31 May 2025, 01:02
Every Tale Has Its Beginning
It was no surprise to Rose that she was a wizard. Nor was it a surprise to receive her Hogwarts letter. Her mother, being a halfblood herself, made sure she knew all about the magical world, along with the Muggle world that her father grew up in, at least until he found out he was a wizard.
It was a surprise, however, that Rose's father was not there to call her name when her Hogwarts letter came. That he was not there to show her the correct pattern of the bricks, while laughing about his attempts to get in the first time. That he was not there to run with her into Platform 9 3/4. That he wasn't there to hide his tears as she got on the train and waved from her compartment, starting a new chapter of her life.
Despite this, Rose was not alone.
Even though her father wasn't there, her mom was there for the whole journey. Her mom called her name when her letter came, hugging her with glee. Her mom was there to show her the pattern of the bricks, despite showing her many times before, rambling about how her parents showed her when she was Rose's age. Her mom was there to softly guide her to the platform, trying to hide her tears knowing her little girl was starting a new chapter in her life. Her mom was there to hug her tightly and wave wildly once Rose was safely on the train, waving from her compartment.
No, Rose was not alone.
It was a surprise, however, that Rose's father was not there to call her name when her Hogwarts letter came. That he was not there to show her the correct pattern of the bricks, while laughing about his attempts to get in the first time. That he was not there to run with her into Platform 9 3/4. That he wasn't there to hide his tears as she got on the train and waved from her compartment, starting a new chapter of her life.
Despite this, Rose was not alone.
Even though her father wasn't there, her mom was there for the whole journey. Her mom called her name when her letter came, hugging her with glee. Her mom was there to show her the pattern of the bricks, despite showing her many times before, rambling about how her parents showed her when she was Rose's age. Her mom was there to softly guide her to the platform, trying to hide her tears knowing her little girl was starting a new chapter in her life. Her mom was there to hug her tightly and wave wildly once Rose was safely on the train, waving from her compartment.
No, Rose was not alone.
Last edited by Rose Lacina on 31 May 2025, 03:50, edited 1 time in total.
31 May 2025, 02:04
Every Tale Has Its Beginning
Safely in a warm compartment, Rose waved to her mom, wiping the slight tears from her eyes, and started to sink back into her thoughts.
Diagon Alley, despite being there many times throughout her childhood, felt like a whole new place when it was her going to Hogwarts for the very first time. There were so many colors, sounds, and sights to see. It was a bit overstimulating at times, but that is what made it memorable.
Thankfully, her mother had money already on her, so they could skip Gringotts. To try and beat the crowds at Madam Malkin's that was common near the start of school, Rose and her mother decided to start there first for the usual, and slightly iconic, Hogwarts robes. Thankfully, the shop was empty, except for the shopkeeper, who helped them get everything they needed.
Following a trip to Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes (which was packed as always) and Potage's Cauldron Shop (nice and quick to get through), Rose was thrilled to go to Flourish and Blotts. Rose loved to learn, especially about creatures (both magical and nonmagical alike), so the bookstore was heaven to her, even if she had to get the required books for school rather than the ones that sounded more appealing. Still, there was nothing like the smell of a bookstore, and it was one more step towards the next chapter of her life.
Rose, despite knowing she was a witch and that she has to get a wand, was nervous to go into Ollivanders. She wanted a wand of course, so she could actually learn magic rather than just observe it, but the whole process of having to go wand by wand was still nervewracking.
Her nerves only increased as she tried wand after wand, none of them doing anything particularly dangerous in her hands but none of them feeling like home.
"How about... ash and unicorn hair? Give it a try little lady"
Suddenly, a feeling of calmness rolled over her as she was handed the wand. Giving it a little flick, flowers bloomed around the shop, and all Rose could do was close her eyes in bliss. This wand felt like home. This was her wand.
"A very loyal wand, I wonder if we have a future Hufflepuff right in front of us..."
Guess I'll find out soon, Rose thought, as she continued to get lost in her memories while looking out the compartment window at the trees rolling by. The Hogwarts Express was moving right along, and soon she would get her first view of the castle, and find out where her home would be for the next 7 years.
Diagon Alley, despite being there many times throughout her childhood, felt like a whole new place when it was her going to Hogwarts for the very first time. There were so many colors, sounds, and sights to see. It was a bit overstimulating at times, but that is what made it memorable.
Thankfully, her mother had money already on her, so they could skip Gringotts. To try and beat the crowds at Madam Malkin's that was common near the start of school, Rose and her mother decided to start there first for the usual, and slightly iconic, Hogwarts robes. Thankfully, the shop was empty, except for the shopkeeper, who helped them get everything they needed.
Following a trip to Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes (which was packed as always) and Potage's Cauldron Shop (nice and quick to get through), Rose was thrilled to go to Flourish and Blotts. Rose loved to learn, especially about creatures (both magical and nonmagical alike), so the bookstore was heaven to her, even if she had to get the required books for school rather than the ones that sounded more appealing. Still, there was nothing like the smell of a bookstore, and it was one more step towards the next chapter of her life.
Rose, despite knowing she was a witch and that she has to get a wand, was nervous to go into Ollivanders. She wanted a wand of course, so she could actually learn magic rather than just observe it, but the whole process of having to go wand by wand was still nervewracking.
Her nerves only increased as she tried wand after wand, none of them doing anything particularly dangerous in her hands but none of them feeling like home.
"How about... ash and unicorn hair? Give it a try little lady"
Suddenly, a feeling of calmness rolled over her as she was handed the wand. Giving it a little flick, flowers bloomed around the shop, and all Rose could do was close her eyes in bliss. This wand felt like home. This was her wand.
"A very loyal wand, I wonder if we have a future Hufflepuff right in front of us..."
Guess I'll find out soon, Rose thought, as she continued to get lost in her memories while looking out the compartment window at the trees rolling by. The Hogwarts Express was moving right along, and soon she would get her first view of the castle, and find out where her home would be for the next 7 years.
31 May 2025, 03:12
Every Tale Has Its Beginning
Rose knew that leaving her pets at home would be hard, but she did not realize exactly how hard it would be until she was standing at the fireplace with her trunk, looking at her dogs, owls, and beloved snake, wondering how she was going to go months without seeing them.
The time came to step through the fireplace with her mother, and all Rose could do was hope they knew how much she loved them.
To get the full experience of running through the platform entrance, Rose and her mother floo'd to a shop right near the station. Floo travel was never Rose's favorite, but it had to be done.
"Almost there Rose, you ready to enter the platform? I will be with you the whole time."
It was scary, standing there looking at what appeared to be a wall, but was actually the platform entrance - at least, that was what everyone said. What if they all lied, as if they were all playing one big joke on her? No, mom wouldn't do that. Right?
"It's okay Rose, just a few steps and you will be on the platform. I will go with you."
Right. Mom wouldn't lie. Just a few more steps.
Five
Four
Three.. almost there
Two.. please don't crash
One
And suddenly, as if she had just walked through an archway, Rose was on Platform 9 3/4.
The time came to step through the fireplace with her mother, and all Rose could do was hope they knew how much she loved them.
To get the full experience of running through the platform entrance, Rose and her mother floo'd to a shop right near the station. Floo travel was never Rose's favorite, but it had to be done.
"Almost there Rose, you ready to enter the platform? I will be with you the whole time."
It was scary, standing there looking at what appeared to be a wall, but was actually the platform entrance - at least, that was what everyone said. What if they all lied, as if they were all playing one big joke on her? No, mom wouldn't do that. Right?
"It's okay Rose, just a few steps and you will be on the platform. I will go with you."
Right. Mom wouldn't lie. Just a few more steps.
Five
Four
Three.. almost there
Two.. please don't crash
One
And suddenly, as if she had just walked through an archway, Rose was on Platform 9 3/4.
31 May 2025, 03:50
Every Tale Has Its Beginning
If Rose thought saying goodbye to her pets was hard, saying goodbye to her mom was even harder. She had never been away from her for a week, let alone months. She knew this time was going to come, but as the platform started to fill and the clock ticked closer to when the train would leave, Rose knew this was going to be one of the hardest things she had ever had to do.
"I am so proud of you Rose. I know you are going to have the best time and learn a lot. I love you so much, you can do this. Just don't forget to write."
How could she forget? Starting school in a fancy castle won't make her forget her mom, who has been there through everything.
A big hug and whispered words of encouragement (with a few tears shed of course), and Rose got on the train. She walked through the train, which was surprisingly empty as people waited until the last second to hop on, and found an empty compartment to settle down in. As the train started to move, Rose waved widely to her mom, both of them trying to hide their tears.
When all Rose could see was trees and a beautiful landscape, she settled down in a seat and started to get lost in her memories of how she ended up on a train to a new chapter in her tale.
"I am so proud of you Rose. I know you are going to have the best time and learn a lot. I love you so much, you can do this. Just don't forget to write."
How could she forget? Starting school in a fancy castle won't make her forget her mom, who has been there through everything.
A big hug and whispered words of encouragement (with a few tears shed of course), and Rose got on the train. She walked through the train, which was surprisingly empty as people waited until the last second to hop on, and found an empty compartment to settle down in. As the train started to move, Rose waved widely to her mom, both of them trying to hide their tears.
When all Rose could see was trees and a beautiful landscape, she settled down in a seat and started to get lost in her memories of how she ended up on a train to a new chapter in her tale.