Days passed by wtih a certain level of tension but no aggression from any one person to another. Days passed by with Clint being able to speak with the family Ron had been born into. Ron had actually had a small amount of enjoyment having his dad interact with his biological family. Something about them not ignoring one another or out right being mean and venomous. Perhaps it was due to Hermione and Bruce being there daily, coming from a nearby hotel to check up on the red haired gaggle of kids, parents and archer.
Ron wasn't sure if it was their quiet and nonfamilail presence that didn't threaten to take a child of their's away that had them on a slightly more tame behavior.
Day by day counting down until Hogwarts would have their souls for another school year. Afterthe last year dealing with the stone beneath the castle, Ron wasn't sure what to make of the school. He did hope that the egotistical man who they discovered would be teaching their Defense Against the Dark Arts would actually be a decent teacher.
Afterall, Tony was egotistical, but he was undeniably brilliant. His arc reactor alone promised it. Perhaps Mister Gilderoy Lockhart, esteemed magical author would prove himself able to teach kids.
It was a thought that kept him moderately optimistic even as he helped pack the car and was subsequently loaded into the vehicle with Hermione, Clint and Bruce squeezed in much to Bruce's clear discomfort and bafflement. Clint took it in stride as he was squeezed between Bruce and Ron. The car was uncomfortably full but not unbarable as Molly and Arthur took the front seats.
"A miracle you muggles could create something so small fit so many," Molly commented. Bruce arched a brow and muttered to Clint, "Doesn't she realize that this is magic?"
"Look at her. Let her believe this. I think her hubby set it up," Clint replied low enough she couldn't hear. Ron didn't answer as One of the twins had poked him in his side, getting a squeak from Ron. Not a laugh, a squeak. Clint snorted at the reaction.
"What was that?" the other twin asked.
"Ron squeaks."
"He squeaks? Let me try!"
Ron glared at the approaching hand and folded his arm over his stomach. A strange hissing noise escaped from Ron's lips at the wandering fingers. Clint laughed at Ron's distrustful stance and gaze from being poked.
"Don't," Ron grumbled.
The twins shared a gaze, a silent agreement between them as Percy and Ginny slid into the car.
The drive was not without it's minor chaos with the twins trying to poke Ron throughout the drive. A couple of snaps from Molly for them to quit it, but otherwise was a pleasurable drive in the cramped car. The best part was getting out of the car though in front of mundane individuals. Clint happened to notice a young kid watch them coming out of the car. He saw their wide eyes and placed a finger to his lips. A smile came to the kid and covered their mouth, nodding all the while.
"Clint what are you doing?"
"Nothing Bruce. Let's get the kids' stuff."
Bruce shrugged his shoulders but assisted Arthur, Molly, and Clint in getting the gaggle of children going to Hogwarts school for Witchcraft and Wizardry. The large group squeezed between the many muggle families and groups heading off for their own platform, recieving a few curious glances at the large group and Percy's visable owl.
"Ron! Hermione!" a familiar voice that was not a part of the current group called out. Ron stopped his little trolley carrying his school trunk and turned to see Harry Potter himself come running up with his own trolley of trunks and supplies with his owl Hedwig pertched in her cage a top the stack. Ron raised a brow curiously as Harry seemed to be alone. Was he alone last year? He couldn't recall. But come to think of it, he didn't recall actually meeting his family at all. Maybe he and his dad could pay a visit before flying back home to America. He pushed that thought aside in favor of greeting his friend.
"Harry! Good to see you." Ron stopped his cart and spread out his arms for a hug, somewhat of a more common greeting for him from being thankful his family returned from missions. Harry seemed surprised but pulled his cart next to Ron's and awkwardly set his arms to hug Ron. Ron and Harry gave a quick embrace much to Clint's amusement. Bruce looked over at the archer.
"So Ron is a hugger."
"Never said he wasn't Bruce."
Ron chuckled.
"You don't call, you don't write!" he began ranting playfully. "One might think you didn't miss me!"
Ron's grin falter as Harry looked a bit worried before meeting eyes.
"Funny story about that."
"Do tell," Ron quickly said, much like how he had seen Clint do inbetween otherwise dramatic pauses from his Uncle Nick when he would be delivering information for missions.
Harry opened his mouth to regale Ron of what thwarted him from writing letters when a voice called out, "Let's go you two! We don't want to miss the train!" Hermione, ever the voice of reason was about halfway between the retreating forms of the Weasley clan plus two and the two boys catching up.
"Tell you about it on the train."
"That a promise?" Ron joked.
"I don't think I could wait longer than that."
"Fair point."
With that, the two walked to the brick column between platforms nine and ten.
"Everybody have everything?" Molly fussed over pretty much everyone. Nods, and affirmatives were acknowledged as each one was at various levels of eagerness to just go through the gate and go on to Hogwarts. Alright, Percy, you go forst with Ginny."
"But mum," Ginny whined, "Can't I go through by myself?"
"Ginny, it's tradition. Please go through with Percy."
Ginny didn't argue but had a slightly annoyed look as she stood by Percy, set so she would follow immediately after him with her supplies so they would arrive "together" in he crowded train station. Percy wasted no time in going through. with Ginny hot on his heels. Bruce and Clint were none too amused.
"So we just run into a brick wall. Fun."
Well, ah, if you hold onto us, you'll be able to go through," Arthur explained, awkwardly holding out his arm for someone of the muggle variety to loop with so they may enter.
"Alright. But if I break my nose doing this," Clint muttered as he looped his arm with Arthur. Bruce did so gingerly with Misses Weasley as she turned to face the children.
"Fred, George, I waspnt you to go after Ron, Hermione and Harry alright."
"Whatever you say mum!"
"It would be our pleasure." They both gave an over the top bow at their mother's request. Too used to their antics, she pulled Bruce through the magical gate with Arthur and Clint following. As Arthur and Clint were about to leave, Clint cried out, "See you on the other side!"
And with that he disappeared. Hermione gave a wave,
"I'll see about seating."
"What for? We'll be over before you get unpacked!" Ron commented. Hermione then ran through the magical entrance and disappeared.
"Well, you two are next," Fred commented tapping them both on the shoulders. Ron and Harry prepared themselves, setting themselves at a run. They approached the brick column with slight apprehension despite knowing that this was the entrance to platform 9 and 3/4. It was hard to run into bricks when you know that should hurt.
Three steps, two steps...
Now throu-
A loud crash echoed through Kings cross as two boys, a red head and a black haired boy lay on the ground, their luggage astrewn from crashing into an obviously solid brick column, with two older red heads looking at them in shock and horror.
The squeaking side is an actual thing in my family. Granted it did evolve into something else but that will be explained. So when my younger sister was a wee one, she declared that larger people can't sneak up on littler people because they take up more space, would have heavier footfalls, and overall were easily visible. My mind went, "Challenge accepted". So for more than a decade since then, my large behind has snuck up on her without her knowledge, and my short sausage fingers have poked her in her side, under her arm right near her tummy. She didn't laugh. She squeaked. I never stopped poking, but her reaction evolved. As she grew up, it remained sensitive, and now when poked, her body would snap like a folding chair. Sometimes to the point when she would go to the ground. I do it less now. And she has learned her lesson that bigger people can sneak up on smaller people.