disclaimer: all recognizable characters and places belong to JK Rowling.
Between 9 and 10
All four Dursleys stood in Kings Cross station, between platforms 9 and 10.
"What do we do now?" Daisy asked.
"I have no idea," Dudley replied, his tone vague and flat, as if his mind wasn't quite focused on his current situation.
"What are you thinking about?" Poppy said, taking her father's hand.
"I was just thinking about all the times we left Harry here, and picked him up. Yet, somehow, we never saw how he got on the platform. Strange, isn't it? I don't understand how we were so uninterested - disgusted even - about his life."
Daisy looked at her dad, also deep in thought. Daisy didn't know much about Harry and Dudley's childhood relationship. She knew her grandparents had not approved of Harry's magic, and had treated him badly, but all she knew about her father's relationship was what he had told her. I was very mean to him, Daisy. I was a horrible person to him, and so many others, and I regret it. I wish I could change what had happened, but the best I can do is raise you and Poppy to be caring people. People who already know what matters most is not themselves.
"There's Harry now," Anna pointed as she said his name. Sure enough, the Potters, and several groups of Weasleys had come into view amid the crowd of people. It was hard to miss them, with so many red heads.
Harry smiled at all of them in greeting. "Ready to go to Hogwarts, Daisy?"
Daisy smiled back, "As ready as I'll ever be, I guess." Daisy still wasn't entirely sure what to expect at her new school. She had so many questions, like how does sorting work? what are the Hogwarts houses? Do we have to wear robes all the time? and many more.
"Then," Harry was was talking to everyone now, "you'll finally see how us wizards get to school." He motioned for the many Weasleys to go ahead of them.
First up, was Ron with Rose. They were pulling Rose's trunk on a trolley towards the brick wall at a swift pace, and in the end seemed to be running. And then they were gone.
Daisy blinked. How was that possible? There they were, about to crash, and then they were just gone. This happened again and again as more and more people went through the barrier and disappeared. Dudley, who was standing next to Daisy, appeared faint. Anna simply looked confused and Poppy was delighted and eager to go next.
Lucky for Poppy, it soon was their turn to go through. Harry put everyone with someone who had done this before, and prepared to go through. First, Lily ran with Poppy, who showed no fear whatsoever, through the brick wall and out of sight. That was all Daisy needed to boost her confidence. If her little sister, who might not have magic at all, could get through the barrier, well, then so could she. Ginny took hold of one side of the trolley and started to walk towards the barrier.
Here we go, Daisy thought. She and Ginny were running now, and they were going to crash. She could see it now, this was a stupid thing to do. The bricks were just bricks, and the impact would be hard and painful, but it was too late to turn back now. She closed her eyes as she neared the wall.
But the crash never came. When Daisy opened her eyes, she was on a platform, full of people. A scarlet steam engine stood on the tracks in front of her.
"Amazing, isn't it?" Poppy asked, suddenly appearing at Daisy's side.
Daisy just laughed. Amazing was an understatement.
Nearby, she saw a boy about her age, who was saying, "Dad, I think i've lost Buttercup again."
"Really, Frank," the man standing next to him said. He turned away to search, while muttering, "and I thought a cat would be harder to lose than a toad."
Behind Daisy, the rest of her family and the Potters had arrived. James and Albus were already rushing off in different directions to find friends. Lilly, however, stayed by her side.
"There's only five minutes until the train leaves - we should go find a compartment," she declared over the voices heard from all over the station.
"Yes, um, just a moment," Daisy said, equally as loud, her voice still barely heard. She turned around and faced her parents and little sister. She could feel tears welling up in her eyes, but she wouldn't let them fall. This was supposed to be a happy occasion, not one where she fell apart. "I guess this is goodbye for now, then," she said.
Dudley nodded grimly and stepped forwards, wrapping his arms around Daisy. This wasn't helping Daisy prevent tears, but she hugged him back, and then hugged her tearful mother too.
Finally, Poppy was there, hugging her and whispering, "I don't know why everyone's crying! You're going to have a great time. Send me an owl every week. It won't bother mum if it comes to my window.
"Okay, I will," Daisy smiled back. "Bye!" She waved at her family as she got onto the train with Lily.
"Okay then, let's find a compartment; preferably without any of my cousins," Lily said wearily.
Luckily for them, there was an empty compartment not far from where they had gotten on.
"Perfect!" Lily said after stowing her trunk and flopping down on a seat by the window. "This is just how we'll meet new friends. We have a mostly empty compartment - someone will come by needing a seat."
Daisy wondered how Lily would know this, and why she wanted new friends when she seemed to have so many in her family already. Lily was right in thinking more people would come by though. Not a minute after they were situated, a short girl with dark wavy brown hair opened their compartment door.
"Are these seats empty? Do you mind if I sit with you?" She asked.
Lily beamed, delighted with her success at finding a new friend. "Of course you can sit! I'm Lily Potter, and this is my cousin Daisy. What's your name?"
The girl looked a bit startled at Lily's optimism. "I'm Sophia Hatman," she said. "Are you really Lily Potter, Harry Potter's daughter?"
"Yeah, but I'm not any different than the rest of you people, I promise. He's just my dad."
Sophia nodded. "Well nice to meet you two anyway."
Now was the last time before sorting that Daisy would get to ask about houses, but she wasn't sure she wanted to show how much she didn't know about Hogwarts to their new "friend."
"So, Lily, you promised you'd tell me about the houses on the way there," she started to say, briefly glancing at Sophia who had taken the seat next to her.
"Oh! Right, I did tell you I'd explain," she said, not losing any enthusiasm. She turned to Sophia and said, "Daisy's from the Muggle side of the family, so she doesn't know as much as we- as much as I do yet. Were you born into a wizard family?"
"I wasn't, actually. I'm Muggle born, but I was adopted into a wizard family last year, so I know quite a bit."
"Then, maybe you'll gain some information too, then. The four houses are called Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff. Most of my family, Weasleys and Potters both, have been if Gryffindor, with the exception of Albus. Gryffindor is the house of courage, and determination. I hope all of us get into Gryffindor, it's the best."
Daisy was a little bit worried at this topic. Were the other houses bad, or not as good then? If all of these heroic families went there, would she be cast aside if she didn't get in? What about if she did get in? Then she would have to live up to the reputation of bravery, wouldn't she?
Lily continued on. "Slytherin, no matter what other people say about it, isn't completely horrible. It's the house for those who are cunning, and ambitious. People say it's evil because every dark wizard that attended Hogwarts was once a Slytherin, but Albus is in there, and dad named him after a hero that was in Slytherin. You have a small chance of getting in though, because it's rare for muggle-borns."
"Then, Ravenclaw is basically a house for smart people, and I don't really know much about it. Hufflepuff is pretty much everyone else. I mean, I guess it's supposed to be for hardworking, loyal, and fair people."
Silence then took over from Lily's talk.
Finally, Daisy asked, "How are you sorted into houses then?"
Lily's eyes glinted mischievously. "Maybe I should just let you wait and see…"
"No!" Sophia said. "Don't worry about it Daisy, I do know about the sorting, I'll tell you. All you have to do is put on this old hat, and it reads your mind and decides what house you would best fit into. Then it shouts your house out loud, and you take it off, and join your table. No big deal."
At about noon, an old woman knocked at the door, asking if they wanted anything off her trolley. Daisy didn't have much money, but Lily told her to get anything she wanted.
As expected, the trolley didn't have anything you could get at Muggle stores. Daisy had tried Bertie Botts Every Flavored Beans at the family reunion, and didn't fancy any more grass or bark flavored ones. She did take a Chocolate Frog, though.
She opened it without asking, but sure it would be a real frog. It wasn't. But, there was a collectible card underneath the chocolate.
It read: Harry Potter, the first and only known wizard to survive the killing curse, earning him the title "the Boy-Who-Lived." He is most famous for the defeat of the most dangerous dark wizard of all time, Lord Voldemort, in 1998. He was also the youngest to compete in the triwizard tournament. Potter now works as head of magical law enforcement in the ministry of magic.
"Wow, I didn't know your dad did so much, Lily."
She laughed. "That's a first. Everyone knows my dad in the wizarding world."
All three of us turned to look out the window. A thick forest, and river could be seen flying past.
"It's probably time to get our robes on," Sophia said.
After the girls had changed, they looked out the window again, and saw a magnificent castle, lit up by brilliant lights in the dark evening sky.
A voice came on, although Daisy saw no speakers. "We will arrive at Hogwarts in five minutes time. Please leave luggage on the train, it will be taken to the castle separately."
Daisy looked over at Lily who was grinning excitedly. "We're here, we're finally here," she whispered.
Daisy nodded. She was excited too - but just as much so nervous.
Then the train slowed to a stop. They were nearly at Hogwarts.
Some HP questions for readers:
Have you read (or seen) the Cursed Child? What did you think of it? I have read it now, but it's too late to incorporate it in this story, and would make the plot confusing anyway.
Have you seen "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them?" I really enjoyed it (more than HP and CC). Which was better if you've read or watched both?
Some story questions:
Where do you think the story will go from here? (I know I haven't put any hints in yet, but still think about the question)
Do you have any names for OCs going to Hogwarts? If you do, put their name, year, and a short description
Any writing tips for me?
Right now I have POVs planned for Daisy, Dudley, and possibly Harry and Poppy. Is there anyone you would like to hear from?