The Rise of White : From Ash to Magic

The Hogwarts Express

TINA'S POV

On the morning of September 1st, mom and I were at the ever busy King's Cross Station. I kissed my terrified mother goodbye, after trying in vain to ease her worries, and ran to platform, pushing the trolley with my trunk ad my owl.

After walking around I finally saw it, the entrance to the platform. I walked toward it, and I could feel the adrenaline and excitement pumping through my blood.

Muggles walked by it, not sparing a glance at the brick wall. I found it strange that no one, not one person, felt the odd atmosphere that surrounded the place. It felt as though the magic was seeping through the brick pillar, yet no one noticed...then again maybe it's my adrenaline speaking. After all, beyond this brick wall was THE Hogwarts Express.

I took a deep breath and pushed my trolley. With each step I felt like I was becoming lighter. Squeezing my eyes shut, I broke into a jog strait towards the barrier. I felt a weird tingling sensation around me. It last barely for a second before it went away. I opened my eyes and I was standing in front of the steaming red Hogwarts Express.

Smoke from the engine drifted over the heads of the chattering crowd, while cats of every colour possible wound around between their legs. Owls hooted to one another in a disgruntled sort of way over the babble and the scraping of heavy trunks.

The first few carriages were already packed with students, some hanging out of the window to talk to their families, some fighting for seats. I passed a round-faced boy who was saying, "Gran, I've lost my toad again." That was obviously Neville. I non-verbally Accioed Trevor the Toad and walked towards the panicked boy and his irritated grandmother.

"Excuse me. I think he belongs to you..." I said politely, handing Neville the toad.

"Trevor!!! Thank you so much..." he replied, blushing as red as a tomato, as he fussed over the poor amphibian.

I turned towards his grandmother and bowed slightly. "Lady Longbottom" I greeted formally.

"Thank you for helping my hopeless grandson. I'm hoping Hogwarts will do him some good... How is it that you know my name girl? And why do you look so familiar?" she said.

"I'm sure Heir Longbottom will do well at Hogwarts" I said nodding in Neville's direction. He blushed again and played with the hem of his shirt. "I have a keen interest in magical history and politics, so I came across your picture and name while reading. And you don't know me personally but I believe you may have known my grandmothers, Victoria Robbins and Maria Fawley? They married muggles and had my parents, who were squibs and didn't know about magic, so I was raised as a muggle" I answered her questions.

"I did in fact know your grandmothers. Victoria was a good friend and Maria was a pureblood so we knew each other as acquaintances. Neville get on the train before you end up standing the whole way to Hogwarts" she said strictly towards her grandson.

Neville grabbed his trunk in one hand, Trevor in another, kissed his grandmother's cheek and ran to board the train, almost falling down on the steps to board the train.

Augusta shook her head and sighed in the direction of the clumsy boy. She turned back to me and said, "Thank you again girl. I never got your name..."

"Tina. Tina White" I answered.

"Ma'am I was hoping I could talk to you about a few matters at the end of the year..." I said slowly, revealing my Ladyship rings.

She looked down curiously at my hand and her eyes widened. "I was hoping you would be willing to discuss a few matters regarding my claim to the titles. But I was hoping to wait until I finish my first year and then slowly introduce myself to society" I continued.