Chapter 10: September 1st, 2006

Hermione Granger Weasley checked over the appearance of her daughter one final time. She couldn't believe her little girl was already 11 and about to get on the Hogwarts Express for the first time. Well, as a student - Rose had made the trip before when her parents had been in school. Merlin, she had been born on the train.

"Bag. Jumper." Hermione zipped Rose's jacket shut. Suddenly overcome, she hugged her daughter close. "Merlin, I'm gonna miss you..." She may have had Rose when she was only 15, weeks away from turning 16, but now at almost 27, Hermione realized that it never got easier to celebrate her eldest child's milestones. By her side, Ron stood with his arms around their 7-year-old son Hugo and their 4-year-old daughter Melissa. Spying some familiar figures through the smoke, her husband nodded.

"Here they come."

Harry and Ginny Potter emerged from the clouds of steam, 1-year-old James on Harry's hip and weeks-old Albus Severus Potter nestled in Ginny's arms.

"Uncle Harry! Aunt Ginny!" Rose rushed into the arms.

"So," Harry laughed. "The youngest Order of Merlin recipient in history is finally going off to Hogwarts! How does it feel?"

Rose grinned sheepishly. "Weird. I don't even remember much about how I won it."

"Doesn't mean your mum and I are not bloody proud!" Ron beamed.

"Ron!" Hermione scolded.

Just then, who should sidle up to the group but Draco Malfoy, and his wife Astoria. A small boy was with them, who looked to be no more than 6.

Ron nodded to Draco curtly. "Malfoy. What are you doing here?"

Draco shrugged. "Scorpius wanted to see the train." But Scorpius was no longer even looking at the locomotive. He was staring at Rose, absolutely captivated.

"You're... you're Rose Weasley," he stammered. "The youngest Order of Merlin recipient ever and the youngest person ever to survive the Cruciatus Curse! I have all your Chocolate Frog Cards! Will you sign them?"

Rose blinked, utterly perplexed and still not used to the attention. Ron and Hugo snickered. As Rose finished signing a Chocolate Frog card with a quill, and the Malfoys walked away, Harry smirked at his niece. "I think you've got an admirer..."

This made Ron snap his head up far too quickly. "Never! No daughter of mine is ever dating a Malfoy!"

"Ron, honestly, the boy is only six!"

The train whistle blew, and Rose hugged her entire family goodbye, bounding on board.

"Bye, Mummy! Bye, Daddy! Bye, Hugo! Bye, Melissa! Goodbye, Uncle Harry! Goodbye, Aunt Ginny!"

Hermione blew her daughter a kiss. "Merlin be with you."