The Mermaid and The Wizard

The Express and Turmoil:

'Today is the day.'

Those were Hermione's thoughts when she woke up earlier than usual, looking around her room once more to make sure that all the things she needed, and didn't, were packed away in her trunk before she took it downstairs and kept swimming around in glee and excitement. For today was the day when she would start attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She had spent the remaining of her days reciting spells, charms, potion ingredients and practicing the wand movements (without saying the spell) from all of her textbooks. Her parents were smiling and shaking their heads and their daughter's antics as breakfast was being served, hoping to get her to calm down and eat something before they started their journey to King's Cross.

Once they have all eaten, they swam to shore and encountered very little muggles along the way to which they were grateful for since Hermione could barely be contained. Once her things were put in the car, Derek started the car and began the hour or so long drive to arrive at King's Cross with more than enough time to spare. Hermione sat silently at the back reading Hogwarts: A History again as her father drove and her mother looked on in silence, thinking on how much fun her new school was going to be and, hopefully, she would make some friends. A memory came back to mind when she thought about making friends, remembering the platinum headed boy, Draco. She didn't see him again after their first encounter and it sadden her in a way, he was the first wizard she had met, other than Dumbledore, that was her age. Arrogant as he may be, she liked his company even if it was short.

'I wonder if we could be friends.'

Shaking her head she noticed that they were almost at the train station, so she put away her book and looked out the window, watching people moving all around in different directions. Derek managed to find a parking place not too far and helped Hermione put her trunk in a little luggage cart, and all three of them headed inside. Hermione was excited yet a bit sad, since she won't be seeing her parents until the holidays and that felt a little to far away for her at the moment. She noticed other kids her age with trunks and pets with them, making her smile as she and her parents made their way to the wall between platforms nine and ten. Nervous once more, even though she knew what would happen, she started to slowly walk and then jog towards the wall and closed her eyes at the last second.

'I'm going to crash!'

She didn't. Opening her eyes she was met with a breathtaking sight.

A scarlet locomotive with smoke blowing here and there was before her and her eyes were captivated by it. Then she saw all around her students and parents together and some chasing kids much too young to go to Hogwarts just yet. Smiling she turned and watched her parents take in the surroundings with awe in their expressions as well, before moving forward and away from the barrier so they wouldn't get run over.

All three Grangers stand in a spot away from the train and hugged their daughter strong and tight. Tears could be seen on Hermione's eyes when they separated and she looked up at her parents. "I'm going to miss you both."

"Oh sweetheart, we will miss you too, but don't forget you can write to us."

"You'll be fine hun, and with all the classes you are going to be taking, I'm sure time will fly by and the holidays will come by faster than you might have thought." Derek said and smiled as his daughter gave a little chuckle at his words.

"You're right, I'm being silly aren't I?"

Her mother shook her head. "Not at all, this is all new to you and us, but it is normal." Just then the train whistled and Derek checked his watch, stating there where twenty minutes before the train left. "You should board the train hun, find a spot before it gets to full." With that, Derek and Helena hugged their daughter once more. "I love you sweetheart."