Lorelei looked up at the large train in front of her. It was almost too much. She frowned. It was supposed to be an exciting moment for most children, but for her, it really couldn’t be. She felt her aunt’s hand rest on her shoulder. She turned to her, trying as hard as she could to smile. Her aunt smiled back, but you could tell it was one of pity as well.

Behind her aunt, her cousin Zachary approached, head stuck in his hoodie.

Her aunt patted her son’s shoulder. “Come along Zach. Let’s wish your cousin goodbye,” she said, smiling. Her cousin nodded, offering his best smile

“Goodbye Auntie. I’ll see you soon. I promise I’ll write,” she said, hugging her aunt tightly. She tried her best to not cry, but one or two tears may have slipped past.

She got up and wiped her eyes, careful for nobody to see, for she was not one to be seen to cry. She approached her cousin.

“Listen Zach,” she said, placing her hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry you didn’t get into Hogwarts. It won’t be the same without you, really. I was expecting to go through Hogwarts with you but...I guess not. I’ll write, okay? See you during break,” she said, hugging him tightly.

Instead of responding, the boy just nodded, smiled, and pushed his cousin around. Lorelei frowned but her frown quickly turned into a plain smile.

Lorelei approached the large, steaming train. Before taking a step, she turned back to her aunt and cousin. They were the only family she had. She was expecting to go through this with at least Zachary, but she was jumping head first into this alone. With one last smile and wave, she stepped on to the train to start her new life.

Word count: 304 words