Chapter Fourteen, Hogwarts
The day had finally arrived. The day Raiden would be going to Hogwarts and Jasper didn't know how he felt about that, though he did have a surprise for Raiden, which Remus knew about. He had just finished cooking some pancakes for Raiden and Remus who were finishing getting ready, while he sucked on a blood pop that was Abraxan flavour, the box said. It helped him more with his gift and he wanted to make sure he wasn't overwhelmed while on the platform. He had sold his home after their trip to Diagon Alley and moved in with Remus and Raiden to help settle the bond again, the money from his house he used for repairs to Remus' house as it was the least he could do for him as he was letting him stay in his home.
"You didn't have to cook for us, Jasper but thank you." Remus said gratefully as he sat at the table and made himself some coffee to go with his chocolate and blueberry pancakes.
"I wanted to. You told me what a rush it is on September 1st and I wanted to help." Jasper said as he sat opposite Remus leaving the seat free between them for Raiden who ran into the room.
"Sorry Hedwig only just came back from hunting." He apologised as he sat between them. "Thank you Jazz." Raiden said kissing his cheek as he poured himself some orange juice to go with his pancakes and fruit.
"You're welcome Rai." Jasper said smiling happily at his mate. "How're you feeling?" He asked, even though he knew Raiden was feeling as anxious as he was.
"I'm not sure." Raiden muttered playing with his food for a moment until Jasper's hand covered his own.
"Everything's going to be okay, Rai. I promise and I'll see you every Hogsmeade weekend okay?" Jasper assured with a soft smile even if he was feeling the same way. Raiden nodded sending his own soft smile back at Jasper.
"Okay." Raiden said softly as he went back to his food knowing they had to leave soon.
It was half ten when Remus, Raiden and Jasper finally arrived at Kings Cross, Jasper pushing the trolley when they saw a familiar blonde vampire stood just inside the entrance of the station waiting for them.
"Rosie." Raiden exclaimed as he raced into his sister's open arms hugging her tightly just as she held him breathing in his scent. Finally feeling at peace since Raiden disappeared. "I missed you, but what are you doing here?" Raiden asked pulling back slightly as Rosalie rested a hand on his cheek.
"I missed you too Rai. Jasper told me you were going to that school and I had to come see you before you left. Don't worry none of the others know, they are sorry though Rai. It was all Bella like you said." Rosalie said spitting out the girl's name as if it was something foul in her mouth. "I give them hell for it don't worry. Please be careful there I don't trust this Dumbledore."
"Neither do we, it's why we took precautions a few months ago." Remus said drawing Rosalie's attention to him. "Remus Lupin, Raiden's father and Godfather." He said sticking his hand out to Rosalie. The blonde female smiled and shook his hand though she let Raiden go back to Jasper who was looking rather tense, even if she did want to hug her brother for longer.
"Rosalie Hale, Rai's and Jasper's sister." She introduced.
"Pleasure. You can come with us onto the platform if you'd like? You'd have to hold onto me and Jasper onto Rai otherwise neither of you will gain access to it." Remus offered as they made their way to Platforms nine and ten.
"Rai, all you need to do is run at the wall between platforms nine and ten and you'll appear on Platform 9 3/4." Remus instructed. Raiden nodded his head taking a deep breath as Jasper stood beside him holding onto the trolley as they ran at the wall (Jasper at human speed), just as they were about to hit the wall Raiden closed his eyes, but opened them when he didn't feel a crash.
"Wow!" Raiden gasped as he looked around the platform. Looking from the sign, to the scarlet steam engine billowing steam on the crowded platform, a symphony of noise from people talking, to cats miaowing and owls hooting. "Are you okay Jazz?" Raiden asked concerned just as his Dad and Rosalie appeared, Rosalie looking round in wonder much like Raiden and Jasper had.
"I'm fine, Rai." Jasper assured as he kissed Raiden's forehead.
And he was. As his mate Raiden's scent was able to block out everything else on the platform.
"We better find you a seat Cub." Remus said looking at the time and leading the way down the platform. Unfortunately all the carriages seemed to be full until they came to one that held a girl a year younger than Raiden who had ice blonde hair, had pink funny glasses sat on top of her head and was reading a magazine that read, 'The Quibbler.'
"Excuse me," Raiden asked as he knocked on the door. "Is it okay if I join you?" He asked uncertainly Jasper stood just behind him with his trunk.
The girl looked up with ice blue eyes that had a look in them thar reminded the pair of Alice, and a kind and happy smile upon her face.
"Of course." She said happily as she put her magazine to the side. "I'm Luna Lovegood." She introduced, holding her hand out as Raiden sat Hedwig's cage on the seat opposite her.
"Raiden Lupin." Raiden said as he shook her hand.
"Jasper Whitlock Ma'am." Jasper introduced politely.
"Oh your mates. That's amazing. I'm sorry you're going to be parted for awhile though. Are you related to Professor Lupin?" Luna asked serenely.
"He's Rai's Dad and I can visit him during the weekends." Jasper said with a hint of sadness in his voice.
"Luna, do you mind watching Hedwig please. While I go say goodbye?" Raiden asked.
"Not at all. I'll see you soon." Luna said as she sat back down and started reading her magazine again.
"Now, that we're all settled in and Sorted I have a few things to announce." Professor Dumbledore called to the Great Hall always large. "First; let us welcome our new fourth year student in Slytherin, Raiden Lupin. Who has been homeschooled until now. Second; welcome back Professor R. J. Lupin who will be sharing his duties with a dear friend of mine; Alastor Moody. Yes, Raiden is Professor Lupin's son." He said raising his voice to settle down everyone as whispered had sprung around the Hall like wildfire. "And third; this castle will not only be your home this year, but home for some very special guests as well." He said before Mr Filch interrupted him, after sending him on his way he continued.
"Hogwarts has been chosen to host a legendary event; the Triwizard Tournament. For those of you who font know, the Triwizard Tournament brings together three schools, for a series of magical contests that only a single student, from each school is selected to compete. Now, let me be clear. It chosen, you stand alone. And trust me when I say, these contests are not for the faint-hearted. But more on that later." Dumbledore's firm demeanour quickly changing into a lighter one, though his eyes did keep drifting over towards Raiden.
"Now, please join me in welcoming the lovely ladies of the Beauxbaton Academy of Magic and their Headmistress, Madame Maxine." Dumbledore said as the Great Halls doors opened and a group of teenaged girls if around seventeen entered. All of them dressed in a pale blue uniform made of silk and each with different coloured hair ranging from pale blonde to dark brown. As they entered they ran down the Hall sighing before they released blue butterflies, revealing a young girl doing gymnastics and her older sister dancing behind her with their Headmistress (who was as tall as Hagrid maybe taller due to heels) trailing behind them with a large smile on her face.
After kissing the Headmistress' hand Dumbledore stood back on the Dias raising his hands to silence all the whistles and jeers going around the Hall, while Raiden sat there completely unimpressed with the degrading reaction from everyone.
"And now, our friends from the North. Please greet the proud sons of Durmstrang and their High Master Igor Karkaroff." Dumbledore shouted over the noise as another group of students entered the Hall. This time all the students were male and dressed in thick fur lined uniform. As they entered the group of teens banged their staffs on the stone floor causing sparks to fly as as they chanted.
Like the girls from Beauxbatons, the guys took off running to the front of the Hall doing tricks just as another student entered drawing everyone's attention, followed by his Headmaster. As the final two neared the front of the Hall a student breathed fire which turned from a serpent into a Phoenix.
"Albus." Igor cried in a thick accent as he embraced Dumbledore.
"Igor." Dumbledore greeted as he embraced him.
Once everyone was seated the feast began and Raiden has a feeling it was going to be a long year.
"So, Raiden how're you feeling now?" Blaise Zambini asked, he had introduced himself to Raiden when he joined the Slytherin Tahoe and took him under his wing as it were.
"Much better now thanks." Raiden replied. "How was your summer?" He asked politely, waving to Luna when she waved to him. Raiden and Luna had become fast friends on the train, promising to stay friends even though they were in different Houses. Raiden had defended her on the train when some students started picking on her and had Hexed them quite badly.
Whispers had already begun to spread about what had happened on the train but Raiden didn't care, least everyone would know what would happen if they picked on her again.
"Quite well thank you." Blaise said pulling Raiden from his thoughts. "Maman and I spent most of it in Italy." He said before he went into detail. Raiden was happy to say he had at least made two friends in his first few hours here, but he would be writing to Jasper tonight as he not only missed him a great deal already, but he would let him know about everything that had happened so far.
Maybe things were looking up?