Muggle | 𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑊𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑙𝑒𝑦

The familiar roar of the Hogwarts Express thrummed beneath Lexi's feet, a sound she'd only ever imagined. Around her, the controlled chaos of Platform 9 3/4 unfolded: owls hooting, trunks trundling, and parents waving tearful goodbyes. It was all impossibly real, a far cry from the King's Cross cosplay day she'd planned with Kiara. Just moments ago, she'd been running towards what she thought was a solid brick wall, a silly recreation of a scene from the 'Chamber of Secrets'.

Instead, she'd crashed into something, or rather, someone. A harsh voice had snarled, "Watch where you're going, you filthy little git!" And when she finally looked up, disoriented, the sign overhead read: "Hogwarts Express, 11 O'clock."

Now, inside the train, she walked through the compartments, a strange mix of terror and exhilarating disbelief coursing through her. She was a Muggle, utterly devoid of magic, yet somehow, impossibly, she was here. Her 'Hogwarts robes', once a costume, felt like a desperate disguise. She had to blend in, to survive this impossible dream. And then she saw them: the identical red-headed twins and their dreadlocked friend. Fred, George, and Lee Jordan.

Mustering every ounce of courage, Lexi slid the compartment door open, a shy smile on her face. "Hi, there. Do you mind if I joined you?"

Lee Jordan, ever the welcoming one, smiled back. "Not at all."

And then the twins, in perfect sync, began their interrogation, their eyes glinting with mischief. "We've never seen you around, have we, George?"

"Not at all, Fred. Who are you?"

Lexi took a deep breath. Time to start the lie. "I'm Lexi Hooper. I'm an exchange student from Ilvermorny."