Let the Adventure Begin! PV Isabella Bernard

Isabella stood at the edge of the platform, clutching the strap of her leather bag like a lifeline. She had told herself to be excited, but the empty space beside her—where her parents should’ve been—made her feel…adrift. Her mother was swamped with work and her father had left for a business trip the day before. They’d promised to write, but promises couldn’t replace presence.

Around her, mothers were wiping away tears, fathers ruffling hair and younger siblings waving goodbye. Isabella couldn’t help but glance at them, the bittersweet sting of envy and longing tugging at her. The platform felt too crowded. Despite being an extrovert, Isabella hated crowds. She had always struggled with ochlophobia. But right now, with so many strangers around her, she felt small and alone so she quickly got onto the train.

She passed one cabin, then another, then another—all full of students, chatting excitedly with each other. With every step, Isabella felt more like a stranger. Finally, at the end of the hallway, Isabella spotted a cabin that seemed empty. She looked through the glass door, only to see a girl sitting by the window, absorbed in a book. She seemed so peaceful, detached from the chaos outside, and for a brief moment, Isabella envied that.

She opened the door quietly, not wanting to startle the girl. Her voice came out softer than she meant, almost a whisper. “Hi... May I sit here?”

With a breath that felt more like a confession, Isabella stepped further inside the compartment, letting the warm, live air wrap around her like a soft blanket. She offered a shy smile to the other girl and slid onto the seat opposite, her fingers drumming a silent pattern against the strap of her satchel. After a quick shake of her head, she folded her hands tight, trying to quiet the little storm inside, but there was a bright flicker in her eyes that answered the spark Camille had felt all the way from the platform.

“Thanks,” she said, her voice just above the train’s steady heartbeat, quickly glancing around the cabin before turning her attention back to Camille. “I’m Isabella. Isabella Bernard. Everybody calls me Izzy. I’m a first year, too.”

She reached out and shook Camille’s hand, her grip gentle but warm. “I’ve never been on a train before,” Izzy added, a breathy laugh spilling out, half wonder and half apology. “It feels like something straight out of a storybook…” Isabella tried making small conversation to see if Camille would respond back or wanted to stick to herself. “So…Which house would you like to get sorted into? I, personally, would LOVE to get sorted into Gryffindor!”

Isabella’s eyes lit up a bit more as she listened to Camille. She liked hearing about other people’s families. Especially ones with magical backgrounds as it made Hogwarts feel more real. “My dad’s actually a pure-blood!” she said, a little more confidently now. “He went to Hogwarts, actually—he was in Gryffindor. My mum’s a Muggle, but she studied at Hogwarts too! She was sorted into Ravenclaw. So I guess I'll get sorted into either of those houses...”

She paused, fiddling with the hem of her black hoodie. “I think I might end up in Gryffindor like my dad,” she said thoughtfully. “I mean… I get scared sometimes, but I usually try to do the brave thing anyway. My mum says that’s what courage really is—doing things even when you're scared.” She offered a small smile. “And I do try to stand up for people, even if it’s hard.”

Izzy leaned forward just slightly, her voice softening. “But sometimes I wonder if the Sorting Hat will know where I really belong. I guess it sees things we don’t, right?” She glanced at Camille again. “It’d be cool if we ended up in the same house, though. I feel like we’d make a good team.”

Isabella smiled as she watched Camille go to the cart. She liked how excited Camille was—it made her feel less nervous. When Camille came back with the chocolate frogs, Isabella giggled at her joke about her mom. “My mom would say the same thing,” she said, laughing. “She always tells me to eat something healthy first.”

She leaned over a little to look at the card Camille had gotten. “Helga Hufflepuff? That’s so cool! Maybe it is a sign,” she said with a grin. “I think Hufflepuff sounds really nice. They’re supposed to be kind and loyal. That sounds like you already.”

Isabella opened one of her own frogs, carefully holding the box so it didn’t jump out. “Let’s see who I get…” She pulled out the card and smiled. “Godric Gryffindor! Oh my god! My dad was sorted into Gryffindor when he went to Hogwarts! I don’t know if that means anything, though...” she added shyly.

She took a small bite of the chocolate and looked out the window. “I hope I can write my family soon. I already miss them.” Then she looked at Camille again and smiled. “But I’m glad you’re here. It’s nice having someone to talk to.”

Isabella Bernard leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with curiosity as she spoke. “Oh, definitely,” she said with a grin. “Hogwarts is so old—there has to be secrets hidden in the walls. I mean, the founders were some of the greatest witches and wizards of their time. Don’t you think they would’ve left behind more than just a few enchanted staircases and secret chambers?”

She tucked her hair behind her ear and glanced at the book again. “I read about the Room of Requirement once. It only shows up when someone really needs it. Isn’t that wild? What if there are other rooms like that, waiting to be found?”

Isabella shifted a little in her seat, excitement buzzing in her voice. “Honestly, I used to think History of Magic would be super boring, but now? I think it might actually be one of the coolest subjects. There’s so much mystery in the past—like, every time I learn something new, it feels like I’m uncovering a piece of a giant puzzle. I haven't read much about Hogwarts or magic really since I only found out about magic very recently...”

Isabella smiled warmly. While looking out the window, she replied, “We should explore sometime. You never know—we might discover the next big Hogwarts secret.”