"Aller! Aller! Quickly sweetheart, we have to leave!"

A helpful arm moved through the darkness and slung around the shoulders of a small framed girl, ushering her to hurry. The noise of suitcases dragging on the floor accompanied them, scarring marks into their hallway floor. They bustled their way to the back entrance of their home, the door of which was already gaping open, allowing them to exit.

"Follow your father. Do not stop. Do anything and everything we tell you. Bien?"

"Bien, La Mere" The youngest woman nodded quickly.

"Sara? Sonia?" The two women heard their names hanging in the sticky, summer air, their heads snapping to the direction of the noise. Sara looked back to her mother with fear blinking in her stare.

"We'll be fine but we must move. Aller Sara!"

Sara pulled her suitcase from the floor, struggling to lift it at all. She took a step outside to find her father, a thud filling her ears as her suitcase met the concrete and found its wheels. She held the handle of the suitcase in her right hand, managing to move easier as it glided on its two small wheels. She put her left hand into her trouser pocket and pulled out her wand, a 12 inch hawthorn, slightly yielding with a phoenix feather core.

"Lumos" Sara whispered with a flick of her wrist, her lisp prominent in her words.

A small ball of white light crawled to the end of her wand, lighting up the pathway in front of her. Her eyes followed the path until they found her father again. She moved quickly, mimicking his footsteps and matching his pace. She could now hear her mother's steps behind her own and the family started to move in sync, making their way out of their garden and into a vast stretch of French fields just over a small, wooden fence. Using all of her strength she flung her suitcase over the obstacle before swiftly hopping it herself. Once back on her father's tail, the pulling of her suitcase became hard again but Sara remembered her mother's words and didn't even dare to stop.

She glanced back at her mother for a moment, who had become a hypocrite to her own words. Sonia was stood still, facing back in the direction of the house.

"La Mere?" Sara questioned, aiming the light towards her mother.

Sonia looked to Sara. "Protective spells." She explained. Now keep moving!"

Sara nodded and Sonia turned back to face the house again. "Salvio Hexia" she whispered, moving her wand in a downwards movement before continuing to follow her family through the stretches of long, overgrown grass.

"We're almost there" Henry spoke in a loud whisper.

Sara looked up to her father. "Papa, where are we going?"

"It doesn't matter right now, just keep up, not far to go."

The trio continued travelling quickly for a further 10 minutes, they'd only moved a short distance but it had seemed like miles. The hot air and darkness of night paired together and smothered them. The ground was boggy, their feet sinking slightly in places and tripping on overgrown grass in others.

Sara was scared. To be awoken in the middle of the night, after weeks of her parents sneaking around, whispering and pretending things were okay, to then be ushered out of her childhood home without even looking back was terrifying. She knew now that something was seriously wrong. It was not the right time however to ask questions, not whilst they were in the middle of running away. Her parents were scared too, she could tell that, so she did as she was told and there was nothing more to it.

Sara raised her wand slightly, brightening the space in front of her. She could see her father slowing as they reached a parting in the lengthy grass. He finally stopped and Sara stood next to him, focusing her eyes on what her family were now gathered around. A large glass bottle stood half buried in the soft dirt, with a small cork sealing its opening. Sara looked to her father, confused and slightly bewildered at the curious object.

"It's a port key honey. It will take us away from here. It will take us where we need to be." Sara looked back down at the bottle and swallowed nervously. She had learnt about port keys in her fourth year at Beauxbatons Academy but had never travelled by one. "Okay everybody ready? Grab on." Henry spoke firmly.

Each one of the Clement family placed their left hand on the bottle, keeping a tight hold of their belongings in the other.

The world around Sara began to blur, she was spinning, they were all spinning, the whole world was spinning. The fields span away from Sara's sight as she was enclosed in a grey, tornado like shell. It swirled around the three of them for what seemed like hours.

"laisser partir!, laisser partir!"

Full of fear and uncertainty, Sara obeyed her father's orders and let go of the bottle. She could feel herself falling now, her heart was in her mouth, and the sensation was sickening. She was getting closer to the ground, she couldn't stop. She raised her arms to her face and prepared for impact, her eyes clenched as she hit the floor with a thud.

Eyes shot open and a rigid body sprang up right in her bed, mimicking that of a muggle child's, jack-in-the-box. Panicked pants echoed through the room before slowly disappearing into the morning sunlight. Sara clasped the bed sheets she was resting on into her hands as she steadied her breathing, slowly calming, remembering that she was safe now.

The port key that took Sara and her family away from their troubles had brought them to England, London, to be precise. It was almost the end of July and a month since the Clement family had fled France. They were now living in an old run down building, a 16thcentury, Georgian end terrace, not too far from The Leaky Cauldron. Its aged bricks were held up by a heavy, wooden door, it was black in colour but slightly chipping its paint around the edges. The house as a whole was guarded by an iron fence, identical to every other fence on every other house next to it. Sara's father, Henry had told her how he had bought this house when Sara was born, as a safe haven, should they ever need it. Like many wizarding homes and establishments in London, it was rich with charms and spells so that no muggle or enemy should even happen upon it.

Sara was growing to like her new home, over the past month her parents had filled it with enchantments just like they had back in France. In the kitchen you'd find the dishes washing themselves, a broom sweeping the floor by itself and in Sara's bedroom, the curtains would open as soon as she awoke in the morning, almost mimicking her eyelids as they fluttered open to see daylight.

Sara stroked her hands over her face and rubbed her eyes to wake herself up. She slung her legs out the side of her bed, perching herself on the edge, trying to forget her reoccurring nightmare. She sighed to herself then stood, stretching her arms above her head with a tired yawn and padded over to her wardrobe, pulling out a t-shirt with her favourite band on. "The Smashing Pumpkins" Sara laughed to herself. Imagine what the muggles would do if they knew these guys where witches and wizards.

As she finished dressing and tidying her spiky blonde hair, she heard a familiar tapping on her window. Her eyebrows furrowed and she spun on her heels in the direction of the noise. Her mouth quickly whipped into a smile that beamed off her face and she lunged forward in glee towards her window.

"Amber!" Sara exclaimed with excitement. "I didn't think I'd see you again."

In the window sat a beautiful, ghost white, snowy owl, tapping its beak lightly on the window pane. Sara gently pushed the window upwards before holding her right arm out across her body, offering her childhood pet a perch. The small owl fluttered inside quickly, clasping its claws onto Sara's forearm. She stroked the back of her index finger over her birds' head, just in between its eyes before replacing her finger with her lips, softly kissing it for a moment, both Sara and Amber enjoying each other's long yearned company.

"What have you got there, Amber?" Sara quizzed, eyeing the envelope in the birds beak. She took the letter into her hand, setting her pet down to perch on the edge of the window sill. Sara then sat for the second time that morning on the edge of her bed. She turned the envelope over twice, scanning the front and back with squinted eyes, curious as to whom was writing to her.

Miss S Clemet,

27 Litchfield Street,

Covent Garden,

London

A small pang of fear hit Sara's chest. Her family were meant to be in hiding, however someone knew their address. Someone knew exactly where they were. She swallowed thickly, growing more anxious the longer the letter remained in her grasp.

She slowly turned the envelope over, examining the large, red wax seal that was stamped on the back, gently running her fingers over it.

"Hogwarts" Sara whispered to herself, reading over the print above the beautiful seal, she wished she didn't have to break.

She paused for a moment.

"Hogwarts!" She spoke to herself again, this time registering the word she was reading and saying out loud. "As in the school Hogwarts!?" She questioned excitedly, not caring that there was no one around to give her an answer. She tore the letter open quickly, forgetting about the seal she was so carefully admiring only moments ago. Her eyes scanned with pace over the words on the piece of parchment clutched in her hand, flicking from side to side in no attempt to hide the excitement behind them.

Hogwarts School Of

Witchcraft And Wizardry

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore

(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc , Chf. Warlock,
Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)

Dear Miss Clement

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted atHogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, for your final two years of magical study. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on1 September. We await your owl by no later than31 July.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

UNIFORM

First-year students will require:

Three sets of plain work robes (black)

One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear

One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)

One winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings)

Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry name tags.

COURSE BOOKS

All 6th year students should have a copy of each of the following:

The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 6

Quintessence: A Quest

Confronting the Faceless

Flesh-Eating Trees of the World

Advanced Potion-Making

A Guide to Advanced Transfiguration

OTHER EQUIPMENT

1 wand

1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)

1 set glass or crystal phials

1 telescope

1 set brass scales

Students may also bring, if they desire, an owl OR a cat OR a toad.

Sara leapt to her feet, rushing out of her bedroom door towards the beautiful staircase that stood in her home. Her hands brushed down the dark wooden banister that swirled downwards to floorboards that matched in material. Thud after thud sounded around the house as Sara's feet tapped heavily on each hard step.

"Mere! Papa!"

Sara swung her body around the bottom of the banister that curled at the end into a small spiral before running into the kitchen. She found her mother and father sat quite comfortably at the kitchen table; her father had his head buried in the mornings Daily Prophet, quietly sipping a cup of nettle tea, whilst her mother was amusing herself by tucking into a bowl of Cheeri-Owls. They both abandoned their activities when Sara bundled into the room, breathing heavily and doubled over in the doorway.

"Sara? Honey what's wrong?" Sonia asked, setting her spoon down onto the oak table.

"Nothing! Nothing at all, its good news actually." Sara said between breaths.

Sara walked towards an empty chair, sitting herself down at the table between her parents and laid the letter out on the surface for everyone to see.

"It's from Hogwarts, the school!"

Sara's father smiled over at her mother who returned his look with a smile of her own.

"Ahh, we wondered when you'd be receiving that." Henry smiled at Sara.

Sara frowned at her parents, confusion crawling across her face.

"What?" Sonia spoke up. "You didn't think we'd bring you all the way to England and not let you go to school, did you?"

"Well I hadn't really… I hadn't really thought about it to be honest. But how? How did they know where we were? We're in hiding?" Sara continued to question.

"Albus Dumbledore." Henry stated. "The best head master Hogwarts school has ever seen and a magnificent sorcerer too my dear. Not a thing gets past him."

"So…So I'm starting a new school then?... I'm going to Hogwarts?"

"Looks that way." Sonia Nodded. "I expect the letter came with a list of equipment you'll need?"

"Yep sure did!" Sara beamed, waving the list in the air.

"Diagon Alley tomorrow it is then sweetie!"

Sara hugged her parents, still clutching her letter between her porcelain fingers, feeling overwhelmed with excitement for her new school year. She had heard a lot about Hogwarts, mainly from other students at Beauxbatons who were lucky enough to visit Hogwarts for The Tri Wizard Tournament a few years back.

Sara's parents kissed her forehead, showing their intense love for their only child before Sara disappeared back to her bedroom, eager to prepare herself for her new school.

The next morning Sara's excitement sprung her out of bed as if she were one of the springs in the mattress she was lifting off of.

She couldn't wait to get to Diagon Alley with her parents and buy her school supplies. She had loved school ever since she was small. She loved every aspect of learning that came with being a witch, spells, enchantments, potions, even reading, especially reading. Sara spent most of her free time with her head buried in a book, investigating new spells, learning about the history of magic and the world's greatest witches and wizards. To Sara almost everything was interesting and almost anything sparked the curious buzz inside her brain. To be able to start a new school and see what new exciting possibilities it could offer her was such a wonderful opportunity to Sara and the adrenaline left her with nothing more than a perfect smile radiating from her 16 year old face.

Before she began her morning ritual, Sara moved to her dressing table, sitting for a moment to slip a letter into an envelope before turning it over and scribbling on the front of it. She handed the letter to Amber, placing it lightly in her beak. It was July 31st and Sara hoped Amber would get to Hogwarts quick enough to let Professor McGonagall know she accepted the place offered to her. Amber had never failed her before so she had full faith and trust in her owl.

Sara got herself ready quickly, firstly showering in her beautifully decorated bathroom. The head of the shower was fountain like and depicted a sculpture of a mermaid, sprouting water in all directions over the fully tiled room.

As usual Sara debated for most of the morning on what to wear, finally deciding on her blue jeans with a slightly scruffy, oversized, patterned jumper. She assessed her outfit in her floor length mirror that was nailed to her wall, playing with the piercing in her eyebrow as she did so. Once happy that her burgundy jumper was a good choice, she pulled on her converses and made her way downstairs.

Again she found her parents in the kitchen, this time they were fumbling in front of the fireplace. Unlike Sara, they were dressed in more traditional wizarding clothing. Both her mother and father were sporting black trousers, Sonia accompanying hers with a matching black, frilly blouse and a dark red velvet cloak. Her father was wearing a tight fitting emerald green shirt, kept tighter to his body by a black waistcoat, buttoned all the way up. On their heads sat matching hats that stood to attention to form a point.

Sara stood in the kitchen doorway and looked down at herself before back up to her parents, assessing the difference in their wardrobes. Sonia noticed Sara's presence and smiled at the sight of her. She chuckled to herself as Sara moved towards her. "Come over here you little muggle wannabe" She said nestling Sara under her shoulder into a small hug. Sara pouted up at her somewhat insulted by her remark. "Hey I'm only kidding, we know you younger generation aren't too fond of the traditional clothing". Sonia kissed Sara's forehead before releasing her from her loving grasp.

"Bien! The fireplace is all set." Henry claimed, turning to his family. "Who's first?"

Sara stepped forward. "I'll go, I'll wait for you in the Leaky Cauldron" She stated, stepping into the fireplace. She bent her knees, leaning towards the ground and took a handful of floo powder out of a small ceramic pot that sat on the edge of the fireplace. Once standing straight again, she threw the powder to ground, declaring her desired location with perfect pronunciation. "DIAGON ALLEY"

Heatless green flames consumed Sara's frame as she disappeared from the fireplace, traveling quickly towards Diagon Alley. In mere seconds Sara was surrounded by green flames again, this time finding herself in The Leaky Cauldron. She stepped out effortlessly, being so used to travelling by floo powder. In just over a minute her parents had joined her, both travelling as easily as Sara had.

"Bonjour Tom" Henry waved at the bartender as they all began to make their way to the courtyard. Sara's father nodded and said quiet hellos to a few other wizards dotted around the building on their short journey. Henry was a well-known and highly respected wizard, not just in France but all over Europe. He was one of, if not the best Auror this generation had seen, yet despite the fact almost every magical European knew of his name and great work, he remained a kind, humble man, whose true love lay not with his work but with his family.

Sonia and Sara followed behind Henry, smiling politely before they reached the back door of the pub. Henry held the door as the two small women filed outside. They we're met with a solid brick wall and all three of them lined up in front of it

"Well then sweetheart, let's get you ready for Hogwarts" Henry beamed at his daughter before reaching inside his waistcoat. He pulled out his wand and tapped it lightly against the red bricks. They all watched as one by one the bricks parted, some to the left and some to the right, forming a large passage way. Within seconds the wall revealed a bustling street full of witches and wizards of all ages.

As the clement family made their way down the alley, Sara eyed the people around her. She felt slightly out of place as the majority of shoppers were first year students, just as eager as her to rush around the small shops, collecting everything they needed. She spotted a few kids that looked around her age which triggered the anxious thought of making friends at her new school. She hoped she would get along with the English witches and wizards she was yet to meet and that she would make friends just as easily as she had back in France.

Henry and Sonia guided Sara around the alley, taking her into the right shops for the right equipment. They made their first stop at Flourish and Blotts to buy all the books she would need for her 6th year of magical study. Sara lingered for longer than needed in the shop, a normal occurrence that her parents were now used to. They both watched as Sara scanned her way around the shop, trailing her fingers across the shelves, interested in more than just the books she needed for Hogwarts. They smiled as they watched their daughter lose herself in the maze of books that stood on shelves, double the height of Sara's small frame and eventually allowed her two extra books to read in her own time.

Once they had purchased all the books Sara would need, they made their way into Madam Malkin's for her school robes. One by one Sara and her parents pushed their way through the heavy door of the mauve, wooden shop. Sara looked around, eyeing the masses of fabrics that lined the walls. To her left she could see beautifully made dress robes, sat carefully on specially made mannequins. To her right, lines and lines of black material greeted her, some robes and some cloaks all hanging perfectly. In front of her was a collection of hat stands, that all wore different sizes and colours of pointed hats.

Sara's parents shuffled her further into the shop, looking around for Madam Malkin herself.

"Bonjour?" Henry questioned with a voice he hoped was loud enough to be heard as he moved towards the front desk.

A head whipped out from the slightly ajar door that led to the back of the shop and after a few clumsy noises it opened fully and Madam Malkin stumbled out.

"Hello!" The woman beamed with arms wide, her blue eyes glowing, complementing the short white hair that sat on her head.

Sara now stood shyly behind her parents.

"How can I help you?" The woman spoke. "Do we have a first year wizard over there?" Madam Malkin asked looking over to Sara.

Sonia laughed, moving her arm around her daughters shoulder, bringing her forward into clearer sight.

"Forgive me Madam" Sara chuckled. "I am witch and I'm actually a 6th year."

"Oh! I'm terribly sorry! Forgive me pumpkin!" The merry lady apologised. "Is that? Is that a French accent I detect there?" The witch questioned, slightly swaying the subject of conversation as she moved behind the desk that Sara and her parents where now lined up in front of.

"Um yes actually." Sara stuttered looking between both her parents.

"We just moved here." Henry stated plainly. "A personal matter. Our Sara is transferring from Beauxbatons to Hogwarts"

"Ahh I adore France" Madam Malkin confessed. "I visited 5 years ago for the 'Which Witch' fashion competition" She recalled, stopping what she was doing to stare into space for a few seconds.

"Anyway!" She snapped, clapping her hands together. "Let's get you some robes! … Follow me!"

She led the three of them over to the opposite corner of the shop where a small step and mirror stood.

"Hop up!" The woman instructed to Sara who stood herself up on to the step, facing the mirror.

Madam Malkin whipped out a tape measure, stretching it both the length and width of Sara's frame.

"So I presume you've not been sorted into your house yet?" She quizzed.

"My what?" Sara questioned.

"Your school house. " Madam Malkin continued. "At Hogwarts there are 4 school houses, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin."

"Oh, of course" Sara remembered. "No, no I haven't been sorted yet Madam."

"Right-O! Just 3 plain black robes then?"

"Yes please" Sara smiled hopping off the stool.

Madam Malkin was now rifling through one of the many racks of plain black robes, a major difference in uniform to the flowing baby blue clothing Sara was used to wearing, however she welcomed the change as she had detested her previous uniform.

"Ah ha! Here we go" The woman said pulling 3 black robes from the rack. These should fit you perfectly. She smiled.

Madam Malkin also helped Sara find a hat and gloves as well as a winter cloak to fit as Henry and Sonia wandered around the shop. Sara's arms where full of clothing she now needed to purchase and as Madam Malkin moved behind the front desk for the second time, Sara plonked the clothes down in front of her with a sigh of relief.

"Mere, Papa?" Sara called out.

A moment later she saw her parents walking towards the front desk.

Madam Malkin smiled at them. "That'll be 100 Galleons exactly!"

Henry pulled a small silk bag from a pocket in his waistcoat, tipping it upside down, emptying half the contents into his hand. He sorted through the mixture of golden, silver and bronze coins in his hand before handing Madam Malkin the right amount of money, who stored it away before bagging up Sara's uniform.

"Pleasure doing business with you" She beamed. "And good luck at Hogwarts Sara, I'm sure you'll do great!"

"Merci, Madam." Sara thanked before her and her parents left the shop, stepping back out into Diagon Alley.

The rest of the equipment needed to start Hogwarts, Sara had already acquired prior to starting Beauxbatons Academy, so the trio's shopping trip was a short one. Once happy that Sara had everything she needed for Hogwarts, they made their way back into The Leaky Cauldron to travel back to their new home. Green flames lit up the fireplace in the pub once more and soon enough Sara and her parents were back in their kitchen, dusting floo powder off of their clothes.

Before Sara knew it, a month had rolled by and the morning light of September 1st was shining into her bedroom. She lay in her bed as butterflies bounced around her stomach, facing the ceiling, doing nothing but breathing.

She heard the slight creak of a floorboard from the landing before 3 quiet knocks tapped on her door.

"Entrer" Sara whispered.

The wooden door of the old building creped open and revealed Sonia on the other side, peaking into Sara's bedroom.

"Bonjour sleepy head" Sonia smiled as Sara rolled onto her side to face her. She moved over to her daughters' bed and sat on the edge, ruffling Sara's hair once she was comfortable.

"Nervous Sweetheart?"

"A little." Sara answered, sitting herself upright.

"You'll be fine." Sonia reassured. "You're intelligent and bright. You'll do great."

"What if no one likes me?"

"Well they'd be a fool not to." Sonia said, pulling Sara into a hug before kissing her forehead.

She released Sara before hopping to her feet and clapping her hands together.

"Come on then, you'd best get ready!"

Sara obeyed her mother's orders and slipped out of bed, rubbing sleep from her eyes as she stumbled into the bathroom. The cold water of the mornings shower was pleasant and began washing away Sara's nerves. As Sara finished up in the bathroom, the excitement of starting Hogwarts outweighed the anxiety.

She changed into one of her newly purchased set of robes, packing the rest into her large brown suitcase. She eyed the marks on the trunks wheels and body that had scarred themselves there the day they fled their home. She shook away the memories of fear, not wanting them to steal her excitement and continued packing her things. Once finished flicking her eyes from her Hogwarts equipment list and to her suitcase, Sara was satisfied that everything was packed. She flicked her wand and watched as the trunk closed and locked itself, ready for Sara to leave with it.

She stood up and looked herself over in her mirror, straightening the black tie that lay under a grey jumper, all covered by the beautiful, sleek black robes. She tucked her wand away in her pocket and ruffled the blonde spikes on her head. With a sigh of content at her appearance she turned back to her trunk which she grabbed by the handle. With her trunk in her left hand, she began to move out of the room, grabbing Amber in her right, who was sat in a cage on Sara's dressing table.

She struggled her way down the stairs, thumping the bottom of the suitcase against the wooden steps, earning a few screeches from Amber. She sighed as she reached the bottom almost collapsing in an exhausted heap.

Sara arrived at Kings Cross Station at 10:45, accompanied by both of her parents. She looked anxiously around at the hordes of muggles as she pushed a trolley that held her suitcase and her owl. She, along with her parents received a few odd looks from people at their choice of clothing but most seemed in too much of a rush to bat an eyelid.

"There you go Sara, you'll need this" Henry spoke to his daughter, handing her a small ticket.

Sara looked down at the ticket and swallowed nervously. Platform 9 ¾.

There were a few things in Wizarding Britain and in Hogwarts that Sara hadn't seen or heard of but accessing platform 9 ¾ was one of the few things she most certainly had.

Sara continued pushing her trolley down the station, leading the way for her parents. There were platforms to her right and left and her eyes switched between them both as her feet kept moving. She read the platform numbers in her head as she moved along.

1, 2…

3, 4…

5, 6…

Sara's hands grew clammy as she neared her desired platform, knowing that once she was there, there was no going back and she'd be on her way to Hogwarts. She took in a large breath, exhaling slowly then wiping her right hand on her trouser leg before doing the same with her left.

7, 8…

Sara's trolley came to a stop and she turned to her parents.

"This is it. Between platform 9 and 10 right?" She questioned.

"Yep, this is it. You ready?" Henry asked back. "We'll be right behind you."

Sara nodded quickly, turning to face the brick wall in front of her.

Her palms had grown sweaty again and her breathing was heavy, she took one big breath and then began to move quickly on her feet. She picked up pace easily and before she knew it, her face was inches from the wall. She slammed her eyes shut, scrunching every muscle in and around them, expecting some sort of pain to greet her face.

She released her inhale of breath and opened her eyes. She had done it.

She stared up in awe at the crimson train that was now in her eye line. Smoke was chugging from it, consuming the air and weaving around the platform. She felt a sense of calm come over her as she was now surrounded by only witches and wizards, some of whom where in the exact same position as her and journeying to Hogwarts for the first time.

Suddenly her parents appeared behind her and she jumped slightly as she felt their hands grasp her shoulders.

"Come on lets go get you a seat." Sonia suggested.

The Clements weaved their way along the busy platform and Sara watched as Hogwarts students said their goodbyes to their parents, hopping on the Hogwarts express in excitement. Most with their pets, others arms full with broomsticks and Quidditch supplies, a sport that Sara had never taken much interest in.

They approached one of the small doors, Sonia poking her head towards the window to its right, checking out the carriage. "There should be room just in there okay sweetie." Sonia spoke to Sara, helping her get her belongings off of the trolley and setting them on the platform.

Sara turned to her parents who were looking at her with open arms. They pulled her into a 3 way hug, ruffling her hair as usual and kissing her forehead. Sara riggled a little; her cheeks blushing a light shade of crimson.

Sonia and Henry chuckled at her as they let her out of their grasp.

"Sorry sweetheart." Sonia apologised. "We're just going to miss you."

"I know, I'll miss you too." Sara half smiled.

"Aller" Henry said lifting Sara's trunk. "It's almost 11, we don't want you to miss the train."

Henry placed the suitcase in the trains' entrance, balancing it on its wheels. Sara bent down picking up the small bird cage that held Amber before stepping up and into the train, retrieving her trunk.

She said a few more quick goodbyes to her parents, who had grown teary eyed like they had on Sara's first day at Beauxbatons, before the doors were closed and the train started to leave. As the echo of the trains whistle rung in Sara's ears and the wheels began to turn continuously, she made her way into the carriage to her right. It was completely empty.

She struggled with her suitcase, eventually fumbling it on to the top luggage shelf before sitting down on one of the soft brown, cushioned seats, carefully placing Amber on the one next to her. She had been sat no longer than a minute when she heard footsteps and mumbles approaching, followed by 3 curious heads peeking through the carriage door at her. They congregated awkwardly in the aisle of the train and appeared to be muttering between each other.

Sara fidgeted nervously in her seat as she curiously eyed the audience that had formed, being cautious enough to not make eye contact. She flicked her eyes between the scenery that was speeding by the exterior windows and back to the 3 students outside the carriage door.

After what seemed like several minutes but in reality could have only have been a couple, one of the students; a weedy looking boy slid the carriage door open, creeping cautiously inside.

"Hi umm, do you mind if we…" He turned, motioning behind him at his friends. "If we sit in here? Only everywhere else is either taken or full of Slytherin's." He chuckled.

"Oh oui, oui! No problem. Sara smiled, shuffling and placing Amber up on the luggage shelf beside her suitcase as the 3 students filled into the carriage. The boy sat to her left whilst two brown haired girls sat themselves opposite her.

Sara had never been fond of social situations so having 3 strangers in such a small space around her was enough to make her uncomfortable. She sat awkwardly; anxious beads of sweat forming on her forehead and in the palm of her hands.

"I'm Ted by the way." The dark haired boy to her left introduced, reaching out his left hand.

Sara took it in to her own clammy hand, shaking it gently. "Sara."

"Nice to meet you." He beamed. "This is Stacy." He motioned directly in front of him. "And this is Emy."

Sara greeted the two girls in the same way she had done Ted, smiling widely at both of them.

"Are you French?" Emy asked her. "Only I couldn't help but notice your accent and well we've never seen you before either."

"Yes I am." Sara answered. "I'm transferring from Beauxbatons actually, I'm a sixth year."

"Oh sweet! We're all sixth years." The other girl, Stacy perked up.

"Yep and all Ravenclaws!" Ted added.

"Pardon me but how does the whole house thing work? How do I know what house I'm going to be in?" Sara asked the carriage, resting her elbows on her knees.

"You don't." Emy stated.

"It's down to the sorting hat." Stacy said, finishing Emy's sentence.

"When we arrive, we all go to the great hall for supper. Before we begin all first years are sorted by placing the hat on each one of their heads and the sorting hat decides where is best for you and well I guess you count as a first year so you'll find out then." Ted concluded.

"Oh right, okay." Sara nodded, resting herself back in her seat. "I hope I don't get put in Slytherin, you don't seem to like them, considering you wouldn't sit with them."

Teds head lowered to the train floor with a sigh. "I'm a muggle born and well Slytherin are infamous for their pure blood mania."

"Ahh right, explains a lot." Sara understood with a few slow nods. "Just for the record, I'm halfblood and well… I see no rational explanation for their petty, prejudice and discrimination at all."

"I like her." Emy beamed pointing at Sara with her thumb.

The four of them chuckled, Sara's cheeks blushing a little at the compliment.

Sara had found it easy to mingle with the three students she had made acquaintance with on the train. They were all so friendly, not judgemental in the slightest and reminded her of the few friends she had back in France.

She began to silently hope that the sorting hat would place her in Ravenclaw. That way she could slip into her new school routine with some pre made friends and go about her days without much notice. Of course she wanted to be liked by her fellow students but unwanted attention or any form of trouble, wasn't something Sara was hoping for. Besides, with her family lying low, trouble was the last thing she needed.

As the train continued to journey through the vast stretches of British country side, Sara pondered through her thoughts and engaged in light hearted, cheerful conversation. The soft, brown material of the seats hugged Sara and the jokes made by Emy plastered a smile over her previously anxious face. She finally let herself relax, releasing the tension in her joints to slump in the seat, watching as night crawled over them, the further the train journeyed.

Eventually the train began to slow, the wheels scraping against the brakes causing a screech to sound around them. Sara looked out of the window to be met with a train platform.

This was it.

Sara had arrived at Hogwarts.