It was the day before they had to be at Platform 9 and ¾, and Molly decided that they should have a big dinner together, including Charlie and Bill if their schedules allow it. Ginny, Ron, and Kyla set up the table outside as Fred and George laid out in the sun, "supervising" them. As they finished the work, Ginny glared at her tow lazy bums of brothers, and Kyla noticed a pitcher of water that Molly brought out for them. Kyla nudged Ginny and pointed to the pitcher. A grin danced across Ginny's face, as she understood Kyla's meaning. Ginny picked up the water and crept towards Fred and George. They had their eyes shut, and for once in their lives, they were truly innocent. Ginny quickly poured out the containments of the pitcher on them, and watched their reactions. Fred rolled off his lawn chair, while George jumped up on his feet. They both faced Ginny who was trying her best to hold back laughter. They started walking towards her, and she quickly ran away. Fred and George ran after her screaming, "We're going to kill you!"
Kyla who was sitting on the bench found this whole situation amusing, and tried hide her giggles the best she could. Ron sat down next to her and said, "It is official a Weasley party. Siblings have threat to kill each other." Kyla started giggling even harder when he said that.
After everyone was seat, and introductions were made to Bill and Charlie they dug in the food. They all started talking about three different topics, and finally the subject came up to Ireland. Kyla shifted uncomfortably, and kept her head down low. Bill cleared his throat and said, "It's about time they got a democracy. I heard the last Chairman was a complete horror."
Kyla started fiddling with the food, and Ron watched, concerned. "Didn't the first Chairman die for an attack but that rebel group, Lucky Charms I think is what they called themselves?" Arthur asked.
"Irish Luck," Charlie corrected, and Kyla cringed out the sound of the name. Charlie looked over at her and asked, "Didn't you say you were from Dublin? What's your take on all this?"
They all watched her as they waited for an answer. Kyla's head filled with millions of different answers, but she would never say any of them out loud. She shrugged and said, "Es muy mal."
They all paused for a second and Ron translated, "It's very bad." There was a mummer of agreement through out the table, and Kyla shifted her weight. Ron whispered in her ear, "Are you ok?" Kyla shook her head, but then nodded. Ron took her hand in his and he said, "We can talk after dinner if you want." Kyla nodded in response to that.
After dinner, and all of the dishes were cleared away, Kyla and Ron sat down on a bench that was a good distance away from the house. Kyla sighed and looked up towards the stars. Ron sat next to her, and watched her, not saying a word. Finally, Kyla looked at Ron and said, "Yo no soy princesa."
Ron smiled and said, "Ok, never thought you were."
Kyla sighed and stared at the ground. She took a deep breath and said, "Soy futura Chairman."
Ron looked at her, and smile appeared across his face. He let out a laugh and said, "Ha ha, very funny Kyla. Yeah, you're the Chairman of Ireland. Yeah, like you rule all of Ireland." When Kyla still didn't say anything, and kept looking shamefully at the ground, Ron said, "Oh my God, you are. You're the Chairman of Ireland. You…"
Ron drifted off, not knowing what to say anymore. He stared at her until she said, "Necesito todavía mi inauguración ceremonia."
"Hold on, let me figure this out," Ron said and thought about what she just said. "You need… today or something, your inauguración, what is that? Oh, inauguration… ceremony. So, you need your inauguration ceremony." Kyla nodded, and then Ron asked, "Since you never got it, does that mean you aren't really the Chairman?"
Kyla nodded pleased someone finally got it. Everything that went wrong after her parents death, they blamed on her, even though she wasn't in power. Ron looked at her confused and asked, "Why are you Chairman?"
"Mi edad," Kyla told him, and Ron looked at her utterly confused. Kyla thought for a moment and said, "Era demasiado joven." Still when Ron gave her a confused look she said, "Yo demasiado pequeño." She took her thumb and pointer finger, and brought them close together, leaving very little space between them.
After a moment of thought, Ron said, "You were too little, right? Too young?" Katherine nodded, and Ron looked at her. He had been with someone who was like royalty and never knew it. Then the thought dawned on him. He hung his head and muttered, "Damn."
"Qué?" Kyla asked.
"Ginny was right about the whole Irish royalty," Ron told her. Kyla gave him a look but didn't ask about. Ron turned his attention to the sky and asked, "Who knows about it?"
"Dumbledore," Kyla answered him.
Ron turned his attention back to her and asked, "Anyone else?"
Kyla thought about it and then said, skeptically, "Severus Snape."
"But you didn't tell anyone else?" Ron asked, the corners of his lip curling into a smile. When Kyla shook her head, he asked, "So, I'm the only one you wanted to know beside Dumbledore?" When Kyla nodded, he asked, "Do you want Ireland to be come a democracy?" Kyla nodded vigorously. "So what you are saying is, you would gladly give up your position, and let the people rule?" Kyla nodded, extremely large nods. "So, that's is why you don't want to go home." Kyla nodded, and when Ron smiled at her, she felt extremely relieved.
A gentle summer's rain started to fall from the sky. It was small, raindrops that tickled when they fell on Kyla and Ron. Ron shrugged them off, and said, "We should probably go inside soon."
Kyla didn't say anything, sighed, closed her eyes and lifted her head up to the sky. In the back of her mind she recalled a seen with a four year old crying because her mother wouldn't let her outside in the rain. After the mother said stop behaving like such a child and stormed off, the little girl stared out her window. There was a little boy around her age outside, stomping in the puddles. He waved to the girl who waved back, but shook her head. The boy nodded sadly and went back to stomping in puddles.
"Kyla," Ron said softly in her ear. Kyla broke out of her trance and looked back at Ron. He smiled at her, and she smiled back. Ron moved a little closer to her, and started to lean in. There was deep, long noise that sounded like a growl, which made Kyla jump. When Kyla jumped it made the bench tip over. Ron and Kyla both started laughing until tears formed in their eyes. Ron wiped away a tear and asked, "Are you ok?"
"Prefecto," Kyla told him with a huge grin.
"Hey, Hermione," Harry called at the train station. He waved her over and gave her a hug.
"Hi Harry, can you belief it, were are only train ride way from Hogwarts," Hermione told him with a giant smile.
Harry nodded and spotted Mrs. Weasley. As she walked over to them, he asked, "Where's Ron and Ginny?"
"Oh, I think they went on the train to save sits," Mrs. Weasley told them. "Now, I made each of you some lunches. Enjoy them, stay save, and study hard." Mrs. Weasley told them, hand over lunches. She pulled them both in a giant huge and said, "Better hurry or you'll miss the train."
They waved goodbye to her and quickly boarded the train. They traveled through a couple compartments until they found Ginny talking to Dean. "Ginny have you seen Ron?" Harry asked.
"Yeah, he is a couple compartments down," Ginny told them. As they turned to leave, Ginny called after Harry, "Wait, Harry, can I talk to you for a moment?"
Hermione looked at Harry and Harry said, "Go ahead Hermione, I'll be there in a second."
Hermione nodded and continued on. In the next compartment were Malfoy and his gang. She walked past them, ignoring their snide comments and remarks. The next compartment was of people she didn't know, and finally near the back of the train was Ron sitting on the bench facing her, smiling. Hermione smiled back at him, but heard a giggle. Hermione soon saw Ron wasn't smiling at her, but at the owner of the giggle. Hermione felt something tug at her stomach, as she sat down next to Ron. Ron slowly shifted his attention from Kyla to Hermione. He smiled briefly and said, "Hullo Hermione."
Hermione smiled sweetly at Ron, and asked, "So Ron, how was your summer?"
"Uh, fine," Ron said, glancing quickly back at Kyla.
Hermione cleared her throat, and asked, "So Ron, who is your friend?"
"Oh right," Ron said. "This is Kyla. Kyla, Hermione. Kyla is a family friend, she spent most of August with us."
"Oh, where are you from, Kyla?" Hermione asked with bitter cheerfulness.
"Dublin," Kyla answered her, eyes cast down.
"Oh, how nice," Hermione said. Then she turned to Ron and asked, "So Ron, did you make Perfect again?"
"No," Ron said, rather happily. "Let me guess, you made Prefect again." Hermione chest swelled with pride as she nodded. "What a big surprise."
"Well, it won't be the same without you there Ron," Hermione told him with a smile. She moved a little closer, which caused Kyla to shoot Hermione an annoyed glare. She laughed and said, "Do you remember when McGonagall got so made at you for calling the first years munchkins?"
"Well they were," Ron defended, also laughing. Kyla stiffen up and felt like she was being left out of a joke. Ron looked over to her and noticed that she looked rather lonely. He moved across to sit next to her, which caused Hermione to glare at Kyla. Ron leaned in and whispered something in her ear. As Kyla giggled, Hermione felt a rush of blood to her face, and she clenched her hands into fists.
The compartment door slide open to reveal Harry, who was looking pleased. Harry walked over and sat down next to Hermione. Hermione cleared her throat and said, "Harry this is Kyla, a family friend of Ron's," Hermione told him, even though her voice sounded cheerful, he eyes narrowed at Kyla. Something Kyla noticed, and returned the glare.
"Hi again," Harry said, glaring at Kyla also.
"Again?" Hermione asked, this time her glare directed towards Harry.
Harry shifted uncomfortably and said, "Yeah, I met her at Diagon Ally, right after you left."
"Oh, was I the only one who didn't meet her?" Hermione asked.
Harry and Ron nodded, and then Harry asked, "Ron, can I see you for a second?"
Ron nodded eagerly, wanting to get away from a very angry Hermione. Ron and Harry walked over to the far corner and Ron asked, "So, what's up Harry?"
"How much do you know about Kyla?" Harry asked in an almost silent whisper.
"A good amount," Ron told him.
"How about this?" Harry asked, and handed Ron an old article about the heir to the Ireland throne disappearing. Ron looked at the picture. It was a girl whose brownish red hair had been curl, and carefully pinned back. Even though the girl was smiling, her brown eyes were still dark with sadness. The girl was dressed very formally, and had exquisite jewelry on. Harry asked, "Recognize someone?"
Ron mouth hung open and after a second he commanded, in a very quiet voice, "Harry, you can't tell anyone about this, or mention it to Kyla."
"Why?" Harry asked.
"Just don't," Ron asked of him.
"Fine," Harry agreed, and went to take back his article, but Ron pulled the article out of his reach.
"I'll keep this," Ron told him. Harry stared at him. Ron had never acted like this before, he had changed, and Harry wasn't sure if he liked the new Ron. However, Harry nodded and walked back over to his seat. Ron looked at the article and sighed. She really did look like a princess. Ron folded up the article and placed it in his pocket.
As Ron walked back over to his seat, the compartment doors slide open. Draco, Crabbe, Goyle, and Pansy walked in. Harry groaned and said, "I was hoping for just one peaceful ride on the train with out you showing up."
Draco sneered at him, and then his eyes rested upon Kyla. His sneer grew even wider, and he asked, "Well, who is this?"
"No one, go away Malfoy," Ron told him, his eyes narrowing at him.
"Does the mudblood lover have a new mudblood in his life?" Pansy asked. Kyla glared at her, stood up and slapped her across the face. Pansy took a step back in shock and asked to Draco, "She hit me, are you going to let her hit me?"
"No," Draco said as a smile appeared across his face. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her closer to him. Draco leaned in and whispered, "Aren't you feisty?" Kyla sneered at him, and elbowed him in the stomach. He let go of her wrist and took a step back also. Kyla glared at him, and he said, "Damn, you're really feisty."
Draco made a motion towards Kyla again, but this time Ron jumped up, pointed his wand at Draco and muttered, "Don't you dare lay one of your filthily paws on her."
Draco took another step back from surprise that Ron would be bold enough to point his wand at Draco. In fact, everyone was surprised by this action. Hermione first found it surprising, but then she found herself jealous that Ron had never done that for her all those times Malfoy insulted her. Hermione shot a nasty glance at Kyla, as though she was to blame.
"Well, it looks as though he does have a new love, sorry mudblood, you've been replaced," Draco told Hermione.
Ron stuck his wand under Draco's throat and said, "Don't talk to her like that."
Draco raised an eyebrow and asked, "Triangle?" Ron poked Draco slightly with his wand and Draco responded, "Ok, we'll go. We'll leave you to your tangled web of love."
After they filed out, Ron let out a huge sigh of relief, and slumped back into his seat. Harry and Hermione looked at him, while Kyla smiled and sat down next to him. Ron looked at her smile that was full of gratitude, and smile back at her. Hermione's eyes got wide with horror and then she asked, "Ron, where did that come from?"
"Oh well, I don't know," Ron said rather sheepishly. Ron's hand found it ways to Kyla's, and he gave it small squeeze. An act that went unnoticed by Harry, who was staring at the window, but was noticed by Hermione. Kyla and Hermione locked eyes for the first time the entire train ride, and Harry thought it would have been better if they hadn't. Hermione glared at Kyla, and Kyla returned the feeling. Harry could feel the heat their eyes were giving off, and knew that if Kyla landed in Gryffindor, it would not be a pleasant year.
The whistle on the train blew and the four of them scurried out of the train. As they hurried out of the train and towards the carriages, Hermione grabbed Luna. Hermione, Luna, and Harry climbed into carriage, followed by Ron. Hermione then quickly said, "Sorry, we have four already."
"That's ok, Kyla and I will catch the next carriage," Ron told her and started to climb out.
"Why, we can take her," Draco told Ron, and placed his arm around Kyla's shoulder. Ron began to protest, but Draco shut the carriage door. Kyla shot a longing glance at Ron's carriage as Draco, lead her in his carriage. Pansy and Crabbe were already in the carriage. Kyla was pushed into the seat next to Crabbe, as Draco settled next to Pansy. Pansy was shooting fierce looks at Kyla. As Draco started to speak, Pansy place a hand on his shoulder and Kyla felt a strong urge to giggle at such a possessive act, like Kyla really wanted Draco. Draco smirked at Kyla and said, "I take it you are going to be in Gryffindor."
Kyla shrugged and tried to focus on the scenery passing by. Pansy cleared her throat and said, "She probably will end up in Hufflepuff."
Crabbe let out a grunt and looked Kyla over. Kyla could feel him inspecting every aspect of her with his eyes. Kyla shifted uncomfortably, and wished she could punch him in the nose. Draco sensed her discomfort and smiled. He said, "You know, if you be nice, we might be able to get you in the right crowd."
Kyla shook her head and focused her attention to anything else. "Are you sure? Once you walk through the doors the officer expires," Draco reminded her.
Kyla shook her head. As the door to the carriage opened, revealing Hogwarts to Kyla for the first time. As Kyla climbed out of the carriage, Pansy said, "Good riddance."
A/N: yeah! thanks for reviewing! and eckles I was so planning to add the rivalry and the fact that you figured it out made me feel special! yeah, way to help boost my small ego! and thanks to everyone else who reviewed, who are mostly my friends but who really cares because they still review! thanks yall!
