Escapism Finished

Emily sat and listened with interest as Emmanuel kept talking, though couldn't help but feel a bit intimidated when it was apparent the boy was clearly wizard-born. At the same time, that wasn't much to Emily's surprise that he was, since nearly everyone she passed on the train came from similar circumstances and heritages. All the same, she felt like she was slowly learning about what she was getting herself into thanks to him. It sounded like the school was on a lovely landscape with hidden gems she was curious to explore for herself.

"It sounds like you have your mind set on anything but Slytherin," she chuckled, hoping it would ease the tension that was fizzing under the surface of his expression. She slipped another apple strip between her teeth and chewed quietly. He seemed passionate about making the most of his experience, and she had nothing for respect for that.

"I'm Muggle-born, so I'm just from London," she responded when he asked about her roots. "As such my parents are both Muggles. My mother and father work tirelessly to the point where I almost never see them."

A glimmer of frustration sparked in her eyes before she brushed it off with a smile. "Thankfully I had Auntie - the maid - to look after me." She new that even while away from home, she'd be thinking of "Auntie", still as fondly as always.

Em felt bashful about assuming Emily's heritage was from the Wizarding World. In being from a pure-blood lineage, he hadn't had too much interaction with the muggle world. Most of the other adults he met were also of wizard descent. Though, that was likely due to his great-grandfather's design.

"You've mentioned your Auntie a couple times, is she nice? How does she feel about you being a witch?" Em asked, curious how a muggle would take raising someone with magic. Em knew about a family secret, where his great uncle's second born son was a squib. He orphaned him into the muggle world. He was always aware that he fit the family's status quo; lest he be sent away.

It seemed to Em, that regardless of one's family; they all had their unique qualities. Emily wasn't very close with their parents. Em's best friend growing up was a silver monkey that could see the future. Everyone has their own quirks.

"Yeah, I aways had Chica. She was always there, as far as I can remember. Usually just watching me. It's weird to not have her here now," Em sighed, looking out the window at the passing trees. He didn't realize leaving home would sadden him so quickly.

Emily was overrun with positive thoughts about "Auntie" once Em asked about her. She nodded without hesitation.

"Auntie is amazing," she said proudly. She's been a maid and part of the family since I was a baby. She was usually the one that did most of the looking-after, no thanks to my parents. But she's super sweet and responsible, anyone would think she was my actual mother." And it only took one look at Emily's face to tell she wished that was true.

"Her real name is Nora. But because she's been so nice with me, I just call her Auntie. I feel like it's more fitting for her than just a mere maid."

Parting with her at Platform 9 and 3/4 felt like she was truly saying goodbye to a dear family member. For any muggle parent, it would seem like a strange occurrence so send their child away to a fantastical-sounding school, but with "Auntie", she felt surprised, almost thrilled in fact, that Emily was being given a fresh start, as a witch no less. "Auntie" always had the belief that Emily was a 'sparkle in the ordinary', so on the day when Emily's letter came from Hogwarts, she did nothing but smugly elbow her ward and whisper, "I told you so."

Emily laughed at the memory of that day. "Auntie" was right and now she could never argue against that fact.

"It seems we both have a lot in common, huh," she finally said before rambling any further. "But I think Chica and Auntie would be even prouder of us by the time the year ends."

You join in and watch the view whizz by as the train chugs closer to its destination, smiling confidently.

She didn't want to call it too soon in fear of being mistaken, but nonetheless, her mouth kicked in before her brain held it back.
"You know... I think we'd get along quite well."

Em looked back at Emily, and watched her gaze out the window. The trees were reflected in her eyes; and he could tell that she was reflecting on something she thought fondly of.

He didn’t know how making friends worked. He didn’t know if it was a proposition that needed to be made, or if it happened naturally. However, he felt a kindred spirit in Emily.

“I think we’d make very good friends!” He laughed, wondering if making friends was always going to be this easy. “Though, we have to be sure to still study together, even if I am put in Slytherin,” Em mentioned, looking back out the window.

“My Great-Grandfather expects me to be sorted into our family’s house. He gave me a really expensive, elf woven scarf the day before we left for Kings Cross. If I’m being honest, I’m afraid not to be put in Slytherin.”

Em let his walls down, feeling at ease with Emily. The only living being he spoke this fear to was Chica, but she can’t talk. He figured that Emily was entering a world she didn’t know she belonged to, and was scared. If anyone would understand, it would be her.

At this point in the conversation, Emily was feeling quite pleased with herself when it seemed Emmanuel was content being friends with her. She was never good to be the first person to make a friendship connection, but they seemed to get along regardless. She and Emmanuel both watched the scenery as the train continued on its tracks.

"Maybe I'm being mistaken, but perhaps you're used to your ancestors connection to Slytherin that you might feel a bit... I don't know the right word... Left out? Perhaps surprised if you were put in anything else except Slytherin?"

She was sure she was being absolutely ridiculous and felt her face flare when she stopped talking. She even felt she'd just been rude to him to assume his family heritage like that. A part of her wanted to apologise in case he was taking offence to it.

"B-But I'm sure it's nothing to worry about...! You'll make a great experience out of wherever you're placed, I'm sure of it! I mean, I know nothing about Hogwarts at all, other than the bare basics, but all we can do is have a bit of hope and optimism. It's your journey, so enjoy it the way you know feels good to you."

She hoped that was enough to lessen the awkwardness she was sure she had just created. She was expecting Emmanuel to give her a look, say something to put her in her place or... something. She picked at the skin around her nails gently out of shyness.

"Heh... but... if you're still okay with it... I wouldn't mind studying with you, no matter where we're placed."

If there was one thing she was confident in during that moment, is that she was finding a nice connection with Emmanuel. She only hoped she didn't just flub it by sounding rude. If anything, she wanted to ease the worry she could clearly see in his eyes.

Em gently smiled at Emily, bringing his feet up to sit criss-cross on the seat.

"If only it was that simple. I personally wouldn't mind another house," Em stated, scratching his head. "I suppose I should prepare you for something, since you're muggle born. You may not be aware that there are some, what are called, 'Pure-Blood' families. These are families that live, and grow up in the Wizarding World. That's what I'm from. Sometimes, these 'Pure-Blood' families hold certain prejudices against mixing magical, and muggle families."

"My parents aren't like that. My mom is a half blood, so my grandmother is a muggle. My great-Grandfather, unfortunately, is like that. And so are many other families. They hold expectations that the kids in their family are sorted into the 'common' house their family shares; and they don't marry muggles. If you break those rules, well, it doesn't go very well."

Em stirred a bit, feeling a bit awkward with how much he knew about the conflicts of blood purity. He hated the poison that his family spewed, and was thankful for the protection his parents provided in preventing him from developing into a hateful person.

"The only reason I bring this up," Em explained. "Is because not everyone you meet is going to be very kind to you, just because of your parents. A dark wizard who lived almost thirty years ago fed a ton of hate into people's lives. It just takes a long time for that hate to go away."

Em looked Emily in her eyes, sincerity painted all over his face. "All I'm saying, is that if anyone insults you, you can tell me. I learned Curse of the Bogies just incase." Em smiled.

Emily swallowed. There was competition between families even in the Wizarding World? That was rather unfortunate to learn, yet the more the information sunk in and the tone Emmanuel was giving her, she realised it was probably something she had to keep in mind... as much as she didn't want to.

"I see..."

Being born to rich parents already made her self-conscious enough. If it wasn't for the fact that she knew how to mingle with working class kids in a public primary school with kindness and compassion, she probably wouldn't nearly have as many friends as she did back home, where it didn't matter how much money her family had - the other kids just wanted to hang out with her because she was easy-going and knew she'd never treat them as anyone beneath her. Emily was too soft for that attitude and it showed. And no all of a sudden she had to worry about people questioning her on her own magical talent.

When her eyes met Emmanuel's, her worries faded slightly when Emmanuel offered to be a confidante for her. She nodded gratefully. With all she'd heard so far she'd need someone she could trust. Even though Emmanuel was the first and only person she'd met so far, she had full trust in him.

She nodded at his offer, laughing a little bit at his mention of the Curse of the Bogies. "I definitely could do with the company...!"

She smiled again kindly. He really was shaping up to be a good friend and they still hadn't reached Hogwarts yet. Perhaps it was one of those little strings of fate, Emily thought. All the same, she was grateful for it.

The train ride continued calmly, as Em and Emily made small talk; finding out about each others families. They made jokes and laughed together; coming together as new friends on the journey to school.

Morning turned to evening, and the lanterns and sconces flickers on, illuminating the cabins of the train. The windows went dark, the ever finishing sunlight being absorbed by the Scottish highlands.

Eventually, Prefects walked the aisles of the train, informing the students it was time to get in their robes as they would be arriving at Hogsmeade station shortly.

Em pulled his school robes from his bag. They were neatly folded, and pressed. He found a little love letter written by his Mother:

My little Em,
Be brave, be excited, and be ready to learn. Your time is the castle is yours, enjoy it.

We love you no matter what. No matter what house.

Please send an owl once you’re situated.

Love, Mom and Pa

His mother’s curly writing brought a rosiness to his cheeks. He smiled, and tucked the note into his trouser pocket. Un folding his clothes, he stood up, and turned away from Emily. He undressed modestly, and redressed quickly.

He turned back around, tucking his shirt into his black pants, straightened his tie (this did not help, it was still crooked), and slid his arms into this silk lined school robe. The black of the fabric was rich, clearly newly made and altered to fit him.

Em tucked his aspen wand into his robe, bundled back up his bag, and sat back down; waiting for them to arrive at the train station.

“I hear there’s a special surprise for first years, but my parents wouldn’t tell me what it is. I’ve heard other students talking about boats though,” Em mused aloud.

As he spoke, the train rounded a bend, and beyond the tops of the black tree tops; they got their first view of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

The towers glistened with fire light through their windows. The evening light fading beyond the horizon made the whole castle a silhouette against the dark blue sky. It was magnificent. Huge, and mysterious. Ancient, and full of history.

Em couldn’t take his eyes off the castle, even as the train turned away from view, the skyline of Hogmeade over taking the view of the school.

@Emily Shepherd

Emily's eyes widened when the Castle came into view. It was big. Very big. Much bigger than she was expecting. It really did put all schools back home to shame. Well, that was probably to be expected, she thought. They were just... schools. Hogwarts on the other hand was whole kingdom by comparison, and for good reason as she'd soon find out when her journey would really start.

She figured it was best time to get changed, almost at the same time as Prefects ran lengths of the train, announcing the train's imminent arrival. She went into her duffel bag and lifted out her robes, draping them over her shoulders neatly. She smoothed down the plaits in her black skirt, fixing up her tie and repositioning her collar afterwards, smiling as Emmanuel did the same. She caught a glimpse at the small note he had in his hands, feeling happy he had his family behind him. A contrast to her own, whom she probably thought had forgotten already that she's not at home anymore.

At the same time, she couldn't steer her gaze away from the view. The Great Lake came into view where the boats were being set up as the lanterns glowed when the sun came down. When she finished getting ready, she couldn't help but feel tiny. The clothes she had on felt like they were twice the size of her. She imagined walking in through the doors of the castle, believing she'd be a spec given the intimidation.

She packed her book from earlier away and took a confident breath, keeping her eyes out the window onto the view. The train passed a small village - Hogsmeade as she soon learnt - before it disappeared through more trees, the view of Hogwarts disappearing ever so briefly as the train

"I guess it's almost time," she said, slightly less confidently than she was hoping to sound. "Still, a surprise sounds nice... that ought to ease the tension...!"

Interacting with @Emmanuel Bourne