Learn to Fly

"Are you sure you're completely packed?"

Alora rolled her eyes.

"I'm sure."

Severus fixed her with a stern look.

"Have you got your potions supplies?"

Alora leaned against a chair, looking bored.

"Yes."

"Cauldron?"

"Yes."

"Books? Robes?"

"Yes and yes."

"All of your animals?"

"Belle is next to your stuff, Cassie is in her cage next to my stuff and Cybil is in her basket in my backpack."

They both had agreed that Belle was going to live in Severus's office. He didn't mind at all, since he had grown very fond of the cat. Cassie would live in the owlery with Hades, Severus's large black owl and Cybil would live in Alora's dorm.

"Wand?"

"Ye-no. Where did I put it?"

Severus sighed.

"The last place I saw it was the kitchen."

Alora started towards the kitchen when she bumped into Lenna.

"Sorry, Lenna. You okay?"

Lenna smiled.

"Lenna is fine. Lenna has your wand, Miss Ally."

She held it out.

"Thanks, Lenna."

Alora pocketed it. Lenna sniffed.

"Lenna is going to miss you, Miss Ally."

Alora swooped down and pulled the elf into a warm hug, which she gladly returned.

"I'm gonna miss you too. Thanks for being such a great friend."

Lenna pulled away and wiped her eyes. She then handed Alora a package.

"For the ride to school."

Alora smiled.

"Thanks, Lenna."

She then headed back to the living room where Severus stood with the floo powder pot. He set it down and walked towards her.

"Remember what we talked about : I'm a nasty, cruel teacher who doesn't like anyone and I've never met you."

"And I'm a girl who's moved here from Australia with my father. I avoid giving his name at all costs. If I have to, his name is Steven Perry."

Severus nodded his approval.

"Severus?"

"Yes?"

Alora ran up to him and threw her arms around his neck.

"Thanks. For everything."

Severus froze for a second, and then returned the hug.

"What are fathers for?"

He pulled away and cleared his throat.

"You had better be going. The train leaves in fifteen minutes."

Alora smiled and took a pinch of floo powder. She stepped into the fireplace, holding onto her things.

"See ya later...dad."

She then threw the powder, shouted, "Platform 9 ¾!" and disappeared in burst of green flames.

*

Alora sat cross-legged in her seat aboard the Hogwarts Express, humming along to her Discman and watching the countryside go past. Severus had done several charms on the Discman so it would work at Hogwarts. Alora was glad to have it; if she wasn't humming, she'd be screaming.

To give herself something to do, she pulled out the package Lenna gave her. She unwrapped it to find a tin of homemade biscuits (All of which were Alora's favourites) and another package wrapped in brown paper. Alora slowly opened the package to find a homemade scarf that had a pattern of butterflies stitched into the soft purple wool. It was beautiful. Alora buried her face into it and cried.

By the time Alora lifted her head and wiped her eyes, it was dark out. She suddenly heard a knock on the door. Alora opened it to find a bushy haired girl in her robes.

"Hello. I just thought I'd let you know we are nearly at Hogwarts."

Alora smiled.

"Thanks."

The girl smiled.

"I'm Hermione Granger."

She held out her hand and Alora took it.

"Alora Perry."

"Nice to meet you, Alora. Sorry for asking, but where are you from? Your accent is nice."

Alora laughed.

"I just moved here from Australia with my father."

"Great. Is this your first year?"

"Yeah. I can't wait."

Hermione smiled.

"I felt the same way. I'm still enjoying it and it's my second year."

Alora smiled back.

"Cool. Guess I'll see ya round, Hermione."

Hermione nodded and left the compartment. Alora closed the door behind her and pulled on her Hogwarts robes as the train began to slow down. Alora took a deep breath to stop herself throwing up.

Well, here goes nothing.