The sun had been shining when they took off that day. The skies were clear and there had been hardly any turbulence. About an hour into the flight that all changed. The clouds built up out of nowhere and the captain was caught unaware. One sudden downdraft was all it took for the plane to go spinning out of control.
She wasn't worried though. Mama was there. Mama held her close as Daddy held them both in their seats. She stroked Ari's cotton ears without a care. The plane lurched and began to plummet towards the ground, but she wasn't afraid. Nothing could go wrong. She smiled peacefully up at her parents, moments before fire erupted all around her….
Something was dripping on her face. It trickled down between her eyes and coated her face in wetness. She reached up with one hand to wipe it away, drawing Ari up with it. His fur let out a puff of black ash. The blood stained his dirty fur ruby red. Unfazed, the small child clambered out of the rubble and wandered away, leaving the charred remains of the plane behind.
Many summers later the same small child opened her eyes from a nightmare full of fire. Clean sunlight filtered in through the window above her bed, casting a stuffed rabbit on a chair in an opposite corner into shadow. She stretched, shaking off the mental chills of the night before.
A new excitement took over as hazel eyes spotted a yellowing envelope atop a nearby dresser, reminding her why she'd traveled all the way to London, alone. She'd risked the return of those terrible dreams for just one taste of the world contained in that letter. Reaching out a slender-fingered hand, she felt the rough edge of the parchment sheets and sighed. All those years of just being different finally lead up to that day when she was handed an envelope with green ink that could at last explain why.
Rolling out of bed, she dressed and quickly brushed her teeth and hair. Pulling her long auburn curls into a high ponytail, she let her thoughts drift out of the small room in the inn. She'd be getting on the train today; there was already a heavy trunk waiting near the door. There was just one last thing to purchase before she could move on with her life. Maybe, just maybe, she'd be free at this new school where she was to spend the next seven years. Hopefully.
"Out so early, miss?" Tom, the elderly landlord called from behind the bar. He'd become quite attached to the small girl with the rabbit and cute curls since she had arrived alone a week ago. She'd appeared out of the night with nothing but a small sack of clothes, her plush companion, and a small coin purse.
"Yes sir!" she replied with enthusiasm, nearly vaulting down the stairs. "Using the last of my school fund to buy my wand today, sir!"
The old man chuckled, leading her out to the small back yard. Taking his own wand from a pocket in his apron, he tapped the brick wall above the rubbish bins and stepped back to let her through to the bustling street. "I'll have your belongings all ready for the trip when you return, shall I?"
With a word of thanks the girl ran out into the crowds. Witches and wizards in everyday robes went about their business anywhere she looked. In front of a dingy alley, a dirty man with cruel black eyes offered his wares from a small table. She darted to the other side of the road to avoid him and nearly crashed into a man in a crisp black suit. "Watch where you're going!" his son snapped. She made a face and kept on toward her destination.
She only slowed when an old sign came into view, displaying "Olivanders: Makers of Fine Wands Since 382 B.C." She'd passed the shop on one of her earlier trips down Diagon Alley, and had decided that it was worth spending the last bit of her school money to purchase a new wand rather than a used one. She'd even been willing to don filthy old robes to afford this one luxury.
The bell over the door tinkled as the child pushed her way inside. At the counter, a very old man was handing another girl a wand of golden brown. "Here you are then. Thirteen inches, dragon heartstring core, and made from a pliable hazel sapling," he explained. The girl grasped it with shaking hands. Whatever she feared, however, was forgotten when golden ribbon shot from the end to twine itself around her hand.
"Oh, Ginny, that's wonderful!" The young girl at the door jumped, suddenly noticing a plump woman sitting in the far corner. Both mother and daughter had flaming red hair, which made hers look decidedly drab in comparison. The woman emptied her coin purse into her hand and counted out the desired amount. She sighed, seeing the measly three copper Knuts that remained.
"Oh, hello," Ginny said as her mother paid the old man. The girl at the door smiled shyly. "Come to get your wand?" She nodded. "Good luck! I'm Ginny Weasley, by the way."
"I'm Hikari." Hikari's voice was barely more than an awed whisper compared to the other girl's complete excitement.
Ginny smiled. "I'll see you at Hogwarts then!" With a gentle wave, she and her mother disappeared into the crowed outside.