The Story Behind the Name
written by Lizzie Scamander
Lizzie never wanted to leave Mantigi, the magical New Zealand school. But she has left New Zealand and is in England - attending Hogwarts. Will Mantigi always be better, or will Lizzie's opinion change? If you like this, please message me or post on my wall, I appreciate feedback! And also, by the way, this is in progress. Thank you!
Last Updated
05/31/21
Chapters
2
Reads
622
The New Girl
Chapter 1
The girl stood awkwardly on the platform, her brown eyes observant and attentive as she analysed the hustling and bustling active atmosphere that currently dominated. Conversation was the primary occupation of the public surrounding her - good-byes were being expressed from students of varying ages between eighteen and eleven, weighted with trunks and cages containing owls and cats, perhaps a toad. A cat with pinned-back ears analysed the scene, ambivalent, his green gaze doubtful and mistrustful. His black hair stood on end and his whiskers twitched - dislike was particularly distinctive in his expressive features, and he shifted uncomfortably in his basket. He meowed. The girl peered down at him sympathetically, considerably commiserating and empathetic.
"I'm sorry, Cornix," she apologized, bending down to stroke the animal. She tucked back an extensive strand of her dark brown hair and straightened her simple black jacket. "I don't like it either." This was not a completely honest remark - platform nine and three quarters was an attractively designed place, but due to her loss of what to do she was beginning to feel considerable dislike of it all. She tightened her hold on the handle of her trunk and picked up the basket containing the cat. "Let's get on the train, Cornix."
She advanced toward the train. It would have been so much easier if her parents had been able to supervise her and not depart when reaching the Muggle station, but they had decided not to come with her through the barrier, which one would have to unceremoniously lean against and then appear on the magical platform. The girl sighed, and stepped up onto the train. With some difficulty, she pulled up her trunk and then the basket, hurried through the aisle before locating an empty compartment. She slipped in, positioning her trunk in a corner and putting Cornix's basket on the seat beside her. She let him out, and he jumped lightly onto her lap.
As she stroked him, she thought of how she would have much preferred to be attending Mantigi this year, the New Zealand school of magical education. How she would love to be there instead, appreciating the natural familiarity of the place and entering the tudor-styled building... But no, this year she would miss out. She would be attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry instead. She recalled her protestations to moving from New Zealand to England, how objectionably and determinedly she had proclaimed that in New Zealand it was better. But her parents' business was pivotal, and, due to this employment, they had had to move.
Permanently? That was what she had asked. We'll see, had been the response. As good as a "yes", the girl remarked inwardly to herself. The girl sighed heavily. But then she looked up sharply as the compartment door opened. A girl entered. Light, blondish hair tickled her shoulders, a perfunctory mouth, a button nose - sparkling grey eyes also complemented her appearance. She smiled.
"May I sit here? I came on late, and everywhere's full..."
"That's fine."
The girl sat down. "I'm Priscilla Blackwood - preferably Cilla."
"I'm Elizabeth, or rather, Lizzie - Lizzie Tonks." With this sentence terminated, Lizzie discovered she lacked things to talk about. She smiled awkwardly. "I'm not a very good conversationalist."
Cilla laughed. "I'm the opposite," she admitted. "Talking is my principle profession. But come on, you can't be that quiet."
"I am new here."
These explanatory words surprised Cilla. "But you aren't eleven, are you?"
"No, I'm thirteen. But I - well, I attended Mantigi, you know, the New Zealand wizarding school, but my parents moved to England due to business issues."
"Ooh, I've heard of Mantigi! I heard it's got a stables, and -"
"I loved the stables. Cornix loved it too." Lizzie looked down at the cat in her lap and smiled. "I - erm - didn't want to move."
"I'm not usually a very empathetic person, but I understand," Cilla replied. "However, Hogwarts is good. I'm a Hufflepuff," she nodded proudly. "But wait a minute - you have to be sorted! Where will you be, do you think?"
"Um... I don't know," Lizzie answered, twisting her fingers together. "There's four, right?"
Cilla nodded. "Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin."
"What do you think I'll be?"
Cilla cocked her head. "Ravenclaw? I don't know. We'll just have to wait and see."
"Yes," Lizzie replied heavily. "We'll just have to wait and see."
