The morning was a hectic rush to get to King's Cross
Station. Once there, Hermione explained how to get to the magical
platform 9¾. "You just sort of push your way through, like it's not
even there," she explained.
Liz stared at the wall in front of her, trying to process
what she'd just been told. Her mind balked at the suggestion, But
that's a solid wall. Walls don't just disappear. It's scientifically
impossible.
She told her mind to let go of its preconceived
notions. It's time for a new set of rules. After all, if I
listened to you, I'd never accept that anything other than a weather balloon
crashed in the desert in 1947. And I know better.
Completely ignoring any retort from her mind, Liz took a
deep breath and muttered her new mantra, "It was just a weather
balloon."
Kyle was close enough to hear what she muttered and began to
chuckle.
Liz shot him a look and then began to walk towards the wall,
pushing her cart in front of her. Her eyes told her to stop. Her pulse began to race because her heart
believed her eyes. And yet, she kept
walking a little faster than before. Closer and closer until...just at
the point she expected to feel the impact from the wall, she walked on to
platform 9¾. She sighed heavily with relief.
Fred and George were waiting on the other side. She
stood with them waiting for the rest to cross the barrier.
Once Hermione crossed she exclaimed, "How strange!
That's not the Hogwart's Express."
The conductor was passing at that moment and he explained,
"No, Miss, that's the Hogsmeade Daily train. The Hogwart's Express
only takes over on traditional school transport days. There aren't enough
students traveling this time for that to happen. But we have a car on the
end just for you students so that you can travel in peace. Follow me,
please." And with that he led the way to the end car of the train.
Ginny leaned in conspiratorially and said, "And to keep
Fred and George away from the rest of the passengers."
They all were laughing as they boarded the train.
Once the train departed, Liz rode for an hour without speaking at all to Kyle,
who was sitting beside her. Fred was lying across several seats,
sleeping. And George was seated in
front of the Roswell pair.
Kyle grew tired of being ignored and moved to join Ron,
Harry and the girls, watching their game of Exploding Snap.
Liz sighed heavily after Kyle left and then tried to pretend
to read.
George moved to sit beside her. "What did he
do?" he asked with a slight smile.
"He's being stubborn, like always," she replied
with a bit too much venom.
"Uh huh. And um...exactly how long did the two of
you date?" he asked knowingly.
"Is it that obvious?" she asked with some
embarrassment.
"Only to me, as a far as I know. But I tend to
watch and study people. Of course I'm usually trying to figure out the
best practical joke to play on them, but not today," he answered.
Liz raised one eyebrow and asked, "Is that a promise?"
George laughed softly then nodded. His eyes were completely sincere.
"We did date, for about six months, but that was a while back. Then this whole 'I'm a witch, he's a wizard' thing happened and sort of threw us both for a loop. So we got closer again. I actually thought he was starting to be OK again until last night. I had a nightmare and he got up to check on me, which was kind of sweet actually. But then he started whining and spouting off at the mouth. That really ticked me off," she shook her head at the memory.
"You already said he was spooked. Couldn't he
also have been too tired to realize he was putting his foot in his mouth
instead of helping?" George asked.
"Yeah, I guess so," she said hesitantly.
"So you think I should get over it and forgive him?"
"I do, at least until you are both more
comfortable. Then if he's still a prat,
you'll have a good reason to be ticked," he answered.
"OK," Liz laughed.
"I think I can do that."
"Besides, with us lot around, you'll probably be
needing your American friend. As an
anchor, if for no other reason," he whispered conspiratorially with one
eyebrow raised.
"True," she laughed. "In the meantime,
slip him one of your famous little yellow crème sweets."
"That I can do," he chuckled as he rose.
"I'm headed over to join the Exploding Snap game. Join us?"
"Yeah, I think I will," she smiled standing.
When they arrived at Hogsmeade Station they found two of the horseless
carriages waiting to take them to the school. Kyle climbed into one with
Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Liz, Ginny, Fred and George took the other one.
Liz practically hung out the window trying to get the best
glimpse of the school in the summer twilight.
When the reached the castle the carriages stopped at the
stairs to the front entrance of the school, Ginny leaned over and pointed to
one of the many turrets, exclaiming, "See that one? That's
Gryffindor Tower, our home sweet home, while at school."
"We sleep in a tower?" Liz asked with excitement.
"Yes, we do," Ginny answered with a smile.
"That's great. This place is so huge," Liz
exclaimed.
"It is, but you'll get used to it," Fred said to
reassure her.
"But how long will that take?" she asked.
"If you want the regular ways around, not long. But if you want the short cuts, ask Fred and
George. They're the experts,"
Ginny answered with a wink.
Professor McGonagall stood at the entranceway, waiting for
them to finish their climb.
She spoke up when they reached her, "Welcome to
Hogwart's, Mr. Valenti, Miss Parker. I hope you will enjoy your summer
with us. It is also good to see the rest of you. I appreciate your
efforts here this summer as well. Now, if you will all please follow
me."
She led the way to the Great Hall and to the huge feast that
awaited Professor Dumbledore's word to appear.
Instead of the long tables that Hermione had described for
them, they walked in to just one table set for eight sitting directly in front
of the teacher's table. The others were nowhere in sight.
But the enchanted ceiling and the floating candles were
incredible. Liz was staring up as she walked and ran into Kyle, who was
also staring.
"Oof!" she exclaimed and quietly apologized to
him.
They found their seats and waited for whatever was going to
happen next.
Once they were seated, Professor Dumbledore stood.
"Welcome to Hogwart's. I hope you find this summer as exciting as we
will. Just a reminder, the forest is still forbidden. And that is
that. Let's eat."
More food than they'd ever be able to eat, teenaged boys
included, suddenly appeared in front of them and the feast began.
Once the feast ended, Hermione led them to Gryffindor tower.
At the feast, Professor McGonagall gave her a shiny new prefect's badge and
asked that she begin her duties that very night.
When they reached the dorms, the girls discovered that they
were sharing the room that Hermione normally used during the regular school
year. The boys were all using Ron and Harry's regular room.
As soon as the boys reached their room the first thing they
unpacked was their broomsticks.
"OK, so show me how this thing works," Kyle said
to Ron.
"You just hold your hand over it and say 'Up.' It
should start floating, then you'll be able to climb on," he answered.
"Would it be bad to practice the 'Up' part before
class?" Kyle asked.
"No. You can do that now, but don't try to fly in
here. OK?" Ron suggested.
"OK," Kyle answered. Then placed his hand
out like Ron had shown him and said, "Up." The broom rose
unwavering into Kyle's hand.
"Looks like we have another natural," exclaimed
Fred with a smile.
"How are you at throwing a ball through a hoop?"
asked George.
"Better than most, if we are talking about basketball.
That hoop is about this big," he indicated with his arms.
A smile spread on the twin's faces as they exchanged glances
and raised opposite eyebrows.
"Interesting. Very interesting," George
said.
"We may have a job for you at some point," Fred chuckled, as a plan seemed to form in his mind.