Disclaimer: When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are, 'cause when you wish upon a star, your wish will come true. ATTENTION: I don't own Harry Potter and ALL SINGING CRICKETS SHOULD BE KILLED. (Enjoy the story!)
Pastures New
Chapter 1: Patience
She waited. She hated to wait; but even more so, she hated to be late for anything. So she stood next to a brick pillar in late August waiting on a train station platform. Looking up at a clock on the wall, she could see that the train was due in five minutes. There were only a few people waiting on the platform as well. Because of the distance she couldn't hear their conversations, but every once in a while she would hear them laughing. She crossed her arms in front of her and leaned against a pillar; she wondered what she was getting herself into.
On the train coming towards London, a woman watched as the city came closer into view. She took out a letter to read it for the fifth time while on the train.
Dear Headmaster Dumbledore,
I was pleased to read that you will indeed be accepting the transfer of Miss Elizabeth Parker to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I am certain that you will find her to be a great addition to your wonderful school. Although she is young, Miss Parker is an exceptionally gifted student and may need to be placed in more advanced classes than the average thirteen year old.
I am also pleased that your Deputy Headmistress is willing to meet Miss Parker before term begins on the first of September. I have been informed that she will be in London on the 25th of August.
At the end of last term the Milgram Thorton Academy moved to a new location. Unfortunately, in the move her records were misplaced. I assure you that Miss Parker's transcripts will be forwarded to you as soon as they are located. Until then, I am certain that Miss Parker will be of help to you in her placement in your school. I am sorry for any inconvenience.
Sincerely,
Professor Catherine Ellis
Headmistress of Milgram Thorton Academy
She shook her head as she folded the letter one last time. Miss Elizabeth Parker's transcripts had not yet arrived; nor any other correspondence since this letter from over two weeks ago.
Seeing that the Hogwarts Express had reached Platform 9 ¾, she placed the letter back in pocket book and gathered her tartan carpetbag in her left hand.
The train stopped and let out a high-pitched whistle. The young girl on Platform 9¾ stood up straight and made sure that her dark hair was still pulled back in its place at the base of her head.
She took a deep breath trying to stay calm even though she new she had nothing to worry about. She did not have the faintest idea of how she would know which one was the Deputy Headmistress she was supposed to be meeting; all she had was a name.
The first person off the train was a young man caring a small child with a mass of blond curls and a bright smile. He looked around then waved to an older couple waiting a few feet away. He then turned to help a blond woman with the same mass of curls step off the train after him. From an outsider's point of view they all looked like a happy and loving young family; but somehow she could tell that they were not. She knew that their marriage was failing and this visit to his parents would be the end of their relationship.
As she turned her attention away from the family reunion she saw an older man step off the train. His tired eyes searched the platform. After seeing that there was no one there to greet him, not that he expected any one to, he straightened his brown muggle suit and walked towards the barrier that separated Platform 9¾ from muggle London.
Just then a woman stepped down from the train. She looked between 35 and 40; 45 at the most. She wore a dark green dress suit with a cream colored blouse. Her hair was pulled tight into a bun at the back of her head and square spectacles framed her emerald eyes. She could tell that this woman with the tartan carpetbag was not someone to cross. 'This must be her,' she thought.
She took a deep breath and crossed the platform to meet this woman. She stopped, extended her right hand, and said "Professor McGonagall, I presume?"
Professor McGonagall took her hand and noticed her firm grip, "You must be Miss Parker. It is nice to meet you at last."
"It's nice to meet you as well, Professor. I hope this meeting isn't too much of an inconvenience. I would think that your schedule would be very full with a new school year beginning so soon."
"This isn't an inconvenience at all, Miss Parker." Professor McGonagall studied the young girl in front of her. She looked older that thirteen, but not by much. The way she held herself made her seem older. "Shall we go to the Leaky Caldron?"
"That sounds like a good idea, Professor. I'll see you in a moment then." With a nod and a pop, she was gone.