“About when I was nine.” She answered almost as soon as she was asked. She wasn’t about to divulge the details of that story just yet, and so she doesn’t open up about it. She scratched the back of her neck, feeling a bit awkward about that topic. She’s still under the impression that most witches and wizards know of their magic early on and was somewhat embarrassed about it. It was a very life-changing day, that day. Instead, she continued, “That’s a little late, I suppose. I’m still not used to it just yet.”

Vee noticed Mary’s face turn red and cocked her head to the right in confusion. “I'm so sorry, I just realized that maybe you have no idea what I'm talking about. I feel so embarrassed.”

She waved her left hand over her face, her head shaking, “Don’t be! It’s nothing to be embarrassed about. Your stories are rather fascinating - and I relate to some of it, which is helpful.”

It's the truth. Vee’s very honest and blunt when she’s no longer shy, and it really helped that she related to Mary through her stories. “Well just to let you know I really don't care about blood lines and all that stuff.” Mary said. This made Vee smile.

“Well, that’s very kind of you.” She said to her, “But I’m curious, has it always been important? The deal with the blood lines and what not?”

Biting her lip, Serena glanced over her luggage as she stood on the platform next to the giant Hogwarts Express.  There was... a lot.  All of the required items were neatly packed into her trunk.  However, in addition to those, her mother had packed some snacks for the journey, additional food in case the train got there late, food for later today if she didn't eat enough dinner - and apparently enough food to feed the rest of the first years.  There was, in fact, no way for one person to consume all of the food but that was a worry for another time.  For now, she just wanted to get onto the train that was going to take her to her new school.  A school that she had dreamed of. 

Serena was, no doubt, nervous.  She stood examining her stuff in silence.  Well, at least she was quiet.  Her parents, however?  Oh God, they kept talking.  Her mother was saying something about eating properly, to write home regularly, to study hard and not to hang out with boys.  Her father, talking at the same time, was advising her about not going around the school (or outside) by herself, obeying the rules and to let them know if she needed anything.  They were probably also giving her additional nuggets of advice but in all honesty, Serena had stopped listening the minute they opened their mouth.  

Instead, she started to think about what Hogwarts would be like.  Her older brother went to Durmstrang, so she was unaware of what it was like.  She was nervous.  What house would she be sorted into?  What if she didn't make any friends?  What if no one liked her?  What if she was rubbish at magic?  What if she turned the teacher into a frog by accident? Her mind raced with various questions and thoughts.  A combination of excitement and nerves taking over her brain.  She had managed to get through the platform entrance, which was a relief.  For some reason, she was definitely scared about crashing into the wall.  Her nerves were making her brain go crazy.  It was going into overload when she heard her name being called out, causing her to snap out of the thoughts.

"Serena? Are you even listening?"

Abruptly, she looked over to the voice.  She was about to say no, because she was all for being honest and well, she really hadn't been paying attention.  However, she also knew that if she said no then her mother would start the lecture over from the start.  And Serena had been standing there for over thirty minutes being lectured.  So instead, she looked at the watch, "Mum! I think the train is going to leave soon! I should go, I have to find somewhere to put my luggage and get a seat.  Bye now!" With that, she quickly grabbed her things and had her trunk stored away.  Waving goodbye, as she wasn't one for hugs, Serena jumped onto the train that she had stared at in awe for about fifteen minutes of the rant.  

A lot of the compartments looked full.  She didn't want to just barge into one but... how was she going to get a seat if she didn't?  She peeked into all of the open doors, where possible, as she walked through the train.  Most were full so she resorted to knocking on some.  She found one with a spare seat but it was occupied by three older boys that looked like they were trouble.  They had each other in headlocks and looked like they were playing around.  Probably not the sort of company her parents would approve of, so she quickly turned and continued down the train.  

Serena looked to her right and saw another door coming up.  Compartment number #25.  Knocking on the door, she slid it open.  Inside, she saw two girls chatting.  Biting her lip, she wondered if they already knew each other and if she was intruding.  She didn't want to spend the whole train journey sitting awkwardly with two friends that were gossiping to each other.  However, they both looked like they were around her age, and they looked friendly - and there was space here...  So it was probably the best she was going to get!  Mustering up some courage, Serena smiled and spoke up, "Hi, do you mind if I join you both?  Most of the other compartments are taken...".   Pausing for a moment, she then realised she hadn't actually introduced herself, "I'm Serena Towers, a first year."  Patiently, she waited at the door for their reply.


OOC: Hello, hope it's okay for me to jump in

The door suddenly opens, catching her attention as it does. ‘Another girl,’ She thinks to herself randomly, but also wondering when she ever started guessing what type of person would come in next. ‘Or non-person? Do humanoids exist?’

She never spoke these thoughts out loud, of course. But the thought of accidentally doing so was enough to make her ears red in embarrassment. The girl asks to sit with them and she shakes her head, “We don’t mind, do we?”

“Don't just stand there!” She exclaims, giving the girl a wave, gesturing for her to come in, “Sit anywhere you like.”

“My name’s Venice Smith. Pleasure.” She tells her, “It’s our first year too. This is Mary. We were just talking about the houses and bloodlines. What do you think about the houses?”


She reckoned it was only polite to include the new girl in their conversation, it helped that she was feeling rather relaxed after earlier. ‘Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad.’ She says to herself.

Mary was about to answer to Venice regarding the matter or bloodlines in the wizarding world when someone knocked at the door and then opened it. A small girl was standing at the door and asked if she could join them. Before she could answer Venice had welcomed her into the compartment and Mary was more than happy to know someone new. 
"Hi Serena. Nice to meet you. And as Venice said you are more than welcomed there!" She then turned back to Venice to answer to the question she had ask before the other girl entered. "And to answer you Venice, some people believed than only pure-bloods wizards and witches should be recognized as such and that muggle-borns or half-blood are less powerful or should not be as full wizards. But I don't believe it, I think all wizards are equal, it doesn't matter if their parents were wizards or not. Usually they also think that we should not mix with Muggles but I think it's stupid, I find it much more interesting to be living with them. They can help us with some things and we can help them with other."

She had finished her speech and wanted a sweet so searched in her bag for chocolate frogs. She took some out and put them besides her on the seat. She offered some to the girls before taking one for her. 

Serena grinned, exhaling a breath of relief as the girls seemed friendly.  One girl waved her in and gestured for her to sit down.  Nodding, Serena pulled her stuff in and quickly dumped it to one side, "Thank you!  Most of these carriages are full, I imagine we will be leaving soon.", she replied as she sat down. The first girl introduced herself as Venice Smith and kindly caught her up in the conversation, which made her feel so much more comfortable. "Oh, glad you're both new too!" Serena claimed, not meaning to say that out aloud.  She listened to Mary's view, nodding along the whole time.  She completely agreed with Mary.  She was a pure-blood herself but didn't think of anyone as lesser than her.  She hated it when people did.  Her brother was one of those people.  He hated muggles and didn't associate himself with anyone that had muggle blood in them - which just made her sick to the stomach.  How she was related to him was beyond her.  In fact, she would much rather not be a pure-blood if it meant she could stop sharing the same blood as some of the ridiculously opinionated people in her family.  

She decided it wasn't appropriate to start a first meeting by launching in to all of her family politics and drama.  That was too heavy for anyone to deal with - in fact, she would rather not deal with it herself.  So she opted for a lighter and slightly more impersonal response, "Everyone should be treated equally. And with respect, regardless of their ability to do magic or their bloodline." Serena replied.  She didn't think Wizards and Witches should be deemed as "better" than muggles because they can use magic.  Everyone should be treated equally.

Turning to Venice, Serena smiled and paused for a moment, "I'm not sure about the houses. I think each one has admirable qualities. Whether you're brave, loyal, wise or ambitious, there's something to admired about that." She honestly didn't really mind which house she sat in.  She was just scared that the people in her house would end up hating her for some reason and she'd have no friends.  Geez, wouldn't that be a nightmare?  Laughing slightly, Serena looked at the pair, "I'm just curious - and a little nervous - as to what house I'll be put in!" she replied, unsure of which she would fit in as she didn't really feel like any of those four qualities.

"Oh yes please, thank you!" She replied as she took one of the chocolate frogs that Mary had offered.  Whilst she was unwrapping it, the door slid open and she looked up to see another girl had come in.  Grabbing her bag and moving it off the chair, Serena smiled at the girl, "Hi, ahh, I think this seat is free?" She asked, gesturing to the empty seat and looking at Venice and Mary for confirmation.  She wanted to check, just in case they were waiting for someone. 

Another girl popped into their compartment, this makes Vee wonder if they were leaving soon as the compartments are being filled. ‘All girls,’ She thinks to herself, putting her somewhat at ease. The new girls seems friendly too, and they both look like they’re new. Finding things in common was always a good place to start. They were all the same, there was nothing to be anxious of.

She listened to their stories intently, the talk of purebloods made her dizzy. She felt out of place somehow - she wasn’t a “muggle”, she knows that much. She knew her mom wasn’t one either but was pretty positive her dad was one. But given how she was raised, she knew she was closer to a muggle than anything else. Muggle-born but not, what does that make her then?

Deep in thought again, she mindlessly bites into a chocolate frog and jumps when it squirms against her palm.

“What?!” She exclaims, staring at the biten frog that oddly tastes like chocolate lying on the floor, “What was that?! Is it an actual frog? Are you trying to poison me?”

She knew that was probably too much, but couldn’t help it. She honestly doesn’t know anything from this world yet - not really.

Serena and Venice had taken a chocolate frog when the door opened. Another girl asked if it was okay of she joined them. Serena offered her a seat and Mary didn't add anything, just smiled to the girl and also offered her a sweet. She was glad that they were only girls. She had nothing against boys, but was feeling more comfortable with girls, especially as she didn't know them yet. She was eating her frog and looking at the image she had, Dumbledore, she already had this card about 4 times. 
Then Venice exclaimed that I tried to poison her. She had dropped the frog on the floor and it was moving in a strange way as her head was partly detached from the body. Mary wanted to laugh, even if she understood that for someone who is not used to it can be surprised, but she figured that would not be very nice from her. She awkwardly smiled to her, trying to restrain her laugh. 
"That's ok Vee. It's not an actual frog, there is a spell on them so that they can move a bit. But they can only jump once or twice."

"Oh," she responds, the only word she's able to say. How do you react to that? What do you even say? She basically accused the girl of poisoning her when she doesn't have a reason to do so whatsoever. Sorry, she wants to say. I didn't mean it like that, she wants to add. But no words are coming out of her mouth.

There was warmth and a sudden heaviness to the air. She composes herself enough to get a napkin from her bag, which she used to pick up the half-eaten chocolate. She carefully wraps the squirming chocolate frog with the napkin and tucks it in her bag, creating a mental note to clean it when they reach the castle. Surely they were bringing their bags with them inside the school...

She avoids everyone's eyes, scared that they would be on her. She was slowly realising how big of a change this is and her eyes starts to water. 'It's not fair,' She thinks to herself. She wouldn't be in this predicament if she had known about the wizarding world prior to receiving her letter. It didn't help to dwell on this, but she couldn't help going back to it -- not when everyone seems to be one step ahead of her in everything. 'A warning would have been nice.'

Her confusion and annoyance is plastered on her face, this was how she usually is, unable to hide how she feels. Before this, she never really had the need to. She wasn't annoyed with the people in the compartment though, of course, they had no fault as to why she's so unprepared for their world. This was all because of mother. The thought leaves a sharp pang in her heart, longing for an explanation as to why she's been kept in the dark for so long regarding such and important part of herself. Briefly, she wonders if her mother ever hoped that she would have no drop of magic within her. A "muggle" or whatever, like her father.

Serena played around with the chocolate frog that Mary had given her, as it bounced around a little before she decided to eat it. She had had them before, which was the only reason she wasn't at all surprised by the fact they moved around. However, Venice seemed to be new to them and suddenly started to question Mary.

Smiling, she nodded as Mary replied, trying to comfort Venice. Poor Venice seemed to be completely horrified by the idea and then fell silent. Perhaps she was embarrassed by her reaction? Trying to stop the girl from feeling any awkwardness or anything, Serena shared a little story from her childhood memories, "It's a bit unusual. I remember reacting the same way the first time I saw one. My older brother gave me it, as a prank but I thought he was just being nice - until it started jumping around!" She was hoping that she could help the other girl fell at ease a little after hearing that she wasn't the only one who reacted that way. The young Asian girl was convinced that most people would have reacted that way for the first time. No one expects their food to jump around suddenly! 

Trying to change the subject, Serena smiled at the other girls in the compartment, "So are you excited about Hogwarts? What houses do you think you'll be sorted into?" She asked, trying to make some sort of conversation. In all honesty, Serena wasn't entirely sure what house she would be sorted into. She had heard a few things about each of them but not enough to really know which one she belonged to. Whichever one it was, she was just hoping she would make some friends there and get along with people. It would be horrible if she didn't get along with her housemates, after all.