V
September 1st, 1991
When Yvonne takes her first step out into the streets of Muggle London, her jaw slackens immediately.
The thunderous roar outside of St. Pancras Hotel stuns her into silence. Cars, buses, motorbikes—they all fly down the asphalt street, their tires scratching loudly over the road surface. The buildings are large and layered with glass and metal, with brightly colored words written into the stone.
Looking into the distance, the city seems to eat up the morning sky and stretch into the horizon.
Then, there's the noise of the people. And there's many of them too—walking, running, talking, coughing, crossing the street, unloading things, the clicking heels and rattling wheels, shouts and laughs—it's an endless loop of sound that echoes and echoes until Yvonne can't hear herself think over the explosion of commotion.
Yvonne flinches left and right from the coming and going sounds—a Muggle passes by on one side, talking into his hand, then a car shrieks from the other side, swerving around another car. She can barely walk in a straight line without a stumble, much less navigate the short distance from the exit of their hotel into King's Cross Station.
Luckily, her mother is next to her, a tight grip on her hand, and is all but pulling her towards the entrance.
Head swinging around, Yvonne's eyes are trying to take in as much as they can. She can't believe how populated and raucous London is.
When her parents had pushed to leave her sisters back at home with her aunt, Yvonne had simply thought that her parents wanted to send her off without having to manage five children at once.
But, now, Yvonne understands.
Willow would have a conniption, Tammy and Maggy could get lost in the crowds, and poor baby Aveline would be traumatised by it all.
Already Copernicus, her new cat, is hunkering down in his cage, ears flat and eyes wide. She can see the fear clear on his face from where her father pushes him and the rest of her luggage on a trolley.
"Alright there, biche?" Her mother asks, pulling her closer as they cross the street.
Yvonne really can't decide if she loves or hates the stark differences between Muggle and Magical London. It's so foreign to the point that it almost makes her feel a little anxious and yet her eyes haven't stopped moving since they left the exit of the hotel.
There's an obvious, gaping unknown that looms over the Muggle World, but she's endlessly curious despite her unease. The things she's seeing are terrifying and strange, but the urge to understand overpowers everything else.
"I'm fantastic!" she decides, turning to her mother with a wide smile. "I never knew there was this much stuff in the world! It's brilliant!"
Her father laughs from ahead of them. "You'll definitely be taking Muggle Studies come Year 3."
Yvonne gasps with delight. "Hogwarts has a class on Muggles?"
Her reaction causes both of her parents to laugh merrily.
Stepping into King's Cross, the boom of the busy street is dampened but the large, open space makes the chatter of people multiply. The ceiling of the station is a giant dome with ivory metal beams criss-crossing into a kaleidoscope and all the sounds are locked in by its weight.
A woman's voice suddenly calls out resoundingly through the building and Yvonne has to cover her ears as the whole station is given information about unattended luggage.
The Muggle World is so loud.
Silent in the face of all the noise, the Shacklebolts move through the station, Muggles naturally avoiding and stepping around them (some type of magic on the trolley, Yvonne assumes).
Her father is clearly comfortable though, easily taking the path through the thinning crowd, turnstile, and overhang in a confusing twist of steps that Yvonne can hardly focus on. The sign of Platform 9 is upon them soon enough and the family of three turn onto the walkway between tracks.
Next to them, there's a train idle in the station and Muggles are rushing to get their tickets checked before hopping on.
Yvonne thinks the smiles she sees on the boarding passengers matches her own.
Excitement is a feeling she recognizes well.
Interrupting her watchfulness, her father stops in front of a stone archway and then turns to her.
"Do you remember what I've told you?" he asks, face half-serious.
Yvonne shares a look with her mother—who rolls her eyes at her father—before stepping up to the trolley and putting her hands on the bar.
"I'm going to run straight through without stopping. Then, I'll wait on the other side until you and Mama come through. Stay with the trolley and don't get mixed in with the crowds."
Her father nods in confirmation, pats her shoulder twice, and then steps back to stand with her mother.
"Oh, Kingsley, stop!" Julienne playfully scolds her husband. "She will be fine. It will only be a moment. You worry too much."
Julienne takes his arm and sends an encouraging smile to her daughter who looks back once with a determined face before running at the wall. Yvonne and her trolley disappear into the stone.
Kingsley lets out a weathered sigh and looks at Julienne with sad eyes. "I can't help it. My baby girl is off to Hogwarts."
Kissing her husband's cheek, Julienne leans into him, offering him support. He's clearly more upset about Yvonne's departure than he's let on. "She will do well, husband, we know this, hein? So, put on your brave face and send her off with a smile!"
The father takes a moment to collect himself on the platform but, on the other side of the wall, Yvonne's mouth hangs open for the second time today.
The noise of Platform 9 ¾ is considerably lessened, but the giant, crimson-red train is an amazing sight. Warm steam fogs up the station as the train huffs and puffs like a giant beast resting in its den. Families mill about, loading up luggage and saying their goodbyes.
Yvonne thinks all of it is wonderful and she can't contain the laugh she breathes out.
Her eyes catch the sign emblazoned with Hogwarts Express in fancy script.
It's happening, her mind chants. It's finally happening! Her fingers dance on the bar of the trolley. She's going to be an official Hogwarts student by the end of the day!
A hand abruptly appears on her shoulder and she's so deep in her excitement that she hardly startles.
"Let's get your luggage on, alright?" Her father's voice is all warmth and he gives her a smile to match her own.
Yvonne nods eagerly and follows after her parents as they all move closer to the train, passing by the caches of other excited students.
It takes minimal effort to load up Yvonne's luggage. Her father is a sturdy man with more strength than his job requires and he easily throws her trunks into the belly of the train. Adding in the help of the train attendant, it's not long until Yvonne is left with only her carry-on case and the cage that houses a grooming Copernicus.
As soon as they walk off to the side, her mother gives her a tight hug.
"Ma douce bibiche, toute grande et en route pour Hogwarts!" Her mother babbles in French for a moment about her taking the first steps of growing up and going off to school before switching back to English.
"I know you will do well in your studies, but, promise me you will have fun. Put down your books and enjoy the day once and a while. Smelling the roses is the saying, yes? You cannot make friends with your nose buried away."
"Yes, Mama, I know. I will try." Yvonne dutifully responds.
"And send us letters often, okay? Your sisters and I will want to hear from you, but I know Willow will miss you immensely."
Yvonne's lips pull tight at the thought of her sister. She struggles around the rising pressure in her throat. "I will, I promise."
Her mother pulls her into another hug and kisses her forehead softly. Yvonne squeezes back and tries to inhale as much as can of her mother's scent.
Today, her mother smells like the freesias they've been growing in the back and Yvonne is sad to think she won't be there when her mother will take them to craft a bountiful bouquet for the house later on in the month.
When her mother finally pulls back, her father is silent as he steps up to her. He looks at her like she's never seen before. There's a weight to the frim set of his mouth and his dark eyes are bright as they take her in slowly.
Her father is going to cry, Yvonne realises, and the pressure in her throat increases by tenfold.
Despite her height for an eleven year old, when her father crouches down in front of her, he's still a head taller than her.
Her lively, chocolate eyes meet his serious onyx ones and the moment he opens his arms to her, Yvonne is crashing into his body.
"I'm so proud of you, princess." Her father rasps and Yvonne laughs wetly at the nickname she hasn't heard since she was six.
"You're going to love Hogwarts and do so well in whatever House you're sorted into. Make sure to write me often and tell me all about the new things you learn—I'll make sure I get the letters no matter where I am."
"Papa," Yvonne sniffs, burying her face into his heavy chest. Her father's arms tighten around her and she can feel his body expand and deflate with the huge, shaky breath he lets out.
Yvonne herself is not doing much better. The excitement that has been burning up in her since this morning is frozen in her chest.
She's never been away from her family before and now she's saying goodbye to them for a whole nine months! Sure, she'll be back for the Yuletide break, but even that's three months away from now. It already feels too long; what will she do when she misses them?
All of this time, she's been so eager to get to Hogwarts that she's forgotten how separated she'll be from her family.
Gently, her father lets her go, moving back to rest a hand on her cheek. Uncaring of the people around them, he doesn't wipe at the wetness around his eyes.
Like him, Yvonne's chin is wobbling and her throat is stopped up.
"Papa," she sniffles once more.
"I know, Princess Yvonne, but you must go now so you can become a Hogwarts student. Your mother will never forgive me if I make you cry. You know your mother is not one for tearful goodbyes." He jokes and presses a long kiss to her cheek.
Yvonne scrunches up her face in an attempt to keep the tears away.
Seeing the conflict on her daughter's face, Julienne steps forward and joins in on their hug. She wraps her warmth around them and tries to soothe the welling emotions they are all feeling.
The family of three embrace each other, silently and with heavy hearts, and it does not end until the clocks around them start to chime with the new hour. It is now ten in the morning and there is an hour left until the train leaves.
Yvonne is the first to withdraw and there's moisture in all of their eyes as she moves back toward her case.
"I'll send home letters every week," she promises through a choked up throat. "And I'll make lots of friends and have so much fun that, even with my letters, I'll still have millions of things to talk about when I come home for Yuletide. And—"
Yvonne sniffles and looks up at her parents. "I'm gonna' miss you both so much."
Her father shudders and smiles through a sob, silently nodding his head as one tear slips free.
Her mother gives her a beaming, weepy smile. "À bientôt, ma bichette."
Yvonne smiles back, brown eyes wet like the earth after a spring rain. "See you soon, Mama."
The empty cabin she finds is nice and spacey, upholstered in a rich burgundy that is charmed to give off warmth and keep the space pleasant. She struggles to lift her case onto the shelf above the bench, though most of the trouble is caused by the tears she has to continuously wipe at.
When she finally sits down, she deflates on the bench and buries her face away in her hands. Her tiny cries echo in the empty cabin as she freely lets out all the emotions of the day.
She'll be well enough soon, but she needs to release the onslaught of overwhelming feelings.
Copernicus, now free from his cage, hastily settles into her lap to lick at her hands.
"Farewells are not a time for tears," she assures herself, repeating familiar words. Her mother says them frequently when her father leaves for his long assignments. "They are a time for a shared love that knows nothing of the word 'goodbye'."
She thinks of all the great times she's had with her family and how much she loves them. She remembers the joyous occasions and the moments of quiet support. She knows that they'll be together again in December and the holiday will be just as marvellous as it always is.
The small comfort helps but it still takes her a long moment to calm down enough to wipe the wetness from her cheeks and return Copernicus' affection. Her hands stroke softly over his body and he purrs extra loudly at her attention.
Yvonne laughs at his obvious enjoyment. "I love you too, Perny."
With puffy eyes, Yvonne looks out her window and sees the increased amount of people standing on the platform.
There's lots of parents standing around outside. In the corridors of the train, kids are passing by rapidly, their voices and laughter muffled. Yvonne feels a spike of anxiety as she realises that someone will eventually enter her compartment to find a seat.
Looking at the mix of students moving pass, she hopes that someone her age comes in.
She imagines how uncomfortable it would be to sit with older kids. She would have nothing in common with them—surely, they don't feel as emotional leaving for Hogwarts as she does.
As if hearing her thoughts, a soft knock breaks Yvonne from her thoughts and her fingers curl slightly into Copernicus' long, black fur.
Her eyes shift to the door as it slides open.
In the doorway stands a pudgy-cheeked boy with wide, hazel eyes and rosy splotches decorating his cream tone. His brunette, short bangs are messy on his forehead and dampened with sweat.
He freezes as soon as he sees her.
Oh Merlin, she isn't prepared yet! She hasn't even thought of what to say.
Yvonne blinks, flustered and timid.
"H-Hello." she forces out, forcing herself to take initiative and be friendly. Copernicus mimics her greeting her with a small mewl.
The boy looks as if he's about to throw up as he stutters out a mumbled reply that barely escapes his throat.
He stands there. Yvonne stares back.
They're both at a stand-still like frightened animals.
Yvonne's free hand clenches in her lap.
The boy bites at his lip and glances down the hall. He looks as if he's mapping his escape.
Shaking herself internally, Yvonne forces up her manners. It's just them two—she can do this!
"Were you looking for a seat?" she asks, doing her best to sound as welcoming as possible.
If possible, the redness of his face climbs up further and Yvonne is worried that he will start steaming like the train.
However, despite her worries, the boy nods gradually and steps into the compartment.
Thankfully, he's just dodged a herd of students that go barreling by once the door shuts behind him.
"You can sit anywhere you want." Yvonne says quickly. "I'm not waiting for anyone and it's just us. If you prefer this side, I can even switch to the other bench! Copernicus and I don't mind."
Copernicus mews softly in agreement.
"Alright," the awkward boy stutters out. "Is it okay if I sit across from you?"
Yvonne nods and she watches him for a moment as he settles himself. Her eyes catch something and she immediately makes a loud noise of delight.
The sudden gasp of surprise causes him to jump but she's too focused to realise it. "Is that a toad?" she questions upon seeing the idle, spotted amphibian he's carrying around in a cage.
The boy gives her an hesitant nod as he hugs the cage close to his chest. "This is Trevor. I got him as a present from my Great-Uncle." he mumbles.
She hums in understanding.
"It's the same for me. I got Copernicus when I visited Diagon Alley with my father. Do you know what kind of toad he is?" Yvonne asks, shyness forgotten in the face of her curiosity.
He looks surprised by her question and a bit flustered still, but the small smile he gives her is a victory. "He's a Natterjack."
"Well, he's brilliant. I almost got a toad instead of a cat, but Copernicus nearly followed me around the shop. Oh!" Yvonne gasps, realising. "You can let Trevor out if you want. Perny is a Norwegian Forest cat so he's really gentle plus we have rabbits at home and he's never tried to attack them."
The boy nods and sets the cage down next to him on the bench, opening the gate for Trevor. The small, brown toad just continues to idle inside but now the smile on the boy's face is much wider and less awkward. Even his cheeks have tempered down.
He never quite loses his rosy hue though.
"I'm Neville Longbottom." The boy stutters out in a wobbly, squeaking voice.
He sniffs loudly with a down-turned chin.
Yvonne lets out a quiet sigh as her anxiety finally settles and relaxes her fingers. Smiling, she replies "Hi, I'm Yvonne Shacklebolt."
Hesitantly only slightly, she extends her hand out to him from across the cabin. Neville quickly wipes his hands on his pants before extending his own. Her cinnamon skin contrasts with his cream and, while his grip is weak, she only shakes his hand lightly before letting go.
She's making her first friend! And before she's even left the station. She can't wait to write to her mother—she'll be so proud of her.
The train whistle blares, signalling the nearing, departing time and Yvonne hurriedly presses close to the window.
From her seat, she can see the last kids rushing onto the train and she laughs, seeing children trip over themselves to make it into the doors. Her gaze shifts back to a clock and she counts down until the moment when the hands strike eleven.
Promptly, the train rumbles to life beneath her and there's an outpouring of steam as the engine comes alive.
Yvonne sends a glance to Neville.
"Is someone waiting for you to say farewell?" she asks hesitantly.
Neville shakes his head, eyes downturned. "My Gran already left when I got on."
Yvonne pauses for a moment and studies his expression. His lips are unsettled and his chin hangs to his chest. He refuses to lift his eyes even as he smiles unevenly.
He looks disappointed, but also not like he's expected anything different.
"Want to wave goodbye to my parents?" she queries shyly.
It won't replace his own grandmother, but at least he won't feel alone when she's waving farewell with the rest of the kids.
Already she can hear the people outside, yelling their goodbyes.
Neville looks at her in confusion. "Say goodbye to your parents?"
"Yes," Yvonne moves Copernicus to the side and stands to start unlatching the window. It drops down easily at the press of a latch and the noise of the station filters into their cabin.
"My parents are really nervous about sending me off alone—I'm the oldest of five girls, you see—and I expect they would be really happy to see I've already made a friend."
Yvonne doesn't notice the gobsmacked look on Neville's face at her last words.
She sticks her head out the window, looking left and right down the platform as the train jerks to life beneath them. Parents and families alike stand on the platform, already ardently waving their hands to all the departing students.
Thanks to her mother's long locs and silk robes, Yvonne spots her parents right away. Her father makes eye contact with her and turns her mother to face the right direction. Both her parents send her beaming smiles.
"Look! There they are." she points, turning once back to Neville as the train slowly starts to roll forward. "I mean—You don't have to if you don't want to." she backtracks, thinking she might be being pushy. "I don't mean to make you uncomfortable, Longbottom."
"Okay," Neville finally agrees with a nervous smile, coming to stand next to her at the window. "You can call me Neville, if you want"
Yvonne gives him a sweet smile. "Then, please, call me Yvonne."
And so, as Yvonne Shacklebolt departs for Hogwarts, her parents watch as she smiles and waves her hands enthusiastically with her first made friend, a gentle, shy boy who also waves to them—although he's a bit more timid with his actions.
Kingsley and Julienne smile the whole way home.
A/N: My stats are finally back! I can see you all again! Except I'm still at zero for chapters 3 & 4 but what can you do *shrugs* Anyway, enjoy being spoiled y'all! I'm really having so much fun writing this fic and my plan is to wrap up Philosopher's Stone in 10ish chapters so :) if you like OC heavy things and you wanted more world-building, this is the fic for you ahah!
Review, favorite, and follow c:
