Chapter 2: Assistance is Given
Callie pushed her cart through the train station, carefully dodging the people rushing by with cell phones and brief cases. She had been to Flourish and Botts for her books and Madam Malkin's Robes for all occasions to get her school uniform. All her supplies were safely stashed in her new trunk. When a balding, middle aged man hit her shoulder, she quickly steadied herself and muttered 'bloody muggles,' under her breath. She bent down and whispered into the basket. Callie's calico cat, Commotion was still sleeping soundly after the rude disturbance. She quickly glanced behind her, wondering if maybe she could see Oliver again, but he was no where to be found. She sighed and checked the ticket that she had received in the mail once more.
"9 and 3/4?" she asked herself in a confused tone.
"What's that I hear?" asked a cheerful woman from behind. "Are you looking for platform 9 and 3/4 my dear? Well it's just this way, follow us." Callie watched as the red haired women lead five children, who all received the same genes, toward platform 9. Callie followed in the back of the line. She was intimidated by the huge family. She didn't want anyone to ask why her family wasn't there with her, saying good-bye and good luck. Two boys that appeared to be identical twins slowed their carts and ended up walking next to Callie.
"What's your name?" the one to her left asked.
"How old are you?" the other asked at almost the same time. Callie smiled nervously.
"I'm Callie Winnapeg and I'm 16." She answered. The boys looked confused at first. Then the one to her left continued.
"You have an accent love, how come we've never seen you at school before?"
Callie smiled genuinely this time. The boys seemed harmless just as Oliver had, so she was a little more generous with her next answer.
"Well, actually I was born in London, but we moved to the states when I was 9. I went to Cowlings, the school of wizardry in Texas but then when we decided to move back, I got accepted to Hogwarts." This time the boy to her right spoke.
"Smashing! You'll be a year ahead of us then. We're in 5th year, you'll be in 6th with some of our other friends…" He trailed off because they had apparently reached their destination. The red-haired family and Callie had stopped at the wall separating the 9th and 10th platforms of King's Cross Station. Callie watched as a young girl and a young boy ran into the wall and disappeared. She raised her eyebrows, impressed by the secret passageway. She was a bit disappointed when the two twins stepped forward without saying a word to her. Their mom called them Fred and George, so Callie knew their names, but she couldn't yet tell which was which. 'Ah well.' She said to herself.
"After you," a voice in front of her said. The older boy in the family stepped aside to let Callie go ahead of him. He smiled as she walked past him.
"Thanks much," she replied with a slight grin. She smiled at the kind women who had lead her here.
"Best do it at a run dear, if it's your first time." The women said. "I'm Molly Weasley by the way."
"Callie Winnapeg. Thanks again!" Callie waved enthusiastically as she ran toward the brick wall and disappeared with out a trace.
