The Beginning of a New Journey closed

A gentle breeze is what greets the Navarus family as they walk with the children to King’s Cross.

“There’s surprisingly few people today.” Argentus comments as he walks beside his sister pushing her trolley. Lyssandra looked around and was in awe of the surroundings.

“Few? I see a lot of Muggles though?” Argentus grins at her remark cheekily.

“Quite so, but they are greater in number usually.” Behind them, a regal-looking gentleman dressed in a long dark coat and an elegant walking cane hums as he looks over his children. As they reach the barrier that hides the platform, Lyssandra finds herself taking a deep breath.

“Nervous?” A gentle yet reassuring hand places itself on her shoulder. The young heiress looks up to the fond gaze of her father. To her side, she looks at Argentus and their mother giving her their own smiles of encouragement. Another firm squeezes from her shoulder and Lyssandra allows herself to be grounded by her father’s touch.

“I could help you cross, should you desire it.” Lyssandra contemplates, weighing her options, and then shaking her head.

“Thank you, father. However, I would like to experience this myself as well.” Surprised but expected, Lord Nereus Navarus nods and takes a step back.

“I told you, love.” Lady Lavenia Navarus snickers along with Argentus. The three of them look at Lyssandra as she squares her shoulders and takes quick and purposeful strides. Refusing to blink, there was a ripple and a moment of darkness and silence before she emerged onto the other side and was greeted by the crimson train. The hustling and bustling of her fellow wixen-kind welcomed her as she pushed her trolley a few feet forwards in case she collided with anyone else that was crossing the barrier.

The Hogwarts express was as red as Carolus had described it to be, puffing out white steam and she slowly approached the main platform.

What followed her was the sound of something rippling as she turned to see her mother, father, and brother crossing the barrier.

“So, this is the Hogwarts Express.” Argentus’ eyes widened at the sight as he approached Lyssandra.” It was quite odd for others after hearing that Nereus’s children are enrolled in different schools. Lord Navarus had explained that it was Argentus who chose to study in Durmstrang and that he preferred the structure of its education, but it got annoying after a few times so Nereus simply went “Is it really?” and went on with his day.

“It's beautiful.” Lyssandra smiles as their parents come closer.

“Come home for the holidays as much as you can, Lyssandra. Your father and I will miss you terribly.” The Lady Navarus makes some final adjustments to Lyssandra’s robes and tidying up her hair.

“Write letters too! Durmstrang-Hogwarts contrast and comparison correspondence.” Lyssandra gives him an amused smile.

“You just want to know the secret passages or confirm Carolus’ stories.” The young heir winked before they both exploded into snickers. Lavenia leaned in and placed a kiss on her daughter’s cheek and gave one to Argentus just to be fair. Argentus makes a small huffing sound, as if he were displeased when it was quite the contrary. He gave Lyssandra a big hug and gave her a pat on the head.

It was time.

Older students, Lyssandra believes them to be prefects, started to gently round up the remaining lingering students onto the train.

“Lyssandra,” Lord Nereus gently cups her face.

“Do well in your studies and take good care of yourself.” Lyssandra smiles and gives her father and the rest of her family a polite and formal curtsy and a quiet bid farewell.

“I will father.” Argentus gives him a bow, one he learned from Durmstrang to boot, as her mother gives her own slight tilt of her head. As Lord and Father to Lyssandra, Nereus took several steps back, placed a hand on his chest, and lowered his head as a formal send off to his youngest.

“Familia praesertim.” Lyssandra lowered her head and responded solemnly.

“Omnia pro Familia.” After responding with the other half of their family motto, Nereus threw decorum away and knelt before her—arms wide and eyes shining with something Lyssandra was not sure yet. The little heiress took her hands off her trolley and fell into her father’s arms, hugging him as tight as she could.

If she felt something shaking, Lyssandra would just say it was the wind.
Nereus let go of his daughter, with all the reluctance in the world and offered a wet smile. Lyssandra answered with a smile of her own. She takes some steps back and pushes her trolley towards a prefect and asks for some assistance with her belongings as he finally climbs into the crimson engine. The prefect offers to charm her trunk down and she gladly accepts their offer.

With her shrunken trunk in her pocket, she finds an empty carriage and is delighted to see her family looking at her from outside the window—3 pairs of eyes never leave hers until the Express makes a small jolt and they begin to leave.

One last wave and the bittersweetness of it all makes Lyssandra take a shuddering breath.

Aboard the Hogwarts Express, Lyssandra welcomes the anxiousness at the prospect of finally going to Hogwarts.