Chapter 7: Good God! It's a train!
August 31st~
"Come on Willow! Put some muscle into it!" Ginny shouted. Willow jumped up and down on Ginny's trunk, trying to force it shut. They had packed and repacked so many times, but still nothing wanted to fit right. They really needed to get this done, seeing as they were leaving bright and early tomorrow.
"Gin it just isn't going to work! Do you honestly need all this stuff? I mean this is just ridiculous and I'm sore from all this bouncing"
"Of course I do! Well, no." She quickly removed several spare pieces of clothing and such. This time when Willow jumped onto the trunk it gladly closed. Now it was Willow's turn.
She was much more careful and organized than Ginny. She piled all of her clothes in first, folded neatly. She placed her spell books next, most of which were conveniently placed in her cauldron. She had her stuffed fox and weasel on top with Otter's owl treats. She even packed Percy's gift, the book on study skills. She put a pair of her school robes in last, knowing she would need them on the train.
She had to keep Otter from hunting and he was not happy. But he was caged nonetheless and sitting atop her trunk. She and Ginny, now finally packed, were assisting the twins. They were far worse than Ginny.
"Come on guys! This is just sad," Willow said. "I mean twelve dozen Filibuster's Fireworks? And there has to be a hundred of your trick quills," she added as one turned into a spider.
"Well my dear Willy, it is entirely necessary in order to fulfill our dreams," answered George.
"Willy?"
"Well your name is far too long!"
"But that's only one letter difference."
"Exactly! It is much easier to write!"
"George, when do you write my name?"
"Oh, you know!"
"No, I don't. That's why I asked. Now tell me." Willow said getting annoyed.
"Well if you must know, I happen to write letters to my friends. Know what those are don't cha?"
She glared at him before latching Fred's trunk and leaving for her room. George called, "Oh don't be a sour puss Willy!" She turned around to raise her eyebrow,as if saying "You wanna try me?", before continuing.
She took a shower before getting ready for bed. She wouldn't be able to sleep, not with Hogwarts begging tomorrow. However, she went to sleep as soon as she could.
"Tell me what you know and I shall not harm you." The figure proposed.
"Never!" said Willow's father.
"Well how about the girl then?"
"You'll never touch her you monster," screamed Willow's mum.
"I don't make any promises there." The figure raised her wand and the Brydens were no more.
She awoke and her eyes stung, surprise surprise. She dressed quickly in Muggle clothes before running down to breakfast. She was the first kid awake.
"Morning Willow," greeted Mrs. Weasley.
"Morning," replied Willow with a yawn.
"You're up very early. Nerves?" she asked. Willow nodded. "Don't be nervous. You'll be fine, and you won't be alone. You need help you have Fred, George, Perce, Ron, Ginny, and Hermione. Not to mention Dumbledore and the teachers. And it you really need help, me and Arthur are always here. You can even write Bill and Charlie." Willow smiled and ate her breakfast. Soon a pale Ginny and a peppy Percy entered the kitchen. Ginny refused to eat, but Percy was so cheerful it was sickening. Later a tired Fred, George, Ron, and Harry trudged down the stairs.
Willow erupted in laughter. George was wearing his pigtails courtesy of Fred. He had started doing this anytime he and Willow argued, no matter how small it was. She grinned at them both; she just couldn't fight with them, well mainly George. She was stubborn, but could never refuse a good laugh.
After many stops and returns to the Burrow, they were finally on their way. They were now at King's Cross Station, between platforms nine and ten. Mrs Weasley let Willow and Ginny watch Percy and the twins, and then they did the same. She was so ready to fall back, and with her clumsy streak it would seem very likely. But when she opened her eyes her mouth fell open. There it was. The Hogwarts Express and all its scarlet glory. It was a gleaming red steam engine and more amazing than anything she had heard about it. With the twins' help, she and Ginny boarded the train and stowed their trunks. Together they found an empty compartment.
"Willow if you keep shaking you'll die of exhaustion," said Ginny. Willow was just a tad bit excited, okay maybe a lot bit. She just couldn't keep still and she had tried, momentarily.
"Let's go see the twins! I need to walk around." Willow left without wait for Ginny to respond. Ginny caught up to her at the twins' compartment. Willow went in and sat between so Ginny sat next to Lee Jordan.
"Hiya guys!" Willow greeted.
"Willy? Why are you shaking?" asked Fred.
"She's nervous slash anxious." Ginny answered for her.
"Thanks Ginny," she said sarcastically and poked her after her response of Don't Mention It.
"Well you brats have interrupted a very important conversation, so out!" Lee announced without a hint of remorse. With a glare towards Lee, they departed.
"Well let's go back to the compartment and change, okay?" Ginny suggested. Willow nodded and they went back to their own compartment. They were shocked to see another person there, already changed into her robes.
"Um hi? I'm Willow and this is Ginny." She greeted the new comer.
"Hello," the girl said dreamily, "I'm Luna Lovegood." Lovegood? Willow knew that name, but from where? As if reading her mind Luna said, "You look awfully familiar. Have we met or have I encountered a Plarpnog?"
"I'm not sure, but I think we've met before and what's a Plarpnog?"
"Oh they're very fascinating! Nasty little blighters mind. They plant false memories in your head," she said and Willow could only nod. It was then that she noticed Luna's magazine, The Quibbler. The front page read, "Ministry experimenting with Nargle saliva to cure Dragonpox." Ginny must have seen it too.
"Luna, do you live near Ottery St. Catchpole?"
"Yes, me and my dad. You must be a Weasley, the Burrow is very close to my home." Luna said distantly. Willow was still mentally kicking herself. Where had she heard that name before? Where! She continued to wonder as she and Ginny changed into their robes.
As Luna read and Ginny watched the scenery, Willow decided to take a nap.
Her mother was standing with a familiar slender, blonde, blue-eyed woman. Willow and a smaller girl who was the spitting image of the woman were playing in the grass.
"You know Noxa, we haven't seen each other in ages. Not that we saw much of each other in school, what with the house difference. But you are my best friend, you should keep in touch more often." Said Willow's mother.
"Diana, we write to each other all the time. Our girls are only five, but they can be great friends. We'll find something to do, just our girls and us. Xeno and Connor need some time anyway," Noxa reassured her. It had been almost two years since they had seen each other, Diana off traveling and Noxa experimenting.
The scene changed and a nine-year-old Willow stood next to her weeping mother. She had just received the most depressing news. Her best friend since first year, Noxa Lovegood, had died. One of her experiments had gone wrong. Xeno wouldn't talk to her; he only spent time with little Luna after the funeral. They had seen each other five times in four years, never actually bringing their daughters along. They had been so busy and now Noxa was gone.
Willow awoke with a gasp. Her eyes burned but only because she was crying. She walked over and looked Luna in the eyes.
"What was your mother's name?"
Luna became instantly sad, and she refused to answer. It was obviously a touchy subject, but then again who could blame her.
Willow whispered, "Aunty Noxa."
Luna gasped, but replied, "Aunty Diana." Ginny stared at the two crying girls who were now hugging. Ginny felt left out, so she joined the hug. The train slowing down interrupted the emotional scene. They were finally here, Hogwarts.