It was 10:50 am. Matilde and her family stood on the infamous platform 9 ¾. Though it was a cool morning, Matilde was sweating a bit. The anxiety she first had when she got her letter was back. What was she doing here? This wasn’t where she belonged. She wanted to be back home, with her friends and her family and her farm. She wasn’t bad at making new friends, the problem was, the only wizard children she had really interacted with were Phelan, her best friend, and her cousins. What if she didn’t fit in? She knew that was silly, because there were many other half blood and even muggle born students at Hogwarts. It didn’t stop her racing heart, though.
Her brother nudged her gently. “We need to get on the train.”
Matilde turned to her parents. They were both slightly teary eyed. Matilde hugged them both, and instantly felt a little better. Comforting others always cheered her up.
Matilde’s mother looked at her daughter closely. Out of everyone in Matilde’s family, she could tell the easiest how the girl was feeling. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine, it’s just…it’s hard leaving.”
“I know. Have fun,” her mother said, looking Matilde in the eye, seriously. “You’ll do great, I know it. Make lots of friends, have great adventures…just remember, we’re always here for you.”
Matilde nodded, hugging her mother again. “Do you mind…which house I get into?”
Her mother shook her head, looking surprised. “Of course not! Don’t you worry about your house. I knowed you’ll be great wherever you go.”
“Don’t get into too much trouble,” her father said, winking. “But maybe a bit is okay.”
Matilde laughed. Her dad liked to tell her stories about his childhood antics and he wished he had access to wizard pranks when he was her age. Matilde didn’t think she had inherited too much of his talent for mischief, but she was never one to turn down an adventure. As long as it wasn’t going to get her into trouble.
“Come on Tills, we really have to go now!”
“Okay I’m coming!” She gave her parents one last hug. “See you at christmas!” She called over her shoulder, waving. She followed her brother, boarding the Hogwarts Express for the first time.
