Walking into the platform, Ila's eyes widened in disbelief, with the hustle and bustle of the platform.

Someone jolted her as they rushed past, into the oncoming crowd.

Hundreds of children were pushing their own trolleys, the smell of the owls in their cages, combined with the classic platform smell, the coal and metal permeated through her senses.

It set the aesthetic the girls in her class talked of. The vintage aesthetic.

"Come on... " Harry said as they hurried along with the Weasleys, making their way through the children, their parents.

Many who were eager to meet their friends, giving their parents quick kisses and jumping into the train coaches. Then there were those who hugged their parents for long, not letting go even as the parents pat their back and kissed their heads, whispering reassurance in their ears.

Must be first years like her.

" Come on, should we board now? " Harry's voice cut through her admiration, as she stared at the train, it's steam rising indicating it was about to leave.

" I guess? " She said. Reality hit her that very moment as she stared at her mother.

She herself looked glassy eyed, but cleared her throat and bent down to her.

" Ila, listen to me. I couldn't be prouder of you, you will go learn something that matches you, that makes your body sing in delight. You are going to be a good friend to those who need it, tough against the wrong and always remember, 'Righteousness protects those who protect it'. Don't get into mischief and try not to do risky things. Okay? I love you. " Her mother said, gently pushing her hair back into her bun.

" I'll write whenever I can and -and send you interesting food, " Ila knew her mother was a food lover, always eager to try new things, " I'll take care of your baby... " Ila frowned at Apollo who preened under Sunita's gently hands.

" I'll.. I'll go now. I love you. " Ila said, as she pulled her trolley.

As Harry began to follow her though, Ron arrived at the scene too, with his mum and brothers.

" You coming mate? " He asked and Harry looked back at Mrs Sunita.

" Come here Harry, " She said kindly, pulling him into a close hug, " Keep yourself and her out of trouble. You'll have a great year. I promise. " She then released the boy.

" Safe travels you all. " Mrs Weasely said kindly to all of them, as they, with the help of their seniors and parents finally boarded the train.

As the train began to run, Ila's mother ran after it, " Eat your food properly bacha! If I know you haven't taken care of yourself I'll come and best you at Hogwarts itself! " She said, her daughter laughed in return, bidding her mother a goodbye, as the train pulled out of the station.

The citylandscap spanned her vision as she stared out of the windows of the cabin.

"Mind if we join you? " Asked Harry and Ron as they stood outside the door.

" Why not. Come in. " She answered absentminded, staring into the countryside. The rolling green fields and the villages offered a scenic view.

But, she got bored of seeing the same villages, the same field.

She finally dreh herself to the conversation the boys were having.

" Sunshines, daisies, butter mellow, turn this stupid fat rat yellow! " Ron yelled, and she watched as his wand vibrated, but didn't affect the poor rat in his hands.

She also saw that the boys had treats.

" What's that? " She asked, staring at a pentagonal box, it looked like a star.

" They're chocolate frogs, don't -" But before he could stop her, Ila had opened the package and the rat jumped, her piercing scream was louder than the train whistle as the boys clamped their ears shut.

" Blimey woman! Warn a guy will you! " Ron chided, as he gently pet his poor rat, who had taken shelter in another bag of sweets.

" Well, who did you get? " Harry asked, finally as he calmed Ila down, " I got Dumbledore. " He showed her the card, the picture moved slightly, a twinkle in the old man's eyes, behind the half moon spectacles.

" Have you seen a toad? A boy named Neville's lost one. " Came a familiar voice as she snapped her head up, " Hermione!" Ila yelled, crossing the tiny cabin to pull the girl into a hug.

" Oof! " Hermione says, even as she laughs with joy, " Ila, right? I'm glad to see you! How's it been! I read through the -" That's when she saw Ron attempting the spell again.

"- turn this stupid fat rat yellow! " Ron said again nearly zapping at the rat, as Ila learnt was named Scabbers.

" Oh, are you trying magic spells? " Hermione inquired as the girls pulled away " Well, it's not very good is it? " She said, then sat down in front of Harry, " Occulus, reparo. " She recited, holding her wand in a stiff stance.

Within an instant, it fixed Harry's spectacles, the nose bridge was straight, the tapes vanished.

" Woah. " Harry said, taking his spectacles off to inspect them.

" I learnt it from the books we read. -wait, who are you though? " She asked, tilting her head in confusion.

" I'm Harry, Harry Potter. " He answered and then she rounded to Ron.

" And, you? " She said, staring at him with slight reservation.

" Ron Weasely. " He answered, mouth full of candies.

" Pleasure to meet you. Also, you have dirt on your face... Did you know? " She said, pointing at her own.

" Well, Hermione, these are my friends. I met Harry at Diagon Alley, Ron at the platform. Boys, " She said, sending them a warning glare, " This is my friend Hermione Granger. I met her at Flourish and Blotts. " Then she smiled at her, " Would you like to join us? " She invited kindly.

" I'm afraid not, but thank you Ila. I must look for the toad elsewhere. See you at Hogwarts! You should get your robes on, we're about to reach. " She smiled, bouncing away, as her curls jumped behind her.

"Barmy witch. " Ron mumbled.

" What? " Ila asked and Ron went red, " Uhh, nothing. We should get ready. She's right, we're about to reach. "

As the train pulled into the Hogwarts Station, night had fallen, the twinkling stars in the night sky offered a spectacular view of the constellations.

As she got of the train, the chill hit her hard and she furrowed her brows, huddling her arms close to herself.

" You're cold? " Asked a voice and she turned to see a boy. He was pale, even in the dark night and so were his equally pale hair. His robes, though similar to hers simply screamed money.

" Well, it is chilly. " She answered, blowing  warm air into her clasped fists.

" Here, " He offered though he seemed put out by the gesture.

Ila was able to take many things. But pity and rudeness wasn't one of them.

" No thank you. I am fine. "  She answered, huddling under the station shade.

" Take it. " He insisted, " Malfoys are always taught to respect women. " He said, with an air of arrogance.

" And you seem like the one who's pushed into that respect, you don't want to give me one. " She finally snapped and he sighed.

" You! My father -"

" - oh daddy's boy.. I've heard of Daddy's girls, whiny girls who think the world revolves around them, never did I see this happening. " She cut him off.

He breathed through his nose, as if frustrated, " I apologize, " He sighed, " If my mother were here she would punish me for being mean to a lady. Let's start again. " He said, extending a hand, " Draco Lucius Malfoy and you? " He asked.

" Ila. " She replied, staring at his hand warily, then gently shook it.

" Would you like the jacket now? " He asked, trying to keep the arrogance out of his tone.

" I would, if you hand it to me kindly. " She replied, just as patiently, even though it took a lot from her to not snap at him and whip her hair in his face.

He huffed, running a hand through his pale blonde hair, though it didn't do much other than slick them back further, sighed then gave her the jacket, gently laying it on her shoulder.

" Thank you. " She said, " You're a first year too? " She asked and he nodded.

" Yes, father wanted me to go to Durmstang, but mother refused. " He answered.

" Ila! " A sharp voice called and she snapped her head back, " Coming! " She replied.

" See you at school then? " She said and the boy finally smiled, if slightly.

"Yes, I hope you're in Slytherin. " He said, then smiled.

Ila hurried back to her friends, for a new world beyond.

⏟

I mean... 11:59 counts?

My clg results were supposed to arrive today... They didn't... It's unsettling 😭

Anyways, tell me how it was.

Much love