[Edited 07/25/16]
September 1st.
What a horrible day for the start of term.
I don't mean that I don't want to be headed up to the school! Well, yeah, actually I do, but more than that, it's just so nice out! This is only the second sunny of the four days I've been in the UK! If I were still at home, where we really should be, chances of it being sunny every day would've been darn near 100 percent positive! But things aren't the way I'd planned, and we've gotta adjust.
Still, I hate to leave Mama. She's gonna coup herself up with Daddy all day, I know it. Loneliness ain't never done nothing for nobody. Worse, there ain't a thing in the world I can do about it.
With a little bit of guidance—ahem, spy work—Mama and I made it through to the platform. Why do we have to take such a long trip? Why can't we just Floo, like we did at the Academy? This school is way behind on keeping with the times, who actually uses trains anymore? No wonder America got so sick of being a colony.
The conductor called out for any last minute boarders at 10:55, and it was time to go. Mama pulled me off to the side, away from the traffic of parents handing off forgotten wands and packed lunches.
"Liza," she started, using a nickname. That was never good, being the proper woman she is. Her emotions must be going even crazier than mine, bless her. "I want you writin' bunches, you understand me? I know you're mad they don't have phones—"
That was only the understatement of the century, I thought with a scoff. How was I supposed to keep up with all the gossip back at the Academy? Ruby promised to keep me in the loop! International mail is bound to take at least three forevers! Again, America definitely left all the ancient traditionalists in Great Britain for a reason.
"But!" She continued, cutting off my train of thought, "I didn't buy you that owl for nothin'. You're gonna be good, and you're gonna have a good s'mester, ya hear me?" It wasn't a request, she was telling me. She was strong, always, but she was shaking now. She's more worried than I'd thought. It's a new place with new challenges and...
I didn't know I was crying until she wiped a slightly blackened tear from my cheek, wearing a reassuring smile. I squeezed my eyes shut with a sniffle and hoped I could save the rest of my make-up.
"I—we're gonna be jus' fine. I know it, right in my heart." Bringing her closer to me, I gave her a last hug and a whispered "see ya real soon" before heading off. I had to get some help lifting my big trunk. My hands were full enough with the cage and purse, and I'm really not strong enough. It pays to keep up appearance though, as I had no trouble finding a nice young man to use his muscles.
Once all my things were on the train, I started to look for a place to sit. I can be social, really friendly and all, even if I don't know somebody! But for the moment, I needed some "Me Time" with my magazines, and some study time with "Hogwarts: A History". I've got a lot to catch up on, coming to the UK six years late!
As I made my way down the hall, I felt the train start moving. It took forever to find an empty spot, and it was just too small! It may have been the back of the train car, but I was not raised to settle for second best.
One Undetectable Expansion Charm later and I was lounging comfortably, a stack of magazines next to me while I flipped through the first chapter of my Hogwarts information book. I was left in peace for a good half hour, getting me through about three chapters before the compartment door opened. It was just getting past the building of the castle and into the stuff that actually counted too!
"D'you mind if we join— since when are compartments this big? Wormtail, this could fit four of you in here with us!" a male voice sounded from the door. Just gotta finish this sentence...
"Oh sure thing, come on i—"
Oh. My. Goodness gracious.
It's them.
And they're talking to me. Not talking to someone else, not talking to each other.
They are looking at and talking to me.
Even their friend Peter is here!
I must have been staring at the four very handsome, very REAL boys for a good few seconds too long before I managed to pull myself together. It was like I was in a cartoon; I had to literally shake my head back into place before any words actually came out of my mouth.
"I-I'm so sorry, I didn't mean ta be uhh... rude! Have I... Seen y'all somewhere?"
Heck yeah I have, nearly every night since I was 4.