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M.Marigold’s stomach churned with nerves as she followed her father and brother across the bustling train platform. The air was alive with the sounds of laughter and farewells, the chaotic mingling of parents and children creating a soundtrack that both thrilled and terrified her. She had imagined this moment for as long as she could remember, had daydreamed about the cobblestone halls of Hogwarts and the thrill of magic at her fingertips. Yet, as she stood on the precipice of what would be an incredible adventure, the thought of being away from home sent a wave of nausea surging through her. What if she couldn’t make any friends? The looming possibility felt like a boulder pressing down on her chest, suffocating in its weight as she struggled to breathe.Unlike her brother Thomas, who seemed so at ease, as he scanned the platform for his own friends, Marigold was merely a ghost, drifting through the vibrant scene without a place to belong. The sound of laughter floated around her as returning students reunited with their companions, sharing tales of summer vacations, of magical mishaps and daring escapades. It struck her like an icy wave: they all had memories to draw from, deep-rooted connections formed over years. She wasn’t particularly close to any wizarding families with children her age, and she worried that everyone else had already formed friendships, leaving her too late to join in. Despite knowing at the very least there would be Muggle borns in the same position, she felt certain her father wouldn’t allow her to befriend any of them and that she’d spend her time at Hogwarts entirely alone.As they neared the train, her stomach twisted into knots. Perhaps Thomas would take pity on her and let her sit with him and his friends if she promised to remain silent the entire ride. She focused intently on the back of her older brother’s head, wishing the thought into his mind by some miracle . Their father Joseph paused, prompting Thomas to halt the cart bearing their belongings. For a moment the trio allowed the moment to settle around them. Marigold felt her heart beat loudly, each pulse echoing in her ears, as their father turned to gaze at them. His green eyes, usually sharp and discerning, scanned their faces, lingering on her a heartbeat longer, as if seeking to read her unvoiced fears.With a small tight lipped smile that broke through the tension, he placed a reassuring hand on Thomas’s shoulder, the warmth of familial love radiating between them. “Look after your sister, Thomas,” he said, the tone softening his usual authoritative demeanor. The squeeze of affection he gave conveyed a weightier expectation—discipline intertwined with care. “I expect good marks from both of you.”When his gaze shifted to Marigold, the world around her seemed to dim momentarily. “You’ll do well, Bug,” he murmured, his voice gentle as he leaned down, planting a kiss atop her messy hair. The touch warmed her cheeks in embarrassment and she found herself quickly darting her eyes around to see if any other students had seen the act. “I’ll do my best,” she whispered back, wringing her hands tighter, wishing that the fidgeting motion could transport her somewhere far from this moment.“Remember,” he said, his words taking on a solemn tone, “ you’re representing a great wizarding family. I expect you to be outstanding,” he said, the weight of family legacy heavy in the air. He glanced at Thomas, as if to underline the shared burden of their heritage. Marigold nodded quickly, her stomach knotting with new nerves, while Thomas gave a noncommittal hum as he scanned the platform one more for his friends.Their father stepped back then, folding his hands behind his back, surveying them once more with the pride of a man about to send his children into a realm of magic and wonder. “Better get on the train and find somewhere to sit,” he urged, the words final yet laced with tender care only a father can have.Thomas continued forward, pushing the trolley carrying their luggage to the awaiting train staff ready to help unload it. Marigold, however, stood still for a moment, wrestling with her thoughts, trying to regain control of her swirling emotions. With a deep breath she moved to follow her brother, hoping to stick close to him but knowing once they stepped onto the train she’d be abandoned. Just as she edged closer to the train, her father called to her, and when she turned to him an unexpected warmth wrapping around her.There he stood—smiling, truly smiling—back at her. “I can’t wait to see you in green, Mary,” he said, pride spilling from every syllable. A rush of positive feelings overtook Marigold, easing some of the tension in her queasy stomach. Suddenly, it seemed as if anything was possible.Brimming with newfound courage, she returned his smile, matching it with earnestness. “I love you, Dad,” she said softly, feeling the gravity of those words swell between them. he didn’t repeat her words, but his eyes sparkled, a flicker of unspoken affection igniting the space between their gazes. As her mother’s comforting advice echoed in her mind—that eyes always reveal the truth—Marigold felt her spirit momentarily lift.Turning back toward the train, her heart steadier than it had been just moments before, she hurried to catch up with Thomas.—Thomas and Marigold meandered through the cramped train compartments, the corridor alive with the chatter and laughter of departing students.“Not in there,” Thomas murmured, peering into another compartment. His gaze flickered with concentration and eagerness, igniting the glow in his green eyes as he searched for his friends. When he finally steadied himself before a compartment at the end of the corridor, a broad grin broke across his face, illuminating his cheeks and sparking laughter in his voice. “Found you!” His jubilant cry echoed through the train as he stepped inside, leaving Marigold lingering in the doorway, clinging to a shred of hope that her brother would invite her to stay with him. Yet, as her eyes scanned the crowded compartment so knew the possibility was scarce.Uncertainty knotted in her stomach, twisting tighter with every second. Though Thomas hadn’t explicitly told her not to follow him, she felt unwelcome in a world he’d created outside their shared home. He had years to foster relationships beyond their family and was under no obligation to cater to her comfort. Their lackluster sibling bond felt stretched thin, and as she lingered in the safety of the corridor, a wave of loneliness washed over her while she watched Thomas joke with the lively group in the compartment in a way he’d never done with her.“Marigold!” His voice bounded across the compartment as he turned to face her with his face crumbling slightly in guilt. “All the seats are taken, Mary. You’ll have to find somewhere else to sit.” The gentle dismissal mirrored her fears, and momentarily, her heart sank. Steeling herself, she swallowed a lump of disappointment and nodded resignedly as she turned toward the labyrinth of compartments ahead.“I’ll see you later, Tom,” she managed, her voice slightly wavering, unable to mask her distress. As she made her way down the hallway, she glanced through glass windows at students engrossed in boisterous discussions and exchanging stories, searching desperately for signs of comfort and acceptance—but finding few. Alone now, shadows of older kids loomed behind her. Doubt crept in again, and her heart longed for her brother’s reassuring presence, however little it may provide.Tempted to sit alone alone in the train hall, she was interrupted by a gentle voice from behind. “Looking for somewhere to sit?” A tall boy with chin-length red hair smiled reassuringly at her. He appeared older, at the very least a sixth year.Feeling a shyness settle over her, Marigold shifted uncomfortably. She had never experienced self-doubt, but the strangeness of the day left her feeling unsteady. “If you have room…” she trailed off, her voice small as she nervously picked at the skin around her thumbnail. He smiled brightly and gestured for her to follow him down the hall.“My name’s Charlie,” he said, his voice effortlessly soothing, instilling a sense of ease within her. “I saw you pacing around and thought you could use a little help.” Gratefully, she followed him to a compartment halfway down the corridor.Inside, three more redheaded boys looked up in curiosity at their arrival. Hesitant in the doorway once again, she felt Charlie’s comforting hand gently nudge her forward. “Picked up a straggler on my way back,” he joked, leading her to take the empty seat next to one of the twins, who flashed her a wide, mischievous grin.“Don’t mind us,” the one right next to her declared in a tone laced with playful energy. “We’re harmless. Mostly.”The other twin leaned over his brother, a dramatic wink punctuating his words. “Except when we’re not.”Marigold couldn’t help but chuckle, the sound feeling both foreign and liberating as it escaped her lips. The tension in her chest began to ease, and she took a deep breath, sensing the first flickers of belonging, however tentative they might be.Charlie slid into the seat beside the remaining curly-haired boy, his presence grounding the lively energy of the compartment. “So, what’s your name, stranger?” he asked, his tone kind yet teasing.“Marigold,” she replied, her voice steadier now that the worst of her nerves had passed. “But everyone calls me Mary.”“Mary, huh?” The twin beside her chimed, raising his eyebrow playfully. “I suppose Marigold is a bit of a mouthful,” he teased. “I’m Fred,” the ginger boy introduced himself.The other twin shot her a conspiratorial grin. “And I’m his much handsomer brother, George.”“You’re a first year, right?” Charlie asked, catching her eye. She nodded, grateful for his efforts to keep the conversation flowing without overwhelming her. “You’ll be in the same year as the twins then.”Marigold managed a small smile. “Hopefully we’ll have some classes together.”Finally, the weight on her chest lifted, and the frenzy of her thoughts began to settle. The compartment felt warm, like a small island within the vast, noisy train. The boys chatted about their summer adventures, recounting pranks and the escapades that awaited them at Hogwarts, each tale more outrageous than the last. Marigold listened, quietly amused, and allowed herself to surrender to the lively atmosphere.Maybe, just maybe, she thought as she settled back in her seat with the train chugging along toward their destination, Hogwarts wouldn’t be as daunting as she had feared.