The Departure

The world can be a scary place, but Riley Janes was more ready than she'd ever been in her life. Accompanied by Minerva McGonagall, a middle-aged witch with shiny brown hair that was tied up in a tight bun on the top of her head, escorted Riley through the bustling train platform to someplace, which she called "Platform 9 3/4" she said in her shrill, high voice.

"Now Riley, once we get to the platform, you are going to need to run through a wall," she said simply.

"Excuse me, but did you say a wall?" squeaked Riley. Minerva laughed breathlessly. She made a mental note to keep an eye on that one. She seemed to know that she'd be a trouble maker. As Riley was thinking about everything that had happened in the past few days, her head spun around. On August 21st, a lady with a pointy black hat and odd clothing came to her house on her boring little street with a piece of parchment, saying she had accepted to some wizarding school? Despite her confusion in the moment, Riley snatched the paper and silently thanked the world for her luck. Her parents were rarely ever around for anyway, always at some pub getting wasted. At the age of 11, she had to quickly grow up to the lack of parenting skills and simply parenting in general. She was thankful to finally be leaving the hell hole that was called home. Where she was going, she wasn't sure, but anywhere but there had to be better than there. She started to come to her senses once she heard Miss. McGonagall calling her name. She snapped out of her daze and heard the lady telling her to brace herself and run. She obediently ran forwards while closing her eyes, realizing how ridiculous she must look. She felt like nothingness for a split second and then emerged on the other side. Her eyes widened at the sight of all of the people, noises, and animals around her. Riley was completely dumbfounded at the sight before her eyes. Wizards, witches, and children ran around, bustling to get their kids on a large train with some crest on it that read "Hogwarts".

"Brilliant," said Riley as she marveled at everything around her.

"Lily! Stop! Wait for me! Argh!" screamed a young girl with teeth that resembled a horse. Riley's eyes followed the young girl to people who seemed like her parents. She held her gaze until she stumbled forward and fell on her hands and knees. Not knowing what hit her, she looked around and saw a young girl, about the same age as her with bright red hair and green eyes peering down at her, repeatedly saying, "I'm so sorry, I'm sorry, are you alright?!"

"Yes, yeah, I'm fine, thank you," said Riley as the girl pulled her up by the hand.

"I'm really sorry about that. My name is Lily. And you are?"

"Riley. Riley Janes," she replied.

"Hello Riley Janes, it's a pleasure.". She held out her hand for Riley to shake it. "Is this your first year at Hogwarts too?" asked Lily.

"So that's the place we're going to, is it?" questioned Riley.

"Ohhhh, are you from a muggle family too!?" asked Lily in an excited voice.

"Uhh... what are muggles?" she asked in a puzzled tone.

"Right, sorry, I should have probably explained that first. Muggles are non-magic folk, like our parents! We're what you call muggle-borns, we don't have any magical blood in us, but certain children of Muggle families have wizards or witches for kids!"

Riley was silently thinking to herself that this girl was a major chatterbox. After a few minutes of listening to Lily's speech on muggles, she finally focused herself back to the conversation and realized that Lily was asking her if she wanted to sit with her on the train. At this point, Riley had lost sight of Miss. McGonagall long ago, so she decided she would pull her trunk along with her to where she was going to board. Lily showed her to the area where all of the luggage was being put and she quietly noted that the train car seemed to never end, but this was duly noted since almost everything there didn't make sense. Since Riley was quite the adventurous soul herself, she was quite excited by everything around her; new people, new places, new everything, really. Lily tugged her hand, telling her to follow her, so she obeyed. Once her foot hit the train car steps, her heart skipped a beat and she let out a small laugh. Lily turned around with a puzzled look on her face.

"Why are you laughing?"

Riley laughed again.

"I have no idea, I just feel like I actually am actually going somewhere that I'll like. For the first time in a really long time, I kind of feel okay,"

"Well yes, I've been told by a few other people here that it can do that to you sometimes,"

Riley had a huge grin spread across her face as they walked farther into the train. She was taking in all of the boxes of the train car, all of the people and animals scurrying around their owner's feet or heads.

"So this is your first year too right?" said Riley, trying to make conversation as she looked around and tried to keep up with Lily.

"Oh yes, I really don't know anyone but I'm sure we'll make friends, I've already found one haven't I?" She said with a smile. It made Riley grin to know that she was considered a friend to the red-headed girl she met barely 3 minutes ago. They walked a bit longer down a car hallway that never seemed to end until they found an empty box. Riley put her small bag on a shelf along with Lily's and they both sat down. Just after 30 seconds of quiet peace, two rowdy boys stumbled into the box, all talking amongst themselves until one of the boys turned his head towards Lily with a grin on his face, but it went suddenly slack when his eyes fell upon her. The box was totally silenced until Riley coughed as if to remind the boy that they were still on planet earth.

"Uuhhhh... Ummm..." he stuttered as he stared at Lily.

"Uh, hi..?" said Riley as she waved her hand in front of his face.

"Right, yes, um, hey..." he managed to get out.

"James, quit staring, you look like a git," said a boy behind James with soft, black, curly, shoulder-length hair that was well kept. He had beautiful grey eyes that had a hint of rebellion in them and a charming face with fair features. Riley looked at him and thought out loud.

"Wow.."

"Beg your pardon?" said the boy with the shiny black hair. Once Riley realized what she said, she immediately turned bright red, embarrassed at the fact that she had just told him exactly what she was thinking. Lily giggled at Riley and finally introduced herself.

"Hi, I'm Lily, Lily Evans, and this is..." she trailed off, waiting for Riley to introduce herself.

"Uh, hey... Janes... my name's Riley Janes." She said, still holding her gaze on the boy with the long black hair.

He smiled at the ground for a second, lifted his head and then spoke.

"Well hello Lily Evans and Riley Janes," he said with a smirk as he said Riley's name and glanced at her, "it's a pleasure".

Thank you guys so much for reading, I'm pretty new to fanfictions so I hope the first chapter is sufficiently well done!

New Chapter: The Train