breathless • james sirius potter [rewriting]

one

ONE
FIRST YEAR: TRAIN RIDES & NEW FRIENDS

"what is this feeling so sudden and new?
i felt the moment i laid eyes on you...
does it have a name? yes, loathing!"

The day Cameron Kala got her Hogwarts letter was easily one of the best days of her life. Her mother was ecstatic for her, spending the days following bragging that she'd always known her daughter was something magical. Hayley rolled her eyes, but Cameron suspected it was only because she was jealous her younger sister was getting all the attention. Rachel, only seven at the time, was in awe that her big sister was like something out if a fantasy. The young girl spent a few days worried her sister would end up like the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz, but Cameron reassured her that she wouldn't be turning green anytime soon. Her father gave no strong opinions on his middle child's newfound identity, but everyone knew he was less than pleased. He wasn't very fond of the idea of someone in his household having more power than him.

Cameron could care less what her father thought. She was practically shaking with excitement when she saw the Hogwarts Express for the very first time. Only her mother, Hayley, and Rachel had come to see her off - but she didn't mind. Haley, despite her jealously, gave her sister a big hug goodbye.

"Be good, okay? We don't know how they handle troublemakers in the wizarding world." She winked and tucked a piece of Cameron's hair behind her ear. Cameron smiled widely at her before being dragged into a hug with her mother.

"You'll do great, honey, I know it," she whispered. She kissed her daughter on the head and let her go so she could bid goodbye to Rachel. Her hug with her little sister lasted the longest, Rachel having buried herself into Cameron's arms.

"I'm gonna miss you, Camie," she said. The next few minutes were spent consoling her and promising that Cameron would be back for Christmas. When she had finally finished with her goodbyes, she headed for the train with a bright smile on her face. She quickly found an empty compartment and sat down, letting out a breath she'd been holding. It was happening. It was really happening. Receiving her letter hadn't been some dream that was going to be stolen from her upon waking. She was a witch. Her older sister was practically a model, her younger sister was a genius, but she was a witch.

It didn't take long before the door to her compartment was slid open and she was met with the sight of a short girl with big brown puppy eyes. She looked slightly terrified, hiding behind her hair and looking down at her shoes.

"Would you mind if I sat with you?" She asked timidly, her voice quiet and soft. "Everywhere else is near full."

"Of course," Cameron replied with a king grin, patting the seat next to her. The girl looked slightly surprised that she'd received a positive answer, but shut the door behind her and sat down next to Cameron nonetheless.