Kio is mine, none of the others are... sigh Special thanks again to Morning Fey for your encouragement. I hope you like this one.
Standing at Platform 9 ¾ in her cranberry-colored robes, her black hair tied in braid down her back, Kio looked around at what were to be her future students. They were bustling about; some very scared-looking young ones clung to their mothers and fathers as if for dear life, while the older ones looked bored or annoyed with their parents' admonitions and cries to "be careful" and "don't eat too many sweets!" She smiled and stepped onto the train her snow owl, Dante, was sleeping peacefully in his cage. She took an empty compartment and rested Dante's cage on the shelf above her seat, slipping some owl treats into it before settling into her own seat, her black leather knapsack next to her. She watched the students get on the train as it blew its final whistle. Her eyes caught a family of bright red-haired people, a tall boy with glasses and an unruly mop of dark hair, and a lovely young girl with long, bushy hair. The mother was waving hugging two of her children, a tall lanky boy, and young girl, slightly younger than the boy, then the other two young people, before they headed into the train. "Hmm… future students. An interesting bunch," she thought to herself as she dug into her knapsack, taking out a book and beginning to read as the train moved away from the station. A knock on her compartment door brought her gaze upward, and it rested on a tall, large, black man. "He looks a little bit like Bubbles from the Muggle movie 'Lilo & Stitch'," she thought as she smiled up at him,
"Yes?" He smiled at her and asked in a noticeable British accent,
"Excuse me, would you mind if I shared this compartment with you? The others are occupied with students and I would rather get some time to myself, or at least with another adult, before I have to face the students every day for the next year." His voice was strong, but it was quiet as he spoke to her. She nodded,
"Go right ahead. I would be lying if I said I would not enjoy the company. I am Kionora Verales, new Muggle Studies professor at Hogwarts." She extended her hand to him once he was done putting his trunk on the shelf and strapping it there. He shook it warmly the hoop at his ear flickering a bit of light as he moved his head,
"Kingsley Shacklebolt, new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts. It is very nice to meet you, Kionora Verales." He settled into his seat, watching her with a friendly grin. She smiled,
"You can call me Kio, Señor Shacklebolt." Her Spanish accent came through as she spoke, though her English was quite good. He laughed a loud laugh,
"Then you can call me Kingsley, Kio, " he chuckled merrily, a twinkle in his dark eyes. She nodded and soon they began to talk over their various experiences in the wizarding community, where they grew up, and the similarities and differences between the Spanish community and the British community. They paused only to buy some pumpkin pasties and Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans from the trolley lady before continuing an animated and cheery conversation. Kio liked this man easily. He was very easygoing and she was impressed with his work as an Auror. It made sense that Dumbledore would want an Auror at Hogwarts now that Voldemort was back to his old tricks. She told him about going to a Muggle University and growing up in a family with Muggles. He listened attentively and before they knew it, they had reached the Hogsmeade Station and it was time to get off the train. She reached up and took Dante's cage from its perch, and at his gesture, walked out of the compartment first. He motioned that they share a carriage, ignoring the curious looks from the students, waving to Hagrid as he pointed them in the direction of the carriages. In a token of gentlemanly manners, Kingsley offered his hand to her, helping her into the carriage, then climbed in himself. The carriage sped toward the school and they continued their conversation. Once they reached the school, she placed her cage on top of the trunks already piled into the foyer and looked up to see Minerva waiting for them. She stepped forward and gave the formidable witch a hug,
"¿Como estas, Minerva?" she asked with a smile. Professor McGonagall hugged her back,
"I'm just fine, dear. I am glad to see you doing well, and I am very happy you are here." She then turned and greeted Kingsley. After the salutations, she led them into the Great Hall by the back way, emerging at the staff table, then with an encouraging smile she left to tend to the first-years. With a grin, Kingsley and Kio took their seats, one at each end, Kio sitting between McGonagall, or where McGonagall would sit, and Madam Hooch, while Kingsley sat between Professor Vector and…. She gasped as she looked into the very eyes that she had seen in London a few days before. Eyes she knew could hold incredible passion, intense love, or extreme anger. Quickly she looked away, biting her lip, and put on her brave face, looking ahead at the students coming in. He worked here! Here of all places! She had thought she could escape him, that she would not have to see him again. Now, he would be a constant presence! Her thoughts were panicked as she watched the first-years enter, "Dear heavens above, what is going to happen now?"