Categories > Books > Harry Potter > There Once Was a Girl Named Elizabeth Riddle
I'm coming home
I'm coming home
Tell the World I'm coming home
Let the rain wash away all the pain of yesterday
I know my kingdom awaits and they've forgiven my mistakes
I'm coming home, I'm coming home
Tell the World that I'm coming
My trunk is packed, Padfoot has been tucked safely in his cage and I’ve got ‘normal’ clothes on; a black, green and silver plaid jumper with a black turtle neck under it. Snape likes Slytherin just as much as I do but he’s got an excuse; he’s the head of house. I don’t know what I’ll do if I don’t make Slytherin house. How absurd it that thought? I’ll make it into Slytherin.
Yet, even with this confidence I stand at the barrier between platforms nine and ten unable to bring myself to run through the wall. What if it doesn’t work and I just crash into solid brick. I’d look like an idiot.
Why couldn’t Severus be here? Oh, right, he had to get to the castle before all the students arrive. Also he’s allowed to apparate so he didn’t have to ride the train. This is utterly ridiculous.
Taking a few more steps back I inhale, close my eyes and charge forward. There isn’t a crash, no bricks stopping me or sending me tumbling to the ground. Exhaling I let out a whoop at the idea I made it onto platform 9 ¾ without any problems. I cannot wait till I get to tell Snape. Pushing my cart towards the train I eventually get to a point where there are too many people for me to go further. Great, just great; stand in the middle so other people can’t get through. This is terrible. Unloading the cart I carry my trunk and owl’s cage towards the train before I am stopped by a funny looking man wearing an odd suit.
“I’ll take that little lady,” he says.
Handing my stuff over I board the train, the strange man at my heels. I pass compartment after compartment but all are full. I didn’t think I was running that behind this morning. Finally, in the last train car I spot the same pale haired boy I’d met in Madame Malkin’s. Sliding open the door I look over at him.
“Do you mind? Everywhere else is full.”
“Not at all,” replies Draco scooting over on the seat so I can sit next to him.
The odd man pushes my trunk and owl cage onto the wrack above before limping out. How odd. Never in my life have I seen such strange people. He doesn’t even look human. Too tall and too skinny and the hunch in his back looks unhealthy. I hope I never have to see someone like that again.
“Who’s she?” a dark skinned boy questions, chocolate pupils eyeing me hungrily.
“Elizabeth Riddle,” I reply quietly not meeting his gaze. I don’t like this boy. He frightens me; something in his look just isn’t right.
“Blaise.”
“Is that you’re real name or a name you gave yourself because the one you were given makes you sound like a wuss?” questions the girl sitting beside him. “I’m Pansy by the way.”
“Right,” I respond
She looks friendly enough and she’s pretty; black hair framing her thin, olive colored face, perfect pink lips and sparkly brown eyes. I’ve always been proud of my fiery red curls, bright green eyes, pale skin, and naturally rosy cheeks but too many people mistake me for a Weasley. I’ve got a lot more pride in being a pure – blood than those blood traitors and I’ve got a little bit of a temper. All the Weasley’s I’ve met are pretty even keeled.
With a sharp blast of the train whistle we lurch forward. I’m going where I belong. Looking past Draco I stare out the window, watching as miles of country rush past. I forgot to ask Snape how long the train ride actually lasts. I hope there is food; I didn’t bring anything for lunch and I’m a bit hungry having failed to eat breakfast.
“Nice bird,” Draco says pulling me from my thoughts.
“Oh, Padfoot? Um…yeah, Severus got him for me,” I reply glancing up at the sleeping owl.
“My dad wouldn’t get me one.”
“That’s rotten luck. You can use mine if you want to send letters.”
Draco’s grey/blue eyes shift to the ground, “I don’t really think I’ll be sending much mail but thanks.”
“You and you parents aren’t close?”
“No, we are, I just don’t send mail.”
“Oh, I get it. I’ve never met my dad and my mum is either in Azkaban or dead. I don’t really know which. So I guess I haven’t really got a need to send letters but I wanted the bird.”
“You’re serious?”
“Of course I’m serious. Tom Marvolo Riddle is my father and my mother’s name was Isabelle. Of course everyone today knows my father as Voldemort and my mum was a death eater.”
Draco’s eye widen along with everyone else’s in our compartment. Why is it so shocking? Bad guys have kids too. How else would they continue on their legacy? I suppose they just hadn’t expected to meet someone like me on the train to Hogwarts. That has to be it I can come up with no other conclusion.
Just then the food cart comes by. Smiling I pull out a handful of coins taking a few of each thing I know I like, allowing the others to chose what they want. Candy isn’t the best lunch and I’m positive Severus wouldn’t be pleased with me but he’s not here is he?
I shove another cherry flavored Bertie Bots Every Flavor Bean into my mouth, allowing that warm fuzzy feeling of happiness to bubble up inside of me. Even before arriving I’ve managed to find people to talk to. Not, of course, that I thought it would be an issue. The only issue would be if we all wound up in different houses. It’s nice to be able to laugh, passing around candy and talking about the rumor that is spreading rapidly around the train that Harry Potter, the boy who lived, will be going to Hogwarts this year. I’ve got a gallon bet that it’s the truth; Draco bet that it’s bogus. He’s going to lose. So far I’ve engaged in two activities Snape does not approve of, sweets for a meal and gambling. Oh well, I’m having fun, there’s no harm in that is there?
About an hour later Prefects come around, letting us know it is time to get our robes on. Mine are black lined with a rich green color, they look like Draco’s. Just as the train hisses to a stop I finish sliding my school robes over my head. The doors pop open and everyone pours out. I stay as close to Draco and Pansy as possible, walking towards a large man with brown hair and beard calling out to us. In this kind of crowd I’d hate to lose people I know.
“Right then, first years, this way, please! Come one, first years, don’t be shy. Come on now, hurry up!”
Staring up at him I bump into an older student wearing a Ravenclaw crest. Apologizing silently I continue on, Draco’s fingers curled around the sleeve of my robes. If he knows he is doing this or if it’s subconscious I haven’t a clue.
“Alright then, this way to the boats; come on now, follow me,” this giant calls again walking off towards the water. First years push forward, trying to keep up with his long strides.
As we reach the dock, the giant steps into his own boat instructing us to do the same. I board a boat along with Draco and two other bigger boys who have been following Draco around since the train. I haven’t asked their names yet nor do I really care to know them. Once everyone is in a boat they take off on their own, carrying us towards Hogwarts; our home away from home; the light looming in the dark of night.
I'm coming home
Tell the World I'm coming home
Let the rain wash away all the pain of yesterday
I know my kingdom awaits and they've forgiven my mistakes
I'm coming home, I'm coming home
Tell the World that I'm coming
My trunk is packed, Padfoot has been tucked safely in his cage and I’ve got ‘normal’ clothes on; a black, green and silver plaid jumper with a black turtle neck under it. Snape likes Slytherin just as much as I do but he’s got an excuse; he’s the head of house. I don’t know what I’ll do if I don’t make Slytherin house. How absurd it that thought? I’ll make it into Slytherin.
Yet, even with this confidence I stand at the barrier between platforms nine and ten unable to bring myself to run through the wall. What if it doesn’t work and I just crash into solid brick. I’d look like an idiot.
Why couldn’t Severus be here? Oh, right, he had to get to the castle before all the students arrive. Also he’s allowed to apparate so he didn’t have to ride the train. This is utterly ridiculous.
Taking a few more steps back I inhale, close my eyes and charge forward. There isn’t a crash, no bricks stopping me or sending me tumbling to the ground. Exhaling I let out a whoop at the idea I made it onto platform 9 ¾ without any problems. I cannot wait till I get to tell Snape. Pushing my cart towards the train I eventually get to a point where there are too many people for me to go further. Great, just great; stand in the middle so other people can’t get through. This is terrible. Unloading the cart I carry my trunk and owl’s cage towards the train before I am stopped by a funny looking man wearing an odd suit.
“I’ll take that little lady,” he says.
Handing my stuff over I board the train, the strange man at my heels. I pass compartment after compartment but all are full. I didn’t think I was running that behind this morning. Finally, in the last train car I spot the same pale haired boy I’d met in Madame Malkin’s. Sliding open the door I look over at him.
“Do you mind? Everywhere else is full.”
“Not at all,” replies Draco scooting over on the seat so I can sit next to him.
The odd man pushes my trunk and owl cage onto the wrack above before limping out. How odd. Never in my life have I seen such strange people. He doesn’t even look human. Too tall and too skinny and the hunch in his back looks unhealthy. I hope I never have to see someone like that again.
“Who’s she?” a dark skinned boy questions, chocolate pupils eyeing me hungrily.
“Elizabeth Riddle,” I reply quietly not meeting his gaze. I don’t like this boy. He frightens me; something in his look just isn’t right.
“Blaise.”
“Is that you’re real name or a name you gave yourself because the one you were given makes you sound like a wuss?” questions the girl sitting beside him. “I’m Pansy by the way.”
“Right,” I respond
She looks friendly enough and she’s pretty; black hair framing her thin, olive colored face, perfect pink lips and sparkly brown eyes. I’ve always been proud of my fiery red curls, bright green eyes, pale skin, and naturally rosy cheeks but too many people mistake me for a Weasley. I’ve got a lot more pride in being a pure – blood than those blood traitors and I’ve got a little bit of a temper. All the Weasley’s I’ve met are pretty even keeled.
With a sharp blast of the train whistle we lurch forward. I’m going where I belong. Looking past Draco I stare out the window, watching as miles of country rush past. I forgot to ask Snape how long the train ride actually lasts. I hope there is food; I didn’t bring anything for lunch and I’m a bit hungry having failed to eat breakfast.
“Nice bird,” Draco says pulling me from my thoughts.
“Oh, Padfoot? Um…yeah, Severus got him for me,” I reply glancing up at the sleeping owl.
“My dad wouldn’t get me one.”
“That’s rotten luck. You can use mine if you want to send letters.”
Draco’s grey/blue eyes shift to the ground, “I don’t really think I’ll be sending much mail but thanks.”
“You and you parents aren’t close?”
“No, we are, I just don’t send mail.”
“Oh, I get it. I’ve never met my dad and my mum is either in Azkaban or dead. I don’t really know which. So I guess I haven’t really got a need to send letters but I wanted the bird.”
“You’re serious?”
“Of course I’m serious. Tom Marvolo Riddle is my father and my mother’s name was Isabelle. Of course everyone today knows my father as Voldemort and my mum was a death eater.”
Draco’s eye widen along with everyone else’s in our compartment. Why is it so shocking? Bad guys have kids too. How else would they continue on their legacy? I suppose they just hadn’t expected to meet someone like me on the train to Hogwarts. That has to be it I can come up with no other conclusion.
Just then the food cart comes by. Smiling I pull out a handful of coins taking a few of each thing I know I like, allowing the others to chose what they want. Candy isn’t the best lunch and I’m positive Severus wouldn’t be pleased with me but he’s not here is he?
I shove another cherry flavored Bertie Bots Every Flavor Bean into my mouth, allowing that warm fuzzy feeling of happiness to bubble up inside of me. Even before arriving I’ve managed to find people to talk to. Not, of course, that I thought it would be an issue. The only issue would be if we all wound up in different houses. It’s nice to be able to laugh, passing around candy and talking about the rumor that is spreading rapidly around the train that Harry Potter, the boy who lived, will be going to Hogwarts this year. I’ve got a gallon bet that it’s the truth; Draco bet that it’s bogus. He’s going to lose. So far I’ve engaged in two activities Snape does not approve of, sweets for a meal and gambling. Oh well, I’m having fun, there’s no harm in that is there?
About an hour later Prefects come around, letting us know it is time to get our robes on. Mine are black lined with a rich green color, they look like Draco’s. Just as the train hisses to a stop I finish sliding my school robes over my head. The doors pop open and everyone pours out. I stay as close to Draco and Pansy as possible, walking towards a large man with brown hair and beard calling out to us. In this kind of crowd I’d hate to lose people I know.
“Right then, first years, this way, please! Come one, first years, don’t be shy. Come on now, hurry up!”
Staring up at him I bump into an older student wearing a Ravenclaw crest. Apologizing silently I continue on, Draco’s fingers curled around the sleeve of my robes. If he knows he is doing this or if it’s subconscious I haven’t a clue.
“Alright then, this way to the boats; come on now, follow me,” this giant calls again walking off towards the water. First years push forward, trying to keep up with his long strides.
As we reach the dock, the giant steps into his own boat instructing us to do the same. I board a boat along with Draco and two other bigger boys who have been following Draco around since the train. I haven’t asked their names yet nor do I really care to know them. Once everyone is in a boat they take off on their own, carrying us towards Hogwarts; our home away from home; the light looming in the dark of night.
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