The Beginning

The billows of smoke puffed out of the gorgeous black and scarlet steam engine train, giving a mysterious air to the scene that welcomed them.

Noa-Elise felt the firm, yet gentle hand of her father on the shoulder; letting her know they were letting her go at the pace she chose, but not letting her dawdle at the same time. It was a bit difficult to navigate through the sea of bodies, clusters of wizards and witches grouping themselves by family ties, though there were larger ones that implied there were friend groups as well.

The familiar clicking of her mother's heels against the concrete served to calm her as she spied several children about her age being hugged by their families. Some, like her, didn't have owls sitting on their trolleys, though the symphony of hoots, screeches, and titterings of the feathered pets still made themselves quite known.

"They hardly changed anything in this place" Mother hummed as she craned her head to read the enormous clock overhead that announced it was a quarter to eleven.

Noa-Elise stopped near one of the openings to the train and took a deep breath.

She had been dreaming of this day ever since she was six, been sharing her hopes and ambitions on what to do at Hogwarts with the inhabitants of the portraits of her extended family and Mitzy (though the house elf was as excited as she was) the whole Summer.

And now that she was taking the first step to being a capable witch...

She felt scared.

Noa-Elise could count the few times she had truly been frightened on one hand; proud that she was one of the braver kids in her circle of friends (though half of them are now starting their schooling at Beauxbaton and some are in Durmstrang, while Carmina Rodriguez is at Ilvermorny) and one of the firsts who would gladly do a dare.

But this was different, this would kick start the beginning of her future. As soon as she steps one foot onto that train; her parents and Mitzy will be miles away, unable to help her when she needs to. She will no doubt miss them.

She didn't know how long she'd been standing there until she blinked and found herself staring at the same shade of blue. Father had knelt in front of her with a gentle smile that softened the sharp angles of his face, near enough that he could smell his aftershave and several silver strands that scattered along his dark hair. He was far too young to have those, according to Mother.

"It's okay to be nervous" he assured her, "Just be your amazing self and you will find a second home in Hogwarts, like your mum and I did."

As if looking for confirmation, Noa-Elise turned to her mother; elegant and put-together as always. Her chestnut hair was a cascading wave that fell softly on her shoulders, her favorite muted pink dress completed the lovely vision. But what made her even more lovely was the encouraging smile she gave to her daughter, closing the distance between them and gave Noa-Elise a hug. Making sure to give a slightly tight squeeze that made the eleven-year-old giggle.

"You can always send us an owl, love" Mother said, tucking a strand of long dark brown hair behind her daughter's ear. "But I am confident that you will make a lot of new friends at Hogwarts and learn a great deal from your amazing professors."

The thought made Noa-Elise's stomach churn with insecurity, "But what if I'm no good? What if I'm rubbish at casting spells?"

Her parents shared a look like they were talking to each other telepathically before they turned to her with comforting expressions on their faces-

"We know you're going to be great, dearest" Father replied "And even if you got a Troll grade (Mother winced at this) we won't love you any less. Just do your best and we will write to you soon okay?"

"M'kay" she sighed.

There was a sharp whistle that broke through the other sounds, signaling that it was too late to back out now. But when she opened her mouth to ask for more advice, her parents each gave her a kiss on her cheeks and engaged in a group hug. She could feel eyes prickle with unshed tears but willed them to stay there. If her parents saw her in even more distress, they would be the ones pulling her out.

"Try not to get into trouble, love" Mother sighed though there was humor in her voice "I would be livid if I received an owl from the headmaster or the head of your house that you somehow flooded an entire floor with a portable swamp".

She gave a side-eye to Father, who in turn groaned, "I was fifteen! How was I supposed to know that I was helping those Gryffindors pull a prank?"

"You're the epitome of a Hufflepuff"

Noa-Elise giggled as Father rolled his eyes and helped her grab her suitcase from the trolley and gave a final kiss on top of her head, "This is the start of your story. Have fun and be safe."