A short bespeckled boy stood by one of the swing doors, his neck poked precariously out the window. As the greys and browns of inner London peeled away into bounding green fields, eyes sparkling in wonder, Alex couldn't help breaking down into a fit of giddy laughter. It was actually happening! After three long months of uncertainty and doubt, here was the [i]proof![/i] He tried not to count his earlier visit to Diagon Alley as such; for all he knew it could have all been an elaborate hoax for You've Been Framed.

Still... it was [i]real.[/i]

A shivering snout poked out from his long hood, sniffling at Alex's ear anxiously. The boy looked back over his shoulder, unimpressed by the quivering fluffball. [b]'I know you're only a baby Fugs, but grow some nadgers. Perfectly safe.'[/b] Nevertheless he took the rat's apparent point; hanging out of train windows wasn't the best way to start a new life. He grabbed his kit, slinging his massive rucksack over one shoulder and pressed on down the carriage. Every compartment seemed full; loads of older kids, some his age... no-one he recognised. Alex caught himself, mentally facepalming over his foolishness; he was the only wizard he knew. Might have been a lonely thought if he had taken the time to think about it.

As he got further down the train the compartments started to empty, until he finally found one with only a single occupant. Alex peered in through the glass, uncharacteristically nervous... Might be the first witch his age he talked to. The girl inside seemed to be reading anyway, so hopefully she wouldn't mind him. The boy took a deep breath, adjusted his glasses and slid the door open. [b]'Excuse me, just gonna nick this here seat.'[/b] Alex sat in silence for a while, studiously avoiding the girl's gaze... Something about her unnerved him; maybe the expensive clothes or maybe- [b]'Is that your cat? Noice!'[/b] His young eyes lit up once again as they fell on the seat next to him and the feline residing on it, his nerves completely forgotten. Deep inside Alex's hood, Fugly began shivering again.