Dreams of Magic (Harry Potter)

One: What Dreams are Made Of

"Sweetheart, don't worry!" Addy's mother cried, frenzied. "I'm sure you'll be fine..." Addy smiled at her mom, patting her shoulder to quell her worries. She was clearly more worried than Addy was, fretting and putting imaginary flyaway hairs back in their place on her daughter's head.

"Denise, relax," Her dad said casually, wrapping a strong arm around his wife's slender shoulders. "Addy'll be fine. We know how we raised her: she'll fit right in anywhere." Grinning up at her father, Addy nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, Mum," She supplemented, "I think I'll have a good time." Mrs. Hemmingway looked at her daughter for a moment, then nodded too.

"You're... You're right," She said, wiping tears from her eyes, "Now, let's not have you being late on your first day." Gripping the handle of her suitcase tighter, Addy couldn't help the small smile that donned her face. She was finally, finally getting to go to Hogwarts! She'd spent years of her childhood listening to her father's stories of going to wizard school, and she wanted nothing more than to do the same.

Just as she had practiced a few weeks ago, Addy leaned casually against a wall, making sure no other Muggles were looking her way. Once she saw the way was clear, she strode confidently through a stone wall and onto Platform 9 ¾. Her parents followed her a few moments later.

"Alright, dear, on you get!" Seeming to feel better from the pep talk, Mrs. Hemmingway had a small smile on her face. "Better get settled in, I'm sure it's a long ride."

"Good luck to Adaline Audrey Hemmingway! She's beginning her journey of witchcraft and wizardry!" Her father called with a bright, cheerful announcer's voice. Laughing, Addy hugged both of her parents goodbye; though it was a few more minutes before Addy actually got on the train- her mother teared up again.

Addy looked around the train car she had stepped into. There wasn't anyone else on it, so she stowed her luggage above one of the seats. Remembering that she had to change, she pulled out her school robes before zipping all her bags closed. She had barely had the chance to close the storage cart's lid before someone cleared their throat behind her.

When Addy turned around, her face immediately broke out into another grin. A boy was staring back at her with one side of his mouth curved into a smile. His face was pale and lightly freckled, and he had curly brown hair that was buzzed short at the sides. He already had his floor-length robes on, and stood before her with an odd, boyish grace.

"Good afternoon," Addy said cheerfully, greeting the boy.

"Good afternoon," He echoed, "I'm Jay, and I couldn't help but notice you standing over here." Addy looked over his shoulder at the empty train car, and she supposed that was fair.

"Well, I'm glad you decided to say hello!" Addy said earnestly. "I'm Adaline, but Addy's good too." Jay moved to store his luggage next to hers.

"Oh, well that's not fair, if we're sharing full first names." Confused, Addy furrowed her eyebrows.

"What?" She asked, and Jay laughed.

"I'm Jerusalem," He corrected, saying it just as Addy had, "But Jay's good too." Addy chuckled.

"Are you a first year, too?" Jay asked, sitting casually in a seat. Addy nodded.

"Yes, and I'm quite excited-" She began, but before Addy could get another word out, the connecting door further down in the train car opened smoothly. Jay turned in his seat to see who had arrived, too.

In stepped three boys, laughing about something. The one in front had nearly white hair, slicked smartly back. The other two boys behind him were both brunettes, with no expression on their round, full faces. Addy couldn't help but stare at the trio, and Jay raised an eyebrow in slight judgement. The one in front was saying something to the other two, but as he turned to look in front of him, he stopped talking. A sly smirk slid across the boy's lips, and he sauntered over to where Addy and Jay were.