Vocations

The Beginning

by IHaveASiriusObsession

Disclaimer: Harry Potter = JKR

A/N: This passed through my mind one day, and I just couldn't let it go. I know seventh year stories are so common you could even go as far as to call them a cliché, but I had to try one out myself. Enjoy : )


A crisp, cool breeze fluttered through Kings Cross announcing the much awaited arrival of autumn. It was September the first, and the scarlet Hogwarts Express had just pulled into it's station as Big Ben chimed ten. For a moment, time seemed to stop as platform nine and three-quarters remained quite hushed and still, shrouding the area with an eerie quiet. Then suddenly, from out of a barrier popped an eager student, and behind him another, quickly followed by another still. Soon, the platform was bustling with activity: Owls were hooting, their cages rattling, greetings of old friends were heard, and parents were weeping goodbyes, their children blushing as they gave them a reassuring hug. Excited eleven-year-olds were discussing Houses and which they ought to be in while older students were reminiscing, remembering what it was like when they had first taken sight of Hogwarts and dreading the day when they would have to leave.

One of these students entered through the barrier gracefully, and in plenty of time. Heads turned as she walked by pushing her cart, wearing proudly upon her chest a shining "Head Girl" badge, her dark red hair swinging behind her. It was her seventh year and she intended to make the most of it. She would not leave Hogwarts without gracing her impression upon it; for she had much to give. And indeed everyone thought so. Lily Evans was known throughout school not just for her striking beauty, but for her wit and kindness. No one doubted she would go far in life.

It was nearing eleven o'clock, and the platform began to clear. Students were settling in compartments whilst parents were eagerly waving to them through their windows and saying last-minute goodbyes. The Hogwarts Express let out a loud whistle signaling immediate boarding time, and only then did one messy black haired and tousled looking boy crash out of the barrier, glassed askew, struggling to keep the balance of his cart as it threatened to topple over. His hazel eyes frantically searched the platform, finally falling upon a fellow seventh year who was sticking his shaggy, brown-haired head anxiously out of the nearest boarding door. Quickly, as though someone had lit his pants on fire, he ran towards the train, his "Head Boy" badge hanging off his jumper by just the pin it was fastened to and cursing loudly to the boy that had pushed through the barrier behind him (who was incidentally laughing his head off).

At precisely eleven o'clock the scarlet steam engine whistled once more, puffing large clouds of steam, and rolled out of the station and into the countryside, bringing with it the weight of every unfortunate seventh year who would never see its platform again.

Endings are sad, but this is just the beginning....