A Marketing Financial Report on Habibi Transportation - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 6 Words: 1824 Downloads: 9 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Marketing Essay Type Case study Did you like this example? EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Habibi transportation is a company that will be based in Al Ain. Habibi will provide transportation and logistics services to the business customers in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi and all other cities of UAE. The company will take materials and goods from supplier and deliver it to manufactures and then take products from manufacturers and deliver it to the wholesalers or retailers. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "A Marketing Financial Report on Habibi Transportation" essay for you Create order It will be partnership business. Habibi transportation empowers somebody to rent a truck, of any size, for any extend that needs pulling. The logistics and transportation industry is making fast strides in the UAE, and specifically in Dubai. With framework and realty improvement tasks blasting and new real ventures being reported day by day over the UAE, it is clear that the industry will keep on growing in the close medium term. In the first year the business will get a loss of 87605 AED. The startup requirements of the business are AED 2530500. INTRODUCTION: Transportation industry in UAE is a flourishing industry. As the demand for tourism is increase the air and land transportation is also increase. The land transportation is also used for many manufacturing business to deliver raw materials and heavy materials from one place to another. The business that we are going to launch is transportation business through trucking. Trucking is a terrifying industry to be in at this time. Yet top trucking executives say the economic downturn is no time to take a route that is excessively expedient on service as they adapt to industry overcapacity and shippers wanting rock bottom rates. The name of our trucking transportation business is à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“HABIBI TRANSPORTATIONà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ . The business will be based in al ain UAE. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of habibi transportation for the next three years include: Getting highest annual revenue every year Hire more truck driver Expand the business by expanding market Targeting the other cities of UAE as well Purchasing more advanced vehicle for transportation SALES OBJECTIVES: Sales Forecast JAN FEB MAR APRIL JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC Unit Sales Miles of Shipping 12,000 18,000 27,000 37,800 52,920 55,566 58,344 61,262 64,325 67,541 70,918 Customer accounts 0 1 2 4 7 8 9 10 10 11 12 Total Unit Sales 12,000 18,001 27,002 37,804 52,927 55,574 58,353 61,272 64,335 67,552 70,930 Unit Prices Miles of Shipping 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 Customer accounts 3500 3500 3500 3500 3500 3500 3500 3500 3500 3500 3500 Sales Miles of Shipping 54600 81900 122850 171990 240786 252826 265468 278740 292677 307311 322676 Customer accounts 0 3500 7000 14000 24500 28000 31500 35000 35000 38500 42000 Total Sales 54600 85400 129850 185990 265286 280826 296968 313740 327677 345811 364676 Direct Unit Costs Miles of Shipping 50.00% 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Customer accounts 10.00% 350 350 350 350 350 350 350 350 350 350 350 Direct Cost of Sales Miles of Shipping 27300 40950 61425 85995 120393 126413 132734 139370 146339 153657 161340 Customer accounts 0 350 700 1400 2450 2800 3150 3500 3500 3850 4200 Subtotal Direct Cost of Sales 27300 41300 62125 87395 122843 129213 135884 142870 149839 157507 165540 MISSION: The mission of habibi transportation is to become the partner of business and help them in operating efficiently through effective distribution services. For this purpose the company will use best management to give accurate and timely deliveries to the customers. KEY TO SUCCESS: The key success factor for habibi transportation includes: Proper deliver schedules will be made to give timely delivery Recruiting reliable drivers who can drive safely Forming an accurate communication channel between drivers, company and customers. COMPANY SUMMARY: Habibi transportation is a company that will be based in al ain. Habibi will provide transportation and logistics services to the business customers in al ain , abu dhabi and all other cities of UAE. The company will take materials and goods from supplier and deliver it to manufactures and then take products from manufacturers and deliver it to the wholesalers or retailers. COMPANY OWNERSHIP: The habibi transportation will be a partnership business between two friends. The company will be owned by me and my friend. After the years the business will changes its type of ownership to Limited Liability Company because the company will expand and we will share the ownership of the company with the investors and we will give them approximately 20% share. STARTUP SUMMARY: Start-up Requirements AED Start-up Expenses Stationery 10500 Legal 17500 Brochures 17500 Insurance 35000 Rent 42000 Licenses and Permits 17500 Computer 10500 Website Development 70000 Total Start-up Expenses 220500 Start-up Assets Cash 315000 Long-term Assets 1925000 Other Current Assets 70000 Total Assets 2310000 Total Requirements 2530500 COMPANY LOCATION AND FACILITIES: The location of habibi transportation is in al Ain , united Arab emirates. The company is located near the factories areas. The services that company will provide to its customers will be available 24 hours. The facility of the company will be located near its target market. SERVICES: The trucking industry gives transportation services to persons or organizations looking to pull overwhelming things. Habibi transportation empowers somebody to rent a truck, of any size, for any extend that needs pulling. We will give this service to the entire of the al ain range, and want to stretch from this base zone inside the initial five years of operation. This service is given on two bases: for-contract and private bearers. Of these two fragments, Habibi Transportation will focus on the for-contract bearers, and, all the more particularly, the truckload (TL) and short of what truckload (LTL) portions. COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE: The competitive ad vantage of habibi transportation is the inconceivable industry experience and robust notoriety of its manager. His organization is likewise well known around its customers for going that additional mile in the client service division. COMPETITIVE COMPARISON: The competitors of habibi transportation includesal sahra heavy equipments , al walid equipment rental, bronze beach general contracting , Bkler dubai etc. all these transportation companies are performing good in the industry and the entrance of habibi transportation in industry may force them to take an aggressive action. INDUSTRY ANALYSIS: The logistics and transportation industry is making fast strides in the UAE, and specifically in Dubai. With framework and realty improvement tasks blasting and new real ventures being reported day by day over the UAE, it is clear that the industry will keep on growwing in the close medium term. Such development of construction in the UAE, anticipated for at least 10 years, wil l generate a steady appeal for totals and sand; this, thus, produces a consistent and climbing interest for tipper haulage services in an officially extended supply commercial center. One of the greatest giver to UAE economy is the shipping and logistics industry which takes a obligation in transporting of items, for example, petroleum mining, hardware, sustenance stuff and other significant products either transported in or locally made crosswise over industrial facilities in UAE. The transport of these to the following end, which could be local or to ends of the line crosswise over other world markets. The local and global shipping and Logistics suppliers in UAE offer different sorts of trucking to convey cargo by way. They convey everything from letters to houses to cargo compartments, substantial hardware, refrigerated , haz to live creatures crosswise over outskirts Emirates or GCC The transport suppliers in UAE, support an exclusive requirement of service, generally extr emely dependable and resolved to convey products securely to the end client. With flourishing general store business crosswise over UAE. The great illustration of street cargo is nourishment stuff conveyance. MARKET ANALYSIS: The economy in the UAE is ended up more assorted and shows confirmation of power to withstand outer stun. Solid financing in transport base and the worldwide desire of organizations like Emirates Airlines and DP World will additionally be solid positive components. In spite of the fact that the current oil price blast is maneuvering, the organization anticipates that the UAE economy will develop by 4.1% for every annum throughout the following five years, which will help the logistics industry. Manufacturers frequently outsource the circulation of their products to organizations that work in serving one the kind of retailer or business. Their bundled products are regularly delivered to stand out wholesaler/merchant, making a consistent business in ship ping between the two areas. Raw Material Suppliers dispatch extensive amounts of materials to huge manufacturers in the northwestern states. These materials by and large dont oblige refrigeration or temperature control. Manufacturers support some on location stockpiling for these supplies and by and large have some breathing space in the matter of when conveyances could be accepted, with the exception of when projections are mixed up and supplies drop low. Bundling supplies likewise must be transported to manufacturers and are incorporated in this aggregation. Wholesalers/Distributors that serve extensive retailers amass truckloads of products from the numerous manufacturers they serve. While they regularly have their trucks or dispersion implies, some of these organizations dont either in light of the fact that they are more modest or in light of the fact that they endeavor to utmost their speculation in holdings. Others may oblige extra trucking backing when they are working at limit however not ready to extend their shipping limit. Market Analysis Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Potential Customers Growth Manufacturers 2% 5,000 5,100 5,202 raw material suppleir 1% 6,000 6,060 6,121 Wholesalers/Distributors 3% 5,500 5,665 5,835 Total 1.00% 16,500 16,825 17,158 MARKETING MIX: Price: The pricing of habibi transportation is dependent upon miles for every many dirham of cargo transported. We will be capable charge aggressive rates, as we have negligible overhead contrasted with our rival. Promotion: Notwithstanding standard commercial practices, Habibi Transportation will pick up significant distinguishment through these extra promotional mediums: Press news sent to radio stations, daily papers, and magazines. we plan to promote broadly, in magazines and daily papers, on TV and radio, and on announcements. Radio advertising on auxiliary stations As an additional motivation for clients and potential clients to recall the name, Habibi Transportation arrangements to circulate espresso mugs, T-shirts, pens, and other advertising claims to fame with the organization logo. The destination of a leaflet is to depict the organizations objectives and items as an alluring usefulness. Habibi Transportation will create three handouts: one to be utilized to push sales, one to report the item in another market, and the third to enroll sales copar Place: The place of habibi transportation is in alain in UAE, Product/ service: Habibi transportation is providing trucking and logistics services to the business customers. FINANCIAL PLAN: Pro Forma Profit and Loss 2015 2016 2017 Sales 3038630 5087992 8242430 Direct Cost of Sales 1396115 2155916 3308095 Total Cost of Sales 1396115 2155916 3308095 Gross Margin 1642515 2932076 4934335 Expenses Marketing/Promotion 357000 280000 350000 Payroll 692864 910000 1015000 Truck Maintenance/Repair 27300 42000 66150 Depreciation 207669 314832 437304 Rent 126000 132300 138915 Utilities 12600 13230 13892 Payroll Taxes 208639 298193 400358 Insurance 42000 63000 87500 Licenses and Permitting 28000 35000 35000 Web Hosting and Development 14438 25200 26460 Total Operating Expenses 1716509 2113755 2570579 Profit Before Interest and Taxes -73994 818321 2363757 EBITDA 133676 1133153 2801061 Interest Expense 13612 76913 123375 Net Profit -87605 518987 1568270 Pro Forma Balance Sheet 2015 2016 2017 Assets Current Assets Cash 80350 64253 879711 Accounts Receivable 418495 700742 1135187 Other Current Assets 70000 70000 70000 Total Current Assets 568845 834995 2084898 Long-term Assets Long-term Assets 2537500 3762500 4987500 Accumulated Depreciation 207669 522501 959805 Total Long-term Assets 2329831 3239999 4027695 Total Assets 2898676 4074994 6112593 Liabilities and Capital 2015 2016 2017 Current Liabilities Accounts Payable 237031 274862 429195 Current Borrowing 10500 0 0 Subtotal Current Liabilities 247531 274862 429195 Long-term Liabilities 446250 1076250 1391250 Total Liabilities 693781 1351112 1820445 Paid-in Capital 2513000 2513000 2513000 Retained Earnings -220500 -308105 210882 Earnings -87605 518987 1568270 Total Capital 2204895 2723882 4292148 Total Liabilities and Capital 2898676 4074994 6112593 CONCLUSION: From the above financial analysis and market analysis, it has been concluded that opening a transportation business in UAE is a good decision. The demand for logistics and transportation services is increasing in UAE. The number of construction projects increase so the demand of the delivering raw material and heavy equipment from one place to another is also increasing. RECOMMENDATION From the above plan and research, it is recommended that company should expand its business to other cities of UAE also as the demand is increasing and ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a good opportunity for business. Before starting this business, it is recommended that company should set attractive prices to gain customers as there are many competitors in the market so with high price, habibi transports cannot make a position in UAE transportation industry. REFERENCES:

Poetry Analysis - - Forgive Me When I Whine by Bruno Hagspeil

FORGIVE ME WHEN I WHINE By: Bruno Hagspiel Today, upon a bus, I saw a lovely girl with golden hair. I envied her. She seemed so gay, and wished I were as fair. When suddenly she rose to leave, I saw her hobble down the aisle. She had one leg, and wore a crutch. But as she passed- a smile. O God, forgive me when I whine. I have two legs. The world is mine! I stopped to buy some lollies. The lad who sold them had such charm. I talked to him. He seemed so glad. If I were late, ‘twould do no harm. And as I left he said to me, â€Å" I thank you. You’ve been so kind. It’s nice to talk with†¦show more content†¦This poem is customary relating to life of each human, it could be related to a human nature, where in we arrive to a point of whimpering or complaining to something and yearning to things we wanted to have. We tend not to appreciate the things we have till we saw some less fortunate people than us. Simply saying, we should be cheerful and must learn to appreciate the things we possessed. That’s the best message here we can get. WEEP NO MORE MY LADY By: Gems of Thought When I quit this mortal shore, And live around this earth no more, Don’t weep, don’t sight, don’t grieve, don’t sob I may have stuck a better job. Don’t go and buy a large bouquet. For which it may be hard to pay. Don’t hang around me feeling blue; I may be better of than you. Don’t tell the folks I was a saint, Or anything you know I ain’t. If you have stuff like this to spread, Please hand it out before I’m dead. If you have roses, bless your soul, Just pin one in my button hole. But do it while I’m at my best Instead of when I’m safe at rest. POETRY ANALYSIS It is quietly easy to take in this poem or to relate on this ode. To everyone who

Chapter 11 Aboard the Hogwart Express Free Essays

string(88) " the village post office to order three ordinary Muggle taxis to take them into London\." There was a definite end-of-the-holidays gloom in the air when Harry awoke next morning. Heavy rain was still splattering against the window as he got dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt; they would change into their school robes on the Hogwarts Express. He, Ron, Fred, and George had just reached the first-floor landing on their way down to breakfast, when Mrs. We will write a custom essay sample on Chapter 11 Aboard the Hogwart Express or any similar topic only for you Order Now Weasley appeared at the foot of the stairs, looking harassed. â€Å"Arthur!† she called up the staircase. â€Å"Arthur! Urgent message from the Ministry!† Harry flattened himself against the wall as Mr. Weasley came clattering past with his robes on back-to-front and hurtled out of sight. When Harry and the others entered the kitchen, they saw Mrs. Weasley rummaging anxiously in the drawers – â€Å"I’ve got a quill here somewhere!† – and Mr. Weasley bending over the fire, talking to – Harry shut his eyes hard and opened them again to make sure that they were working properly. Amos Diggory’s head was sitting in the middle of the flames like a large, bearded egg. It was talking very fast, completely unperturbed by the sparks flying around it and the flames licking its ears. â€Å"†¦Muggle neighbors heard bangs and shouting, so they went and called those what-d’you-call-’ems – please-men. Arthur, you’ve got to get over there -â€Å" â€Å"Here!† said Mrs. Weasley breathlessly, pushing a piece of parchment, a bottle of ink, and a crumpled quill into Mr. Weasley’s hands. â€Å"- it’s a real stroke of luck I heard about it,† said Mr. Diggory’s head. â€Å"I had to come into the office early to send a couple of owls, and I found the Improper Use of Magic lot all setting off – if Rita Skeeter gets hold of this one, Arthur -â€Å" â€Å"What does Mad-Eye say happened?† asked Mr. Weasley, unscrewing the ink bottle, loading up his quill, and preparing to take notes. Mr. Diggory’s head rolled its eyes. â€Å"Says he heard an intruder in his yard. Says he was creeping toward the house, but was ambushed by his dustbins.† â€Å"What did the dustbins do?† asked Mr. Weasley, scribbling frantically. â€Å"Made one hell of a noise and fired rubbish everywhere, as far as I can tell,† said Mr. Diggory. â€Å"Apparently one of them was still rocketing around when the please-men turned up -â€Å" Mr. Weasley groaned. â€Å"And what about the intruder?† â€Å"Arthur, you know Mad-Eye,† said Mr. Diggory’s head, rolling its eyes again. â€Å"Someone creeping into his yard in the dead of night? More likely there’s a very shell-shocked cat wandering around somewhere, covered in potato peelings. But if the Improper Use of Magic lot get their hands on Mad-Eye, he’s had it – think of his record – we’ve got to get him off on a minor charge, something in your department – what are exploding dustbins worth?† â€Å"Might be a caution,† said Mr. Weasley, still writing very fast, his brow furrowed. â€Å"Mad-Eye didn’t use his wand? He didn’t actually attack anyone?† â€Å"I’ll bet he leapt out of bed and started jinxing everything he could reach through the window,† said Mr. Diggory, â€Å"but they’ll have a job proving it, there aren’t any casualties.† â€Å"All right, I’m off,† Mr. Weasley said, and he stuffed the parchment with his notes on it into his pocket and dashed out of the kitchen again. Mr. Diggory’s head looked around at Mrs. Weasley. â€Å"Sorry about this, Molly,† it said, more calmly, â€Å"bothering you so early and everything†¦but Arthur’s the only one who can get Mad-Eye off, and Mad-Eye’s supposed to be starting his new job today. Why he had to choose last night†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Never mind, Amos,† said Mrs. Weasley. â€Å"Sure you won’t have a bit of toast or anything before you go?† â€Å"Oh go on, then,† said Mr. Diggory. Mrs. Weasley took a piece of buttered toast from a stack on the kitchen table, put it into the fire tongs, and transferred it into Mr. Diggory’s mouth. â€Å"Fanks,† he said in a muffled voice, and then, with a small pop, vanished. Harry could hear Mr. Weasley calling hurried good-byes to Bill, Charlie, Percy, and the girls. Within five minutes, he was back in the kitchen, his robes on the right way now, dragging a comb through his hair. â€Å"I’d better hurry – you have a good term, boys, said Mr. Weasley to Harry, Ron, and the twins, fastening a cloak over his shoulders and preparing to Disapparate. â€Å"Molly, are you going to be all right taking the kids to King’s Cross?† â€Å"Of course I will,† she said. â€Å"You just look after Mad-Eye, we’ll be fine.† As Mr. Weasley vanished, Bill and Charlie entered the kitchen. â€Å"Did someone say Mad-Eye?† Bill asked. â€Å"What’s he been up to now.† â€Å"He says someone tried to break into his house last night,† said Mrs. Weasley. â€Å"Mad-Eye Moody?† said George thoughtfully, spreading marmalade on his toast. â€Å"Isn’t he that nutter -â€Å" â€Å"Your father thinks very highly of Mad-Eye Moody,† said Mrs. Weasley sternly. â€Å"Yeah, well, Dad collects plugs, doesn’t he?† said Fred quietly as Mrs. Weasley left the room. â€Å"Birds of a feather†¦.† â€Å"Moody was a great wizard in his time,† said Bill. â€Å"He’s an old friend of Dumbledore’s, isn’t he?† said Charlie. â€Å"Dumbledore’s not what you’d call normal, though, is he?† said Fred. â€Å"I mean, I know he’s a genius and everything†¦.† â€Å"Who is Mad-Eye?† asked Harry. â€Å"He’s retired, used to work at the Ministry,† said Charlie. â€Å"I met him once when Dad took me into work with him. He was an Auror – one of the best†¦a Dark wizard catcher,† he added, seeing Harry’s blank look. â€Å"Half the cells in Azkaban are full because of him. He made himself loads of enemies, though†¦the families of people he caught, mainly†¦and I heard he’s been getting really paranoid in his old age. Doesn’t trust anyone anymore. Sees Dark wizards everywhere.† Bill and Charlie decided to come and see everyone off at King’s Cross station, but Percy, apologizing most profusely, said that he really needed to get to work. â€Å"I just can’t justify taking more time off at the moment,† he told them. â€Å"Mr. Crouch is really starting to rely on me.† â€Å"Yeah, you know what, Percy?† said George seriously. â€Å"I reckon he’ll know your name soon.† Mrs. Weasley had braved the telephone in the village post office to order three ordinary Muggle taxis to take them into London. You read "Chapter 11 Aboard the Hogwart Express" in category "Essay examples" â€Å"Arthur tried to borrow Ministry cars for us,† Mrs. Weasley whispered to Harry as they stood in the rain-washed yard, watching the taxi drivers heaving six heavy Hogwarts trunks into their cars. â€Å"But there weren’t any to spare†¦.Oh dear, they don’t look happy, do they?† Harry didn’t like to tell Mrs. Weasley that Muggle taxi drivers rarely transported overexcited owls, and Pigwidgeon was making an earsplitting racket. Nor did it help that a number of Filibuster’s Fabulous No-Heat, Wet-Start Fireworks went off unexpectedly when Fred’s trunk sprang open, causing the driver carrying it to yell with fright and pain as Crookshanks clawed his way up the man’s leg. The journey was uncomfortable, owing to the fact that they were jammed in the back of the taxis with their trunks. Crookshanks took quite a while to recover from the fireworks, and by the time they entered London, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were all severely scratched. They were very relieved to get out at King’s Cross, even though the rain was coming down harder than ever, and they got soaked carrying their trunks across the busy road and into the station. Harry was used to getting onto platform nine and three-quarters by now. It was a simple matter of walking straight through the apparently solid barrier dividing platforms nine and ten. The only tricky part was doing this in an unobtrusive way, so as to avoid attracting Muggle attention. They did it in groups today; Harry, Ron, and Hermione (the most conspicuous, since they were accompanied by Pigwidgeon and Crookshanks) went first; they leaned casually against the barrier, chatting unconcernedly, and slid sideways through it†¦and as they did so, platform nine and three-quarters materialized in front of them. The Hogwarts Express, a gleaming scarlet steam engine, was already there, clouds of steam billowing from it, through which the many Hogwarts students and parents on the platform appeared like dark ghosts. Pigwidgeon became noisier than ever in response to the hooting of many owls through the mist. Harry, Ron, and Hermione set off to find seats, and were soon stowing their luggage in a compartment halfway along the train. They then hopped back down onto the platform to say good-bye to Mrs. Weasley, Bill, and Charlie. â€Å"I might be seeing you all sooner than you think,† said Charlie, grinning, as he hugged Ginny good-bye. â€Å"Why?† said Fred keenly. â€Å"You’ll see,† said Charlie. â€Å"Just don’t tell Percy I mentioned it†¦it’s ‘classified information, until such time as the Ministry sees fit to release it,’ after all.† â€Å"Yeah, I sort of wish I were back at Hogwarts this year,† said Bill, hands in his pockets, looking almost wistfully at the train. â€Å"Why?† said George impatiently. â€Å"You’re going to have an interesting year,† said Bill, his eyes twinkling. â€Å"I might even get time off to come and watch a bit of it.† â€Å"A bit of what?† said Ron. But at that moment, the whistle blew, and Mrs. Weasley chivvied them toward the train doors. â€Å"Thanks for having us to stay, Mrs. Weasley,† said Hermione as they climbed on board, closed the door, and leaned out of the window to talk to her. â€Å"Yeah, thanks for everything, Mrs. Weasley,† said Harry. â€Å"Oh it was my pleasure, dears,† said Mrs. Weasley. â€Å"I’d invite you for Christmas, but†¦well, I expect you’re all going to want to stay at Hogwarts, what with†¦one thing and another.† â€Å"Mum!† said Ron irritably. â€Å"What d’you three know that we don’t?† â€Å"You’ll find out this evening, I expect,† said Mrs. Weasley, smiling. â€Å"It’s going to be very exciting – mind you, I’m very glad they’ve changed the rules -â€Å" â€Å"What rules?† said Harry, Ron, Fred, and George together. â€Å"I’m sure Professor Dumbledore will tell you†¦.Now, behave, won’t you? Won’t you, Fred? And you, George?† The pistons hissed loudly and the train began to move. â€Å"Tell us what’s happening at Hogwarts!† Fred bellowed out of the window as Mrs. Weasley, Bill, and Charlie sped away from them. â€Å"What rules are they changing?† But Mrs. Weasley only smiled and waved. Before the train had rounded the corner, she, Bill, and Charlie had Disapparated. Harry, Ron, and Hermione went back to their compartment. The thick rain splattering the windows made it very difficult to see out of them. Ron undid his trunk, pulled out his maroon dress robes, and flung them over Pigwidgeon’s cage to muffle his hooting. â€Å"Bagman wanted to tell us what’s happening at Hogwarts,† he said grumpily, sitting down next to Harry. â€Å"At the World Cup, remember? But my own mother won’t say. Wonder what -â€Å" â€Å"Shh!† Hermione whispered suddenly, pressing her finger to her lips and pointing toward the compartment next to theirs. Harry and Ron listened, and heard a familiar drawling voice drifting in through the open door. â€Å"†¦Father actually considered sending me to Durmstrang rather than Hogwarts, you know. He knows the headmaster, you see. Well, you know his opinion of Dumbledore – the man’s such a Mudblood-lover – and Durmstrang doesn’t admit that sort of riffraff. But Mother didn’t like the idea of me going to school so far away. Father says Durmstrang takes a far more sensible line than Hogwarts about the Dark Arts. Durmstrang students actually learn them, not just the defense rubbish we do†¦.† Hermione got up, tiptoed to the compartment door, and slid it shut, blocking out Malfoy’s voice. â€Å"So he thinks Durmstrang would have suited him, does he?† she said angrily. â€Å"I wish he had gone, then we wouldn’t have to put up with him.† â€Å"Durmstrang’s another wizarding school?† said Harry. â€Å"Yes,† said Hermione sniffily, â€Å"and it’s got a horrible reputation. According to An Appraisal of Magical Education in Europe, it puts a lot of emphasis on the Dark Arts.† â€Å"I think I’ve heard of it,† said Ron vaguely. â€Å"Where is it? What country?† â€Å"Well, nobody knows, do they?† said Hermione, raising her eyebrows. â€Å"Er – why not?† said Harry. â€Å"There’s traditionally been a lot of rivalry between all the magic schools. Durmstrang and Beauxbatons like to conceal their whereabouts so nobody can steal their secrets,† said Hermione matter-of-factly. â€Å"Come off it,† said Ron, starting to laugh. â€Å"Durmstrang’s got to be about the same size as Hogwarts – how are you going to hide a great big castle?† â€Å"But Hogwarts is hidden,† said Hermione, in surprise. â€Å"Everyone knows that†¦well, everyone who’s read Hogwarts, A History, anyway.† â€Å"Just you, then,† said Ron. â€Å"So go on – how d’you hide a place like Hogwarts?† â€Å"It’s bewitched,† said Hermione. â€Å"If a Muggle looks at it, all they see is a moldering old ruin with a sign over the entrance saying DANGER, DO NOT ENTER, UNSAFE.† â€Å"So Durmstrang’ll just look like a ruin to an outsider too?† â€Å"Maybe,† said Hermione, shrugging, â€Å"or it might have Muggle-repelling charms on it, like the World Cup stadium. And to keep foreign wizards from finding it, they’ll have made it Unplottable -â€Å" â€Å"Come again?† â€Å"Well, you can enchant a building so it’s impossible to plot on a map, can’t you?† â€Å"Er†¦if you say so,† said Harry. â€Å"But I think Durmstrang must be somewhere in the far north,† said Hermione thoughtfully. â€Å"Somewhere very cold, because they’ve got fur capes as part of their uniforms.† â€Å"Ah, think of the possibilities,† said Ron dreamily. â€Å"It would’ve been so easy to push Malfoy off a glacier and make it look like an accident†¦.Shame his mother likes him†¦.† The rain became heavier and heavier as the train moved farther north. The sky was so dark and the windows so steamy that the lanterns were lit by midday. The lunch trolley came rattling along the corridor, and Harry bought a large stack of Cauldron Cakes for them to share. Several of their friends looked in on them as the afternoon progressed, including Seamus Finnigan, Dean Thomas, and Neville Longbottom, a round-faced, extremely forgetful boy who had been brought up by his formidable witch of a grandmother. Seamus was still wearing his Ireland rosette. Some of its magic seemed to be wearing off now; it was still squeaking â€Å"Troy – Mullet – Moran!† but in a very feeble and exhausted sort of way. After half an hour or so, Hermione, growing tired of the endless Quidditch talk, buried herself once more in The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 4, and started trying to learn a Summoning Charm. Neville listened jealously to the others’ conversation as they relived the Cup match. â€Å"Gran didn’t want to go,† he said miserably. â€Å"Wouldn’t buy tickets. It sounded amazing though.† â€Å"It was,† said Ron. â€Å"Look at this, Neville†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He rummaged in his trunk up in the luggage rack and pulled out the miniature figure of Viktor Krum. â€Å"Oh wow,† said Neville enviously as Ron tipped Krum onto his pudgy hand. â€Å"We saw him right up close, as well,† said Ron. â€Å"We were in the Top Box -â€Å" â€Å"For the first and last time in your life, Weasley.† Draco Malfoy had appeared in the doorway. Behind him stood Crabbe and Goyle, his enormous, thuggish cronies, both of whom appeared to have grown at least a foot during the summer. Evidently they had overheard the conversation through the compartment door, which Dean and Seamus had left ajar. â€Å"Don’t remember asking you to join us, Malfoy,† said Harry coolly. â€Å"Weasley†¦what is that?† said Malfoy, pointing at Pigwidgeon’s cage. A sleeve of Ron’s dress robes was dangling from it, swaying with the motion of the train, the moldy lace cuff very obvious. Ron made to stuff the robes out of sight, but Malfoy was too quick for him; he seized the sleeve and pulled. â€Å"Look at this!† said Malfoy in ecstasy, holding up Ron’s robes and showing Crabbe and Goyle, â€Å"Weasley, you weren’t thinking of wearing these, were you? I mean – they were very fashionable in about eighteen ninety†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Eat dung, Malfoy!† said Ron, the same color as the dress robes as he snatched them back out of Malfoy’s grip. Malfoy howled with derisive laughter; Crabbe and Goyle guffawed stupidly. â€Å"So†¦going to enter, Weasley? Going to try and bring a bit of glory to the family name? There’s money involved as well, you know†¦you’d be able to afford some decent robes if you won†¦.† â€Å"What are you talking about?† snapped Ron. â€Å"Are you going to enter?† Malfoy repeated. â€Å"I suppose you will, Potter? You never miss a chance to show off, do you?† â€Å"Either explain what you’re on about or go away, Malfoy,† said Hermione testily, over the top of The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 4. A gleeful smile spread across Malfoy’s pale face â€Å"Don’t tell me you don’t know?† he said delightedly. â€Å"You’ve got a father and brother at the Ministry and you don’t even know? My God, my father told me about it ages ago†¦heard it from Cornelius Fudge. But then, Father’s always associated with the top people at the Ministry†¦.Maybe your father’s too junior to know about it, Weasley†¦yes†¦they probably don’t talk about important stuff in front of him†¦.† Laughing once more, Malfoy beckoned to Crabbe and Goyle, and the three of them disappeared. Ron got to his feet and slammed the sliding compartment door so hard behind them that the glass shattered. â€Å"Ron!† said Hermione reproachfully, and she pulled out her wand, muttered â€Å"Reparo!† and the glass shards flew back into a single pane and back into the door. â€Å"Well†¦making it look like he knows everything and we don’t†¦.† Ron snarled. â€Å"‘Father’s always associated with the top people at the Ministry’†¦Dad could’ve got a promotion any time†¦he just likes it where he is†¦.† â€Å"Of course he does,† said Hermione quietly. â€Å"Don’t let Malfoy get to you, Ron -â€Å" â€Å"Him! Get to me!? As if!† said Ron, picking up one of the remaining Cauldron Cakes and squashing it into a pulp. Ron’s bad mood continued for the rest of the journey. He didn’t talk much as they changed into their school robes, and was still glowering when the Hogwarts Express slowed down at last and finally stopped in the pitch-darkness of Hogsmeade station. As the train doors opened, there was a rumble of thunder overhead. Hermione bundled up Crookshanks in her cloak and Ron left his dress robes over Pigwidgeon as they left the train, heads bent and eyes narrowed against the downpour. The rain was now coming down so thick and fast that it was as though buckets of ice-cold water were being emptied repeatedly over their heads. â€Å"Hi, Hagrid!† Harry yelled, seeing a gigantic silhouette at the far end of the platform. â€Å"All righ’, Harry?† Hagrid bellowed back, waving. â€Å"See yeh at the feast if we don’ drown!† First years traditionally reached Hogwarts Castle by sailing across the lake with Hagrid. â€Å"Oooh, I wouldn’t fancy crossing the lake in this weather,† said Hermione fervently, shivering as they inched slowly along the dark platform with the rest of the crowd. A hundred horseless carriages stood waiting for them outside the station. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville climbed gratefully into one of them, the door shut with a snap, and a few moments later, with a great lurch, the long procession of carriages was rumbling and splashing its way up the track toward Hogwarts Castle. How to cite Chapter 11 Aboard the Hogwart Express, Essay examples