Chapter One

It was pouring outside as Hogwarts students rushed into Kings Cross Train Station. All the students expertly made their way through the barrier to Platform 9 ¾. And those starting their first year got guidance from their parents or asked help from other magical people, still in awe of the wizarding world.

One large group of red-heads walked though the train station noticeably. Here and there in the group was the occasional brunette or black haired person.

The Weasleys, Harry Potter, and a couple members of the Order of the Phoenix there to guard them made their way to the platform like they did every year. One particular member had two children of her own to bring to the station this year so she were missing from the group.

The platform was busy and crowded. Every which way you would see children with trolleys and trunks making their way towards the train. Tearful goodbyes were made. Forgotten or lost objects were being looked for. Over all, you could hear and see the joyful reunions of friends finally seeing each other after the summer. One in particular could be heard very well.

"Harry!" a scream was heard as heads turned to see the source of the sound. A flash of brown was seen and then the brunette ran straight into Harry Potter. But he caught his footing in time and didn't fall right over.

Luckily for him the red-head standing right next to him peeled their excited friend off of Harry. "Hermione, don't kill the guy!"

A reddish color made its way onto Hermione's cheeks as she let go and stepped back. Then realizing her other best friend was standing right there, she moved to give him a short hug, with much less suffocation. "Sorry," she started sheepishly. "I just missed you guys so much! I told you in my letter, I couldn't make it to the Burrow though. My parents said I wasn't spending enough time with them since I started Hogwarts. We went sight seeing around Europe. I tried to get back early to maybe spend the last week with you guys, but my parents wouldn't let me."

"It's alright 'Mione. We missed you too. You missed so much this summer!" Ron replied helping Hermione get her trunk onto the train. "Don't worry though. We'll get you caught up on the train."

Remus Lupin, standing near by, was distractedly looking for a certain someone. He hadn't seen Sarai in a week. She wanted the last week of summer vacation to be spent with just her and her two children. Alastair had been distant lately and Sarai wanted to use that week to find the source of the problem. Remus knew Alastair was just distant by nature. He got it from his father.

His little Esme was all grown up now. The last of their children was going to Hogwarts. She was so excited too. Since she had gotten her letter (practically a year ago, December 9th) until now, she had been bouncing off the walls about finally going to this loved school.

Turning around once again, he searched for his love's bouncy black curls in the crowd. Two hands had covered his eyes and an all too familiar voice said, "Guess who."

He turned around once again but this time in Sarai's arms and gave her a loving kiss. Unknown to him, a pair of dark eyes glared at him from afar until the owner of the eyes went on to other things.

Remus stopped just in time to see a little black blur run up. Esme's Black curly hair resembled her mother's and her sparkling blue eyes matched her fathers. She reached to give him a hug, but she was still short for her age. So he bent down an hugged her tightly.

"Daddy!" Esmeralda exclaimed after she let go. "I'm going to miss you!"

Remus smiled at Esme's excited face, "I'll miss you too, Princess. I just-"

"Hey Remus," a voice interrupted them and Remus saw Harry walking towards them. "Hey Sarai, Esme. We're going to get on the train now."

"Wait just a second," Sarai stopped them. She flashed them a big smile, "Aren't you going to introduce me to your friend here?"

Hermione lifted her head up bringing her curtain of hair away from her face revealing her chocolate brown eyes. No one besides Remus noticed Sarai's little gasp. But she quickly recovered as Hermione started talking.

"Hi. I'm Hermione Granger," she put out her hand.

Sarai distractedly shook it and said, "Sarai Snape, Nice to meet you."

Noticing her mother had lost her words after that sentence, Esme piped up. "I'm Esmeralda!" she started enthusiastically, "But everyone calls me Esme! I'm starting Hogwarts this year!"

Hermione giggled at the girl's peppiness. Esme was practically jumping up and down. "You look like one for excitement, I'm sure you're going to love Hogwarts."

Esme's only response was an energetic nod.

"We'd better get going," Harry said as the train's whistle blew. They grabbed the rest of their stuff and headed towards the train. Sarai's eyes followed them until they had disappeared within the train.

Still preoccupied with her thoughts, Sarai said goodbye to Esme and put her on the train. She also waved goodbye to Alastair through the window of the train and watched till it went out of sight.

Following the flow of parents going back through the barrier Sarai's mind was somewhere else. She felt a tap on her arm and an arm go around her waist. Remus looked concerned.

"What was that about?" he asked as they got ready to apperate.

She grabbed his arm, "I'll tell you at home." She looked both ways to see if anyone was watching and apperated away with him.