Sorry It's been a while. Hope your enjoy!
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Emilia assessed her situation for a second. Seeing really no other option, she hesitantly climbed up into the carriage.
As she sat down, the girl spoke again.
"I'm glad it stopped raining as I arrived at the carriages. It's always nice to have the option of stargazing when you travel."
Emilia looked first at Luna, then at the sky. It was still a very cloudy night and there were certainly no stars visible. She might have ysaid something if it had been someone else, but she got the feeling that this girl always says what she means to say. So she didn't dare question it, even if she did come across a bit... loony.
As the carriage started to move, Emilia looked toward the Thestral. It was trotting rather subduedly down the beaten track, it's head held straight.
Emilia breathed in the fresh air around her, trying to go back over all that had happened that day. She looked back up at the sky. Maybe Luna was right, she thought. Having the option of seeing the sky, no matter how many stars were visible, made Emilia feel more calm but also more, alive.
That feeling left both of them almost immediately. Two giant, black, hooded creatures stood guard of the wrought iron gates ahead of them. As they drew closer, Emilia's breathe shortened and she started to shiver. She felt like all the happiness had been sucked out of her; the same feeling she had experienced back on the train when she'd woken from her nightmare. Emilia slipped down slightly in her seat as they past the hollow, rasping figures. Once they were through the gates, she immediately started to feel warm again. Emilia looked over to Luna who was sitting rather ridged beside her.
"What, were those things?" Emilia croaked, her through slight dry.
"Dementors" Luna replied, starting to relax, although she was fiddling with the corners of the brightly coloured magazine on her lap. "Horrible creatures. Are you okay?"
"Oh. Yes, I think so."
"Good" Luna smiled a very gentle, warm smile, "Welcome to Hogwarts." She gestured in front of them so Emilia turned to face forward.
As they turned the corner, the pathway emerged out of the trees and the landscape opened itself up to a marvellous sight. A glorious great castle shone with the lights coming from within, making up wonderfully for the lack of stars in the sky. Emilia gazed stunned at what she was seeing. "Luna" She stuttered, "What is this place?"
"Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." She said turning to face Emilia, concern in her face and voice. "I assumed you were a new student, but if you don't even know... I'm sorry, I've been rude." Her voice changed back to her usually airy tone, "I haven't even asked who you are."
"I'm Emilia." Emilia perked up, pleased to finally have something to tell rather than ask. "I don't really have a clue what's going on or where I am. Just this morning I was a city kid bored and looking for somewhere to buy lunch. Then I saw a group of people walk through a barrier at Kings Cross and I, well, followed them... all the way here." As she said it, Emilia realised how stupid it all sounded; why had she followed them? She could have just written it off as a weird trick of the light, or... anything. She could have turned back at not got on the train, but, she just felt the need to follow...
Emilia gave an involuntary shiver, and the let out a small laugh. "This is just all so surreal!" She laughed again. "What am I doing?" She was addressing Luna, but was looking at her bag. She started to stroke the stitching again.
"We're about to stop" Luna said. "Here" She took off her robe and handed it to Emilia, "Put this on. You'll blend in with the rest of us."
As the Thestral and the carriage came to a stop, Emilia noticed the mass of people in the distance walking towards the castle's entrance.
"If we hurry, we can catch them up." Luna said as she climbed down from the carriage and offered Emilia a helping hand.
As they started to walk towards the castle, Emilia put the robe on and wrapped it round her like a safety blanket. Her stomach rumbled loudly. "You'll be pleased to here that inside, a feast awaits." Luna smiled.
"A feast? Emilia said excitedly, "As in, loads of food? Proper, hot food?!"
Luna nodded, "And mint humbugs."
Emilia's face beamed; for someone who had only eaten some marmalade covered toast and a squashed cereal bar, that was the best news she'd heard all day.
