The next few days were spent touring London with the Potters and Weasleys. It was comforting to find another wizarding family involved with the muggle world just as much as my family was. We went on the London Eye, saw a play and even Big Ben. Memory charms were a nifty way to get to the front of long tourist lines and get the maximum out of attractions. Each evening was concluded with dinner at the Leaky Cauldron and treats from either Weasley Wizard Wheezes or the ice cream shop. I got a new cage for Aeschylus and quills and ink the evening before we left for term. September 1st came faster than I could imagine and we arrived at King's Cross Station at promptly 9 for an 10 am train. The boys had a good time racing trolleys while I bought muggle magazines with Rose.
"I've never seen James look as stupid as he does when he's around you," she confessed while looking over the most recent issue of Seventeen.
"I guess I have that aura around those British lads," I replied taking her comment as a joke.
"I'm not kidding," she added a bit sternly, "He hasn't had a girlfriend since the beginning of last term and swore he was giving up on broads because they're too complicated."
"He's a very nice boy, but we've just met and the last thing I want for my first and last year in a new school is baggage."
"You should string him along as a joke, not to break his heart, but to keep him at your disposal," Rose suggested, "Makes you seem important." She finished her statement with a grin. "It's apparently the summer thing to do."
"I'll see what happens, I have to test the water when term starts," I promised. I heard a whistle from my periphery and paid for the magazines quickly before returning to our families.
"Have you got a chance to look at your ticket yet," Ron, Hugo and Rose's father, asked me. I reached into my satchel and scanned the parchment.
"Platform nine-and-three-quarters," I inquired, "How exactly does that work?"
"Such a first year question," Lily giggled. Her brother pinched her on the arm and she sent a cold glance towards him. I followed the processional which made way closer and closer to platforms nine and ten, but I was still baffled how one was to get to the platform in question. We reached the beige brick column that separated platforms nine and ten and Mr. Potter stood next to it admiring it.
"After you James," he said to his son. I watched the immense pride that James's father had for him, since he would be living his seventh year vicariously through his son. As I watched this I almost missed the phenomenal act James just performed. He ran full speed directly into the brick column and passed through like it was an open door. I snapped my agape mouth closed so I wouldn't attract too much attention by looking stupid.
"It's not too difficult, definitely much more daunting than it actually looks," Hermione stated. I pulled my cart in front of me, gained some speed and jammed my eyes shut; without knowing it I landed on a platform with many bustling wizards waiting to board a huffing scarlet locomotive. Most students already had their robes donned and other house specific paraphernalia. I felt immensely awkward in my regular clothes and figured I'd change into house neutral robes on the train along with the rest of the first years. The rest of my party eventually materialized behind me and we regrouped before boarding the train.
"We want you to have a great time this year," my Mom stated when she pulled me aside, "I think this is a sign you're meant to stay in this world." My face erupted into an immense smile as I gave her a huge hug.
"Write often, but don't wear Windsor out too much" my Dad warned giving me the same large hug.
"I'll make sure to take Islewood by storm this year," Andy promised, "And hopefully I'll get my first string Quidditch position." It was so strange to imagine spending an entire year away from the family I was so accustomed to, and especially not to be around Andy. I was going to have to start from the ground up, and a new start was exactly what I needed. Last goodbyes were sent, including a stern warning from Mrs. Potter ("Albus do not tell Lily that the lavatories are off the back of the train!") and we all piled onto the train.
"I have to sit with the prefects, but I'll show you to my friends," James told me, ushering me towards the front of the train, "They'll keep you good company." I pulled my bag and large owl cage through the sea of people and eventually found the group I would be spending the next few hours with. James's friends were extremely talkative, Maddy, Lisa, Dan, Tom, Brad and Kieran. After a brief introduction I excused myself to change into my robes and returned.
"So you're a complete transfer, from the states," Maddy Abbot asked me with a wide grin, "I've always wanted to visit."
"I think there's nothing exciting about where I live, apart from New York City," I confessed.'
"And you don't know what house you are," Dan MacMillan inquired, "Maddy and I are Hufflepuffs, Lisa and Brad are Ravenclaws and Tom and Kieran are Gryffindors."
"James told me I'd most likely be a Ravenclaw, but I'll just have to see what happens at the Sorting," I answered, "Do any of you play Quidditch?"
"James and I are Gryffindor Chasers," Tom replied.
"Ravenclaw Seeker," Lisa added, "Brad's a Beater."
"I was a Keeper for 5 years back at my school," I told them, "I'm interested in trying out for a spot."
"Ravenclaw and Slytherin both lost their Keepers when they graduated," Brad told me, "So if you bring your A game to the pitch you have a fighting chance."
"What do you fly Christine," Kieran Finnigan inquired.
"A Nimbus 2020, it flies brilliantly and I got it just before last season started."
"I have a Firebolt, but I don't play, I can fly well but can't do anything else simultaneously," he answered with a chuckle.
"Are any of you taking Advanced Arithmancy and/or Ancient Runes?"
"All of us but Brad are in Arithmancy," Lisa stated, "And I'm the only one brave enough to take Ancient Runes along with it."
"I was really curious if anyone else was taking the same classes as me, I've been told my schedule is quite daunting." I pulled out my course sheet and showed her.
"I'll be completely shocked if you're not a Ravenclaw," she exclaimed, "Holy crap you're going to be swamped."
"It didn't feel like a lot the past three years I've done it," I confessed. The car was taken aback, apparently not a single student has taken that many classes in decades.
"Anything from the trolley?" a voice called from the corridor. My companions shoved their fists into pockets and scrounged up money for some snacks. I was told to definitely try the Every-Flavored-Beans and a Chocolate Frog. I obeyed and kept my first card from the box of the frog, the wizard had an illegible name and wasn't even in the frame. After we'd all stuffed our faces most of the car had fallen asleep, Tom was sketching in a book and Lisa excused herself to find her boyfriend. I was reading a book about modern Quidditch when the door slid open, James, with his freshly-pressed gold and red fringed robes, Prefect badge and all, stepped in and took the seat next to me.
He eyed my book with contempt, "You're not getting a spot on any house team if you're just learning how to play now."
"Ha," I spat, "It was a gift from a friend, I know how to play perfectly fine."
"We'll see about that," James retort, "I challenge you to a shootout, this following Saturday at the pitch." I was completely shocked, I had met him five days ago; first he was flirting with me and now challenging me to a Quidditch duel.
"I figure it'll either make us even after you left me standing in that stairwell, or show me I'm just meant to be stood up by you." Now my face curled into a grin, I was enjoying this challenge.
"I'll meet you there Mr. Potter, and I hope you bring your A-game with you." He smiled quickly back and left the car. I was just turning the pages to the next chapter when an announcement came over the speakers:
"All first years please report to the boats once the train stops and all other students please make your way to the castle for the start of term feast."
"I take that as we're almost there," I inquired to Tom, "Should we wake them up?" We spent the next few minutes carefully arousing our companions and collecting our belongings. I picked up Aeschylus and my small knapsack, following the sea of eleven year olds in robes the same as mine. It was torturous to clamber out of the train due to the flow of people and at last I made it to a large man with a lantern who shouted, "FIRST YER'S OVER HERE!"