A routine started to form between us, but as July 1st dawned bright and sunny, a dot was seen coming closer and closer. As i watched from the kitchen window, i could make out the movement of flapping wings. It was an owl carrying a letter.
I opened the window not a moment too soon, because a second later the owl swooped in and landed on the dining room table. I went over to the the letter tied to its leg sand saw that it was addressed to Evelyn Monroe. Me.
I opened up and read:
Dear Ms. Monroe,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.
Sincerely
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
I blinked once and felt my hands tightened. I was going to Hogwarts. I would walk the same halls my mom did. Take the same classes.
I would be so alone.
I wouldn't know anyone. I wouldn't be Able to laugh and talk to people in between classes. With a shaky breath, i went to show Gran. She was ecstatic, saying she had sent a letter to Professor Dumbledore to see if i could get in. He said yes, as long as i could keep up with the academic course. I would be sorted along with the first years, which would be as scary as hell. As well as embarrassing.
We went to Diagon Alley the next day, to buy all our supplies.
It was there I saw him.
He was with a rather big family, all with flaming red hair. He looked about my age. And i vaguely remembered wondering if he would be in my classes. I felt ashamed, because i hoped he would. I could feel my eyes being drawn to him, like a magnetic pulse. He laughed to a funny joke and turned ever so slightly. Our eyes met and I could feel the heat rushing to my face. His eyes filled with curiosity and amazement.
The blood flowed to my cheeks. I could hear my Gran calling me, but she sounded faraway, like an echo.
We went to a let shop where my Gran bought me a beautiful tawny owl. But my attention was somewhere else. The boy. His blue, blue eyes. His laugh and grin, the wY it faded as he saw me.
Him.
Maybe I was thinking too much about him, maybe it was..., no thats silly. September 1st came sooner than expected. That morning, We loaded everything in the trunk of a car, and took off to King's Cross Station. I had only been there once, when i was 10. I had to go to the Hospital for... Well thats not important.
"Avez -vous tout?"
"Oui."
My unsteady hands opened the passengers side and I sat down nervously. I was finally leaving. Although we were somewhere new and no one knew what had happened 4 months ago, i knew that the thoughtscould never leave me, that they would haunt me forever.
The drive was silent and heartbreaking. My Gran was proud, but sad because I would be leaving until Christmas. I wouldnt talk to her til Christmas, unless she sent me a Howler or something.
My Gran paid for parking, with help from me, amd we arrived between platforms 9 and 10. I had been told how to get to platform nine and three quarters by my mom when i was little. So, together, me and my Gran pushed the cart straight through the barrier between the two platforms. We arrived just when the red Hogwarts Express was blowing its whistle. I couldn't help but smile at the hustle and bustle of all the families arriving and departing. I turned to Gran and saw she had a single tear rolling down her cheek.
"Gran, je t'aime," which meant i love you in French.
I hugged her, and she returned it fiercely. I saw the clock. 5 minutes left.
"i have to go now, Gran."
She nodded, but did not speak.
I lugged my trunk to one of the many train entrances and set it down. A boy who looked about my age came ober and quickly picked it up.
"i haven't seen you around before, whats your name?"
"Evelyn," I said.
"oh," he said, "what year are you in?"
"fifth."
He looked absolutely crestfallen. It amused me to see him like that, almost as if he wanted me. Almost.
"oh," he repeated, "i'm a sixth year. Are you a transfer student?"
I nodded, did Brits always ask this many questions?
The sixth year turned away and helped me into a compartment where 4 other girls were sitting. They looked at me questioningly.
"well, evelyn," he said, gesturing to the girls, "this is angelina, katie, elizabeth, and alicia. They're in Gryffindor and katie is a 4th uear but the rest are 5th years." he turmed back to me and looked at me with longing. "i guess i'll see you around then." with that he turned away and was gone.
The nearest one, with blonde hair and dark blue eyes smiled and greeted herself as elizabeth. One with dark hair and dark eyes said her name was katie bell.
"Hi, my name is Alicia Spinnet. And this Angelina Johnson."
Alicia had light brown hair with green eyes and Angelina had dark hair with soft brown eyes.
The one called Elizabeth furrowed her brow and asked, "Are you a new student?"
I sighed, I would've bet my best dress robes I was going to get a dozen more questions similar to that.
"Yes, I came fro Beauxbatons. I'm 15, but I was born in England, not France."
Katie and the rest nodded.
Alicia said, "You can sit down now."
I laughed and sat down next to Elizabeth.
Katie asked me if I knew what house I was in. I could vaguely remember my mom telling me there were 4 houses to represent the four founders. Where you were placed depended on what your personality was. I think. I shook my head to get talking.
Elizabeth, the one next to me, started saying there were four houses called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Gryffindor was for people who were exceptionally brave and courageous. Hufflepuiff was for people who loyal friends and fair. Ravenclaw was for the really really smart kids. And Slytherin was for people who were mean, sly, cunning and dark.
I shuddered. I lnew who fit that picture.
"So, why did you move from France?"
I sighed. Another one.
"There was an...accident." I finally said.
The girls looked at me expectantly, pressing me on. They obviously didn't know what kind I meant. I looked out the window and said with flat voice, "My parents died." That worked. I heard them gasp and Elizabeth say with her voice full of sympathy, "I'm sorry we asked."
"It's alright. You didn't know." Ofcourse, I wasn't about to tell them the true story of my parents deaths. They didnt just DIE of natural causes, or whatever. They were killed.
Don't get me wrong, I appreciated their sympathy but I just really didn't need it now. I didn't want pople saying they were sorry all my life. I wanted people to look at me and say 'That girl is really strong. She did blah blah blah...' I wantd people to judge me on my actions, not on the loss I've suffered from.
Akward silence filled the air. Katie shifted slightly, and Elizabeth grabbed something from a wrapped parcel. When she brought in full view, all the girls gasped and giggled. The corners of my mouth turned upward slightly as I read the label on the bottle
Firewhisky. Yum.
"Who's in for a game of Never Have I Ever?" Elizabeth questioned.
In answer, we eagerly took the glass she poured each of us.
"I'll start. Never have I ever…kissed a girl." Alicia giggled when she said the words.
Elizabeth was the only one who drank. A full ear to ear grin was now taking place on my face. Angelina continued the game saying she had never gone all the way with someone. I chortled slightly when Alicia and Katie drank from the cups.
"Your turn, Evelyn."
"Okay, uh, Never have I ever went skinny dipping," I laughed loudly as Elizabeth drank while laughing, causing herself to cough and sputter. She ended laughing on the floor, tears rolling down her cheeks.
"Oy! Mind if we join you?" The compartment doors slid open to accommodate three boys. I choked on my firewhiskey when I saw the boy in the front.
It was the redheaded boy.
He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw me. Recognition crossed his face before he regained his composure.
Elizabeth spoke before anyone, with a few giggles escaping her lips. "Oliver, this is Evelyn, she, uh, she," before she could say anything else, a loud belch sounded from her throat. The whole compartment burst in a fit of laughter as Elizabeth slurred "Excuse me."
The dirty blonde next to Oliver—thats his name—extended his hand and introduced himself.
"'Ello, I'm Jordan. The most handsomest boy you'll ever see at Hogwarts. You should take me while I'm still available." He wiggled his eyebrows and I smiled shyly. No way was I taking him instead of the redhead, uh, I mean Oliver.
"Oliver, you can sit next to Eve—is it ok if I call you that? Great!—and Jordan can sit next to me. She smiled flirtatiously and Jordan happily sank into the seat next to her. I nervously moved slightly to the left, even though there was more than enough room for him.
The rest of the way to Hogwarts was spent in an awkward silence. The firewhiskey and glasses were put away, for a different day.
After the snack trolley rolled away, Katie took one glance at me and Oliver and laughed hysterically.
"What?" I asked stupidly.
"You…and Oliver…its so awkward!" She managed to get out. I let out a nervous giggle, having realized the same fact ages ago.
Luckily, we arrived at Hogwarts twenty minutes later.
