The Snake and the Lion

Chapter 2:

Everything I knew

He had announced to me that I had received a letter, from a school called "Hogwarts" and that he demanded I go there. I looked at him skeptically of course I knew rejecting his offer would only make my situation worse and I felt like this break was just what I needed. And on the day before my supposed arrival, he passed me two bags filled with galleons. The bags practically weighed my pockets down as I walked through Diagon Alley. Now, on occasion, I had been here, when my father needed me or when I knew he wouldn't notice my disappearance. But this time I was without worry. The only thing I was focused on was the list before me and my furry friend purring, coddled around my neck. I had already bought my robes and other necessities and now all I needed was my own wand, I saved it as my last task and was frankly ecstatic the whole time even as I walked up to the owner and asked for my own.

He had me try a variety of wands but eventually he handed me one and I just knew it was right, 14 1/4th long with a dragon heartstring core made from Hornbeam wood. He looked at me, a slight twinkle in his old eyes before speaking "Ahh, what an interesting combination" he said popping his eyebrow but before he could continue his awkward small talk, I handed him his amount before heading off to the inn to sleep until early morning. But as I was walking I couldn't help but feel a chill on the back of my neck, something that made me shiver despite the rather neutral temperature. I turned back expecting to lock eyes with someone yet I met no one. An empty void of pitch black. I picked up my pace and entered the patroned-filled tavern before heading to my prepaid room. I set my luggage that had my clothes and robes in it on the side of my bed before tucking myself in beside my cat and turning the lamp off. My mind was loud and racing, creating scenarios and situations of what could possibly happen but eventually, my mind ran out of 'what if's' and I managed to succumb to my sleepy thoughts.

I groggilily woke up, shaking the sleep from my bones, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes, and standing up to change into more casual clothes. I give my cat a glance before calling her by her name. "Now girl I know you hate the crate but please just go in." After years of growing up together, I had only recently just given her a name but of course, I knew she was a girl for a rather long time. She looked at me almost as if she understood me but still begrudgingly complied. "Thatta girl, now come on Red we have a long trip ahead of us." Red looked at me with disdain but I knew she didn't mean it. I quickly packed up our things and headed to the train station. It was rather loud at the platforms but frankly, I didn't mind and according to the fact that Red was still asleep, she didn't mind either.

I paced up and down the station seeing nothing but the numbers 1 through 10, I sigh defeatedly and reach my hand into Reds crate and rub underneath her chin and listen to her gentle purr. I'm about to walk back to the inn but before I do, I watch as a redheaded family walks past me, they stick out like a sore thumb and are quite boisterous, as I continue to watch the family I hear them continue their conversation about muggles and how they are always impatient and what not, my ears practically perk up at the sound of a familiar word "muggle" and I follow closely behind them staring at them crazily as a boy, about my age, runs through the wall. I look at the older woman leading them, and she does the same, following in suit as she B-lines in the middle of the wall. As soon as she's gone I line myself up just like her and break into a sprint full force into the wall. I close my eyes and brace myself expecting some sort of collision but feel a sense of relief when I reach the other side unscathed. As soon as I reach the "other" platform the atmosphere changes completely . The air smelling of thick pine and a light tinge of smoke. I open my eyes and watch as the crowd bustles by, women, men, and children alike all wait impatiently and patiently for the train to come. I look around and watch as children my age, decorated with scarves of certain colors and patches walk past me. I mentally gawk at the beauty of the train station before finding a spot for myself to sit and wait at. Wait for what exactly? I have no idea, and the thought alone frightened me.

The look on everyones faces and the gentle hum of excitement surrounding everyone made it clear to me that this school was something special. I smiled lightly before letting the breath I didn't know I was holding. I look at Red and despite her closed eyes I watch as her tail swishes gently. "You're such a pretty kitty." I said while reaching a finger into the crate and giving her a gentle scratch above the nose.

And before I knew it platform was practically engulfed in smoke. A beautiful train rolled in, it had what I'm assuming is the crest if the school at the front and was black with a flare of color. I looked at it in awe and gawked for a second. I watched as the children hugged their parents and siblings before rushing through the crowd. I stood there for a moment breathing in the now clearer air and waiting my turn patiently. That was until I saw the boy, with the bright red hair, walk past me rather hurriedly, a dark haired boy in front of him and a brunette girl with rather puffy hair followed. I didn't see their faces but for some reason I felt a pull to them. I rushed in after them but do to the bustling crowd I couldn't help but eventually lose them. I huffed and frowned lightly before slowly making my way through the train with a heavy heart..