A Half New World
Ada settled into her seat in an empty compartment with a sigh. It had taken every fiber of her being to drag her mum and brothers to King's Cross Station an hour ahead of time to make sure she could get on the Hogwarts Express in plenty of time. She was loathe to admit it, but she was quite excited. It was the Hogwarts Express, after all. The Hogwarts Express.
She inhaled the well-worn smell of her little compartment on this historic part of Great Britain's wizarding world on this historic day in her life: her first day at Hogwarts and her first time living in a fully magical world. She pushed down the feeling of disappointment that it was really just an average train after all, besides the steam engine. That part had definitely lived up to her expectations.
The whistle trilled and she heard that engine now, building up steam literally as the gears shrieked with the stress of motion. Her naturally bored expression grew temporarily twisted as a pang of anxiety shot into her sternum. It was really happening, and although she was a tough kid with four brothers, she couldn't help but feel every sluggish centimeter the train ticked forward pulled her farther from her mother on the train platform.
She pressed her face to the window as her eyes earnestly sought the slight figure of her mum. She was relieved when she found her looking back. It was touching her mum had been looking at her out of the three kids she was sending off on this trip, even if Alex and Stanford had done this several times already. Lifting her small hand in a miniscule wave, she did her best to send those feelings on to her mother until Bobbie broke their gaze to finally acknowledge her sons. For a moment, Ada regretted her stubborn insistence that she find her own compartment and make her own friends. She was born a Ravenclaw, after all, and didn't need to pick up a bunch of Gryffindors she may never see again.
She pushed the regret out with a huff, slouching into her tall seat and curling her legs under herself to loiter on the thoughts of what was to come and what she may be leaving behind--at least for the rest of the year.
She inhaled the well-worn smell of her little compartment on this historic part of Great Britain's wizarding world on this historic day in her life: her first day at Hogwarts and her first time living in a fully magical world. She pushed down the feeling of disappointment that it was really just an average train after all, besides the steam engine. That part had definitely lived up to her expectations.
The whistle trilled and she heard that engine now, building up steam literally as the gears shrieked with the stress of motion. Her naturally bored expression grew temporarily twisted as a pang of anxiety shot into her sternum. It was really happening, and although she was a tough kid with four brothers, she couldn't help but feel every sluggish centimeter the train ticked forward pulled her farther from her mother on the train platform.
She pressed her face to the window as her eyes earnestly sought the slight figure of her mum. She was relieved when she found her looking back. It was touching her mum had been looking at her out of the three kids she was sending off on this trip, even if Alex and Stanford had done this several times already. Lifting her small hand in a miniscule wave, she did her best to send those feelings on to her mother until Bobbie broke their gaze to finally acknowledge her sons. For a moment, Ada regretted her stubborn insistence that she find her own compartment and make her own friends. She was born a Ravenclaw, after all, and didn't need to pick up a bunch of Gryffindors she may never see again.
She pushed the regret out with a huff, slouching into her tall seat and curling her legs under herself to loiter on the thoughts of what was to come and what she may be leaving behind--at least for the rest of the year.
A Half New World
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The steam curled thick and white around Ada’s boots as she stepped onto Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, the sound of it hissing like something alive. She adjusted the pale scarf at her neck, fingers brushing the heavy silver earring that always made her feel a little steadier, a little more herself.
King’s Cross was louder than she’d imagined—voices overlapping, trunks scraping stone, owls calling sharply from their cages. Ada stood still for half a second, icy jade eyes scanning the crowd with practiced alertness. Years of being told be careful, don’t go too far, stay where I can see you had sharpened her awareness more than she liked to admit. Nox was squirming in her arms, His eyes green eyes flicking around nervously. He knew better than to run away but that dint make him comfortable in this situation.
Her mother knelt to straighten the strap on Ada’s trunk, brisk and efficient even now. “Remember,” she said, voice firm in the way only Aurors seemed to master, “if something feels wrong, trust your instincts.”
Ada huffed softly. “I always do.”
That earned her a small smile. The whistle blew.
Ada’s chest tightened—not fear exactly, but something sharper. Anticipation.
She hoisted her trunk with more muscle than most kids her age had, and climbed onto the train with only one look back. If she looked back long enough, she knew she’d hesitate —and Ada didn’t hesitate.
The corridor was narrow, packed with students laughing loudly or arguing about Houses they were absolutely convinced they belonged to. The extra noise was just too much for Nox, The train lurched forward and Ada lost her grip on the Siamese cat. He dashed into the nearest compartment. When she slid open the door, she found that someone was all ready sitting there.
"Have you seen my cat?" Ada asked worriedly. Nox was cowering in the corner of the chair opposite the girl. Oh, Nox. She said, scooping him up as she tried to hide the relief in she felt. Relief and disappointment. There goes my first chance to make friends. She thought. She probably thinks I'm a total idiot right now. As London began to slide away, Ada rested the her forehead against the glass. Her reflection stared back at her: wild pixie-cut hair tipped with auburn, cheeks flushed, eyes sharp and bright with questions. Was she cut out for this? Did she really belong at Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry? After some amount of time had passed, hours or minuts? She didn't know Ada looked towards her travel companion. "Hello... sorry for barging in here like that... my name's Ada, what's your's?" Ada asked quietly, embarrassment reddening her cheeks even more than they were already. Anything she may have sad would have sounded awkward, though this sentience had sounded better in her head than it did out loud.
Last edited by Ada Hawkins on 17 Jan 2026, 13:04, edited 1 time in total.
A strong girl looks a challenge in the eye and gives it a wink |
Stamina 6 • Evasion 7 • Strength 4 • Wisdom 6 • Arcane power 4• Accuracy 8 |
A Half New World
Ada had plans for what to do on the train. She'd brought books and art supplies as well as an entire schedule for how best to use her time on the journey. All of that was immediately dashed by a Siamese cat wiggling its way between the compartment doors to cower on the bench across from her.
She didn't have long to process this visitor before a young girl with bicolored hair followed. "Have you seen my cat?" The question went unanswered because it took the newcomer only a flick of her silvery eyes to zero in on the refugee in question. Ada followed these events like a tennis match, feeling her attention shoot back and forth between the two. It settled finally on the girl Ada realized must also be a first year, as her outfit had no colors to demonstrate belonging to a house.
"Hello... sorry for barging in here like that... my name's Ada, what's your's?"
"That's quite alright," Ada offered immediately, almost missing the surprising introduction. She was able to catch it due to her hearing sharpened over years of hearing her own name. "Ada," she perked up, offering a hand in greeting. "I mean, my name is Ada, too," she smiled, enthused by the feeling of a fateful meeting. "Are you a first year? I noticed you have no colors on your robes. I'm a first year, too, although I'm certain I'll be sorted into Ravenclaw."
She was the chatty sort when she got going, ready to dominate an entire conversation if others didn't fight for their time to talk. "You have a pet already? I begged my mom for an owl, but she said I had to save up for one myself."
@Ada Hawkins
She didn't have long to process this visitor before a young girl with bicolored hair followed. "Have you seen my cat?" The question went unanswered because it took the newcomer only a flick of her silvery eyes to zero in on the refugee in question. Ada followed these events like a tennis match, feeling her attention shoot back and forth between the two. It settled finally on the girl Ada realized must also be a first year, as her outfit had no colors to demonstrate belonging to a house.
"Hello... sorry for barging in here like that... my name's Ada, what's your's?"
"That's quite alright," Ada offered immediately, almost missing the surprising introduction. She was able to catch it due to her hearing sharpened over years of hearing her own name. "Ada," she perked up, offering a hand in greeting. "I mean, my name is Ada, too," she smiled, enthused by the feeling of a fateful meeting. "Are you a first year? I noticed you have no colors on your robes. I'm a first year, too, although I'm certain I'll be sorted into Ravenclaw."
She was the chatty sort when she got going, ready to dominate an entire conversation if others didn't fight for their time to talk. "You have a pet already? I begged my mom for an owl, but she said I had to save up for one myself."
@Ada Hawkins
A Half New World
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At least she’s not acting like I’m an idiot, Ada thought with mild relief.
“Ada,” the other girl said, holding out her hand. “I mean, my name is Ada, too," she smiled.
Ada blinked, then took it. The girl was smaller, neatly put together—light brown hair smoothed into place, sleeves straightened twice before she sat. Not like Ada, with her untidied hair croped in a pixie cut.
“Nice to meet you,” Ada said. “And you’ve already met my cat. Nox.” She nodded toward the Siamese-bobtail lounging across the seat. His tiny tail twitched once, like a judgement passed.
The Hogwarts Express rattled beneath them, steam hissing outside the window. Fields blurred by, green and gold, and the excitement in Ada’s chest buzzed louder than the train. First year. Finally.
They sat in a silence that wasn’t awkward, just cautious. Ada studied the other girl from the corner of her eye.
Nox hopped down and wound between their feet, brushing both of them before he hopped onto Ada's lap. The train whistle blew, long and shrill ouside signaling it's departure. Ada leaned back against the seat, eyes bright. Whatever waited at the castle—sorting, spells, mistakes—she’d face.
"Are you a first year? I noticed you have no colors on your robes. I'm a first year, too, although I'm certain I'll be sorted into Ravenclaw."
"Ravenclaw eh? I dunno what house I'll be in but both my parents were in Gryffindor so thats probably were I'll go, too." Ada said. ada's always wanted to be in the house of Gryffindor but she trusted the Horting Hat to choose the right house. She could verry well be in Slytherin.
A strong girl looks a challenge in the eye and gives it a wink |
Stamina 6 • Evasion 7 • Strength 4 • Wisdom 6 • Arcane power 4• Accuracy 8 |
A Half New World
Ada spent her time lifting things carefully from her equally carefully organized, lap-sized chest. It was the sort with shelves inside that swung out to reveal a deeper bottom. One side held longer cubbies with colored pencils, paint brushes, and the sort of watercolor paints used by most British school children. The other side had more square cubbies with crayons, pastels, and colorful rubbers slid in properly all next to each other.
Ada swung those compartments out to the side to lift some items out of the deeper, bottom of the chest. She lifted some books and notebooks out, tucking them between her leg and the wall. Lastly, she pulled out a can of tuna.
"I have this for Nox, if it's alright. Maybe he'll stick around instead of running off again if we give him something good?" She handed the can off to Ada if she was interested adding on, "I can always buy something from the food cart when it comes around."
"Do you want to be a Gryffindor?" she asked, conflicted over her companion's resignation to being in the same house as her parents. She sounded as if she were simply resigned to what she presumed was her fate. "I'm not sure I could stand to be a Hufflepuff myself, like my mom. My dad was also a Gryffindor, and I think that could be okay...but not if that means I have to see my brothers all the time," she decided with a wrinkle of disgust traveling across her mouth. She tryied to imagine herself anywhere else but Ravenclaw. It just felt disjointed.
Her thoughts on the subject cut off with a shudder as she returned her attention to organizing her travel supplies. "I have art supplies or books here you can borrow if you need something to do," she offered without looking up. She lifted up a couple of the books tucked by her leg, turning her hand at a weird angle to see the covers. "For books, I've got the third and fourth Percy Jackson books..." she slid to the next books, "Aaaaand, a couple of Diary of a Wimpy Kid books," she flipped through the rest.
"Any of that sound interesting?" she offered more directly as her cool brown eyes lifted inquisitively to her name twin's own silvery green ones.
@Ada Hawkins
Ada swung those compartments out to the side to lift some items out of the deeper, bottom of the chest. She lifted some books and notebooks out, tucking them between her leg and the wall. Lastly, she pulled out a can of tuna.
"I have this for Nox, if it's alright. Maybe he'll stick around instead of running off again if we give him something good?" She handed the can off to Ada if she was interested adding on, "I can always buy something from the food cart when it comes around."
"Do you want to be a Gryffindor?" she asked, conflicted over her companion's resignation to being in the same house as her parents. She sounded as if she were simply resigned to what she presumed was her fate. "I'm not sure I could stand to be a Hufflepuff myself, like my mom. My dad was also a Gryffindor, and I think that could be okay...but not if that means I have to see my brothers all the time," she decided with a wrinkle of disgust traveling across her mouth. She tryied to imagine herself anywhere else but Ravenclaw. It just felt disjointed.
Her thoughts on the subject cut off with a shudder as she returned her attention to organizing her travel supplies. "I have art supplies or books here you can borrow if you need something to do," she offered without looking up. She lifted up a couple of the books tucked by her leg, turning her hand at a weird angle to see the covers. "For books, I've got the third and fourth Percy Jackson books..." she slid to the next books, "Aaaaand, a couple of Diary of a Wimpy Kid books," she flipped through the rest.
"Any of that sound interesting?" she offered more directly as her cool brown eyes lifted inquisitively to her name twin's own silvery green ones.
@Ada Hawkins
A Half New World
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| xxx | "I have this for Nox, if it's alright. Maybe he'll stick around instead of running off again if we give him something good?" She handed the can off to Ada if she was interested adding on, "I can always buy something from the food cart when it comes around." Ada took the can of tuna reluctantly, she didn't want to intrude on the girls hospitality. Nox, on the other hand, thought differently. He pounced on the tuna-can like it was a mouse, his short little tail in the air. Ada laughed, "It's been a while since he's had tuna" she said wrestling the can from Nox's claws. "Two and a half hours to be exact." a smell chuckle escaped her lips. "Thank you," She said looking up after setting the opened can on the seat next to her were Nox began loudly munching in his treat. "I have art supplies or books here you can borrow if you need something to do," she offered without looking up. She lifted up a couple of the books tucked by her leg. "For books, I've got the third and fourth Percy Jackson books..." she slid to the next books, "Aaaaand, a couple of Diary of a Wimpy Kid books," she flipped through the rest. "Any of that sound interesting?" she offered more directly as her cool brown eyes lifted inquisitively. "Oh, no thanks," Ada said. "I've already got something to do," she said pulling from inside her bag a sketchbook. The pages were filled with inky drawing's of animals, plants, just about anything that came to Ada's mind. She pulled a quill from her pocket. There was no feather atop it, just a dark wooden brush tip, splattered with paint. "Do you like to draw?" Ada asked. though the question was needless, her art supply's spoke for themselves. | xxx |
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xxxx Half a New World"I’m listening. I’m just not impressed." |
A strong girl looks a challenge in the eye and gives it a wink |
Stamina 6 • Evasion 7 • Strength 4 • Wisdom 6 • Arcane power 4• Accuracy 8 |