Verlin ran through the barrier of platform 9 and ¾ths with her eyes closed, and a lump in her throat. She had ran through the barrier like all the other first years the previous year, but it still scared her. It scared her mainly because she feared that the wizarding world would reject her. I mean she had started Hogwarts a year later than everyone else, because her magic wasn't quit up to snuff. She had worked, hard studied hard and earned her place in this world. She took a deep breath enjoying the relief that the barrier hadn't rejected her. Afterall she knew it could happen she heard tale of it happening to Harry Potter himself.
Her deep breath was short lived though, because her mother was right behind her. Her mother looked around with child like awe. Her head was cocked to the side like an enthusastic labrador retriever, and before Verlin could stop her she was running up to a nervous looking kid popping a handful of Berty Bott Every Flavor beans into his mouth.
'He looks like a pill popper with his hands shaking like that.' Verlin thought with an evil smile that made her eyes glow predatorial. The predator image was completed by the yellow wolf eye contacts. She saw her mother and clicked her toungue on the roof of her mouth shaking her head. “Mooooom......” She said weakly in a voice of nearly whispered horror.
“Oh are those Bobby Bott Beans!?” Emily asked, and then added “You must tell me which flavors you got!!” She was grining broadly at the boy like a five year old excited by some new toy. The boy was looking down at his feet clearly looking for a way to escape this situation probably thinking the woman was raving mad.
Verlin gave one last well it can't be helped sigh, and went over to rescue the boy from her mothers clutches. “Mooooom how many times do I have to tell you...They are called Berty Bott Every Flavor Beans.....” She grabbed her mom by the shoulder as if the parental roles had been reversed, and guided her back to where she left her trunk, and cat Ester. Ester starred at the pair as if to say 'How dare you leave me for even five minutes.' Verlin mouthed I'm sorry at the cat, and her cat looked away as if still offended.
Her moms attention turned back to the task at hand which was seeing Verlin onto the Hogwarts Express. She looked at her daughter with emotional hazel eyes, and wrapped her in a suffucating hug. “Mom your embarassing me.....” Her mom gave an even tighter squeeze, and Verlin could have sworn she felt a wet spot on her neck, and her suspicions were soon revealed as truth when she heard the hiccuping sniffles coming from her mother.
“I wish you diiiiiddddnnnnn't have to go..” Emily said her sobs growing embarassingly loud. “I geeeet just sooooo looooonely at home.” The lonely was said with an almost howling sort of wail. “I'm always scared for you especially since your da...... If anything were to happen to you I would be just soo....” Verlin rolled up the sleeve of her trench coat and awkwardly patted her mom on the back.
“Come on mom, I'll be all right your making a scene.....” She peered over her mom's shoulder to see who was watching, and glared down a fourth year boy, and flipped him the bird. The boy diverted his attention immediately. Emily gave her daughter one last bear hug, and looked up into her daughter's face. She furiously wiped her eyes.
“I'm sorry dear. I just worry about you. I have no idea what you get up to at school.” She looked her daughter up and down. “Especially since you wear such dark clothes.” Verlin could sense her mother preparing for a lecture “If you look so dreery all the time dear who knows what kind of people you could attract. Would it kill you to wear some other color other than red and black.” Verlin rolled her eyes, and gave a huff of irritation.
“Not as much as having this conversation for the millionth time is.....” Verlin muttered between gritted teeth. Her mom gave one last aggravated sigh, and straightened out Verlin's trench coat. There was a moment of silence between the two ladies, and Verlin's expression softened, and she said “I'll miss you too mom. I'll write once a week I promise.” In reality Verlin would do no such thing it would just goad her mother's helicopter parenting.
Emily swept her into one more bone crushing hug. “I love you kiddo.” She pulled away and said in her nagging motherly voice “Make a list if you forgot anything. Don't forget to give Ester treats, and for the love of god make some friends this year.”
“I love you too mom.” She gave her mom a peck on the cheek and added “I left some wizarding books out for you if you get bored because I know you like to read them.” She heard steam coming out of the Hogwarts Express, and looked down at her watch. “I better go. If I don't go now all the good seats will be taken.” Verlin turned away from her mom giving the one handed wave. She boarded the train and put her trunk in the overhead compartment, and took Ester out of her carrier and put her on the seat next to her. The cat did two circles, and kneeded her claws a couple times. She let out a this will do meow and laid down. Verlin took her seat stretching her buckle adorned boots out in front of her, and put her hands behind her head. She had that relaxed I'm a rebel and I know it posture. She concentrated and made it so the black wolf ears she favored would show up through the black and red spikes of her hair.