This is a joint fiction by JustSuperMione and MeNuncle, it was started on but we thought you guys would like it here as well. Enjoy!
"DAD! I thought you said you actually passed your test?" A redheaded girl smiled, clutching her head as though she'd injured it while her redheaded father 'parked' the car. The girl looked in the mirror and saw her mothers smile matched her own.
"I did pass my test." The man exclaimed in slight annoyance, stepping out of the car and squinting his eyes, a little, at the rising sun.
"Confunded the examiner, more like," grunted a smaller boy. He knew his father as well as, both, his mother and sister did; the difference was, however, that he always spoke his mind- a trait he had inherited from his father.
"Rose, are you sure you have absolutely everything?" Questioned the man's wife, who tried desperately to change the subject as she knew her husband had always worked hard to understand and to 'fit in' to the muggle world she had grown up in.
"Hermione of course she has everything you helped her pack" Laughed the man as he looked for the pay and display machine. "She takes after you so stop WORRING"
"Well I'm sorry Ronald, if I take our daughters education seriously." Hermione Weasley replied sarcastically as Ron rolled his eyes. "Hugo, go and help your father get the ticket at that yellow box over there." She said pointing a place a few meters away. Rose noticed both her father and mother smiling throughout this exchange. "Now Rose if you need anything-"
"Let you know. Yes, yes you've told me a hundred times mum." Rose finished, watching Hugo help her dad with the ticket machine, her dad looking rather clueless. And she enjoyed her mum run her fingers through her soft curls.
"And don't listen to your father when he says he'll be disappointed if you don't end up in Gryffindor- we'll both be very proud of you, wherever you end up." Hermione said reassuringly. Rose didn't get a chance to respond because Hugo and her Dad appeared in there mists; out of breath from having a race to them.
"Now that is why you should never race your dad, Hugo" Ron said beaming proudly; having beaten his son. "Your old man has still got it."
"Now, if you're quite finished, we should make a move or we'll be late." Hermione interrupted, covering a small snigger. She never let on to her husband that she had always enjoyed his child-like antics. Suddenly Rose felt the eyes of the muggles and magical folk upon her and her family; Rose gave a weak smile and shh'ed her cat. Kings Cross was really a magical place the first of September.
She had, obviously been to King's cross station before. She had gone every year since her cousins James, Fred and Fred had started Hogwarts but for some reason this time things felt somewhat different, more magical than the other times.This year when she looked out for first years she was imagining how it would be like to be in class with them; instead of how James and the Fred's were going to prank them.
She smiled as she caught sight Fred one (known as Arthur, which was his middle name) with his father Percy. Rose could already tell that they had been there for a while; punctuality had always been a big deal for Percy.
She knew they weren't waiting for James Potter because the Potters always turned up at the last minute. Both Ginny and Harry were never one's for punctuality; or so her mum had constantly told her. She smiled, Fred one was obviously waiting for Fred two (known as Remus), the son of George Weasley. The two Fred's had both been born on the same night, thus they were called Fred as a tribute to George's twin brother that was sadly murdered in the battle, nineteen years ago.
Rose couldn't wait to see Al, who was also eleven, so he would be starting Hogwarts too and it would be nice to see a familiar face in the crowd of strangers, especially as her and Al had always been so close.
"Come on, Rose." Hermione said suddenly, awaking her from her thoughts. "We need to get onto the Platform." Rose instinctively listened to her mum with out argument; something that both her and Hugo always did. Their mum had always been the one to discipline, whereas Rose knew that she could get away with almost murder if it was always up to her dad.
The family of four walked quickly to a barrier stood between platforms 9 and 10. Rose's Mother took hold of Rose's trolley and held the hand of her daughter and they both gathered speed, as they ran towards the barrier. Rose clenched her eyes shut and flinched but no collision came; when her eyes had reopened fumes from a large train danced through the air and she could just make out a sign that read "Platform 9 and ¾, The Hogwarts Express."
As the excitement rushed through her, her dad appeared too, holding the hand of Hugo, whom let go the minute they were through the barrier. The atmosphere was pregnant with the anticipation of a new start. Children and parents stood together saying there final farewells. Old friends were greeting each other warmly and Rose couldn't wait to get started on her journey.
"Mum, when's Lily getting here?" Wondered Hugo, whom had not yet learnt that the Potter's were always late.
"In a little while, my sweet." Rose's Mum smiled down at Hugo. "A wizard family is never early or late; they arrive exactly when they need to." Her Dad was smiling as well, now, Harry had always said that when the Potters were very late. He'd gotten it from Gandalf when they'd first seen the Lord of the Rings movie.
"Never mind that, they still have a little time left; lets get to where we said we'd meet them" Ron said linking arms with his little Rose. It was then Rose caught sight of a thin boy with blonde hair and shining grey eyes. He, like her, looked like a first year and she wondered whether they'd be in the same house; Rose didn't know why but this person had caught her eye more than any of the other first years she had seen that day. The boy seemed to be talking to his parents, looking fairly worried as he glanced around the platform nervously. Their eyes met for one brief second when…
"Hi," The disembodied voice of Albus Potter said through the thick vapour of steam. Rose beamed at him and as their parents started talking about parking she asked Albus the burning question.
"Scared?"
"No. I'm a Potter; my father was the chosen one- we don't get scared!" Al said.
"So you're terrified then..."
"Absolutely" Al said smiling brightly. "But just think, Rose, we're going to be at Hogwarts; this feels like an adventure all on our own.
"As long as it's an adventure you embark as Gryffindor's..." said Hugo with a tone of false innocence.
"What like you?" Lily questioned wandering up behind him. "Hu, you aren't going to make a Gryffindor your scared... of loads of things… like pigeons"
"Well, you can never be to sure what there going do." Hugo said defensively.
"And spiders" Lily said counting the things Hugo was scared of on her figures.
"Hey, my dads scared of spiders and he was in Gryffindor..." Hugo's ears were starting to turn a violent shade of red. "Well, what about you? You'll probably be in Hufflepuff because you're too kind and caring to be a Slytherin and probably not smart enough to be a..." He trailed off.
"Hugo Weasley now I know your not going to tease me about my cleverness... I beat you at sums last term when your mum was teaching us."
"Yeah, well. I blame my dad for my mathematical prowess!" Hugo stated in a low, defeated tone. "And I will too be in Gryffindor- you just wait and see." Just then, Harry and Ron had returned, free from the luggage they had before.
"If you're not in Gryffindor, we'll disinherit you," Ron said, clearly he had overheard the last part of Lily and Hugo's argument. "But no pressure."
"Ron!" Hermione said in a disbelieving, yet furious tone that famously meant that she meant business.
Rose felt a small lump form in her throat. She had of course, always known how important it was for her dad that she would end up in Gryffindor. The house that he had been in, the house rest of the Weasley family had been in. She knew that her dad cared about her and that, when it came down to it, he would be happy for her wherever she ended up but the fact still remained that he would be prouder if she was in Gryffindor; and for that reason alone she was sure she wanted to be in that house.
"He doesn't mean it," Both her mother and Aunt Ginny told them. Rose looked at Hugo and Lily, who were in hysterics but then turned to Al. His eyes were too wide, betraying how petrified he was, mirroring the same worry, Rose felt herself.
While Rose had inherited her looks from both her parents, Albus Potter was an exact replica of his father, Harry. Although he always had the indefinable air of being well cared for; even adored. He had the same slight body, messy jet black hair, the same shaped face and mouth and him alone, out of Harry's three children, had inherited his Grandma Lily's eyes. His nose, like hers, belonged to a Weasley but everything else was pure Potter.
For a fleeting moment, Rose wondered if he'd inherited the talent for trouble from his Potter side as well; but the contemplation was interrupted by her father pointing to the boy she'd been looking at earlier.
"So that's little Scorpius," Ron said under his breath. Rose heard Al laugh behind her as her father addressed her. "Make sure you beat him in every test, Rosie." She nodded solemnly; her dad didn't usually use that serious tone on anything other than his work or Quidditch related matters. "Thank God, you inherited your mother's brains." Rose stopped nodding. She hated when he said that; because it reminded her she had the wizarding world expecting her to be as brilliant as her mother. She didn't like thinking about that. It reminded her of poor Helena Ravenclaw before she ran away.
"Ron, for heaven's sake," Said Hermione sternly, though she had an unmistakeable amusement in her voice. "Don't try and turn them against each other before they've even started school."
"You're right sorry," Ron said but then added. "Just don't get too friendly with him though, Rosie, your granddad Weasley would never forgive you if you married a pure blood."
Then she looked over again at the boy her father wanted her to beat; and for a moment their eyes met again. He gave a weak smile, she was about to do the same when her cousin James came crashing through talking about Teddy.
"Our Teddy! Teddy Lupin! Snogging our Victoire! Our Cousin." James explained loudly as though it were some kind off a conspiracy. Rose, however, didn't hear what was said after that. She was too busy thinking about what her dad had just said to her and everything about what was said about the Malfoy's in the past. In the commotion of James announcement she decided to take another look at the boy she was suppose to beat. But he was gone probably on the train which is where she needed to be as well.
"-Share a room only when I want the house demolished." She heard her Uncle Harry say to James, who was now looking a little defeated. "It's nearly eleven, you better get on board." He added looking down at his watch- which had belonged to a distant family relative.
Rose then rested her gaze upon her parents. Even though she had been waiting for this moment a long time she couldn't deny that she'd miss her parents. The constant bickering and her father's lame jokes and the midnight games of chess they always had; even the arguments with her kid brother.
She'd miss the way her mother always had time to engage her in intellectual conversation about anything and everything from muggle literature to magic theory.
She'd miss her dads cooking. And sitting together as a family for meals; while her mother threatened them all with dishes she wanted to try out on them. But most of all she'd miss how protected she was as the centre of her parents and Hugo's universe.
The four of them together; even stronger than they, the golden trio had been at their height, her dad had said last night. But now she was going to step out of that shadow and start her own story. Her own life at Hogwarts.
She was scared and excited all at once; there were so much to do and learn away from home. But as her family hugged her, she realised that she had already learnt the most import magic from her family: The magic of Love, and Friendship and laughter. The same magic that even muggles and squibs could weave. The magic that everyone should feel but few do. That magic she was sure would end up being the hallmark of her time at Hogwarts.
"Oh, I'm going to miss you," Her Mother said finally. "I hope you'll be alright."
"Off course she will be 'Mione" Ron stated, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. "With your brains, my chess ability, your stubbornness, my passion for Quidditch, your bravery and my red hair and all your beauty - where could she possibly go wrong?" Her mother shot her father a look that Rose realised she'd miss. But she rallied herself with being practical.
"Dad's right mum. I'll be alright. And it's not like I'm going to go on a quest for the Philosopher's stone or hiding a dragon, is it?" Rose smiled innocently and watched her parents smile too. "Besides, I have lots of people watching out for me; Al, James and the Fred's, Hagrid even Uncle… I mean Professor Longbottom. I'll see you at Christmas." Rose said, more to herself than anyone else.
"Yes, I suppose you're right." Hermione grunted sounding unnaturally child-like, which was exceptionally unusual for her. "I guess I'll just miss someone to book review with." She laughed, giving Rose a hug and then a kiss on the forehead.
"I'll write all the time." Rose assured her mother.
"Oh no, not those great big novel things that your mum used to write?" Ron looked as though he'd rather not have a twenty inch piece of parchment to read every evening until Christmas.
"Ron the summer before first and third year you got you fair share of long letters and as I've asked you before, when would I have written you novel length letters after that? From fourth year on wards I've never been parted from you for more than a few weeks." Rose smiled inwardly at this and then turned to her dad for a hug as well.
"And I'll miss our midnight chess games that we always have- now I'll have to settle for your mother, instead." He whispered.
"You always win anyway, there's no difference." Rose replied.
"Well, you're better than your mum- at least you were a challenge."
"Bye Hugo, keep an eye on mum and dad for me. You know what they're like" Hugo nodded. "And you remember all the 'signs' I told you about when they want some 'alone-time'" Hugo nodded again.
"Yeah, even though you won't tell me what they do or why they need so much of it..." Hugo urgently whispered and Rose blushed.
"I'm STILL not telling you. And well, you'll know when you're a little older." She said giving him a quick hug.
'Sooner,'
she thought, 'if
you forget the things I told you.'
"You better hurry," Hermione said, almost tearfully. "The train's about to leave." Rose nodded and then began to turn away from them. "Oh and remember if you-"
"Need anything- yes mum you'll be the first to know, promise." Rose smiled and her mother returned it. "Bye, love you all." She then blew a kiss at the three of them.
"Love you too, sweetheart," Hermione echoed.
"We'll miss you," Ron added.
"I won't," Hugo smirked, though Rose knew that it was all a front and that Hugo would, indeed, miss her. As she got on to the train and her Aunt and Lily waved at her, she noticed that Al was talking to his father with a serious look on his face.
She guessed he had finally told his dad the fear that had been on his mind all summer. Rose knew that he feared being in Slytherin, more than anything else, because she shared the same worry and they had both discussed it last week. She had urged him to talk to her Uncle Harry about it and Rose could only hope that he'd follow her advice.
"Yeah because you really tell your dad what you feel," He'd always snap.
"Well," she'd snapped back as they were swimming in the glorious Cornish sunshine "It's different for girls and their dad."
"No it's not, and anyway you don't tell your mum either." Al had replied.
He had been right; she had never expressed any concerns about Hogwarts to her parents. She could only hope that even though he replied the way he did, he would still at least think about telling his dad. When Albus Potter finally turned around, his eyes were filled with wonder.
"What was that all about?" Rose asked out of the corner her mouth as she waved to her parents when he stood next to her.
"Nothing... Tell you later" Then he noticed they had an audience of students and parents and demanded "Why are they staring?" Rose started to cran her head out of the window the same time Al did.
"Don't let it worry you" her dad reassured. "It's me." he said pointing to himself. "I'm extremely famous." He said flicking his hair like a gorgeous girl on a shampoo bottle. And as he did so the train started to move.
Only her father could do it. Even though her heart was breaking at the thought of leaving her them all; her dad had made her and everyone else laugh. It felt like it was his gift to her; a shining memory of family life. The joyous laughter of the family that echoed in her heart making her feel like she could do anything. And at that moment she needed to cry; she made her excuse to Al and looked for a bathroom because even though she had tissues in her hand luggage she didn't want Al to see her get herself in a state.
As she shut the compartment door firmly behind her, she could already feel the tears streaming from her face. The narrow corridor was already practically deserted of students. It was getting more and more difficult to see by the second; her tears seemed to be blinding her and she just hurried down the train as far as she could, desperate to get out of sight before anyone would see her. They weren't tears of sadness as such. Just tears that needed to be...
BANG!
"Watch where you're going Weasley, couldn't you see I was walking here?" said a cold, self-assured voice. Rose looked at him with the same amount of coldness; but her puffy eyes and hankie had given her away. Then, noticing she was upset enough already, he added "I'm sorry, reflex action, I always blame other people." Then he smiled an uncertain smile and helped her up.
"Thanks" she said as she brushed off her robes. Trying not to imagine the first impression this was giving him. "Well, bye Scorpius" Rose said turning in the direction of a bathroom, she hoped.
"Yeah, bye Rose" Scorpius smiled and because he knew her name she felt a smile form on her lips, as well. And right then, halfway to the bathroom, she didn't feel like crying. She felt like freshening up and then making a new friend.