It was 10:56 am. The train left at exactly 11:00 am. She was so sure she was going to miss it. She ran at the barrier with full speed. And now, she could see the beautiful scarlet steam engine that would take her back home. But she had no time to take in the beauty that faced her. She had to get her trunk and other luggage onto the train, but it was too heavy. Looking around to find someone who could help her, she heard a familiar voice behind her.
"Just when I thought you weren't going to make it." said James Sirius Potter.
"Potter! Help me get this on the train, will you?" she smiled at him.
Together, James and Vivienne carried her trunk and broom onto the train.
"Bye, Mum!" James waved out to his mother as the train began to leave the station.
"Bye Mrs. Potter!" Vivienne chimed in, flashing her a wide grin.
Ginny Potter waved out to the two of them. "Bye, you lot! Have a nice year ahead!" she shouted.
"Where's your dad this year?" Vivienne asked as the platform disappeared from view.
"He had some urgent work at the Auror office. Couldn't come."
"Oh. Where are the others?" she asked.
'The others' were the entire Potter-Weasley clan that was at Hogwarts. Not to mention the Longbottom girls and the Scamander twins. Viv was friends with all of them, her best friends being James Sirius Potter. They had been best mates since their first day at Hogwarts. She remembered how Fred and he had tried to trick her into using a punching telescope and how the plan had mysteriously backfired with a flick of her wand, resulting in a black eye for James for the next three weeks. James laughed it off, saying he looked like a pirate and the two had been besties since.
"They're here_" said James, opening the door to the compartment ahead of where Viv was standing, revealing Albus, Lily, Hugo, Fred, Dominique and Roxanne who were all very excited as Fred showed them the latest product from Weasley's Wizard Wheezes – a metamorphomagus pill (that actually worked)
"Viv! Where were you?" shouted Lily.
"Yeah, arse! We thought you'd miss the train" said Dom.
"Guys, relax, you know I always make it in the end." Vivienne winked.
"What took you so long anyway?" said James, looking down at her. She realized how much James had grown in the past year. She had been taller than him till third year when James finally decided to shoot up to 6'2" leaving her reaching just above his shoulder.
"My aunt couldn't give me a ride today 'cause she had an important meeting, so…" Viv trailed off.
Vivienne's parents had passed away in a car crash when she was 9 so she now lived with her paternal aunt who was a nice woman but always very busy.
Everyone's attention went back to the metamorphomagus ring as James and Viv sat down.
After about half an hour, Rose and Scorpius returned from the Prefect's carriage, obviously – bickering.
"No one asked your opinion, Malfoy! Bugger off!" screamed Rose.
"It isn't my fault we're going the same way, Weasley. I've got to meet Al" Scorpius replied in the most nonchalant manner, infuriating Rose further, making her face go as red as her hair.
Everyone was already used to this display of emotion from the two but it was amusing nevertheless. Scorpius and Al were best mates and everyone seemed to like Scorp- except Rose. Nothing less from Ron Weasley's daughter, Vivienne thought to herself, knowing the families and their history really well by now.
The compartment had become really crowded with the addition of Rose and Scorpius so Fred, James and Vivienne left to find another compartment.
On finding an empty one, the three sat themselves down.
"So, seventh year, eh?" said Fred.
"Seventh year" smiled James as Vivienne gave her widest grin to the two of them, engulfing them in a group hug.