Loreena Allgood lead a very nervous Izobel through a crowded train station while pushing the creaky metal cart carrying her books and equipment. Izobel was overwhelmed with emotions. She had never left the childrens home before, much less to be surrounded by so many people. It was a scary feeling for her. She was usually alone in her room. She began to worry. How would she interact with people? She has little to no social skills.
She lifted her gaze, staring past her black hood, searching for the sign with the name Loreena had mentioned. Platform nine and three quarters. It was hopeless, she could not see over the tall adults, let alone walk through the tight crowds.
There was something that caught her attention in the midst of the insanity. A girl with tanned skin, much darker than her own, and dark orange hair. It was unusual and she certainly stood out of the crowd. Izobel blinked and in that moment, she almost missed something that shocked her. Her hair went from a dark orange to a bright, almost neon color.
Loreena had caught sight of this and smiled knowingly. She nudged the small Izobel and when she looked over her eyes were wide with awe. Loreena chuckled and nudged her toward the girl who was standing all alone, "Go speak with her, we are still on track." She encouraged her.
Izobel shook her head violently, lowering her gaze to the ground. She stuffed her hands into her black jeans and tried to ignore Loreena but it was to no avail.
"Trust me." Loreena said, pushing her gently in the girls direction. Izobel tried to scurry away, not feeling ready to approach someone, but it was too late. The girl looked in her direction and their eyes locked. The girl gave her a shy smile and that sparked something in Izobel.
Izobel walked the rest of the distance on her own, hesitantly, and gave her a small smile in return. Her mind went over a million ways to greet this girl who looked just around her own age, an inch shorter than herself perhaps. She stopped at a safe distance and pursed her lips, choking with her words.
"Hello." The girl said.
Izobel sighed in relief. "Hello." She responded. She was surprised the other girl had even heard her.
"My name is Hayley. Hayley Sykes." She introduced herself politely, smiling at Izobel who stared curious at her head. How had it changed from bright orange to a light blue? "Oh, strange, isn't it?" She whispered, shyly tugging on a strand of her long straight hair.
Izobel shook her head and smiled, "It's brilliant." She said with awe. "Pardon my manners." She gasped, reaching out to shake Hayley's hand. "My name is Izobel. I-z-o-b-e-l." She spelled it out quickly, so she would not confuse it with Isabelle. "Izobel Whitlock. Nice to meet you." She said sheepishly.
Hayley grinned and shook her hand eagerly, "You as well." She replied.
Izobel cleared her throat awkwardly, "H-How is it that your hair can change that way?" She asked quietly, so no one else would hear.
Hayley tensed at the question. That gave her away to Izobel. She couldn't help but grin, excitement shooting through her body. Hayley gave her a strange look as if to ask why she was grinning like that. Izobel giggled and grabbed her wrist, pulling her into a more private area. She fumbled around with the pockets in her oversized coat until she found what she was looking for. She brought it out for Hayley to see.
Hayley was shocked speechless. She could not believe what she was seeing. She reached down into her long gray sock and pulled out an object of her own, resembling Izobel's.
"You're a witch." They whispered in unison, both breaking into fits of giggles. "You're headed to platform nine and three quarters?" Hayley continued.
"Indeed. And you?" She asked excitedly, all signs of the shy girl gone.
"As well." Hayley grinned. "Mind if I join you?" She asked sheepishly. "I... I haven't a clue where I am going." She confessed, her cheeks turning a shade of red, her hair matching with a color of magenta. Izobel could associate that with she was feeling embarrassed.
"I would love that." Izobel said, giving her a reassuring smile. "Come on, we don't want to be late on our first day." She announced, leading the way back to a grinning Loreena.
"Hello." The middle-aged witch greeted politely. "I am Loreena Allgood. Izobel's caretaker." She introduced herself. She gave Hayley a questioning look, "May I ask, where are your supplies?" She asked curiously.
Hayley paled, staring at the ground, her hair turning dark orange again. Izobel was getting the impression dark orange was not feeling overjoyed. Hayley kept her eyes on the ground. She could not explain that she had no money or a guardian to help her with her books and equipment. Her mother is a muggle who hates her. Loreena nodded in understanding.
"I can help you." Loreena said, smiling warmly at the girl.
"Oh, no, I-" Hayley started to protest, her face lighting up in red.
"Don't be silly. A friend of Izobel's is a friend of mine. Do not worry your little head about anything." Loreena insisted.
Haylay sighed in defeat and nodded, smiling at Loreena as kindly as she could manage. She would be forever grateful of her help. "Thank you very much. You are very kind." Hayley said quietly.
Loreena chuckled, "Only on good days." She joked but Izobel scowled, knowing she was quite serious. Loreen had quite the temper.
Hayley nodded with a chuckle, "I'm Hayley Sykes by the way. Pleasure to meet you." She said, bowing her head.
"Likewise. This way, girls. The train is leaving in a few moments." She announced, rushing through the crowd, trying not to hit muggles with the cart. Izobel and Hayley both frantically searched for a sign reading nine and three quarters but failed to spot it. "Here we are! Platform nine and three quarters." Loreena announced excitedly.
Izobel and Hayley glanced at each other with confusion. There was no such thing! Loreena chuckled, shaking her head. She decided she should explain. "What you need to do is walk straight to the wall, between platforms nine and ten. Best hurry now, the train leaves in no time." Loreena ushered them toward the wall.
"Are you sure about this?" Hayley asked in disbelief.
"Of course. Now go!" Loreena exclaimed.
Izobel grabbed her cart tightly, aiming it straight for the wall, setting her eyes straight for it. She took a deep breath, "Loreena has never led me wrong before. Let us hope this will not be the first time." Izobel silently told herself. Without a second thought, she started at a run toward the wall.
Hayley gasped, taking off after Izobel immediately. She could see her hair turned into a dark orange color. This was madness, they were going to crash! Too late to stop now, they were going to fast. She took a deep breath, her hair changing to bright orange with excitement, and they both closed their eyes, waiting for impact.
"We made it!" Izobel exclaimed. Hayley opened her eyes and blinked a few times, trying to catch her breath. "This way." Izobel whispered when she honestly had no idea where to go from here.
Hayley followed closely as they turned the corner. Both girls gasped at the sight before them. A beautiful red and black train with the name Hogwarts Express 5972 on the front. All around, there were witches and wizards hurrying from place to place.
"This is breathtaking." Izobel said with awe. Hayley could only nod in agreement. "Have your ticket?" She then asked, quickly making her way toward the train.
"Of course." Hayley mumbled, reaching into her pocket to pull it out, grasping it tightly.
"I cannot believe this is happening." Izobel whispered. Hayley could hear the emotion in her voice. Truth was, she felt the same. The girls both hope that this would be a new beginning. A new life full of greatness.
The train whistled and it echoed loudly through the platform. "This is it." Hayley announced.
"This is it." Izobel agreed.