Chapter 7:
Tom and Nessa waited eagerly for the summer. They barricaded themselves in Tom's room more often just to talk excitedly about Hogwarts. Mrs. Cole was informed that the two of them would be leaving in the summer, escorted by Dumbledore.
"What do you think it will be like?" asked Nessa, excitedly. Tom merely shrugged, trying not to show Nessa too much of his excitement.
"Dunno," he answered.
"I think it's going to be brilliant! We can learn magic together! How much fun will that be?" she said, clapping her hands.
"Very, I suppose," assumed Tom.
xXx
The summer finally ended and on the day that Dumbledore promised, he arrived at the orphanage for Tom and Nessa.
Tom and Nessa had packed all they're belongings in two large trunks that Mrs. Cole had given them. Dumbledore appeared at the doorway of Tom's room.
"Are you ready?" he asked Tom. Tom nodded and lugged the trunk out of the room.
"Ah, no need for that," said Dumbledore as he took out his wand and waved it at the trunk, making it disappear. Tom gaped at him while Dumbledore smiled. "Now, shall we go ahead and wait for Miss Nessa?" he offered. Tom nodded and led him towards Nessa's dorm.
Nessa was just barely clasping the latch of her trunk when they arrived. She turned around and smiled at them both.
"Hello. Just making sure that I had everything. Oh I'm so excited! Thank you so much, Mr. Dumbledore!" she squealed. Dumbledore raised a hand in appreciation.
"It's no trouble at all. Oh, and because I will be your teacher at school, please refer to me as Professor Dumbledore—it's the proper way to address the staff there," he noted. Nessa nodded. Dumbledore waved his wand at her trunk as it disappeared as well. Nessa widened her eyes.
"Wow!" she exclaimed.
"Now, shall we get going?" he asked the both of them. Nessa jerked her head up and down while Tom slightly nodded. The two of them followed Dumbledore down the stairs.
"This is so exciting!" Nessa whispered to Tom, grasping his hand and squeezing it tightly. Tom looked down at his hand as he felt Nessa's soft, gentle hand grasp hold of his. The warm feeling erupted inside of him again.
"Mrs. Cole," announced Dumbledore as they reached the bottom of the staircase. "I thank you very much for letting me take these two wonderful children away to my school. I promise you, this will not be the last time you see them; they will be back next summer." he mentioned. Mrs. Cole nodded, dabbing her eyes with a white handkerchief and hugging both children with her loving arms.
"Be good, Nessa, Tom. Do well," she sniffed. Nessa smiled and nodded. Tom glanced away and slightly nodded as well.
"Bye Nessa! Bye!" shouted some other children. Nessa waved back to them, smiling widely. Tom watched as he saw all the attention Nessa received. Nessa looked at Beth, who was surrounded by Ingrid, Livia and Gretchen. Nessa could see a hint of kindness in Beth's face as she looked at her and waved good-bye.