Madeline and her parents - James and Isla - made the trip to Kings Cross to make the trek to Hogwarts. The family had gone, just the three of them, leaving the younger three children at home with other family to watch them - believing only 3 entering platform 9 3/4 would be less conspicuous than a family of 6 - with 4 children. Isla took Madeline by the hand, and walked quickly toward the barrier between platforms 9 & 10. Madeline was greeted by the loud commotion of conversing families as their children boarded the train on their way to school. Many first years were getting on, with one smaller girl crying and holding on to her mother as if she was scared, or nervous to go away from her family.

I was too excited to be nervous to get onto the train. When I saw the train, I ran to the entrance without thinking. Just before boarding I heard my name being called. I turned to see my mum and da standing there - my da still clutching the trolly with my trunk. Shaking his head da called to me, "Madeline, now just calm down or ye will let yer excitement overtake you. It is ok to be excited, but remember to be patient also." He gave be the trolly handle, and then reached out, giving me a deep hug and a kiss on the forehead. "With everything that is about to happen I want you to do one thing for me, can ye do that, eh?" He waiting, so I nodded and said, "I can do something. What do you need?" Once I finished my question, he continued as he let out a breath. "Darling, please remember to have some fun while you are there. Study is important - and I am positive you will have no issue doing that, but please, do not get so caught up in yer study that you forget to be a first year student, making some friends." He gave me another hug and kiss, then handed me off to my mum. I looked up at my mum, and all she could do was shake her head, and wipe her watery green eyes. She gave me a hug and a kiss, before she turned and tried to hide the small sobs. Knowing she was going to miss me, I decided I should not make it worse and should get onto the train as quickly as I could.

The trip on the Hogwarts Express was an enjoyable ride. The countryside the ride traversed reminded her much of her home in Ormiston. As the ride went on, and the destination neared, the lump in her throat and the weight in her chest grew. She had looked forward to this day for so many years. What if this was not everything that she anticipated that it would be? What if she tripped, or did something else silly when it was her time to be sorted? So many different what-ifs ran through her head that she was becoming more nervous than excited - and she thought that she might see a return of those chocolate frogs she ate on the train.

When the train finally came to a stop, the first years were ushered into the boats and sailed across the lake to enter the looming Castle of Hogwarts. The sight was amazing. The candles peeking out through the many windows. The reflection of the castle, the moon and stars on the lake. The movement of something large in the water - that made her jump a little, but then she took a breath and calmed down again, just taking in the majestic view of her entrance to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.