#phan hogwarts

Phil couldn’t wait for his first year of Hogwarts. His older brother, Martyn, has always talked about how amazing the school is, and Phil would listen in awe, dreaming about the day he would get his letter for the wizarding school.

And today was the day Phil would begin his first year at Hogwarts. Phil shoved his breakfast in his mouth, desperate to get on the way to the train station. Phil’s mother smiled at his enthusiasm and told him to “calm down now dear, don’t want you choking before you can even get on the train.”

After breakfast Phil got dressed and ready to leave. He knew that they weren’t leaving until 9:30, (he has the exact time embedded into his brain) but he wanted to be 100 percent ready, trunk packed with all his needed belongings.

By 9:00, the Lesters had the car all packed and ready. Phil reminded everyone in the house, (even the family owl), that they were leaving in 30 minutes. He was jumping on the balls of his feet in front of the front door, smiling like a maniac. He couldn’t help it, he was ecstatic.

Finally, 9:30 arrived and the family of four piled into their car. On the way to Kings Cross, Phil was bouncing in his seat, going on and on about how he couldn’t decide on what house would be best for him. His mother said that Phil would do well in any house and Martyn said that he thinks he’ll end up in Hufflepuff.

“What’s wrong with Hufflepuff?” Phil asked Martyn.

“Oh, nothing’s wrong with it, it’s just you’re too nice and happy to be in any of the others.” His brother shrugged.

Phil rolled his eyes. So what if he was nice and happy? He honestly didn’t see anything wrong with that, or with Hufflepuff, and he looked out of his window.

They pulled into the train station at 10:25.

Phil’s face stretched into the widest smile he feels he’s ever given. His parents unloaded the car and Phil hurried to the back of the car to grab his trunk. He wanted to squeal in happiness. Right across from him was his gateway to the best school of witchcraft and wizardry. In that moment, Phil decided that he would become the best wizard he could be. He wanted to create history.

~~~

Finding his way on the train and into an open compartment was fairly easy, much to Phil’s surprise. Martyn had told Phil that, “the easiest way to make friends was to sit by yourself and look like you’re welcoming.” Obviously, Phil believed him and went into the first open compartment he could find.

Sitting down on the squishy train seats and swinging his legs, Phil put on his bet smile and waited for someone to find his compartment. People would walk past him, some with friends, some without, but none stopped at his compartment. Phil didn’t understand, why didn’t anyone want to sit with him? Did he not look welcoming enough?

Just as Phil was about to give up hope and try and find his brother, the door slide open, revealing and boy about his height, with curly brown hair and warm brown eyes. He had an anxious look about him, chewing his bottom lip and eyes wide with something Phil could only associate with fear.

“Um, hello,” the curly-haired boy said in a small voice. “Is this seat taken?”

Phil’s face spread into a grin. “No, not yet. You can have it, if you’d like.”

The boy’s face flooded with relief and he breathed out a small “thank you.” Phil looked at the boy as he placed his trunk above him. The boy then sat back down, book in hand, and began to read. Phil wanted to ask for his name, but he didn’t want to disturb the boy’s reading.

After about a few minutes of silence, the compartment door slide open again. Phil perked up, maybe this will be the person who will become his best friend.

Stood in the opening of the compartment was two boys and one girl, all three looking very serious. Like they meant business.

“Hello,” Phil began as cheerful as he could. The curly-haired boy who was reading slowly lowered his book to look over at the door.

“Hi,” One boy, supposably the leader or the group, said with a tone that slightly took the tone of disgust. He looked over at the curly-haired boy, who was looking determinedly out the window.

“Dan,” The same boy said. “What are you doing in here?”

The curly-haired boy—Dan—kept his eyes focused firmly out the window. The boy raised his eyebrow.

“Dan?”

The boy called Dan made a small noise in his throat and swallowed. He muttered something to the boy at the door.

“What was that?” The boy asked. Phil was starting to think he was slightly annoying.

“I wanted to be alone, Chris.” Dan said in a quiet voice. Everything about this boy seemed soft and quiet, and, for some reason, Phil wanted to see the real Dan, see what he really was like.

“Alone? Why?” The boy Dan had called Chris said the last part like he thought it was wrong for someone to be alone. Phil didn’t blame Dan though. If he was hanging around someone like Chris, he’d want some alone time too.

Dan’s cheeks started to take on a pink tint. “And you’re not even alone. He’s in here with you.”

Phil furrowed his eyebrows. What was wrong with him? Why did Chris say it like Phil was terrible or something of the sort.

“Yeah, well he isn’t rude to me,” Dan murmured so Chris couldn’t here him.

“What was that?” Chris said in a menacing tone.

Well, so much for Chris not hearing him.

Immediately, Dan’s eyes widened and Dan finally looked over at the door. “Nothing!” Dan exclaimed. “I didn’t say anything!”

Chris grunted. “Listen here, Howell, my parents told he to become friends with you because our parents are friends. I promised them I’d be nice to you, but if you’re not gonna corporate, I’ll have no choice but to force you to be my friend. I don’t want this anymore than you do. Alright?”

Phil felt that things were getting a little too far, so he stepped in. “I’m sure Dan can find other people who actually want to be his friend.”

All four students shifted their eyes onto Phil, who was looking at Chris. Phil shifted his eyes to Dan who looked shocked at Phil’s interjection, with his cheeks now bright red.

“Oh yeah? And who would want to be friends with him?” Chris narrowed his eyes at Dan. “He’s a pathetic little gay-”

“Excuse me!” Dan glared at Chris. “I am not gay!” He said, tone almost angry. Phil didn’t understand. Gay? What was wrong with being gay? Phil’s parents are friends with a gay couple, and he had never thought anything wrong of someone fancying the same gender. 

Chris rolled his eyes. Phil got up from his seat to move next to Dan and put his arm around him. Dan blushed.

“I’ll be his friend.” Phil said determinedly. Dan whipped his head around to look at Phil. He stared incredulously at Phil. Chris scoffed. “Right good luck with that. PJ, Zoe, let’s go back to our carriage.”

And with that, the three students left. Phil got up and closed the door, then sat back down, this time across from Dan.

“Thanks.” Dan said, in that small voice again, looking at his shoes.

“Don’t mention it. That Chris guy seemed really annoying.”

Dan chuckled. “Yeah, I’ve known him for five years. Our parents are good friends, but, obviously, we aren’t.”

Phil nodded. “I’m Phil.” He extended his hand, which Dan shook timidly.

“Nice to meet you, Phil. I’m Dan.”

The rest of the train ride was spent talking and laughing, and Phil felt like there was a start to a long friendship, right here, sitting across from him, brown eyes, curly hair and all.

~~~~