A new beginning
Word count: 309
Interact with: @Gloria Shell
The platform was crowded with people. Students and parents were everywhere, talking loudly and saying their goodbyes as owls hooted and trunks rattled across the ground. Even though I had been looking forward to this day for years, I was still very nervous and could feel butterflies in my stomach.
My parents stood beside me while my brother and sister gave me last-minute advice. Most of it was probably useful, but I was way too excited and nervous to even listen to any of it.
"Don't forget to write us." My mother reminded me for what felt like the tenth time that day. "I won't." I promised with a small laugh. My father looked me in the eyes and said, "Don't worry too much, you'll do great."
A loud whistle echoed through the platform and students immediately began to board the train. I quickly hugged my parents goodbye before picking up my trunk and making my way to the train. As I stepped aboard, I couldn't help but smile. I was finally going to Hogwarts.
The train corridors were crowded with students looking for seats or chatting with friends. I carefully made my way through several compartments, but most of them were already full. After checking a few more compartments, I spotted one with a single girl sitting inside. She looked around my age and seemed to be traveling alone.
For a moment I hesitated. Meeting new people had never been easy for me, but I couldn't spend the whole journey wandering through the train looking for a seat.
Taking a deep breath, I slid open the compartment door. "Hi," I said with a nervous smile. "Is this seat taken?" I shifted my trunk slightly and glanced toward the empty seat across from her. "I've been looking for a place to sit and everything else seems to be full."
Last edited by Lize Nieuwhof on 30 Jun 2026, 22:23, edited 1 time in total.
A new beginning
WC: 287
After she hugged her parent goodbye ( with some unnecessary tears from them ) Gloria got on the Hogwarts Express early to get a good seat. She found a compartment near the middle of the train and already began to feel homesick. No, not home sick, I'm just nervous for what is to come. She hoped she'll be sorted into the same house as her family friend @Taryn Atwood. Slowly more people got on the red Hogwarts Express. As Gloria was good at reading facial expressions she could what other people were feeling. There were a few that looked like they were going to burst into tears, some that looked exited, but most people looked nervous. She hoped she wouldn't have to sit alone because that would be awkward and if anyone walked by her compartment and saw no one else in there they might make assumptions to why. Soon the whistle blew, signaling that departure was soon. After the whistle there was a rush of people trying to get good seats. After a minute a straggler stoped in front of my comperment. Okay, we are going to compose ourselves because this a potential friend, I thought. She has dark blonde hair with blue eyes. She entered and said " Hi! Is this seat taken? I've been looking for a place to sit but everything else seems to be full." She looks nervous like me so I decide she is a potential friend. Besides, I'm not rude enough to be able to send her away. " Sure! Feel free to sit here! What's your name?" Uuuugggghhhh why am I always so corny she probably hates me now... I thought because I have almost zero experience making friends.Interacting with: Lize Nieuwhof
"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." — George Bernard Shaw
A new beginning
Word count: 255
Interacting with: @Gloria Shell
"Sure! Feel free to sit here! What's your name?" She said. I smiled, relieved that she hadn't minded me interrupting her journey. "Thanks," I said as I carefully lifted my trunk into the compartment before sitting down across from her. It felt nice to finally stop wandering through the crowded train corridors.
"My name's Lize. Lize Nieuwhof." I glanced out the window for a moment. Students were still saying goodbye to their families on the platform while other students hurried onto the train at the last second. Everything felt so exciting, but also a little overwhelming.
"What about you?" I asked. "What's your name?" For a moment, I wondered if she was just as nervous as I was. She looked calm enough, but then again, I was trying my best to look calm too.
"I have to admit, I'm kind of nervous about all of this," I said with a small laugh. "I've been looking forward to Hogwarts for years, but now that it's actually happening, it feels a bit unreal."
I adjusted the sleeve of my robe and looked back at her. "Do you already know anyone at Hogwarts?" My older brother and sister had both attended Hogwarts, so at least I knew a little about what to expect. Even so, the idea of being sorted into a house, meeting new people and taking magical classes was enough to make my stomach flutter.
I smiled again, hoping I didn't sound too awkward. "At least we won't have to spend the train ride sitting alone."
Last edited by Lize Nieuwhof on 30 Jun 2026, 22:23, edited 1 time in total.
A new beginning
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"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." — George Bernard Shaw
A new beginning
Word count: 226
Interacting with: @Gloria Shell
I listened quietly as Gloria introduced herself. She explained that she was an only child and admitted that she was nervous too. When she snapped her fingers and said my name, I laughed a little. When she apologized for forgetting my name, I smiled reassuring her that it was okay.
"Did you feel excited yesterday but now you wish you could go back on time a bit to prepare yourself for Hogwarts?" She asked. I glanced out the window for a moment. The platform was slowly getting further away, and seeing it disappear made everything feel much more real.
"Honestly, yes," I admitted. "Yesterday I was so excited that I could barely think about anything else." I smiled faintly. "I kept wondering what Hogwarts would be like, what classes I'd take and what house I'd end up in." My fingers absent-mindedly played with the sleeve of my robe. "Now that I'm actually on the way there, I think I'm realizing how big of a change this is going to be."
I looked back at Gloria. "I don't think I'd want to go back completely, but having a few extra days to prepare would've been nice." I laughed softly. "Although I'd probably spend those extra days worrying too." After a moment I tilted my head slightly. "You said you're nervous too. What are you most nervous about?"
Last edited by Lize Nieuwhof on 30 Jun 2026, 22:23, edited 1 time in total.
A new beginning
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"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." — George Bernard Shaw
A new beginning
Word count: 290
Interacting with: @Gloria Shell
I listened quietly as Gloria explained everything that was worrying her. The more she talked, the more nervous she seemed to become. By the time she mentioned detentions and Howlers, she was fidgeting with the hem of her robe and talking so quickly that I almost struggled to keep up. When she finished, I smiled reassuringly.
"What about you, Lize? What are you most nervous about?" She asked. "First of all, I don't think you're the only one nervous about classes. I am too." I thought about what I am most nervous about. "I think I'm most nervous about fitting in and what house I'll be sorted into."
My eyes drifted toward the compartment window. "My brother and sister both went to Hogwarts, and they always told stories about their friends and all the things they did together. And both of them got sorted into Gryffindor." I smiled faintly. "I know I'll learn the spells eventually, and if I work hard enough, I'll probably do alright in class. But making friends has never been easy for me. I always want to live up to my brother and sister, so I guess that is what makes me nervous about the sorting."
I looked back at Gloria. I let out a small laugh. "Though considering we're already sitting here talking, maybe that was one thing I didn't need to worry about." I adjusted the sleeve of my robe before continuing. "And for what it's worth, I don't think you'll need to worry about getting a Howler yet. I think we should at least survive our first day before we start imagining the worst possible outcomes."
I grinned. "Besides, if we both get lost in the castle, we can just pretend we're exploring."