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Ahava Jasmine Shafiq-304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUOLXLUl18
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Captivated by a blend of astonishment , I gaze upon the legendary Hogwarts Express —a scarlet steam locomotive adorned with gleaming windows and meticulously polished brass.304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbh7PvfuetE
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From the moment my acceptance letter arrived, a whirlwind of exhilaration and apprehension has consumed me. While the thought of attending Hogwarts fills me with unparalleled excitement, the uncertainty of which house will embrace me fills my heart with a tinge of anxiety.304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡju9dDO5BIL
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Accompanied by my cousin Ruhani, I stand in the midst of the bustling crowd on Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. Parents, both from the Muggle and magical worlds are bidding farewell to their children. I observe the flurry of activity, knowing that most of the first-year students have already embarked on the train, eagerly forging new connections and beginning their magical odyssey.
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I turn to my Ammi, beseeching her-'Can we please board the train now? I just want to get started.'
'Do you have everything ? Quills, robes?'- Ammi(mother) asks for the eighth time, worry etched on her beautiful emerald eyes.
I answer with a swift nod-'Yes, Ammi.'304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Pdh9eTHmV
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'If I find anything you have forgotten, I'll mail it to you.'-she rubs my shoulders.304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuEp6MJznU
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'Nina, I'm sure she will be fine.'- Baba(father) tries to reassure her.
My mother tends to worry excessively, a trait that I share as well.
When the train lets out an ear-screeching whistle, Ammi and I exchange final waves before departing . We board the train with Frank Longbottom and find an empty compartment. My mother was a Longbottom and so I'm also cousins with Frank. He is in Gryffindor and one year older than us.
'I will go look for Alice. You girls wanna come along?'-He asks. Alice Fortescue happens to be his house-mate.
I reply -"I believe we're alright here."
Ruhani nods in agreement.304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdK6GKtr5hi
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'Alright then, let me know if you need anything'.
As Frank leaves the compartment, a sense of concern washes over me, prompting me to turn towards Ruhani- "Are you okay, Ru? You've been quiet all this time."
She responds with a reassuring smile-'I'm fine, Ava. Just a bit nervous'.
Based on the way she avoided eye contact, it's obvious that she's anything but fine. Perhaps, the absence of her parents is weighing heavily on her heart. The pain and longing she feels for them are likely present, even if unspoken.
I choose to let it slide for now, respecting her need for personal space and giving her the necessary time to process her emotions in her own manner.
After a while, the door to our compartment swings open, revealing a girl and a boy. With her vibrant red hair and piercing green eyes, the girl radiates a certain energy. On the contrary, the boy's appearance is characterized by long, dark hair that cascades down to his shoulders.
I offer a welcoming smile, gesturing for them to join us in the compartment,304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtws49j80ED
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The girl greets us with a radiant smile -'Hello! my name is Lily and he is Severus.'304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlceAU31EDe
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I return the smile- "Hello, Lily! It's wonderful to meet you. I'm Ahava, and this is my cousin, Ruhani. Welcome to our compartment."
Ruhani waves at them, asking-'Are you both first years as well?'
Severus responds, affirming that both he and Lily are indeed first years. With a hint of hopeful anticipation in his voice, he expresses-'I hope we'll get put into the same house. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41cdSydRf5
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Lily laughs-'Sev, even if we are not in the same house, we can still be friends.'
Friends. My lips stretches into a smile at the thought .304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhdnyFlleK
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The possibility of shared experiences and the camaraderie fills the compartment as the train hurtles towards our destination,
Once more the compartment door slides open and two more boys make their way inside. The first boy possesses a mop of dark brownish hair . Meanwhile, the second boy captivates attention with his sleek black hair and piercing grey eyes, emanating an undeniable aura of attractiveness.
A fleeting thought passes through my mind, acknowledging the boy's appealing features.304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ukTHlKzHv
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Caught in the act of stealing a glance, I blush as the boy reciprocates with a playful grin-' Hey there...I'm Sirius Black and you are??'304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFkHqIOvvc
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'Ahava Shafiq', I reply shyly. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6WYTGHYdz
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Hearing my name, his eyebrows furrow inquisitively- "Shafiq? You are of pureblood descent, I presume?"
Maybe he is thinking I am into pureblood preeminence as a lot of people tend to do so.304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLBRCzhdLM
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So, I quickly interject, eager to clarify, "Indeed, I come from a pureblood lineage, but I don't align with purist ideologies."
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His face lights up with a broad grin- 'Neither do I.'
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The other boy introduces himself as James Potter and exchange pleasantries with us. However, Severus chooses not to partake in it, giving the impression that he doesn't particularly like them.304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfggbYMFsD
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As James and Sirius engage in a lively discussion about spells, I find myself engrossed in a book, accompanied by Ru. Meanwhile, I notice Lily and Severus engrossed in a serious conversation, their expressions and gestures indicating a depth of discussion.
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'You'd better be in Slytherin'-the husky voice of Severus cuts through the air, capturing the attention of everyone in the room.
Lily sniffs -"Slytherin?'
"Who wants to be in Slytherin?'-James retorts with disdain-'I think I'd rather leave, wouldn't you?"304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncX8IxcN08
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Sirius chimes in, his tone nonchalant as he shrugs, 'My whole family has been in Slytherin."
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James's eyes widen as he fixates on Sirius, clearly surprised by the revelation
'Blimey, I thought you seemed alright!'
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A mischievous smirk graces Sirius's face as he responds, "Maybe I'll break the tradition. Where are you heading if you've got a choice?'304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiwgQZqG4X
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James brandishes an invisible sword dramatically , his voice infused with a sense of valor. "Gryffindor, where dwell the brave. Just like my dad,"304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fSFOQ49MS
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A distinct sneer emanates from Severus.
'Got a problem with that?'-James rounds up on him, his stance assertive as he squares off against Severus. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqWKEe01WT
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'No, if you'd rather be brawny than brainy'-Severus snorts.304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJdWjEwUN2
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'Where are you hoping to go, seeing as you are neither.' Sirius states and James roars with laughter.304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5ulHfGhg6
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At this Lily stands up abruptly, her voice tinged with anger. "Come on, Sev. Let's find another compartment,"
Then she looks at us- 'Ahava and Ruhani, you can come with us too if you want.'304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ360HfNEzEf
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Observing the escalating tension and the increasing unfriendliness in the compartment, both Ru and I exchange glances, silently acknowledging the need for a change of environment. Without a word, we mutually decide to depart, seeking a more peaceful and welcoming atmosphere.
I make my way towards the exit but Sirius stops me in my tracks, confronting me with a questioning tone, "So, you agree with that greasy Snivellus? Are you also planning on getting into Slytherin?"
His words carry a hint of suspicion, challenging my potential alignment with Severus and the prospect of being sorted into Slytherin.
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Pausing for a moment to collect my thoughts, I meet Sirius's gaze with a calm yet determined expression.
"You know," I respond firmly. "Being in Slytherin doesn't automatically make someone evil. Just like any other house, Slytherin has produced individuals with a variety of qualities and values. It's important not to generalize or judge based solely on someone's house affiliation." I emphasize the significance of looking beyond stereotypes and recognizing the complexity and diversity within each house.
Despite my hopes for understanding, it appears that the conversation has only intensified his negative sentiments.304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtISyckbyMP
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'Bloody Purebloods!'- he spats at me.
Feeling disappointed by Sirius's reaction, I decide not to linger another moment. 304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZTWyjCoxF
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As I walk away, I can't help but feel a shift in my perception of Sirius, realizing that his earlier charm has diminished in light of his closed-mindedness.
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