"I EXPECT nothing but the best from you Penelope, do you understand me?"

I wasn't paying much attention to my mother. My overwhelming excitement and joy to finally be going to Hogwarts, the whole image of it clouded my mind to forget who was talking to me.

My mother said in a loud and strict tone, "Young lady, you listen to me right now!"

Quickly, I restrained myself and focus on her. "Your last two sisters have done well for this family, I expect the same from you. You remember that you're a Bla-"

I cut her off saying a monotone voice, "That I'm a Black. Yeah, you've reminded me a billion times, I'm literally hearing it in my sleep at this point."

She pulled an extremely offended face and ordered in a commanding voice, "Don't you use that tone at me! You know your place, I will not have you tarnish your families name! Keep in mind what happened to your sister when she defied us."

I knew clearly who she was referring to and decided to stay quiet and obey her orders. She looked frustrated at my hair and tutted.

"Honestly Penelope, why do you leave your hair down? Come here."

Slowly, I moved closer and she got her wand out. She muttered a spell and my hair was made into a tight braid.

I groaned from the tightness of it, representing how I felt about my family. They were strict, restrictive and blood obsessed, and I don't mean that like vampires.

My two sisters have gotten married to other pure blood families, thankfully they haven't resorted to incest like some other family members. The other one.. well, let's just say she apparently she committed something far worse then incest to my families eyes.

Marrying a muggle-born.

I looked around Platform 9 and 3/4, still taking in the whole idea that I was finally going to be away from my family and learning more about magic. But I couldn't help but envy all the other wizards and witches that were getting hugged and kissed away to their freedom, not having a care in the world. I wished I had that, rather then being reminded of what's been expected of me.

My mother saw Walburga and she grabbed my hand to go talk to her. I saw my cousin Sirius and gave myself a small smile as we walked towards them.

My mother greeted her and started talking. I didn't pay much attention as Sirius and I stood silently beside our mothers, both hoping we could get on the train as soon as possible.

Sirius smirked and made a funny face towards me, I couldn't help but start laughing. Sirius always could make me laugh. My mother whacked my arm with her sharp hands and hissed, "Control yourself! Honestly, you're almost as bad as Sirius."

I looked down as I avoided eye contact and immediately pulled my "serious" face. Sirius mouthed sorry to me and I simply nodded, acknowledging his apology.

Sirius gestured to his and my mother and rolled his finger towards his head. I managed not to laugh, but I gave him a small grin. Our mothers were both mental, but we didn't care as long as we had each other.

They finally stopped talking to each other and train made a loud whistle, letting everyone know to finally get on. I immediately picked up my suitcase and was rearing to get on.

But before I could run to my freedom, my mother placed her firm hands on my shoulder and turned me around. She looked down at me as I looked up at her, intimidated by her cold stare and tall demeanour.

She placed her hands under my chin so I was looking at her properly and she said, "You will keep the legacy of the Black family intact, you will not disappoint. You know the consequences if you don't, is that understood?"

I breathed in and nodded, "Yes mother."

Her eyes searched for any doubt in my eyes, she simply nodded and finally let me go. I picked up my suitcase once again and raced towards the train with Sirius, finally getting on.

I looked around the inside of train, mesmerised by it. I finally smiled widely and looked at Sirius.

He exclaimed, "Finally! We're free, Penny! Come on, let's find somewhere to sit!"

I laughed at his excitement and we started running down the train until we finally saw an empty compartment to sit in. We both sat across from each other, but I was nearer to the window.

I looked out, seeing the sea of parents waiting for the train to finally set off. I looked at Sirius once again as he had one leg up, smiling at me once again. It all felt like a dream, one that I didn't want to wake up from.

Finally, the train made another loud whistle and it started to move. I looked at Sirius in utter joy and excitement as I could see my mother and aunt getting smaller until finally, I could no longer see their intimidating and sour faces.

I placed my suitcase onto the ground and mumbled to myself, "I'm finally free."

"Hell yeah we are! God, I'm so happy," Sirius beamed as he ran his hands through his shoulder length black hair.

I chuckled at him. I grabbed the end of my braid and removed the small hairband that held the suffocating hairstyle. I threw it away and started to unbraid my hair, letting my large natural dark curls breath into the new life I was being taken to.

Once the braid was undone, I shook my head so my hair would go back to its natural untamed self. Sirius sniggered at me and joked, "Yes Penny! Let those beautiful curls fly free in the wind!"

I jokingly ran my hand through my curls and exclaimed, "These curls are never going to restrained again!"

We both started laughing until we heard a girl with bright red hair who had a pale looking boy next to her ask, "Hey, do you mind if we sat in this compartment?"