The night before leaving for Hogwarts seemed endless. It didn't help that Lily, who usually chatted with Nella until late, went to bed early that night.Nella suspected she slept early because she felt envious of everyone who was leaving. She wished she could trade places and put off going to Hogwarts for a few more years, but when she brought it up with Lily, she got a sour response.Two o'clock crept up and past as Nella contemplated what she could do to prep for tomorrow. Everything was packed except for Rupert, who snoozed away at the foot of her bed. Her and Lily's room was immaculate, except for a snack that Lily snuck up to eat half of.She would read her textbooks, but she felt so nervous. She didn't want to think about the spells she would soon have to learn and cast; she couldn't even read her history text.Too soon, Mrs. Potter shook her shoulder and handed her a small pouch."Remember, the peace potions are in the green wrappers, and the calm draughts are in the purple. Don't take too many, or else you'll be spending most of your time with Madam Pomfrey, and she's getting old...""Mum, what time is it…" Lily still looked grumpy as she changed into Muggle clothes for the ride, but she might have just been sleepy."Remember, the peace potions are in the green wrappers, and the calm draughts are in the purple. Don't take too many, or else you'll be spending most of your time with Madam Pomfrey, and she's getting old...""Ughhhh..." Nella nearly groaned with Lily but was afraid that if she opened her mouth, something other than words would come out. She pulled out a green lozenge, resigned to the fact that she'd run out by the first day.~~Something told Nella that Mrs. Potter was experienced with getting her kids out on time.Breakfast was on the table, beans on toast, and then all the children were led to the door, but before each child left, Mrs. Potter didn't let anyone pass, besides Lily, until she could check that nothing was being left behind.Rupert purred on Nella's shoulder, possibly trying to help her feel some peace. As they headed out, a car was waiting for them. Harry sat in the driver's seat and waved nervously."Mrs. Potter?""Yes, Nella?""Shall I not need Rupert's litter box?""No, he can't go outside-""What if he gets lost?" Rupert made a quiet noise of indignation, as if to say he would never."Just ask Hagrid to keep an eye out for him. He's great with animals." Nella nodded but wasn't certain as everyone else seated in. The car was much larger inside than out. They hardly needed to put their luggage in the trunk, even with Teddy joining in on the ride. Albus and James had their owls in cages on their laps."Ginny, I don't think Hagrid likes cats.""He could still keep an eye out, couldn't he? As long as Rupert stays out of the Forbidden Forest." Harry shrugged, and Nella added the Forbidden Forest to her mental list of places she didn't ever want to visit."Why doesn't Nella have to keep Rupert in a cage? Shadow has to be in a cage...""James, I've got to drive a car. An owl flying around is a terrible idea."Rupert hissed at James, and he stuck out his tongue, muttering something that sounded suspiciously like "Bullocks...""What did you just say?""Nothing, Mum!"Harry drove over some kind of lump, and both James and Albus nearly dropped their cages.Rupert toppled over and returned to Nella's lap without much complaint."Mum, you missed..." Ginny might have tried to change James's hair to an ugly shade of green, but instead, Albus's hair looked awful; it absolutely did not pair with his green eyes."Shoot!""What's going on?" Albus looked around, confused, and Lily burst into tears of mirth.~~Everyone arrived at the train station with their original hair colors. Nella wondered where the train was and how they kept muggles from accidentally boarding, then she remembered why they had arrived early.Mr. Potter and Nella split off from the group to find a woman Nella had only met a few timesbefore. She wasn't exceptionally tall, but her voluminous hair gave her an inch or two. Shestood with a posture that bespoke both strictness, yet not coldness. Her eyes were warm, and she smiled kindly. She looked comfortable in her muggle clothes, although they were relatively more formal.The Ministry of Magic still had to dress sharply even on muggle outings."Nella, may I speak to you?" Nella looked at Mrs. Weasley and tried to swallow hernervousness. She felt more nervous than when she'd met her previously, but that could have been due to other things like leaving her home and attending a school far away for a year.She nodded, unable to speak, and followed her to an unoccupied area that muggles were avoiding for some reason. Then, she realized as they stepped into the space and the sounds of the others dimmed that Hermione had created a private place to talk."I wanted to do this at your house, but I couldn't get the time. You must be incredibly nervous, but it's alright, Nella. I'm just going to ask you a few questions about how you've been. It's so the MACUSA-""What is the MACUSA?""It's the Ministry of Magic for America. You were born in America, and they feel that they have the right to know about you as a dual citizen of their country." Nella was still slightly confused but nodded her head. Maybe it would become clear as she continued with her studies."We are trying to monitor your magic. So, how has it been? Living with the Potters?" Nella thought about what she should tell her."Mr. and Mrs. Potter have been telling me to try focusing on using my magic on harmless things, like changing colors..." Hermione nodded. This had worked a few times, and she didn't need to take her lozenge."... I did make a broom explode a while back, but I think that was the last time something really scary happened... the potions help, I think..." Nella dropped her head and stared at her shoes. They had a little mud from the trip out, and she tried to rub them clean by twisting her feet. She stopped once Mrs. Weasley finally spoke."Nella, you're doing very well. Don't be so ashamed. Soon you won't need your potions."Nella nodded, unsure if she trusted the last part."Nella, Hogwarts might be very difficult for you, so I'm providing you with a special teacher to help you learn to control your magic better. Winky?" Hermione called as if another person were waiting over her shoulder. Instead of that, a loud crack announced the arrival of a small creature with large brown glossy eyes and a frail body that didn't look like it could hold such large bat-like ears. Nella nervously stepped away from the creature just as it did the same.Mr. Potter started, and frowned at the elf, but remained quiet as Mrs. Weasley knelt down to the elf's height to speak with him."Winky, do you remember the offer I made to you?""You are ruining house elves! You are- Oh, what would Master Crouch say..." Immediately, the elf burst into tears. She offered the elf a handkerchief, which the elf batted away clumsily. Nella didn't know what to say; she was expected to learn from something that didn't seem to have any inclination to teach.Once the sobbing subsided, Winky grumpily wiped her eyes and took a look at Nella, sizing her up."You are Mrs. Dursley? The one whose magic is uncontrollable?" Before Nella could even nod in answer, Winky shook her head, her ears flapping."Wizards are not meant to learn our magic. She can't! I can't teach her!" She glared at Mrs. Weasley as if everything was her fault. Nella found that very bold, but Mrs. Weasley patiently stared back into Winky's large eyes."She doesn't need to learn Elf magic, just the concept of wandless magic from a regular caster. We spoke about this. The concept is the same; she can learn from you, and you will be granted a special "House Elf" grant. You will serve a family of your choosing... if you still want to-""Of course Winky wants to! You is ruining-" She seemed unable to finish her sentence, choking up on her emotions again. Another crack and she disappeared. Mrs. Weasley shrugged."She's definitely improved since I last saw her; let's hurry so you're not late for the train.""Are you sure about this, Hermione? Winky seems like the worst choice; she doesn't seem interested at all…" Harry's concern matched Nella's, but she dismally wondered if no other elf was to be bothered with herself.
"It's more perfect than you realize, let's get Nella boarded." Nella looked between the two adults, feeling slightly excluded, but unwilling to point it out.