There comes a time in every person’s life when the inevitable becomes inevitable. To 15-year-old Amaryllis O’norell her inevitable truth came in the form of a school transfer to Hogwarts School of wizardry in the UK.
The spirited girl stormed after her mother in the small muggle disguised flat. “You said that I wouldn’t have to move again!” She argued, her honey blonde ringlets flying around her shoulders as she viciously gestured.
“What’s done is done Amaryllis! I’ve already pulled you from Uagadou, there is no going back. You know that!” Her mother reasoned.
“You promised!”
“Don’t raise your voice at me!” She glanced at the dishes in the sink that were rattling loudly and the lights flickering in and off. “And get a hold of your magic! You’re not a child anymore!” The dishes drop back into the sink and the lights flicker off.
“But Mum!”
The older woman turned around pointing her finger at her daughter. “No. My decision is final. You start school at Hogwarts in two weeks, we will get your stuff on Monday. Your Aunt told me where we can find everything.” She flicks her wand at the lights and they stutter back on.
The apartment is silent as Amaryllis’s mother wandered over to the sink full of hot water and suds and began the chore of cleaning up after dinner. Watching her mother go through familiar motions compelled her to join her at her place, drying the freshly washed dishes. They worked in silence, surrounded by the muted clink and clatter of the utensils. Her mother’s owl Vallae’ chirped peacefully in the nest room.
“Mum?”
“Yes Amaryllis?”
“I really didn’t mean it. I’m sorry.”
Her mother melts, opening her arms and pulling her daughter into her embrace. “I know sweetie, I know you didn’t mean to. But we can’t risk it.” She sighs, pulling away and looking into her daughter’s warm canary coloured eyes, “This is the last time, I promise. You just need to graduate then you can move on with your life and we can forget this curse ever existed.”
Amaryllis nodded silently.
That was 2 weeks ago, the first day of their arrival in the United Kingdom. Since then, her mother had swept her off to Diagon Alley where she stayed alone for the better half of a week while her mother ran some errands. Returning to the ghost town that was their new flat was about as exciting as watching soup in a bowl. Her school luggage remained packed with the addition of thicker winter clothing that was unneeded at her last residence. All leading to where she stood now, at the entrance to platform 9 and ¾ with her mother wiping silent tears off her cheeks and wrapping her in a warm hug.
“I’ll miss you my daughter, my Amaryllis.” She whispers into her hair. Amaryllis felt her own salty tears slip over her cheeks. She hated leaving her mother. It was just the two of them, always had been. At her last school she had been able to visit her on weekends, now she was limited to the holidays every few months. Her gripped tightened around her mum and she breathed in the jasmine and lotus scent that was so familiar to her. “I’ll miss my mother, Freesia.” She murmured back as was tradition every time she left the woman who had raised her since she was barely old enough to string two sentences together.
The two women pulled away from each other, opposites in every way but bound together as the other’s closest family.
Neither said another word as Amaryllis turned around with a small sad smile and elegantly strode through the magical gates to the platform 9 and ¾ .
***
The other side of the platform was alive with large families and teenagers buzzing around and hauling their luggage onto the huge red steam engine that would take them the journey to the highest ranked school in the country, Hogwarts.
She chewed on her lip as she wandered down the length of the train, entering through a door at the very back of the long train. Flicking her fingers and carefully directing her luggage in front of her. She sought out the closest empty compartment and immediately sunk into the plush red seat by the window, curling her knees up to her chest as she watched the families say their goodbyes.
A tall pearly blonde boy dressed elegantly in black exuding wealth and authority, awkwardly leaned down to kiss his mother goodbye. She waved gracefully as he disappeared onto the train, a sophisticated tendril of white blonde hair curled to her collarbone, the rest of the woman’s hair and face cloaked by the stylish hat was wore on an angle. They were a handsome family she pondered quietly as she sat.
She continued to monitor the platform as slowly students began to separate from their families until only parents and guardians and siblings too young were left waving at the beast of machinery that carried them out of the station and out to the countryside.
Curled up in the empty compartment with a book titled ‘The Secrets Of Hogwarts and Those Who Know Them’, it wasn’t long before the girl became oblivious to her surroundings and drowned out the anxieties that haunted her. The heavy sliding of the door startled her from her position and she rose her hand in warning the sounds of a curse on her tongue.
“Oh sorry lovey, gave you a right fright didn’ I?” A plush blonde woman with her hair tied back in a tight bun and bright pink lipstick on, apologised profusely for startling the teen. “Would you like anything off the trolley?” The woman gestured to the small trolley loaded with sugary goods. Amaryllis eyed the tower of sugary treats, “Do you perhaps have anything on the more savoury side?” She asked, leaning forwards inquisitively. The woman smiled widely. “Of course, we do!” She boomed, “We have these pumpkin scrolls if you like?”
Amaryllis nodded calmly, “That’s perfect, thank you madam.”
Exchanging the snack and some change the bubbly woman reorganises her trolley, “Have a good day Hun, hope you enjoy those pumpkin scrolls.” She looked the teen over once more, “and don’t forget to change into your school robes soon, we’re almost there you know.” With a parting wave the cheery woman disappears from the compartment.
Taking the energetic woman's advice Amaryllis exchanges her jeans and bell sleeved blouse for the dark grey skirt, sweater vest, white button up and a set of long black robes that was the Hogwarts’ school uniform. Just in time for the train to reach its final stop.
Destination: Hogwarts School Of Wizardry.