Chapter 2
It was a long month for me. By the time school started, I read all of my textbooks from cover to cover.
On the morning of my first day at Hogwarts, I was up bright and early. My mother was also up, cooking breakfast.
"Morning, Mom."
"Morning, honey. I made your favorite: chocolate chip pancakes and scrambled eggs!" Elizabeth said as she transferred the food from the pans to the plate.
"Hey, thanks! I'm so excited, and I can't wait to see Hogwarts!" I replied. I sat down and ate my breakfast, enjoying my last one at home for a while.
"You'll like it there, I'm sure. There's a very nice library there; however, you cannot go into the Restricted Section. It's only for prefects and head boys and girls."
"Well, that's too bad," I commented. Inside, I was quite sure that I could find my own way in. my aunt had given me an invisibility cloak for my 14th birthday.
"Don't even think about sneaking around after dark. If Professor Snape or any other teacher catches you out after dark, you will be in serious trouble. As you should be," my mother added.
"You mean you never snuck around trying to rendezvous with dad?"
"No, actually, I didn't. I know the risks. It's something you learn if you become a prefect."
"Oh." While she was talking, I was finishing up the last of my breakfast.
"There is a very good reason why students aren't to be out of bed after curfew."
"All right, all right. I'll take your word for it," I said, exasperated. Secretly, I thought that being afraid of the "bogeyman" was rather laughable.
"Good. Now, get your things together. It's almost time."
"Okay," I responded obediently. I was back in a minute with my trunk and cloak.
"Let's go." The trip to Platform 9 ¾ was uneventful, and we talked about some mundane things on the way. She noticed that her mother was preoccupied. Elizabeth was just making small talk because she was nervous about her daughter going to school here. Her family wasn't known for seeing the future, but occasionally, the ability cropped up in a few generations. She had a premonition a few days ago that Catherine would discover the truth. Premonitions didn't always come true, but she had learned to pay attention to them. In this case, she was very worried that this particular premonition could come true. If Catherine found out who her father was and what he did, she would be devastated.
"Mom, what are you thinking about?" I asked, noticing my mother's preoccupation.
"Oh, nothing much. I was just thinking about how empty the house will be without you there."
"Aww. Sounds like someone's getting sentimental. I'll be back at Christmas. I promise." By then, we had reached the train station, walked through the barrier, and were on the other side.
"Well, it looks like this is it. Be good, and write to me once in a while."
"Yeah, sure Mom." I looked around, intrigued by all the people. There was such a diverse group, although they all practiced magic. There were the whiny ones, the bratty ones, and the really nice innocent ones. I turned to my mother. "Well, I'd better get going. I'll write to you when I get to school!" Mom and I hugged.
"Catherine, I have something for you. I think this may come in handy." She handed me a mirror.
"Mom, you know I hardly ever use one of these. Anyways, we have these at school, you know. What on earth would I do with this one?" I asked, confused.
"It's not just a mirror. It's a telephone, so to speak. If you have any questions or anything, just pick it up and say my name."
I stared at my mother as if she had gone crazy. "Mom, don't you think that's a little excessive. I mean, I can send you an owl if I really need to talk to you, right?"
"Take it just in case, will you?"
"Oh geez Mom. I'll take it. Now, I gotta go, or I'll miss the train."
Then I turned and left, dragging my trunk behind me.
When I had found an empty compartment, I looked out the window and waved to Mom, who was still watching. She waved until the train had started moving away from the platform. My mother was getting smaller and smaller. Well, it looks like I'm on my own now, I thought.
My thought was interrupted by a blond haired boy and two bulky looking kids with him.
"You're new. My father told me about you. So, you need a guide or anything?"
"A guide to where? We're on the train, in case you haven't noticed. I think I've got it covered." I could tell by his tone and mannerisms that he was fishing for something or that he wanted something. There was just something off about that kid, I thought. I just can't put my finger on it.
"Well, if you need anything, I'm a few compartments down."
"Thanks," I said noncommittally. Malfoy hung back, as if waiting for something else. When he didn't get it, he turned and left. After he left, I turned my mind to my mother's strange behavior during this last month. She seemed very worried about something, but she wouldn't tell me what. This whole cryptic thing was really starting to get irritating. For the rest of the trip, I thought about what my mother could possibly be hiding from her and why.