His Goodwitch

Chapter 4: Making more friends and the Hogwarts Express

Third person's point of view

Beep Beep Beep goes Lizzie's alarm at nine am.  Cassie, Jake and Grace had decided to stay at the Leaky Cauldron pub in London for the last week of August to ensure Lizzie got to her train on time and they didn't have to cross time zones last minute.  "Yes today is the day I go to Hogwarts" Lizzie said springing up from her bed in excitement unfortunately waking up her mother and sister in the process.  "Slow down Lizzie.  The train won't leave without you" giggled Grace at her sisters antics in between yawns.

"Yes now settle down get dressed so we can have breakfast.  Professor McGonagal explained how non-magical people can't cross the barrier onto Platform nine and three quarters, so we are going to phone call Grandpa, Lorrie, Brandon and Tara so they can all say goodbye to you as well" said Cassie getting up and heading to the bathroom.  After getting dressed and feeding Tabby the family of three go downstairs for some breakfast and tea.  "Before you go, there is a couple of things we would like to give you" said Cassie with a proud/happy smile on her face.  "Grace why don't you go first" suggested Jake taking a sip of his coffee.

"Ok here you go Lizzie, it's from Lorrie and I" said Grace with a remorseful look to her sister.  "Thanks Grace" said Lizzie accepting the gift from her.  Inside the gift was a portable camera that spits out pictures as you take them accompanied by a large picture album.  "It's so you can take lots of pictures.  Lorrie and I want the full scoop when you return for holidays.  The sales woman at the counter informed us that it is everlasting so it will never run out of pictures.  Mum helped me find it when we first visited Diagon Alley" explained Grace.  "Awe this is wicked.  Thanks Grace. I will thank Lorrie later" said Lizzie putting the gift aside to give her sister a hug.

"This one is from me" said Lizzie's Dad Jake handing her a flat parcel that felt heavyish to Lizzie.  Inside the parcel was a medium sized mirror that was framed in oak wood carved with lillies around the edge.  "Thanks Dad" said Lizzie thankful.  "it is a two way mirror.  Each of our family has one now,  All you have to do is tap your wand on it and say that person's name.  Of course you would have to initiate it since you're the only witch in the family that uses a wand.  That way I can make sure everyone is safe, even you while you are in the magical world or at school where technology doesn't work with magic that well.  Plus it will be shorter than owl post going overseas" explained Jake a nervous grin for his daughter not wanting to relinquish his guard over any of his family members.

"These are from Grandpa and Brandon" explained Cassie sliding two brown square boxes towards Lizzie.  Inside the first are Halloween decorations of cats, witches, ghosts, bats and spiders, etc.  Seeing as you won't be able to decorate with us at home this year we figured you could decorate your dormitory room if the other girls accept it that is.  There is even your black and white candle holder that you made with Grace as a young girl" explained Cassie.  Inside the second are Christmas decorations she could use to also decorate her dormitory, similar lines to the Halloween decorations.

"This one is from me" said Cassie passing Lizzie a picnic basket from under the table.  "Mum it is a train ride to school not a picnic in the park" reminded Lizzie.  "I know but I have a feeling you are going to be quite popular at school and that there will be a few hungry students sharing your compartment.  There is chicken and salad sandwiches with honey mustard, pumpkin scones with cream cheese, some apples and your favourite chai tea" explained Cassie.  "Thanks Mum you are the best" cheered Lizzie taking a whiff of the chai tea in the hot thermos.  "How did you manage it, we have been here for three days nearly" said Lizzie curiously placing the basket with the other gifts.  "I have my ways" said Cassie mysteriously to her daughter.

"Shall we ring the others now or later? It may be too hectic at the train station" commented Grace thoughtfully.  "Why not?" said Lizzie beginning to move around the table to her family.  "uh why don't we do it in our room so it is not so crowded plus you need to pack this stuff away" recommended Jake.  Everyone agreed and grabbed one of the gifts heading back up to Grace and Lizzie's shared room.

During the call with the rest of her family, Lizzie received lots of goodbye advice such as: be good, study hard but not too hard, have fun, be safe and one final one which embarrassed Lizzie she was told to stay away from any boys".  After that the family bantered on the facetime chat for several more minutes before Lizzie, Jake, Cassie and Grace needed to leave for the train station.

"Well see you at Christmas then squirt and be safe" said Jake ruffling Lizzie's long hair and giving her a hug once they reached the barrier between platforms nine and ten.  "Yes, study hard but don't stress too much.  Make friends and be kind.  Let me know when you run out of tea and I'll send more with some treats" Cassie advised.  "See ya sis.  I am going to miss you terribly.  Who is going to wake me up at the crack of dawn every morning? Don't forget about us and write or contact us through the mirror dad gave you" said Grace giving her a final hug.

"I won't don't worry.  I will be in touch soon, I promise" assured Lizzie.  With one final hug to everyone Lizzie grabbed her trolley and ran through the barrier.  Once on the other side she saw a big gleaming red steam train belching out thick smoke that covered the people on the platform occasionally.  In gold gleaming letters it read The Hogwarts Express.  'This is a perfect opportunity for a photo' Lizzie thought digging into her trunk she withdrew her camera and took a photo of the platform once the smoke cleared for a moment.  With ten minutes to go, Lizzie put her camera away and started to search for a place to sit.  Once settled into an empty compartment, Lizzie released Tabby from his cat carrier and started to read a book once her trunk was in the luggage rack.  Five minutes before the train was to leave there was a knock on the compartment door.  "Excuse me, can I sit with you? Everywhere else is full" said a boy who had raven black hair, silver rimmed glasses, bright green eyes and was skinny as a twig said after opening the compartment.  "Of course.  Be my guest.  Here have some of this you look like you may need this" said Lizzie gesturing to the opposite seat to her before retrieving the picnic basket her Mum packed, giving Harry a plate full of some of the foods packed and poured him some tea.  "Uh thanks, you don't need to do that" said the boy nervously sitting down.  "No worries, it's my pleasure.  Besides my mum packed me lots of food and drink to share with my compartment mates.  The names Elizabeth Lilly Russell by the way but everyone calls me Lizzie" said Lizzie extending her hand forward to shake his.  "Harry Potter" said the boy now known as Harry.  "What's your owl called? She is very pretty" said Lizzie trying to bring up conversation and not make a start on his fame.  "Uh, her name is Hedwig.  She was a birthday present from my friend called Hagrid he works at Hogwarts as the groundskeeper" explained Harry.  "Ah from a History of Magic. My cats name is Tabby.  I know it is original.  My sisters had a crack at me when I first told them.  My family also recently purchased a snowy owl whom we dubbed Snowy so my family can keep in contact with me at Hogwarts" said Lizzie fondly glancing from Hedwig to Tabby then back to Harry.  As they talked the train began to move.

Five minutes into the train ride, passing by houses, farms and forests another boy knocked on the door.  "Excuse me, do you mind? Everywhere else is full" said the boy in the doorway.  "Not at all" said Harry gesturing to the seat beside him.  At this Lizzie retrieved the refreshments again and prepared a portion of it for the boy.  "The name's Ron Weasley by the way and thanks.  You didn't have too.  This is Scabbers by the way.  A bit pathetic isn't he?  All he does is sleep and eat.  Do you want to see a spell" said Ron addressing both Harry and Lizzie simultaneously while Lizzie passed him some food and tea.  The other two introduced themselves and their pets before Lizzie spoke "Ron, I'm not so sure that's a nice thing to say.  All pets have their quirks just like people do" causing both boys to be silent for a few moments.  After a moments hesitation, Ron continued with "So you really have the the scar?" pointing to his own forehead.  "Oh yeah" confirmed Harry lifting his bangs to reveal his scar.  "Wicked.  I thought Fred and George were pulling my leg.  They like to joke and prank everyone" said Ron.  "Who are Fred and George" enquired Lizzie in slight confusion.  "Oh they are two of my older brothers.  They are twins in Gryffindor and in their third year" Ron answered before stuffing a piece of scone in his mouth.  This initiated a whole conversation about their families and what they do lasting until the lunch trolley came around.

"Anything from the trolley dears" asked the trolley lady pushing a cart full to the brim with foreign candies Lizzie had never seen before.  Lizzie quickly said "No thank you madam.  We are all right for now thanks".  "Oh come on, you and Harry have never tried Wizarding candy before?" encouraged Ron between bites.  "Ron's right Lizzie, we have to try some of this stuff.  Not that we aren't grateful for what your Mum did.  All the food and tea will be gone by tomorrow morning, I'm sure you can share some with the other first years in the common room or dormitory.  It won't go bad" assured Harry jumping up and grabbing his money from his pocket and ordering three of everything.  Once they have eaten a quarter of the way through all the candy Ron says "Fred gave me a spell to turn Scabbers yellow, do you want to see?" asked Ron excitedly retrieving his wand.  "Yeah" exclaimed Harry and Lizzie before he started the incantation "Sunshine daisies" but was cut off by a third knock on the door.  It was Hermione and a plump shy boy who had tear stains on his cheeks. 

At the sight, Lizzie set to work dividing up portions of refreshments for them "Hello there Hermione, how are you? Would you and your friend like some food and drink?  The tea will help calm you down.  It always worked for me" enquired Lizzie politely.  "Oh hello there Lizzie.  I am good thanks.  My new friend Neville and I was just wondering if you've seen a toad anywhere?  Neville's lost his.  Also are you performing magic?" asked Hermione in a snobbish tone at the end directed to Ron.  "No sorry we haven't but I'll help you look as soon as I get changed and yes, Ron was just about to show Harry and I a spell on his rat Scabbers" offered Lizzie passing them their food and tea.  "Holy crickets.  You are Harry Potter.  I've read all about you and you are?" said Hermione turning from Harry to Ron.  "Uh Ron Weasley" Ron managed to get out through a mouth full of chocolate.  Hermione had a disgusted look on her face before turning to the three at large "Pleasure.  Well show us this spell then, come on come on?" Hermione encouraged.  Ron cleared his throat before starting again "Sunshine Daisies butter mellow turn this stupid fat rat yellow" at the end of the spell there was a flash of yellow that startled Scabbers from his sleep falling off Ron's lap.  "Are you sure that is a real spell.  Well it is not very good is it.  I've only tried a few myself.  For example, oculus repairo" said Hermione pointing to Harry's glasses.  After the spell the glasses were fixed she says "That's better isn't it?  You three better change into your robes I expect we will be arriving soon.  Thanks again for your tea and food Lizzie" said Hermione guiding Neville back out the compartment taking some refreshment each.  "No worries.  I'll be back soon boys" said Lizzie grabbing her robes and leaving for the girl's bathroom.   By the time Lizzie arrived back to the compartment the boys had changed and where packing up their stuff as they pulled into Hogsmeade Station.