Alex had insisted on arriving early to station to await the arrival of the Scarlet Train, where it felt like only yesterday he was here watching it depart. How had Carsyn and Carys survived their first year? Did they make friends? Did they meet people from Woboldos? All he knew was that they had been separated by the sorting hat and the details him and Rhiannon had been receiving over the past ten months seemed vague. At Christmas, they had seemed to be in good physical condition but they surprisingly hadn't said much ... What was up with Hogwarts, who knew? But it was always a second home and he wouldn't have it any other way then sending their girls to Scotland.

He glanced around the station, while he waited, eventually taking a seat on a nearby bench. Hopefully it wouldn't be too much longer.

She had never realized what it was like having the girls away from home for so long. It had been an odd feeling, especially coupled with the reminders that her own parents hadn’t been there to miss her. Those memories had been hitting Rhiannon more as of late, and the twins’ visit back home for the holidays hadn’t exactly made her feel much better. Physically, they had looked perfectly fine. Amazing, even, considering she’d known Carys had dealt with the disappointment of not being selected for the Quidditch team. It was the fact there hadn’t been many letters after that one that had made her feel like her daughters weren’t entirely okay with whatever was happening in Scotland.

She had gone to her gallery the morning of the day the train was returning, having a painting she needed to finish in time to be sent to the buyer. Therefore, it had been some time after she knew Alex had arrived when she’d ran into the station, expecting to find that she was late. It wouldn’t have surprised her, given she often lost track of time while she was in her studio. But it appeared she wasn’t.

“They aren’t here yet?,” she asked softly, taking the seat next to him.

Both girls had been disappointed in not being selected for the Quidditch Team. But it only meant he was going to have to employ some Rose Family tactics this summer in training.

Alex glanced over when his blond wife took a seat next to him and simply shook his head. "Nah. I don't think they're actually due to arrive for another thirty minutes or so." He was just ridiculously early. "Did you get your painting done?" He assumed so since she was here but maybe she just needed a change in scenery to help draw motivation from in finishing it.

The question hadn’t necessarily been anything but rhetoric. It was rather obvious that the train hadn’t arrived yet, but Rhiannon had asked it anyway. Mostly just to gauge the direction her husband’s thoughts had been going in. Odds were it hadn’t been anything different than her own, which had been why she hadn’t been extraordinarily later than he had been to the station. “So you’ve just been sitting here staring off into space,” she replied with a smile. Hopefully none of the Muggles had thought anything odd was going on, not that they weren’t used to somewhat blending in. They weren’t always in the Wizarding world after all, even if her studio was.

“Mostly. I have a few small details to finish but I was having trouble focusing,” she admitted, not afraid in the least of what the confession might look like. She’d been concerned by the lack of real news, after all. Not knowing was sometimes scarier than the alternative, honestly, and when it came to Hogwarts that was exponential.

Mary was so nervous. She had never seen the Wizarding World until a few days ago, and it was amazing. She had heard about it from her siblings, but her wizarding dad had been too far away to take her or her siblings into Diagon Alley until they got their Hogwarts letters.

She was wearing her full Hogwarts uniform, other than the robes and hat, holding her trunk and a cat basket. The young Siamese Cat was sleeping as she walked into the wall and found herself on Platform 9 and 3/4, but woke up to the sounds and smells of the gleaming scarlet train. She stroked the cat gently as she pulled out her robe, hat and a book, then put the trunk into the luggage compartment.

Tessa's mother was a hero. If it wasn't for her, the Roberts siblings would definitely be at least three hours late for the train. Punctuality wasn't their strong point. Well, it wasn't Tessa's strong point, at least. As it was, her mum had made sure they were plenty early and they had now been waiting on Platform 9¾ for what felt like an eternity.

Tessa leant against a wall, looking around for any sign of Alfie or Soraya or any of her friends. Ellie was with Ezra and their parents and Levi was Merlin knows where. Despite all the waiting, she was SO excited for this term. Compared to last year, it was bound to be heaven. How could it not be? And Tessa's OWL grades? Ah, she could just SING.

no.
No.
No.
NO.

NO.
NO.

They’d lied. They’d said they were only going along to see Finley and Nikolai off for the semester. /they’d said/ they’d go for ice cream after. There was to be no ice cream. Aiden Belfort was pulling from his jacket pocket a trunk with Maxie’s initials stitched in. The 12-year-old could feel all the blood in his body like lead holding him stock still and in place.

No.
NO.
It was his birthday and they’d lied to him.
Maxie desperately looked up to his mother Clarissa, but she only offered him a small, sad smile.
“Well. You’re all set, m’boy.” Aiden said, his lips cracking into a grudging grimace meant to pass for a smile.
“I-I’m not g-going there. I’m not. I-I’m not.” Maxie felt the words leave his mouth but hardly knew the hoarse, angry voice which said them. His fists, clenched by his sides, were trembling.
“Sorry, but you are. I think it’s time, and your mother agrees and Damien agrees, and Barton most certainly does, and- “
“I hate you! I hate you all!!” Maxie yelled, his steady voice cutting through whatever lecture Aiden had prepared. Shocked, Aiden and Clarissa paled. Maxie, their youngest and sweetest child had never said a harmful word in his whole life - and here he was, screaming at them in the middle of platform 9 3/4. Suddenly, Aiden wondered if this had, in fact, been the best course of action.

“Darling... “ his mother began tentatively, her pale hand reaching out and taking ahold of her son’s shoulder. Maxie nearly sank under the weight of her touch, and almost immediately his eyes began to water. Red boiling anger was nothing compared to the waves of betrayal beating hard in his chest.

“It’s my birthday.” quiet. so quiet Maxie would later wonder if he had spoken the words at all or merely thought them.

“This isn’t a punishment. It’s an opportunity. You’ll grow there and make friends... and before you know it Christmas break will be here and you’ll be home again.” Her tones, soothing and warm, did little to break Maxie’s pain. With a sniffle, red faced little Max brushed off his mother’s comforting hand, took up his trunk and without looking at ether of his parents began his way to the looming scarlet engine.

Aiden pulled out from his pocket a licorice wand he had intended on giving his son as a joke, and chewed coolly on it. unspeaking, Clarissa looked from her husband to the fading form of their youngest child with her shoulders slumped and an expression inscrutable.
If you had seen them, you might have said they looked like two scolded children.

Clarissa was the first to gather herself. With a deep sigh the blonde witch turned from the Hogwarts Express and began the long walk back through the station-

But a voice, clear and loud stopped her dead in her tracks.

“WAIT.”
It was Maxie. He had left behind the trunk and was running full blast back, his face red and his arms flailing. Aiden dropped the licorice wand and bounded forward to meet Maxie - a fear, irrational and honest bubbling in his chest - before Clarissa had even begun to move. An embrace, sniffling and warm. Maxie with his face buried in his father’s chest.
“I-I-I don’t h-h-hate y-you.” Muffled, anxious. Aiden rubbed Maxie’s back. A sob was heard and ignored.
“It’s alright. It’s alright.” Aiden, a man of many words and little substance, shushed and rubbed until Maxie’s shaking abided.
“You’re alright, Maximilian. You’re alright.”

Maxie pulled away first, rubbing his red-rimmed eyes with the back of his curled fist. He avoided the eyes of his father, ashamed even as he nodded his angular head. “I... I’m alright.” He echoed. “But .. I don’t have a wand..” he whispered, a sudden gut reminder. Aiden grinned sheepishly in return.
“Yeah, you do. Look in your trunk. The top bit with the lion head. You’ll see.” It was meant to be reassuring. It wasn’t. Max sniffled again, finally setting his water-eyes on his mother who couldn’t possibly be any closer. She looked sad, and quiet and kind of... happy too. Maxie didn’t understand it but he reached out for her and hugged her tightly, an hug Clarissa gave just as tightly.

The train, impatient, whistled for attention.
The Anderson-Belfort’s jumped in unison, and Max - though reluctant - let go of his mother and with a last sniffle and a promise to write he ran off to catch the train.

Eleanor had been with her parents and Ezra and Levi until she'd realised that Tessa wasn't there anymore. It was so sad, she'd always thought she and Tessa were a single unit right up to the point Tessa got her Hogwarts letter and she didn't. Ellie had wailed for days, written the headmaster begging him to let her start with her sister, but it was all in vain.

And the year she'd finally been allowed to start, surely things would go back to normal? Well, they mostly did, but Tessa had friends now who weren't Ellie, and Ellie made friends pretty quickly too who weren't her sister. And the only time they really spent all day with each other now was in the summer. And that was over now, and Eleanor Roberts wasn't sure if she was happy or if she was sad that she wouldn't be able to raid her sister's closet for pretty things as often. Or that Tessa wouldn't bounce on the bed to wake her up.

It was always worst in September. September had always been her least favourite month, because it meant she'd miss her big sister.

But, y'know. Eleanor was a big girl. She could handle this. So slipping her arms around Tessa from behind, she leaned her chin on her sister's shoulder. She'd probably not admit it but lording her newfound height over her older (but now shorter) sister was way more fun than mum would be happy about. "Ready for the new yeaaaaaaar?"

Her voice was cheery, eyes fixed on the train in front of them. As soon as Tessa's friends arrived, she'd have to probably be a little less clingy, a little more cool~ despite the fact that her favourite subject was history, and she knitted, and she was a cat lady, and there were very few cool things about that.

.... Nina was skeptical.

Was she really meant to just ... run? .... Through a wall....? No. She refused. Point blank. Instead of running into anything, the Slytherin stood back at a safe distance, arms crossed and eyes filled with judgement. Nope. She wouldn't be running into any walls as far as anyone was concerned. Clearly everyone had been trying to pull one over her. Fortunately, she was much more intelligent than anyone gave her credit for.

Nina Castillo would not be running into a wall. Besides, even if it were actually true... It was still a risk. Magical barriers were prone to mistakes, were they not? Faulty magic was no rarity. Soooooo... guess she couldn't go to Hogwarts after all! What a shame! Might as well head back to Beauxbatons.

She was serious though.

No walls.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArianaBlack

.... Nina was skeptical.

Was she really meant to just ... run? .... Through a wall....? No. She refused. Point blank. Instead of running into anything, the Slytherin stood back at a safe distance, arms crossed and eyes filled with judgement. Nope. She wouldn't be running into any walls as far as anyone was concerned. Clearly everyone had been trying to pull one over her. Fortunately, she was much more intelligent than anyone gave her credit for.

Nina Castillo would not be running into a wall. Besides, even if it were actually true... It was still a risk. Magical barriers were prone to mistakes, were they not? Faulty magic was no rarity. Soooooo... guess she couldn't go to Hogwarts after all! What a shame! Might as well head back to Beauxbatons.

She was serious though.

No walls.

His parents had gone on ahead with the far too exuberant Rebecca, leaving him behind to do a bit of casual people watching. Truth be told, he was mostly watching for Missa - one of the only reasons this train ride may be even remotely tolerable - but he was beginning to wonder if she had already gone through with her family as well.

Leaning against one of the pillars, arms crossed over his chest and left foot kicked back up against the wall with the sole of his black boot pressed firmly against the brick, he instead easily caught sight of Nina. Just standing there staring. Why did he always seem to find her in these sorts of situations? It made it almost too easy to ruffle her feathers and the lack of challenge was a bit disappointing.

"Here alone I see," he nodded, voice raising a bit to catch her attention.

Analiese took a deep breath. After all, it was her first year at Hogwarts.

She carried a brand new briefcase (which her mum cast an Undetectable Extension Charm on) with everything she needed. She had decided to throw away her cream-coloured bag. It was getting old anyway. Ok, now what? Really helpful, mum. Eleanor, Analiese's mum, had decided to let her daughter go to the station alone in her first year. What a responsible mother. Analiese had gone to Diagon Alley with her brother to do his school shopping, but she didn't come to see him off every year.

Someone had told Analiese something about the platforms 9 and 10. Wait, was that Skeet? To be honest, Analiese had taken quite a liking to him. As a friend, obviously. Or maybe more than a friend? Anyway, so what about platforms 9 and 10?

His parents and sisters had gone on ahead. Or maybe they were behind him, honestly, Ethan wasn't concerned in the LEAST cause he was fourteen now and definitely old enough to board the train himself. He'd been doing so for the last three terms, thank you very much.

However, he stopped short of the barrier to what he knew to take him to platform nine and three-quarters on sight of one Nina and one dormmate, Eiji.

"Please tell me we're not late," cause why else would they just be standing there and not walking through the wall? Actually he knew full well they had at least twenty minutes to spare sooooo what was the hold up?? Ohhh ... wait ... Ethan glanced over at Nina "you do know how to get on the platform, right?" or probably not, since she had transferred mid-year and all. How did mid-year transfers get to Hogwarts anyway?

Sawyer was early. Or maybe not but he wasn't late. And he was a second year now - even if he probably should have been a third year but having just missed the cutoff made him one of the oldest of his year which was kind of nice.

But there was a girl maybe a tad younger who looked rather confused and if it wasn't for her eying the platforms like that, Sawyer probably would have just assumed her to be a muggle but there was something magical about her, he was sure. And being that he was much more helpful than his kid brother Skeet... "hey. Can i help you with something?" you know just to be safe of her intentions

Nina Castillo was people watching too, though perhaps in a different manner than Eiji Rasting. He was leaning comfortably, with that same cool expression he always wore. While he was good company, the easy smirk he wore always triggered Nina to put her guard up. And hearing his voice so unexpectedly gave her quite the spook. He always knew the right buttons to push. "I could say the same for you," she eyed him back defensively. He was right though, her father was in France, preparing for the arrival of students (most probably), and her mother dropped her off at the entrance to the station before running off the meet a-- It didn't matter. She didn't owe him any explanation!

The universe was looking out for her though, it seemed. Sending her a dumb boy right when she needed one. Ethan! ... What? Her grin upon seeing him shifted to a questioning look as he voiced his concern. They weren't late. They had PLENTY of time before they even had to consider boarding the train. Sometimes she worried about him. How did he manage to make it this far in life without a proper head?

"I know most people run through the platform. But... there must be another way?" PLEASE.

Analiese turned around to see a bit who looked like Skeet. Did he have a twin? He didn't mention it for sure. "Oh, hi. I was just wondering how to get on the platform.", she replied, "You look like someone I met the other day. In Diagon Alley." Now that Analiese thought about it, Skeet didn't mention having a brother either.

Her 'mind reading', as her brother liked to refer to it, wasn't working. But that was a good thing. She wasn't invading anyone's privacy now. Analiese straightened a crease in her skirt. She was already wearing her shirt and skirt. Analiese E. Allanach-Senchuri, making things easier since 2086.

Why did Ethan always seem to show up wherever he was? He did not go out all that much, but it was irritating. As was his question which was why Eiji option to not answer it though he did offer a polite nod of the head in acknowledgement of his presence. As if he were ever late to anything, please. Rather his hazel-green eyes refocused on Nina - she was new - and then glanced back towards the barrier.

"My little sister and parents are already on the other side," he explained. Mum and dad were emotional messes over the whole thing and Eiji did not wish to witness that. Or be on the receiving end of all those hugs and cheek kisses. That and mum was likely to shove a tin of cookies he did not want into his hands and dad with more soup. Rebecca valued these tokens more than him, so it was more fitting she get the brute force of it all.

"You run only if you're nervous, it sort of tricks the mind into thinking you cannot stop if you are going full speed. I tend to take things more at a brisk walk," he explained as his eyes briefly drifted back over to Ethan before looking back to Nina with an unexpected softness. "Dad told me he was a nervous wreck his first time through. He was a transfer too. Mum helped him back then though grandpa teased him and tried to get him to run into the wrong barrier for some reason." Something he had been meaning to ask the man about. Maybe next family dinner...which would not be until the Christmas holiday and Eiji was likely to forget by then. "So no, you do not have to run."

Of course, he figured her question was more directed towards the whole running towards a solid wall than the actual running aspect. But he was answering that without the full call out of it.

Not identical twin. They didn't even share the same birthday, THANKFULLY, when he had to give practically everything else up thanks to the birth of his brother less than a year later. Irish twin, yes. Not that Sawyer would say as much cause had no idea what the girl was thinking. He wasn't a mindreader, after all. "Oh. Easy." So she was a witch. "This is your first year? How come here alone?" Cause usually most parents or guardians came with their kids for their first years. "You just walk. Or run, if you feel more comfortable to do so... right through the barrier, which magically will open."

"Do I? Perhaps you met my brother. Was he loud and obnoxious?" Speaking of, Sawyer was surprised to not hear him anywhere nearby.


Did Nina and Eiji not get along?? Well, to be honest, that wasn't all that surprising giving that Ethan was nearly positive he was one of the few Slytherins she seemed to not mind. Or maybe it was the illusion. Honestly, Ethan was clueless with this sort of thing and many things. But his grades were surprisingly good - or maybe not that surprising.

He observed the interaction for a moment; Eiji had a little sister? Why did he not know this? Apparently just cause one roomed with someone for three years, they still felt like complete strangers? Perhaps this would be the year he'd make more an effort to get to know him.

"If you're asking for another way to get to school, no. Well, not technically. The train is the way. But technically if you could get someone to apparate you to Hogsmeade..." He drifted off, eyes between Eiji and Nina, as the former explained his dad being nervous. "It doesn't hurt... it's not as barbaric as it seems... running into a wall."

For the record, Nina got on with Eiji fairly well. In all honesty, she preferred his company over the company of most. He didn’t buy her act (which was slightly uncomfortable), but he made her think. When he wasn’t being frustrating and trying to ruffle her feathers, of course. The only Slytherins she really had issues with were the dormmates. And the rest of the girls. None of this mattered, however, because at the current moment, Nina Castillo was far more interested in the interaction between Eiji and Ethan.

Curious.

She raised her eyebrows at Eiji’s mention of his sister, at first finding it somewhat strange that he wouldn’t want to be by her side for her first time boarding the train to Hogwarts. Though, she also understood that family could at times be suffocating, and so she didn’t voice the thought. ”Is she excited?”

As for her question? Neither of the boys provided the answer she was looking for. Ethan’s take was completely left field, as she wasn’t necessarily asking for another way to get to Hogwarts. Just an alternative to running through a wall to get to the train. Eiji (unsurprisingly) took her literally, though she was sure he knew exactly what he was doing. ”I’m not nervous,” she crossed her arms.

Read: She was, obviously, very nervous.

Eiji’s story about his father did help a little bit though, and Nina dropped her arms to rest by her side. ”… Could one of you go through with me?” The otherwise defiant look in her eyes faltered for a moment of softness. The platform wouldn’t solidify the moment she tried… Right?

There was no interaction to observe, Nina. Ethan was too busy girl chasing for there to be much. Absolutely nothing to see here. Nothing.

And it was no secret he had a sister. He talked about her often and she was always sending him care packages under mum's supervision. Cookies. So many cookies. Cookies that he knew Rebecca was likely passing out to any person who happened to breathe in the same space as her. "Excited is an understatement," he chuckled while venturing a glance towards the train. "It's all she has ever talked about since I got my letter. Her going to Hogwarts too."

His lips curled slightly in amusement at Ethan's follow up because...where even had that come from? Though now he was thinking about being of age and being able to take apparition lessons finally. No more dependency on others to get here and there. It would be nice.

"I'll take you," he offered with a small shrug, though soon an insufferable kind of look came over his features. "....seeing as you are new and all." A reminder that he DID remember, Nina. "And besides, Rebecca wants to meet you so this is two fwoopers with one stone." Get through the barrier himself with someone who will distracted his little sister and her infectious enthusiasm for a bit. Perfect.

Ethan did not chase girls, for the record. He was far too oblivious and clueless to do that. Just as he was clueless as to how Eiji and Nina got along, as well as the dormmate's familiar situation.

Gripping at his trunk handle, he waited to see if it would help; apparently she wasn't looking for another way to Hogwarts. Hey, it wasn't completely left field, as she hadn't exactly been descriptive with her question. He was, if anything, just offering another alternative to going to Hogwarts that didn't involve the platform, which was something that was asked, was it not?

Not nervous? Lies though because despite his often clueless demeanor, he did detect she was nervous or she'd have already been on the train.

"I'll follow, I guess." Mmhm. Make sure they made it through and all.

Analiese straightened a crease in her skirt. Again. Honestly, what was wrong with her skirt? You see, that was why you should never trust your sibling to iron clothes for you. "Yes, it's my first year. My mum decided it was a good idea to let me come in here alone on my first year. She just dropped me off outside the station." Honestly, what kind of mother would do that? "So, I just... walk?", she asked, with suspicion.

"If your brother's called Skeet, I did meet your brother. And no, he wasn't loud and obnoxious. Even though he was staring at me when he saw me.", Analiese said, "He even helped me look for my textbooks, you know."

There most certainly was something. Nina suspected Trinetta played a role in it (didn't she always?), but she would have to ask Ethan about that situation later.

"Aww," Eiji's sister sounded... Eager. But she was very thankful that he offered his help. Thankful until she saw that familiar look of his and already Nina prepared herself with a deadpan. Right on cue she rolled her eyes, giving him a light kick in the ankle. "I hope Rebecca isn't as smug as you are, Eiji."

In reality, she didn't know how she felt about meeting Rebecca Eager-Beaver Rasting. Nina didn't like children very much. And first years were children as far as she was concerned. None of that was important at the moment, however, because the task at hand was... walking through a wall. Something she definitely did not want to do. "Ethan? .... Could you go first?"

So that she could see how it was done.

And also to make sure that it worked.... Ethan had a pretty face too, but he was a boy. He could make afford the risk. In contrast, a pretty face is all Nina had. She needed it. So, Ethan first pleeeaaaaaase?And then she'd follow in step with Eiji!

Wowwwww... Sawyer was quite surprised at this revelation because honestly, what kind of parent would just leave their eleven year old off at the train station? Probably ones who didn't name their children after ABBA songs. Ten months though without your child; talk about ... eager? Of course he had no idea the girl's situation and maybe there was more that met the eye. The was always more. Wasn't there? "Yea. You can. Walk. Or run if you feel like it might be more comfortable."

Wait. Skeet wasn't loud and obnoxious??? "Maybe there's another Skeet." Hope not, but honestly, that was all Sawyer could really say at that. Then again, he probably lost his usual rambunctiousness at sight of a pretty girl, because that's usually what happened. Skeet's version of flirting.



It didn't sound like Rebecca was as smug as Eiji, but what did he know? Also it was mutual, wasn't it? Rebecca to meet him as well as Nina? Ethan assumed so but honestly had no idea.

He was waiting for Eiji and Nina to position themselves to go first when suddenly, Nina had a different idea in mind. Oh. Uh.

"Yea, sure... That uh... probably makes sense." Or was this her excuse to get rid of him so she could be alone with Eiji? Who really knew? But he couldn't really be that bothered by it. "I guess ... I'll see you on the other side."

With a small nod, he turned and disappeared through the platform.

"Not even close," he chuckled in response to Nina's comment on his sister. "Rebecca is everyone's cheerleader, even when you would rather she keep her mouth shut. Especially when she starts humming." Which was often and he would like to think that by now he had learned how to turn it into white noise while he was working. It was a work in progress. "Humble and compassionate to a fault as well."

Waiting for Ethan to go on ahead, he simply offered his hand towards Nina to take if she wanted. It was no big deal to him. She was new to this, after all.

"Yeah. See you." If not the train then the feast and most certainly back in the dorm, which was whatever. He really had no connections with any of his dormmates save for Calloway who had taken an interest into the projects he had going on in their dorm last term.

"Ready when you are, Nina," he nodded as he glanced over at her.

"So, um... why don't you go first?" Wait, it would make more sense if Analiese went first. She twirled her straightened hair in her hand. But honestly, her mum decided that Analiese was smart enough to go on her own without anybody's help.

"I think he mentioned a surname... Sayse, I think it was?" She shrugged at the boy's solution. "Oh, and what's your name?" This would be the most awkward conversation on Earth if she didn't know his name.