Closed Waiting…for the beginning

@Wren Bennett

Morning - September 1, 2024

The clouds that had cast a heavy shadow over Maya's previous morning seemed to part. The once oppressive grey sky now bathed King's Cross station in a golden morning light that promised new beginnings. The air, which had felt so dense with apprehension, now carried a sense of possibility.

The young Cho was already dressed for the occasion; a standard and plain black work robe draped over her white collared shirt that was neatly tucked into her dark grey pleated skirt. As always, her black silky hair was neatly tied together with her signature blue ribbon. Maya walked hand-in-hand with her mother by her side. She was in complete awe as she started onward. Before her, a deep, vibrant red locomotive puffed its clouds of steam out from the chimney.

The mother abruptly wrapped her daughter in a heartfelt embrace. It was warm and reassuring.

"You'll do great, pumpkin. Remember, Hogwarts is a place for you to grow and discover yourself. I'm so proud of you", her mother offered tender words as she spoke softly with misty eyes from both pride and sadness. One remark resonated deeply with Maya, "be yourself, and everything will fall into place".

The sight of her mother in tears was enough alone to invoke emotions in Maya, too. The hug felt everlasting, and perhaps it would have been, had the mother not broken it up eventually. The young girl rubbed her red eyes with the back of her hand and took her first independent steps towards the red train that bore Hogwarts' logo. Maya's eyes were similarly moist but held together a shaky, yet genuine smile as she offered a slow wave of goodbye. She was met with a bittersweet smile.

The train huffed and puffed even louder. Maya reluctantly walked down the carriage, her eyes lingered inside every cabin in passing. She already felt lost. The closed doors of the compartments hinted at the fact that she wasn't particularly welcomed. With each step taken down the long array of waggons, she felt farther away from comfort; until one particular room caught her attention. It housed a single lone girl, roughly around her age. She took a deep breath and found herself in the door, staring down at the brunette girl.

"Hello.. All the other rooms are full. Can I join you?" asked Maya, almost desperately.

The Hogwarts express was always a joy to get on. The crowded laughter, some shoving, and robes flying everywhere whilst hugs were exchanged, kisses were given and waves were seen out the windows.

Annie would be lying if she said this year wasn't harder than her first saying goodbye. The fear that knotted in her stomach the first time stepping aboard the train was nothing compared to the nostalgia that hit her as hard as a train probably would. Excitement could usually outweigh the fear a first year felt, but nothing compared to the sadness that crossed her thoughts as she realized this would be the last time she would do this. Well, maybe not completely the last as Winter Break she usually went home, but it was her last start. Her last year. She had to make the most of it..

"GOOD LORD- I swear the Express leaves earlier each year.. or my perception of time is getting skewed. Hah.." Her loud voice broke through the train cart she had miraculously hopped onto. Only a few minutes later did it begin its motion. But of course, the halls were still filled with scatterbrained students trying to find a place to sit or just hogging the aisle way for no reason.

Cart after cart she tried, knocking, hearing the awkward silence that greeted her or the small "sorry, its full" and then closing the door shut and continuing down. Finally, she'd hear a small chatter of voices, exchanging pleasantries and asking to come in. Score! Hopefully she was lucky enough they still had room. Hauling Eriyk, her owl who was contently dozing in his cage, to the side of her and her trunk on her other side she'd wait out of the aisle way and instead near the doorway behind the other gal. Making sure her presence was known, she'd decide to add her voice to the mix, hopefully not startling them.

"Should've used the Floo network or Apparated eh? Always so busy, but hey it is a good way to meet new people, and safer too I suppose. Hope I'm not intruding?" She'd offer a small smile, of course, they didn't know she was blind. New voices to her meant new people she had to explain her condition to. Alas, her other senses told her she was likely staring at them, or to the equivalent area that they were in, and she somehow had not run into or tripped on either of them which was a success in her mind.

Mentions: @Maya Cho & @Wren Bennett

Interacting With: @Maya Cho, @Wren Bennet, & @Annie Morgan

Interacting with: @Elizabeth Stonewall @Annie Morgan @Maya Cho

@Wren Bennett; @Annie Morgan; @Elizabeth Stonewall

Morning - September 1, 2024

The brunette girl's confirmation was enough for Maya to mirror her smile. She gently bowed her head appreciatively and spoke up yet again, this time with a rekindled sense of courage.

"Thank you! I'm Maya, by the way. Nice to meet you!"

Perhaps Maya lingered in the door for longer than necessary. She gave the handle of her trunk a good tug, pulling it into the cabin and out of the aisle. Knowing her own strength, she didn't bother to lifting the chest. Instead, she turned back to Wren.

"Yeah, I am. A bit nervous, to be honest... I heard we'll have to do a test in front of the whole school to get sorted."

Before she could ask a follow-up question of her own, a significantly older girl appeared in the doorway, staring. Whatever her intention was at first, both the presence of a senior student and the abrupt remark startled Maya. She was quick to compose herself on the surface, however, and offered back an anxious smile.

"Do you..know how to apparate yet? Which year are you? I am not so sure when we are learning apparating"

Maya gave Wren a brief side-eye and pedantically muttered to her.

"I don't think she knows how to Apparate. I mean.. she is taking the train."

Maya shifted her attention back to the seventh-year student. Something about her felt off. By no stretch was the young Cho reserved when it came to meeting new potential friends, not at all. But even she found herself breaking the uncomfortably elongated eye-contact. She brushed some hair out of her face and cleared her throat.

"Like Wren said, you're not intruding at all. All the other carts are full anyway," said Maya, having mustered up the guts to respond. It was only polite to do so. And before she could introduce herself for a second time, another new face popped around the corner, with a cat for a companion. The animal's innocent purr awakened an innate warmth and contentment in Maya; she has always been a loyal member of 'team cats', and this was a much more pleasant entrance compared to the previous one.

“I don’t think Snowy wants to leave,” Maya giggled, her eyes following the cat’s adventurous antics. “You're welcome to stay, too! I’m Maya - Maya Cho, first year. What houses are you both in?” she asked, turning to the two older students. The presence of the dainty feline had undeniably brightened Maya’s mood. She shifted over some, pressing herself against the large rectangular window to make room for the newcomers.

A pleasant hum escaped the girl's lips at the welcome by the other two students in the train cart. Quickly, she'd shuffle in and set down her luggage and Eiryk. Only moments later another girl, and a cat by the sounds of it entered the cart. She let out an amused chuckle at the quick panic that shot through her, but it quickly died down seeing as her owl behaved himself and was in a cage, whereas if there were issues, she could suspend the cat in air with a simple Wingardium Leviosa. Alas, that was no way to play nice with the new students.

She'd turn her head once more to the two previous voices, of which had exchanged pleasantries, and it was of no surprise to her they were first years by the nerves and higher pitched voices. She too would introduce herself.

"Annie Morgan, 7th year Hufflepuff. I can apparate, it is not suitable for everyone or long distances, especially if you get motion sickness. I suppose there's not a specific age, but you can inquire the professors about it say maybe your 5th year at the earliest?"

Annie would choose to answer one of the questions thrown her way. Although she did decide to but in once more, maybe to alleviate some anxiousness.

"Ah a test? These rumors are bogus, don't listen to any of them. You get called up by name and sit on a stool where the Sorting Hat will be placed on your head. Nothing fancy, I mean I suppose it still is in front of the school. You'll be fine, just don't pass out since y'know everyone is watching."

She waved her hand dismissively. Maybe that wasn't the most reassuring. Oh well. Silence clung to the air again as she'd fidget with her school robes before speaking up once more. Color her intrigued. The train ride was long, so they might as well make use of it.

"Surreal isn't it? Do you all come from pureblood, half families or muggle families? You all seem to have quite the questions. Or rather maybe an easier one for you to answer, what House do you think you'll get sorted into? Not to be the one asking all the questions, but feel free to ask me some as well. I have far too much unused knowledge stored in my brain, at least I hope it is stored."

Annie would let out a small laugh, relaxing back against the crimson cushions of the train, listening to the rhythmic chugging and the small chatter from nearby apartments as well as their own.

Mentions: @Maya Cho, @Wren Bennett, & @Elizabeth Stonewall