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━ CHAPTER ONE ━
September one is a special day for many reasons. For starters, it means we get to go back to Hogwarts. But it also means the end of summer. We can finally reunite with our friends, but have to say goodbye to our families first. With every high there's a low. But as I walk through the brick wall onto platform 9 and 3/4 — followed by my mother and father — the energy is anything but sad and depressing. Like always the scarlett red train waits idly by while new and returning students burst at the seams with excitement (or nervousness if you're a first year).
The old trolley squeaks to a stop as I pause to say my farewells. My auburn hair flies around me as I turn to face my parents. Dad's arm is placed gently around mum's shoulders. I offer them a smile which they return although mum's holds a tint of sadness.
I sigh knowing the waterworks that's about to happen. She does this every year.
"Baby. Don't cry. Lia'll be ok." Dad coaxes her also noticing the look on her face.
Mum sighs and fans her face with her hands. "I know. I just-I can't-" And her composure breaks. Her face falling onto her hands as the tears finally fall out.
Turning to face dad, I smirk remembering the bet we had before we left the house. "I told you she'll cry again. You owe me 5 galleons." I finish smiling at his defeat.
Rolling his eyes playfully, he reaches into his left pocket and pulls out the coins. I stick out my right hand and wait for it's cold surface to drop onto my palm. "Pleasure doing business with you." I smile saving the coins to buy some sweets during the train ride.
Mum gasps wiping the tears from her face when she realizes what's happening between me and dad. Her breakdown completely forgotten. "You bet on me." She accused.
"It was dad's idea." I blurt taking a step back with my index finger pointed at dad.
Mum's eyes narrow into a glare as she slowly turns her head to face dad who's eyes widen in fear. "It's not what it looks like. I swear." He gulps putting his hands up in mock surrender.
And just like that mum and dad get in another one of their playful banters in the middle of a platform full of people. Chuckling at dad's pathetic excuses, I take the opportunity to scan the crowd for my fellow Hufflepuff and best friend, Lola Chen. I even go on my toes to try to make my small frame bigger — but still no Lola.
Huffing I turn to see if mum and dad finished their "argument" only to get crushed in a hug. Stumbling backwards, I get a whiff of a familiar scent of pinewood — Sebastian Finley. Wrapping my arms around his waist, I snuggle my face closer into his sweater clad chest.
