The platform was crowded with people, just like every year. Mum and I ran to catch up with Daddy, who was all the way at the front of the group. "Come on ladies!" Uncle Ron shouted ahead.
We had all gathered to prepare for another year at Hogwarts and the Weasley clan, with the Potters', did everything together. Last week we had all met at Diagon Alley to get our books and things. James was getting his wands, and we all waited outside Ollivanders Wand Shop to see what would happen. He came out quickly, holding his copper want out to all of us. It looked sort of like mine, a 10 and a half inch, copper colored rosewood wand with a unicorn hair core. James and I had always been close, and visit each other often, even though we are three years apart. Before Aunt Ginny had Lily, I had been the niece that she spent much time with. I was the only girl in the family before Rose was born, 5 years younger than I. Daddy and Mum had always spent dinners and holidays in Aunt Hermione and Uncle Ron's home.
"I'm going to miss you very much!" Mother said as she squeezed me tightly. "I'll miss you too, Mum, but it's my fourth year! We've done this before!" I reminded her.
"I know Nathalie," she said in her fading French accent. I had developed a slight pronunciation of some words from my mothers French background, but I considered myself a full Brit, since I looked just like Daddy and only a bit like Mum.
"Fleur, give her a hug, and pass her on to me!" Daddy said.
"Dad," I rolled my eyes with embarrassment.
"So," he started, holding my shoulders. "Your fourth year. That's when I had my first girlfriend, you know? For you, there's no fooling around, right?"
"Give the girl a break," Teddy cut in, winking at me. Teddy was handsome and tall, and had the same ginger hair as I, some of the time. My wavy strawberry blond hair just made my complexion pasty looking. I fancied it best when it was a dark brown, which suited his pale complexion. He had acquired the metamorphmagus trait from his mother, Tonks. Sometimes he or Uncle Harry or Grandpa Arthur would tell stories about Nymphadora "Tonks" Lupin and Remus Lupin, Teddy's parents. When they died at the battle, as the adults call it, Teddy was just an infant.
He was starting his sixth year of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and had made sure that I was in Gryffindor with him during my sorting. He claimed he had helped, but I doubt he did anything. I had known Teddy as long as I could remember, and had seen photos of us crawling around, him age two and I just a baby. He was as close to a cousin as anyone could be to a big family like us. He went to Uncle Harry's for dinner at least four times a week during the summers, and sometimes slept over at our house. He calls Daddy "Uncle Bill," not even thinking twice that we're not actually blood related.
"Now you two better take care of James," he warned Teddy and I. As the eldest of the cousins, counting Teddy as the oldest cousins, we were portrayed as the example for all the children in the Weasley-Potter families. Everyone needed to be a Gryffindor, as was I. "Well, I love you," he added, focusing on me. I gently kissed him on his scared cheek, and waved goodbye to all the family.
I took James' hand, and Teddy, James and I went on our to find a suitable car.
James had laid his head down on my lap to get comfortable for some sleep. Teddy spends passes the time filling up on Chocolate Frogs and Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans while talking to me. "Nathalie?" A voice calls from outside the door car. I have known the voice for the past four years.
"Come in, Layla," I called, not bothering to get up from my seat. I had seen her five days ago when she slept over at our house before school started. "'You're going to sleep across the room from her for the whole year, but she comes over anyway. When do I get to see you?'" Mum had complained. She had always like Layla, and thought she was a good influence on me, but she wanted to spend everyday together before I would leave.
Layla is most likely the smartest girl in our year. She has often been compared to Aunt Hermione by many professors, especially Professor Longbottom, the herbology teacher, and a friend to our family. She has helped me pass every exam for the last four years, having to beg me to study with her. I would rather be in the common room with a book or having a conversation. "Fourth year, are you excited. This year is going to be brilliant!" she exclaimed. "Oh, hello Teddy," she added.
"I know! Daddy got me the new owl he promised in his letter for my birthday," I replied. "I named him Sir Lancelot, even though Uncle Harry pushed me to name him Hedwig."
"What sort of name is that?" Layla blurted in response to the strange name.
"I know, but James," I patted him on the head, "named his new owl Hedwig. Uncle Harry said it looks just like his old bird, fluffy and white. Sir Lancelot is white with brown specks on it. I'll show you him when we get to the castle."
"So we're doing the same setup this year, right? Me, you, and Daisy?" Layla mentioned. Daisy was an awkward girl, quiet and shy. She didn't speak much, and concentrated on her studies. She was always my partner in potions class, and we got along well. She was neat while my side of the room with Layla was scattered with clothes, books, and makeup. She was muggle born, a had grown up to teachers. Her parents are still shocked by her acceptance to Hogwarts, but I could tell from the letters Daisy shares that they are proud.
"Of course," I responded. As if on queue, Daisy entered the frame of the sliding door.
"May I come in?" she asked quietly, eyeing James sleeping on my lap. I nodded as James fidgeted in his sleep. She crept into the room and slid onto the seat next to Teddy. She gave him a slight wave, and he returned the movement. Daisy was especially awkward around boys, and as soon as she settled in, her face started to turn a light shade of pink. "Is that Harry Potter's son?" she asked, almost sounding excited. I had gotten that question many times when people had heard that a Weasley had entered the room. Our family was know throughout the wizarding world, and I have adjusted to the questions. I have a set of answers I repeat every time. Some people would say Harry isn't technically my uncle, more of an uncle-in-law, but Uncle Ron and Harry are so close that he was accepted into the family at an early age, and he is an "honorary Weasley," or some people think we are "honorary Potters." We had learned about the Second Wizarding War mostly from our parents, but teachers slip out a few facts here and there about the battles that took place.
"Yeah," I answered dully. I have told her many times that I am related to member of the Order of the Phoenix, like many other people at school, but every time she wonders in awe.
For the rest of the trip, we all just sat and talked, taking occasional shifts of sleep. The night before I left for Hogwarts every year was a night I could never gain any sleep. A tall man came down the corridor to stop at every cabin. "We have arrived in Hogsmeade. Please gather your things." He said when arriving at our cabin. Teddy reached up to pull all our bags down from above.
"And now it is time for James Potter to wake up!" I added, shaking James. He slightly budged, but Teddy took him up in his arms and swung him around the corridor, robes swaying everywhere.
"Let's go James, don't you want to be ready to be put into Ravenclaw!" Teddy teased.
"No, no, no! I am getting into Gryffindor! Don't even let me think about getting sorted into another house!" he yelled.
"Then prove it! Get out there and show that sorting hat what you're made of!" Teddy encouraged. With that James ran off the train to join the other freshman.
"What if he does get into a different house?" I whispered when James was far off. I know that the sorting hat doesn't always give you what you want. My slight French accent had shown. It always peaked when I was flustered. I had thought my mother's accent had always sounded elegant, but not on me.
The sorting hat had hesitated with me, asking me to be in Hufflepuff before making it's final decision. I had kept Gryffindor in my mind, and ran to sit with Teddy and Layla, whom I had met on the train that first day. I hadn't known I would be sitting with my best friend.
"Don't worry, he will. Just relax Nathalie," Teddy confirmed. "I'll work my magic," he added with a smile.
"You do that," I said in a sarcastic tone. Trying to hide my face blushing as best as I could.