[color=gray][h2]Delmare Montague [/h2][/color][hr][sup]Nighttime, Late August | The Montague Mansion[/sup] The rest of the week flew by for Delmare. The house elves busied themselves with preparations for the girl’s departure, hurriedly cleaning and packing her things into the enchanted suitcase she was given. “Bring everything you think you’ll need,” her mother had said. “Just be reasonable.” So, Delmare set about packing the entirety of her closet away as well as many of her books and belongings. Half of her bookshelf went in — the half she thought she’d need — as well as many trinkets related to potion-brewing she figured she might need. When all the packing was done, she looked around her room and — for the first time — realized how barren it was. “Miss Delmare, Miss Delmare!” Lenitas called, running over to the girl and waving her hands in the air. “Come, you must come with Lenny!” the house elf said, pulling at the hem of girl’s cloak. [color=gray]“What’s wrong, Lenny?”[/color] Delmare asked, slightly alarmed as she allowed herself to be led down the stairwell and into the kitchen. There, she found a magnificent cake awaiting her. Decorated in rainbow streamers of frosting and sparklers that blew bubbles of cotton candy, the cake was inscribed with the words: “Miss Delmare’s First Year at Hogwarts!” [color=gray]“Oh,”[/color] Delmare said, eyes wide as she took in the magnificent display, [color=gray]“wow.”[/color] “You didn’t really think Mum and Dad would let you run off without a little something special, did you?” Kenton asked, rounding the corner with Delmare’s parents behind him. Delmare stuck her tongue out at her brother, instead running over and embracing her parents. [color=gray]“Thank you so much!”[/color] Delmare said, a big grin on her face. [color=gray]“I love it!”[/color] “We love you too, dear,” her mother said, hugging her. Delmare’s father joined in as well, and soon enough her brother too. “Alright. Let’s get this cake sliced and served,” Lorraine said, straightening up. The house elves dashed to it as the family chatted about everything Hogwarts. [hr][sup]10:24 AM, September 1st | King's Cross Station[/sup] As Delmare had seen her brother off year the last five years, she wasn’t afraid to go charging into a brick beam at the station. She was, however, nervous — nervous about leaving her parents, nervous about meeting new people, nervous about starting her year at Hogwarts in general. “Calm down, Delmare,” Kenton said, wrapping a comforting arm around his sister as their parents headed off to the ministry. When they’d apparated off, Delmare directed her attention toward the train itself. Polished raven set on bright, vivid red, the steam engine was a sight to behold. “4-6-0” was emblazoned across the side of the head of the train, and the second cart beheld the words “Hogwarts Express.” “C’mon, Delmare!” Kenton shouted, jolting his sister out of her stupor. “Don’t just stand there!” [color=gray]“Coming!”[/color] Delmare shouted, breaking into a run with a grin on her face. [hr][sup]10:33 AM, September 1st | King's Cross Station[/sup] A frown sat on Delmare’s face as she moved further into the train, looking into windows to see whether there was an available compartment. [i]Of course he’d want to sit with his friends. What were you thinking?[/i] she asked herself, sighing as she moved past the snoring boy in compartment H. [i]Are there no open carts?[/i] she thought in frustration, eyes only skimming into the windows of the next few. Finally, her eyes found — rather than a snogging couple or a rather annoying-looking boy with a whoopie cushion — an empty cart. Sliding her suitcase under the chestnut table, Delmare opened the curtains wide and peered out the glass at the students lining up to board the express. [i]Wow, I guess I really was early.[/i] [hr][sup]10:37 AM, September 1st | King's Cross Station[/sup] “May I join you?” A light-haired girl asked, opening the compartment door. Delmare shrugged, indicating the empty compartment in front of her. [color=gray]“Sure,”[/color] Delmare said, moving her book more towards her side of the desk. [color=gray]“Feel free.”[/color] Looking slightly relieved, the blonde walked in and plopped down on the seat across from Delmare, setting her small backpack on the seat beside her. “Thanks,” the girl said, sighing before smiling. “I’m Alleyne Meagher, but you can call me Ally. Nice to meet you.” [color=gray]“Nice to meet you, Ally,”[/color] Delmare said, closing her book and returning the smile. [color=gray]“My name is Delmare Montague.”[/color] [hr][sup]10:42 AM, September 1st | King's Cross Station[/sup] Alleyne and Delmare looked up in alarm when a loud smack sounded on the compartment L door. ‘Oops, sorry!’ a frizzy-haired girl mouthed, opening the door. “Hey! Mind if I crash here?” The two girls — who had been politely chatting before being impolitely interrupted — shared a look of mutual agreement to boot the crazy-haired ginger, but the new girl plopped herself and her suitcase down beside Alleyne before either of them could speak. “Ah, a seat!” the girl exclaimed, half-melting into the cushiony red booth. An amused smile on her face, Alleyne rolled her eyes to Delmare, who responded with a shrug. “Oh! By the way,” the wild-haired girl said, sitting up with bright eyes, “My name’s Lyndsey. Lyndsey Hart.” “Alleyne,” Alleyne said, looking over at Delmare. “And this is—” [color=gray]“Delmare”[/color] Delmare supplied, amused now as well. [color=gray]“Nice to meet you, Lyndsey.”[/color] A burp-like sound emanated from Lyndsey, who immediately started shuffling through her cloak. “Where are you Melly… C’mon, where are you?” “Um, who?” Alleyne asked, brows creasing before letting out a shriek as Lyndsey produced a hideous, spiny green-and-brown blob from her left breast pocket. “Wh—what is that!” “My Dragon toad, Maleficent,” Lyndsey declared proudly. “Raised from a ‘pole myself.” Alleyne cringed and darted to the seat beside Delmare and safety. “K—keep that thing away from me!” she said, pointing a shaky finger at the toad. Lyndsey grinned, pocketing the creature. “Works every time.”