Backdating SOLO Quite the Ride

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It was the day that the hogwarts express left the station, and Riley was up at 4 am. She couldnt wait for school! She had gotten her school supplies at hogsmeade the day before, and it was finally time. Riley was super-duper excited. The beginning of the day went by fast, and before she knew, it was time to board the hogwarts express. "Books?" Riley's house-elf was going through the checklist. "Yes Bertha" Riley replied "Cauldron? Riley sighed. "Yes Bertha" "Robes?" Riley was getting obviously annoyed. "Bertha!" The small elf looked anxious. "Sorry madame, Bertha simply wants you to have the best time." Riley gave Bertha a small smile. “You’re quite all right, Bertha. Now help me with the cart please." And just like that, it was time to leave. Riley pushed her cart through the platform, waved to Bertha, and got on the train. She got on the nearest cart from the entrance. Sure, she had wished her parents had came, but it was less sentimental. At least that was a way of looking at it. Once the train started, she gave Bertha a last wave. Then she was off. This was the start of her new life. The view of the London countryside was truly remarkable. The trees and the water were like nothing Riley had seen before. She tugged at her skirt. Her mother had insisted she wore something ‘fancy’, so Riley decided to wear something with a little flare. Not like she had to impress anyone right away. Riley’s mother told her that everyone is so focused on themselves that they don’t even notice the small things about other people. Riley didn’t agree of course, but she wanted to make her mother happy. She supposed she should be feeling sad, as this was a bittersweet moment, but she was more excited than sentimental. I mean, who wouldn’t be? She was about to experience something most muggles could never imagine. Hogwarts was home to some of the strongest spells and greatest magic in the wizarding world. Riley hoped she could become an amazing witch her. Perhaps even rivaling those of fame. She smiled at the thought. About mid-trip, Riley changed into her Hogwarts robe. She grew a bit anxious as she wondered what house she would be sorted into. Practically her whole family had been sorted into Slytherin. Her parents said they wouldn’t mind what house she was, and that she would thrive in any. It was her extended family that she had to be worried about. Riley would be most happy with whatever she got, as long as her dorm mates were kind and shared her interests. Riley beamed as the express inched closer to Hogwarts. To her delight, a small lady with a small cart appeared. She had sweets. “Would you like some candy?” She asked sweetly. Riley grinned as she got up out of her compartment. ”Yes please! Let’s see… I’ll take a pack of droobles… and a box of fizzing whizbees for the road.” Riley almost drooled as the lady handed over her candy. Riley popped a drooble into her mouth and blew a bubble. Riley spent the rest of the trip fantasizing about life at Hogwarts, when they finally reached the castle. She beamed. The castle was giant! It was one of the most beautiful things she had seen. And just like that, the ride came to a stop. As Riley stepped off the train, she felt a gust of wind hit her. She smiled and basked in the light of her new home.

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