Houses Competition. HoH, Ravenclaw, Additional, First trip to Hogwarts, WC: 1165
Fits to canon as far as I can see. Hermione reflecting on her first trip, and her daughter's first.
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I remember my first trip to Hogwarts well enough. It feels like it was a lifetime ago, sitting on the train, brand new robes, without knowing any of my peers. I wanted to be the kind of student who would always know the answers to questions, and I wanted to be confident and brave in a world I had only just been brought into. I had wanted to be the kind of person people would admire somewhat, or at least accept as their own.
We all know that's not quite how the story went; at least, not to start with.
My first trip to Hogwarts was more of a disaster - an eye-opener - in all honesty. Neville Longbottom lost his toad maybe three or four times. I met Ronald Weasley and Harry Potter, much to their disdain I think. Ron had dirt on his nose, and Harry looked like he had never expected to meet another person who could be interested in him.
This very first journey north to Scotland was, and is, significant for so many reasons. It set up the friendships I would keep for many years to come, and the things I would come to cherish during my time at Hogwarts. Helping people, doing what was right, being true to myself in spite of everyone else.
If I hadn't met Ron and Harry on that train ride, I don't think I would have had the same level of courage in talking to them later. I wouldn't have engaged with them so readily. I wouldn't have been so upset by Ron's comment, that I was annoying and therefore friendless, above all the others I had heard around me. . Yet, my being hurt by his comment meant that I was in the bathroom when the troll came in. And this cemented our friendship.
There aren't many moments in life I can say with certainty that created such a chain of events as that first trip.
It's terrifying to think of everything which originated from journeying to Hogwarts. And even more terrifying to consider that now my children are embarking on their own paths to life. Hogwarts was the beginning of the woman and the witch I am now. And here we are again, my beautiful Rose Granger-Weasley boarding the Hogwarts Express for the first time to only god knows what sorts of drama.
Her first trip to Hogwarts. I hope it's calm, and that people are polite and kind to her.
I hope there are no dementors. That Death Eaters don't intrude. That there isn't the impending threat of Voldemort. That the most difficult thing she will deal with is a dirt-nosed ginger and a gentile boy who loses his toad.
As entertaining as my childhood may seem to others, I would not wish it on another child.
I hope Rose makes decent friends and doesn't fall into the clutches of evil beings or fret for her life during every term.
This first trip to Hogwarts is what will make the rest of her Hogwarts career.
Rose smiles at me from the window. Ron squeezes my hand, as if knowing how emotional I am. Or perhaps because he himself is feeling the aching pain of watching our daughter on her path to leaving us for four months, for the first time. But at least she is smiling. She knows a little of what she will be getting herself into. She knows about the professors, the lessons, the castle and the wonder it holds - wonders only we could tell her, not the books or the endless articles. The Room of Requirement, the confirmed Chamber of Secrets, the churning, turning corridors.
I'm glad she knows a little about the place. She can be a little more confident on her first trip to Hogwarts, and she can be confident with good reason.
I see Harry watching his own son with worry. Personally, I don't think he has any cause for concern. Albus is a quiet enough child, and he won't get into trouble the way we used to. His worry about going into Slytherin is baseless. It shouldn't matter which house he is put in. He will be loved by his family, no matter what.
All we can do is to hope for the very best for each and every one of them, embarking on this new journey and embarking on this wonderful new part of life.
Rose calls her love out to us from the train window, slamming the door closed behind her as the whistle blows - the whistle signalling that our children are going to be on their way very soon. Albus frowns. Harry tries to smile. I can feel myself tearing up, but I think it is totally called for. My daughter is leaving.
All around us, the smoke gathers and swirls, enveloping our group. It smells of ash and dirt and dreams. It discolours the air for a moment, sweeping the parents away from the children, separating us for a brief moment.
The train whistles again, shrill.
I know it's time to really say goodbye. Because maybe Rose won't come home at Christmas - maybe she will want to stay. Maybe she will stay and grow disinterested by us.
That's what could happen.
But I hope that it won't.
We wave the children off, smiles on our lips and worry in our eyes. Going through the barrier is much easier the other way, as the four adults and the two younger children attempt through the hoards to get back home. Ron tells a few jokes; the children laugh. I talk to Ginny and Harry about whether they would like to come over for dinner.
All of us know how empty our homes will feel now that we have said goodbye.
The four days between seeing the scarlet train disappearing and receiving Rose's first letter are some of the tensest days I have lived in my relatively short life. Four days spent wondering what house she is in, whether she made new friends, what her first class is going to be.
Dear Mum
I'm in Gryffindor! Just like you and Dad, so I think that's good?
Everything is going well so far here. Except Albus being in Slytherin of course, but I expect that you all knew that already. Al has been quite animated about the whole ordeal in our short time here already. He's made a friend already - but then again it is Scorpius Malfoy. Not sure what to think of that union?
I have Potions class first on Monday and am looking forward to it very much. There are lots of nice girls in my year, and in my house, so I have a good feeling about this year.
Love and happy wishes
Rose
I'm not quite sure what to make of the letter, but she sounds positive. And that's as good as I'm going to get for a little while, I believe.
So I sit, and I start to pen my letter back.
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Thanks for reading!
