The Unexpected Task [H.P.]

Chapter 2 - September 1st

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        The next morning was blurry, full of scrambling around and throwing spare socks into my trunk, which threatened not to close, nearly bulging with books and cauldrons and scales, things I'd grown up fawning over. After hours of straightening my room, collecting my checklist of school items, and triple checking that my brand new wand remained in the pocket of my Hogwarts robes, I stood next to our fireplace with my parents, clutching a handful of Floo Powder, watching as the clock ticked from 5:49 to 5:50.

"It's time to go. Now, honey, they said to say "The Three Broomsticks" when you use the powder, not "Hogwarts" or anything like that, okay?" My mother reminded me, but I remembered from the thousand other times she said that this week. I nodded.

"You're going to be okay, kiddo." My dad reassured me, his brown eyes soft and truthful. And as I felt the truth of his words wash over me, I took one last glance around the small cottage, already attached to the dreary skies and green hills.

I stepped into the fireplace and threw the powder at my feet, "The Three Broomsticks!" I announced, and a pull in my chest tightened as I spun on my heel. I found myself spinning through the Floo Network, pulled and compressed, and in a few seconds, it was over. I opened my eyes tentatively, taking in the unfamiliar sight of a deserted pub before me. I climbed out of the grate, wiping off my robes, looking around at my new surroundings. The pub bore all the marks of a well-populated establishment, with at least 50 tables and booths around the wide room, hundreds of pictures dotting the walls, and an extremely well-stocked bar. I heard a whoosh of air behind me, and turned to find my parents climbing out of the grate as well, balancing my trunk between them.

"Are you ready?" My dad asked, wiping off his shoulders and peering at me over his thick glasses. My mother winced, her grip on my trunk tightening minutely. I nodded. A minute later, we were walking down the street of a small village, thin, misshapen buildings surrounding us on all sides. Over the tops of the buildings, I could see rolling hills and hundreds of trees. The air was brisk with that after-rain smell, but clouds above us looked foreboding and rain-pregnant, as if it would pour any moment. I picked up the pace, looking around me at the shops along the High Street- Eeylops Owl Emporium, Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop, down one street, I saw a brightly colored shop called Zonko's- but I focused on the end of the street, where the cobblestones turned to dirt, winding through the trees.

We moved along, not speaking as we passed through a thin forest, following signs to the Station I was told to wait at. I had no idea what was meeting me, or what to expect, but I pressed on, trying to push my timidness deep into my chest. Through a thinning of the trees, I started to make out a large brick building- behind that, an enormous scarlet train. My heart twisted as we got ever closer, and I heard the voices and laughter of an impossibly large group of people.

"Just up here, then, sweetie," My mother said, her voice sounding a little thick. I pressed on, though every nerve in my body was begging me to turn away and run. As we got closer to the station, a fat raindrop fell on my head. I looked up through the trees just in time for the skies to break open as a downpour rained upon us, soaking us through as we rushed towards the station building. There, under the safety of the overhang, I looked around me. A great Scarlet steam engine sat before us, now nearly empty of students, but they streamed past us in large groups, holding bags above their heads and rushing across the station towards another tree-covered lane. A gruff voice, carrying over the sounds of splashing feet and chatting, lured me away from watching their faces and imagining who they were, and what they'd become to me.

"Firs'-years! Firs'-years! Firs'-years over here!" I peered through the fog and steam towards the voice, but all I could make out was a giant form at the end of the platform.