Off to Hogwarts!
✦ Location: King’s Cross Station
✦ Date: September 1st, 2025
✦ Time: 10:30AM
✦ Word Count: 456
Steam hissed from beneath the scarlet engine, curling around Willow’s shoes as she clutched the handle of her trolley and looked up at the massive train waiting before her. The platform was alive with sound - owls hooting, trunks clattering, and parents calling out last-minute reminders.
Her brother, Oliver, stood at her side, steady and patient as ever. His black-and-yellow Hufflepuff tie was already neatly knotted. “It’s not as scary as it looks,” he said, leaning slightly toward her so their parents wouldn’t overhear. “The first ride’s a bit loud, that’s all. After that, it’s just… exciting.”
Willow smiled nervously, still trying to believe this was really happening. “I can’t believe I’m actually going,” she murmured, fingers tightening around the trolley handle.
Their mum knelt beside her, tugging at her collar even though it was perfectly straight. “You’ll do wonderfully, sweetheart,” she said warmly, eyes bright with pride. “And you’ll have Oliver with you, so you’re in good hands.”
Their dad nodded, resting a reassuring hand on Willow’s shoulder. “Listen to your brother, work hard, and enjoy every minute,” he said. “You’ve got this, kiddo.”
Willow bit her lip, feeling that familiar flutter of nerves in her stomach. “I’ll try,” she whispered, glancing up at Oliver.
He grinned, the same easy, confident grin he’d had since the day his own letter had arrived. “You’ll do more than try,” he said. “You’ll be great. Come on - you don’t want to be the last one on.”
Their mum pulled Willow into a hug first, before pulling Oliver into a hug after. Then her dad followed, squeezing her close before stepping back beside her mum. Steam began to billow thicker now, and the train’s whistle pierced through the noise of the crowd.
“Go on, you two,” their dad said. “Before it leaves without you!”
Oliver grabbed one end of Willow’s trunk and helped her lift it onto the train before offering his hand. She took it, climbing the steps with a mix of excitement and nerves swirling in her chest.
From the doorway, Willow turned to look back one last time. Her mum was waving, her dad’s arm wrapped around her shoulders, both smiling proudly through the haze of steam. She waved hard, her throat tightening, before Oliver gently nudged her.
“Come on,” he said with a grin. “Let’s find a compartment before the good ones are gone.”
Willow followed him down the narrow corridor, the hum of chatter all around her. As the train began to move, she glanced out the window—watching her parents fade from view, replaced by the rolling countryside beyond.
Her nerves softened into excitement.
Oliver was off to Hogwarts again.
And this time, Willow was right there beside him.
✦ Date: September 1st, 2025
✦ Time: 10:30AM
✦ Word Count: 456
Steam hissed from beneath the scarlet engine, curling around Willow’s shoes as she clutched the handle of her trolley and looked up at the massive train waiting before her. The platform was alive with sound - owls hooting, trunks clattering, and parents calling out last-minute reminders.
Her brother, Oliver, stood at her side, steady and patient as ever. His black-and-yellow Hufflepuff tie was already neatly knotted. “It’s not as scary as it looks,” he said, leaning slightly toward her so their parents wouldn’t overhear. “The first ride’s a bit loud, that’s all. After that, it’s just… exciting.”
Willow smiled nervously, still trying to believe this was really happening. “I can’t believe I’m actually going,” she murmured, fingers tightening around the trolley handle.
Their mum knelt beside her, tugging at her collar even though it was perfectly straight. “You’ll do wonderfully, sweetheart,” she said warmly, eyes bright with pride. “And you’ll have Oliver with you, so you’re in good hands.”
Their dad nodded, resting a reassuring hand on Willow’s shoulder. “Listen to your brother, work hard, and enjoy every minute,” he said. “You’ve got this, kiddo.”
Willow bit her lip, feeling that familiar flutter of nerves in her stomach. “I’ll try,” she whispered, glancing up at Oliver.
He grinned, the same easy, confident grin he’d had since the day his own letter had arrived. “You’ll do more than try,” he said. “You’ll be great. Come on - you don’t want to be the last one on.”
Their mum pulled Willow into a hug first, before pulling Oliver into a hug after. Then her dad followed, squeezing her close before stepping back beside her mum. Steam began to billow thicker now, and the train’s whistle pierced through the noise of the crowd.
“Go on, you two,” their dad said. “Before it leaves without you!”
Oliver grabbed one end of Willow’s trunk and helped her lift it onto the train before offering his hand. She took it, climbing the steps with a mix of excitement and nerves swirling in her chest.
From the doorway, Willow turned to look back one last time. Her mum was waving, her dad’s arm wrapped around her shoulders, both smiling proudly through the haze of steam. She waved hard, her throat tightening, before Oliver gently nudged her.
“Come on,” he said with a grin. “Let’s find a compartment before the good ones are gone.”
Willow followed him down the narrow corridor, the hum of chatter all around her. As the train began to move, she glanced out the window—watching her parents fade from view, replaced by the rolling countryside beyond.
Her nerves softened into excitement.
Oliver was off to Hogwarts again.
And this time, Willow was right there beside him.