Starman

1st of September 1971

the bustling platform of King's Cross Station was filled with the sounds of laughter, chatter, and the occasional hoot of an owl. Amidst the sea of families saying their goodbyes, Amalia Astoria Stirling was currently being crushed in a hug by her mother. Her father had just knocked all the wind out of her with his bear hug, and just when she thought she was going to pass out from the lack of air, her mother finally released her. Tears shimmered in her eyes, and her smile was so big it seemed tiring to keep up.

“Don’t forget to write regularly. Have you got everything? Socks? Pants? Toothbrush?” her mother asked rapidly, her voice a mixture of both excitement and worry. She ran her hands through Amalia’s hair, straightening it and fussing over her robes.

“Remember to breathe, dear. She’ll do great,” said her father mockingly, placing a reassuring hand on his wife’s shoulder. “Tell me everything you learn when you get back,” he said eagerly. Her father, Matthew Stirling was a Muggle who found magic extremely fascinating. He would constantly ask his wife to tell him all about the spells she was using at that moment, but she didn’t seem to mind, always indulging his curiosity with patient explanations.

“Don’t worry, Mum. I’ll be fine. And don’t worry, Dad. I’ll write and tell you everything. Now can we go? I’m gonna be late. And James will be looking for me,” said Amalia, looking around for the signature round glasses of her best friend.

“Yes, of course, darling. We’ll just miss you.” her mother said, wiping a tear with the handkerchief her husband had handed her. She tucked it back into her pocket, trying to compose herself.

“God, you didn’t act this dramatic my first year.” said Amalia’s sister, Brandimia, with a roll of her eyes. She was leaning against a pillar, her arms crossed, trying to look nonchalant but unable to hide the affectionate smirk playing on her lips.

“Oh hush now, Brandimia. We were the exact same when you left.” their mother scolded gently, giving her a knowing look.

“It’s Brandy!” said Brandy, outraged by her parents’ choice of name. “Why do you always use my full name? It’s so embarrassing!”

Their younger sibling, Astoria and Matthew's only boy, tugged at his mother’s sleeve. “I want to go with them,” he whined, looking up with wide, imploring eyes. His cheeks were flushed with excitement and a bit of frustration at being left behind.

“The train’s going to leave!” Amalia said nervously, glancing at the clock and then back at the bustling platform. The sight of other students already boarding made her stomach flip with anxiety.

“Of course, darling.” Her mother kissed both her daughters on the head, lingering a bit longer on Amalia. “I love you both so much. Have a wonderful time, and Brandim—I mean Brandy—look out for your sister.”

Brandy sighed but managed a small smile. “I will, Mum. Love you too.” Despite her attempts to seem indifferent, it was clear she cared deeply for her family.
Their father stepped forward and gave them each a kiss on the cheek. “Go get ’em, kid,” he whispered to his youngest daughter. His eyes shone with pride and a touch of sadness.

Amalia smiled up at him nervously. “Love you, Dad,” she whispered back, feeling a lump form in her throat. He winked at her, his confidence in her unshakeable.

The train whistled, a sharp, urgent sound, and the two girls ran in a hurry, hand in hand, their trunks bumping along behind them. “Goodbye! Have fun! We love you!” shouted their mother as they boarded the train in the nick of time. They turned back, blowing kisses and waving excitedly, leaning out the window.

As the train began to move, Amalia felt a mix of excitement and anxiety swirl in her stomach. She looked at her sister, who was settling into a seat across from her. “Brandy, do you think I’ll be okay?”she asked quietly.

Brandy gave her a reassuring smile. “Of course you will, Amalia. You’re going to love it at Hogwarts. Just wait until the Sorting ceremony; it’s so much fun.”

Amalia nodded, feeling a bit more at ease. She turned to look out the window, watching her parents and brother shrink into the distance, their waving hands becoming tiny specks. She took a deep breath and smiled, ready for the adventure that awaited her at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

“Just hang out here with me. I'm sure James will find you. It's better if you stay put." said Brandy. Amalia nodded.

The city began to blur past the window, and the rhythmic clatter of the train on the tracks filled the compartment. Amalia and Brandy settled into their seats, Brandy pulled out a book she had brought along for the journey. Amalia looked around the compartment, her eyes wide with wonder. Other students were chatting excitedly, sharing stories of their summer holidays and speculating about the upcoming school year.

“Do you think I’ll make any friends?” Amalia asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty. She fiddled with the hem of her robe, trying to imagine what it would be like to walk through the halls of Hogwarts for the first time.

“Of course you will,” Brandy said, not looking up from her book. “You’re smart and funny, and you’ll have no trouble fitting in. Just be yourself.”

Amalia nodded, taking comfort in her sister’s words. She turned her attention back to the window, watching the landscape change from city to countryside, the scenery becoming more magical with each passing mile.

“There you are!” said a tousle-haired boy, adjusting his glasses. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere!” He panted, slightly out of breath. “I’ve got a carriage for us.”

Two girls, Amalia recognized as Maisy and Iris—Brandy's two best friends who had come over that summer—were with him.

“Hey, Brands,” said Maisy, shaking some silver-white hair from her face. She sat down opposite her friend, next to Amalia giving her a squeeze, and Iris sat next to Brandy. Amalia looked at her sister, who nodded and smiled reassuringly.
“Go on.”

“You sure?” Amalia asked.

“Yes, now scram. I’ll see you at the feast.”

Amalia stood and waved goodbye to the carriage at large, then left with James. He smiled boyishly and showed Amalia to the carriage he had found for them. But as the carriage door opened, she saw that it wasn’t empty.

Sat on the right near the window was a boy with longish jet-black hair and silvery grey eyes. He looked up from the window when the carriage door slid open.

“This is Amalia. Amalia, this is Sirius. It’s his first year too.”

Amalia nodded at the boy with a shy smile. He smiled back politely. James and Amalia sat opposite Sirius.

“What house do you think you’ll get into? I hope I get into Gryffindor, but as long as it’s not Slytherin, I don’t really care,” began James. “My mum was in Ravenclaw, that’s the house for brainiacs so I probably won’t get in there. My dad was in Gryffindor…”

James kept on with his soliloquy, not really caring if anyone was listening. The boy opposite Amalia stared at her curiously, which Amalia found very unsettling. She shifted awkwardly in her seat, and the boy looked away, focusing his attention on James. He hadn’t meant to make her uncomfortable; he just wasn’t very good at meeting people, let alone a girl. He thought that she had the most interesting eyes, a kind of pale green with flecks of blue and brown. Every time he looked at her, they seemed to be a different shade of green.

Amalia was thinking a similar thing about his grey eyes. She found them intriguing, but there was also something unnerving about the way he kept glancing at her. They sat there listening to James speak for what felt like an hour before the trolley arrived, taking up all of their attention. James bought the most out of the three, he set down a little pile on the small table in between them when the trolley left.

“Dig in,” he said with a wide grin. They all relaxed, and dug into the pile, they chatted about what Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans they got and the school year ahead of them.

“Have you ever had the vomit-flavoured one?” asked Sirius, scrunching up his nose at the memory.

“I did once,” replied James, “and I swore never again. My favourite’s got to be the chocolate frog, though. You get a collectible card with each one!”

Sirius nodded, a small smile forming on his lips. “I’m hoping to get Dumbledore. I heard he’s the rarest.”

Amalia looked at the pile of sweets, her eyes catching a glimpse of a licorice wand. She reached for it, hesitated, then picked it up, feeling a bit more at ease.

“The first time I opened one, it jumped right out of the window. My dad had to buy me another.”

The conversation continued, the initial awkwardness slowly dissolving. Sharing stories and talking about their excitement and nerves about starting at Hogwarts, and their hopes for making new friends.

As the train chugged along, the countryside outside the window began to change, the fields giving way to forests and hills. The sky grew darker, hinting at the late hour. The trolley witch passed by again, offering them a second round of snacks. This time, they opted for pumpkin pasties and cauldron cakes.

Sirius took a bite of his pumpkin pasty, his grey eyes lighting up with approval. “This is really good. I’ve never had one before.”

“They’re the best,” said James with a mouthful of cauldron cake. “My mum makes them for special occasions. Maybe I’ll bring some back from Christmas break.”

Amalia smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her. The nervousness she had felt earlier was nearly gone, replaced by a budding sense of excitement. She glanced at Sirius, who caught her eye and quickly looked away. She wondered if he was just shy or if there was something about her that made him uncomfortable.

As the train neared its destination, James started talking about the Sorting Ceremony. “I’ve heard the hat sings a different song every year. My dad said it’s quite a spectacle.”

“I hope it doesn’t take too long to decide,” said Sirius quietly. “I just want to know where I belong.”

Amalia nodded in agreement. The anticipation was starting to build again, but this time it was mixed with excitement. She felt ready for whatever awaited them at Hogwarts.

The train finally began to slow down, and they could see the lights of Hogsmeade Station in the distance. The students around them started gathering their things, and the chatter grew louder with anticipation. James, Sirius, and Amalia exchanged looks, they smiled nervously.

“Ready?” asked James, standing up and grabbing his bag.

“Ready,” they both replied in unison.

As they stepped off the train and onto the platform, the cool night air filled their lungs. Amalia took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment. This was the beginning of a new adventure.

“First years, this way!” called a giant of a man with a bushy beard. “Follow me to the boats!”

James, Sirius, and Amalia followed the man, joining the throng of first years making their way to the edge of the lake. They climbed into a small boat together, the water reflecting the starlit sky above. As the boats started moving, they saw Hogwarts Castle for the first time, its turrets and towers illuminated against the night sky.

“It’s even more beautiful than I imagined,” whispered Amalia, her eyes wide with wonder.

“It really is,” agreed Sirius, his voice filled with awe.

James grinned, his excitement palpable. “This is going to be amazing.”

As they crossed the lake, Amalia felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. She glanced at Sirius again, who was staring out across the water, deep in thought. She couldn't quite figure him out yet, and she wasn't sure if they would become friends or if they'd just remain acquaintances. Either way, she was ready for whatever came next.

When they reached the other side, the giant man led them up to the castle. The doors opened to reveal a vast entrance hall, filled with the chatter of students and the glow of candlelight. Amalia's heart raced as they were ushered into the Great Hall, where the Sorting Ceremony would soon begin.

The ceiling of the Great Hall was enchanted to look like the night sky, and Amalia found herself staring up at it in awe. She could hear whispers from other first years, all just as nervous and excited as she was. She caught bits of conversation about family legacies, favorite spells, and hopes for making the Quidditch team.

Professor McGonagall, stern and imposing, stood at the front of the hall beside the Sorting Hat. One by one, names were called, and students stepped forward to be sorted into their houses. The hat's decisions were met with cheers from the respective house tables.

“Potter, James,” called Professor McGonagall.

James grinned and walked confidently up to the hat. After a moment's pause, the hat shouted, “Gryffindor!” The Gryffindor table erupted in applause, and James joined them with a broad smile.

“Black, Sirius,” called the professor.

Sirius walked up, looking a bit more nervous. The hat seemed to deliberate for a long time before finally announcing, “Gryffindor!” Sirius let out a breath and headed to join James, glancing over at the Slytherin table.

“Stirling, Amalia,” came the next call.
Amalia's heart pounded as she stepped forward. She sat on the stool, and the hat was placed on her head. It seemed to hum and haw for a moment before declaring, “Gryffindor!” Amalia felt a rush of relief and happiness as she joined James and Sirius at the Gryffindor table.

The rest of the ceremony passed in a blur of names and cheers. By the end of it, Amalia felt a sense of belonging and excitement. She had made it to Hogwarts, and she was ready for whatever adventures lay ahead. The feast that followed was a whirlwind of delicious food and lively conversation. She listened to James and Sirius banter and started to feel more at ease.

As Amalia settled into her seat at the Gryffindor table, she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned to see a girl with a shock of red hair and dazzling green eyes.

“Could you pass the potatoes?” the girl asked, pointing to the pile of mash.

“Yes, of course. Here you go,” Amalia replied, passing the dish with a shy smile.

“Thanks! I’m Lily,” the girl said, holding out her hand for Amalia to shake.

“Amalia,” she replied, shaking Lily's hand happily.

They struck up a conversation, and Amalia quickly found herself liking Lily a lot. She was nice and funny, and they chatted easily about their excitement and nerves for the upcoming school year. The initial awkwardness of the evening melted away as they laughed together, making Amalia feel more at home.

As the night wore on and the students were finally led to their dormitories, Amalia felt a deep sense of contentment. She was here, at Hogwarts, with new friends and a new adventure waiting to unfold. She glanced at Sirius, who caught her eye and gave her a tentative smile. She smiled back.

Amalia and Lily found themselves placed in the same dormitory with two girls named Marlene and Mary. They all seemed nice, and as they got ready for bed that night, they chatted excitedly about their first day at Hogwarts.

Amalia smiled to herself as she listened to their conversation, feeling grateful to have such friendly dorm mates. As she lay in her bed, she gradually drifted off into a deep sleep, the events of the day replaying in her mind like a pleasant dream. She couldn't wait to see what adventures awaited her at Hogwarts.