Chapter 15: On the Train
"George, did you notice Mum's face back there?" Fred hooked an arm lazily around his brother's neck, grinning. "She definitely knows something about that strange family. The way she reacted — that wasn't just surprise."
"How should I know?" George muttered, rolling his eyes. "They don't seem like one of those old pure-blood families anyway. Did you see their clothes? Half of them look like they stepped out of a Muggle funeral."
Fred's grin widened. "All the more reason to find out. Why don't we ask that boy who got on the train with them?"
George sighed theatrically. "Fred, you're incorrigible."
"Takes one to know one."
The twins burst into matching laughter, their mirth echoing down the platform.
---
Inside the Hogwarts Express, chaos reigned. Every compartment seemed packed to bursting — students talking over one another, owls hooting indignantly, trunks blocking the narrow corridor.
Russell, juggling his luggage and a cage containing a very disgruntled Kneazle, made his way down the aisle, muttering apologies as he squeezed past elbows and broomsticks.
Finally, at the very end of the train, he found an empty compartment. With a sigh of relief, he hauled his trunk inside and set it down.
He had barely straightened up when the door slid open with a clatter.
"Excuse me," came a polite voice. "Is this seat taken?"
Russell turned.
A tall boy stood in the doorway — brown hair, kind eyes, and the kind of effortless confidence that made people instantly like him.
"Not at all," Russell said, gesturing to the empty seats. "I'm alone."
"Thanks." The boy smiled and stepped in, setting his own bag down with practiced grace. "Cedric Diggory. Hufflepuff, second year."
"Russell Fythorne," Russell replied with a grin. "First year."
"Ah, a newcomer!" Cedric's expression brightened. "So you're starting at Hogwarts? Brilliant. How are you feeling?"
As they settled into conversation, Russell explained a little about his Muggle upbringing, which only made Cedric more curious. He peppered him with questions about Muggle life — electricity, televisions, fizzy drinks — the last of which immediately captured his attention.
"This drink is amazing," Cedric said, holding up a can of cola like it was liquid gold. His eyes sparkled as he took another sip.
Russell chuckled. Morticia had packed him an eclectic assortment of snacks — some "normal," like chips and candy bars, and others far less so, such as dried Cornish pixie jerky. Esméralda's idea, apparently.
---
Just as they were sharing a laugh over Cedric's first taste of junk food, the compartment door slid open again — this time with considerably less grace.
Two identical shock heads of red hair poked in.
"Found you at last!"
Cedric blinked. "Fred, George — what are you two up to now? If you're here to copy my essays, forget it."
Russell perked up. "There's homework during summer break?"
"Oh, sure," said George as he and Fred strolled in uninvited, plopping down beside Cedric. "Skip it, and you either lose house points or end up polishing trophies with Filch."
"Detention and humiliation," Fred added cheerfully. "Classic Hogwarts double feature."
His eyes wandered to the pile of snacks on the table. "Blimey, what are these?"
"Chips," Russell offered. "Muggle food. Want to try some?"
"Don't mind if I do, kind sir." Fred snatched a bag from Cedric, popped a chip into his mouth, and his eyes went wide. "Crunchy! And salty! This is genius!"
"Fred," George nudged him sharply in the ribs, lowering his voice. "We're here for a reason, remember?"
"Oh, right." Fred coughed dramatically, then straightened his posture and fixed Russell with an overly serious expression.
"I'm Fred Weasley, and this is my dashing twin brother George," he declared grandly. "May we ask your name, good sir?"
"Russell Fythorne," Russell said, bemused. "Uh… nice to meet you?"
Fred leaned back, exchanging a knowing look with George.
"So," he said with a mischievous glint in his eye, "you're the mysterious lad traveling with the Addams family, aren't you?"
Russell blinked. "You know them?"
"Let's just say," George replied, grinning, "Mum knows of them — and that's enough to make her go pale as Nearly Headless Nick."
Cedric chuckled, watching the exchange unfold. "Careful, Russell. When these two start digging for gossip, not even the Fat Friar can save you."
The twins grinned in unison. "Oh, we don't want gossip," Fred said innocently. "We just want stories."
Russell leaned back in his seat, a small smile tugging at his lips.
He had a feeling the Hogwarts Express ride was going to be anything but boring.
Cedric, who had been quietly munching on chips while watching the conversation unfold, finally realized what was happening. These two redheaded terrors weren't here to talk to him at all — they were here for the new kid.
With that realization, he sat back comfortably, pulled another bag of snacks closer, and slipped seamlessly into spectator mode.
---
"Hey, don't get us wrong," George said quickly, noticing the guarded look on Russell's face. "We're not here to cause trouble."
"Yeah, yeah, no harm intended," Fred added with a grin. "It's just — Fythorne, right? Never heard that family name before."
"That's because it isn't a wizarding one," Russell replied flatly. "My parents were both Muggles. Now, if you don't mind, could you get to the point?"
"Right, right, sorry," George said, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "It's just… those people who came with you — our mum recognized them, I'm sure of it. But she wouldn't tell us anything."
Russell hesitated for a moment before answering, "They're the Addams family."
"The Addams… that sounds familiar," George muttered, frowning as if trying to recall a half-forgotten rumor.
Before he could remember, Cedric — who'd been following the exchange with mild amusement — finally spoke up.
"You two don't know the Addams family?" he asked incredulously.
Fred blinked. "Should we?"
"Oh, here we go," George said with mock exasperation. "Cedric Diggory, model student, Mr. Knows-Everything."
Cedric shot them a glare, his ears turning faintly pink. "I'm just saying — the Addams are one of the most influential wizarding families in the world, not just in Britain. They practically monopolize the entire magical funeral and necromantic service industry."
Fred and George exchanged glances, suddenly intrigued.
Cedric leaned in slightly, lowering his voice like a storyteller sharing forbidden knowledge. "And do you know what makes the Addams family truly unique — the one thing that drives pure-blood aristocrats mad with envy?"
Both twins leaned forward.
Cedric smirked and cleared his throat dramatically. "They don't discriminate. The Addams have intermarried with Muggles, Squibs, even half-bloods — yet they're still recognized as one of the oldest and most respected pure-blood families. The irony of it all drives the old guard insane."
Fred whistled. "So they broke all the rules and still came out on top. Not bad."
George shrugged. "Sounds like a family with too much money and not enough to do."
Russell chuckled quietly. "You're not wrong. Gomez Addams doesn't work a day in his life — spends most of his time fencing, reading, and flirting with his wife. I've never seen him actually do business."
Cedric blinked. "Sounds… ideal, honestly."
---
Fred's grin turned sly. "So, Fythorne — how'd you end up mixed up with that lot? They don't exactly seem like the kind of people who take in strays."
"They're my neighbors," Russell replied simply, shrugging. "We met when I moved in. They've been… friendly."
George sat up straight, eyes widening slightly. "You mean they personally came with you to the station?"
Russell nodded.
The twins exchanged a look — this time not of mischief, but mild awe.
"Well," George said slowly, "you might not realize it, but that's a big deal."
Fred nodded in agreement. "Hogwarts has four Houses — Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. A lot of Slytherins are pure-blood supremacists — the kind who think Muggle-borns shouldn't even be allowed to hold wands."
"They're not always openly hostile," George added. "But if you tick one of them off, they'll make your life miserable. Subtle stuff — rumors, hexes, that sort of thing."
Fred leaned forward, grinning. "But now that everyone saw the Addams family escorting you to the train? Well…"
George finished for him, smirking. "Let's just say the snakes will think twice before picking on the boy who's got them watching his back."
Russell blinked, then couldn't help but laugh softly. "So… I have protection by accident?"
"Exactly!" Fred declared. "And it's the best kind — terrifying and unintentional."
Cedric chuckled, tossing another chip into his mouth. "Congratulations, Russell. You've officially become the most interesting first-year on the train."
Russell leaned back against the seat, smiling faintly.
He hadn't realized it before, but it seemed his new life in the wizarding world was going to be far more complicated — and far more entertaining — than he'd ever expected.