In the enchanting world of magic, where wands cast spells, and owls deliver life-changing letters, Willow embarks on a journey that will challenge her and unravel the mysteries of her family's past.
Haunted by the supposed demise of her parents, Wi...
As she entered, she spotted a boy wearing oversized Muggle clothes in one corner.
Willow: Hey.
Boy: Hi. (smiling)
Willow: Can I sit here? Everywhere else seems full.
Boy: (nodding) Sure.
Willow took her seat, sliding her trunk under.
Willow: First year?
Boy: Yeah. You?
Willow: Same! I'm Willow, Willow Blackwood.
Boy: Harry, Harry Potter. (they shook hands)
"You're - you are Harry Potter? The Harry Potter" Willow couldn't believe she found the one coach to sit was the one Harry Potter chose.
Harry looked like he was expecting her surprise and simply nodded.
"I know about you. I mean, I've heard about you from my aunt. You know you are really famous in the wizarding world." Willow was contemplating if she should introduce herself as the child of death eaters, a group who had been responsible for his parent's deaths.
Harry: I only found out I'm a wizard recently after I received my Hogwarts letter. I lived with my Muggle relatives, and they never told me I was a wizard until I received my Hogwarts letter. What about you?
Willow: "I knew about the wizarding world. I live with my aunt, who works at the Ministry of Magic, but I attend Muggle school with my cousins, who are all Muggles; they have no idea I'm a witch; they think my aunt sent me to study to states."
Harry: "You don't live with your parents?"
Willow: (softly) No, they are - they are in Azkaban.
"What's Azkaban?" Harry was curious, he didn't seem to realize what he was asking. Well if this wasn't a dandy topic of conversation for her first Hogwarts train ride.
"It's a wizard prison," Willow replied, looking out the window, seeing the scenery passing by, beautiful hills. "They weren't - they weren't good people. They were dark wizards. They supported the dark lord in the war. You know he-who-must-not-be-named. My aunt tells me many people who helped the dark lord were under a curse and didn't have any other choice but my parents. Well, they chose to support him and once he disappeared they decided to attack the ministry on their own. I don't know what they wanted to accomplish without their precious dark lord, but well, my aunt and others stopped them, captured them and they were sentenced to a lifetime at Azkaban. And there they are. Forever and ever." Willow finished with a finality.
Harry: (curious) Hmm.
She hadn't looked over at Harry during her complete monologue, she hadn't talked about it since she had heard the truth from her aunt, and now she was thinking she should have. Now as she looked over, she saw he looked in thought. "He must be wondering if he should kick me out of the cabin" Willow thought to herself.
"You must hate me. I mean, if anyone has the right to hate me it's you." Willow now looked over at the boy, who was looking at her curiously. "I didn't find out about them until fifteen days ago; before then my aunt had told me that they had died because of an experiment they were doing that went wrong. Funny how they had to decide to tell a child between telling them that their parents were dead or good-for-nothing wizards. Once I received my Hogwarts letter, they thought it was better to tell me themselves instead of finding out from others at Hogwarts. If you want me to leave, I can find another cabin to sit in." Willow thought she sounded pathetic listening to explain herself, defending against the boy who was an orphan because of people like her parents.
For a long-while both of them said nothing, the only sound was of the train, crossing the green plains.
Harry: (thoughtful) You can stay. It's not your fault. We don't chose our parents or our relatives. I know just because your parents were dark wizards doesn't mean you are too. The Muggle relatives I live with are not good either but I don't want to be judged just because I have to live with them.
Willow gave Harry a weak smile: Thank you. She released a long breath, she didn't know she had been holding her breath, like waiting for a verdict.
Harry: "So your Aunt works for the Ministry?"
Before Willow could answer the door opened and a boy with flaming red hair was standing at the door.
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Willow: Ron!
Ron (looking relieved at finding someone familiar): Oh hey, can I sit with you guys? Everywhere else is full
Willow looked over at Harry, who nodded in agreement, Yeah sure join us.
As the train journey continued, the three of them began to share not just a coach but also their stories, creating an unexpected bond on the Hogwarts Express.
