𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐈-𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐎 - hermione granger

- 𝐭𝐰𝐨

SOMEHOW, EXITING THE TRAIN WAS even more magical than entering it. It felt like stepping into a new reality, a new world. Andrea McKinnon was a human, a real girl, for the very first time in her life. This train ride was the birth of a new person, the start of a new existence. She came on that train with no friends, no life and no social skills; she came off it with two new friends, a life that's only just starting and... still no social skills. That didn't matter, though. The point was that this train ride was more magical than any spells she'd ever learn. This train ride was the beginning of everything. The beginning of the rest of her life.

On the way out, Drea could hear a few other students mumbling and groaning about the missing snack cart, which made her grin and glance at the boys to her side, who avoided looking at a single person there, scared of being caught. She led them off the train and towards a familiar, friendly, tall man, who was calling all first years.

"Hagrid!" she exclaimed, running over to wrap her arms around him. "I love it so, so much already! I got bit by a rat and made friends with a ginger and this boy with a strange scar on his head!"

Hagrid chuckled, patting the blonde girl on the head. He couldn't believe she was really leaving him. Eleven years of never leaving the hut, for her to already be this big and moving into the castle. It was only a field away from him, but he'd miss waking up early every morning to her singing songs and cooking breakfast — or attempting to, at least.

Behind them, Harry and Ron stood looking rather red and sheepish, but smiled at the tall man, anyway. Hagrid gave Harry a nod, and his heart tinged a little when he saw his little girl go back to him. He knew they'd become friends this year, despite all the teachers saying they probably wouldn't even meet. "Hello, Harry," he said as Drea pulled away from their hug.

"Whoa!" Ron's eyes were wide, having to turn his head up to see the huge man.

Hagrid turned his attention to the rest of the first years, who were all buzzing with life and chatter as they peered around the scene that surrounded them. "Right, then. This way to the boats," he said, turning around to guide the kids. "Come on now. Follow me."

Andrea stayed at the very front, so she could stand beside Hagrid and tell him all about her day. She was so, so beyond ecstatic to be outside of the hut and exploring the world, and it was evident at the speed of which she was talking — Ron and Harry were getting tired just listening to her. But Hagrid was used to the excited buzz she got whenever she tried something new, and it truly warmed his heart to see her this happy. It was all her ever wanted for the girl.

When they got to the boats, they were made to split up into groups of four. Harry, Ron and Drea stayed close together, and added a nice, Muggle-born boy named Dean Thomas to join them. As they rode, they spoke about many things, as Drea was trying to get to know and befriend as many people as possible. She learned that Dean was obsessed with a Muggle sport called football, which she'd never heard of before, but that sent Ron onto a rant, who was a huge Quidditch fan — he nearly blew off his horn when both Harry and Dean revealed they didn't know what that was.

Ahead of them, the only word that could be used to describe the castle was golden. It gave Andrea such bad chills that her body heated into a homely warmth. There were lit candles all around, and the windows danced with friendly spirits. It was an ancient painting come to life, spreading angels and wishes of wonder to the kids it enchanted. It was a scene from a children's storybook set out in front of them, glistening the page and making them feel like it was home. It was the curse of a siren, luring them all in with the smell of cinnamon and the sight of Christmas and love. It was magic.

"Wicked," Ron breathed in awe.

"It looks even more wonderful from here," Drea commented, unable to take her eyes away. "No more window views, eh."