I ran down the stairs - a newfound spring in my step. The realisation that I was finally going to Hogwarts was clearly rubbing off on me.

Once I arrived at the kitchen, the aromatic scent of syrup and pancakes filled my nostrils and I breathed it in delight.

My family greeted me with a warm welcome as I cautiously put my heavy suitcase on the floor.

"Right, Briar. You're going to have to eat quickly," my father said glancing at his watch, "the Hogwarts Express leaves at 11 so we need to leave in about 15 minutes."

I glanced over at the kitchen table which was filled with platters of food, then at my siblings, whose morning stupor dragged their heads down every now and then.

Stifling a laugh, I grabbed a pancake and started applying golden syrup onto it. 

"Mum? Are we going to meet Ginny at King's Cross?" I asked.

"No, darling. They're running late as it is, as will we if we don't get a move on." She looked over at my bulging suitcase. "Alan, maybe we should get Nica and Rob into the car, as well as the suitcase." 

My father nodded and guided my siblings away, my suitcase dragging behind him.

Mum looked down at the necklace I was wearing, and a small smile drifted across her stressed features. "I needed to just have a mother-daughter chat. You don't mind do you?"

I shook my head.

"Good. Now listen, we don't care whatever house you're put in - even if it's Slytherin. We just need you to be happy and making lots of new friends. Remember, an owl post every week!"

Nodding, I stood up which scattered the remaining crumbs on my faded jeans onto the floor. I hugged my mother tightly, relishing the feeling of her arms wrapped around mine, as I knew I wouldn't have another moment like this for a while.

***

Once we had all settled into the car (magically expanded by my dad to fit everything in), we drove off to King's Cross Station. Upon arriving there, I spotted Luna Lovegood, also a fellow friend of mine.

"Luna!"

She turned around, her round glasses perched upon her dainty forehead. Squinting, she finally spotted the source of the noise and waved me over.

My family and I trudged over to Luna and her father and greeted them with smiles. Soon, we were all talking and laughing with each other once again, as if we'd been together for years.

I looked at the time. 

10:55 a.m.

"Mum, dad. We should really be getting in now," I said with a worrying look at the wall where hundreds of kids were already crowding around.

"Right. Well you and Luna go ahead first, dear. We'll follow and wave you out." My mother planted a soft kiss on top of my forehead. 

I hugged each of my tearful siblings in turn, and my father ruffled my hair before whispering, "If any boys come near you, just tell us. They won't know what they got into." 

"Dad!" I exclaimed, letting loose a chuckle.

My father grinned at me before letting me walk over towards the wall.

"Ok, Briar. On the count of three. One, two-"

We pushed our trolleys against the wall and tumbled into the overcrowded Hogwarts Express. I found myself being surrounded by animals of all sort, as well as the heat radiating from all the bodies cramped together.

We glanced back at one of the windows to see both our families waving at us. Smiling in return, we waved back until they were only mere dots, barely visible. 

"We should find a compartment." I said while looking around in wonder.

Luna and I pushed through people, taking no notice of the glares and glances shot our way. When we reached the end of the train, there were no empty compartments.

"Maybe we should head into that one," Luna pointed out.

I followed her gaze until I saw one with a boy in it, holding a massive green toad. 

Opening the door, we stepped in. "Hello, do you mind if we sit here?"

The chubby-faced boy gave us a warm smile before saying, "No, not at all. I was just leaving now anyway. Apparently my friends have found another compartment." He gave out a chuckle.

"Thank you," I replied, stepping into the newly spacious compartment.

As Neville left, Luna began pulling out her robes.

I gave her a questioning glance as she began pulling it over her head.

Eh, what's the point of waiting? I might as well get my robes out.

Taking a seat in my new robes, I watched as Luna brought out her all too familiar Quibbler and began reading it.

"What's that you're reading?" I asked her.

"Oh," she said in surprise, "it's about the crumple horned snorkack. Did you know, it came from Sweden." She then went into a long rant, talking about it's history and how nargles (I think?) differentiated from them.

I tried to maintain my interest in her speech, but to no avail. Sighing, I slumped down on my seat, pulling out one of my school books to read for the time being.

***

"Firs' years over here! Firs' years!"

I walked over to the source of the noise, finding a huge giant figure of a man standing in my wake. He seemed friendly enough, but in my opinion, the beard and the clothes were a bit off-putting.

"Alrigh'. I want y'all to get into groups of four. I'll accept three's if I have to but no less!"

Excitedly, I began heading over to an empty boat. While sitting down, I spotted a hint of red hair rushing among the sea of students.

"Ginny!" I yelled out.

She turned around, and when noticing me, ran over to the boat that I was sharing with Luna.

"Ginny, where were you?"

"Late.. diary.. forgot.." Ginny muttered, mumbling only a few legible phrases.

"You might be diagnosed with Humpy's disease. Symptoms include excessive panting, sweat and redness - like you!" Luna exclaimed, earning herself two blank expressions.

She quickly tore her gaze down at her Quibbler in embarrassment from our lack of reaction.

"Righ', we're gonna set off now. 3... 2... 1! Hagrid bellowed.

We quickly became silent as we watched the boats slowly begin rowing their way towards the castle.

After a couple of minutes, traces of grey started to show up against the dark night sky. The stars shining from above added to the eery magical vibe of the ever-growing Hogwarts castle. Squinting more closely, I noticed a large number of students filing their way into the Great Hall - supposedly the elder years. Elatement coursed through my veins as I realised that would soon be us.

As if responding to my thoughts, the boats started to slow down. Soon, the castle was looming over us all with its tall towers and great width.

I looked around, trying to burn the incredible scene of the castle into my memory. Everyone else seemed to be doing the same, although some wearing more worried expressions than others.

"First years, can you all stand over here please?" a high-pitched female voice called out.

A/N: Thank you to everyone who has read, voted, commented and messaged me so far about my story - I really appreciate it. 😃😃