South End of the Platform
 

Seventh Year. It was DISMAL at best in Lexi's opinion. DIS.MAL. Tugging on her dress hem a bit she bit her lip. She had Rufus and Wasabi for one more term in the castle and she did NOT know if she was looking forward to it at all.

Looking to her right she sought out Sal's face in the crowd... where was he? She wasn't sure they had even arrived at the same time. Stupid Head Boy stuff and all... SIGHS FOR LIFE!

Ivan came onto the platform at the back of the train already missing his uncle. He looked around and tried to figure out what to do next, he just wanted to find an empty compartment and sit with his text books and start to read once again.
Ivan opened his trunk and started to dig for the owl treats so he could give a couple to Moon. At the top he found his books, pulled them out then found the treats and grabbed two. Closing the trunk he gave Moon the treats and was soon greated with appreciation.
After standing up with his books in their bag and Moon happy with the snack he looked around more paying close attention to the other students for clues on what to do now.

Saying goodbye to her parents was hard. She felt a little sad for leaving especially when she saw her mom cried. "we'll write to you soon dear," mom said while giving her a last hug. Dad waved at her when she got on the train. He gave lots of advice and even told her to study hard throughout school. Elle nodded and said farewell to her parents. While looking for empty compartments, Elle saw a boy around her age and decided to enter the compartment. "Hello..I'm Elle. Do you mind if I sit with you?" Elle beamed at him and she was hoping the boy would say yes.

"Sure you can set here Elle." Ivan looked at the girl who came up to him. He then sat down on his trunk and opened one of his text books and began to read while they all waited for the train to arrive.
OOC: This is on the platform still nightfeather

Aurora pushed her trolley onto the platform and stopped, looking around for people she knew. No-one as yet. Shame really. She turned to her sister, "They're not even coming onto the platform are they?" she said, referring to their parents who had disappeared as they walked through the wall.

Tiffany turned to look at Aurora, "I don't think so..." She shrugged and turned to the trolley. "Right, are you sure you have everything? Your books are under your robes, Salvatore's tank will be there when you arrive, got your violin? Flute? Quills?"

Aurora nodded, it should really be her Mother doing this but there had been something wrong recently... "Yep, got everything. And my wand." She tapped the left sleeve of her robes, outlining the shape of her wand.

Tiff smiled, "Good, it's nice to see my little sister is as organised as me." she said.

"Yeah, but I didn't go to Durmstrang." Aurora said, smiling.

Joseph smiled at his father as he and his sister said their goodbyes "Bye dad, we'll see you in Christmass"

"Goodbye son, take care of your sister, Josephine, take care of your brother" Joseph and his twin looked at eachother, before laughing and hugging their father.

"So, let's get on the train!" he said.

Elizabeth jumped out from the carriage, she had just finished packing away her trunk, slowly she made her way towards her parents with her siblings Cathy, Amelia and Jack.
Her mother was nearly in tears, her youngest was finally going to Hogwarts. "Take care of her" she warned the other three.
After many hugs and kisses, Elizabeth scrambled onto the train, although she didn't know anybody yet, she knew her first year at Hogwarts was going to be a good one.

Josephine blinked her tears away as she kissed her father goodbye "Bye bye daddy" her father left and she held onto her brother's arm.

"We can't go right now! We're waiting for Dani and my friends!" she yelled happily.

Alice approached the platform to Hogwarts, a feeling of sadness washing over her as she realized that she would not be boarding the train. She wanted more than anything to go back, but she knew it was not an option. About to turn and leave Alice spotted someone whose face she couldn't forget.

"LEXI?!" Alice called out, running towards the girl like she was still ten years old.

Lexi was standing there STILL searching the crowd for Sal when she heard someone shout her name like a BANSHEE. Sheesh! Turning to look for the CULPRIT she immediately smiled brightly when she caught sight of Alice. WOW she had really grown up!

Throwing her arms out wide she welcomed the little lion in for a hug. "Oh Alice! It's so lovely to see you here!" she exclaimed as she began to jump up and down in excitement. Rufus, seeing this began to mimic his owner which only brought more giggles from the bouncing blonde.

Happy to see Lexi's outstretched arms, Alice flung her arms around the girl's neck, pulling her in for the tightest hug that she had ever managed in her life. As Lexi started to bounce with excitement Alice couldn't help but start bouncing up and down with her. She gave a little smile to Rufus who had started jumping with them, allowing a laugh that started in Alice's belly to come out of her mouth.

"Oh my god it is so good to see you," Alice said, releasing Lexi from her chokehold. She took hold of both of Lexi's hands though, still just so excited to see her.

"I can't believe it...you'll be starting your last year right?" Alice asked, can't believing how quickly the time had gone. If she was still going to Hogwarts she'd be starting her fourth year...whew.

"So...how are you? How are things with Salander? I take it you too are still dating?" Alice gave another big smile...she would be devastated if the two of them had broken up. They were basically like her big brother and big sister after all. "And you looking amazing!"

Lexi started to chuckle, but the air to her lungs was cut off by the once small little lion's hold on her neck. That was okay with Lex, though. Wrapping her arms around the girl she bounced and gasped... BOUNCED AND GASPED.

Taking a huge breath she giggled some more, scrunching her little nose up and snorting a tiny bit as she did. "Oh dear it's lovely to see you as well. LOOK AT YOU! YOu look fantastic!" she cried out as she gripped her friend's hands.

Smiling a little less brightly she nodded her head. "I am not quite sure if I am excited, sad, or scared for seventh year, Alice. I can only... go with it," she said with a shrug. It was the truth... she wasn't quite sure how she felt about it.

MORE GIGGLES! Alice was precious!!! "I just recently got back from Asia, actually. Salander and I took holiday and went EVERYWHERE. We started in Tibet and then just went from there. It was magical." IT WAS MAGICAL I SAY! "We split up for a bit, actually... but we patched things up and are back together and stronger than before. He's Head Boy, you know? And I am going to be the student editor of the yearbook." Pride. She had it!


Lexi couldn't help it... at the last comment Alice made she blushed slightly and did a little twirl in her pretty dress. She did, however clasp her hands back on Alice's when she came to a stop. "Enough about me, though. How are you? How is your father? I miss you so much I can't stand it!"

Alice listened intently and excitedly as Lexi answered all of her questions. "I can't even imagine the flood of emotions and hormones," Alice said with a little chuckle. "Do you have any ideas to what you might want to do after Hogwarts?" Alice knew that Lexi was probably just trying to figure out how to handle this year, and that trying to tackle life after Hogwarts would just be overkill. After all a person could go crazy trying to think about all of that at once! "I think just going with it is the best option," Alice said with a supportive nod. "You can't control everything, so might as well just let whatever force of nature there is decide for you."

Alice blushed slightly at the compliment from Lexi. She had to admit that she didn't really feel like she looked all that little anymore. The childish features that she once had were gone, and all Alice could think about when she looked in the mirror was that she looked like...well...a woman. "I feel so old," Alice said with a little smile. "I look at pictures at Hogwarts from my first year and I just think where did that go? And who is that girl in those pictures?" Alice was sure that Lexi felt the same way, or at least had felt similarly herself.

Alice couldn't help but feel herself get all excited again after the slightly somber mood that had come with the topic just seconds ago. She was practically glowing when she found out that Salander and her were still together, even if they had separated for a little while. "I am just so happy for you two. Honestly I can't think of two people that deserve it more. Is Salander here by any chance? It has been ages since I have seen him!" Alice was sure Salander looked different than she remembered him. After all Alice had seen Lexi much more than she had seen Salander last term, and even Lexi looked different to her!

Alice admired Lexi as she twirled, giving her a little clap before accepting Lexi's hands back into her own. "I am doing well! I really didn't want to have to leave Hogwarts, but I just couldn't bare leaving my dad home by himself given the situation..." Alice said with a little wave of the hand. Lexi was her confidant, so she already knew all about it. No need to rehash old stories. "So, I've transfered to a nice wizarding school back in the states, and my dad moved closer by and opened up another library. He seems happy, and I'm happy, but I do miss you and Hogwarts so much."

She couldn't help but laugh. It was TRUE. All the hormones and emotions flowing through the seventh years was sure to palpable once they boarded that train for the last time. Sheesh. She was not sure she was mentally prepared for this.

...

Smirking slightly Lexi nodded her head and then shrugged a little as well. "I thought I did. I was planning to go to WADA and study drama, but then I got to thinking about things... and well I think I might quite like to get into politics. Wizarding politics of course. I would love to do some good for the Wizarding world here in Britain... or in France... or the states," she said with a little blush coloring her cheeks. She was sure people would laugh at her when she admitted she was interested in politics, but it was the truth. She was indeed interested. Shrugging once more she glanced out through the crowd in search of Sal's badge... his face... SAL WHERE ARE YOU?!

Sighing just a slight little bitty sigh she smiled once more and looked to Alice. Laughing out loud she shook her head. "YOU feel old? I am officially an adult now. I passed with 8 OWLs last term... I can apparate now... and I have my own home. It's surreal when I look back and see pictures from so long ago. It's like... a totally different person. Again."

OH. Hehe. "I have just been looking for him actually. I thought we had left at the same time, but I suppose not. Or he has found a first year to help with a trunk or sommat. It's ridiculous really. I was always the one helping first years and now he has taken the role while I try to keep to the yearbook offices at school." SNORTSSS!

Again; Enough about Lexi!

Squeezing Alice's hands gently she smiled brightly. "You have no idea how happy that makes me, Alice. REally. It's amazing. You and your father deserve to be happy! If there is ever anything I can do to help with ANYTHING you let me know, okay. As soon as this term ends I am heading out to see the world and America is definitely one of the places I will be stopping. So I will see you soon. I promise that." She WAS ecstatic to know that Alice and her father had found some sense of peace after all the trials and tribulations.

Looking around she leaned in a little closer and whispered, "I have some big news, but it's not the time to tell you. Expect a letter from me very soon, though. I will explain everything. It's amazing, it is!"

Alice was surprised at the blush that colored Lexi's cheeks when she mentioned she wished to pursue a career in politics. "Lexi you would be amazing at that!" Alice said with an affirmative nod. "A good, kind-hearted person with a head in the right place is just the thing Britain, France, or anywhere needs in their government." Alice certainly hoped that Lexi would stop being embarrassed about wanting to pursue politics. In Alice's opinion the government needed more people like Lexi and less people like the current Minister of Magic in Britain.

Alice gave Lexi a huge smile as she mentioned coming to the states. "I will expect a letter from you as soon as you find out that you are coming, and you will absolutely stay with me and my father, no ifs, ands, or buts about it!!!" The idea of Lexi coming and seeing her in the US just made her absolutely giddy.

Alice's eyes widened as Lexi listed all the things that made her feel old. "Oh my goodness Lexi you got 8 owls and can apparate?? That is amazing!!! I am so proud and excited for you!" Alice knew that she would be preparing for her own O.W.L.s this year, but she didn't really want to think about that. Although, Alice certainly hoped that she could at least do half as well as Lexi. "I hope I'll be able to do all of that by my 7th year!"

Alice couldn't help but chuckle as Lexi semi-scolded Salander for being late. "You know, we actually had one of our first real conversations when I was saving him from the blast-ended skrewts in Care of Magical Creatures," Alice said with a little laugh. She remembered it like yesterday...the sheer humor in someone as small and young as herself helping someone as older and bigger as Salander. "I'm glad to hear you're good influence is rubbing off on him," Alice said with a smile and a little wink.

Alice instinctively leaned forward as Lexi leaned in. OOOOOHHHHH a secret?? "Oh my gosh, I will be holding my breath until that letter comes!!" Ooh, Alice wished she would tell her now!!!

Lexi couldn't help but giggle a good bit and swat playfully at Alice's hand. "Me? Have my head in the right place? I dun think anyone has ever accused me of that. You are simply unfailingly kind, Alice. And I thank you for that." It really meant the world to Lexi to have people in her life that supported her and believed in her and Alice had never told Lexi she wasn't capable of something. It gave her much needed motivation.

GIGGLES FOR LIFE! Lexi was already making plans in her head. She would take Alice shopping and they could go out to eat... and just have FUN. It was going to be epic. MORE GIGGLES! "Yes mam. I promise you!" SNORT.

"You, my friend, will get all of the OWLs and blow your apparation test out of the water. I know it. You are a skilled witch, you just have to never doubt yourself. I believe you can do anything you put your mind to." Truth. Alice was a smartypants. Lexi knew she could expect fabulous things from her little cub in the future.

Salander and animals did NOT mix. "He has the WORST luck with creatures of any sort. It's insane. Wasabi chased him down and attacked him trying to get him to take a letter once. It was so unlike her... well she DOES bite, but she has never gone to such lengths. And my pygmy puff bit him... Merlin peed in his shoes once, Rufus... well Rufus is a monkey so I reckon you can imagine what a monkey could do to him," she said with a hearty laugh and an eyeroll for emphasis. "I am glad to hear you say I am a good influence on anyone."

Cue the shifty eyes. Hehehe. Lexi was NOT telling anytime soon. She would put it in writing. Hehehe. Not to mention she did love it when people assumed they knew what a secret was...and then ended up being totally off base. Hehehee. She was SURE this would be one of those instances. "You had better not do such things you know. It could take the post owl quite a while to get to America... wouldn't want you to pass out or something." Cheek; Lexi has it. GIGGGLES

"I only speak the truth," Alice said with a matter of fact smile, but she was glad to see that her words had meant a lot to her. Lexi was definitely Alice's biggest mentor, and she wanted to make sure that her mentor have the confidence to do everything that Alice knew she was capable of.

Now it was Alice's turn to blush as Lexi complimented her wizarding skills. "Thank you Lexi, it really means a lot," she said with a smile. "Perhaps when you come to visit you can teach me more of your spiffy tricks like the ones you taught me this year outside." Alice still remembered all the useful spells, both playful and practical that Lexi had taught her out by the tree on the grounds and in the Girls Common Room. Alice did miss those dates terribly, and she hoped they could have another one, even if it wasn't possible for it to be at Hogwarts.

Alice couldn't keep the laughs in as she pictured Salander being chased around the house by Lexi's owl. "Poor Salander!! The boy must be cursed or something," Alice said with another fit of laughter. Given how nice and kind Salander was she still wasn't sure how he had landed in Slytherin, but the sorting hat worked in mysterious ways she supposed. Honestly, she really hoped that Salander came in time for her to at least say hello to him before him and Lexi had to board the train.

Alice gave a mischievous smile. "Well, perhaps I won't hold my breath, but I will definitely be sitting around pondering it a lot until the letter comes." There were so many possibilities of what the news could be that Alice was sure there was no way that she would guess the right one.

"Where is she?" Mordred thought as he scoped the whole of the platform. He started out at the North end then made his way all the way down to the South end. It was harder to maneuver his trolley this time because of the lost first years who are all over the place. He was rather getting tired of saying "excuse me" over and over again. "If these kids don't get out of my way, I'll run over them without second thoughts..." he said to himself as he spotted Aurora.

He gave her a small smile and a wave since he really cannot approach her yet. She was talking to a woman he didn't know, and thought it will be rude to interrupt.

Aurora was only half paying attention to the conversation with her sister. The rest of her mind was occupied with finding someone he knew... Her green eyes searched the masses of lost first years or a familiar face.
"Mordred!" she shouted, waving and beconing him over.

Tiffany watched Aurora with amusement. "Are you paying attent- no. Didn't think so..." She followed Aurora's gaze to a boy. Yet again one that she recognised from somewhere. Then, in true older sibling fashion, remembered she hadn't teased Aurora about anything in at least five minutes. "So who's Mordred? Is he your boyfriend?" she said, chuckling.

Aurora stared at her sister in horror. That was far too loud. "No. He. Is. Not. Shut up!" she hissed, glaring at her sister. How dare she. That was... Why did everyone assume she had a boyfriend all of a sudden?!?!?!

...awwkward....LOL!
 

Mordred waved again and pushed his trolley toward them, but stopped dead in his tracks the next second. “Boyfriend?” Mordred could swear he turned brick red at the mention of the word. It was as if his feet were cemented on the floor. “Man up, Mordaunt. Pretend you didn’t hear anything.” He told himself.

Again, he pushed his trolley and managed to keep a relaxed face. “Hi. I saw you back there outside the wall. Can’t call your attention while you’re entering the platform though.” He said as he shook away the word he heard previously. “My parents had to leave right away. Busy day at the Ministry, I guess.” He shrugged, and then looked at the young woman who was with Aurora.

“Oh hi. I’m Mordred.” he said as he held out his hand. Who could this woman be?

Mordred had to have heard it... Aurora wanted to sink into a hole... She shook herself and looked at him. "Hi, managed to wade through all the first years then?" she smiled, shooting her sister a sideways glare. "My parents just..." she sighed, "Tell you later. This is Tiff, she's my sister." Aurora gestured to the tall blonde woman stood next to her. Tiffany looked almost exactly like Aurora apart from the white blonde curls instead of red, the height, and the swollen stomach protruding from her jumper.

Tiffany was watching the two kids with amusement, one hand patting her stomach. I hope you aren't this easily embarrassed, kid. she thought. The baby kicked her hand. "Nice to meet you Mordred. Tell me, what is your surname? You look like someone I met once." she said. At one of Mother's infamous parties. That was when she'd finally been allowed into one of the parties without children... and it had been a complete anti-climax.

Maxwell walked onto the platform with his mother and said goodbye. his father was no where in site being a muggle he did't support his son learning magic. after saying goodbye to his mother Maxwell walked over to Josephine and with a grin said "ready when you are!"

"Yeah, I did." he said as he looked back at the thick mass of first years. "I believe I ran over a couple of toes on my way here." he said grinning. "I don't mind really." he added. Mordred then looked at the blonde woman. "Oh so she's your sister." he said mentally to Aurora.

Mordred glanced at Tiff and looked at her when she asked what's his surname. "Mordaunt." he said bluntly. "I believe we haven't met before..." he said trailing off trying to remember if he did at least see her in one of his mother's parties. "Congratulations by the way." he said as he looked at her swollen belly.

"Well that should put them in line." she chuckled. "A few broken toes never killed anyone." Aurora nodded, You couldn't tell?

Mordaunt... "I think I may have met your Mother." she said. He was a headstrong young boy. "No, I think I would remember." she smiled dryly. "Thank you." she added.

"Tiff, you can go home now... make sure Mother and Father don't kill eachother." Aurora said, looking at her sister.

Tiffany raised an eyebrow at Aurora, "Yes, I think I probably should. Eadric is expecting me." she pushed back her hair. "Goodbye Mordred. See you later Ra-Ra." Tiff walked off, back towards the barrier to muggle London.

Aurora scowled at her sister as she walked off and turned back to Mordred, "Oh! I have something to tell you!"