Author's Note: Thank you all very much for your patience. I am really sorry it's taken this long to get this chapter going. I'll try to have another chapter or two up soon to make up for it!
Chapter 4: On Platform Nine and Three-Quarters
The morning of September first dawned much sooner than anyone could have imagined. There was a flurry of activity in the house; Rhiannon packed her trunk again, being sure to keep everything neat and orderly. The books she had brought from the orphanage were left on a shelf at the home she would share with Circe.
The night before, Circe had laid out a beautiful set of new clothes for her goddaughter. Dressed in these fine new clothes, Rhiannon and Circe set out into the city. They soon came to King's Cross station. Armed with her trunk filled with spell books, robes, her cauldron and scrubbed clean, Rhiannon looked and felt like several thousand Galleons. She looked at the train ticket clasped in her hand.
"Platform nine and three-quarters?" she asked, looking at Circe quizzically.
"Yes. Don't worry, Rin—you'll be just fine. I shall be with you," she said. Taking Rhiannon's hand firmly in her own, she led the way down the platform to where platforms nine and ten resided. As they arrived, she spotted another family, one which was very familiar.
"Remus!" called the girl happily, running forward to greet her godfather. The two shared an embrace, while the other two members looked on with a grin on the part of Tonks and disdain on the part of their son.
"You look like a different girl, Rin," he said, smiling down at her, "now—time to head through the barrier; the train will be leaving soon. I'll go with Rin, if you don't mind, dear."
"Not at all," replied Tonks with a wink, and on Remus' signal disappeared through the barrier between platforms nine and ten.
"Ah—platform nine and three-quarters...makes sense," said Rhiannon.
"Now then, Rin—it's best if you take the barrier at a little bit of a run," said Lupin as Circe then disappeared.
Taking a firm hold on her trolley, Rhiannon dashed through the barrier with Remus at her side. Her eyes went wide as she saw all the people in cloaks and robes in various stages of leave-taking.
"Right then," said Remus as they all met up again on the platform, "get on the train you two...there isn't any time to spare. Goodbye Teddy, Rin. We love you both." He hugged each of them.
"Don't forget to write," said Tonks with a wink.
"If you need anything, just let us know," said Circe, giving Rhiannon a hug and kiss while Teddy received his goodbyes from his own mother.
"Goodbye Circe, Remus," said Rhiannon, turning and following Teddy toward the train. Looking back almost sadly, Rhiannon walked straight into Teddy's back.
"Oi—here," he said, turning to offer her his hand. "Thanks," she said grudgingly, taking the offered hand and separating from him almost at once. Finding a quiet compartment, Rhiannon hefted her trunk into the luggage area and took a window seat, glancing out the window as the train picked up speed. The countryside began to flash by. Rhiannon sat with a book, reading up on the magical properties of the lily family when there was a tap on her compartment door.
"'Ello—Delaney, right? Mind if we sit here?"
The familiar voice of Tristian McAlastir reached Rhiannon's ears. From behind him peeked Penny Lockwood, a grin on her face.
"Um...no. I don't mind," said Rhiannon with an easy shrug.
With that invitation, the boy and girl sat down.
"I hope I'm sorted into Gryffindor," said Tristian, "it's the best of the four Houses."
"Me? I'd prefer Ravenclaw. You know how bookish I can be," said Penny, "what about you, Rin? Where do you want to be Sorted into?"
Looking up from her book, Rhiannon shrugged.
"I really don't know," she said, "it doesn't matter that much to me."
"Oh, c'mon," said Tristian encouragingly as he leaned in, "you must have a-"
His voice died out as he too caught a glimpse of the pendant which bore the symbol of Slytherin House.
"Just remember this, Delaney," he said, "every witch or wizard that was ever bad came from Slytherin house."
Rhiannon merely looked out the window, her mood a little soured by that.
"All Slytherins can't be bad," she said softly, "I mean...I'm not bad, am I?"
"No," said Tristan, "but you're not looking to be in Slytherin, are you?"
Rhiannon didn't speak while she considered this. For a girl of ten, she knew a great deal about tact...when to speak and when to be silent.
"I don't have a preference," she replied at last, "I am just glad I am going."
For the most part, their train ride was uneventful. Tristian and Penny bought a few sweets from the trolley, which Rhiannon had not known about. She eyed the things on the cart hungrily, but quickly shifted her eyes away and tried to ignore her stomach growling.
"...another pumpkin pastie and another cauldron cake..two chocolate frogs and some licorice wands please," said Penny, handing over the money to the kindly old witch. Rhiannon looked down at her new patent leather shoes.
"Here." Penny's voice broke into the other girl's train of thought. Into her upturned hands fell a small fortune of goodies. A pumpkin pastie, two chocolate frogs, a licorice wand, and two cauldron cakes were suddenly in Rhiannon's hands. She looked up at Penny, confused and bewildered.
"It's a long train ride," she said with a smile, "and you looked hungry."
For a moment, Rhiannon considered shoving them back in the direction of the girl. She didn't need or want pity. But a second look at the girl's honest, open face made her realize that would be an unforgivable insult. Meekly, she thanked Penny Lockwood and began with the pumpkin pastie. It was about the most delicious thing she had eaten, aside from Circe's cooking. The cauldron cakes became her new favorite thing, and she actually smiled.
As evening came on, the scarlet train came to a stop. By now, the three young wizards had dressed in their long black robes and their pointed hats. Tristan kept the two girls close as they approached a large, rather burly man calling, "Fir' years over 'ere!"
Rhiannon stared up...and up..at the man. He looked to be a giant, or something close to it.
"Who is that?" asked Rhiannon softly.
"Hagrid...the Keeper of the Keys. He's been at Hogwarts forever. Don't worry about him," replied Penny, giving Rhiannon's hand a reassuring squeeze. The group of first-years gathered around the huge man called Hagrid and followed him toward a massive lake.
"No more'n two ta a boat," said Hagrid, watching as the students clambered into the little boats. As soon as the last first-year had taken their place, all of them moved together as one. Penny and Rin shared a boat, their eyes widening in delight at their first view of the massive castle which was Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry.
The boats moved slowly toward the massive place, soon lodging safely against the wall of the castle. As they came to a stop, the students began to climb out of the boats, huddling into groups. Penny clutched Rin,who held onto her as they came forward to rest in the group of first years. The two girls ended up close to the front with a clear view of what was to come.
At the top of the stairs appeared just about the most imposing figure most of the first years, including Rin, had ever seen. His stood rather tall, his black robes billowing about him as he glided, rather like a bat, to approach the first years. His skin was sallow, and his hair fell in black curtains around his face, which was dominated by a large hooked nose.
Rin stared up at this new arrival with a mixture of fascination and a little fear at the man. Within her, something seemed to click, as if she knew this man, though she had never set eyes on him before tonight.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," began the man in a half-whisper, "I am Professor Snape. In a few moments you will pass through these doors to the Great Hall, where you be Sorted into your Houses. They are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw...and Slytherin. While you are here—your House is your family. Triumphs will earn your House points...rule-breaking will take them away. You will wait here until we are ready for you."
Snape turned on his heel, and returned a few moments with a scroll in his hand.
"Follow me," he said.
In two orderly lines, the new students followed Snape into the Hall. Already seated at the four long House were the students, all anxious to see where the students would be. The roll call began.
"Delaney, Rhiannon."
Rin thought she heard Snape's voice change a little in tone as she came up to the little stool where many other students had been before her. The Sorting Hat fell down over her head, and after a moment, it began to speak.
"Ah—keen wit, a desire to learn—and also, a healthy desire to prove yourself. Torn between Houses you are. But...I know what you need...better be...SLYTHERIN."
And the Hat came off Rin's head. She saw the group in silver and green cheering for her as she went over to their table.
A few moments later, "Lockwood, Penny," became a Hufflepuff and, "McAlastir, Tristan," became a Gryffindor.
Rin didn't know if she could feel any lonelier as she made her way to her common room after the Welcome Feast.