I stepped into the noisy train station, wringing my hands with nerves. The letter had appeared at my front doorstep only weeks ago and ever since I had been wondering, worrying, and wringing. My parents each put a hand on my back, guiding me through the crowd of impatient people. But for some reason, deep inside me, I was still wringing my hands.
We reached the barrier and as my parents told me what to do for the billionth time, I watched the crowd and saw a red-haired girl and a black haired boy slip through the crowd.
"So are you ready?" my mother asked me. I started slightly, coming back into focus, and nodded my head. She went first, for a demonstration that I didn't need. She just walked briskly towards the wall and before we knew it, she had disappeared. I turned my head and looked into my father's deep brown eyes and he nodded his head. It was time.
I started at a powerful walk, soon turning into a jog as I dragged my trunk behind me. Then, with a flash I could see a crowd of kids hugging anxious parents, and a gleaming, new looking train. My mom was right in front of me and my dad soon appeared behind me. Both were smiling.
"I guess it's time to say goodbye," My mom said, tears filling her eyes.
"Oh come on, it's a year, not a lifetime!" I replied, knowing she would make a huge deal out of it anyways. I loved her, but she was dramatic.
"We'll miss you, sweetie!" My mother burst into tears and I hugged her, squeezing her tightly. As much as I hated to admit it, the tears were working their way down my face. I wiped them with my sleeve and pulled away.
"I should get on the train. It's almost time to leave!" I said, getting excited again. "Love you mum, dad!" And with that final goodbye, I climbed the steps to my new life.
I wandered through the hallway, looking for an open compartment. Cheery faces and loud conversations greeted me at every door. Finally, I found a compartment. No one was in it so I yanked my bags in with me and slipped into one of the chairs.
My eyes wandered to the window and I began to day dream, getting lost in an elegant castle with snow falling slowly outside. Me, hand in hand with a handsome young man, wandering through the corridors. His eyes meeting mine and slowly his head inching towards me-
Is anyone sitting here?" A loud voice interrupted my thoughts. I hopped up, startled and then realized it was just the girl and boy that I had seen earlier.
I sat back down and replied, "Nope! Empty!" The girl smiled widely and sat down in the seat across from me. Her companion sat next to me and I wondered how they knew each other because they obviously weren't siblings. The girl had startling red hair and intelligent blue eyes and the boy had shaggy dark brown hair and warm brown eyes. As if they knew what the look meant, the girl said, "Our parents are friends… You might have heard about them. Harry Potter and Ron Weasley?" I shook my head no because both of my parents were muggles, as most witches and wizards would say. They nodded as if they understood coming from a muggle family, which they obviously didn't.
I stared awkwardly at my hands as a silence came over the car. But the silence did not last for look because a preteen with bright white-blonde hair paraded his way into the car.
"Hello everyone! How was your weekend? Who on EARTH is THAT?" he said theatrically, pointing a long, slim finger my way.
"You are so rude, Malfoy!" the red headed girl replied. "This is… uhhh… We actually forgot to introduce ourselves!"
"And I'm the rude one?" he replied. The redhead blushed slightly and turned to me. "Sorry, what's your name?"
"I'm Eliseabeth Jackowith," I stated. "And your name?" I asked politely. These people were so interesting.
"Oh sorry! My name is Rose Weasley. And my brother Hugo is at home, anxiously waiting for his time at Hogwarts."
"And I'm James. James Potter," chimed in the boy, eyes glinting. "My little sister, Lily, is too young to come to Hogwarts. She's got another two years. And my brother Albus is a first year, like you guys. I'm a second year, but I'm sure we'll still see plenty of each other." I nodded and soon everyone in the car had begun a conversation, except me. All of these people knew each other through their parents, I felt so left out. I was the only muggle born. I made a mental note to check out a book from the library and do some research on their parents, so at least I could know what was going on. I hadn't noticed but while we had been introducing ourselves, the train had begun our journey.
The forests passed by with rapid intensity and I watched all the scenery blurs past. I sat quietly, listening to tidbits of conversation from the various people in the car. I turned to my side and saw the piercing brown eyes of James Potter examining me. I blushed and hurridley turned back towards the window. I had no reason to be embarrassed but just being looked at by this boy seemed to melt me and pull all of the logic out of my brain.
"So, Eliseabeth… Do you have a nickname?" I heard a deep voice say. I turned back to James and shook my head no. "Ahhhh. We have to fix that!" he exclaimed.
"Nicknames aren't really my thing…" I said in a quiet voice. I hated correcting people but I really had never had good enough friends to come up with a nickname.
"Well then, Eliseabeth. What is your thing?" he asked, smiling at me.
"You'll have to find out."I told him, not sure how else to reply. I turned away and looked back out the window, returning to my thoughts.
I turned to look and him and he was back in conversation with Malfoy. Right as I turned away though, he turned and caught my eye, winking. I smiled, satisfied with what I had done. I was deep in thought and before I knew it I had fallen asleep.