Dagger Through My Heart
Chapter I: The Hogwarts Express
"Have a great year at school, honey! We'll see you during Christmas break!" My mother said with tears in her eyes.
"Yes!" I replied with a smile as I thought about all the fun I would be having during my very first year at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. Then my mom and dad kneeled down and each gave me a large, loving hug and wishing me best of luck during my year.
Or, at least that's how I wished it had happened.
Basically it went like this.
"Get out of the car, we have to be somewhere important in fifteen minutes! When you get into the station just walk in-between platforms nine and ten and you'll be there." Was all that my mother said. She didn't give even the slightest smile to give me some support; actually she didn't even look at me.
"Oh, and Serverus," my father started, "please try to not to disgrace the family name." With that I watched as my parents rolled away in one of the ministry's cars, never once taking a last glance at their son, whom they would not see again until June.
After a great deal of confusion, mainly staring blankly at platform nine and then platform ten for about fifteen minutes, I finally relented to asking for help when I saw a little boy walk through platforms nine and ten.
"Um, excuse me ma'am?" I asked trying to hide the nervous quiver in my voice.
"Yes?" She asked, obviously nervous about a muggle thinking someone had just walked through a solid wall.
"My parents had to go somewhere and um… well… could you please help me do that? They didn't really say what it was I should do to get in-between the platform…"
"It's quite simple, all you need to do is walk straight at it- however if you feel nervous, you should try to run at it- it will make you feel slightly better."
"Thank you ma'am." And with that I ran full speed into the wall.
Thankfully I went right through and in front of me now was a whole new platform.
Platform 9 ¾. There right in front of me was now a scarlet train, very different from the black ones on all the other platforms. As I continued to make my way to the train I watched as all the parents kissed their children goodbye, told them how they would see them over the winter holidays and how they would write every day, then wave goodbye from outside the train.
It felt like a knife plunging into my heart.
All I could think about was all the heartfelt goodbyes I was witnessing and the not even half-hearted one I had received from my parents.
With every step I took the knife was plunging deeper and deeper into my heart.
As I stepped onto the train I looked instinctively for an empty compartment, it was just in my nature, I was a loner. I mean I just didn't fit in with anyone. I was too shy, too stupid, too scrawny etc. etc. No matter what I did I got yelled at or made fun of. Eventually I just withdrew myself from everything and everyone.
My thoughts were interrupted by the sliding of the compartment door. "Is this seat taken?" said a boy about my age. He was short and skinny giving the impression of someone who would be blown over by even the slightest gust of wind. "There are no more seats anywhere, believe me- I've checked."
"Um, no, you can sit here." I replied, although I was quite unhappy about this event, personally I was hoping I would be able to wallow in self pity for the rest of the train ride reflecting on the failure that was my life, but I soon found out that was not about to happen.
"Thanks, I'm Illusturis Dantus, what's your name? Any idea what house you'll be, where do you want to be, are you pureblood, aren't you excited to be going to Hogwarts? I know I am!" Illusturis replied finally taking a breath.
"I'm Severus Snape and my entire family has been in Slytherin for generations, so if I'm not, well, I'm pretty much out of the family for good…" I began for what would be two hours or so, but for the first time in my life, the time flew by quickly.
I had found my first real friend; I couldn't believe it, I Severus Snape, had a friend.
I Severus Snape had laughed for the first time in what seemed like years.
I Severus Snape had actually had a good time talking to another person.
Was this the beginning of a new life, or the end of an old one?
Only time would tell what was in store for me as the scarlet engine approached Hogsmead Station and we got of first glimpse at the castle and school that would be our home for the entire year; Hogwarts.