Like with all well known stories, Calista’s experience on the way to Howarts was full of excited expectation. For many young wizards and witches, their schools embodied their homes for as long as they studied, and led the newbies to prosper in the magical world. And Calista was sure her life in Hogwarts was going to be the perfect foundation for her future.

Just outside the train, Calista shuffled into the line. The sun was surprisingly hot out, causing a celestial shine to beat down on those below. Calista’s light blond hair framed her face, and her beautiful blue eyes were full of excitement. She gripped her book tightly, wondering if what she read was true. Could a magical school really teach her all those things? They seemed impossible!

Calista was dressed in loose denim jeans, a soft blue sweater, and dark black boots. A few jewels decorated her neck and wrist; she insisted she could go without them if needed, but in reality, they completed her every look. Although, she supposed she hardly brought enough to cover her entire Hogwarts journey. Going home during vacation was always an option, though. Her parents never did, but she doubted she would carry on that specific tradition.

Finally wading her way through the crowd, Calista made it onto the train. Immediately she was greeted by a variety of people, all entirely different from one another. Some looked as young as her, others looked like they could be her parents! Despite this, a nervous energy was captured in the room. Some were talking about what they hoped to do that year with their enormous friend groups, while others were sitting alone, reading, or doing other independent activities. At this, Calista’s eternal optimism grew further. So many different people were here, she was guaranteed to make new friends!

Of course, it wasn’t just the magical people that enchanted her, though most of her loved ones did fall into that category. Magical studies– potions, defense against the dark arts, and charms, to name a few,– had always intrigued Calista. There were so many subjects she was barred off from learning until coming of age, it made her want to learn them even more, hence the books she carried. Her current book was about some type of charms… or transfiguration? While she loved reading them, she never quite understood their contents. The embracive feeling they gave off made it worth it, though! Regardless, she promised herself that she would put down the book should anyone attempt to interact with her. Socializing could be equally as fun!

Pacing the halls for a place to sit, she quickly came across an empty cabin in the back of the train. The plush velvet seats paired with the thick maroon drapes were quite aesthetically pleasing. Calista only hoped the rest of Hogwarts would look so beautiful.

Quickly, she sat. Turning her head, she began peering out the window. The glass reflected the sun, illuminating everything outside. For a second, she began being lost in thought. The high hills dotted with ancient oak trees and distant mountains were both familiar and strange. She marveled at the ever changing topography of England.

She opened her book to its first page and began reading just as the train accelerated. Eager to learn more, she sped through the pages as she was hypnotized by a world of spells and charms. She felt giddy. This trip was the crossing point into the world she had fantasized about for so long. For years, her parents had helped her acquire new information about past Hogwarts students and the amazing things they did. Now, Calista was prepared to write her own narrative, face her own challenges, and thrive in her own accomplishments.

The blonde's attention would often drift as she read, her finger eventually ending up tracing the book's outline. The promise of a new adventure left her hungry for more, something a simple book couldn't provide.

Calista’s gaze filtered to the compartment’s door, listening to the relaxing noises of the students chatter, the rustling of papers, the laughter and joy the train caused, all of which seemed to slowly recede as the train moved on.

The muffled noise of feet at her corridor disturbed the silence of the compartment. Waiting just outside the door, a person around the same age as Calista had their hand hovering just over the handle.

Perhaps a new friend would be made sooner than she first thought.

Haley closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She heard an echoing voice announcing train departures and other details she couldn't quite hear over the chatter of voices around her. There was a steady clatter of steps; some a hurried pitter-patter, others slowed, almost hesitant. A consistent sound of wheels turning, presumably from trunks or trolleys, drowned out the distant sound of pigeons chirping and cooing.

Haley's eyes snapped open and her heart fluttered as she thought she heard "Hogwarts Express" over the microphone. She looked frantically around, realizing that was in fact at King's Cross station, still needing to cross onto platform 9 & 3/4. No need to panic, she told herself, attempting to slow her breathing. Her father looked at her expectantly, nodding towards the barrier between platforms 9 and 10. Haley smiled, swallowed audibly, and jogged towards the barrier.

Well that was terrifying, Haley thought to herself as she slowed her gait. It's an odd feeling running at what appears to be a solid wall, yet evading collision. She chewed on her bottom lip nervously. She looked around as she heard a burst of steam erupt from the train before her. She let out a sigh of relief once she noticed the large, gold lettering on the otherwise scarlet-red train that read "Hogwarts Express".

It was hard to believe that she was finally going to Hogwarts. She had waited her whole life to get her acceptance letter. The excitement far outweighed any trepidation, but she did feel a twinge of sadness about leaving some of her friends behind. Haley had attended primary school upon her mother's instance up until now. Because they were muggles, Haley wasn't able to share the truth about her new school and her new life. All they knew was that she was going away to a boarding school for "gifted" children. It wasn't completely inaccurate.

Haley squinted as she moved into the sunlight. She was wearing a purple, baggy knitted sweater with soft, black leggings. Her worn, brown boots weren't exactly a fashion statement, but they were comfortable and had her favorite charm attached to the laces. She slightly regretted her wardrobe decision while standing in the heat of the sun, but it was too late to do anything about it now. Hopefully the train will have air conditioning, she thought, or magical air? I think that's a thing? She shared a brief farewell with her parents and hugged her younger brother. “I’ll miss you!” She tried to hold her brother a moment longer, but he was squirming to get out of her reach. She walked up to the train and turned back one last time to wave goodbye to her family. Smiling and struggling to contain her excitement, she boarded the train.

The train corridor smelled of old leather with a faint hint of chocolate. Muffled conversation and laughter drifted into the hall from the compartments. Haley wondered how she would decide where to sit. She traversed the train, peeking in through compartment windows that didn’t have the curtains drawn. She continued traveling until she came across a room occupied by only one student. She appeared to be about the same age, or at least Haley assumed that she was also a first year because she was alone. With an excited smile, she pulled open the compartment door. “Can I sit in here? It’s my first time going to Hogwarts. Are you a first year too? I’m Haley!” She spoke quickly without taking a breath. She pulled her trunk into the compartment with her and sat on the cushioned bench across from the other girl.