"I still don't understand why you have to go all the way to London to catch this train. It should really make stops, shouldn't it?"

Anette was sitting cross-legged on her brother's bed, watching him carefully pack the school supplies he bought into his trunk. He'd been given quite the extensive list of things he needed to take to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and if it hadn't been for their mother's extension charm on the trunk, there was no way it would have all fit. Anette's school list wasn't half as long and most of the things she needed were physically smaller. Her packing had been much less time consuming and could fit into a normal-sized suitcase.

"Because the train doesn't stop anywhere else," Axel explained. "It's an express train from Kings Cross Station to Hogwarts. And you can only board it from the specific platform at Kings Cross that only wizards can get to."

"Platform 9 3/4," Anette said. "Yeah. I saw your ticket. I just reckon you should be able to get to it from any station anywhere. You should be able to catch your train from here in Glasgow instead of having to cart that heavy thing to London."

"That would be almost too convenient," said Axel. "The wizarding world often defies muggle logic, but I guess they can't defy their own. There," he said, bringing the lid of the trunk over and fastening the buckles shut. "That should do it."

"Are you sure you got everything?"

"I think so. Well, aside from the cat. It's going to be hard getting him in the carrier tomorrow."

"It's just for the train from Glasgow," Anette said. "He'll survive. Especially since the alternative is you leaving him behind." She glanced over at the sleeping grey tabby on the end of Axel's bed. From the minute they got Kvothe, he had taken an instant shine to Axel, and showed little to no affection towards the rest of the family. So when Axel's school list said he had the option of taking an owl, cat or toad to Hogwarts, their mum had immediately suggested that the cat accompany his favourite member of the family to the wizarding school.

Anette wasn't allowed to have a pet at St Aloysius' College, which suited her fine since her guinea pig Lisa had passed away the previous winter. When asked if she wanted a new one, Anette had refused, deciding to just become more active in looking after Elodin, the LaBries' other cat, and Kilvin, the barn owl they used to send and receive magic-related letters.

Axel sat down on the bed beside Anette. "You excited?" he asked her.

She was, though she was also anxious. With her and Axel going to different boarding schools, it would be the longest they had been apart since they were conceived. The idea of being so far away from her twin after eleven years of being practically inseparable was scary. But she couldn't go with him to where he was going. He was a wizard, like their parents, and she had no magical ability whatsoever. A 'squib', they called it, though her parents had been reluctant to use the term. They preferred to just say 'muggle'. Anette liked it that way. It made her feel like she was the same as all the other non-magic people in the world. It made her feel like she wasn't some kind of freak.

"I'm gonna miss you too," Axel whispered, inching himself closer so he could rest his head on her shoulder. He knew as well as she did that things would be different now. While she was taking classes in English, Mathematics and Science, Axel's classes would consist of learning magical spells, potions and broomstick flying. She envied him a little. It all sounded so exciting.

"It's still a little bit light out," Axel remarked. "Wanna play outside for a bit?"

"Yeah," Anette said. She pushed herself off the bed. Her brother followed suit. "Let's go."

Anette waited with Axel and their parents for her train to arrive. Their dad had decided to accompany her to Edinburgh, where she was getting picked up by someone from St Aloysius. Their mum was going with Axel to Kings Cross station.

"Have a wonderful time, my girl," Alexandra LaBrie was saying as she tucked a strand of hair behind her daughter's ear. "Be sure to study hard. Make plenty of friends. Write to us as often as you can. And remember, if anyone asks about brother..."

"I know," Anette said. She had been schooled in the cover story that Axel had decided to remain at the school they had already been attending, rather than coming to St Aloysius with her. She knew wizards had a law against discussing the wizarding world openly with muggles, and she didn't want to put her family in an awkward position.

"Good girl," Alexandra said. "I'll see you at Christmas," she added before pulling Anette into a tight, almost suffocating hug. "I love you," she whispered. "Forever and always."

"I love you too, mum," Anette whispered.

When Alexandra finally released her, she turned to her brother. Axel looked like he could cry. "I wish I was going with you," he said.

"Don't be ridiculous," Anette said. "Your school is going to be way cool. You'll forget you ever said that in no time."

Before he could argue, Anette pulled him into an embrace that mirrored the one her mother had given her. Hot tears stung her eyes. In truth, she wished he was coming with her as well, but only so they didn't have to be apart.

"I'll write to you all the time," she said. "And we'll see each other at Christmas."

"I love you," was all Axel said in response. When they broke away from each other they were both wiping tears from their eyes.

Adrian LaBrie mussed up his son's long hair before kissing the crown of his head. "Be a good boy, Axel," he said. "And remember I'm proud of you. Both of you," he added, placing a hand on Anette's shoulder.

"Thanks, dad," Axel croaked.

"Go on, then," Adrian said. "You'll miss the train if you don't hurry."

Alexandra leaned forward to give her husband a quick kiss before taking Axel's hand and leading him away. He kept turning back to wave to Anette, and it was all she could do to stop herself crying again as he became further and further away. Just as he had disappeared out of her sight completely, she saw the train she would be catching pulling in to the station. As it came to a stop, she felt her dad take her hand and squeeze it gently.

"Come on, then," he said, grinning like a child. Adrian loved trains. He always seemed to get excited when he needed to take the train places, rather than using more 'magical' forms of transport. Maybe, Anette thought, it reminded him of his time traveling to Hogwarts when he was a student there. "Let's get good seats."