James stood staring at the solid brick stone archway in front of him that his father was telling him to run through. "ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL ME?!" That was the answer...his father had gone insane and was determined to end it here and now. "You want me to run into a brick wall...." yeaaaaaaaaaaaah was not happening.

Warren stood and watched his son with a frown on his face and his hands shoved into his pockets. "Quit the dramatics." How did he get stuck doing this by himself anyway?

James looked around and bit his lip nervously. Dramatics...quit the dramatics....he grumbled to himself and looked around at all the people walking by and then glanced at his father's face. Yup definitely no help there. One...two...deep breath..... Nope. His feet stood still and his hands tightened on his cart. The working of his father's jaw told him that if he didn't hurry up he was going to be pushed in but...still...it was a BRICK WALL!!!!

Zoe stood nearby watching a boy about her own age arguing with his dad about going through the wall. Giggling she couldn't help but smirk at the boy as she leaned against another wall watching the two of them. Her own cart stood beside her ready for her to push it through the barrier.

"Come on get going." she called out, "There are others that would like to go, you're holding us all up." Heh, yeah she was the only one waiting and it was quite amusing to watch. Heh, Hufflepuff she was sure.

James's eyes widened as he heard someone yell at him and he turned around with a scowl on his face. "If you're in that much of a hurry you go FIR...st...." he started to yell and seeing the menacing glare his father gave him shrank down a little and trailed off. Why couldn't he have a sense of humor? Then again it didn't help his case that he and his brother broke just about every vase in the house this morning throwing a ball around in the house.

Taking a deep breath he looked at his father again and nodded before rushing toward the wall.

Warren stood with a smirk on his face and gave the girl who yelled a nod before walking casually behind his son through the wall. He was going to tell Alexa about this, she'd probably get a kick that their trouble making son got heckled by a girl.

She nearly burst into laughter when she saw the kids response to the look his dad gave him. She wasn't going first, because she SO wanted to see what would happen when he finally was forced decided to go through the wall. Grinning at the man as he gave her a nod, she snickered finally when they went through.

Pushing her cart through the barrier as if she did it every day though she'd only done it twice before she went through it herself. Enough fun for the day, too bad there weren't any more younger kids around to tease. Ah well, there was plenty of time for that later.

Mack sighed, summer was already over and she hadn't heard a peep from gran.. she hoped she wasn't mad that her only granddaughter didn't want to spend all summer cooped up at the estate. Since her mother was working in Germany and her father was covering some big news story in China she had no other choice than to go to kings cross alone. Once she arrived she walked silently towards platforms 9 and 10, she didn't see anyone she recognized along the way, which didn't surprise her since she didn't really have any friends other than Lex, Sonea, and Ronnie. Looking around to make sure no one was really watching she walked into the wall that would transport her to Platform 9 3/4 making it successfully.

“Kings Cross Station....”

That lanky, curly-haired blonde looked up in wonder, eyes all transfixed on the metal cross-work that made up the train station’s distinctive architecture. Even now there are still plenty of things that gets her all in awe—the existence of a train station being one of them—and Kings Cross of course being one of the exceptional ones of the lot. And that’s just speaking of its Muggle-related features.

The gawking got even bigger when the young girl neared The Wall. The Wall that she was told, was the doorway that would have a train waiting for her to take her back to school, at least at this time, instead of her usual trip up the river by boat. She of course was expecting a doorway of the kind that showed clear passage to the other side....not this brick monstrosity staring down at her.

And there was little Aquila, standing there staring at everything like it was her first time out of her cave. Ever. Mo smiled wanly at the younger Ravenclaw as he came to stand beside her, waiting his turn to go through the barrier.

"Didn't you do this last year? You look like you've never seen a wall before." He considered poking her with his elbow, but spent too long wondering over whether that was a welcome gesture and the moment passed.

"Yes, so am I,'' Jory replied. Away from his sister. He would forget all about her for the term and just enjoy this final year. "Nope, won't let anything bother me,'' he said to himself, determined to make it happen.

Jory tried to look as normal as he could but Gwen seemed to have noticed. He really considered not giving an answer but that would be just rude. "It's my sister,'' he mumbled, looking at The Wall where a few students were passing through. He vaguely wondered if Gwen remembered the time when he had told her and Ari about his sister being jealous of him because she had no magical abilities.

"I think we'd better get going. Don't wanna miss the Train.'' Grin. "See you in a few.'' Gripping the trolley, and then checking to see no one was paying attention to the Wall, he walked briskly towards it.

..........................
Jory stopped. He had crossed over. And there was the usual hustle and bustle. He looked around and waited patiently for Gwen.




"Hi, everyone,'' Jory said enthusiastically. He had heard so much about Ronnie's family and finally he had met them. "Nice to meet you all,'' he added as he shook their hands.

"Yup, I'm all set,'' the seventh year responded. "Let's get going, then.'' He looked back at Ronnie's family. "Hope to see you all again.'' He gave them a wave and then casually set off towards The Wall.

.................
And he was on the Platform. Jory turned and waited for Ronnie to arrive. This was actually the first time he was having someone sit with him from the inception of the journey. At least he wasn't going to be bored when he got tired of reading.

Holy smokes this thing is heavy!

Pushing the overloaded trolley through the crowd was no easy feat and for the small 11 year old it was near impossible. Somehow though Bay had managed to push it from the front to the platform here between 9 and 10. She vaguely remembered the kind old witches instructions. They were hard to remember though as she hadn't been paying full attention. The pancakes were too good.

Standing between the two platforms now her green eyes scanned around. The old lady had said something about a wall....biting her lip she looked around but found no help. If she missed the train she would be so furious with herself!

The blonde bobbed her head towards the voice, and those soulful brown eyes lit up on the familiar face “Haiii Mo!” she beamed “Didn’t do what?—Oh!” her gaze went back to the wall, then shook her head, curls bouncing everywhere “I came by boat last year—just up the river near the Black Lake. I thought I was going to do that again, but High Mother had to come to London and told me this time I’m taking the train.” Nod nod. Always do what High Mother says. “She said there is a train behind that wall.” she pointed, then looked all around them. There were trains everywhere—another thing she was marveling at but she was specifically told to get on “ ’....The Hogwarts Express will take you to school.’” she repeated the voice echoing in her head verbatim. “High Mother is never wrong, but.... do you think she got it wrong?” hard to believe when one is all confused and new and there are obvious choices right in front of her.

Ah, so this was her very first time riding the Express. And trying to get through the wall. Mo leaned against a different and safe bit of wall confidently, giving the barrier a nod. "I needed a pep talk to go through last year, so I don't blame you for being a little bit concerned. But it's safe."

No one had ever gotten stuck in the wall, or at least not so far as Mo had heard. And not that he'd be willing to share that thought, since it now seemed a little terrifying to even consider.

"It's safe," he repeated. "What's a high mother?"

Man did she need to pay attention more. No matter how hard she tried Bay couldn't recall all of what the old witch had said about the wall. She didn't know how long she had been standing there when she overheard someone nearby say something about the wall. Her green eyes zeroed in on the two other kids. They looked older then her but not by much.

Stepping over to one of them she chewed on her lip before taking the plunge. "Excuse me. I've never done the wall thing before. Could you tell me how to get through?" Man she sounded lost.

Final year at Hogwarts… Those words echoed in her mind as she made her way around the crowded train station, heading to the platform 9 and 3/4 . Actually, she tried to make herself worry less about the whole ‘seventh year’ thing. And then she remembered what Kurumi had told her when they met this summer. Hmm.

But anyway- the seventh year looked back at her friend. Even she, who was completely oblivious sometimes could tell that something was wrong. ‘I see’, she mumbled, after hearing what he said. His sister. Wait…, the Ravenclaw thought. Was it about the same thing again? The fact that Grace wasn’t going to Hogwarts? That was it… right? Instead of saying anything else- because let’s face it --Gwen could be the worst advice giver sometimes-- she just headed to the wall. But really… she had to say something. Because she actually wanted to help Jory.

So crossing the wall was only going to buy her a bit more time. After Jory had already crossed to the magical train platform, Gwendolyn gave a quick look around, before drawing her attention back to the wall. With hasty steps, the seventh year started walking to the wall…

. . .

… and soon she was standing next to Jory again. So, about his sister. ‘Do you want to talk about it?’ Because if not, then there was no point in searching for something to say. Ehh. Why did these things always have to be so complicated? And speaking of complicated… she just remembered one certain Gryffindor.

Mo was distracted from instructing Aquila by the appearance of another student looking for help with the barrier. Look at him now! Last year, he'd needed this assistance, and now he was practically an expert.

No, strike that. He WAS an expert.

"You're a first year? Yeah, the barrier thing is a little... different, but it's easy enough. You just head straight at it and pretend like you believe it'll let you through. Maybe even close your eyes if you're worried." Mo may have closed one of his eyes last time. Or both. He wasn't going to tell.

"I'm Marcus Branxton, but they call me Mo. Ravenclaw fourth year. What's your name?"

Thank goodness he wasn't going to ignore her. Bay listened closely but her level of disbelief and astonishment were quite evident. He wanted her to do what? Seriously?! She was supposed to walk into the wall and just pretend like it wasn't a solid brick wall.....

Cue nervous giggle.....

She tore her blue eyes away from the wall problem and focused on the crazy "everyone has to walk through a solid wall" person. Marcus. Wait...Mo? Hmmm. Interesting name. "I'm Bay Turner. First year yet to be decided." Thankfully she was half way through the history book thing and now she didn't feel so lost and confused. She would find out her house by the end of today and wasn't that exciting.

The 11 year old looked again at the brick wall that she was supposed to ghost through. "So....I'm just supposed to....walk through it? I don't have to say any words or anything?"

"Bay, hmm? My sister has a dog named Bay. Or really named Basil, but she calls it Bay." Or wait. Maybe girls got all offended when they were told they had the same name as a dog. Was that offensive? He smiled a bit and shrugged. "Sorry. It's a good name."

At least her name wasn't Basil, like a leaf or something.

"So then Yet To Be Decided... how about I hop through the barrier and back just to show you I'm not lying? Would that satisfy you, y'think? Because it isn't a bit dangerous."

Awe! She loved dogs and had always wanted one. Her mind conjured up some cute little dog when Mo mentioned the name Basil. Though how the dog had gotten the nickname Bay she couldn't guess. Bay (the girl) laughed and waved off the apology. "It is a good name thank you."

As their conversation shifted back to the seemingly impenetrable wall the 11 year old looked skeptical. Though his offer had some merit and would probably help her to actually get through the thing. "Actually that might help. I'm new to this whole magic thing so I guess my brain hasn't stopped thinking in the....." what was that word again? Muscle....mudhole....no it had some g's in there somewhere...wait! "muggle sense."

Whew, not offended. Mo grinned a little self-consciously at the girl as he abandoned his luggage and his broom and Titus's cage in a tidy little pile to one side. "You're Muggleborn, then?"

That was interesting. Mo performed some exaggerated stretches for the amusement and distraction of both younger girls before eying the crowd around them for anyone paying unusual attention. It looked to be all clear. He back up to the nearest post and made a running start, closing his eyes just as he reached the barrier. He seemed to disappear from sight.

Moments later, Mo reappeared with a flourish. "See? Easy, painless, and quick. And if you do it with style... you get extra bonus points of cool."

Jory watched as Gwen came through the Wall. Even after years of seeing this, he sometimes still found it unbelievable. Despite doing it himself, too. He now turned his attention towards the crowd of students off at the North and South End of the Platform. But his mind was still on his sister.

Honestly, he had had enough of it. He had never wanted to get away from home so much. He couldn't wait to get back to Hogwarts. Lots of lessons and homework to concentrate on. plus studies for NEWTs.

The boy forced a smile as Gwen approached him. He didn't want to be the one to spoil her day. "Er, no. I think I'm good,'' he replied, touched that Gwen cared. He didn't want to speak of it because he was not one that spoke about his problems and for another, he didn't know how to do it. Talking about stuff like that was...challenging.

Jory nodded towards the Platform. "Which one do you want to go?'' Anywhere was okay with him.

Why did poeple automatically assume that because she didn't know her way around all this magic stuff that she was muggleborn? Granted she could be but still! Maybe she wasn't, maybe she had more witch in her blood then the most powerful...magical person in history! Bay ran a hand through her hair and shook her head. "I'm an orphan...so...I don't know."

Thankfully Mo started his little show with some exaggerated stretches that cracked the 11 year old up. She watched carefully though as he approached the brick wall and...slipped right through. Totally ghosted his way to whatever was on the other side and then came back through!

Bay skipped the distance to the wall and looked around. When she was sure no one was watching she thrust her hand through the seemingly solid wall. Her hand and part of her arm disappeared and she felt no pain whatsoever.

Awesome!

Pulling her arm out of the wall she walked back over to Mo and smiled. "Cool points for style huh? No accounting for taste then?"

Well if Mo said it was safe, then Aquila will believe it is safe, because he was so much older by a year and therefore so much wiser.

That wall still looks forbidding though.

She felt for her wand, thinking of giving it a bit of a poke—because that’s what she does, as unwisely a use of a wand that was. And she was just about to do that when Mo asked a question.

“Oh! The High Mother—she is Head Priestess of our island.” she replied proudly, back straight, head bobbing, it was like she was back near the shores of her home.






And then there was a little girl, not much younger than herself. She beamed as the little one said her name.... oh new name to be added to her little notebook. Preoccupied with looking for the journal and writing and sketching she only looked up just when Mo ran into the wall--

-- and vanished!

Brown eyes grew large, jaw dropping slightly, she watched Mo come back out as if its just the most normal thing to happen. He came out of the wall. Which wasn’t really a wall apparently? That is so going into her little notebook.

So there she was scribbling again and suddenly looked up. Do it in style? She pressed her lips together and gulped.

It wasn’t really a wall she could convince herself of that.....

No that wasn’t working-- because it IS a wall. Theres just something about the whole brick aura that says SOLID and PAINFUL.

But she can think it’s a SPECIAL wall—a wall made just for them Magical types. The High Mother said she was special, that’s why she was going to this special school instead of staying at home where she always wrecks everything. She puts her notebook down into her open bag and sets her hands on the trolley handle.... and pauses. She looks at the little Bay.

“Would you like to go ahead?” Beams. Always put others before yourself High Mother always says mmhmm.

Gwendolyn passed through the wall, finally getting to the crowded magical part of the train station, and a grin appeared on her face. Going back to Hogwarts!!, she thought while waiting for a reply from the Hufflepuff.

No?

Well in this case- ‘I hope things get better’, she said simply, offering a small smile. She really wouldn’t mind listening to someone complain about their problems. Especially because the person was Jory. Come on. They had been friends for almost seven years already. And anyway, Jory wouldn’t have a chance to spoil her day. Someone else ALREADY did.

Anyway. ‘Umm... south end?’ Whichever was fine. Gwendolyn started taking a few steps, trying to avoid bumping into anyone. So, carrying the luggage, the seventh year made her way along the train platform. Hah. This is the first time I haven’t bumped into someone, she thought rather proudly. But just as she said that, Gwen tripped over something, though she managed to regain her balance. Erm. Fine. She was still kind of clumsy.

She then drew her attention back to Jory. ‘Any plans for this year?’ Anything in mind? Try out for Quidditch, maybe? Hmm.

Dragongrass family arrived in front of the wall towards Platform 9 3/4. As she looked at Aidan and Alex ; Mother said, "Come on boys, you go first." Aidan that is too enthusiastically ran toward the wall and said, "See you there, Little sis!" Quick as a flash he soon disappeared from her sight and followed by Alexandre, Leonidas, and Theodore who was helped by Mother. Father once again embrace and help her run through a wall in front of her to step closer toward her first and more adventures at Hogwarts.

"Good taste gets points of its own, I suppose," Mo offered with a tilt of his head. But regardless, there was something to be said for a little flash and dazzle, in Mo's opinion.

But oh. She was an orphan. Why were there so many orphans in Mo's life? Wasn't Aquila one too? Mo eyed the blond Ravenclaw girl. "I bet you're a natural at this magic stuff, Bay. Even if you were Muggleborn, which... who knows?" And almost no one cared.

He needed to think about that High Mother Priestess thingy, because, well... WHAT?!? But in the meantime, Mo gave Aquila a pat on the top of her little blond head before offering his hands to both girls.

"I'll go with you. We can all go through together."