Silence is Deafening

Chapter 5

"Lizzie, come on. We can't wait all day. The train leaves at exactly 11 o'clock. It's 10:54." Tonks said, gesturing to platform 9 3/4. I stood on my toes one last time, peering through all of the Muggle faces. I crossed my fingers like a child, hoping to see Remus' head bobbing out of the crowd. "Come on, where are you?" I whispered to myself.

"Elizabeth! We have to go, now." Tonks said firmly, and it was the first time she had ever been firm with me. I sighed, angrily, and turned back to her. She grabbed my arm and took off at a run, heading straight for the brick wall between platforms 9 and 10. Before I could blink, we were through the wall, in a brilliantly colored station. The cranberry colored train sat gleaming in the light, steam pouring out of it. I hardly had time to appreciate it, though, because Tonks was making a bee line for the doors to the train. She stopped just short of it and turned to me, breathless.

"I just can't believe he wouldn't show up! He knew how important today was to me! He said he would be here, you heard him!" I said, seething. If I could see my godfather right now, I may just slap him in the face.

No, I would hug him fiercely hard and tell him that I would miss him desperately, just like I did every year before the flight back to Ilvermorny.

"Something came up, Lizzie, he wouldn't just not come. Cut him a break, won't you?" Tonks said, yanking my pocket sized trunk from her robes. With a quick wave of her wand, it was suddenly real sized again, and she handed it to me.

"Now, when you get there, follow Ginny Weasley. She'll know where to go. Usually first years ride in boats up to Hogwarts, but I'm sure you'd rather ride with your friends. You'll be sorted first, since you're older. Once you can, write to Remus and let him know what house you got, and he'll send up some ties." Tonks said quickly, her hands on my shoulders.

"Got it. Ride with Ginny, get sorted first, write Remus." I repeated, nodding firmly. My stomach was in knots as I heard the last boarding call being yelled.

"Go on then, Lizzie. You'll love it. Have a great time, and make friends. You'll be brilliant. Now, go!" Tonks said, shoving me toward the train. I hugged her quickly and whispered a quick goodbye into her ear. I grabbed my trunk and hauled it onto the train, turning to wave at her. She waved back, beaming. Then, she looked very seriously at me and mouthed Be safe.

Be safe? What did she mean? I was going to the school I was supposed to be safe at. Why would she tell me to be safe?

Before I could question her, though, the train lurched forward, and I almost lost my balance. I stuck my head out of the window and waved at Tonks again. She waved back hard, winking at me. Once she was out of sight, I pulled my head back into the train and went to find a place to sit.

I came across a compartment that had the door closed. I reached for the handle to check if it was closed, just as I heard a drawling voice from inside.

"-see me wasting my time in Charms this year. I have more important matters on my hands."

I pulled the door open, and all heads snapped toward me. A girl with a squished face looked at me with confusion, and the boy next to her mirrored it. I, however, was much to preoccupied with the blonde boy sitting on the left. My stomach gave a flip as I recognized him from the bookstore.

"And what the fuck are you doing?" He snapped, and his anger made me recoil.

"Looking for a compartment." I said, and he scoffed.

"Obviously this one is full. Can't you see that?" He said, looking at me with disdain.

"I don't need help to notice that. Besides, I'd rather sit on the floor than in here." I heard my voice saying, but I couldn't believe that just flew out of my mouth. I couldn't help it, the boy pissed me off like no other. He looked shocked too, and his face twisted into anger.