Relieved that he and Jace were able to iron out last minute travel details, River made his way onto Platform 9-3/4 for the first time in nearly two decades. He thought that this quick trip to pick up Jace from the train was a good start to his long hiatus. He'd been a bother since his father's passing, but he was grateful to his brother Ryden for allowing him to do this bit to take his mind off of painful things. He would've chosen to tag Cami along so they could both pick Emmalyn up, but because of a special agreement, he came to the platform alone, hoping to spot Jace right away so they could make their way to Heathrow Airport.

But...for some reason, River felt that that wouldn't be the case today. Forget about a quick escape; aboard the ancient scarlet train were his old students too and if they were quick to spot him first before he spots his nephew, then he'd have no choice but to do a bit of chit-chat.

All other thoughts were thrown out the window as soon as the train entered the platform in its usual glory. River felt chills run down his spine since he'd never seen it from that perspective. He'd always been the one aboard it and not the other way around. Drinking the last drop of tea from his cup, River quickly strutted his way to the nearest trash bin to dispose of his litter and tucked the latest edition of the Daily Prophet under his arm. He had every bit of intention to keep it...as a keepsake for Jace and his family in Japan.

Ryden was amused at least, but he didn't want to think of Maiya's reaction. Now...where is that nephew of his?

What a train ride. And she wasn't even trying to be punny. Honestly, Skylar couldn't wait to get off the Hogwarts Express and barely waited for it to come to a complete stop. Sure things had looked up after she had unexpected run into Apollo, but she wasn't prepared to have such a conversation yet. She didn't want to have to choose like that. Because she'd already chosen him, so why was he doubting it? Okay so their first couple months of dating, she had probably been seeing him as a second, but he wasn't now or lately. And just all because of a letter. A letter that meant both so little and so much. A final parting gift and what was weird about it? It kind of felt like 2093 again...

Barely looking where she was going, the sixteen year old made her way through the crowds at King's Cross. Looking for the familiar face of her mother or father or brother or sister.... Sister! Evie and Elias were coming to Hogwarts with her in September!

That was when she stopped short at seeing him and all thoughts of her younger siblings being on the train with her in a few months vanished. She looked terrible, in that if one looked closely, they could see she'd been crying. She hated this vulnerability. That was probably what she hated most about this train ride was how vulnerable she felt to these raw emotions.

But yet, he hadn't said goodbye before leaving after her fifth year and she couldn't help but approach. "You never said goodbye." She said flatly. Maybe, he'd think her appearance was because of him. And yet, she trusted him entirely, so there was also something wanting to ask if he was going to be in town for a few days. His advice and comfort would be welcomed, even if she'd made her choice, why did she still feel weird about it?

A few seconds after the train stopped, young and older students came rushing out onto the platform, and the once murmur-filled area was overcome with excited voices. Summer really has begun for these kids, and River cannot help but grin. He'd missed seeing those young, eager albeit stubborn students he once taught. Not wanting to get any attention whatsoever, River did a couple of steps back, hoping he'd blend in with the brick wall behind him like a chameleon. Jace would know where to find him; that kid's got hawk eyes so that shouldn't be a problem.

But before he could fully camouflage himself, a familiar face approached him, demanding an answer. No hi's or hello's, hm? And...well, she didn't look like she was thrilled at all. "Hello, Ms Skylar." River started trying his best not to let his grin falter. "Ah, well..." he trailed off, looking for the perfect words to explain himself. "I didn't think it was necessary, considering I didn't want to go in the first place." It was the truth. He would've wanted to continue teaching-- at least see Jace complete his Hogwarts studies, but more pressing matters back home needed his full attention. "Nonetheless, I apologise for not saying farewell." River paused, his brown eyes scanned Skylar's face intently. "You looked like you wrestled with an Erumpent, Skylar." the former school healer paused, and shifted his gaze towards either side of the young Slytherin's face, making sure she wasn't hurt. "Had a tough train ride home?" Merlin, it had been years since he was last aboard the train. Heaven knows what happens in there these days. "Everything alright?"

Wait. What? Okay, two things were to be noted here. One, in that sure it had only been a year, but he remembered her. And two, he didn't want to go? Merlin, she felt really bad now. Even worse than all the feelings and hormones she was feeling on the hours she'd spent on the train. "Ah, well, in that case, apology accepted." Because no offense to Noble, but was weird him teaching her when he'd gone to school with her parents and had seen him around too. But before she could think more about that, she blinked at his next comment.

She swore she checked her compact mirror before leaving the train, but apparently the little bit of fixing up she'd done, did nothing for her appearance. "It was ... long." Emotionally trying on the brain and honestly? She was still trying to process it all. "I ... think... so? But if you're around in London this summer, can we raincheck the details?" After she had some time to process everything that happened and showered and whatnot. Because she rather valued River Reed's medical advice on her mental and emotional wellbeing. Much more so than that funny-faced Penelope or whatever. "Leaky Cauldron?"

It was finally Skyler's first year over with! Finally! She grinned looking around as everyone was excited to see their families again. She blinked and looked around. Where were they?? She didn't know.

For the first time in months, River felt lighter inside and out. There was unfinished business in Hogwarts, but he had to let it go for his parents and had to leave in a haste. Brief goodbyes were given to his colleagues, but he didn't mean to leave his students like that. The Healer nodded with a grin and took in the fact that the girl in front of him somewhat blossomed into a young woman now. Merlin, time is such a wicked thing.

With that realization and Skylar's response, his mind produced questions that may need a little bit of waiting before it gets answered. "I'd think so," but perhaps River's experience aboard long train rides was way different from Skylar's. "I'll be in Japan this summer, with Jace..." he said as he quickly scanned the platform for his nephew, "But I will let you know right away when I get home," he added, giving Skylar a nod and a grin. "Leaky Cauldron, yes." So it was going to be a long talk, wasn't it? He'd always associated that place with meetings and whatnot. "Until then, Miss Diggory. It was nice seeing you again," he said, lightly patting Skylar's head. She'd hate it for sure, but River was making sure she was okay, and that seeing his former students wasn't an illusion.

River stepped back from her with a grin and did a quick wave towards his nephew who was already at the gates, ready to exit. "Goodbye for now...and enjoy your summer."

Ariana was not ready for this. She had been dreading this day since the day her princess was born and she couldn't believe the day was finally here. Her girl was off to Hogwarts. It seemed like it was just yesterday that she herself was getting ready to board the express for the first time, terrified and scared with no friends and with no idea what the next seven years held for her but her daughter was different. Xaria was Brave, charismatic, smart and outgoing. Plus she already had cousins here with Gunnar and Chloe should she need anyone.

She ran her hand over her face to wipe the tears away as she help Cairo's hand with the other. The wall.... There it was... And she was going to throw up. "Are you sure you don't want to be homeschooled? We can go back home? It'll be okay." One last push of hope. She was terrified to be sending her little girl away for so long. "I'm Kidding.... You'll love it there. Just remember to mirror us tonight before bed and let us know where your sorted... We'll still love you no matter what... Even if it's Ravenclaw." Her dark eyes shot a look over to her Blue despising Husband. "Right, Oakey?" the hat was going to put here where she needed to be and as much as Ariana wanted her to follow in her green steps she really had no idea where the 11 year old brunette would fall.


Skip. Skip. Skip. Run. Run. Skip. "la la la la la la" Xaria could hardly contain her excitement as she skipped ahead of her parents and siblings, it was HOGWARTS TIME! A day she had wished would come for so long. To be away from her stinky brothers and to be able to be with Chloe and Gunnar and to have sleepovers whenever they wanted and to be on her own! She had everything she needed, her new wand, her books, her standard uniform and robes and all her books in her trunk with her dad pushing them all just behind her. Her prized possession though had to have been the owl her parents let her get, a sweet little soft brown owl that she still hadn't named though but she though she had plenty of time to come up with just the Perfect name for him so she wasn't too rushed.

Skip. Skip. Run. Run. Skip... FACE-PLANT!

Xaria had gotten a lot of traits from her mother, she did but one thing she got from her father was his clumsiness. "no, I don't want to be homeschooled... I'm ready to go." she stood and looked at her mother as she dusted off her knee. "But Dad said I could tell the hat NOT to put me in Ravenclaw, right dad?" she looked over at him just as her mother did, almost with the same piercing look, Xaria just had a slight smile to her face.
"of course I'll call you tonight, you know that. I know of I don't you'll call me and that'll just be weird so I'll be sure to call you first." why did they still need to be so in control? She was like an adult now.... LET HER FLY, MUM!!!!