Mesmerizingly

Chapter I; A new start

I, Ophelia, sat at my desk, staring at the blank paper in front of me. I had never been good at expressing my feelings in writing, but today I felt I had to. Today was the day of the move, but, but not just to a new city but to a whole new country, and that meant starting at a new school. I had been at the same school all my life, or the five years I had attended Beauxbatons, and now I was suddenly leaving behind the friends I had and the life I knew. It was an overwhelming thought and I felt both nervous and excited at the same time. I thought back to my friends, to the good times we had had together. They would always be a part of me, yet I knew I would never be the same again and things would change a lot. I was moving to another country, luckily I had learned English as my mother tongue because I was in kindergarten when we still lived in the UK and then when I was around seven or eight we moved to France - so, yeah, I have been moving a lot, because of my parents work. I was just glad I had gotten so many years at Beauxbatons so I had actually settled in, now I was just dreading when we would have to move back again. Which I had no idea because my parents never told me about their work, I don't even know what they do. I think it is within the Ministry, but I have absolutely no idea. 

This was the start of something new, a new phase in my life. I took the pen and began to write. I spilled my feelings onto the page, my worries about what it would be like to start at the new school, but also about my excitement at the thought of meeting new people and experiencing new things. When I finished writing, I felt a little lighter. It was a big change I was facing. I had spent the last week packing all my things. My parents hadn't been too much help as they were both busy getting the last things sorted before the long trip. However, I had also told them that I would pack my things myself so that I could find my stuff again. I had already seen the move coming though, as both my parents had been on many long business trips to England in the last three months.

"Ophelia, have you finished packing?" I turned around and my Mum was standing in the doorway with a little smile, looking at me.

"I know it's not easy," My Mum began, taking a few steps towards me so she could put a hand on my shoulder, "but unfortunately our work in England has become a little more extensive than first anticipated." I gave a small chuckle and shrugged.

"It's okay mum, I understand." I sent mum a little smile and straightened my white top.

"Of course, you do. Look at you. You've become a big girl, well, in a little while you'll be a young woman." She pulled me into a hug and stroked my back. Don't you just hate, when parents say that? - Like I love my Mum, but calling me a "young woman"? Also taking into account that she probably won't see me really moving away from home until I'm in my late 20s, it just seem.. Oh, well..

"But... I'm nervous about starting at the new school and I'm really going to miss my friends from Beauxbatons," I said pulling away from the hug.

"I understand that Ophelia, but you'll be fine and make a lot of new friends." She smiled and continued, "I'm sure you will!"

"Mari!" My Dad called from downstairs, and Mum sent me a smile before turning on her heel and walking downstairs.

I continued to pack the last of my things. My books, paintings, photographs of my friends from school. I'm really going to miss them; I thought as I held the photographs in my hand and looked through them. I put them in a moving box and closed it. I looked around my room, or more correctly, my old room. It was strange that eight years had been packed into moving boxes and now had to be unpacked somewhere else, in a new country. I remembered all the memories that were here. I would miss France.

"Ophelia, honey. It's time. We have to go," Mum called, and I grabbed a few bags to take with me. I walked out of the room, but before I closed the door, I glanced around the room one last time and whispered a goodbye. I put the bags down, closed the white door, picked up the bags again and went downstairs.

"Mum, what about all our stuff?" She had a couple of bags in her hands as well when I met her as I was coming down the stairs.

"They'll be there sometime next week. We've got a plane to catch!" She said and walked out to the taxi with the bags.

Dad also carried a couple of bags out to the taxi, and I walked out the front door. I put one bag down so I could close and lock the door. I took the key out of the lock and took my bag and then went to the cab. I opened the door, put the bags in the back seat and got in. The taxi driver closed my door, and I looked out the window and up at the house. I could really feel how much I was going to miss this place. As the last car door slammed and the car trundled away just as quietly and the house slowly disappeared from sight, I felt a tear roll down my cheek. The car-ride to the airport felt like forever, but we finally made it to Toulouse-Blagnac airport, and it wasn't long until we had to board. I didn't really know why we didn't just travel by portkey, it would have been so much quicker, but I know that Mum and Dad liked to act like muggles, even though they are probably the furthest thing from muggles. I stood with my parents at the arrivals hall at the airport looking around. I was rarely at the airport and was fascinated by the vibrant atmosphere and the chaotic spectacle of people rushing back and forth. The lights were bright, with neon signs blinding me, while the sounds of people talking, plane alarms and luggage trolleys driving past made me feel overwhelmed. The air was filled with the distinctive smell of fuel and aviation, but also a strange mix of assorted fragrant store perfumes and fast food. We walked towards our gate, and I looked up at the large screens displaying information about our flight and departure times. There were plenty of people running around with their luggage and with stressed expressions on their faces, while others sat quietly waiting in the soft chairs next to their gate. Dad bought some magazines and snacks for the journey, while Mum checked the tickets for the last minute. I just stood and stared at the hustle and bustle around me, the feeling of being part of a big world that was so different from my own life in our small village. When it was finally time to board the plane, I was both nervous and excited. I looked out the window and saw the massive plane waiting for us. I knew we were headed to a big, bustling city, and I couldn't wait to see what awaited on the other side of this journey.