Stace is nearly in heaven as she stands on Platform 9¾, surrounded by the clatter of departing students and the calls of their parents. The day she’s been dreaming of has finally arrived. She has pictured this moment a thousand times, in the stillness of her family’s secret garden, her eyes fixed on the magical plants, almost trance-like, her heart full of longing, until her mother Elsie gently “woke her up” so she could keep working on gardening.
Last night, she dragged her mom and her brother Noah onto the couch in the bedroom of Leaky Cauldron, forcing them to tell everything they've experienced in Hogwarts before they sleep. Her mom snickers at her, begins her speech, and ma the light close when the clock approaches midnight, pressing her to sleep.
"The train is about to leave! You two better get on the train now. Stace," Elsie faced Stace. "Remember you are the best and enjoy your time at Hogwarts. Love you!" She hugged her daughter and told her son to be good and look after her sister. The two boarded the train, waving goodbye to their mother, who soon left.
"Do you want me to sit with you?" Noah asked Stace when they were toiling forward, drowned in the pile of students.
"Nah, I'm fine with myself. Someone will surely join me, so go sit with your noisy friends." She grimaced. "Alright," Noah fades into a cabin.
Passing several compartments filled with older students and finally reaching an empty one, Stace stepped inside, placed her suitcase, and sat down. Sitting alone is actually not a desirable choice, but she is certain that someone will pass by and enter. She pulled out her purse. There are several loose change inside, which she hoped could get her some snacks from the trolley. She turned to gaze out the window at the still-packed platform, quietly wishing someone would join her, if only to share the feeling swelling in her chest.
