Year One, Chapter Two - Kings Cross Station, between Platforms 9 and 10, 9:45am
Regulus approached the skinny, dark haired, green eyed boy with the snowy white owl on top of his trunks on his trolley. The boy did not seem to notice Regulus until…
"Hogwarts?" inquired Regulus, smiling softly as though to not scare away a frightened puppy. Or deer.
The boy started, and looked at Regulus. "Hogwarts, yes," he replied.
Regulus motioned for the boy to follow him. "C'mon then, my family's also going to Hogwarts."
The boy with the snowy white owl followed Regulus hesitantly towards his family. The boy noticed that the parents were dressed rather nicely, more like Muggles. Regulus seemed to dress as his father did – nice slacks, button down shirt, blazer. Although, Regulus did forego the tie.
"I bring a new friend," Regulus announced. The boy looked surprised. Cassiopeia thought for a second that he just seemed surprised that someone called him his friend. And then she noticed the boy's eyes. They reminded her of… Her eyes narrowed slightly.
William smiled at the lad. "Hello there. I'm Mr. Langley, Regulus's father." The boy smiled back. "I'm Harry Potter," he whispered.
Hermione stared at him. "I've heard of you! You're i-" Her mouth was muffled by Anna's hand. Anna smiled at Harry. "Hi Harry. I'm Anna, and this is Hermione Granger. And that's my mum over there," she motioned with a jerk of her head.
Harry turned to Cassiopeia, who seemed to be assessing him. After a moment, she smiled slightly. "I knew your parents back in school," she replied. Harry's eyes opened wide. "I dare say though, you are much more polite at this age than your father was," she added.
Harry stared at Cassiopeia, wide eyed. "You knew my mum and dad?" he whispered.
Cassiopeia and William both nodded. "We were in Hogwarts together at the same time, although Cassie here was a year behind," William teased his wife softly. Cassiopeia rolled her eyes, but her smile did not leave her face.
Meanwhile, Anna rolled her eyes at her mum and whispered softly in Hermione's ears, "That is my cousin there. DO NOT make mention of whatever you have read about him. I can guarantee that, since the only survivor was one years old, that NO ONE KNOWS what happened that night, and Harry has not given an interview in his entire life. DO. NOT. BADGER. HIM. ABOUT. HIS. SCAR," she ended with a slight threatening note, while smiling for all to see.
Hermione's eyes were wide while Anna was whispering. At the end, she nodded frantically. Smiling, Anna dropped her hand and turned to Harry. "You're our cousin," she announced.
Harry looked at her, surprised. "I am?"
Regulus nodded. "Yes, on your paternal grandmother's side. Dorea Black was probably the only Black able to marry who she chose to without being blasted from the family tapestry." Harry and Hermione's eyes went wider, if that was possible: Harry, because this was another bit of information about his family, and Hermione, because a magical family tapestry!
Before anyone could say anything else, William got up from where he was sitting. "Since it's already ten, maybe we should get through the barrier," he suggested.
Cassiopeia nodded. "Yes, the children will need to find a compartment before the horde descends."
Harry and Hermione grabbed their trolleys, and looked at Anna and Regulus, who did not have a trolley. Anna shrugged and smiled. "Shrunken and in our pockets," she said brightly. "Makes it easier to move about."
Once approaching the barrier, William stopped and looked at the kids. "Ok, Regulus, Harry, you're with me. Girls, you're with Cassiopeia." They all nodded. "Right, now just walk through."
Harry's eyes had remained widened. "Walk through? But it's a wall."
Regulus stifled a chuckle. "To no-maj's, it's a wall. To us though, it's just an illusion."
William nodded. "Correct, Regulus. Now let's walk." The menfolk walked to the barrier….at the barrier….and then disappeared into the barrier.
Hermione looked at the barrier, stunned. "Wow," was her only response.
Anna smiled. "Isn't magic great?" she asked rhetorically.
Cassiopeia gave her daughter a ghost of a smile. "Quite. Now girls, the same as the boys. Just walk through." And with that, they went through the barrier to Platform 9 ¾.
Disclaimer: I own only the Langley twins and their parents and parents' relatives (except for Cassiopeia's family). All else belongs to the queen herself, JK Rowling.
**Updated 09/16/17: I changed up the names again to match the first chapter.*
Author's Note: Sorry this took so long, and sorry it is so short! I've been having really horrible writer's block on how to introduce Harry to the Langleys. Hopefully the subsequent chapters will be easier to handle.
Speaking of subsequent chapters, I should forewarn you that the chapter structure will change either the next chapter or during chapter 4. I will be giving (somewhat) equal voices to the Langley parents as well.
