September 1st 1993
I swung my feet out of bed, wincing at the cold feeling that encases my flesh as I move to get up. The Nott manor was always freezing, as if it was against Merlin himself to light a fire.
Half past 6 and the morning was positively groggy. The usual grey clouds threatened to fill the English air with drops of rain. Breakfast would be ready at 7, or at least that’s what Rogo the house elf had said when he woke me.
I was relishing in the thought of returning to Hogwarts today. The slightly warmer atmosphere of the slytherin common room would be pleasantly welcomed, although I’d miss my massive bed terribly.
By the time I had finished packing and laid out my clothes for the day breakfast was ready and I ventured downstairs to join my family in the dining hall.
As usual the only person who sat eating was my younger brother Theo. My father rarely joined us since the passing of my mother three years ago. Me and Theo had been quite young, Theo barely 10 and me a few days short of 13.
“Good morning Andrea” Theo greeted barely glancing up from the food he was scarfing down. “Good morning Theodore” I replied taking my place at the table. As I did, Rogo brought me a plate of my usual breakfast. “Here you are miss” he said placing down the plate of fruit and toast. “Thank you Rogo” I smiled beginning to eat.
The room was quiet as we both ate, and only after Theo and me had finished eating did he offer me any sort of pleasantries.
Although we were close, Theo was always sort of closed off. It started when mom died, but only got worse when father beat him over his grieving demeanor. Anytime I could, I’d cast myself between the men. Begging him to hit me instead but it was with no such luck, and Theo took most of the physical beatings.
After some time of casual conversation, we rushed off to get ready for our departure. Once in my room, I brushed my teeth and hair, before throwing on the clothes I had laid out. As a finishing touch I quickly did my makeup before joining Theo in the main hall.
Rogo was in charge of making sure our departure went smoothly, including teleporting us and our belongings without mishap. After a quick apparition to a deserted alley near kings cross station, Theo and I made the short walk to the station before discreetly slipping into the wall between platforms 9 and 10.
The shift in mood was instantaneous. The loud cheerful noise of kids getting ready to return to school, the loud screeches of the train as it released steam, and the first years bursting with excitement and sadness to slip into their first year at Hogwarts.
As we walked past a mum saying by to her first year I couldn’t help but remember the day I started Hogwarts. Mum and Theo had stood at the station until the train left fully and I watched from the window as Theo cried. Mum had to promise I’d be back in 2 months for holiday before he let go of my hand and let me get on the train.
At the sight of platinum blonde hair, Theo gave me a quick hug before walking off to join the Malfoys son, Draco.
After pushing through the crowded isles of the train I finally joined my friends in our usual cubby.
“Nice of you to finally join us Nott” a voice said as I loaded my trunk onto the rack above us. “Drop the attitude and admit you missed me Pucey” I said shooting him a smirk over my shoulder.
Terrance, ever the saint stood up to help me give the last shove to my trunk. After my luggage was secured he turned me in his arms giving me a kiss and mumbling against my lips “Miss me Nott?”
“Of course Higgs” I said leaning in more to return the kiss.
“Get a room, you two” Lucian said from next to where Terrance had been sitting. “Shove it Bole, you’re just jealous” He said shoving his Best friend out of the way before gently pulling me into the seat next to him.
“Where’s montague?” I asked noticing the missing person from our cubby. “Oh he’s off with flint. Reckon he’s been upgraded to the big leagues” Miles said from next to Adrian.
“That foul git always did think he was better than us” Warrington chided, us all nodding in an agreement.
“Where’s Macmillan?” Adrian slipped into the conversation hoping no one would notice. But I did and I smirked, “She’s with her Hufflepuff friends as usual.”
“Why don’t you invite her to take Montagues place? Isn’t he the reason she doesn’t sit with us?” He asked trying to look nonchalant.
Although this was partially true that graham was the most unwelcoming of the group, it wasn’t the only reason my best friend kept her distance. I sort of ran with a crowd of pure bloods, pure bloods who unfortunately didn’t share the same beliefs that me and Diana did.
It was more of a formality really, I knew that Pucey and Higgs didn’t exactly agree with it either but it came with the territory. The rest of my friend group was more of an extension of the people I was closest to.
“He’s not the only reason she stays away, maybe if you’d stop chasing her like a thirsty dog she’d Join us more” I quipped earning a laugh from all of them and tinge of red on Adrian’s face.
“Shove off, gits” he mumbles turning to face the window.
“Oh come on, we’re just fucking with you Adrian. I think your crush on her is sweet” I said.
Adrian rolled his eyes “whatever” but I saw him tinge red again.
After passing the rest of the ride with mindless conversation of how our summers went, we all slipped off in small groups to change into our robes for the feast, and by nightfall the train had halted to a stop signaling that we had arrived.