I awoke that morning with a start; Pimbleton was pecking me repeatedly on my head, creating a constant beat in my mind, forcing me to wake up. As I felt the hard beak on my soft skin I realised that this bird, however annoying (though regularly endearing) was never going to cease the morning assaults that my skin endured frequently.
Alas, I would recover and besides, I have come to realise that Pimbleton is the near greatest asset, I could attain in my pursuits in the wizarding world.
Wizarding world. I sprang out of bed frantically as I simply could not be late for my meeting with Hermione. I raced around my room and scrambled to find my clothes, then proceeded to hastily put them on.
Simultaneously, I had a horrid thought; the one of doubt, or regret after you have agreed with a decision, then suddenly you think, 'Oh no, maybe I shouldn't have done that…'.
I almost succumbed to the encouragement of my bed to return, even to the extent of my screeching mother, "Come down here this instant, young lady and eat your breakfast. Quick!" I did honestly contemplate this, however only for a second, as I dismissed the thought and thrust some basics into a shabby bag; lip balm, phone and wallet, leaving extra space for the incoming books and 'items', I was expecting to return with, after this expedition.
I began to tentatively creep down the stairs and as I did I heard a loud and seemingly endless creek. I gasped silently; it was only five in the morning and I was planning on sneaking out without a sound. Yes, it is always my plans with actual importance that go down the trash can.
I waited nervously, with time decreasing tempo every second, I braced myself for the shouting, about to occur. After five minutes, I continued my journey downstairs, creeping with hesitance. A wave of happiness took over me, as I was in reach of the bottom, and I naively jumped the last steps; saved by the carpet, acting like a mute.
I proceeded promptly and exited the house, only exhaling once I had left the confines of the house, causing me to feel slightly claustrophobic.
It was a quick and surreal journey to Kings Cross Station, but once I arrived I heard the low and enduring rumble form my empty stomach and I hastily bought a blueberry muffin and a coffee from an underground café.
Once fed, I realised that I had never received any further directions other than: go to Kings Cross Station and get there by ten o'clock in the morning. I, being an extremely anxious and worrying person immediately began to fret; so much could happen. Maybe I would never meet Hermione and never become a part of the wizarding world. I may mistake Hermione for someone else and, through default, expose the wizarding world to all.
My heart was beating erratically, my hands were sweaty and clammy and my mouth instantly dried; my thirst growing, my worry spreading.
It was at that moment that I saw her. How clichéd it is; as soon as I am in need, my knight in shining armour rescues me. Though possibly less expected; I am not in falling unconditionally and irrevocably in love with my saviour, neither shall I offer my hand to him, merely because it was not a 'him'; it was Hermione.
I cannot tell how I knew; I just did. She seemed to stand differently to the others, the bustling workers of the city, presumably late and worried about the gruelling of their bosses. No, she stood tall, with all of her bushy haired and only slightly rabbit-like teeth. She was proud, confident but modest. Some give brilliant first impressions, others mediocre and she was of the former; I just understood who she was and I . . . I trusted her.
I approached her and we stood; inches apart, unaware of the bustling around us, for a good minute.
She opened her mouth and began to speak; words tumbling out of her mouth in a never ending melodic sound. I caught glimpses of words in futile attempts to comprehend the noise that poured from her hastily moving mouth and swirling, unable to be comprehended, around my head.
"So we have to get moving. So much to do, honestly I cannot understand why Professor Dumbledore left this trip so late. You have so much to do; get robes, books, animal, broom, and wand. The list is never ending. And then you actually have to read all of the books, you will be so behind. You must go in with some idea," Hermione ceased with an abrupt sigh.
"Um, I have an owl already; Pimbleton" I added timidly, almost as an afterthought.
"Well, that's very helpful" she added with a smile that warmed the awkward atmosphere.
"So is it fun? Hogwarts, I mean" I asked after a pause, like a young girl with a great thirst for gossip.
"Yes, it's brilliant. You will love it" she replied, thus beginning a long and excited chatter about the expectancy; who to watch out for, who to make friends with and all other matters of equal and greater importance.
When we arrived at a dingy brick wall and Hermione told me to follow her as she walked in, I truly thought that she was mad. However, when I did and I found myself in a dark yet busy bar I was relieved, to an extent.
She then led me out onto a cobblestone, bustling path and exclaimed, with a sense of pride, "Diagon Alley"
I was in awe. Signs around me boasted 'Frogspawn, only eleven sickles' and 'Ollivanders, the best wands in England'.
Hermione was given warm smiles and waves as we passed, whilst I received rather curt and wary glances, with the occasional smile.
She led me from shop to shop, each trip the pile of school equipment increased, rapidly.
"Ollivanders, for your wand. The best has been saved for last," she enthused with great vigour as we entered yet another shop. I was intimidated by the store; it was empty and the atmosphere the shop created held great importance and significance.
A man walked out to us, as we put several bags down and proceeded to speak in some jargon about Hermione and second point nine inch oak and unicorn hair. I was immediately confused, apprehensive even.
"Yes, Mr Ollivander, it has been a very successful companionship, my wand and I. However, I am here on business for Professor Dumbledore, as I am sure you have been alerted?" Hermione stated, formally.
"Of course. And this is the girl?" the questioned, eyeing me with curiosity. Hermione nodded politely.
"Come, try this," the man beckoned me to come forward, holding a strange looking twig in his outstretched hand, which I assumed to be a wand. I complied eagerly, walking over to him, then hesitantly clasped my fingers around the piece of wood, however it felt… wrong. It was inexpressible, but the object felt foreign, like an intruder. Ollivander obviously noticed this as he shook his head, muttering, "No, no. This won't do."
He handed me wand after wand, waiting for the right one. All the time he was muttering things like "dragon heartstring, maple, eight inches" and "seven point nine inches, phoenix feather, birch" but none seemed to fit.
At the point when all felt lost, and it felt as if I had been in there for days, he gave one to me, saying with hope "seven point two inches, unicorn hair, holly".
I felt instant warmth in my body, it was growing throughout me. I felt powerful, I smiled and Ollivander pronounced with an overwhelming sense of achievement "We have found it."
I was happy, Hermione was ecstatic and Ollivander was overjoyed at the discovery.
We then left the shop and trudged down the street, struggling under the weight of our bags. The walk back to the station was one of a comfortable silence, only once on the train did we begin to talk.
Hermione was coming back to my house with me and we would ask if I could stay a few nights at her house as she was a school friend. Truthfully I was going to pack all of my favourite belongings and leave for the last time. My situation had been explained to Hermione and she was taking me back to the Burrow or something to some of her friends. The plan would work as my mother cared too much for appearances to make a fuss in front of a guest but nonetheless I was filled with an uneasy sense of dread and discomfort.
When we arrived at my house we were invited in and I promptly left to pack my things. I had been ordered to not pack too much so I left with some clothes, sentimental jewellery, a scattering of photographs and my favourite stuffed toy along with my new items form the days shopping.
I came downstairs to see an uncomfortable Hermione being interrogated as to how she liked school, how she went in school and what her parents thought of the school. As soon as I came down I interrupted a stuttering Hermione, exuberantly exclaiming "Well, I've got to go mum, see you soon".
"Goodbye dear, have fun. And please refrain from interrupting any future conversations, remember your manners, young lady" she said, stern and erect. We embraced awkwardly and I left immediately, feeling only slightly sad about the life that I had just anticlimactically left forever.
We waited, for what I was unsure of, until a car drove up; its headlights shining onto the pale and wet road, lighting it up and making the road shine with a pale silvery glow.
We dropped my luggage into the boot of the car and clambered into the backseat with a huff.
To say that the car was crowded was an understatement. We landed on the cold leather seats with a thud and my ears were filled with the instant noise of what seemed to be a hundred people talking at once or possibly, several very loud people talking at once. It was the latter, well not completely but still five very noisy people. I opened my eyes to see a scattering of fiery red hair, jet black and then Hermione's mousy brown hair.
"Hi!" one said.
"Hello" said another.
It was a good minute of "hello's" and "how are yous", until there was finally silence and I could introduce myself.
"Hi, I'm Josephine Mabel, or Jo. I'm coming to Hogwarts this year" I said, lacking any confidence.
I was bombarded with introductions from the fiery red-heads. There was a Ron, Fred, George, Ginny and the raven-haired boy named Harry. They all seemed lovely, if not loud.
I fell asleep on the journey from my house to wherever we would end up; I was exhausted from the past few weeks' whirlwind of events. I had no trouble falling asleep when I did, probably due to my exhaustion but I had a feeling of contentment that contributed to my deep sleep. I could not pin it but I think that for the first time I felt . . . safe.
--
The following morning I awoke to a bustling household that smelt of breakfast and men. I casually strolled down from the small, cramped room that I had slept in and found an even smaller and more cramped kitchen, complete with boys gulping down food like pigs, a housewife and a disgusted Hermione and Ginny.
"Good morning, dear. How did you sleep? I don't mean to rush you but we really need to get to Diagon Alley to shop for school supplies so we do need to get a move on. Breakfast is on the bench," Mrs. Weasley welcomed.
I had been living with the Wesley's for a week or so now and in a few days I would be clambering on to the Hogwarts Express. I had, of course all of my books and robes but the fact of the matter was that I did not wish to remain in the house by myself while my boisterous hosts were out shopping. So I hurried.
We went by some strange eerie green powder called, 'flue-powder', I think. It was dusty and was left coughing and spluttering my up Diagon Alley to find the other rushing red-heads.
It was a fun day; I could really soak up the culture and eccentrics of the place. We kept running into people who shouted 'hello's' to my new friends and gave me curious looks but gladly shook my hand upon introduction.
I returned to the cosy place that I found myself calling home, exhausted. I groggily climbed into my bed and dreamt of the soon to be adventures that I vowed to make in my life at Hogwarts.
Yes, I would make my mark, I would have the time of my life, I would meet . . .
