Sorry it took so long to post this chapter, I've had a very busy couple of weeks and I was stuck on this chapter as well. I finally got it polished though, hope you all enjoy!
Quick note: please pay attention to the dates!
August 2000
A young wizard walked into Flourish and Blotts, he and his family were going to America on vacation and his mother had told him to get a book to read on the journey.
"The Potter Family and the Philosopher's Stone." He mouthed the words to himself as he read the title of a book in the 'new releases' shelf. Picking it up, he thumbed through it, it looked pretty interesting, so he took it up to the clerk to purchase it. He was stopped however, by a crowd of women. Several of them were making purchases and he waited for his turn. They looked familiar but the boy tried not to stare, his mother had said it was rude. Several of the women had red hair, and one of them said "Susan, do you think he'll propose soon?"
"I hope so." The woman named Susan said, "I'm getting a little tired of waiting, to be honest." She turned to the red head that had spoken to her. "What about you, do you see a proposal in your future?"
"Yes." The woman looked eerily familiar where had he seen her before? "But he won't propose until he's got a ring and we haven't decided on one yet."
"Maybe we'll get to have a double wedding." Susan said. "If we time it right, I mean."
The other woman laughed. "I would love that, but it would really piss my brother off."
"Which is exactly why you like the idea so much." A woman with brown hair joined the conversation.
"What can I say?" The line moved forward, "The good thing about being the youngest for so long is that I've got the annoying little sister part down pat. I will be teaching the baby to be the annoying little sister, however, if it is a girl."
"When's she due again?" The boy noticed that there was a woman with pink hair in the group. She looked like she was about to have a baby as well.
"This week." Was the reply. "Once I get home, I'll be staying close to the floo as Mum wants me there for the birth."
"Good idea." They group of women finally left and the young wizard was able to purchase his book and leave.
September 1991:
"Let's go!" Harry yelled; he was standing in front of the front door, waiting for Ariadne and Lily to come out. It was September first and the Hogwarts express was bound to leave in a little over two hours.
"We're coming," Lily called from the kitchen as she and Ariadne came out. Lily had her purse in one hand and Ariadne's arm in the other. Out of habit, she looked around for Carrie, "Where's Carrie?" she asked her children.
"Carrie went back to Surrey, Mum, remember?" Harry reminded Lily.
"Oh that's right. I'm so used to her being here."
"Me too." Ariadne said, "can we make a playdate so Carrie and I could play soon?"
"Sure, once we get back, I'll ring up Petunia and see when she and Carrie are free, with the divorce starting, and the move, they may not be able to meet us soon."
"Okay." Ariadne said quietly.
They quickly went out to the car and were soon on their way to Kings Cross. They got there nearly an hour early and Lily quickly guided her children into the busy station. She gripped Ariadne's hand as they walked though the station. Lily couldn't help but smile as she and her children approached the platform entrance; it had been years since she'd seen it. As she and her children walked up however, they could see that there was a small family standing there. "But that makes no sense." A girl was speaking; she was a first year by the looks of it. "Here's platform nine and there's platform ten, but where's platform nine and three quarters?"
"I'm sure I can help with that." Lily politely interrupted the conversation. The family turned in surprise and Lily kept talking, "You're going to Hogwarts, dear?" She spoke to the girl.
"Yes." She said. "It's my first year."
"How did you get your acceptance letter?" Lily asked, needing to know if the family was muggle-born or not, she was willing to bet that they were, but she needed to make sure. Maybe they were from America and didn't know how to get to the English school.
"A Professor McGonagall came in March and told us Maya was a witch." The father spoke now; he motioned to his daughter as he spoke her name.
"Well, I'm afraid muggles aren't allowed onto the platform." Lily said, apologetically, "You'll have to say your good byes here. I'll tell you how to get onto the platform so that you can say goodbye to your family alone." She spoke to Maya again.
"Thank you." Maya said.
"What you do is run straight at the wall between platform's 9 and ten, Harry." She turned to her son, "You go first and I'll come along behind you."
Maya and her family moved so that Harry could have some space, he then ran at the platform and soon disappeared into it. "If you'd like, I'll make sure she gets onto the train all right, my name is Lily Potter by the way." She spoke to Maya's parents.
"We are Kenneth and Rose Granger; these are our children, Maya, Senaida and Gareth." Rose Granger motioned to each child in turn. It would be wonderful for you to look after Maya once she's on the platform." She then bent to give Maya a hug and Lily guided her daughter through the platform entrance. Harry was staring at the Hogwarts Express, Ariadne joined him and Lily glanced around the station, very few people were there this early and she saw Amelia Bones across the station, saying good bye to a young girl.
Lily made a mental note to say hello later, as Maya ran through the entrance. Maya joined Harry and Ariadne as they continued to stare at the train.
"Keep your mouths closed." Lily instructed her children, "Bugs will fly in."
Lily got her son's attention. "Let's get your things on board Harry." She said, she helped her son drag his trunk on board and then dragged Maya's things on board.
"What do you have in this?" Harry asked before Lily could tell him to be polite. "Bricks?"
"Books." Maya said, she suddenly looked eager. "I love reading, and I've been trying to learn more about the magical world, so when we were in Diagon Alley Dad bought me lots of books."
"Lily," Lily turned as two people spoke her name, Madam Bones was walking up, along with Remus.
"Uncle Moony!" Ariadne darted around to give her godfather a hug.
"Hi Remus, Hello Madam Bones."
"I forgot that it was Harry's first year, its Susan's first year as well." Madam Bones gestured to the young girl at her side.
"Hello Susan." Lily greeted the first year. The girl smiled nervously.
"Hello Mrs. Potter."
"Nervous about starting school?"
Susan nodded shyly. "Yes."
"So is Harry." Lily told the young girl.
"I'm glad I'm not the only one who's nervous, will there be a lot of students like me, one's who didn't know they were magic?" Maya asked, she was looking worried as she glanced between Lily and Madam Bones.
"There will be quite a few who didn't know they were magic." Lily said, "I was one of them."
"Really?"
Lily nodded. "Yeah?"
"Will it make a difference, my being Muggleborn?" Lily suddenly remembered asking the same question to Sev.
She shook her head. "No, it won't."
"Have you heard about the Houses?" Susan spoke to Maya.
Maya responded and Lily turned back to Remus who was hugging Harry. "I hope you get the job Uncle Moony." He was saying, remembering that Remus had a job interview later that day.
"Thank you Harry." Remus finished hugging Harry and then smiled as the boy pulled away. "Have fun this year."
Harry grinned, "I will."
More people were entering the station and Lily opened her arms, looking at Harry expectantly. Harry dove into her arms and hugged her tightly. Harry didn't usually get touchy-feely but Lily had been expecting he'd want a hug before he left for Hogwarts.
"Is it okay if I write every day?" Harry asked, "Until I get used to everything?"
"You can write multiple times a day if you need to." Lily promised, "Just don't let it interfere with your school work." Harry nodded and slowly let go of his mother. Ariadne had moved to stand by Lily and Harry wrapped his sister in a hug.
"I'll miss you Ari." Harry said, although there was some noise on the platform, both Lily and Remus could hear what Harry was saying.
"I'll miss you too." Ariadne sounded like she was about to cry. "Write to me too, not just to Mum."
"Promise." Harry said, he suddenly sounded like he had a head cold and Lily bit her lip to keep from crying herself.
Harry and Ariadne finally let go of one another and Lily took her daughter's hand as the nine year old coughed, trying to clear the tears. "Bye Harry, feel free to owl me what house you're in tonight."
"I will." Harry gave his mother another quick hug and then jumped on the train.
"Pay attention in class; work hard on your homework." Lily said, Ariadne coughed again.
"I will."
"Don't get into too much trouble, if you need help, ask Uncle Sev, I already asked him, he said he'd help you if you needed it."
"Okay Mum." Harry said. There suddenly seemed to be a lot of people on the platform and Lily said, "Go find a compartment; I'll wait here until the train leaves though."
"Okay Mum." Harry said. He disappeared and Lily backed up so that other students could enter the train. "Let's see if we can fin the compartment Harry's in." She said to Ariadne.
The nine year old nodded and the two of them began to walk by the train, not even noticing the deep discussion that Remus and Madam Bones seemed to be having.
Lily paused as she could see through the windows of one particular compartment, Susan had already boarded the train, along with Maya, they were sharing a compartment and talking. Harry had knocked and stuck his head in. Both girls turned and then they nodded and Harry sat down next to Susan.
Lily smiled as Remus walked up to her quickly. "Lily, can I borrow some of James' old robes?" He asked, "If you haven't gotten rid of them?"
"Any robes I kept would be in the attic." Lily said, "Why do you need to borrow them?"
"Madam Bones said she needs help in her office, apparently two of her assistants have taken off and left no time to train a replacement. She overheard Harry mention I was trying to find a job and offered me one, it's temporary for now, but it's a job." He took in a breath, "the only thing is, these are the best robes I've got right now, I'll need nicer ones if I'm to work at the Ministry."
"Oh that's wonderful!" Lily said. "Take the floo, you know how to get into the attic."
"Thank you." Remus left then and Lily turned back to Harry's compartment as Harry opened the window and leaned out. "By Mum!" he called, the whistle sounded and Maya crowded next to him. "Thank you for helping me at the platform Mrs. Potter." She said.
"Bye Harry." Lily said, "You're welcome Maya."
There was a rush of students getting on and another boy, a red head poked his head into the compartment, Lily could faintly hear him say "Can I sit here?"
"Yeah." Harry said.
He pulled back into the compartment and then waved good bye. The train whistled again and Lily stepped back as it began to pull out of the station. Ginny Weasley ran by, following the train as far as she could, Ariadne joined her. "Bye Harry!" Ariadne called. "Bye Ron!" Ginny called now.
"It doesn't get any easier." Lily turned to find Molly Weasley standing next to her. Lily suddenly realized she was crying and she quickly wiped the tears. She took Ariadne's hand when her nine year old came back to join her, the girl looked up at her mother. What were they supposed to do now?
Please review!
Oh, and I couldn't find if Hermione's parents are actually named in the books, so I just made up names, if you know where there's actual names feel free to point me in the right direction!