17 Jan 2023, 23:34
Toads of Summer
September 1, 2022 ☁ Overcast
“Funny way to get to a wizard’s school, the train. Magic carpets all got punctures, have they?”
– Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
The crowd of people surrounding the platform reminded Alex of the sea. She felt very small and adrift. There would be no familiar faces from this point on. Carefully she edged her way around the families, saying their goodbyes, and she felt a pang of longing for her own family. She had tried to prepare herself mentally, but seeing an older boy blush from his mother's peck on his forehead seemed to crack at the mental wall.
The train itself was the most beautiful shade of red. It almost looked like a museum piece next to the other passenger trains she had seen at King's Cross. Her eyes were round with awe as she boarded the closest passenger car. Everywhere were young teens lounging in the aisles and compartments, most already grouped up with people they knew. Some told grand tales of their summer, while others showed off different objects and animals. Alex caught sight of a toad and raised her eyebrows. She didn't mind them much, but it seemed an odd choice to her.
She mentally shook herself as she crossed into another car. She wasn't exactly sure what socializing in this school would be like, especially coming from a non-magic family. Muggle. She had read the word a few times in her school books, but it still felt strange.
Finally, she spotted an empty compartment but hesitated. Was sitting alone a bad choice? Would the others see her as weak or unapproachable? She decided she'd rather take her chances than have to awkwardly ask a stranger for company on the trip. Leaving the door open to invite company, she stowed her things and pulled out a few school books to browse over while she waited for the train to leave.
21 Jan 2023, 18:38
Toads of Summer
Addie supposed she should probably feel somewhat offended, or at the least bothered, by the fact that her parents hadn't come along to see her onto the train. She watched as the other students preparing to board the Hogwarts Express received loving embraces from their mothers, fathers, and grandparents. Some basked in the final touch of familiarity before the school year while others shied away, seemingly embarrassed.
Addie was denied that affection, but that didn't mean she didn't still enjoy that last taste of familiarity. Her parents, despite clearly loving her, didn't spend very much time with her at home either, so this was relatively normal. They were busy people, and she understood that well.
That didn't mean that she was entirely happy with the state of this goodbye. She tried to deny her jealousy at the other children. While they were blushing at every light kiss and the ruffling of their hair, she was walking wordlessly alongside her older cousin, Anya.
As the two of them finally closed in on the train, Anya stuck carefully by her side even as the impressively antique (by muggle standards, at least) red vehicle became bigger and demanded more of her attention. Her eyes followed the train from front to back, spying the occasional student, but otherwise being fixed on the smokestacks and size of the vessel.
The duo boarded the Hogwarts Express and passed a few mostly full compartments. Addie was fairly certain she saw a few of her older cousin's friends in one of them, but the girl still stuck to her side. Anya always was very protective of her, even if she wouldn't admit it.
"Adeline," her cousin said softly. In their family, it was discouraged to speak loudly in public places. She turned her head to Anya and provided her undivided attention. "I believe I see a compartment with some vacancies just ahead."
Peeking ahead a bit, Addie saw that her cousin was indeed correct. There was a fairly empty compartment, with only a single other student inside. The door was even open, possibly as an unspoken invitation. Did she dare take it?
A look from Anya was enough to encourage her. She stepped through the door, examining the other person in the compartment as inconspicuously as she could manage.
Greenish eyes. Reddish hair. The girl was holding several books that she recognized from her own shopping list, so that meant she was the studious sort, right? Yes, they would get along just fine.
Addie prepared to introduce herself, but realized her cousin was watching carefully from the doorway. She didn't dare attempt a more casual demeanor or introduction with Anya watching over her, so with practiced elegance, she curtsied in her black robes and nodded politely.
"Hello. I'm Adeline Wasserstein von Sternensehen-Müssinger II, it's very nice to meet you," she said, clearly and politely as she extended her hand for a handshake. "Getting a head start on your studies, I see."
Apparently satisfied, Anya turned and left them alone, and Addie barely managed to hide her relief. Hopefully this little introduction hadn't been enough to ruin her first official Hogwarts interaction.
Addie was denied that affection, but that didn't mean she didn't still enjoy that last taste of familiarity. Her parents, despite clearly loving her, didn't spend very much time with her at home either, so this was relatively normal. They were busy people, and she understood that well.
That didn't mean that she was entirely happy with the state of this goodbye. She tried to deny her jealousy at the other children. While they were blushing at every light kiss and the ruffling of their hair, she was walking wordlessly alongside her older cousin, Anya.
As the two of them finally closed in on the train, Anya stuck carefully by her side even as the impressively antique (by muggle standards, at least) red vehicle became bigger and demanded more of her attention. Her eyes followed the train from front to back, spying the occasional student, but otherwise being fixed on the smokestacks and size of the vessel.
The duo boarded the Hogwarts Express and passed a few mostly full compartments. Addie was fairly certain she saw a few of her older cousin's friends in one of them, but the girl still stuck to her side. Anya always was very protective of her, even if she wouldn't admit it.
"Adeline," her cousin said softly. In their family, it was discouraged to speak loudly in public places. She turned her head to Anya and provided her undivided attention. "I believe I see a compartment with some vacancies just ahead."
Peeking ahead a bit, Addie saw that her cousin was indeed correct. There was a fairly empty compartment, with only a single other student inside. The door was even open, possibly as an unspoken invitation. Did she dare take it?
A look from Anya was enough to encourage her. She stepped through the door, examining the other person in the compartment as inconspicuously as she could manage.
Greenish eyes. Reddish hair. The girl was holding several books that she recognized from her own shopping list, so that meant she was the studious sort, right? Yes, they would get along just fine.
Addie prepared to introduce herself, but realized her cousin was watching carefully from the doorway. She didn't dare attempt a more casual demeanor or introduction with Anya watching over her, so with practiced elegance, she curtsied in her black robes and nodded politely.
"Hello. I'm Adeline Wasserstein von Sternensehen-Müssinger II, it's very nice to meet you," she said, clearly and politely as she extended her hand for a handshake. "Getting a head start on your studies, I see."
Apparently satisfied, Anya turned and left them alone, and Addie barely managed to hide her relief. Hopefully this little introduction hadn't been enough to ruin her first official Hogwarts interaction.