was last year. Hogwarts was brilliant; the classes, the friends she had made- she couldn't wait to see them again. She pulled her thin body back into the interior of the train, settling down with a thick book in her lap, entitled: 'Latest Transfiguration Theories of the Last Decade'. Minerva had found an aptitude and interest in transfigurations last year, right from her first lesson. The class intrigued her, and she wanted to know as much about the subject as she possibly could.

Absorbed in the book, Minerva didn't notice the as the train began moving as it slowly chugged it's way out of King's Cross Station and back up towards Scotland. She only looked up finally when she heard the door creak open and someone enter her compartment. Minerva nodded curtly to acknowledge them.

Rachel was running down the platform in a hurry. Her eyes kept flicking to the muggle wristwatch she had on, trying to figure out how much time she had left. Two minutes...

The brunette's eyes widened, and she sped up, cursing her father under her breath. He had insisted on escorting his only daughter to the train to her school. This would've been fine if she had actually attended the school he thought she attended.

So, in an attempt to preserve her mother's magical secret, Rachel had boarded the wrong train on one end, got off on the other, and ran for Platform 9 3/4.

Huffing and puffing, she dragged her trunk behind her and hurriedly got on the Hogwarts Express.

Rachel could only guess that she looked worse than she felt if the looks that her classmates were giving her were anything to go on.

She searched for a compartment, finding it harder than she thought it would be as she passed full compartments over and over again. The Ravenclaw felt her self jolt as the train lurched forward.

I need to find a compartment soon... she thought, not wanting to have to stand in the hall for the ride.

Finally, after what felt like forever, Rachel found a somewhat empty compartment. She slid the door open, smiling at the Gryffindor who was already there.

"He-hey, Minerva," Rachel said, still slightly out of breath. "How's it been?"

Minerva looked up fully from her book and smiled at her friend, patting the seat next to her-- indicating that her friend should sit with her. "Rachel," She said, inclining her head slightly. "It's great to see you again. Believe it or not, I actually missed you." Her smile widened into a full-out grin. "Did you read any new theory books? I've only read two-- I couldn't get my hands on much. The highlands don't exactly have bookstores on every mountain range, and mother rarely ever took me to Hogsmeade with her."

"It's been alright, I guess. Mother's more bitter than ever about magic-- so basically, your typical summer. Scotland is boring, and there are really so many things you can do for entertainment in a half-blood family. Only so many books, and you can't go flying at all. It's torture." She grinned, nonetheless. "And how was your summer?"

Rachel plopped down next to Minerva, linking her fingers behind her head and grinning graciously. Her grin only widened at the mention of books and she turned to her trunk, throwing it open and ruffling through the contents.

"I've read a lot of charms books, but mum wouldn't let me go near the really advanced stuff. She said somethin' 'bout not wanting me to get any ideas," the brunette shrugged, as she pulled out a medium-sized book with a green velvet cover.

Rachel handed it to the Gryffindor, biting her lip anxiously. "Do you like it?" she asked, glancing down at the curly, silver words that read 'Theories of Transubstantial Transfiguration. "My mum bought it for me, but I'm not much for the subject. At least, not as much as you are," Rachel smirked.