The One Where Ella Makes a Friend

"Ugggh, bugger off!" The throaty, masculine, almost animalistic sound came erupted from underneath my pillow, where my head was quickly buried at the bright influx of light in my previously dark room.

"C'mon sweetie, its your first day! We gotta get a move on!" Mom said, moving away from my now open curtains and over to my bed, gently shaking my arm. I peeked my head out from under my pillow just enough to get a quick look at my clock across the room. In big block letters it read 7:13 AM. "ARE YOU KIDDING ME? We don't have to be there until nine Mum! Nine! That means I have at least another hour left to sleep!"

"Oh pish posh, Elladora! You know what they always say, early bird gets the worm! Besides,who knows how long it will take you to straighten out that birds nest you call hair. Also, there might be traffic and besides its your first day! Aren't you the least bit excited?" Mum stood up from her spot on my bed and straightened her already perfectly straight and wrinkle free outfit.

"Yeah, super excited…" Mum didn't seem to notice my lack of enthusiasm as she strolled to the door of my room, tossing a quick "Get up! Mina's making breakfast," over her shoulder, and shutting the door.

I threw myself back down on my bed. Excited? Please, try terrified. Yeah, its totally cool that I'm going to Hogwarts but… what if nobody likes me? I mean, yeah I knew some fellow pureblood people from family and friend parties over the years but maybe I wouldn't get put in the same house as them. Maybe I wouldn't be able to find them, and I would end up all alone on the train? I think I'd cry. Besides, I didn't want to leave my family! Yeah, mum had a tendency to be a little much and expected way more than I could give in just about every area of life but she could be nice! Just a little overbearing. I guess it wasn't be any different as far as Dad goes. He was always busy with work but the times I did get to see him were fantastic! And I would miss those but, they only happened around holidays and I guess I would be home on those anyways… He was not even coming to drop me off at the station, as he had to leave for work much earlier this morning, so we said goodbye late last night. I guess all I really had to miss was Mina. That lovely house elf had been my constant companion in this huge house these last eleven years… She's the one I would really miss.

"Whatever, no use in wallowing…" I murmured to myself before stretching and slowly getting out of bed. I sighed as several of my joints cracked and popped back into place after not moving for hours in a deep deep sleep. Throwing on my huge gross glasses I strolled over to the mirror to see what alleged "birds nest" mom was talking about.

I cringed at my reflection. My usually semi wavy, semi straight shoulder length soft brown hair was currently looking as if somebody drove a weed wacker through it. If I even attempted to take a brush to it, it would get five times worse. The only thing that could fix this was a deep intensive conditioning. Before I could go get in the shower, I took off my hideous glasses to replace them with my contacts. Next, I decided it would be smart if I laid out the clothes I was planning to wear to the platform. Although all I really wanted to wear was my fuzzy polka dot pajama pants, I knew that mom was right, I should look nice and at least make a small effort if I was ever hoping to make any friends at all. With this incentive in mind, I rummaged through my drawers before pulling out a three quarter sleeve mint blue shirt entirely made of lace designs that although was tight and a little uncomfortable, it made me look really skinny and emphasized my tan from my summer vacation in Curacao. I also pulled out a white semi sheer blouse with black detailing that looked great with black shorts and made my legs look really long. In the end, the mint blue lace shirt won out, as it seemed a little more casual while still being pretty.

Satisfied with my choice, I turned on my heel and walked to my ensuite. Usually I would favor a long bubble bath to help myself relax, but there was not nearly enough time for that. So, begrudgingly I took a quick 10 minute shower and spent at least 8 of those minutes dealing with the unruly mess on my head. Once the bathroom was properly filled with steam and it felt like time to get out, I wrapped my body up in a towel and flung my hair upside down into a towel twist. I strolled over to the mirror, completely covered in condensation and drew a big smiley face into it for good luck. I smiled at it before opening the bathroom door and allowing the steam to enter and dissipate in my room. I clicked the home button on my phone to see that the time was now 8:03 AM. Definitely going to miss being able to do that. I knew my iphone wouldn't work once I got to Hogwarts which disappointed me greatly. Something about the amount of magic surrounding the school not allowing the signals. When my Dad originally insisted I get one of these muggle telephones I was firmly against it. However, he wouldn't take no for an answer! He had heard of them somehow through the ministry. Apparently they were making all employees get one and he thought our whole family should have one to communicate. Although no other witch I knew had one, so the only people I talked to on it were Mum and Dad, it was still totally useful. It literally had a billion games that I could just take everywhere! Thats incredible! I have to give those muggles some credit. AlI in all, I was certainly disappointed to have to give it up for the year. The Whole School Year.

Realizing that I had a little under an hour to completely get ready I shook myself out of my personal pity party and hurriedly towel dried my hair. I ran a brush through the now tangle free locks and slid on my white shorts, white camisole, and lace shirt. With a quick look in the mirror I knew something was missing. I'm not one for makeup necessarily considering I'm only eleven but I am one for jewelry. Throwing on a silver bracelet and necklace I was good to go.

I jogged down the steps and through the parlor, my steps echoing around the large marble room before entering into our large open kitchen. The back door was open so I knew it was safe to assume we were going to have breakfast outside on this beautiful day. However, not even the crisp yet warm September weather and some of Mina's delicious pancakes could ease the pit of anxiety eating through my stomach. While mum read the Prophet's style section I gnawed on a piece of toast, barely able to stomach anything else. As soon as she finished the style and advice columns, mum put the paper down and smiled at me.

"Finish up quick, Darling. Mina is putting your trolley in the car right now and we should be leaving within the next fifteen minutes. You look beautiful, my love," her blue eyes smiled down at me warmly. "I'm so excited for you, sweetheart. You're going to love Hogwarts, I can feel it. I'm also sensing a little Ravenclaw in you… following in your mom's footsteps I suppose?" she inquired with a little giggle. I couldn't help but smile back in return, I really was going to miss her.

"Who knows mum, I'm just hoping I've got good people in my house," I rolled my eyes, trying to say it as casually as possible, hoping she would reassure me without letting her know that it was a fear that was tearing me apart from the inside out.

"Oh don't worry about that Elladora, you'll be fine. Now, time to go, yes? Go make sure everything is in the car, and brush your teeth. I want you outside ready to leave within two minutes. Go," and the sweet mother daughter moment was over. The chair squealed harshly as I pushed it back, stood and hurried into the house. This was it, time to go. I ran up to my room and grabbed Quiver, my owl, along with my recently acquired wand.. I gave Mina a tight hug before I settled into the car with Quiver's cage next to me. We had said our official goodbyes last night. I smiled at Mina through the car window and took a deep breath. Here we go…

The car ride didn't last nearly long enough. I needed more time. It felt like I had just blinked and now… there I was, sitting in front of Kings Cross Station, Mum already out of the car unloading my things. Seat belt still fastened, I let out a shaky breath. "You can do this, Ella. You can totally do this," I whispered the words under my breath before undoing my seatbelt, opening the door, grabbing Quiver and getting out of the car. Time to go.

Mum power walked through Kings Cross as I struggled to keep up with her long strides. Once we got in front of the brick wall between platforms 9 and 10, she came to a halt.

I exhaled a deep breath. I had heard stories of this wall from older kids at holiday parties, but it was hard to actually imagine doing it. Mum flashed me an encouraging smile over her shoulder before walking straight through the bricks. Wanting so desperately to be brave, and prove to myself that I could do this, I squeezed my eyes shut tightly and forced myself to go straight through.

My eyes were still sealed shut, when I erupted onto the other side. Laughter and yelling surrounded me, as students hugged their mates and parents met old classmates to chat. I looked around sharply, searching for Mum through the crowds. How she managed to get away I don't understand she was right in fron-

"ELLA!?" I was knocked off balance from the shock of a small body crashing into me and wrapping their arms around me like a vice. My muscles relaxed from their tense position when I realized the body wrapped around me was Adley Clemont. I let out a sigh of relief and wrapped my arms around the small girl.

"I missed you too, Adley," I let out a light chuckle as a familiar face eased my fears. Although Adley and I weren't extremely close, I definitely felt like I could call her a friend considering the many parties and family get togethers we spent together. Out of all the kids at those parties, Addie was the one I was closest too. There had been rumors of her attending Beauxton's, seeing as that was where her mum went to school and lived before falling in love with a muggle English man on vacation in France and following him back to his home. Adley's pureblood elitist grandparents did not approve and refused to allow them to get married. Mrs. Clemont was upset, but her parents views were important to her so she broke it off with Adley's dad, but it was too late, she was already pregnant. Because they figured a muggle father was better than none at all, her grandparents changed their minds and allowed them to be together. Now, eleven years later they are blissfully happy.

"I couldn't find anybody I knew, Ella! You'd think after all those parties I'd know more people but you are the first familiar face I've seen! And I'm so glad to see you, gosh I need someone to sit with!" She pulled back from our embrace and stared up at me with her big brown doe eyes. "C'mon, our mums are talking over there," Adley charged through the crowd and led the way back in the direction she had come from before her sneak attack.

Upon finding our mothers, Mrs. Clemont immediately wrapped me in a tight hug.

"It is so wonderful to see you again, Ella. You look smashing," Her french accent was weak but still evident in her speech,

"Girls, you should probably go find a compartment and get settled on the train. Don't want all the good ones to fill up! Ella, I gave your trunk to someone to put it on the train for you, take Quiver and go get settled," Mum embraced me tightly, as Mrs. Clemont did Adley, "I'll miss you, darling. Make sure to write alright? I love you," With a quick "I love you too" and a wave to Mrs. Clemont, I picked up Quiver's cage and Adley and I were off. We weaved through the masses of people hugging goodbye, trying to get to the train door, when we heard our names being called, "Adley! Ella! Wait up," We turned to see skinny blonde girl running up to us. Another mate from parties growing up, Isobel Osset and I were friendly. She was always much closer to Adley, as I found her to be slightly harsh and abrasive. However, she was nice enough that I was definitely happy to see her and have another mate to go to school with.

Once she reached us we each gave her a quick hug and she walked in the middle of us as we moved along aiming to get on the train. As we walked, we asked her questions on her summer and how she was when all of a sudden she was nearly run over by a frazzled blonde girl. The girl looked as if she was in a hurried state and immediately started spewing out apologise. I was about to reassure her that it was alright, nobody injured when Isobel snootily looked her up and down and scoffed out, ""Of course, a mudblood," and then grabbed my arm and pulled me away. I was so shocked at her language I wasn't able to put up a fight. I let her pull me away to the train door. Once I was able to snap back into my senses, I looked over my shoulder at the blonde girl sadly, wishing I could go comfort her. But then, I realized that that might make Isobel mad, because it would be like calling her out and she was probably just angry that she was ran into. I didn't want to lose my possible friend over a little thing like that so I turned straight ahead, and resolved to ask her why she called her that on the train.

I never got the chance to. Once we got on the train, Isobel, Adley, and I found a compartment of girls in our year who we had never really talked to, but had met briefly at parties. I didn't want to bring up the scene with the girl in front of them all because Isobel was probably embarrassed enough that she said it, why would she want them to know about it? Also, I couldn't bring it up because I was having too much of a good time. I honestly had nothing to worry about. These girls were fun! We spent the entire train ride gossiping about celebrities in Witch Weekly and playing exploding snap! Isobel refused to play exploding snap, something about losing an eyebrow when she was eight and it not growing back for a full year, but Adley and I played several rounds and I also beat Elodie Baldwin, a sweet red headed girl, about six times. She hadn't been in our compartment when I arrived originally because she was apparently seeing some insanely fat cat down the corridor with her friend.

In what felt like no time at all, we were all scrambling to change into our robes, as the castle was fastly approaching. Once we got our first close up look, my jaw dropped. Yes, I had been told by my parents that it was a castle but I never expected...this! When the train came to a halt, and my new mates and I all got out of our compartment and into one boat, I couldn't stop smiling. This was going to be fantastic!