Chapter Two is posted and ready for your viewing pleasure. Whether you have stumbled over here from my Batman fan-fic or have found this through your own search, I welcome you and appreciate you taking the time to give this story a chance. I do appreciate any feedback. Harry Potter is a new world for me to venture through, so I'm still navigating and attempting to make this feel as authentic as possible. I would love to hear from you! Hope you enjoy - trs0010
Chapter II: Of Platform 9 3/4 and Lightning Bolt Scars
For the second year in a row, Eleanor was the cause of the late arrival for the Diggory family to King's Cross Station. Amos Diggory and his two children had used the Floo Network to travel to Diagon Alley. Cedric had a new broom waiting to be picked up at Broomstix. Nimbus 2000, one of the fastest racing brooms to be released and was quite coveted by any player.
Eleanor had begged for her father to purchase her one as well only to get a lecture on why her broom, Cedric's hand-me-down Nimbus 1700, was perfectly fine. Of course, Eleanor knew her broom was fine. She had managed to be the top-scoring Chaser for Gryffindor's house team last season, but she couldn't help but be jealous at Cedric's gift for all his hard work at Hogwarts. She did manage an upgrade. Cedric gave her his old Cleansweep Seven, a slightly newer and better model than her own.
That broom was the cause of the trouble. The Diggorys were leaving the Leaky Cauldron, Cedric proudly holding his new addition when Eleanor realized she was missing something.
"MY BROOM!" she shouted hitting her head with her hand. She had left the Cleansweep Seven propped against the back porch wall after her practice session with her brother the day before. She had completely forgotten to grab the broom on the way out.
After a long lecture from her father for being so careless and threats to let go to Hogwarts without it to teach her lesson, Amos allowed her to Floo back to the Diggory home to retrieve the broom. She was thankful to not have to explain to Gryffindor's Captain, Oliver Wood why she didn't have broom their first practice. The team was already in desperate need of a new Seeker. She didn't want to add new Chaser to that list.
The Diggory's arrived to the crowded King's Cross station with 15 minutes to spare before the Hogwarts Express was to depart. Muggles where jumping on and off trains in a rush, heading to their destination. With two carts full of trunks, it was a struggle to navigate through the traffic to Platform 9 3/4.
"If we had arrived like I had planned, we would have avoided this mess," Amos Diggory muttered loudly enough for his daughter to hear. "There we are, Platforms 9 and 10."
The family had stopped between the two brick columns that indicated the platforms. Muggles continued to maneuver around the stopped family, unaware what waited just beyond.
"Best be off you two," Amos said. "No time for long goodbyes."
He ruffled his son hair, gave him a warm hug and motioned him toward the platform gateway. "Break the broom in well, son. Have a great term. Look out for your sister," Amos called as Cedric seemingly disappeared into the brick column.
Amos gave his daughter a hug. "Don't let those Weasley boys get you into too much trouble, dear," he warned with a knowing look.
"Can't make any promises, father," Eleanor said with her signature smirk marking her faeatures.
She started her run straight into the brick column that would lead her safely to Platform 9 ¾. In a blink of an eye, the familiar loud whistle and the scarlet steam engine that was the Hogwarts express greeted Eleanor.
The familiar sounds and chatter were music to her ears. Trunks waiting to be packed away. Owls hooting in excitement of all the bustle. Mewing of cats that were running in and out of the crowds. Families saying their last goodbyes and giving their final words of wisdom to their children. Students already in compartments hanging out the windows to waving goodbye one last time before off for another year at Hogwarts.
A smile broke out on Eleanor's face. She was home. Cedric had already boarded the train and was swept into the excitement of reuniting with his Hufflepuff housemates. Eleanor did not spend much time with her brother during the school year. Being different years and in different houses meant very little time to be had.
She boarded the back of the train and began her search for an empty compartment or a familiar head of fiery red hair. It the very last compartment, there was a boy with dark hard jetting everywhere. His green eyes were bright through his hand-mended glasses. He was struggling to get his trunk onto the train.
"First year, isn't it?" Eleanor asked, watching the boy.
"How could you tell?" he replied, obviously disheveled from the experience.
"Let me help. I'm Eleanor. Third year. Gryffindor," Eleanor introduced herself, reaching her hand out to shake his.
"But you can call her Ellie Bellie!" a loud voice shouted from the platform.
"George Weasley, call me that one more time and I swear…"
"…you'll clock me on good time. Saying it for years, think I'm safe, love," George Weasley replied. He was tall and lanky, with the famous Weasley red hair cut short. His hazel eyes always had the spark of laughter hidden in them. His looked up at Eleanor with his lopsided grin she loved.
Eleanor shook her head and rolled her eyes, as she had done a hundred times at the Weasley Twins.
"No hug for your favorite and not to mention best looking twin?" George asked, placing his hands over his "broken heart."
"I haven't seen Fred," Eleanor said with a wink. "Maybe if you help my new friend…." She trailed off, as she hadn't gotten his name yet.
"Harry," the boy supplied.
"Of course, Harry," Eleanor continued. "Help Harry get his trunk into this compartment, then might can spare a hug for you Mr. Weasley."
"Only keeping me around for my muscles, I see," George flexed his arms and was greeted by the bubbly giggle of Eleanor Diggory that he had missed so much. "Oy, Fred! C'mere and help!"
Fred Weasley joined his brother at the platform near Harry. He looked and smiled at Ellie.
"Already requesting our services? That must be a record time, George," he joked.
"The trunk… now, please?" Eleanor motioned to the trunk with one hand while the other was on her hip.
"She means business, Georgie."
The twins and Harry with the direction of Eleanor had Harry's trunk quickly off the platform and tucked away in the corner of a compartment.
"Thanks," Harry said, using a hand to push his sweaty hair off of his forehead.
"What's that?" Fred asked suddenly, while pointing to a lightning bolt scar on first year's head.
"Bullocks," Eleanor mutter, knowing that scar could only belong to one person.
"Blimey," said George. "Are you…"
"He is," said Fred. "Aren't you?"
"What?" asked Harry, his attention switching quickly from Fred and George.
"Harry Potter," the twins finished in unison.
"Oh, him," said Harry. "I mean, yes. I am."
"The Harry Potter?" Eleanor couldn't believe it. One of the most famous wizards in the world was standing right in front of her and she helped him with his trunk. She felt horrible for starting, which she knew Fred and George were also doing, but he was a legend.
"Fred? George? Are you there?" came a call from the platform.
"Coming, Mom," they called in sync and left, but not before giving Harry one more look. His face was blushed with embarrassment.
"Sorry, about the stares," Eleanor offered, trying to make him feel more comfortable. She knew how difficult first year could be. She couldn't imagine how he would feel being who he was and everyone gawking at him. He was a celebrity after all. "You'll get use to it, I suppose. We've all just grown up with the stories of you defeating well… You-Know-Who. You're almost a myth. It's a shock to see you in the flesh."
"Don't think I'll ever get use to the stares," Harry replied, taking the seat next to the window. Eleanor drifting her gaze out to see the large Weasley clan outside, Mrs. Weasley giving her last-minute goodbyes.
"The Weasleys are great," Eleanor commented to Harry, noticing him watching the exchange outside. "They all are in Gryffindor with me too. This is Ron's first year too."
Ellie smiled as Mrs. Weasley wiped Ron's face with a handkerchief much to his embarrassment and his older brothers' amusement.
"You see Percy there," Eleanor pointed to the oldest of the red headed boys. "He's a Prefect. If you have any questions while at Hogwarts, he'll be the one to go to. He's a bit stuffy compared to the rest of the lot, but he means well."
She watched as the Twins teased him about his Prefect badge. She knew how proud Precy was to serve as Prefect. Knowing him, it was all he talked about all summer. Knowing the Twins, they had been relentless in their teasing all summer.
Mrs. Weasley kissed Percy on the cheek and sent him on his way. Then she turned her attention to her twin sons.
"Now you two – this year, you behave yourselves. If I get one more owl telling me you've – blown up a toilet," she warned.
"Blown up a toilet?" George questioned. "We've never blown up a toilet."
"Great idea though. Thanks, Mom," Fred added.
Eleanor walk closer to the window and lifted open the latch, allowing the bustling sounds from below to enter the compartment. She hung out the window with a smile on her face and called down to the pulp, redheaded woman.
"Nothing to worry about, Mrs. Weasley. I'll keep them out of trouble."
"Eleanor, dear," Mrs. Weasley fondly called. "We missed you this summer. Keep an eye on them and for Ronald."
"I'll keep them in line," Eleanor assured her.
"Likely story," Fred and George responded. "Don't worry, ickle Ronniekins is safe with us," Fred added.
"Shut up," Ron muttered, his face almost as red as his hair.
Eleanor returned fully into the carriage and began to shut the door when the Weasley Twins brought up Harry's name.
Eleanor saw Harry shrink into his seat so he couldn't be seen and give away that he had been listening to their conversation. Mention of his scar, little Ginny Weasley wanting to meet him and You-Know-Who floated around. Mrs. Weasley, always the mother, showing her evident concern in her voice for the boy she had just met.
A loud whistle sounded, indicating that it as 11 o'clock and the train was ready to deport. Mrs. Weasley rushed her sons on the train, and each leaned out a window of the closest compartment to receive a final goodbye and kiss from their mother. Eleanor could see big crocodile tears falling from Ginny's eyes.
She could remember Cedric's first year to Hogwarts. The first year she was alone all year. She cried and cried at the platform, thinking she'd never see him again. She spent most of that year at the Burrow whenever she could, tailing along with Fred and George in whatever scheme to prank Ron they could concoct.
The train slightly jerked forward and began to inch away from the platform.
"You mind if I sit here for a spell?" Eleanor asked, her things already occupying space in the carriage. She didn't feel like moving it somewhere else, and she felt guilty leaving Harry by himself.
Harry nodded and she took the other seat by the window, watching as Mrs. Weasley chased the train to get one more glimpse of her sons. She quickly disappeared in the crowd and the train picked up speed, whizzing passed houses and off to Hogwarts.
Not too much time had passed before Ron Weasley opened the carriage door.
"Anyone sitting there?" he asked, pointing to the empty seat beside Eleanor. "Everywhere else is full."
Eleanor smiled and patted the seat with her hand. "Looks like you're in luck, Ronald. She's all yours."
He sat down beside Eleanor and glanced Harry's way before quickly looking out the window, pretending that he hadn't. Eleanor smiled and winked at Harry.
"Hey, Ron."
All three looked to the carriage door to see the Weasley Twins.
"Listen, we're going down the middle of the train –Lee Jordan's got a giant tarantula down there," George said.
"Right, " mumbled Ron.
"By we... we mean you, Ellie," Fred added.
"I prefer to stay away from anything with more than four legs," Eleanor commented. She had seen Lee since last term, but she wasn't looking forward to a reunion that involved a spider.
"No worries, love," Geroge said, poking out his chest. "We Weasley would never let any harm come to our maiden fair."
Eleanor stood up in defeat with a faint smile. No point arguing against them.
"Fine, but if that… thing… comes near me, it'll be your head, George!" she lightly smacked him on his arm. "You won't mind watching my trunk, will you Ron?"
"Of course, he won't. That's what ickle Ronniekins is for," Fred replied for him.
"Harry," George finally addressed the other boy in the compartment. "Did we introduce ourselves? Fred and George Weasley. And this is Ron, our brother. See you later then."
With George grabbing one arm and Fred the other, they drug Eleanor out of the carriage and into the hallway.
"It was nice meeting you, Harry," she called before being whisked away towards the middle of the train.
The trio had almost reached Lee's compartment when the Twins abruptly stopped with Eleanor like a rag doll flinging to a halt as well.
"Wait a minute, Fred," George looked at his brother glancing over Eleanor's head. "I do believe we didn't get our proper greetings."
"I do believe you are right. That's really disappointing of you, El. I thought I knew you," Fred said, letting go of her arm.
"After spending the last half of the summer away from us, too!" George interjected, releasing his grip as well.
"And you say I'm the drama queen!" Eleanor laughed, wrapping her arms around the waist of Fred Weasley.
He returned the action, giving her his patented bear hug. "We missed our voice of reason. We've gotten into more trouble than Mom could handle."
"I can only imagine what poor Ronald went through," Eleanor laughed, releasing her grip of Fred and throwing her arms around George Weasley's neck.
He smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist, slightly lifting her off the ground with his grip. "He didn't suffer more than usual," George commented, "and we did really miss you."
"I missed you too," Eleanor said, pulling her head away so she could look up at George. "I missed the both of you."
"As much as I enjoy the sentimental reunion, love. It will not get you out of your date with Mr. Eight Legs," Fred interjected.
Eleanor broke away from George's embrace and turned to face Fred ready to spit off a comment. Before she could utter a word, she was pushed into a nearby carriage and greeted with loud "Eleanor!" from a group of girls and could hear Lee Jordan state that that must mean the Weasleys aren't too far behind then.
If on cue, both Weasleys appeared by her side and each threw an arm around her shoulder, and Eleanor could not have been happier to be going home.
