Golden Girl; 𝓕𝓻𝓮𝓭 𝓦𝓮𝓪𝓼𝓵𝓮𝔂

Third Year: Platform 9 3/4

"Bambi, hurry on up, we're going to be late!" Sebastian called his daughter, frantically trying to help throw some of her things into the suitcase.

"I'm hurrying as fast as I can! Monty was in the air vents again- I had to go in and get him!"

"Blasted cat, you can't miss the train,"

The hotel was a frantic blur with the two running around. It was half past ten, and they still needed to get to King's Cross Station.

Sebastian shoved the last remaining items into the carpetbag, the spell allowing it to magically expand stretching thin as its contents began to be visible from the top.

"There, are you ready now?"

Bambi nodded, her frizzy red hair was momentarily contained in one large thick braid that hung down her back, resembling a wide rope swinging back and forward. She wore a sage green knit sweater with a pair of light-washed jeans. "I have to get Monty back into his carrier, he wasn't happy when I told him he had to go back inside-"

Gerald sat on his perch, watching with an annoyed expression. He seemed to dislike Monty more than Sebastian.

"Bambi dear," Sebastian looked at her with tired eyes, "Just go get the cat please."

The two took off towards the train station by taxi, the only way to get there without being too noticeable as they didn't own a car, and there were no fireplaces close by to "floo" in.

The driver kept prodding them with questions, finding the numerous suitcases and strange items they held...well, strange.

Sebastian continued to explain that Bambi was going on a trip to her grandmother's, seamlessly adding to the made-up story anytime the man asked another question.

Bambi's heart was pounding hard inside her chest, she clutched Monty's carrier tight in her arms, her eyes glued to the outside windows.

"Am I really doing this?" She thought to herself. "I've never been away from home before like this,"

She had passed the small entrance exam for third years with flying colors a couple weeks before, but it didn't stop her from doubting everything she knew... What if all the other third-years still knew more than her? What if a teacher called on her in class and she couldn't answer?

Sebastian, noticing his daughter was particularly pale, squeezed her hand. "You're going to do great there."

The two carted her belongings inside the train station. She watched curiously with wide eyes- She had never seen this many muggles in one place before. There were so many people brushing past her, she never felt so small before.

"Okay Bambi, dear, are you listening?" Sebastian crouched to his daughter who blinked hard, feeling a bit overwhelmed. "To get onto the platform, we're going to have to go through a secret passageway. I know you've never done this before, so you'll have to trust me, alright?" He explained softly, "See that wall there? That's where the entrance is," He pointed to a brick pillar, "You can go through with me if you'd like, we'll need to simply run right through, and I promise the train is on the other side."

Bambi looked at her father skeptically.

"Trust me, Bambs," he looked at her, "I went to Hogwarts, I know well enough." He smiled.

Without waiting to see if she would say anything, Sebastian grabbed her hand and guided her into the wall full force. There was a moment of resistance, Bambi thought that they would surely hit the brick wall head first- Then suddenly, the wall vanished in front of them and they stepped into a whole new area. It was lighter, the walls lined with lanterns, and the floor covered with other students her age. There were many owls in cages, cats twisting around their owner's legs, and so many families all over.

"See? Told you." Sebastian said with a smile, turning his head around and spotting the train, "That's the Hogwarts Express, come on."

As the two walked deeper into the station, Bambi could see other students, some of them were wearing their house robes already. They were all either standing in groups laughing and chatting or were simply looking at everything around them the same way she was.

She pulled her ticket from her front coat pocket, holding it tightly in my hand, "Where do I put my things?"

Sebastian chuckled. Her nervousness was adorable to him, he remembered what it was like when he was new to all of these things too. "Right here," he said, pointing to the luggage cart. He went towards the cart and helped Bambi put her belongings inside, stacking them in a neat pile.

"I want to hold onto Monty!" Bambi gripped the cat carrier tighter as Sebastian went to put it in the cart.

Sebastian raised his eyebrow, but then again smiled. There's a special bond between a wizard or witch and their pet. "Alright," He handed it back over to Bambi gently.

She now held the carrier in her one arm, the other around her father for emotional support. She could see the students beginning to board the train.

"Bambi, it's time that you get on the train," Sebastian spoke softly, "Don't worry, I'll see you soon enough." He gave her a warm look "I'll write to you as often as I can."

Sebastian gave Bambi's fingers a little squeeze, reassuring her as he let her go. She didn't seem to want to let go.

She could feel a lump forming in her throat when she saw and realized how much she was going to miss him. Her eyes watered and her knees wobbled.

Sebastian could tell that she wanted to cling to him, the way she did when she was little and scared. "Bambi, remember those chocolate frogs?' He asked softly.

Bambi nodded.

"Why don't you go find a nice compartment and make some friends? Go ahead and check your carpet bag when you're inside." He gave her a warm bear hug. "I'll tell you all about my travels, love, you won't be missing out at all. I promise you."

Bambi nodded again, taking a deep breath in.

"I love you, Bambs."

"I love you too, Daddy," She said quietly, giving him one last hug before timidly boarding the train.

It was loud, students were rushing past on either side of her, joining people they seemed to know in all the first compartments. She walked towards the back, finally finding a quiet empty cubby. She sat by the window, wringing her hands in a nervous way.

She could see her father outside waving to her, she waved shyly, feeling more so uncomfortable as the train's whistle started to blow. Monty sat next to her in his carrier, also seeming nervous, just as new to all of this as Bambi was.

The train began to slowly move forward, and just like that, Bambi was off to Hogwarts.

Bambi looked like a deer in headlights sitting there, a nervous expression was frozen on her soft face as she stared at the figures outside her window becoming smaller as they moved out of sight.

She sat there quietly for a moment, then, remembering what Sebastian had said, checked her carpetbag. There were 15 chocolate frogs, the same ones she had tried to sneak at Diagon Alley.

A few minutes passed, and Bambi was deep in thought, trying to keep herself calm and not think about how she was heading straight into something she knew nothing about. She had taken Monty out, and he, after sniffing around the compartment, curled up on her lap, his eyes still open cautiously.

For a moment, all was quiet and well...