Chapter 10 Harry had told her he would wake her up the next morning with enough time to be ready to leave for King's Cross Station the next morning, but Serena got up before five in the morning. Luna and Artemis watched her bustle around the tiny closed-in room. Once she had finished getting read for the trip, she pulled out her school book 'Secrets of the Moon, A History.' The first time Serena had opened the book, she and the two Guardian Cats had been astonished by the fact that the whole book was a complete recollection of the Silver Millennium. Though Serena knew the details that had caused its downfall, she still had no knowledge of the backbone of the kingdom she was to inherit.
By seven, the Dursley's and Harry were up and by seven-thirty they had piled both trunks, Hedwig's cage, the two cat carriers and everyone else into the car and were headed toward London. Once arriving at King's Cross Station, Uncle Vernon aided Harry and Serena to unload their belongings before getting back in the car and driving off.
Silently, Harry helped Serena place their items on a cart and helped her wheel it into the station.
Serena felt small next to the people moving around them. Suddenly, Harry stopped moving forward. Serena watched all around her, searching for platform 9 3/4. 'Eight . . . Nine . . . Ten . . . ' Serena counted to herself then exclaimed to Harry, "Harry, I don't see a platform 9 3/4. Isn't that the platform we need?"
"Yes, Serena. Now, you have to trust me and do exactly what I say. You see that column right there?" Harry said and pointed toward a pillar standing between platforms 9 and 10. "Well, push your cart at a quick pace at it and don't be afraid. You'll go straight through."
Serena took a deep breath. She trusted Harry and so, taking one step and quickly another, she rushed straight for the wall. Instead of being stopped short by the wall, she felt herself pop right through the wall. She opened her eyes and stared in awe. There in front of her was a magnificent train with the words 'Hogwart's Express' written on the side of it.
Serena heard a soft "pop" beside her and she looked to her left and saw Harry grinning with pleasure at the massive train.
"Let's go, Serena," Harry said once more and led Serena to one of the baggage compartments. He had packed one of each of their robes and wands in a tiny carry on bag and now he ushered Serena onto the train.
Harry directed Serena to a compartment in the train that was already occupied. The two looked up from their bickering.
"Harry! How was your summer?" This was from the girl. She had bushy brown hair and was already in her school robes.
The boy shot a withering glance at the girl. He had red hair and his face was full of freckles.
"Yes, Harry and how was your birthday as well?" The boy asked. Then noticed the young girl standing next to Harry, looking at him and Hermione with a world of curiosity in her eyes. "Oi say, Harry. Is that the girl you wrote to me about?"
Harry nodded and smiled down at Serena. He gestured for her to sit on the bench opposite from Ron and Hermione. "Serenna, these are a couple of my friends from Hogwarts. This is Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger." Harry introduced her to them as he sat down next to Serena. "She moved in with the Dursley's about a month before my birthday."
"How did they take her receiving an acceptance letter?" Hermione asked as the train finally pulled away from the statioin.
"Not well," Harry said with a grimace. "And Uncle Vernon and I got into an argument last night."
"Well, at least he drove you in today. Imagine what Professor McGonagall would have said or done had you not made the train." Hermione said. "Oh, I bet you would have gotten into so much trouble."
"Hermione," Ron said in an exasperating voice. "Harry would not have gotten into too much trouble. I'm sure Dumbledore and McGonagall would have known that it wasn't Harry's fault."
Harry was even growing exasperated with Hermione. He glanced over to Serena who was staring out the window at the gently rolling hills. She had isolated herself away from Ron, Hermione, and himself.
"Serena," he said, catching her attention and she turned toward Harry and looked at him with her cerulean blue eyes. Harry felt himself sinking into them and he needed to shake himself mentally to remember what he was about to ask her.
Before Harry could ask her to join them in their conversation, the woman with the snack cart came around to their cabin. Harry bought some chocolate frogs and Bertie Botts's Every Flavor Beans for Ron, Hermione, and Serena. Serena offered to help pay, but Harry told her no.
After they finished eating their snacks, the quartet put on their school robes.
They were almost at the school and Serena took out her wand to study it once more. The wand felt as though it vibrated with life in her hand. As Serena closed her eyes, she thought she could feel the power of her sister scouts. Tears welled up in her eyes and silently fell down her face. She could feel eyes on her and she opened hers to see ron and Hermione staring at her curiously and Harry watching her with worry written on his face.
Before he could say anything, however, the train began to slow and come to a stop. Serena quietly followed behind the three friends, listening to them chatter excitedly about the coming year until they descended off the train.
"Firs' years! Firs' years over 'ere!" a loud and deep voice called. Serena looked for the source and her eyes landed on a large bear-like man with eyes that twinkled happily.
"Go on, Serena," Harry said to her. "That's Hagrid, Groundskeeper of Hogwarts and the teacher in Care of Magical Creatures." Harry smiled. "Just follow Hagrid. We'll meet you in the Great Hall."
Serena nodded and followed the bear-like man. He leaded the first year students to a group of boats that rode across the big lake. When they reached the middle, the tentacle of a giant octopus shot up from the lake and landed with a splash, showering over the students in the boats.
A little damp from their small encounter with the octopus, the students descended from the boats and entered the castle. Just inside the doors, a woman in emerald green robes walked up to them.
"Welcome to Hogwarts. I am Professor McGonagall. If you will follow me, I will lead you to a room to await the sorting." Professor McGonagall said, turned, and walked quickly down the hall.
Professor McGonagall led the group of first year students down a long hall and into a small room. Serena stood off to the side of the room, patiently awaiting the time when Professor McGonagall would return for them while the other 11-year-olds murmured excitedly.
Once again, Serena pulled her wand from inside her long robes. Looking down at it, she slowly traced her fingertips over each of the small gems. They found the small ruby first. Rei...her passionate friend who never gave up the opportunity to criticize her... A tiny lapis lazuli for her calm and studious friend, Ami, who had always attempted to get her to do better at her schoolwork... An emerald...Makoto...her aggressive friend who was always there to help her other friends... Topaz...Minako...a sister scout who loved everyone, no matter who they were...unless they harmed her sisters... Deep Sapphire...Haruka-chan...always ready to do her duty, no matter what... Aquamarine...Michiru...artistic and beautiful, with the same dedication to her job... Purple amethyst...little Hotaru...precocious...gentle at the same time as she was dangerous... Garnet, for the Scout of Time...Setsuna-sama...though not dead, her stone was there along with the rest of them...
Last but not least she ran her fingers over the ginzoushou...It sparkled with a life all its own, and she could feel the power running through her...She closed her eyes for a moment and let it rush over her, soothing her.
Suddenly, a set of doors opposite from where the group of students had entered opened and the eyes of the youngsters widened at the sight of the Great Hall, with its long tables, floating candlesticks, and the many other students.
:sigh: Okay, that took way longer than I thought it would...it took longer than it was supposed to as well...but Chapter 10 is done. I'm sorry, all for having to say this, but I need some ideas...I haven't been writing for a while and, because of this, a couple of the ideas have seeped out of my brain...Please either leave me a couple in the reviews or e-mail them to me at or I check these regularly and would love to hear from everyone. I cannot promise that all suggestions will be used, but I can promise that I will give each suggestion special consideration. Love ya's all and, until my writer's block disappears or I get some new ideas from the readers, I'm sorry to say I am going on hiatus. TTYL .