"Calum, come on! Move your lazy arse, or we're going to be late for the train!" A young woman's voice yelled from the crowd of people swarming the train station. Whistles blew and train tracks clicked as a tall, young girl with long, wavy, reddish brown hair tried to manoeuvre around people to get to platforms nine and ten.
She quickly cast a glance at the clock hanging above her as she passed platform seven. Her eyes, like streams of melting snow, bulging as she read the time.
10:58 a.m.
"Calum!" She screeched, realising her and her brother would most definitely miss the train if they did not hurry.
She stopped underneath the clock, fixing her duffle bags strap as she turned around spotting a young man about six foot one, moving at a not so fast pace a couple of people behind her. His fluffy, dark brown hair was bouncing slightly with every step he took as he moseyed along.
The young woman narrowed her eyes at him as his bushy right eyebrow raised in confusion. She pointed above her head. He looked at the clock hanging there and gasped, finally understanding her frustration.
"Come on Kate; we're going to be late if you keep standing there." Calum scolded as he raced past her. Kate's jaw dropped, "Why, you little-" she whirled around, chasing after the boy.
The two teens pushed, past men and women as they ran towards a cream coloured brick column located between platforms nine and ten, throwing apologise over their shoulders as they passed. Without a second glance, the pair ran through the brick wall and onto an equally full platform.
Kate let out a sigh of relief as she and Calum laid their eyes on the scarlet steam engine waiting next to the platform, which held many parents waving goodbye to their children as the last couple of students were making their way onto the train. A sign overhead said "Hogwarts Express," eleven o'clock.
Kate's eyes wandered the platform as Calum, and she made their way towards the train. Behind them was a brick archway where the barrier had been, with the words Platform Nine and Three-Quarters painted in white block lettering on a black metal panel. Smoke from the engine drifted over the heads of the remaining students and parents as the two finally made it to the Hogwarts Express. A high pitched shriek of the train's whistle signalling everyone to get on the train.
The two quickly climbed the black metal steps leading onto the train. Kate sighed, mirroring the relaxed look Calum cast her when the train pulled away from the station just as their feet touched the pale red carpet of the corridors. "Come on." Calum urged, "let's find the others."
"Cutting it pretty close this year huh you two?" A deep voice remarked, causing the two to stop in their tracks, smiles gracing their lips as they turned to face the voice.
"Teddy!" Calum yelled, throwing his arms out to the tall, lanky man standing behind him. He was about six foot one and had eyes as green as grass. His iridescent teal hair was messy as per usual, and a fake scowl was plastered across his face, his lips twitching upwards slightly at the sight of two of his best friends. Kate laughed at the two as Calum jumped into Teddy's arms, squeezing him like well. . .a teddy bear.
"I know it's only been a day," Calum said after Teddy set him back down on the floor, the two still holding each other in their arms. "But is your hair a different colour?"
Kate burst out laughing, clutching her stomach as she leaned against the side of the train car. Leave it to her brother to ask the dumbest shit. Ted couldn't help but bark out a laugh as well while Calum just stood there, looking at his sister dumbfounded.
"What?! It's a serious question!"
Kate and Ted continued to laugh as Calum grumbled a few incoherent words under his breath. "So, where are the other hooligans that we call friends?"
"We have a compartment little ways down," Teddy explained after calming down. He pointed to the row of compartments lining the left side of the train behind him. "Casey's already in there with Caleb."
"Great!" Kate said smiling, starting to walk in the direction of the other compartments.
"Hold it, Speedy Gonzales," Calum said, grabbing the hood of her deep crimson Under Armour hoodie, pulling her back. "-aren't you supposed to be staying in the Prefects compartment?"
Kate rolled her eyes and groaned, "Do I have too?" She whined, pouting up at her brother. He ignored her childish behaviour and turned her around, pushing her towards the front of the train.
"Go."
"But-"
"Go!"
Kate stuck her tongue out at her older brother as she walked backwards towards the front of the train, earning an eye roll in return before she turned around and trudged onward, dragging her white Converse All-Stars against the pale red carpet.
"And don't even think about hiding out with Tilly!" Calum called after her, causing Teddy to start laughing again. Kate stomped her foot like a child.
"Damn it!"
