First Ride to Hogwarts
Date: Monday, September 1st, 2025
Time: Morning
As Lily stepped up on the platform, it seemed bigger than she had ever imagined. She tugged at her jacket, suddenly feeling cold, her pulse sped up as she walked pass the filled compartments.
Her mother had hugged her goodbye for longer than needed and told her "You'll find your people, just be yourself." Those words repeated in her head as she found an empty compartment. As she slipped in and set her small luggage on the overhead rack, she could hear the laughter and introductions between older and newer students from the compartments closest to hers. She sank into the seat by the window, looking out she could still see her mother waving from deep within the crowd.
Silence settled quickly, alone inside the compartment. Lily was filled with both excitement and nerves for the journey ahead. What if no one joined her? What if she spent the whole ride there alone? Maybe it wouldn't be so bad, she could start reading her notebooks and texts for her classes or watch the landscape pass by outside her window. As she looked out, she saw herself staring back, looking unsure. She gave herself a little nod and remembered her mothers reassurance. She could do this, everything good starts by solitude.
But then also, what if someone joined her?
Time: Morning
As Lily stepped up on the platform, it seemed bigger than she had ever imagined. She tugged at her jacket, suddenly feeling cold, her pulse sped up as she walked pass the filled compartments.
Her mother had hugged her goodbye for longer than needed and told her "You'll find your people, just be yourself." Those words repeated in her head as she found an empty compartment. As she slipped in and set her small luggage on the overhead rack, she could hear the laughter and introductions between older and newer students from the compartments closest to hers. She sank into the seat by the window, looking out she could still see her mother waving from deep within the crowd.
Silence settled quickly, alone inside the compartment. Lily was filled with both excitement and nerves for the journey ahead. What if no one joined her? What if she spent the whole ride there alone? Maybe it wouldn't be so bad, she could start reading her notebooks and texts for her classes or watch the landscape pass by outside her window. As she looked out, she saw herself staring back, looking unsure. She gave herself a little nod and remembered her mothers reassurance. She could do this, everything good starts by solitude.
But then also, what if someone joined her?
Last edited by Lily Young on 6 Apr 2026, 18:22, edited 1 time in total.
First Ride to Hogwarts
Date: Monday, September 1st, 2025
Time: Morning
It had been a stressful day for Andrea, really.
She had always been calm and composed, yet the thought of a new environment kept her on her toes. She had already thought about the possible outcomes during her adventure at Hogwarts. She would either only have friends in her house after being sorted, have multiple friends from different houses or years, or—the one she dreaded the most—spend the rest of her years alone and sad.
Eventually—with much encouragement from her parents—she entered the train. Just my luck. All the compartments had already been occupied with students who had already found their own cliques. She knew finding friends wouldn't be easy, especially with the chances of being separated from each other due to different houses, different interests, and the sort.
Andrea continued wandering around Hogwarts Express. Her neck strained from the amount of times she had looked left and right, hoping to find an empty compartment. Luckily, she had passed by what she hoped for, almost. By her right was a compartment that seated only a single student. Good enough.
Knock, knock
She slid the compartment door open, "Um, hey!" She peeked her head in, offering a soft smile. "Do you mind if I sit here? Everywhere else is full." She stood by the door with a single book in her hand, waiting for a response.
Time: Morning
It had been a stressful day for Andrea, really.
She had always been calm and composed, yet the thought of a new environment kept her on her toes. She had already thought about the possible outcomes during her adventure at Hogwarts. She would either only have friends in her house after being sorted, have multiple friends from different houses or years, or—the one she dreaded the most—spend the rest of her years alone and sad.
Eventually—with much encouragement from her parents—she entered the train. Just my luck. All the compartments had already been occupied with students who had already found their own cliques. She knew finding friends wouldn't be easy, especially with the chances of being separated from each other due to different houses, different interests, and the sort.
Andrea continued wandering around Hogwarts Express. Her neck strained from the amount of times she had looked left and right, hoping to find an empty compartment. Luckily, she had passed by what she hoped for, almost. By her right was a compartment that seated only a single student. Good enough.
Knock, knock
She slid the compartment door open, "Um, hey!" She peeked her head in, offering a soft smile. "Do you mind if I sit here? Everywhere else is full." She stood by the door with a single book in her hand, waiting for a response.
Last edited by Andrea Woodsburn on 5 Apr 2026, 11:50, edited 2 times in total.
❛❛ if it's meant to be, it'll be. ❜❜
First Ride to Hogwarts
Lily had started to solidify her thought that no one would join her. It had been fifteen minutes now that she sat and she knew there would only be a few more till the train departed for Hogwarts. She had started reading to get by and stop worrying about what she'd do once she'd arrive.
Knock, knock.
Lily looked up from the book she had only just opened up as the compartment door slid open. The knock had startled her, but as she stared at a girl, holding a book, her chest losened a little.
"Um, hey! Do you mind if I sit here? Everywhere else is full." The girl offered a soft smile.
Lily, having been stunned, offered a smile back, "N-no, not at all," she stuttered, "Please, sit."
The girl slid inside, the door closing back behind her. Lily started to think about everyhting that's happened so far. She thought about how this girl could become a friend, and as the girl held her book in her lap, she could already tell they'd get along.
"I'm Lily," she stated, fiddling with her hair. "I, uh... I was just reading Hogwarts, A History. I'm trying to imaging how it will feel once we get there. I've never seen it in person."
Knock, knock.
Lily looked up from the book she had only just opened up as the compartment door slid open. The knock had startled her, but as she stared at a girl, holding a book, her chest losened a little.
"Um, hey! Do you mind if I sit here? Everywhere else is full." The girl offered a soft smile.
Lily, having been stunned, offered a smile back, "N-no, not at all," she stuttered, "Please, sit."
The girl slid inside, the door closing back behind her. Lily started to think about everyhting that's happened so far. She thought about how this girl could become a friend, and as the girl held her book in her lap, she could already tell they'd get along.
"I'm Lily," she stated, fiddling with her hair. "I, uh... I was just reading Hogwarts, A History. I'm trying to imaging how it will feel once we get there. I've never seen it in person."
First Ride to Hogwarts
Andrea's heart fluttered nervously, quickly replaced with a sense of relief. Thank goodness. She stepped inside and closed the compartment door, as if leaving her worries behind and starting a brand new chapter.
She took the seat opposite to the girl inside, cleaning up imaginary dust on her dark sweater to hide the nervousness in her hands.
"I'm Lily," The silence broke as the girl stated, fiddling with her hair. "I, uh... I was just reading Hogwarts, A History. I'm trying to imaging how it will feel once we get there. I've never seen it in person."
The mention of the title of a familiar book lit an excited spark in Andrea, her eyes widened in delight. She had read all about it the moment she received her letter from Hogwarts. She had imagined every little thing. The moving paintings, the moving stairs, the classrooms, and everything else.
"Hogwarts, A History!" Andrea exclaimed, her face lighting up immediately. "I've read all about it a few days ago, especially the chapter on the enchanted ceiling! I absolutely love that one!"
Andrea paused with an embarrassing realization. Hold on, I haven't introduced myself. She leaned forward slightly, extending her hand and offering an awkward yet hopeful smile. "I'm Andrea by the way, Andrea Woodsburn."
She took the seat opposite to the girl inside, cleaning up imaginary dust on her dark sweater to hide the nervousness in her hands.
"I'm Lily," The silence broke as the girl stated, fiddling with her hair. "I, uh... I was just reading Hogwarts, A History. I'm trying to imaging how it will feel once we get there. I've never seen it in person."
The mention of the title of a familiar book lit an excited spark in Andrea, her eyes widened in delight. She had read all about it the moment she received her letter from Hogwarts. She had imagined every little thing. The moving paintings, the moving stairs, the classrooms, and everything else.
"Hogwarts, A History!" Andrea exclaimed, her face lighting up immediately. "I've read all about it a few days ago, especially the chapter on the enchanted ceiling! I absolutely love that one!"
Andrea paused with an embarrassing realization. Hold on, I haven't introduced myself. She leaned forward slightly, extending her hand and offering an awkward yet hopeful smile. "I'm Andrea by the way, Andrea Woodsburn."
Last edited by Andrea Woodsburn on 5 Apr 2026, 11:43, edited 3 times in total.
❛❛ if it's meant to be, it'll be. ❜❜
First Ride to Hogwarts
"I'm Andrea by the way, Andrea Woodsburn." Lily stared at the outstretched hand for a heartbeat too long, then blinked and reached out to shake it.
"Nice to meet you, Andrea. Young, I'm Lily Young. I forgot to formally introduce myself earlier sorry." I said with a shy smile. "I absolutely love the enchanted ceiling chapter too. It's one of my favorites. I've read the book twice now." Lily admitting in a rush of words. She couldn't even be sure if Andrea understood the words coming out of her mouth, she barely understood herself. "I kept a different copy at home with underlined bits I thought were the most magical and interesting. The enchanted ceiling is one of them, I also had the library and forbidden forest-" She stopped herself there, catching the sudden adorable shocked look on Andrea's face. "Sorry, I don't speak often, but once I'm nervous and talk about something I love, I can get carried away." Lily could feel her cheeks go pink.
She looked back down at her lap. She thought about how she could be making a fool of herself right now. She also decided that she liked Andrea, and that the conversation was going pretty well.
"Nice to meet you, Andrea. Young, I'm Lily Young. I forgot to formally introduce myself earlier sorry." I said with a shy smile. "I absolutely love the enchanted ceiling chapter too. It's one of my favorites. I've read the book twice now." Lily admitting in a rush of words. She couldn't even be sure if Andrea understood the words coming out of her mouth, she barely understood herself. "I kept a different copy at home with underlined bits I thought were the most magical and interesting. The enchanted ceiling is one of them, I also had the library and forbidden forest-" She stopped herself there, catching the sudden adorable shocked look on Andrea's face. "Sorry, I don't speak often, but once I'm nervous and talk about something I love, I can get carried away." Lily could feel her cheeks go pink.
She looked back down at her lap. She thought about how she could be making a fool of herself right now. She also decided that she liked Andrea, and that the conversation was going pretty well.
First Ride to Hogwarts
"Sorry, I don't speak often, but once I'm nervous and talk about something I love, I can get carried away." Lily blushed.
Andrea laughed it off, her eyes brightening with a warmth that made the air feel so much lighter. She felt the exact same way! "Don't worry, I get it." She leaned back on the cushion seats, stroking the spine of her book.
"Honestly, I usually like being silent while reading or writing things down, but once you get me started on the history of magic, I'll probably forget to breathe and talk your ear off for an hour." Andrea admitted, grinning bashfully.
She kept her gaze on Lily, offering a small encouraging smile to show that she was actually listening. It was nice to see someone get so passionate about something they loved. She had always kept quiet about her own interests, never having someone to talk about it at home aside from her house elves—who never really understood anything.
The two girls started to feel more relaxed together. They continued their conversation, sharing stories of their favorite books, their expectations for their first year in Hogwarts, and laughed about every detail they had in common.
Eventually, the sun began to set, a sign that they were getting nearer to their destination. Other students had begun putting on their robes and preparing their hand carried luggage.
Andrea laughed it off, her eyes brightening with a warmth that made the air feel so much lighter. She felt the exact same way! "Don't worry, I get it." She leaned back on the cushion seats, stroking the spine of her book.
"Honestly, I usually like being silent while reading or writing things down, but once you get me started on the history of magic, I'll probably forget to breathe and talk your ear off for an hour." Andrea admitted, grinning bashfully.
She kept her gaze on Lily, offering a small encouraging smile to show that she was actually listening. It was nice to see someone get so passionate about something they loved. She had always kept quiet about her own interests, never having someone to talk about it at home aside from her house elves—who never really understood anything.
The two girls started to feel more relaxed together. They continued their conversation, sharing stories of their favorite books, their expectations for their first year in Hogwarts, and laughed about every detail they had in common.
Eventually, the sun began to set, a sign that they were getting nearer to their destination. Other students had begun putting on their robes and preparing their hand carried luggage.
Last edited by Andrea Woodsburn on 5 Apr 2026, 11:44, edited 1 time in total.
❛❛ if it's meant to be, it'll be. ❜❜
First Ride to Hogwarts
Lily watched as Andrea's smile let her know she was listening. The compartment felt warmer now, no more nervous energy floating around. Their conversation had rolled on like a book with an interesting plot you never wanted to finish. They would talk about their favotire books, the first years of hogwarts they were about to embark, the classes they were excited for and the ones they were nervous about. Every time their thoughts aligned, Lily felt more comfortable.
Lily couldn't stop her thoughts, as Andrea went to change into her robes. Someone wanted to hear her talk. She thought about how the time had flew by while they talked non stop. Andrea made Lily feel like she had accidently stepped into a story where she mattered and could be happy. It scared her a little but she couldn't wait for her time at Hogwarts to start.
Lily looked out the window, observing the sunset. It's beautiful streaks of orange and purple painting the sky. The countryside blurred into colors Lily would later try to recreate into her sketchbook.
Both girls had their robes on and were ready for the adventure to start. The train slowed, the air grew heavier and the gentle hum of conversation grew louder as students began to grab their luggage and prepare to exit the train.
The nervousness she had as she entered the train hadn't fully disappeared, but it had settled a bit. She felt it in the way her heart still flutttered when she grabbed her bag, and thought about how she was close to walking down the Great Hall, about to be sorted.
She glanced at Andrea, who had a similar expression of anticipation and nerves. Lily thought about her earlier fear of doing this alone, and realised as she stared at the girl infront of her that she would be okay.
Lily staightened her robes, the frabric soft and soothing at the touch. She grabbed hold of her book and bag. The train rolled to a stop, Hogwarts appearing in the distance. As the laughter around grew louder, Lily took a deep breath and let it out slowly, and for the first time, she felt ready for the next chapter.
Lily couldn't stop her thoughts, as Andrea went to change into her robes. Someone wanted to hear her talk. She thought about how the time had flew by while they talked non stop. Andrea made Lily feel like she had accidently stepped into a story where she mattered and could be happy. It scared her a little but she couldn't wait for her time at Hogwarts to start.
Lily looked out the window, observing the sunset. It's beautiful streaks of orange and purple painting the sky. The countryside blurred into colors Lily would later try to recreate into her sketchbook.
Both girls had their robes on and were ready for the adventure to start. The train slowed, the air grew heavier and the gentle hum of conversation grew louder as students began to grab their luggage and prepare to exit the train.
The nervousness she had as she entered the train hadn't fully disappeared, but it had settled a bit. She felt it in the way her heart still flutttered when she grabbed her bag, and thought about how she was close to walking down the Great Hall, about to be sorted.
She glanced at Andrea, who had a similar expression of anticipation and nerves. Lily thought about her earlier fear of doing this alone, and realised as she stared at the girl infront of her that she would be okay.
Lily staightened her robes, the frabric soft and soothing at the touch. She grabbed hold of her book and bag. The train rolled to a stop, Hogwarts appearing in the distance. As the laughter around grew louder, Lily took a deep breath and let it out slowly, and for the first time, she felt ready for the next chapter.