Chapter Ten

2000-September

Danica hadn't slept a wink the night of the 31st August. Her trunk was packed at the end of her bed, her first set of robes folded carefully in her book bag with her wand and a book for the journey.

"Danica!" Lily called down, "French toast!"

Danica checked herself over in the mirror that sat on the inside door of her wardrobe. Her jeans and jumper were comfortable and would fit in her book bag when she changed on the train. Her long black hair was caught up with a green headband and she looked very pretty; if she did say so herself.

She skipped happily down the stairs and into the bright dinning room, sitting down at the table. It didn't have the same feel as the one at Grimmauld Place but was very nice, and had a lot less stains.

"You seem bright this morning." Harry said with a grin, "Bet you didn't sleep at all did you?"

"Not a wink!" Danica laughed, helping herself to four slices of French toast and chocolate spread, "I'm not too tired though."

"I remember my first day." Cho smiled, "I slept like the dead on the train… the feast is amazing though and getting sorted… you'll be as nervous as anything but really there's nothing to worry about."

Danica gave her a worried smile, "I… I just don't know what house I want to be in. What if it doesn't give me one?"

"There has never been a single student not sorted by the sorting hat." Severus told her firmly, "And you will not be the first. You really need not worry about that. And we will all love you, no matter what house you're placed in. You've got three out of the four of them here around the table as it is. Plus Aunty Nikka and Tonks are both Hufflepuff. You'll be fine. Now eat up."

Danica was almost finished with her breakfast when there was a phone call. Lily jumped up from the table and answered it.

"Oh no… is she alright?… they're 100% sure?… alright then… tell her to rest… really? She's as stubborn as you are… alright, see you there… if you're sure… ok… bye." Lily said, shaking her head slightly.

"What's wrong?" Severus asked, clearing the plates away.

"Nikka had a few pains this morning so they will meet us at the train station." Lilly explained, "Sirius and Kreacher assured me that there is nothing to worry about, she was checked over at St Mungo's and they said it was just Braxton hicks."

"Not to sound really selfish, and I'm really glad that Nikka is ok, of course, but are they still bringing my pet?" Danica asked.

Sirius had insisted, months ago, that he be the one to get Danica her pet to take to Hogwarts and although she was very excited to see what he'd gotten her, she was worried that she would be going to school without even a pet to keep her company.

Lily smiled, "Yes. Sirius is still bringing your pet. Although I dread to think what he's gone and gotten you. He's been so secretive!"

"And what's wrong with that?" Danica asked innocently, trying not to laugh.

"It worries me." Lily laughed, kissing her daughter on the head, "Much the same as it worries me when you make that face. Now, hurry up and get dressed, we don't want to be late."

Danica nodded and put her empty glass in the sink and skipped off upstairs. She took a long look around her room, although it hadn't been hers for long, it felt like home as much as Grimmauld Place ever had.

And the new house was new, it was fresh and wonderful without even the hint of a memory worse than the stress of unpacking.

She smiled to herself and pulled on the dress and tights that she'd laid out last night, before grabbing the last of her things, including the book she was currently reading, and stuffed them into her rucksack.

It wasn't long before they were standing on platform 9 ¾, Danica holding tightly to her parents' hands as more and more families arrived.

"Look at you!" Alice Longbottom said, coming over and greeting Lily and Severus, "You look so grown up."

"Thank you, Aunty Alice." Danica grinned.

"Any hopes which house you'll be in?" Frank asked.

"Gryffindor." "Slytherin." Lily and Severus said at the same time, grinning at one another.

Danica rolled her eyes, "I don't really care. Just really excited to be going."

"I get that." Matthew said, coming up behind his parents, "I'll look out for you, if you end up in Gryffindor." he grinned.

Danica fought the blush rising up on her cheeks and nodded, "Thanks."

"Danica!" Harry called, fighting through a family who seemed to be on the edge of breaking into a brawl, "I couldn't see you. Sirius and Nikka are just coming. Nikka's a little slow at the moment."

"I heard that!" Nikka laughed, pushing her way through the squabbling family and glaring at anyone that got too close to her.

"You're here!" Danica grinned, giving Nikka a big hug, "How are you feeling? How's the baby?"

"We're both fine." Nikka said, gratefully moving over to the seats that sat against the wall and sitting down.

"Although the doctor that said Braxton Hicks don't really hurt nearly left the office with a black eye." Sirius said, snorting a laugh, earning him a glare from Nikka.

"I didn't mind that bit so much, I minded when he told me I was being over dramatic and clearly hadn't ever experienced 'real pain'." Nikka grumbled, rubbing a hand over her belly.

"He was a dick, can't deny that." Sirius agreed, "Anyway…" he grinned and held out a covered cage, "Here you go!"

Danica took the cage and placed it carefully on the ground before taking off the sheet and squealing loud enough to make several people around them turn and glare.

"You didn't…" Lily sighed, staring down at the cage, "That is not on the list of approved pets."

"Neither are rats." Sirius pointed out, "And the Weasleys have never had an issue with bringing them."

"There is a bit of a difference between a rat and an iguana!" Lily said, throwing her hands up.

Thank you! Thank you! THANK YOU!" Danica squealed, hugging Sirius and Nikka again.

"It'll be fine." Severus said with a grin, he would let Lily know later that Sirius had already checked with him that Hogwarts would be able to facilitate a reptile.

"We've also got you a harness and lead for her. And a little bed, which is super cute!" Nikka grinned, "We've already slipped them into your trunk."

"Thank you so much." Danica grinned, "I'm so happy!"

Danica was so happy she barely noticed the other people milling around and helping their kids onto the train. She said hello to Narcissa and Lucius as they helped a rather pale looking Corvus into an empty compartment.

"Mind if I join you?" Danica asked politely, begrudgingly letting go of her new iguana so it could go in the pet carriage.

Harry placed the cage on an empty shelf, making sure it was tied down securely and smiled to himself. It reminded him of his first year, when little toddler Danica ran off to see if anyone was taking an 'iggy' to school with them. He was pretty sure that even now she would be the first, he just really hoped that Danica came up with something more creative than 'iggy' to call the little thing.

Danica felt a wave of butterflies wash over her and had to take several deep, calming breaths.

The whistle blew, letting everyone on the very crowded platform that there was five minutes until the train was due to leave.

"We should get you settled." Lily said, trying not to show her daughter about how ridiculously nervous she was about her leaving.

"She's welcome to sit in with us." Matthew Longbottom grinned, holding her house out to help her up.

Danica felt her face blush as she nodded, "I'll be just a minute."

Danica threw her arms around her parents, holding them tightly, "I'm going to miss you. And you." she grinned, as Harry joined in the hug, "Thank you so much for my Iggy." she said to Nikka and Sirius, moving over to hug them as well.

"Make sure your write little one." Nikka said, willing herself not to cry on Danica's head, damn pregnancy hormones.

"I will." Danica promised, "And you let me know the second the little one arrives?"

"Of course." Sirius said.

"Now we really need to get you in." Severus said, "Come on."

Danica allowed her family to take her satchel and help her into the already slightly full carriage. Matthew had saved her a seat between him and the window, making her blush slightly once more.

"Here, for the sweet trolley." Harry grinned, handing her an envelope with a few coins in, "Eat a liquorish wand for me?"

Danica nodded and gave him a big hug, "See you soon."

"Yep. You'll be back in October for the wedding, it's less than two months away." Harry reminded her, "And you'll have Dad there with you. I know it helped me a lot, until I got settled in."

"You just knew loads of people before you went, in your year I mean… it's not so easy for me." Danica said very softly, so even Harry could barely hear her.

"Most people don't know anyone before they head off to Hogwarts." Harry pointed out, "I just got really lucky because Lucius and Narcissa wanted to use Mum's fame." he grinned.

"Excuse me…" Lily glared, shaking her head slightly.

Harry grinned again, laughing slightly, "My point is, that you're not going to be any worse off than ninety percent of kids going for their first year."

There was a moment of awkward silence between them as it was unspoken that ninety percent of people might not know anyone else, but they also wouldn't be a werewolf.

"You know where we are if you need anything." Harry promised her, "We'll be there in a second."

The train whistle blew again, interrupting them and sending Danica's nerves into overdrive.

Harry stepped back, allowing the rest of her family to give her one last, very brief hug before Sirius shut the carriage door, clicking the latch into place firmly.

Danica pulled the window down and waved as the huge red engine pulled away from the station, leaving her family growing smaller and smaller in the distance.