The journey to Kings Cross Station seemed even longer than usual. She had been there numerous times before for family trips and holidays, but this time it was simply more exciting. She sat with in the back seat of the car, her forehead plastered against the cool glass of the window. She loved watching the people in the other cars speed by, always wondering what their story was. Though this little game usually passed the time rather quickly, today time seemed to be sluggish and nothing she could do would make it go that little bit quicker.
"Are you doing all right back there?" Patrick said, catching Daisy's eye in the rear-view mirror. She sighed and shifted in her seat.
"I'm fine, Dad," she said quietly, not sure if she believed her own answer. Though excitement was pulsing through her body, butterflies had found a permanent home in her stomach.
"Are you sure?' Her mother chimed in, turning around to face her. Her old eyes looked even more tired than usual. Though it was hard to leave her parents behind on her part, Daisy knew that they were not taking her new-found magic particularly well, and she was worried about how they would feel when she left.
"Yes, I'm fine. Just a bit nervous, that's all. I'm sure I'll be okay," she said, managing to place a small smile on her lips. Her mother relaxed.
"Yes, well that's expected I suppose. New home, new friends, new everything! But you'll love it, dear. I know you will," she said smiling, turning back around to face the road.
"Of course," Daisy under her breath. Of course. Daisy had always been... different. And during school, if you were the least bit different, your life was made miserable. She hoped that Hogwarts would be different, just like she was.
"Just try to rest. We will be there soon enough."
Daisy nodded, her eyes drifting back to the road. Artemis, her beautiful new barn owl, was by her side and was sleeping soundly. Daisy sat there in silence, listening to her gentle, rhythmic pulse and the whisper of air in her lungs. Every once and awhile, the owl would ruffle it's feathers while it was dreaming and she quickly became lost in feelings about her new school. Suddenly, a thought hit her.
"Mum," Daisy said at once, sitting straight up. "How do you know so much about the Wizarding world? About Hogwarts?"
Deirdre stole a quick glance at Patrick and then looked out the window. "It's complicated, sweetie."
"Well, we have time. Please, I really would like to know." Daisy was wide-awake at this point, staring eagerly at her parents.
"There are numerous types of children in the Wizarding world," Patrick explained, his eyes fixated on the road as he drove. "There are the muggle-borns, which are magical children born from non-magical parents. I should think you would meet many of those at school. You also have children born from two magical parents and children from one magical parent. If one parent has magic, the child usually has magic."
He stopped speaking as though he was deep in thought. Deirdre's eyes remained out the window, her eyes sad.
"But that doesn't explain how you know so much about magic! Were your parents magical? Why didn't you tell me!" Daisy's voice steadily grew louder and her anger rose. She felt betrayed.
"Don't raise your voice," Deirdre said firmly, breaking her silence. "Yes, we were both born from two magical parents. However, we... we do not have magic."
Daisy didn't know what to say. This entire world was brand new to her, and she couldn't understand if this was a bad thing. "What does that mean?"
"It means," Deirdre said with an edge in her voice, "it means we are ridiculed by the Wizarding world -"
"Darling," Patrick interrupted gently, "please don't cry."
"I'm sorry! I didn't know it was a bad thing! I... I didn't know," Daisy said quietly, upset that she upset her mother.
Deirdre sighed and turned to look at her. "It's okay, Daisy. Our kind," she said, motioning to Patrick, "are called Squibs. It's a mildly derogatory term applied to non-magical children." Patrick snorted at the word mildly, and Daisy had to agree with his judgement. It didn't sound like a nice word, at all!
"We had to endure the magic and wonder of this world, all while not being able to do even the most simple of charms. It wasn't the easiest way to grow up."
Daisy nodded, understanding. She always felt different and that she didn't belong in the place where she had grown up. Though it turned out that she, in fact, didn't belong in the Muggle world, she still felt sorry for her mother and father. She couldn't imagine what it was like living in a place that was in-between the magical and non-magical world. She realised that they didn't really belonging in either, and with a sad smile she mulled over the information she had just received.
After what seemed like hours of silence, Patrick said, "We're here! Grab a trolley whilst I park, and I'll collect your things."
Deirdre gripped Daisy's hand as they left the car. She gave her a comforting squeeze and they walked into the station. They found an empty trolley and began looking for Patrick, who was struggling with all of Daisy's belongings.
"What did you pack these with, rocks?" Patrick exclaimed, his face reddening. "Why on Earth do you need so much... stuff?"
Deirdre laughed as he huffed to the rusting baggage trolley and violently dropped the trunk and Artemis' cage onto it. "Don't make a scene, dear," she said, as Artemis squawked loudly.
"At least we know how to dress like Muggles. It's like they aren't even trying!" Patrick said as he motioned to the oddly dressed people scurrying around the train station. Daisy tried to suppress her laughter as she saw their ridiculous outfits. One woman wore an elaborate formal dress, complete with a train of fabric trailing behind her. Her husband was no better, dressed in parachute trousers, a dress coat, and a tie with oddly shaped fruits patterned on it. Their child, a girl dressed completely normally, looked positively horrified at their ensembles.
Deirdre shook her head. "I know. It's quite sad."
The trio walked quietly as they walked passed the different platforms. "Mum," she asked, her legs stiff and aching after being far too still for so long, "Where on earth is this platform?"
"We are nearly there, Daisy." She said, her eyes scanning the packed station. "In fact, we are reaching it now. Platform 9 and 3/4."
"Platform 9 3/4?" Daisy repeated slowly. "Could you repeat that? Surely that's not where the train is."
"Open your mind. Magic holds no boundaries," she said, stopping in front of platforms 9 and 10. "Now watch this family right here. You need to make sure that no Muggles are paying attention, which they won't be since they should be preoccupied with their own comings and goings, but nonetheless. Now watch carefully; they simply walk straight into the barrier."
Daisy watched as the family disappeared into the brick wall. "That's impossible!" Daisy said wide-eyed, unable to believe what she just witnessed.
"You really need to stop saying that or else you will think Hogwarts is just full of old card tricks and mirrors. Now," she said, grabbing Patrick's hand, "walk straight into the platform when I say three. Got it?"
"I don't have a choice, so I?" Daisy said, stealing a glance at her mother.
"One...Two... Three!"
Without thinking, Daisy grabbed the cold steel of the trolley and thrust it forward. Her heart was racing as she neared closer and closer to the solid brick wall. She picked up her pace and closed her eyes and she was feet away.
"Isn't she beautiful?" Patrick said with awe in his voice.
Daisy slowly opened one eye, not expecting what was right in front of her. A magnificent train stood regally against a very Victorian platform, making everything around it look extremely insignificant. She stopped walking and stared at the amazing train.
"Dear," Deirdre said, breaking her out of her thoughts, "It's time to board. It is nearly 11 o'clock! Your father is making sure your luggage is where it needs to be, and he will be back in a moment."
Daisy stared at her mother, who had tears in her eyes. "Why are you crying? It's only for a few months. I'll be home for Christmas..."
Deirdre engulfed Daisy into a bone-crushing hug. "I'm just so excited and worried for you," she said, choking back tears. "It's going to be amazing, darling, don't get me wrong, but it will be extremely hard. I don't want you to have to deal with all that is going to be happening..."
"What do you mean?" Daisy asked, pulling back from her mother's hug. "What is going to happ-"
"It's time to go!" Patrick said, interrupting her. "Come on, give me a hug." He gently wrapped his arms around his daughter. Daisy forgot about the warning her mother gave, and leaned into the hug. He slowly pulled away, and softly wiped away a tear that made it's way down her cheek. "I am so proud of you Daisy," he said, kissing the top of her head. "You will do amazing things. I can feel it."
Dong... Dong... Dong...
"It's 11 o'clock! Get on the train! Write to us as soon as you get there!" Deirdre said, giving Daisy one final hug, and gently pushed her towards the train.
"I love you!" Daisy said as she scurried up the steps and crossed the threshold onto the train. Hundreds of children were crowded by the windows, trying to say one final goodbye to their parents and loved ones. Pushing past them, she found an open compartment and sat down near the window. Once the final ding of the clock chimed, the train lurched forward, and the children started to find compartments of their own.
"Hello!" A voice interrupted Daisy from her thoughts. "Daisy, is that right? Do you mind if Neville and I sit here with you? Everywhere else is full."
Daisy nodded, remembering the bushy-haired girl from Diagon Alley, and the chubby boy from The Leaky Cauldron. "Hermione?" She asked as the other girl nodded, making room for them. "And you are?"
"Neville Long-Longbottom," he said, his voice cracking. Daisy cracked a smile. I'm not sure why he is so skittish, she thought. Must be just as nervous as I am.
"Have you read any of the textbooks yet?" Hermione asked, sitting down next to her and grabbing the book that Daisy was holding. "Hogwarts: A History! That's my absolute favourite! I've read all of them, but it's just so fascinating to read about all about where we will be staying for the next seven years!"
"I've only read the one so far. My parents wouldn't let me use my wand, so I thought that reading them -"
"That's strange. I would have thought everyone would want to read what they were learning," Hermione said, handing Daisy back her book. "Neville, what on earth are you looking for?"
Neville was frantically pacing around the compartment, looking under everything he could find. "I - I lost Trevor! I lost my toad!"
"Oh, Neville," Hermione said, standing up and shaking her head in disapproval, "That's got to be the second time in an hour. Where do you think you left him?"
Neville's round cheeks were red and tiny beads of sweat were forming on his temple. "I didn't leave him anywhere, Hermione," he said, flustered. "I had him just moments ago!"
"Why don't we go looking for him then? How hard could it be?" Daisy said, trying to break the tension in the room.
"That's a fantastic idea, Daisy. Let's go, Neville," Hermione said, leading them out of the compartment, Neville bringing up the rear.
After searching the corridor with no avail, Neville started to panic. "I really lost him for good! Oh, Gran is going to be so upset. I don't know -"
"Neville," Daisy said, grabbing his shoulders, "Calm down, okay? You will find Trevor. Why don't you search in the boy's toilets? Frogs like places like that, right?"
Neville blushed and nodded. He turned around and walked towards the bathroom.
"He's a bit clumsy, but he's nice enough," Hermione said, continuing down the corridor. "He'll never be a Ravenclaw, of course. At least in my opinion."
Daisy had to agree. She learned all about the four Hogwarts houses in Hogwarts: A History, and she had been dreading the sorting ever since.
"Oh, let's try in here! They look like first years. They might have seen Trevor," Hermione said, and without waiting for a reply, she rapped on the door.
"Yes?" A tall, pale, red haired boy asked as he opened the door slightly. "Do you need something?"
"We were looking for our friend Neville's toad," Hermione said, slithering past the boy and into the compartment. "Have you seen him?"
"No, we haven't," said another voice coming from inside the compartment. Daisy looked around the tall boy to see who talked. What she saw gave her goosebumps.
A giant mess of black hair lay on top of the boy's head and his bright green eyes pierced through her. She knew as soon as she saw him that he was her brother. He was Harry Potter.
"Umm, are you okay?" he asked, looking at her nervously. She suddenly realized that she had been staring at him the entire time.
"Oh, yes," she blushed, "Just a little nervous. That's all. What did you say your name was?"
"Harry," he said reaching out to shake her hand, "Harry Potter."
She took her hand in his. "I am Daisy," she said, smiling. He returned the smile.
"He isn't here! Can't you just leave?" The red haired boy said, annoyed.
"I was just trying to help! Come on Daisy," she said, grabbing her arm, "we need to change. I suggest you two boys do the same. I expect we'll be arriving soon."
"Bye Harry," Daisy said shyly as she was ushered out of the corridor.
"She's mental," she heard one of the boys say as the door closed behind them. "Hope she isn't in my house...
Hermione began to complain about the tall boy (whose name she learned was Ron), but Daisy wasn't listening. He doesn't know, she thought, he heart pounding. Why doesn't he know?
The next moments were a blur. The girls made it back to their original compartment to find Neville struggling to put on his robes. He somehow managed to stick his leg through the armhole. ("How did you manage that, Neville?").
She heard Hermione tell her to change into her robes, and she obliged quite happily. The train slowed to a halt and the students quickly filed out. Hermione grabbed her hand, and hustled out of the train.
"Are you even listening to me?" Hermione said with a hint of annoyance in her voice.
Daisy smiled and nodded, which was just fine for Hermione, and she continued to talk about the great hall. However, Daisy wasn't listening. She was too worried about her brother... about Harry. How am I going to tell him? Should I even tell him? Why doesn't he know?
"Firs' years! Firs' years! Get in the boats!"
That caught Daisy's attention. She followed the voice to find a giant of a man holding a lantern. He was easily more than three times the height of her, and seemingly infinitely wider. A wiry beard covered almost his entire face, except for two small beady black eyes that were beaming with warmth. This was the giant from her dream!
"Hagrid!" Harry yelled, hugging this giant. How did he know him?
"How are yeh, 'Arry?" Hagrid said, ruffling up his hair. "Meet anyone, er, interestin' on the train?"
His brow furrowed as he shook his head. "Was I supposed to?"
"No! No, just curious," he responded quickly. "Jus' wonderin'."
Harry shrugged and get into the closest boat, followed by Ron. Neville, Hermione, and Daisy got into the next one on Hermione's insistence. "I don't want to be stuck with him. He's so rude," she said about Ron, but Daisy wasn't listening. With wide eyes, she watched as they silently floated across a lake that seemed to be made of glass, with long willows dipping their branches at the edges. As the boats slowly floated on the current, an enormous black castle slowly started to appear on the horizon with windows glittering in gold.
Hagrid bellowed, "That, ladies and gentlemen, is Hogwarts. Yeh new home!"