It was a beautiful morning on the first day of September. The air was crisp, the sky was painted with a soft ginger hue, and Ron Weasley was whistling a happy tune as he drank his morning cup of tea.
"Ron?" said his wife Hermione, as she walked into their kitchen while pinning her hair in a plait. "It's only six-thirty, you're usually still asleep."
"Couldn't sleep," said Ron, leaning over to kiss her cheek. "Very excited for today."
"Ron, this is Rose's sixth year and Hugo's fourth," said Hermione. "They already know what to expect..."
"It's not that, love," said Ron.
"Then what is it?" asked Hermione, pouring herself a cup of tea.
"They're leaving," said Ron, smiling a big grin. "They're leaving the flat, at last!"
Although Hermione would have nudged Ron for that remark, she had to admit that this summer had been a rough one for the family. There was only so much space and privacy for the normally hot-headed crew. So Hermione loved her older children being home, she agreed that it was time for them to go back to school and be with their friends.
"Plus," said Ron, his eyes sparkling with joy. "The boy is also going back too!"
"Really, Ron?" groaned Hermione.
Ron and Hermione had been sheltering Scorpius Malfoy this past summer after his family became a targets for a dangerous group of people, some of whom worked in the Ministry. Although Hermione thought highly of Scorpius, Ron's opinion changed daily from tolerance to bitterness. This is partly due to Ron's contentious history with the boy's father, Draco. Even after the Voldemort Reign, Ron and Draco never made peace with each other. Whenever Ron saw Draco at the platform, Ron did his best to avoid eye contact.
"I thought you liked Scorpius," said Hermione.
"Is that what you think this is about?" asked Ron.
"Well…" said Hermione, not trying to make Ron upset.
"If you must know, it's the same reason why I'm glad Rose and Hugo are going back," said Ron. "Too many people in this bloody flat right now."
"Oh," sighed Hermione. For a moment, both of them sipped their tea in
"You sure about bringing Hattie to the station?" asked Ron, wanting to change the subject. "That's still the plan?"
"I think it's a good idea," insisted Hermione. "She's old enough to notice when Rose and Hugo are gone. I've already talked to her about the train, so I want her to actually see it so she understands what's going on."
"Alright," said Ron. "But if she has a tantrum, you're handling it."
"Where are they?" asked Ginny Potter, waiting with her husband and children for the Granger-Weasleys to arrive. Normally, all the Weasley grandchildren gather at King's Cross station to take a group picture. Currently, Ginny and Harry were there with their seven children as well as Bill with his son Louis and George with his son Freddie. Of the seven Potter, four of them were attending Hogwarts: James, who was in his last year; Albus, a prefect in his sixth year; Lily, a fourth year who was small for her age like her mother; and Iris, the newest Potter child to go to Hogwarts.
"I don't know," said Harry. "I could text Ron and see what's going on…"
"Rose texted me already," said Al, who was close with his cousin. "I guess Hattie had a tantrum before they left and it took a while for Aunt Hermione to calm her down."
"Colin! Cedric! Don't climb on that boys!" yelled Harry, as his twin sons were attempted to climb the bricks of the station.
"Daddy, when can I go to Hogwarts?" asked Hazel, as she tugged on Harry's jacket.
"Six more years, Hazel," said Harry.
"But I want to go now!" she protested, stamping her foot.
"But Daddy and I need you around the house," said Ginny, pointing at Cedric and Colin. "We need your help out with your brothers."
"But they're naughty," said Hazel.
"Exactly," said Harry. "And Mummy and I need you to help us make sure they aren't so naughty. Can you do that?"
"I'll try," sighed Hazel.
"Colin! Cedric! Your father said to get OFF that!" called out Ginny.
"There they are!" yelled Bill.
The Granger-Weasley family and Scorpius walked through with their trolleys and trunks. The Potter twins and Hazel sprinted towards them with Louis and Freddie following behind them, both of whom were in Hugo's year. Al also followed behind his younger siblings to see his best friends, Rose and Scorpius.
"They finally let you two out of the house," said Al, as he embraced Rose and Scorpius.
"Well, you could have texted more!" said Rose, still smiling at seeing her favorite cousin and childhood best friend.
"Yeah, where were you all summer?" asked Scorpius.
"Stuck in Grimmauld Place," said Al. "Dad was rarely home all summer and Mum needed help with the kids."
"Isn't that why you have elves?" asked Scorpius.
"Chessa will let the twins literally run all over the place," said Al. "And Gornie...well, Gornie's smart enough to keep himself busy with other chores."
"Oi! Nerds! Over here!" cried James, waving his arms to the trio. "Let's take this bloody picture already!"
Rose and Al started walking over to see their cousin, but Scorpius stood back with the trolleys. As Scorpius saw the assorted gingers and brunettes gather into a huddle, he felt a touch of sadness realizing that his father or mother weren't there to say good-bye to him. As of that day, no letters or messages came through from his parents, meaning they were still in hiding.
"Scorpius!" yelled Harry. "Would you mind taking a photo for us?"
"Oh, sure Mr. Potter," said Scorpius, running over to the arch were the extended Weasley family was gathered and meeting Harry halfway.
"Sorry, lad, but here's a few more," said Harry, handing over several mobiles to Scorpius before handing over some heavier objects. "And these cameras as well."
"Right," said Scorpius. "Everyone now, smile on one...two...three!" After several attempts at getting everyone to smile and look at the camera, Scorpius was able to get at least one decent photo for family. Once that was done, then it was time for everyone to go onto the platform. The family got into a single file line, with Bill and Louis going first, then George with Freddie, and Ron with Hugo for the next turn.
"Right, Hattie, you ready to go through the wall?" asked Hugo, placing her onto his cart.
"Yeah!" said Hattie.
"Be careful, Hugo!" said Hermione.
"Hold on, bug!" said Ron, as he held on to her as he ran along with Hugo through the platform while Hattie squealed with delight.
"Alright, Iris, your turn!" said James. For a second, Iris hesitated and wasn't sure about going through the wall.
"Give us a second," said Harry, urging the others to go ahead. With that, Ginny with through with Lily and Hazel, Hermione was Rose, and James with the twins.
"Let's go, Al!" said Scorpius, ready to charge through the wall. However, Al was looking back at his father and sister, familiar with the uncertainty that Iris felt at that moment
"Sweetheard, what's the matter?" asked Harry.
"What is I'm not Gryffindor, Dad?" asked Iris. "What if Lily's right and I get sorted into Ravenclaw?"
"Then Ravenclaw will be lucky to have you in it," said Harry, smiling at his daughter. "You know Mum and I don't care what house you get into."
"I care though!" said Iris. "What if no one talks to me after getting into Ravenclaw?"
"Then they're idiots," replied Harry, making Iris laugh. "They don't know what there's missing by not having you as a friend. But, if it's that important to you, you can choose Gryffindor."
"He's right," said Albus, coming over to them. "I told the hat that it was what I wanted, and he listened to me."
"Really?" asked Iris.
"Really," said Albus. Feeling more confident, Iris put her hands on the cart and walked towards the wall.
"Together?" asked Harry, with Iris nodding in response. Once she and Harry charged through the platform, Albus and Scorpius were the only ones left. It was rare that the two of them were left alone, as they were usually with Rose or other students.
"Your family's brilliant," said Scorpius, envious at how close-knitted Albus and Rose's families were to each other.
"I guess so," said Al. "Glad you can be a part of it."
"Me too," said Scorpius, touched by the warm statement. "Oh, and Al..."
"Yeah?" asked Albus, however before Scorpius could say anything, he darted forward towards the platform. Albus shook his head as he heard Scorpius chortled at his prank, but soon charged ahead through the wall to catch up to him on the other side.