I close my eyes and exhale. What was I even doing here? Did I even want to go to Hogwarts? The unfamiliar buzzing of the train station announcement rings down my ear. People squirm through the crowds, pushing me forth wards and backwards, left and right. It consumes all of my energy just to avoid being sick. Avoiding the thought of this nausea, I open my eyes and scan the crowd quickly. I attempt to seek out another student, but it is to no avail. Of course, why would they be wearing their uniform amongst all these muggles? What ever made me think anything in this god damn world would be so simple?
Panic stricken, I carefully monitor my breathing and begin to push through the herd of people. Where did Sirius say to go? Platform 9 & 3/4? Although, knowing him, those directions probably aren't to reliable. Not that I can pass them up, they're currently all that I have. Swelling with self pity, I approach platform 9 and stop in surrender. This is impossible. This is-
"Are you okay there?" An unfamiliar voice approaches me, their hand lightly taps my shoulder, "do you need some help?" I turn to face them. Her face is as light and soft as her voice. Her pale white skin and hair as white as snow makes her resemble some kind of angel. Taken quite aback, I instinctively nod. Although, this doesn't seem to push her away; she seems more determined to help than ever before.
"Are you quite sure?" She persists, her head tilting to the side, resting on air, "are you looking for somewhere? I do have to hurry, but it truly is no bother"
I bite my lip. This girl looks around the same age as me, but unlike many others she doesn't seem so judgmental. Her voice is reassuring, and it prompts honesty. Deciding upon admitting some of the truth, I confess to her my struggle.
"I am looking for somewhere," I confirm, nodding my head nonchalantly, "but I'm certain that it's my uncle playing silly tricks on me, for it doesn't seem to exist"
She smiles, a look of realisation washes upon her face and she offers out her hand to me. "A lot of things, that many deem to be impossible, exist," she smiles as I take her hand and begins to lead me towards a plain, brown wall. Here she stops, and turns to face me. Her face is full of eternal curiosity, but now also seems to be filled with joy from my bewilderment.
"Have you ever read The Quibbler?" She questioned quite of topic, I shook my head. She continued without an oral answer, "I highly recommend it. My father is a writer there, you know. Hey, I can lend you a copy if you want?"
I shake my head and frown. This is all very nice and everything, but I really need to go. I thought that we seemed to have the same destination but now it is apparent that we do not. Biting my lip, I attempt to speak up but my voice is drowned by her rambling. So patiently, I wait it out and nod my head whilst smiling politely.
"Excuse me," I interrupted, when she finally paused for breath, "I don't mean to be rude but, I really need to get to-"
"Platform 9 & 3/4s?" She asks, her knowledge silences me, mentally and physically, "you're very much here," she laughs at my disbelief, "here! Look!"
I furrow my eyebrows, clearly quite perplexed and, before I could say another thing, she runs at the wall. Instinctively, I flinch. However, there is no noise to suggest that she has hit the wall. There was no impact at all; she has disappeared. Panic stricken, my eyes widen. Okay, deep breaths Cami. I attempt to contain my worry, but it's no avail. Helplessly, I stand alone, vulnerable.
"If you aren't going through, then move," a voice behind me spits, their voice is high pitched, whiny, and nasal. Yet, at the same time, it's kind of mesmerising.
"Can I help you?" I turn to face him, annoyance prominent in my voice. I place my hand on my hip and eye him up and down. He's dressed in black, head to toe, but in a very sophisticated manner. His suit is designer, but not of any brand that I can recognise, and it seems to be made of nothing but fine silk. His hair and complexion are quite like the previous strangers, but different, unique. He holds himself solemnly, with his head held up snobbishly high, and upon is face is a wretched expression which begrimes his handsome face. I find myself drawn to his piercing grey eyes.
"You're in my way," he states monotonously, "move".
"That's too bad," I laugh tauntingly, trying to hide my initial reaction of shock. How can someone be so rude, so cheeky? "You'll just have to wait won't you?"
He seems taken aback by my approach; clearly this git has never been put in his place before. "I don't think so," he shakes his head, disbelief apparent on his usual expressionless face, "you must be a mud blood, because I don't think you quite know who you're speaking to"
I bite my lip to avoid laughing in his face but it's to no avail. I can not prevent portraying my true emotions.
Oh, I know who he is alright. He's a Malfoy, and one around my age- so, Draco? I shake my head, no, to signal to him that I know who he is.
"I don't care who you are," I comment, shrugging my shoulders, "but that dreadful attitude with that aluminous signature white hair- you must be a Malfoy. Draco Malfoy, correct?" He seems impressed by my knowledge. "I'm no mud blood, although I don't see what relevance that has. Now, wait behind patiently, like a good little boy, and let the lady go first"
I hear him scoff under his breath, but other than this he says no more. He gestures, sarcastically for me to go first, before shoving in front of me and going anyway. What a spiteful little git, I think. At least, I now know for certain that Sirius was not pretending. Exchanging a small breath, I clutched onto my cases and ran at the wall.
It didn't matter that I had already watched two people run through there; I still partially expected some kind of impact. Yet, when nothing happened, I found myself opening my scrunched eyes to the less crowded scene around me. There was children, lots of them, some my age, some younger and some older. Some were greeting their friends with a huge wave, and sharing secrets with faces lit with pure mischief. Others were clinging onto their parents, hugging and saying their final goodbyes. I winced a little at the sight of the families, but instantly pushed the thought away. I was long past mourning.
Hearing the engine roar, and the horn hoot, I quickly approached the luggage compartment and carelessly flung in my own. Sirius had already attached my information in case it had gotten lost, he had done everything for me. In fact, I had came to conclusion that he was more excited and nervous for me than I was. Rubbing my hands together to escape the wintery chill, I turned out my heel to make my way towards the passenger compartments. I hoped that it wasn't going to be too packed already; I want quite to sure where I would go. How would I introduce myself? Would they all laugh at me? I found myself thinking of all unfamiliar and cliché new kid questions, which made me blush a shade of Crimson already. There was truly no hope.
Just when I stepped upon the train, and I thought all hope was lost, I came eye to eye with a familiar face. It was Angel girl, the one who had half explained what to do to get here. I smile at her nervously, and hoped that perhaps she would recognise me. Sure, she was a little strange, but she was kind and the closest thing I had to a friend.
"Lost girl!" She exclaimed, a grin plastered onto her face, "you made it! I half began to wonder if you were a muggle... I often get confused.. Sometimes"
"Yes, I made it," I said, consoling her, "although I'm quite nervous. I don't know where to go, and I'm scared of who I'll meet". It was strange; the truth just instinctively slipped from her mouth near this girl. Yet, she didn't feel uncomfortable knowing this, she was certain the girl wouldn't tell anyone. If she even fully understood what was going on. Cami had a feeling that the stranger was half torn between this world and her own.
"That's okay," the stranger comforted her, "you can sit with me and my friends"
I accepted with a nod; I was appreciative of any companions at this point. Even if they were imaginary, as I expected with the girl.
"I'm Luna, by the way," she added, leading the way down the claustrophobic corridors, "Luna Lovegood"
"It's nice to meet you Luna," I returned, wholeheartedly, "My names Camerijn, but my friends call me Cami".
What friends? I thought instantly and subconsciously, before mentally rolling her eyes. Truth be told, I don't have many. In fact, unless you could count Dumbledore or Sirius, I don't have any really. I guess I never really dwelled on the fact much, I was just home schooled for my safety. It was what Sirius wanted, until now anyway. I guess it does make sense to be near Albus; Hogwarts is secure.
As we pulled up to a small compartment, I watched patiently as Luna knocked upon the glass. It wasn't quite translucent, but I could barely make up the figures of 2 to 3 people in there. The door opened so vigorously that I half expected the person behind it to be some kind of goblin or body builder. To my greatest surprise, I found myself staring at a young girl near my head. She had brown beady eyes that were analytical and moved swiftly to observe her surroundings. Matching to that, she had a pale freckled face and frizzy brown hair that drizzles past her shoulders. She stared at me for a moment, before looking to Luna for an explanation. There was none. Reluctantly, she allowed the both of us in and I followed Luna obediently, I was still half shocked that these people were real.
"Who's your friend Luna?" A small red head mumbled, his face stuffed with some kind of sandwich. I crumpled my nose, and tried to hide my distaste for his manner but my reaction seemed to be evidential.
"Ron!" Hissed the brunette girl, smacking her friend. He automatically mumbled something that resembled an apology, crumbs flew from the corners of his mouth and I flinched to avoid their wrath. I took a seat besides Luna, and another boy whom I hadn't quite been introduced to. I hadn't quite paid attention to him yet, it was so easy to ignore him for he was so quiet and very reserved. Now, I viewed him for the first time. His hair was jet black, so dark that I was certain it absorbed all light near it. Contrastingly, his eyes were an exotic shade of green, and were hid behind his circle rimmed glasses. Unlike his ginger friend, Ron, his face had seemed to have lost all of its childhood fat. He seemed mature beyond his, both physically and mentally, although not in a nagging way like his brunette friend.
As he noticed me staring, he smiled a little. It was evidential that it wasn't real, but the attempt was enough to comfort me. Gaining some confidence, I introduced myself. "My name is Cami," I stated calmly, despite my quickened pulse and heart rate. I was so anxious to not make a bad impression, I was certain I was going to die of a heart attack. At least, however, I hadn't been as childish as to allow Luna to introduce me.
"Well, Cami," he greeted, his voice now less forced with happiness and more genuinely soft, "I'm Harry, Harry Potter, and these are my friends Ron and Hermione," he gestured to the two, who had been bickering, before turning to face me, "and I'm sure you already know Luna"
"Yeah, she's quite unforgettable," I mumbled. I had thought that my words were inaudible but immediately he laughed and his face brightened. He nodded his head, yes, he understood what I had meant. Perhaps these people were not Luna's best friends.
"Aren't you going to ask?" Questioned Ron intrusively.
"Ask what?" I already knew what. I did want to ask, but I didn't want to seem to curious. Like I had already said, I wanted to create a good impression.
"Oh, Ron!" Whined Hermione, "for merlin's sake, not everyone cares about that wretched scar"
He paused in consideration, "most people do," was his reply before carelessly stuffing another sandwich into his mouth, in one go. Hermione shuddered at the sight, before rolling her eyes and turning her head to face me.
"Ignore him, I don't know where ever he has gotten his manners from but I can assure you, his family are quite respectful," she assured. There was a small bang that seemed to come from the other end of the moving train. There was a bang then a crackle, followed by a bunch of screaming. Yet, the trio didn't seem too distracted by it, and Luna was already reading, The Quibbler actually, although I didn't have the heart to tell her that it was upside down.
I turned to face each of the trio independently but none of them seemed at all faced by the noise. In fact, they were more amused by my reaction.
"Don't worry," Hermione finally spoke up, "that's nothing. In fact, it's just more Weasleys- Fred and George, actually". I nodded my head in acknowledgment. "You want to avoid them," she continued rambling, "they're worse than Ron"
"How could that be possible?" I joked, a small laugh followed from Hermione and Harry.
"Hey!" A moan of objection from Ron, "they're bloody awful, don't go comparing me to them" he poked himself with his thumb gesturing to himself, at least he had quite finished his sandwich, "I remember last year, they swapped my hair shampoo and conditioner with red and green dye, at Christmas. Bloody fuming mum was, me too obviously..."
"Obviously," I confirmed, laughing under my breath. I would have paid to have seen that.
"In all fairness, It didn't make that much of a difference, Ron," Harry spoke up, he seemed more engaged since the topic had moved onto Ron's torment.
The train journey continued on, and I grew a little closer to the trio. Yet, I suspected, despite my wishes, I would never be as close to them as I would like to be. They were secretive, that much was certain, and very close. They would often laugh about inner jokes, which excluded me a little- but one of them always included me again. Despite the fact we may never be best friends, I was still glad to have more acquaintances.
As the train stopped, the three and Luna had already changed into their robes, and I felt quite plain in my monotone black uniform. There red and gold stood out vibrantly, and was truly beautiful to bestow your eyes upon. Even Luna's blue and platinum robes were beautiful!
"Do you know what house you're in yet, Cami?" Harry asked, his jewelled eyes locking with my own.
I shrugged, "Gryffindor, I would hope. Although, I suppose any would be fine"
"You don't want Slytherin," Ron commented, I was surprised that he was still keeping up with the conversation. By now he had emerged himself into a box full of flavoured beans, and had spent the last ten minutes making groans of disgust and moans of appreciation.
"Why not?" I questioned, despite knowing the answer I felt a little defensive, "my uncle was in there, and most of his family"
Ron opened his mouth to say something, before shutting it again. He had thought better of the idea. The trio looked at each other and all was silent, I couldn't help but think that I had created a bad impression.
"Come on you four," Luna spoke up, opening the heavy compartment door. I had quite forgotten that she was here. "We're going to be later, let's go".