Penelope walked through the corridor of the train, passing one full compartment after another, struggling to keep hold of her cat as she dragged her trunk behind her. Paisley mewed loudly. "I know, Paisley. I'll find us a compartment soon." Hugging her cat more tightly, Penelope walked past three more compartments before finally seeing an empty one. Relieved, Penelope managed to get the door open, pulled her trunk inside, then closed the door.
She settled into a seat and sat Paisley in her lap, petting her, trying to calm her. "I know how you feel, Paisley. I'm nervous too." Penelope was glad that her mum and dad had allowed her to have a cat. Penelope did not know anybody yet, and having Paisley helped with that.
She looked at Paisley who had finally settled into Penelope's lap and was purring herself to sleep. Paisley was a calico, her white fur a canvas for the many patches of black and orange fur that covered her body. Penelope remembered when she saw Paisley and that it was her face that immediately drew her attention. Half of Paisley's face was orange, and the other half was black. Penelope had never seen a cat like that and knew that this one was the one that was meant for her.
Penelope continued to rub Paisley's fur and then looked out the window toward the corridor. Students were continuing to pass by. She wondered if the compartment she occupied would be shared with anybody else during the rest of the trip to Hogwarts.... |