Elira sat at the end of a hotel bed, looking out of the window as the double decker buses and hoards of people went by. The rain was falling from the sky like a power shower, drenching those with and those without umbrellas.

She missed her father, she couldn't understand why her mother could not make the relationship work. Relationships were just not worth the hassel in her opinion. They always ended badly, and sometimes they were bad from start to finish... Like she had experienced with her first love, Bogdan.

"Elira, how long is the silent treatment going to last? you haven't spoken a word since we left for London." Her mother Gwen sighed desperately.

Her daughter caught her eyes and gave her an icey glare. "Right, so you're just going to say nothing for the rest of the year are you? I know you're upset with the divorce but you need to let it go. To be honest your sulking is getting ridiculous!"

Elira, closed her eyes when her mother spoke. As if trying to pretend that she wasn't there. She had heard a lot about Hogwarts and knew it was a much better school than Durmstrang, but she hated having to leave her father.
At least she wouldn't be constantly watching her back at Hogwarts, right?

She just couldn't accept the reasons for which she had to attend the school, the 'fresh start' her mother moaned on about. 'Fresh for who exactly?' she groaned in her thoughts. It wasn't a fresh start for Elira, it was an aftermath. Something she had no choice but to endure.

"Well, get a wriggle on Miss Ziplip, we have a train to catch." Her mother ordered, picking up her bags and gesturing for Elira to follow suit. Which she did, begrudgingly.

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They arrived at Kings Cross station in the heart of London, commuters buzzing around them like locusts. Elira trailed behind her mother before pausing at the sight of a branch of 'Upper Crust'. She creeped up to the counter and placed her order, "BLT baguette, please." She smiled politely at the serving girl who then took the sandwich and wrapped it 'to go'. She payed the extortionate price required to obtain the basic bite and went on her way.

"Where have you been? I've been walking along talking to myself!" Her mother sighed, Elira held up the plastic carrier bag with the sandwich in and scowled.

They arrived at platform 9 3/4 and Elira stormed onto the train behind her mother, who got the message loud and clear when Elira didn't join her in her chosen carriage. "If that's the way she wants to play it.." Gwen mumbled under her breath.

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Elira sat down in a carriage towards the end of the train, hoping that nobody would come and join her. That was the last thing she needed.

Of course her request to a higher being was denied with a laugh when a strange, and rather intimidating man entered the carriage and glared at her. He took a seat opposite her and continued to stare, not a flicker of warmth in his black eyes.

Elira couldn't quite make him out, he looked older than he probably was, His sallow skin must have aged prematurely. Possibly due to drugs, alcohol, cigarettes or even stress. However that was simply speculation...

"What house are you in girl?" the man snapped, his eyebrow arched in a patronising fashion.
Silence...

"Are you deaf? Or are you from another planet?" He scowled, becoming increasingly irritated as she ignored him. "Fine, stay silent. I prefer dunderheads when I cannot hear them anyway... I would advise you to find your voice before we arrive at Hogwarts though, unless you wish to serve detention."
Elira knew he wasn't joking but didn't care anyway, she took out her sandwich and started munching away.

"Do you have any manners? I do not wish to sit here in this confined space inhaling the vile stench of that sandwich!" He groaned, his long greasy black hair falling into his face like a set of drapes.

Elira gestured towards the carriage door mockingly and rolled her eyes before taking another bite.
"Why you insolent litt..." He began before she cut him off, "I'm not in any house yet because I'm new to Hogwarts." She told him simply before continuing with her lunch.

"So it speaks! there was i in the assumption that you had lost your voice." He sneered, straightening his long bat like robes and standing as the train finally approached the station. "IT doesn't like being objectified." She spat aggressively, throwing her rubbish in his direction and pushing past him.