30 Jan 2024, 04:19
Off She Went
As Kate made her way through the thick crowds, her nerves slowly began to morph into unbridled excitement.
As the first witch to attend Hogwarts from a muggle family, Kate had no idea what lie ahead of her. Everywhere she looked lay an opportunity to ponder at something new. Owls, rats, cats, and toads sat on the platforms behind their distracted owners, seemingly in a world of their own. Parents cooing over the appearance of their children as they headed off to a new semester. Smells seeming to come from every direction made her feel as though she had never taken the time to actually use her nose before. Girls in their new school robes and matching headbands made her feel insecure in her appearance, as she had not yet changed and was still wearing jeans, a sweater, and sneakers. It felt as if she had walked into a different era, as though stepping through a painting or an old book. Kate felt completely at home.
As she pulled her heavy luggage onto the train, she walked to the very end of the cars- feeling nervous about joining in semi or half full rooms. As she walked by, wands were being flung around vigorously- producing sparks, smoke, and foul smells. Boys seemed to be rough housing and playing games she did not recognize. Sweets and snacks unlike anything Kate had ever seen were being opened and passed among friends- old and new. As she reached the final car, she found it empty- welcoming in that moment to her nervous brain. She felt as though she had a moment to take a very deep, long breath that was indeed long overdue.
She placed her luggage on the racks above the seats, sat in the chair on the left row nearest to the window, removed her jacket and backpack, and waited for whoever would enter the car next.
She couldn't have been happier.
Kate McConnell
As the first witch to attend Hogwarts from a muggle family, Kate had no idea what lie ahead of her. Everywhere she looked lay an opportunity to ponder at something new. Owls, rats, cats, and toads sat on the platforms behind their distracted owners, seemingly in a world of their own. Parents cooing over the appearance of their children as they headed off to a new semester. Smells seeming to come from every direction made her feel as though she had never taken the time to actually use her nose before. Girls in their new school robes and matching headbands made her feel insecure in her appearance, as she had not yet changed and was still wearing jeans, a sweater, and sneakers. It felt as if she had walked into a different era, as though stepping through a painting or an old book. Kate felt completely at home.
As she pulled her heavy luggage onto the train, she walked to the very end of the cars- feeling nervous about joining in semi or half full rooms. As she walked by, wands were being flung around vigorously- producing sparks, smoke, and foul smells. Boys seemed to be rough housing and playing games she did not recognize. Sweets and snacks unlike anything Kate had ever seen were being opened and passed among friends- old and new. As she reached the final car, she found it empty- welcoming in that moment to her nervous brain. She felt as though she had a moment to take a very deep, long breath that was indeed long overdue.
She placed her luggage on the racks above the seats, sat in the chair on the left row nearest to the window, removed her jacket and backpack, and waited for whoever would enter the car next.
She couldn't have been happier.
Kate McConnell
31 Jan 2024, 03:40
Off She Went
Once Pippa waved goodbye to her father from the front entrance of the train, she struggled to drag her luggage past each car quickly filling with other students. Her thin limbs could hardly handle the weight of her whole life packed away into a few sturdy suitcases. Glancing in each car, Pippa gave various groups a wave and a quick "Hello!", hoping to make a good first impression for her potential new friends. Most attempts were returned with a friendly gesture but she was also met with occasional silence from a few.
Thoroughly out of breath and running out of cars to claim a spot in, Pippa decided her best bet would be to head to the end of the train since most students were probably taking the first one they could find. When she reached the back, Pippa peered in, finding a girl around her same age who had clearly just finished settling in. "Sorry, do you think I could bother you to help me put my luggage away? I simply don't have the strength," Pippa let out an exaggerated sigh and jiggled her scrawny arms to emphasize the reason behind her request. She followed it with a big smile to let her know she was half-joking, then introduced herself, "I'm Pippa, by the way. Pippa Adams!"
Thoroughly out of breath and running out of cars to claim a spot in, Pippa decided her best bet would be to head to the end of the train since most students were probably taking the first one they could find. When she reached the back, Pippa peered in, finding a girl around her same age who had clearly just finished settling in. "Sorry, do you think I could bother you to help me put my luggage away? I simply don't have the strength," Pippa let out an exaggerated sigh and jiggled her scrawny arms to emphasize the reason behind her request. She followed it with a big smile to let her know she was half-joking, then introduced herself, "I'm Pippa, by the way. Pippa Adams!"