"A witch ought to look upon the world with pure confidence." The phrase bounced around Dahlia's mind as she stared down the wall between herself and platform 9 and 3/4. Her mother told her that at some point. She forgot the exact memory although there were plenty of similar instances. Dahlia was a competent, talented, and brave girl of eleven years and nearly six months. She could handle the trip to Hogwarts alone.

Besides... Was she not supposed to meet Iridia? Dahlia tilted her head, eyes searching for the girl in question. Perhaps she was already on the platform waiting. That seemed most likely. She was not late... not yet... but not early either. She would become late, however, if she did not get to the platform soon. Hence, with a hug for each of her parents and a quick wave, Dahlia grabbed her suitcase and sprinted through the platform wall.

The other side was crowded. The young witch craned her neck, still searching for her friend. She was tall for her age but not compared to the older years who were, at the moment, blocking her view. Oh, whatever... The future Gryffindor let out a small sigh. She may as well just board the train rather than waiting here surrounded by all these people. She could people watch in comfort from inside a compartment.

What compartment to pick... She may as well randomly select. There were far too many people in her way for her to think clearly. Hence, Dahlia chose to think using her elbows. She pushed a few people out of the way, sliding through gaps sideways until she had efficiently made her way to the front of the platform. That wasn't too hard, no? Those who were too polite to shove could wait their turn properly. Dahlia, for one, did not care.

I reach the station together with my parents. They drove me here by car. With Sunninghill in the near West of London it took us roughly 1 1/2 hours to reach the station but it was a pleasant drive spend with lots of listening to music and talking. Especially talking, with me not being able to reign my excitement in. I was sad to be separated from my parents for the next year, of course I was. However, the excitement, the prospect of all the new things to learn and explore, outweighed the sadness.

Reaching the station I excitedly bound ahead, reaching platform 9 and 10 way before them. As I waited on my parents, I kept bouncing on my heels, curiously watching the people passing by - and passing through the wall which, as I knew, was the passageway towards platform 9¾. When my parents finally reached me, I grabbed my mother's hand, pulling her with me through the wall. We were greeted by the sight of a big red train, hundreds of students saying their goodbyes, pets running and flying around. It was chaos - a perfect chaos I already enjoyed. My father tumbled through the barrier, looking around a bit nervous and just excited as I. I beamed up at them.

Goodbyes were said quickly and I gave each a hug. They quickly waved me off, knowing my excitement was getting the better of me again. Still beaming i climbed into the train, pulling my luggage after me. Passing several compartments I finally found a free one. I quickly stored my luggage and plopped down at a seat right at the window.

I waved at my parents, watching as they passed the barrier again. Letting my legs swing I watched outside, observing other saying their goodbyes to their parents and siblings. Inside the train several students passed my compartment, clearly in search of one where they could sit alone with their friends.