"Promise to write to me at least once a week!" A plump blonde lady deplored an embarrassed chestnut haired teenager as they made their way through the barrier between platform nine and ten. The older boy with them smirked at his relatives and took the lead ahead his stride confident; a stark comparison to the girl whose shyness radiated around her.
"Don't worry I will" Nimue mumbled trying to soothe her Aunt while quickly re-balancing a bag that threatened to fall off my trolley.
"Good, I do worry my dear" She continued while they made their way to the girl's brother who was waiting near the Hogwarts Express his blue eyes shining with amusement towards the aunts antics.
"Honestly I will be fine" Nimue assured in a stronger voice as she blew on a stray wavy lock that tickled her freckled nose.
"Luke dear you will keep an eye on your sister won't you?"
"She'll be fine, don't worry Aunt June" Luke chuckled as he ruffled his sister's already messy locks.
Nimue rolled her golden eyes at her brother's antics and attempted to smooth the tangles in her hair. Her gaze landed on the scarlet vehicle and focused on the thick plume of smoke that danced in the air towards the blue sky. No matter how many times she saw the magnificent train she would still felt the same rush of euphoria at the prospect of returning to the school.
Nimue jolted slightly when she heard a familiar barking laugh and found her eyes lingering on the form of Sirius Black his effortlessly tousled locks bounced slightly as he embraced his closest friend James Potter and greeted the rest of the marauders in a similar fashion. Her eyes soon met with Remus Lupins and he gave a smile and nod in greeting. Now Nimue being the shy individual she was ducked her head with a smile and quickly looked away a slight blush appearing on her cheeks at being caught staring. She respected Remus for two things his intelligence as he always worked hard in lessons and most of all his patience for his more mischievous friends. Remus must practically be a saint and She often questioned how the prestigious boy fit in with the marauders but he did.
Nimue mentally snorted, how could she judge? She barely had any friends to begin with. Sirius released another hearty laugh and guiltily Nimue's eyes returned to his form.
"Are you listening Nimue?" Aunt June questioned raising a perfectly plucked eyebrow.
"Yes of course" Nimue replied her cheeks flushing darker at the prospect of being caught staring at the pureblood.
Aunt Junes eyes softened and she enveloped her niece and nephew in a tight embrace complete with sticky red lipstick kisses on their cheeks.
As they hurried onto the train the voice of their aunt floated behind them her voice slowly getting quieter.
"Owl me when you've arrived safely, I've packed you both ham sandwiches, listen to your teachers and please don't fall off a broomstick for goodness sake, yes I'm talking to you Luke! And Nimue don't forget…" but the rest of the speech was lost as the train pulled out of the station.
Bidding goodbye to Luke who headed to the prefect carriage on the train Nimue proceeded to find an empty carriage and sat down her blush fading, as did the view of London. Soon green pastures filled her view and she couldn't stop the excited smile that formed on her face at the thought of her second home at Hogwarts and opened up her worn copy of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander. The compartment door smoothly opened and Nimue glanced up to see a girl with flowing ginger locks and a boy with black greasy hair.
"Do you mind if we sit here?" the girl asked kindly her green eyes wide.
"Sure" Nimue mumbled her shyness creeping back once more as she attempted to bury herself back into her book.
"I don't know why you're so worried Sev our O. are ages away"
The boy seemed to splutter slightly "it's not me I'm worried about" he declared.
Nimue attempted to focus herself on the text on in front of hair but couldn't help but allow herself to listen to the two in the carriage.
"oh and what's that suppose to mean?" the girl questioned her voice taking on a more haughty tone.
"Well you know Potter will probably try and distract you when you should be focused" The boy named Sev Replied
"I will be just fine Sev, stop worrying" the girl sighed at the black haired boy.
The boy suddenly stood up and grumbled about leaving something in his suitcase.
The carriage became awkwardly silent with the boys absence as the girl gazed out the window deep in thought.
Before Nimue could pluck up the courage to ask the girl her name the woman who sold sweets on the train arrived at the carriage.
"Anything off the trolley dears?"
"Chocolate frog, please" Nimue requested as she handed the appropriate money to the smiling woman.
"I'll have some Fizzing Whizzbees please" requested the girl sat opposite.
The trolley lady handed them their sweets and soon moved onto the next carriage the silence returning to the carriage.
Nimue glanced over her book to see Lily chewing on a Fizzing Whizzbee her eyes glazed with thought again.
"Did you know it's rumoured that they use the stingers of Billywigs in Fizzing Whizzbees?" Nimue rushed out quickly while lowering her book to her lap.
The girl's chewing of sweet slowed and she swallowed it with a look of regret.
"What?" she questioned hoarsely her green eyes widening.
"Um, yeah, those little creatures that sting you and make you levitate" Nimue mumbled instantly regretting speaking now.
"Well last time I'll be eating them" Laughed the Girl and stuck out her hand.
"Lily, Lily Evans"
Nimue's eyes widened at Lily's unexpected friendliness and it took a few moments to register that she hadn't introduced herself.
"Oh er, erm… Nimue, Nimue Plunkett"
"Plunkett? Now where have I heard that name before?" she questioned tapping her chin lightly.
"Oh I'm not sure" Nimue mumbled, desperately hoping that Lily wouldn't remember where she'd heard the name Plunkett.
"I've probably heard it in class sometimes" The redhead laughed.
"Yeah that's probably it" Nimue laughed with relief, last thing she needed was for Lily to realize the true history of her family name.
"So what house are you in?" Lily questioned her eyes bright with interest.
"Hufflepuff" Nimue replied with slight hesitation, well aware of how her house seemed to be the underdog of the great houses.
"Ah that explains why I haven't met you before, I'm from Gryffindor" Lily declared her posture becoming straighter as if the bravery of Godric Gryffindor flowed through her that very moment.
"The hat actually contemplated putting me in Gryffindor"
"Really?" replied Lily her moss green eyes widening once more as she looked at Nimue taking in her meek appearance.
"Yeah" Nimue chuckled plucking a stray hair off her robes and smoothening her robes.
The boy named Sev returned with a leather bound book in his hands.
"Oh Sev! This is Nimue, Nimue this is Severus, Severus Snape" Lily spoke excitedly while gesturing to us both.
"Hi" I spoke shyly plucking at the invisible lint on my skirt.
"Hello" mumbled Severus, equally shy.
"Sev's from Slytherin" Nimue glanced at Snape who seemed to be watching her with an evaluating stare.
"Oh, cool I'm from Hufflepuff" Nimue replied choosing to judge the boy on his personality rather than his houses reputation. Hufflepuff for example was widely regarded as the house with the least talent and ability but Nimue was well aware that her house was nothing like the stereotype it was made out to be. Who was she to judge others?
Severus seemed to accept her sincerity and settled back down in the seat next to Lily.
The rest of the train ride was spent talking to Lily and Severus who seemed to like Nimue's quirky personality.
When they arrived at the great hall and separated for their appropriate house tables Lily quickly hugged Nimue and smiled and requested that they had breakfast together the next day.
She couldn't help but nod eagerly.
Maybe this year would be different.
