December 2006
After securing the chocolates in a stasis bubble, Kiara slumped into her compartment. Haley was laid out over two seats very visibly asleep, her soft snores blowing her hair away from her face. Quinn was petting Beatrice while reading on the other bench. Kiara smiled at the scene before sitting next to Quinn. Her hand reached out to pet Beatrice who had seemed to mellow out from her hyper barks to slow nuzzles. The drowsy dog snuggled between the two girls her tail beating in joy. Kiara was secretly glad Quinn was keeping the pet. Beatrice had burrowed into her heart in the past few hours. Her emerald-speckled coat made her even more endearing when combined with her warm presence.
"El went to bother John again. She said she would be back in a little while," Quinn whispered, resting her book down.
Kiara mentally shook her head at Eleanor, "Well I guess we should expect her right before the train stops."
Quinn smirked conspiratorially at Kiara. They were used to Eleanor's excuses, the girl would forget when she said she would be back. Kiara gave Beatrice one last pat before scooting onto the floor. The train ride was the last time she would be able to tap into her magic till the end of the break.
Kiara closed her eyes following the pull of her magic to her core, her heart beating in time with the pulsing of her magic. Slowly all sensations faded away. Her hearing went first. The rumble of the train, quiet huffs of Beatrice, and Quinn's murmurs disappeared. This silence was different than most which were often unnerving. This silence was comfortable like when she was little and hid under her blankets. Only her light breaths and heartbeats reached her ears. Smell and taste were next. Eleanor's perfume which had lingered in the air fizzled away. The fresh laundry smell that clung to all their clothes faded with her next breath. Remnants of sugary confections seeped off her tongue. Her touch was last. The slight shaking of the compartments slipped away along with the soft carpet underneath her. The hard wood against her back vanished into the kind darkness that now surrounded her. The chill of the room faded as her magic swelled up all around her.
Kiara chased the streams of shimmering gold down to her center. The darkness lightened as she raced towards a glowing ball. All of the strands of magic emerged from this. It was big enough for her to wrap her arms around it without her fingers touching. Most of her magic was held within her in this sphere. The trail that she had followed to reach there was one of hundreds. Some were faint, others almost solid. She turned away from the miniature sun its warmth covering her back. She looked over the darkness like a night sky but instead of stars lighting it up threads of magic weaved through the space. Kiara held her breath gracing her fingers over the ever-flowing rivers of life and magic.
Golden strands spun out in all directions but Kiara knew where they led. The tapestry of her life was mixed with others. A warm brown, the same color as her mother's eyes wrapped around another, protecting it. A shimmering purple with the fierceness of Haley tangled through one of Kiara's streams. Quinn's deep green, which happened to be the same color as Beatrice as if they were fated to be, spun around another strand. Eleanor's royal blue glittering like her eyes right before she did something that would get her in trouble merged with a strand. Regulus' silver danced among the gold with his poise and kindness. Streams of every color imaginable intermingled with Kiara's gold. Some were so far she could barely see them, others close enough to touch. Every strand she touched sent a tiny jolt up her arm. The shock brought brief emotions flashing through her mind. Will's excitement and Camille's smile graced her thoughts.
Kiara drew her hand back from the threads, her hands tingling. She turned away from her sprawling connections towards her core. Up close she could see the different shades of yellow and orange mixing into the ball that held her magic. She pushed her hand against the glowing sphere meeting a second of resistance before it welcomed her in. There Kiara was completely encompassed with light. It was like stepping into a ball of yarn, except this one was made out of pure magic. Kiara walked down the sloping floor to the deepest section. She sat down, the ground giving slightly against her crossed legs. She dropped her hands to the ground by her side and dug her fingers through the strands. The shimmering threads slipped over her hands as she let her mind drift.
– o – ️ – o –
A muffled tap against her shoulder brought Kiara out of her mind, Quinn's smiling face leaned over her.
"You were in there for a while," she questioned, helping Kiara up.
Kiara could feel the time, her knees creaking in disagreement with the abrupt movement. She shook her hands out letting the ghost tingles fade from her body.
"Sorry. Did anything happen?" Kiara asked, flopping down on the comfortable chairs.
Quinn shook her head, "Haley woke up a bit but when I told her what time it was she told me 'I'm going to rest because someone ruined my sleep.'"
Kiara laughed at that before Quinn shushed her looking back worriedly at the sleeping girl.
"She sounded really grumpy. I don't want to see what she's going to do if we wake her up."
Kiara conceded to Quinn's reasoning. The train had quieted down during her meditation. Very few students would be still out and around after six hours on the train. Kiara toed off her shoes tucking them under her seat before sliding to lean against the window. She unwrapped her scarf before transfiguring it again into a blanket. She cocooned herself to hide from the cold. She pulled a book out of her bag fine with waiting for either Haley to wake up or Eleanor to return. Beatrice—who was tired of being ignored—huffed and sat on her feet. Kiara smiled at the dog while Quinn quietly scolded her pet.
"It's fine. She's keeping me warm." Kiara petted Beatrice in thanks before turning to her book.
The door to their compartment slid open with a bang. The occupants' heads whipped around to glare at the offending noise and perpetrator. In the doorway, Remus Lupin wrapped in a slightly too-small leather jacket meekly waved at them. He stuck his hands in his pockets as they stared at each other in silence. Remus stood there for a second as if trying to find the words to say when something pushed him into the room. Kiara stretched to look behind him to see what made him stumble but the hallway was empty. He glared over his shoulder before looking back at Kiara.
"Um… Hi." He pulled his hands out of his pockets to fiddle with his sleeves.
"Hey?" Kiara finally shook herself out of her confusion. "What are you doing here?" She sat up and put her book down.
"I was just… I came here to… Um… I wanted to…" Remus lurched forward like something shoved him from behind. "I wanted to apologize for before," he blurted.
Quinn squeaked bringing their attention to her. She flushed and waved her hands at Haley. Kiara realized if they continued this awkward conversation it was likely they would wake up the temperamental girl. She nodded at the slightly frantic redhead and stood up. They did not want a reoccurrence of November 2004's disaster.
"Let's talk outside. You don't want to wake up Haley." Kiara shrunk her scarf and wrapped it around her neck.
– o – ️ – o –
The corridors between the compartments were freezing as they stepped out. It was not quite cold enough Kiara could see her breath but she felt like it was close. One would think that a semi-sentient train would be able to regulate its temperature. A flash of black disappeared into the booth next to them.
"What was that?" Kiara asked, peering around the boy.
"Nothing," he squeaked quickly moving to block her vision, "It doesn't matter. I came to talk to you about how I acted last month. I'm sorry about everything I did."
Kiara's memory of that day tangled and twisted, she couldn't think of anything he had done. "It's fine you didn't do anything. I was just being too pushy. I should be the one apologizing for bothering you."
Remus who had been biting his lips as if to keep from speaking blurted, "But you weren't, I was being a moron. I was rude and ignored you. I'm really sorry. I don't have an excuse and I shouldn't have done that. You've helped me so much. Your potions helped and you were kind and I was being a berk."
He fiddled with his shirt hem but stared into her eyes determinedly. Kiara gawked at him for a second. She could not believe he was feeling guilty for that. His words made her reflect on that time. She did come across a little strong and he wasn't the kindest. The blame was shared. There was no point in making him suffer.
With her mind made up, she smiled at him, "All is forgiven, you can't expect everyone to be perfect especially when they are in a stressful situation. Thank you for coming here though."
Remus' shoulders slumped as if she had freed him of his guilt. His hands feel limply to his sides, saving the hem of his shirt.
"If it isn't too much of a hassle could I-" a spell shot out of the next compartment at Remus and he let out a sharp breath "-I mean, my friends and I hang out with you after the break? As thanks for your help?"
Kiara let out a small laugh, finally guessing who the person hiding from her was.
"I would be happy to see you and your friends after. Especially you, Sirius," she aimed the last sentence at the boy who slipped into the corridor with them as if he had always been there.
"Of course, lovey. It would be my pleasure to let you bask in my presence," he proclaimed with a smirk.
Kiara glimpsed Remus' eye roll and attempted to smother her grin. The two shared a look at the ridiculous boy. A loud thump and shouts made all their heads swing around. Behind them, Eleanor, James, and Peter were tangled on the floor in a heap. Eleanor's clothes were askew and the boys' hair was pointing in every which way. One thing that stood out from the mess was a strange purple cloak, half covering the boys. Kiara took a tiny step back at seeing Eleanor's face. She was reminded of the time Haley threw dirt at her during a class. This time was worse. The girl looked close to breathing fire. Kiara could see why. A previously beautifully wrapped present was crumpled and ripped.
"Where did you come from!" Eleanor glared at the tripping hazards. She snatched her gift off the floor and held it close to her chest.
"What do you mean we were here the whole time? Where did you come from, Miss Let's-step-on-people?" James tried pushing himself up.
"Ouch James! That's my arm!" Peter shouted from underneath the pile.
His shout spurred the trio observing out of their frozen state. Kiara rushed forward and pulled Eleanor out. Kiara carefully readjusted her hair before the girl could realize it. Sirius and Remus stood laughing at their friends on the floor, making no move to help. The fumbling boys distracted Kiara, but Eleanor was focused on the box. With shaky hands, she opened it before freezing. Whatever it must have been before the accident was destroyed. Kiara plucked the bent pieces of metal from the tattered box. Eleanor's state finally caught the attention of the boys, who had now freed themselves from the cloak. James winced at the damage and started to apologize before Sirius pulled him back watching Kiara. She pulled her wand out of her hair and with a glance at Eleanor for permission cast a reparo.
Before their eyes, the glittering silver reshaped itself. Bent sections straightened out and jewels popped into place. Within seconds a bracelet inlaid with peridot sat in Kiara's hands. Eleanor gingerly picked it up before throwing her arms around Kiara, barely missing Remus and James. The two had migrated closer when they were watching Kiara's spell. Eleanor held onto Kiara tight almost restricting her air supply. They stayed like that until awkward shuffling reminded them of the others in the hall. Eleanor laughed stepping away from Kiara. She whispered a soft 'Thank you' before turning to the boys.
"We're so sorry Finnegan," James exclaimed before looking back at Peter who nodded vigorously, "Really, really sorry."
Eleanor, who seemed to be calmer now the bracelet was fixed, waved her hand. "It's fine now. Kiara fixed it."
"We are still sorry it happened," Peter insisted, frowning.
Eleanor never one to lose an opportunity thought for a second. "If you want to make it up to me I'd be happy to have a favor."
"A favor?" Remus asked brows furrowing.
"Yes. I'm sure you've heard of it. They will owe me. They'll have to do whatever I want whenever I want it. Got that?" Eleanor's natural demeanor settled back into place her earlier distress dismissed.
"Isn't that a little much? They only briefly broke your thingy. Hope fixed it right up," Sirius interjected.
"It's up to them," Eleanor shot back, unfazed.
The two in question glanced at each other before nodding. Sirius gaped at them and muttered under his breath. Remus laughed at him from beside Kiara. Eleanor looked down at her new minions, not that they knew that, as if she was imagining what she could get them to do. Peter squeaked under her gaze which was pretty incredible with their height differences. Then again Eleanor's attitude gave her another foot of height and intimidation. Sirius rolled his eyes at Peter's response grabbing his arm and wrapping another around James' shoulders. He gave one last look at Remus who waved them on. Sirius grumbled pulling the others with him down the corridor.
"Goodbye!" James shouted before the carriage door slammed behind them.
Kiara stared at the door, her mind not fully processing what had just happened. She understood why they were always getting into trouble. It was like standing next to a typhoon, chaos in every direction.
"Sorry for that." Remus rubbed his neck. "I guess I'll head off now."
"See you later." Kiara waved and headed back towards the compartment trailing a snickering Eleanor.
Eleanor entered the room with a flourish only to cower at the sight of a messy-haired Haley glaring at her. Kiara squished by Eleanor but then froze as well.
"Why are you both so loud?" Haley's voice was calm, but it didn't make Kiara feel any better. "I was trying to sleep but I got woken up by you two idiots in the hall. Please explain what was so important that you needed to speak so loud. Really I'm interested."
Kiara looked at Eleanor frantic. It was all her fault Haley was in such a bad mood to start with. Kiara knew the moment Eleanor realized she was going to be sacrificed. Her eyes pleaded but Kiara's mind was made up. She forcefully spun Eleanor and pushed her towards the terrifying girl. Eleanor stumbled a bit, all her earlier attitude was destroyed in the face of Haley's quiet rage.
"Happy Yule!" Eleanor exclaimed in a last-ditch effort. She held out the bracelet that was partially the cause of the drama outside. "I had John make it. He just finished. That's why I had to make sure we were late. He was working on it during breakfast. I didn't want you to see it before it was done."
Haley's face softened, and she picked the bracelet out of Eleanor's outstretched hand.
"Thank you." Haley put it on before pulling Eleanor into a tight hug.
Kiara and Quinn scooched over quietly laughing at the other pair. After a little too long the girls sat down on the opposite bench. Quinn picked up Beatrice and plopped her onto Kiara's lap. Her tiny claws pinched Kiara's legs but the warmth made up for that.
"I'm going back to sleep," Haley announced before lying down half on Eleanor.
Eleanor's terrified face almost caused Quinn to fall off her seat, her body shaking with barely suppressed laughter.
"Shhhhhh… No noises."
This was super fun to write and I hope it is fun to read. If anything doesn't make sense I can try to explain my weird ideas without spoiling the plot. I am currently sick so I have no idea if this will lead me to writing more or less but here's hoping for more.
Any questions are welcome. If you liked this chapter, please consider giving it a comment. Thanks for reading!
- Natalie