Charlie sat on the bed in the room Professor McGonagall had rented for the night at the Leaky Cauldron. They had dinner together that night at the Leaky Cauldron and then Professor McGonagall rented two rooms, one for each of them. This was the first time she ever had a room to herself before and even though it was a novelty she still missed having the company surrounding her. Professor McGonagall's room was just down the hall; but she didn't want to disturb the older woman. Her books were piled at the end of her bed, except for the one she was currently reading Hogwarts, a History with her new kitten curled in her lap. The black kitten purred contently as she softly petted him behind his ears. She needed a name for him. Kitty wasn't too original and it sounded like a three year old named it. So, she currently scoured her books looking for an appropriate name. But then her kitten placed his paw on the page of her book on the word 'Roman.' Roman?
"Do you like that name, Roman?" Charlie asked her kitten.
The kitten licked at her fingers which caused her to giggle. Roman it was. She then carefully tossed the book in the pile with her other books and curled up with Roman to get a good night's sleep. From the sound of things, she was going to be going back to Miss Hester and Miss Pearl's until term started September 1st. She had desperately pleaded with Professor McGonagall to let her stay somewhere else; anywhere else. She had even suggested that she stay at the Leaky Cauldron; but Professor McGonagall was adamantly against that. No one in their right minds would take in an almost eleven year old for free or without supervision. Professor McGonagall allowed Charlie to sleep in a bit before they got up for breakfast. For Charlie, breakfast was a rather somber event. She had just gotten her first glimpse of the Wizarding world and loved it; but now it was going to be taken away from her for the next month. Charlie and Professor McGonagall rode the bus from Charing Cross Road back to Waltham Abbey. After last night, Charlie stubbornly refused to talk to Professor McGonagall unless she relented to allow her to stay away from Miss Hester and Miss Pearl's. So far, she wasn't relenting. Maybe it would be like in the movies and she would have a last minute change of heart, or at least she hoped so. Sulkily, with Roman on her lap, Charlie looked at Professor McGonagall who looked rather stern.
"This isn't fair," Charlie muttered.
"This is only temporary. You'll be at Hogwarts in one month. You've survived almost ten years, I'm sure you can survive a month," Professor McGonagall responded.
"How do you know how long I've been there?" Charlie asked.
"It's no secret," Professor McGonagall said.
"What about before? Do you know about my life before I was there? Did I have a mother and father who loved me?" Charlie asked.
Professor McGonagall stared straight ahead and didn't answer her questions. Charlie rolled her eyes and folded her arms across her chest. The remainder of the bus ride was completely silent. Charlie reluctantly followed Professor McGonagall back to Miss Hester and Miss Pearl's. She had thought that she was finally going to be rid of them; but it seemed like she was supposed to come here every summer break because she could remain at Hogwarts for Christmas and Easter breaks. But the fact that she ever had to go back to the rotten place didn't sit well with Charlie. When they turned down the lane to Miss Hester and Miss Pearl's Charlie began the waterworks; but it had no effect on Professor McGonagall. Instead of responding to Charlie's fit, Professor McGonagall knocked on the door. Miss Pearl opened the door and looked quite surprised to see them.
"You don't want her?" Miss Pearl asked.
"Not until the start of term. You'll need to drop her off at King's Cross Station before eleven when her train leaves," Professor McGonagall stated.
"I'm afraid that isn't possible. My sister and I are quite unavailable that day," Miss Pearl responded.
Charlie watched as Professor McGonagall and Miss Pearl went in circles over the situation. Miss Pearl only agreed to take her in again if Professor McGonagall paid a sum of money for the trouble and brought her to King's Cross Station on the first of September. Professor McGonagall handed over some money to Miss Pearl, whom looked at the amount in disgust and demanded more. Rather reluctantly, Professor McGonagall handed over the last of her money. Charlie looked at Miss Pearl, who was acting rather greedy.
"You haven't left her any money to get home," Charlie exclaimed.
But Miss Pearl didn't care. She grabbed Charlie by the arm and yanked her inside; which caused her to squeeze the cat in her arms a little too tight. Roman hissed and jumped from Charlie's arms into Professor McGonagall's. Professor McGonagall tried to assure Charlie that she still would be able to get home without money. Charlie broke free of Miss Pearl's grasp as Professor McGonagall looked at the marks left by the woman on Charlie's wrist. The older woman looked absolutely disgusted. Professor McGonagall reminded herself to talk with Albus about the situation; surely the rules could be bent this once because this place was not fit for anyone to live.
"No pets," Miss Pearl hissed.
"But he's mine!" Charlie screamed.
"You know the rules around here,' Miss Pearl said.
"I'll hold onto your school things until September 1st," Professor McGonagall said.
Charlie nodded with her eyes full of tears. Not only was she going to be without magic; but she was going to be without her own cat. She sniffled as she kissed Roman goodbye; but Miss Pearl yanked her back inside. For the next month, she wasn't allowed to tell anyone of her magical abilities. Apparently, there was some Secrecy Statute that was designed to keep the Wizarding World a secret; but keeping the secret wasn't that difficult. Charlie didn't have anyone to tell at Miss Hester and Miss Pearl's. No one would talk to her unless it was commanding her to do some chore or another. It seemed as if Miss Hester and Miss Pearl had frightened the other children into not talking with her. So Charlie, did her chores, sat in her room, or walked about Waltham Abbey to help her pass the time waiting until she'd finally be allowed to go back to Hogwarts.
August 24th seemed like an ordinary day to everyone else. It was as if they didn't even remember it was Charlie's birthday. Charlie had gone to the closest park to skip stones on the pond as a present to herself. Professor McGonagall did send her a card with several sweets in a package; but Miss Hester took the package from her and ate the sweets herself. Charlie had cried herself to sleep early that night. She just didn't understand how someone could treat her so poorly; but that made her think of her parents. Had they not wanted her either? Had she done something to make them not love her? But after countless tears, Charlie was just thankful that only one week was left until she was out of this place and she was on the train to Hogwarts. Hogwarts, a place where maybe she could finally be happy.
September 1st finally rolled around, which Charlie was so excited the night before that she couldn't sleep. She was up at the crack of dawn dressed for the day, waiting for Professor to arrive. She couldn't wait until she got to see Roman again. She couldn't wait to make some friends who wouldn't think she was just some freak. But most importantly, she wanted to get some answers about her past, especially about her parents. She packed the few articles of clothing that belonged to her and shoved them in a rucksack before she headed downstairs to wait. Waiting, that seemed to be the hard part. Charlie waited at the bottom of the stairs hoping Professor McGonagall would come early; but she didn't come very early. Professor McGonagall arrived a little after nine and Charlie was nearly dying of boredom. Miss Hester and Miss Pearl ignored Professor McGonagall's knock at the door; but Charlie was right by the door so she answered it happily.
"Are you ready?" Professor McGonagall asked.
"Yes, ma'am," Charlie said.
Professor McGonagall peered inside before she stiffly nodded her head. Charlie took hold of her rucksack and followed Professor McGonagall outside who had a taxi waiting for them.
"We aren't taking the bus?" Charlie asked.
"Not this time," Professor McGonagall responded.
Professor McGonagall opened the car door for Charlie to get in. Charlie squealed in delight when she saw Roman sitting in the backseat. Roman instantly cuddled up onto her lap; but she picked him up and squeezed him tightly. Even though she had only known her cat a day, she had missed him like crazy this past month. Professor McGonagall slid into her seat and directed the taxi driver that they needed to go to King's Cross Station. Professor McGonagall tried to explain things to Charlie; but she didn't pay any attention to the older woman. Instead, she intently watched and petted her cat.
"Charlotte," Professor McGonagall reprimanded.
"It's Charlie," Charlie groaned.
"You weren't paying attention," Professor McGonagall stated.
"Sorry," Charlie muttered.
"When we get to King's Cross, I'll help you find the train; but after that I must be going. I have things I need to attend to before school begins," Professor McGonagall said.
"Is that all?" Charlie asked.
"So much like him…" Professor McGonagall muttered.
"Like who?" Charlie questioned.
"It's none of your concern," Professor McGonagall sighed.
Charlie looked to Professor McGonagall once more and could tell that there was something she wasn't telling her; but instead she returned her attention to her cat. She pressed a kiss against the top of Roman's head. From the car, Charlie watched as the buildings continued to whir by. She did think it kind of weird that they were traveling by car. I mean they had magic, right? So what about brooms or flying carpets? Honestly, she didn't mind too much though. She was simply excited to be going somewhere that wasn't Miss Hester and Miss Pearl's. She knew that she would probably annoy Professor McGonagall with all her questions; so she opted to talk to the taxi driver. He seemed somewhat amused by her and humored her questioned. It was a little past ten when they finally arrived in the drive of King's Cross Station. Professor McGonagall had Charlie wait in the car while she grabbed a trolley. When Professor McGonagall came back, Charlie and the taxi driver got out of the cab. The man loaded a trunk onto the trolley. The trunk had the letters CL engraved on the top.
"Whose trunk is that?" Charlie questioned.
"My initials certainly aren't CL," Professor McGonagall stated.
"Did you buy that for me?" Charlie asked incredibly.
"Don't think too much about it. At Hogwarts you need something to store your belongings in under your bed," Professor McGonagall said stiffly.
"Thank you," Charlie whispered. "I love it."
Professor McGonagall's head whipped around to look at Charlie. While the girl clearly was her father's through and through, this was one of those moments where her mother shone. It slightly tortured Professor McGonagall's heart that they must keep the girl's heritage a secret from her; but as Dumbledore had so often stated, it was for the best. It was better that she didn't know until it was absolutely necessary. The girl should at least be given a few years of normal life as she could.
"What are you staring at?" Charlie questioned.
"Nothing, we must be off," Professor McGonagall stated.
Professor McGonagall began pushing the trolley toward the building which already appeared to be crowded with people.
"Keep up," Professor McGonagall called.
Charlie nodded her head and quickly followed after Professor McGonagall clutching tightly to her kitten. When Charlie finally caught up to a brisk-walking Professor McGonagall, she was slightly panting for breath. She overheard a woman telling her small son which platform they were looking for, so they could board the proper train. Professor McGonagall had never told her what platform they were looking for, so she was curious.
"What platform are we looking for?" Charlie asked.
"Just keep up and I'll get you there," Professor McGonagall said.
Charlie rolled her eyes. How was she supposed to help find the place if she wasn't told where they were going? But Professor McGonagall kept up the quick pace until they came upon Platforms 9 and 10. Charlie was about to keep walking when Professor McGonagall grabbed her by the arm causing her to jerk backward and fall to the floor. She fell hard on her bottom and several people with trolleys grumbled at her interruption in the walkway. Charlie stood right back up and looked at Professor McGonagall with a confused glance. Professor McGonagall motioned for her to step closer, which Charlie reluctantly obeyed.
"Grab hold of the trolley," Professor McGonagall commanded. "I'll walk with you right through the barrier."
"What do you mean, through the barrier?" Charlie asked.
Professor McGonagall looked straight ahead to the wall.
"We're going through the wall?" Charlie gasped.
"Sh! Not so loud," Professor McGonagall reprimanded.
"We're going through the wall?" Charlie repeated, this time in a whisper.
"Just do as you're told," Professor McGonagall groaned.
Charlie placed Roman in the crate which was on top of the trolley. She then put her hands on the trolley while Professor McGonagall stood behind her and placed her hands further on the outside than Charlie's hands. Charlie's breathing began to quicken in nervousness. She knew she should trust Professor McGonagall, but who in their right mind ran right for a solid wall?
"We best be going," Professor McGonagall said.
"Isn't there another way?" Charlie asked.
Professor McGonagall didn't respond. Instead she began to push the trolley toward the solid wall. Charlie quickly followed suit as the pace quickened. When they were about to come into contact with the wall, Charlie tightly shut her eyes; but the crash never came. Instead they came to a slow halt.
"You can open your eyes, Miss Lily," Professor McGonagall stated.
Charlie slowly opened her eyes to reveal a scarlet red train engine with people slowly beginning to trickle around the train. The words 'Hogwarts Express' were engraved into the front of the train and at that moment, Charlie's grin widened. It was really happening and no one was going to take it away from her. Professor McGonagall helped her find a compartment on the train.
"It's ten-thirty; you need to stay here because the train leaves at eleven. Do not get off for any reason," Professor McGonagall said. "I'll see you when you arrive at Hogwarts."
Charlie nodded her head as she pulled Roman out of his crate. When she turned around she found Professor McGonagall had already left. Sit on a train for thirty minutes, how hard could that be? For this eleven year old, it was a lot harder than expected. She didn't know how long she had been sitting there; but she had gotten bored. She knew Professor McGonagall had told her not to get off the train; but the people outside intrigued her. She placed Roman on the seat by himself and poked her head out into the corridor. No Professor McGonagall waiting for her to escape, so she practically flew down the corridor for the exit. Suddenly, she was enveloped by a sea of people. Children being hugged by their parents or parents giving last minute instructions to their children. As she simply stood there taking it all in, a body ran into her.
"Watch where you're going," a pale blonde boy hissed.
"You're the one who ran into me," Charlie hissed back.
"Don't you know who I am?" the boy questioned.
"Does it look like I care who you are?" Charlie questioned back.
Normally, she wasn't quite so rude to people she met for the first time; but this boy was plain rude. An older blonde woman walked toward them and helped her son to his feet.
"What's going on here?" the woman asked.
"She ran into me," the pale blonde whined.
"I did not!" Charlie insisted.
Charlie looked right into the pale grey eyes of the woman that were eerily similar to her own. The woman looked about to reprimand her when she quickly closed her mouth. For a few more seconds the woman stared which made Charlie feel extremely uncomfortable.
"What's your name, girl?" the older woman asked.
"I know better than to talk to strangers," Charlie retorted.
"Draco here's a first year. It doesn't hurt to talk to a classmate's mother," the woman persisted.
Charlie looked at the woman for a moment. While the woman's explanation may be fine; it's not like she'd see the woman again anyways. What harm could it be just to say her name?
"My name's Charlie. It's short for Charlotte," Charlie responded.
"And do you have a last name, Charlotte?" the woman responded.
"It's Charlie," Charlie groaned.
"Mother, I need to get on the train," the young boy groaned.
Charlie took this as her chance to escape. She didn't want to be near the pale blonde boy or his mother anymore. The woman had looked at her oddly. When she returned to her compartment she found a bushy haired girl and two dark haired boys in her compartment. Charlie's eyes scanned the compartment for Roman, who was perched on the luggage compartment overhead.
"Is that cat yours?" the bushy-haired girl asked.
"His name's Roman," Charlie responded.
Charlie stood on the seat and opened her arms for Roman to climb toward her. Roman reluctantly hopped into her arms before she sat back down on the seat. The bushy-haired girl sat across from her, staring at her.
"Yes?" Charlie questioned.
"Well, aren't you going to introduce yourself?" the girl asked.
"I'm Charlie," Charlie shrugged.
"Well Charlie, you really shouldn't leave your cat unattended on a train…" the bushy-haired girl began.
"Maybe she had to use the lavatory," the boy next to her said timidly holding his toad.
The bushy-haired annoying girl nodded her head once; but something told Charlie that the girl wasn't buying it. Charlie simply looked at the girl for a moment before she took a deep breath and began to pet Roman.
"Well, you all know my name; what are yours?" Charlie asked.
"I'm Hermione Granger," the bushy-haired girl said.
Remember to avoid Hermione Granger, Charlie thought.
"I'm Seamus Finnigan," a boy said with a cute Irish accent.
"I—I'm Neville, Neville Longbottom," the boy with the toad said.
The whistle for the train began to blow and suddenly the train began to pull away. Charlie's face was practically glued to the window. She noticed the pale woman waving. She also noticed a group of gingers, with a young girl crying. But all too soon, they were out of the station and on the tracks to Hogwarts. Charlie settled into her seat as the girl she know knew was named Hermione Granger began talk anything and everything about Hogwarts, as if she had been there before. But from the conversation, Charlie could tell that this would be her first year too. Not paying too much attention to the girl drone on, or maybe it was because she had woken up so early; but Charlie softly fell asleep, every minute inching closer to Hogwarts.