Chapter 2: Train
Platform 9 ¾ is jam-packed on the first of September.
There are witches and wizards accompanied by school-aged children, and more, all carrying suitcases, and pet carriers, and some even bearing magical musical instruments.
Unlike the other first-year student though, Meredith isn't being shepherded onto the train by her mother, rather, she has been sent off to find her own way as The Ellis Grey reunites with her esteemed colleagues in the upper school administration, and accepts opportunities from the Daily Prophet for interviews, in which she discusses her most recent innovation in magical medicine, known colloquially in higher wizarding circles as the "Grey Method."
Meredith shrugs, and she sighs as she lifts her heavy suitcases into the trolley the best she can by herself.
"Want a hand with that?" asks an older boy, perhaps a third or a fourth-year student, who has blue eyes, and styled black hair.
"Sure," Meredith shrugs, and lets the boy help her.
"Come on, Derek, we're going to be late!" A voice calls out to the boy who just finished helping Meredith.
"Coming-" says the boy, as he gives Meredith one last look before he heads off with her.
Meredith follows his line of sight until she sees the woman who was talking to Derek, a tall, leggy redhead with bright green eyes, and a shining black robe. She must be an upper-year student also, and by the way she carries herself, she is certainly very smart, and already powerful.
Still staring, Meredith finds herself captivated by this woman, as she watches her pick up a cat carrier, cooing "Milo," at the cat, and joke around with this boy, and another boy who has a chiseled jaw, showing off her white teeth, and killer smile.
She would have kept staring longer had it not been for another person trying to get her attention, this time from another girl looking about her own age, and asking her if she wants to sit next to her on the train into Hogwarts.
"Cristina Yang," says the girl. "I'm a first-year student, but I've already read all of the second and third-year textbooks," she adds.
The raven-haired girl with curly hair reaches out with her hand, and Meredith shakes it.
"Meredith Grey," Meredith answers, and she motions for Cristina to take a seat on the train before she quickly joins her.
"Does that mean your mom is-" Cristina eyes her suspiciously.
"Unfortunately…" Meredith says quietly, as she closes the door to the train cabin.
"Tell me about it-" Cristina says. "My mom is famous, not here, in the muggle world, and I can't stand it."
The conversation flows on eagerly from there, and Meredith finds herself relaxing, and having fun for the first time in ages.
It feels good to have a new friend already.
Still, in the quiet moments when Cristina goes back to her books, Meredith stares out the window at the scenery going by, and she can't help but think again about the tall redhead with the cute cat who she never even got a small chance to talk to… Yet.
