The Forgotten House

The Long Journey

2 weeks later
1st September

The day has come!! Finally! I cannot wait! Mum, Dad and I all hopped into the car and made our way down to Kings Cross Station.
We arrive about 20 minutes later and I've never been in a station this busy. We left it quite late to leave the house so we wouldn't hit rush hour traffic but even still it was busy. We march quickly up to platform 9 and keep walking until we find the beginning of platform 10.
"Ashley do you know what to do?" Dad asks me.
"Yes. I just run straight at the wall." I think about what I just said and panic. I HAVE TO RUN AT A WALL!?
"We'll be right behind you Ash ok. Ready?"
I stood still looking at the wall and my trolley. The wall and my trolley. Ashley. Just run. Just go. I persuade myself to go and I do it. I run straight at the wall and squeeze my eyes shut when I get to the wall. I open my eyes and I see a busy platform with platform nine and three quarters hanging on a sign above. The huge black steam train with the red front stares right at me. A few minutes later my mum and dad show up behind me and we walk further onto the platform.
"Ash is it ok if we let you find a seat? We don't want you to miss the train."
"Of course. I'll say goodbye now." So I give my mum and dad a big hug and kiss goodbye and walk onto the train. I walk along the isle to see if I can find a free compartment and start to get nervous when I see they're mostly full. I almost get to the 6th form section when I see the 3rd to last carriage has 2 people in it. I look at the last two and see they're full and realise I have no choice but to sit with those 2.
I slide the door open the door and ask, "Am I allowed to sit in here? Everywhere else is full."
The girl by the window looks over to me, "Of course we don't mind. I'm Willow by the way."
"Thank you. Ashley," I put my hand out to greet her and sit opposite. I look over to see a boy not much older than me sitting next to her. "Who's this?"
"Oh this is my brother. Liam. He's in the year above us and doesn't like to talk much."
I take that into account and for the beginning of the journey we sit in silence.

The steam blows past the window and the occasional chocolate frog flies past. We've been in the train for about 2 hours and I'm soooo hungry. That's when I hear it. anything from the trolley? Anything from the trolley?" It's the trolley lady! I get out a small handful of money and ask if Willow wants anything.
"Can I have 3 chocolate frogs, pumpkin juice and Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans." I had over my money and come back inside with the snacks.
"Why'd you get me one?" Liam asks me with a slightly annoyed tone.
"I just through you might want something to perk you up a bit. I guess it worked." He rolls his eyes but eats the chocolate anyway.
I pick up the Bertie Botts and reach into the box with a shaking hand. I close my eyes and shove it quickly in my mouth. I chew and taste breakfast. I know that there isn't toast or bacon so I guess it must be egg! I keep on chewing and realise it is nowhere near as nice as egg. It is disgusting. I spit it out into my hand and put it in a napkin.
"You should've seen your face!! You looked so disgusted!!" Willow giggles.
We munch away at our snacks and watch a few people as they pass by our carriage. Then someone stops at the door and slides it open.
"So it's you. The children of Rose and Scorpious Malfoy. How pleasant." He struts in and sits down beside me. He has smooth dark skin and wavy black hair. "And who might you be?" He asks me.
"I'm Ashley. Ashley Hartford. And you are?"
"Jason Zabini."
I pause for a moment. Zabini... that was the name of Malfoy's best friend! Dad had told me all about them. I panic as I realise this can't be good.
"Oh I know you. You're the girl with a squib as a mother. I can't believe your father actually married her! Then again it isn't a surprise. He's a mudblood isn't he?" My blood boils beneath my skin and I feel my face start to burn. "Oh don't worry, I won't tell a soul." He gets up. Looks me up and down. Then storms out. I immediately relax in my seat.
"Ash you didn't tell us..."
"I know that. I didn't think i had to tell everyone who my parents were," I respond sharply.
"Don't be like that. We completely understand. You heard what he said about us. It's unheard of for a Slytherin and Gryffindor to be together. And our grandmother is a muggleborn too," Liam tires to make me feel better and it just about works.
"I supposed you're right. I shouldn't be ashamed. My parents love me and that's all I can ask for."

The journey begins to come to an end and I have made very good friends with Willow and Liam. The train comes to a slow as we pull into the station. We have just got into our robes and they're a little bit big but Willow and I head onto the platform anyway.
Our half giant game keeper shows us to the boats and he introduces himself as Hagrid.
We step into the boats and I look back and see about 10 more lit up boats behind us.
We approach the castle and it is not hard to miss. It's towers are like stone giraffes. Each window a glittering star. The woods and grounds like a stadium of green. I feel like I've just arrived at my second home.
We clamber out of the boats and step onto land. We march up the boat house steps until we get to the castle and come face to face with the huge iron doors. Hagrid pushes them open and we walk into the hallway. We keep to the path until we reach the Great Hall doors. They shimmer gold in the fiery light and make the walls glisten. The headmistress walks out in her emerald green robes and pointy hat and starts to talk about the sorting ceremony. Once she has finally finished speaking, she's shows us into the Great Hall and the 4 house tables set up ready for dinner with the excited second to tenth year students on either side of the benches. I spot Liam on the Gryffindor table and both Willow and I give him a big wave. Everyone on his table chuckle but I can see he's pleased.
We gather around the old three legged wooden stool and wait nervously for our name to be called. The sorting begins. "Jasmine Nightingale... HUFFLEPUFF!!" The children cheer with joy. Name after name is called. "Jason Zabini." Urgh him again. "Hmmm..." The sorting hat hesitates. "You have a heart of love. But a soul of a warrior. Difficult..." Why was it so hard for the sorting hat to decide its obvious where he belongs!! "Hmm... it'll have to be... SLYTHERIN!" The students seem to roar even louder this time.
More people get sorted. Willow gets put into Ravenclaw and then its just me left. "You have a brilliant mind. Very brave I can see. Rather creative too. I see you can be rather mysterious. Let's see... RAVENCLAW!!!"

I was with Willow thank god!! I was so worried I wouldn't know anyone! We chat for a moment before we settle down to listen to Professor McGonagall's welcome speech.
Now the feast begins!!