Chapter Text
I pulled A History of Magic off the bookshelf and placed it halfheartedly in my basket on top of A Standard Book of Spells Year One. Flourish and Blotts was more crowded than usual; many students and families were bustling around the shop doing last minute school shopping. To my right I saw a girl and a boy talking animatedly as they were flipping through books – he looked older than she did; I couldn’t help but wonder if they were sister and brother.
An unpleasant mixture of jealousy, sadness, and anger spread throughout my body. That was how my first day buying school books was supposed to look – with my older brother leading me through the store and sharing in my excitement. If only Sean…
I shook my head and began navigating my way through the narrow aisles to pay for my books. I didn’t want to think about my brother right now – every time I did my heart felt a sharp pang. I counted out my Sickles and Galleons and thanked the storekeeper as I began shoving through towards the exit.
“What do you mean you left your school list at home?!” Normally I would have continued walking, but the voice was so loud and vehement I ended up halting and turning to look for the source of the noise. An elderly witch was glaring at a boy about my age; her face was red with anger and her muscles were tensed.
The boy was a few inches taller than me. He had broad shoulders, was athletically built, and had brown hair that swept upwards in an attractive mess on the side. Although he looked more physically intimidating than the witch standing in front of him, his head was dropped low and he was vulnerable with his shrunken posture. “I’m sorry, grandma, it was an accident…”
“Of course it was an accident! How many times do I have to hear those words from you, Barnaby?” Her voice rose and I was no longer the only one watching the spectacle. It seemed the entire store stopped what they were doing to stare. “Your father and mother didn’t raise you to be so brainless and irresponsible! They would be so ashamed of you if they could see you now!” The boy, Barnaby, had tears silently falling down his cheeks and it looked like he was fighting hard to keep his lip from trembling. My heart went out to him – I had spent several days this summer crying. I didn’t know this boy, but I did know that no one deserved to cry alone.
I began to approach Barnaby, but before I was acknowledged the store manager intervened. “Excuse me, ma’am, I need to ask you to lower your voice. Otherwise, you may leave my shop and take your yelling elsewhere. You are disturbing my customers.”
The witch rounded on her instead. “You just lost our business. I haven’t been in this establishment for many years; I see it’s grown tolerant of dirty muggles and mudbloods. My grandson and I will find his school supplies elsewhere. Come, Barnaby, we’re leaving this place.” I watched as the boy followed his grandmother out of the shop, his eyes trained on the ground. I hesitated for a heartbeat and, mind made up, swung the shop door open and went outside.
I stood on my toes to try and find Barnaby, but he and his grandmother had already been swallowed into the mob of wizards and witches wandering the streets of Diagon Alley. The crowd was so thick, strangers were walking elbow to elbow alongside one another. There was no chance I would be able to find him now. I exhaled with disappointment – I just wanted to comfort him and tell him that everything would be okay; that the insults his grandmother made about him weren’t true. Just like how the insults people made about my brother weren’t true...
“Sean Stewart was a nasty piece of work, he was. I heard he went to join the Death Eaters after school days were over.”
“The Stewart family is dangerous – just look at all the trouble that Stewart boy caused Hogwarts! The school is much better off with him gone. Good riddance.”
Giving up, I decided to make my way to Ollivander’s to get the next item on my school list. Despite the gnawing emptiness I felt without my brother, I couldn’t help but feel twinges of excitement. After all, I was moments away from owning my first wand.
My eyes took a moment to adjust to the dimly lit yellow lights inside the wand shop. The scent of polished wood filled my nostrils. I looked around and saw many rows of boxes shoved in various nooks and crannies, and a disheveled stack of papers on a desk in front of me. I shifted on my feet uncomfortably, not knowing if I was supposed to call out for assistance or begin picking through the boxes.
An older man stepped out from behind shelfing. He clapped his hands together when he noticed me; the harsh noise echoing unpleasantly. “Ah! Miss Kristina Stewart! Here to receive your first wand, yes?”
“Um...” I was taken aback by him knowing my name. Had I met him before? I’m sure I would have remembered him if I did – his hair was fluffed and white, and his eyes were pale blue.
The stranger chuckled at my dumbfounded expression and introduced himself, “Garrick Ollivander is my name. I have just the thing...” His figure was buried behind a stack of boxes and I heard him mumbling as boxes were being shuffled. He emerged and held out a wand to me. “Applewood wand, dragon heartstring core, nine inches, rigid.” My slender fingers trembled anxiously as they wrapped around the wand. I had expected some kind of electric sensation running through me when I held a magical object. Instead, all I felt was cool wood. Was this supposed to feel this way? As I continued marveling, Ollivander clicked his tongue impatiently and demanded, “Go on. Give it a twirl!”
I swished the Applewood and the wandmaker’s stack of papers flew into the air and began attacking me. I held my arms in front of my face to protect it as sheets of paper dive bombed from every direction. The sheets gave one final thrust towards my body and then fell lifelessly around my feet. Mortified, I handed the wand back to Ollivander. “I am so sorry!”
To my confusion, he began chuckling again. “It’s not your fault. The wand chooses the wizard, and that is clearly not the wand for you.” With a twinkling wink he added, “I recall your brother exploded my favorite inkpot when he tried his first wand.”
It felt like the ground beneath me disappeared as my stomach lurched. “You... knew Sean?”
“I remember every wand I’ve ever sold.” Ollivander turned his back to me as he gingerly placed the Applewood wand in its proper box. “His was maple wood, dragon heartstring core, ten inches. A fine wand. Shame they snapped it in half when he was expelled.” He faced me again, and slowly inched closer to me as he said softly, “I understand that he ran away from home after being expelled and has been missing ever since. That must have had a profound impact on you...”
Anger exploded beneath my rib cage. My muscles tightened as I relived recent memories. “Expelling him was completely unfair, and it was just as wrong of him to run away without telling me.” Although I tried to keep my voice as even as possible, it shook with emotion.
The wandmaker watched me quizzically. “Hmm...” I glared at him in return, daring him to spew callous judgments about Sean like everyone else always did. To my surprise, he smiled kindly. “I think I may have just the wand...”
Feeling embarrassed for how I reacted, I went back to swaying on my feet as he rummaged through the shelves and brought another box to me. He opened it and held a wand out. “Rowan... much favored wand wood. Unicorn hair core, twelve and a quarter inches. Supple flexibility.” I admired it in his hand – the wood was beige and smooth, and it had an elegant vine-like design spiraling around it. Taking it from him I flicked it.
My breath caught in my chest. An orange mist swirled around my being. Warmth radiated from the Rowan onto my palm and moved up my arm.
The mist died away, and it took me a moment to remember I was standing next to Ollivander. He clapped his hands together so loudly that I jumped. “Splendid! Just splendid!” He handed the wand’s box to me, eyes not leaving mine. I grabbed onto the edge of the box expecting him to hand it to me, but he continued holding it. He studied me intently and spoke, “I’ll be interested to see what paths you choose to go down…” A lump formed in my throat as I maintained eye contact. Several moments later, his knobby fingers released the box and accepted my sickles for payment. His eyes continued to stare piercingly at me as I waved goodbye and left his shop.
The uneasy feeling I had felt with the wandmaker disappeared in the summer’s heat, and a bubble of happiness spread around me. I had, after all, been chosen by my first wand. It felt comforting in a way – like it was a companion I could carry with me wherever I went. Humming to myself I headed towards Gringotts bank, where I promised mum I would meet her. Seeing that she wasn’t there yet I climbed a few of the marble steps and sat down with my wand and textbooks. I began scanning the crowds of witches and wizards milling around and became lost in thought.
“First time going to Hogwarts?”
I jumped in my seat and glanced up. Standing in front of me was a black boy that looked to be my age. His hair was dark and closely shaved, and his smile was almost unnaturally sparkling. He was by far the most fashionable wizard I had ever laid eyes on – he had a purple scarf loosely draping from his neck, and a magenta shirt with sleeves that reached his elbows and showed off his muscular tone.
I gaped at him, my brown eyes meeting his. “How did you know?”
He looked me up and down as if studying me; everywhere from my long and wavy brown hair - bangs blowing in the breeze - to my painted toenails peeking out from my sandals. “You have that look about you. This will be my first year at Hogwarts as well. I’m Andre Egwu.”
He seemed friendly enough, but since everything Sean had done our last name had become something to be judged. Instead of offering my name, I patted the step next to me. “Hi Andre. Why don’t you sit with me?”
His eyebrows raised in alarm. “Are you kidding? These are my favorite trousers. I’m not about to sit on the ground.”
I stood up, laughing. “That’s fine, I’ll just stand here with you instead.” I pointed to his scarf. “I really like your scarf! I love how bright it is.”
Andre beamed. “My grandma just bought it for me! It’s for Pride of Portree and I never want to go anywhere without showing my support for them. I love Quidditch. The Prides are the best team in the league! Who do you support?”
“I’m actually not much of a Quidditch follower...” I admitted.
Andre’s eyes enlarged and his mouth opened in a comical ‘O’ shape, completely in disbelief. “When we get to Hogwarts I’m going to show you what you’re missing out on. ‘Not much of a Quidditch follower’...” He closed his eyes and shook his head as if trying to forget something unpleasant. Once he regained composure he continued, “I’m sorry, I got so excited talking about Pride of Portree that I forgot to ask you your name...”
Here it was. The moment he would tell me that my family was insane. The moment he would begin avoiding me. The moment I would be reminded that I’ll never have friends at Hogwarts.
I clenched my teeth and held my breath for a moment, preparing myself for the inevitable. I held my chin up and answered, “My name is Kristina Stewart...”
Andre studied me in silence, curiosity written across his face. “Kristina Stewart? Any relation to Sean Stewart?”
I felt my fingernails pinching into my palms as I squeezed my fists. I hoped he couldn’t see the worry I was trying to hide. “He’s my brother.”
Andre gasped. “The same Sean Stewart who was expelled from Hogwarts for breaking school rules in search of the fabled Cursed Vaults?! That was a massive story in the Daily Prophet. Everyone at school will know about that.”
“I know,” I answered, my voice giving myself away with a groan, “And they’ll think I’m insane and dangerous.”
Another moment of silence passed. I had disclosed too much – I didn’t want him to see me vulnerable in any way. I tried to look confident and brave, but instead my head drooped and I stared at my toes. As I began calculating ways to escape the situation, I felt his hand set on my shoulder with a firm grip. “I won’t let that happen.” His voice was strong and sure.
People were surprising me today. I had gone all summer being judged and shunned, and now two people in one day didn’t smear Sean’s name when he was brought up. Cautiously I glanced at Andre’s face. “How can you be so certain?”
He flashed another brilliant smile in my direction. “Because there is something I am considered an expert in, and that is fashion.” My eyebrow curved and mouth became agape, showcasing my confusion. Elaborating he continued, “Clothes make the wizard. The better you look, the better you feel, the better you are at Quidditch.” He pointed with both hands at me, “Or, in your case, fitting in. I want to help you, and we’ll start by going shopping.”
My heart skipped a beat. “You would do that for me? But you barely know me...”
“You’re right. I don’t really know you.” Andre dismissively waved his hand. “But what’s a better way of getting to know someone than helping them find a proper outfit? And besides, you told me you liked my scarf. Anyone that can admire Pride of Portee merchandise can be a friend of mine.” He grinned and winked at me.
I felt my muscles relax while relief and gratitude filled my heart. I was pretty sure I had just made my first Hogwarts friend. “Thanks, Andre. Are you going to be around tomorrow? I’m staying at the Leaky Cauldron.”
“Sure! I’ll meet you at Florean Fortescue Ice Cream Parlor at noon.” Andre eyed the textbooks next to me. “You are really cutting the school supply shopping close. Our train leaves for Hogwarts in two days.”
“Well, I would have started shopping for supplies sooner but Sean...” I sighed. Andre showed me that he cared; he earned my honesty. “I don’t know why he ran away and I don’t know what happened to him... I was hoping that maybe if I waited long enough, he would be back to go school shopping with me to see me off...”
“I’m not judging you, Kristina.” His voice softened. “I have a sister... I can’t imagine what it would be like not knowing if she was okay, or not knowing if I’d see her again.” Andre gently touched my upper arm. “See you tomorrow, okay?”
I felt my lip curl upwards into a smile. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Why would you get chocolate chip ice cream? Chocolate chips only belong in cookies – this is a total waste of their potential. You’re committing a crime.” Andre frowned at my cup of ice cream, as if it was its fault that it wasn’t a cookie.
I savored my next spoonful as dramatically as possible. “You’re one to talk. Who would put pistachios in ice cream? I’ve never even heard of that!”
Andre lifted his head in a sophisticated manner. “Pistachios have great nutritional value, thank you very much.”
I laughed and enjoyed another taste of cool sweetness on my tongue - it was a wonderful contrast to the summer’s heat. “So where is a good place to shop for clothes in Diagon Alley?”
We threw away our empty ice cream cups and continued strolling down the cobbled street. “Don’t worry, I know all of the classiest stores here!” His pace quickened and he began talking rapidly about various fashion trends and what colors would go best with my light skin tone. I followed my over-eager friend to a nearby clothing shop, wondering if it was possible for him to get more excited.
The more time Andre and I spent at the clothing racks, the more I realized how little I knew about style and was grateful for his expertise. After an hour of taking turns trying on various outfits and joking with one another, I walked out of the dressing room and spun around. “What do you think about this?”
The knee-length dress was casual enough to wear as an everyday outfit, yet elegant enough to go someplace special. The dress had plain purple fabric that hugged my chest, and below my belly button the color darkened slightly and had large white flowers swirling around each other. “Do you like it?”
Andre’s grin stretched across his face. “Absolutely. You are going to be making friends in no time!”
“Thanks! You are seriously the best!” My chest felt lighter as the fear of being judged and friendless became smaller. “I’m glad we met, Andre. It will be nice to see a friendly face at school.”
Andre directed a sparkling white smile at me. I had to remember to ask him how he gets his teeth so shiny. “I’m glad we met too.”
My new friend and I spent the rest of the day exploring shops, watching witches and wizards stroll by, and swapping stories. Even if I didn’t make any more friends at school, it was a relief knowing Andre would be by my side. With the reputation Sean left behind, I needed people to rely on. Tomorrow, I would be on my way to Hogwarts. Tomorrow, I would be facing the fears and insecurities that plagued me ever since the day my brother disappeared. Tomorrow, my journey would officially begin.
*****
I walked down Platform 9 ¾, cradling my cat in my arms. Andre had wanted to meet as many other students as possible on the train and I had made up an excuse as to why I wasn’t going to join him. Truth was I wasn’t sure if I was ready to face a large group of people just yet, and I didn’t want to get in the way of him making friends.
Stepping onto the Hogwarts Express I remembered back to the times I waved goodbye to Sean, and images of him swam in my mind. I could visualize his sly smirk, how tall and strong he was, his wavy black hair that was always styled to perfection. I always hated how perfect his hair looked… it was way more tamed than my wavy hair.
“Sean I wish you… didn’t… have to... go!” I choked in between sobs.
My brother halted in his steps and turned towards me. He knelt on the ground and, taking my hands, gently caressed them. “Hey, Pip, it’s going to be okay.” Sean’s yellow-green eyes shone with all the love in the world when he spoke his nickname for me. “We’ll write each other every week. And before you know it, I’ll be home for Christmas.”
I contemplated his words for a moment. Hiccupping I managed to sputter out, “P...promise?” I pulled my hand away from his and used my knuckles to smear the tears across my face.
My brother stood and pulled me into a deep embrace. I breathed in his familiar scents of summertime and grass. I felt my body relax and I let myself curl into his protection. “I promise Pip.”
I hugged my cat protectively against my chest and made my way down the cramped hall, pushing thoughts of my brother aside. Not wanting to risk the judgmental stares of other students, I made my way towards the back of the train in search of solitude.
Most compartments were already full of teenagers laughing together. I peeked into a compartment that appeared empty at first glance, and then I noticed a boy seated next to the window.
I gasped.
His appearance was so… striking.
He had copper skin and an angular face. His havana brown hair was naturally slicked back and aesthetically transitioned to a tawny color at his nape. After a moment of me gawking, his hawk-like eyes turned towards my direction.
I felt the blood rush to my cheeks and I hastily pressed my back against the wall out of his eyesight. Maybe he didn’t see me… I crunched my eyelids together, willing myself to believe the improbable.
“Are you actually considering sitting with Winger?”
My eyes flew open to notice an older student standing in front of me. “Huh?”
“I saw you looking into Winger’s compartment.” The boy made a disgusted facial expression. “You don’t want to go in there.”
I was turned off by his negative attitude. “Why not? What’s so bad about him?” I snapped.
“I grew up near him...” The boy responded. “He’s mad.” He leaned closer to me and whispered, “He’s quiet, and you can never tell what he’s thinking. He socializes more with animals than with people - I say there’s some kind of sinister reason he keeps to himself. Rumor has it his parents associated with You-Know-Who and ended up getting themselves killed. I’d bet anything that he’s going down that same path. I’m curious to see where the Sorting Hat places him… I guarantee it’ll be Slytherin.”
The more this boy spoke, the more I wanted to smack him across the face. He had no right spreading rumors about anyone, whether or not those rumors were true. I had heard enough rumors for a lifetime about my brother - I wasn’t about to let someone stand there and spread more rumors about someone else’s family.
“Thanks for your concern,” I uttered coolly, “but I think I will join him. You have a nice day.” Without waiting for a response, I opened the compartment door and slid inside.
The boy at the window didn’t glance at me. My cat, Milo, jumped out of my arms and began sniffing his shoes in earnest. I took a seat across from him, feeling awkward.
Still not looking in my direction he stated bluntly, “If you want to know something about me, just ask.”
It felt like my organs were having a wild spasm. Damn, I got caught. “How did you know I was talking about you?”
“My hearing is almost as good as my eyesight.” This time he made eye contact with me. I couldn’t help but admire how golden and inquisitive his eyes were. He turned his head dismissively and gazed out the window, expressionless. “Besides, I’m used to people talking about me.”
My brows furrowed together in concern. I sensed that underneath his indifferent facade there was something that he didn’t want to show me… Pain? Anger? Fear? Or maybe those were my own feelings clouding my judgment…
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to talk about you.” No response. Milo began batting at his shoelaces. I took in a heavy breath to steady myself. I didn’t like bringing up my brother, but knowing there were rumours surrounding his family made me feel compelled to let him know I understood. “I’m… Kristina Stewart. You might have heard about my brother Sean. It seems like everyone has.”
His gaze flickered curiously towards mine. A moment of silence passed. I began wondering if there was something else I should say to ease the tension when he finally spoke, “I’m Talbott Winger.”
I released a breath that I didn’t realize I was holding. This time I wasn’t worried about what he would think about my brother or my family; I was worried about not making a connection with him. In a strange way I already felt bonded to him - his family was also being gossiped about and he was being judged negatively for it. I didn’t know what was true or false about what the boy in the hallway told me; I just knew how it felt being behind rumors and people thinking they knew everything about you. For reasons I didn’t understand it was important to me that he knew he could talk to me - and that maybe I could talk to him as well.
The sliding door opened and closed again, interrupting my thoughts. We turned our heads to see a black girl standing in the compartment with us. Her spectacles were thick and rounded. She wore a black leather tank top, green skirt, and a matching green headband that pushed back her thick dark brown dreadlocks.
She glared at us and demanded, “Billywig, bowtruckle, or bundimun?”
Talbott and I exchanged alarmed looks. “What?”
In her outstretched hand sat a toad. His unblinking yellow eyes bore into mine as he let out a low ‘croak’. Louder the girl ordered, “Billywig, bowtruckle, or bundimun?!”
Panicked I responded, “I don’t know… bowtruckle!”
“So, you’re nature lovers like me?” The girl’s facial expression relaxed so quickly I had to blink multiple times to make sure I was seeing accurately. “Maybe you’ll live in a tree one day. I tried it for a bit…” She sat down next to me and began stroking my cat. Milo wound his yellow furred body around her arms contentedly. The toad seemed unfazed by the carnivorous feline before him as he hopped onto the girl’s legs.
I cocked my head to the side, confused. “All I did was say bowtruckle…”
The girl smiled brightly at me. I could barely see her eyes as the sun’s reflection bounced off her spectacles. “I feel like we already know so much about each other… A lot of people make fun of me for asking that question. I can’t wait to learn the Bat-Bogey Hex to hit those people with.”
Talbott considered her. “That sounds… quite mad.”
The girl’s face dropped. “Ugh, I know. I’m not so good around people. I do much better around animals and creatures…” I saw Talbott’s eyes sparkle with interest and I wondered if what the boy in the hallway said about him socializing more with animals than people was true. “I’m Liz Tuttle. Everyone calls me Lizard. You know, because of the animal thing.” She lifted her toad in the air. “And this is Sir Ribbithe!” His features were unique - the top half of his body was a deep orange, and his underbelly was a pleasant cream color. Milo lost interest in the pets he was getting and stared playfully at Sir Ribbithe.
I introduced Talbott, my cat Milo, and myself, as I could tell that the boy across from me was not about to offer his name voluntarily or socialize in any way. “So it seems like the three of us will be first years together!” To my horror tears began spilling from Liz’s eyes. “I’m sorry! What did I say?!”
She shook her head and pulled out a tissue. “No, it’s not that…” she blew her nose so loudly that Milo jumped and scampered to hide under my elbow. Sir Ribbithe gave another unconcerned ‘croak’. “It’s just that… you’re both taking time to be nice to me, even though everyone else thinks I’m strange.”
Talbott’s eyebrow raised and, before he could say something tactless, I offered, “People say the same thing about me. They call my brother strange for searching for the Cursed Vaults and running away after getting expelled. They call my whole family strange, actually because of him…” I could feel Talbott staring at me. I wondered what he was thinking.
Liz declared, “If we were friends, I’d loose a pack of crups on your enemies!” She then became giddy and excited; the same way I would get when I talked about cute animals. “Crups are like little doggies, but with forked tails. They have wet noses and floppy tongues and their barks are so cute!” She rubbed her chin thoughtfully. “Honestly, they’re not very good attack animals, but they’re fun to pet. I’d let you pet mine if we were friends.”
I smiled, deciding that I liked this girl. “That sounds nice. I think. I sort of lost track…”
The Hogwarts Express whistled and we heard the wheels switch into gear. I pressed my nose near the window and watched as we left the streets of London behind. Soon after, we were riding past fields of tall grass and tree-filled hills. Liz was leaning uncomfortably close above my shoulder to also look out the window. I tried to ignore Sir Ribbithe, whom was being held up two inches from my face. I glanced at Talbott and was pleased to see that even he appeared to be enthralled by the landscape; his mouth was slightly agape and his eyes were devouring the nature before him. Milo was the only one that didn’t seem interested in the view - he stretched his body across my legs and purred as I scratched his head.
Throughout the journey Liz and I talked animatedly while Talbott sat, unreadable. I enjoyed getting to know her - I learned that her mother was a well-known Seer and was hoping that Liz and her sister would grow to inherit her gift, which Liz had no interest in. She spoke about her older sister and how her sister’s pet crup had babies and that she let Liz keep one. I shared with her how I had an interest in writing poetry, although hadn’t written much since Sean’s disappearance.
Throughout our conversation I continued sneaking sideways glances at Talbott, wondering what was going on in his mind
I replayed what the boy in the hallway told me. ‘Rumor has it his parents associated with You-Know-Who and ended up getting themselves killed. I’d bet anything that he’s going down that same path.’ I made a point to direct my body in his direction and tried to keep my posture as open as possible. “So, Talbott, what about your family?”
His body gave a slight jerk. “What about them?” There was a coolness and edge to his voice that caused a shiver to run up my spine.
I shifted on the cushion. “I mean, I don’t know… like what was it like growing up in your family?”
He became stiff and his eyes glowed dangerously. “I don’t know what you mean.” His tone dripped with venom that clearly spoke back off.
“N-nevermind then. It’s fine.” I averted my gaze and hoped that he couldn’t hear how forcefully my heart beat beneath my ribs.
Liz absent-mindedly gazed at the ceiling. “Since chimeras are part goat, I wonder if any of them are vegetarian, or if all of them eat raw meat…”
“Um…” I had no idea what a chimera was. Even worse, I had no idea how to soothe the conversation with Talbott.
He stood up. “We should change into robes. I’ll leave so you two can get dressed.” Without pause he grabbed his suitcase and left the compartment.
I had a feeling he wasn’t coming back.
It felt like my heart physically expanded with sadness; I couldn’t figure out why I was so upset by this turn of events. I focused on the window of the compartment, hoping that if I watched closely enough I would catch a glimpse of his sleeve or some other indication that he was joining us again. I sighed, giving up hope, and pulled the window curtain down so we could change.
Liz placed her toad on the higher shelving, probably so my cat couldn’t attack him, and began pulling robes out of her baggage. Milo’s pupils enlarged as he saw the opened suitcase. He crouched, wiggled his butt, and jumped into it while Liz laughed joyfully. Redirecting my thoughts from Talbott to the playful feline in front of me, I unbuckled my suitcase to distract Milo and I changed into my robes.
The sky became black and the stars’ white lights glistened. We sat in anticipation until finally the Hogwarts Express slowed to a stop. I straightened my black tie, collected Milo and my belongings, and tried to not get separated from Liz and her toad as we wove our way off the train.
My black dress shoes made clapping sounds on the stone walkway. I scanned the area, trying to make sense of where we were supposed to go. Just as I turned to ask if Liz had any clue what to do, a booming voice rang “Firs’ years, follow me! Firs’ years this way!”
It wasn’t hard to find the source of the noise. A man twice the height of an average adult was waving a lantern in the air. In the darkness I couldn’t tell where his bushy brown beard ended and where his fuzzy coat began. The Hogwarts Express conductor took our baggage and pets (Milo glared at me resentfully when I handed him to the stranger), and Liz and I followed the large man.
“Hey, Kristina! Glad I caught you!”
I turned around to see Andre, his white teeth luminous in the dark. I smiled warmly, happy to see him. “Andre! I’m glad you caught me too! I want you to meet Liz Tuttle!”
Liz’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Billywig, bowtruckle, or bundimun?”
Andre stopped walking for a moment. “Huh?”
Grinning I slowed my pace to step in line with Andre. I patted his shoulder. “This is Liz’s way of getting to know people. Just go with it - trust me.”
His eyebrows scrunched together. “Okay… billywig?”
Liz beamed at him and gave a small skip. “So you have a prickly personality! I do too! We’ll get along just fine.”
Andre’s mouth fell open and his eyes widened. “Wait so… what does that have to do with billywigs?” I gave him another reassuring pat on his shoulder as Liz jumped into animated explanation about the billywig family.
Relief spread throughout Andre’s features when the man with the lantern interrupted her, “We’ll be takin’ the boats, now! Come on, don’ be shy, four to a boat!” It was clear that he meant four students to a boat, as he took up a single boat by himself.
As we approached the lake my breath caught in my chest. Every ripple of the dark blue water glittered in the moonlight and the miniature waves made sloshing sounds against the platform. I grabbed the wooden boat in front of me and tried to hold it still as I clambered into it. Liz climbed in next, followed by Andre. A boy with freckles and a sloppily tied tie stood on the deck behind us. His vivid red hair was pulled into a short ponytail. “Hi, I’m Charlie Weasley. Mind if I join you guys?”
Andre spoke before Liz could ask this boy anything about billywigs or bowtruckles. “Sure thing! Please tell me that you at least follow Quidditch.” Even though I couldn’t see his face well, I could sense Andre rolling his eyes in my direction. I laughed.
The red-headed boy, Charlie, literally jumped into the boat, causing it to sway forcefully. “Of course! I’m working on collecting all of the Chudley Cannons chocolate frog cards - me and my family are their biggest fans!”
“The Chudley Cannons?! You’ve got to be kidding me!”
Before Andre could start a Quidditch debate - or shove Charlie into the lake - I interjected, “Look!”
The boats began gliding on their own, gracefully slicing the water as they propelled forward. A collective silence encompassed all students - the only sound to be heard was the rhythm of the water. Many moments of suspenseful stillness passed until -
“There! Do you see it?!”
The bubble of stillness broke as everyone broke out into gasps of awe and excited chatter. Hogwarts castle was more beautiful than I could have imagined - the wide brick pillars rose into the sky and yellow light flooded out of the building’s many tall windows. I looked at my three comrades and we shared joyous smiles and laughs. I didn’t know what this year would bring, but the one thing I did know was that I was ready for it.