Disclaimer:

Harry Potter and its world belong to J. K Rowling. I only own the original characters I made.

"Dialogue"

'Thoughts'

King's Cross station was one of the busiest stations in London. Since its inception in 1852 it arduously welcomed new passengers into its halls. Millions of souls, past and present started or ended their journeys at this station. That was even more true today, on the 1st of September.

"This is so boring." A teen with a 'Hogwart's Express' placard yawned.

"Wouldn't it have been quicker just to floo them?"

"Where's your sense of wonder, Bobby?"

A teen and an owl would have been a peculiar sight at the station if anybody could see them of course.

"I wonder why are you here, Zephyr. Thankfully I've asked Flitwick for the notice me not charm. Otherwise I'd have been grabbed by the security." Although he wore casual muggle clothes of that era, an owl would still have made people ask questions about his sanity.

"I wanted to accompany you on your first trip. Is that a crime?" The owl looked around the crowed hall.

The teen's countenance softened. "No, but I still find this whole train ride redundant. We'll be riding almost 9 hours."

"You're only complaining because you're the chaperone." Zephyr snickered.

"No. I'm struggling to understand why even children from Hogsmeade have to take the train."

"They're steadfast in their traditions." The owl shrugged. "Better this then rallying everyone on brooms."

"Quite." The train was the cheaper option between the two as well.

Their banter was cut short as a small boy approached them. A flash of understanding showed in Robert's eyes as he recognized him. Black messy hair and feeble look accompanied with awful overstretched clothing. His most redeeming feature, however were his emerald green eyes. He could see myraid of emotions haunting those windows of the boys soul. Fear, curiosity and a little bit of hope hidden behind the curtain of despair.

"I'm sorry." The boy avoided looking into Robert's eyes and concentrated on the owl on his shoulder. "Could you please help me get to platform 9 3/4, sir?" He asked so quietly as if anticipating being refused by the older teen before him.

"Why of course, shorty." Robert replied jokingly. "It's my job to help little lost lambs like yourself."

"Really?" The boy finally looked at the blond's face. A gentle welcoming smile greeted him. Not an amount of disdain pointed towards him; it felt surreal.

"Yes, now follow along." Robert said. "I still have to watch for more strandlers after I'm done with you."

Not wanting to be left behind, the boy followed behind Robert like a chick following its mother hen.

"Beautiful owl you've got there." The blond engaged in some small talk to lessen the boy's vigilance. "Judging by her behavior she's quite found of you."

The snowy owl kept her sight on her owner, watching if everything was okay.

"She's Hedwig," a smile tried to push through on the boy's face, "and she's family."

"Hopefully she's better then mine over here." Zephyr pecked Robert's pointing finger. "He's Zephyr. If you'll need anything from me in the future you can always run it by him."

The duo reached a barrier between platforms 9 and 10. The young boy looked puzzeled and was afraid that the man had swindled him somehow.

"Why the disappointment?" Robert chuckled. "The entrance is right over here."

He placed his hand on the solid wall. With a push it suddenly passed through.

"See, the entrance is concealed by magic. Its a ward that can pick up if you're magical and your intent to cross over." The man explained. "So come on, take your trolly and I'll be right behind you."

The boy nervously clutched the handle of his cart. Afraid of not meeting expectations he mindlessly charged at the wall. When he thought he would crash he closed his eyes and felt nothing.

"You can open them now." He felt a hand gently squeeze his shoulder.

Trusting the man's voice his eyelids raised little by little until he could finally see the wonderous sight before him. A scarlet train, puffing bouts of steam stood at the platform. Many children were frolicking with their friends. Some were crying not leaving their parents embrace.

"She's a beauty, isn't she?" Robert Cross smiled as the boy nodded.

"I've never seen anything like it."

"Just wait until you see the castle." Robert chuckled. "Come on, let's get you on the train." He helped the boy with getting his trunk up the stairs.

"Will you be fine now?" The boy nodded. "Good, I'm heading back to check for other last lambs. Maybe I'll see you later after the trains starts." He waved and once again crossed the barrier.

"He looked rather neglected." Zephyr said his observations.

"Ironic how humans treat their saviors." The teen sighed. "Let's focus on our job for now." He saw a group of redheads coming to the platform.

"Single file." Presumably the mother of the bunch ordered. "George stop pushing your brother Percy."

"But I'm George."

"How could you do this to us mother?" The second twin said in mock sadness.

"You'll become the death of me one day." The matriach was exasperated with their unruly behavior. She noticed the blond teen standing next to the barrier. "You must be the new hire, how have you been doing dear?" She asked with a big motherly smile.

"Hello Mrs. Weasley." He bowed. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Oh, you recognized me?"

"I've heard about a fiery witch with red hair from Madam Rosemerta." He smiled. "And she wondered how the passionate lady was ensnared by Mr. Arthur." The innkeeper said also other things, but he preferred not to mention them in front of the kids.

"Hmph, that no good gossip." Mrs. Weasley blushed.

"And who are you?" One of the twins asked.

"I'll be working slash starting my first year at Hogwart's, Fred."

"But he's Fred." He pointed towards his twin.

"That won't work on me." He chuckled. "Now run along, there's 10 minutes until the train starts."

"Phooey."

"You're no fun." George rushed first into the barrier.

"I'll keep an eye on them." Percy expressed to his mother. "I'll see you Mr. Crow at the prefect's compartment."

With the three gingers gone two were still left. The youngest brother and sister were staring in awe at the teen.

"You're awesome." Ron blurted out.

"Thank you, Mr. Weasley." Robert nodded. "Now off you go."

Regaining his composure the small boy rushed and disappeared like his brothers before him.

"How did you do that?" The girl squeaked from behind her mother.

Robert smiled gently. "You're asking how I was able to differentiate the twins?" She nodded cutely.

The blond pointed towards Zephyr. "With the help of my partner." He winked.

Understanding showed up on the small girls face. "That's so sly." She giggled.

"I'll have to use that at home more often." Mrs. Weasley thanked the teen. "Come on, Ginny. We'll see your brothers off."

The small girl waved, saying goodbye to the older boy.

"A rather huge family that was." Zephyr crowed.

"They're busy that's for sure." Robert smirked. "Apparently they've got 6 sons and 1 daughter. So we didn't see the two older ones today."

"Well, you'll have work cut out for you with those twins." Zephyr said with some mirth in his voice.

"We shall see." He shook his head. "Let's make our final round at the station."

A column of dark steam was relentlessly being unleashed by the Hogwart's Express. The train was currently gliding through the endless fields of the British Isles. As it was nearing lunch time a witch was pushing a cart filled with specialty food's from the Wizardry world, could be seen in the train's corridors.

The woman opened the door to a compartment currently occupied by 3 elder girls.

"Would you like anything from the trolley, dearies?" She asked with a polite smile.

"I'd like one pumpkin pasty, please." The blonde of the bunch requested."

"How can you fit anymore, Mindy?" A dark skinned girl berated her friend.

"I don't get fat as quick as you do, Jasmine." Judging by her friend's expression she hit a sour spot.

On the opposite side of the compartment a bubblegum pink haired witch was absentmindly watching the monotone landscape of potatoe farms.

"I'm good." She answered.

"Thank you for your purchase, have a pleasant trip." The witch took the bronze coins from Mindy and closed the door.

"Okay Tonks, what's going on?" Mindy eyed her friend suspiciously.

"Is it that bloke you've told us about?" Jasmine asked.

Tonks rolled her eyes. "Please, I've got bigger troubles than your gossip."

"What is it then?" They asked.

Tonks sighed. "My mother is still against my enrollment into the force."

"As she should, butterfingers." Jasmine remarked."Why would you even think of that ungrateful job?"

"As much as it viscerallly hurts agreeing with her, I concor." Mindy quickly finished her treat. "Its a waste to use your talent for something mundane as catching raging alcoholics in Knockturn Alley."

"Or checking permission slips at the Ministry." Redfield added.

"But I don't want to be a Healer." Tonks pouted. "I'd rather fight bad guys so St. Mungo's has less work."

"If you like action that much then why not consider dueling?" Mindy proposed. "Not only it's safer but you'll get the respect you deserve."

"Denied." Tonks sunk deeper into her seat. "Flitwick said I don't have the necessary imagination to do well in the field."

"You were more combat oriented judging by our Defense classes." Mindy mused.

"Or just get a Master in something." Jasmine shrugged. "As much as I don't want to admit it, you're one of the brightest from our year."

"Oh ho. Is our little Jas brooding?" The blonde sang.

The dark skinned girl scowled. "You're such a nuisance."

"Love you too." Mindy giggled.

Their conversation was abruptly cut short as the door to their compartment was opened by a blond teen.

"I thought I heard someone familiar." Robert smirked. "It's Ms. Redface and Happyfingers."

"How rude." Mindy remarked with an off-putting smile. "Maybe we should teach you a lesson."

"And get charged with assaulting a staff member? Be my guest." He said in a challenging tone.

"Hi, Old man." Tonks winked. "Did you miss me?"

The teen paused and watched as her hair was unusually glowing. "Is that okay?" He asked the other two.

"It seems you showed us something new, Tonksy." Mindy had a knowing smile.

"So it was you, the window shopper." Jasmine said with clear distaste.

"It's not hard to fall out of grace with you isn't it?" Robert sighed.

"She doesn't like people in general." Tonks answered. "Don't look at me like its not true, Jas."

The witch responded by turning her face away towards the window.

"Well I've just came to say my greetings." Not wanting to sour the mood further Crow decided to leave. "I'll see you around at the castle."

The train's corridors were mostly empty. However, when he walked into another wagon he saw three not so happy children walking his way.

"You'd do better then stand before your betters." A scowling platinum blond boy snapped at man before him.

"Any more of that tone and you'll land in detention, I'll make sure of it." Robert recognized that self entitled speech pattern. It was Draco Malfoy in the flesh.

"Don't you know who my father is?"

"I'll give you one advise Mr. Malfoy." Robert towered above the not so haughty now boy. "Unless your father can be with you at all times, I'd be careful while traversing the dark corridors of Hogwart's. You never know who'll take the chance to make you disappear, forever."

"You wouldn't dare!"

"It only takes one shitty day to make someone go mad." He patted Draco's shoulder. "Don't make so much enemies that you can't keep track of their movements, kid."

"I'll, I'll tell my father about this." Draco stammered.

"Good. I'll then have the pleasure of telling straight to his face what a failure his son is."

The boy visibly flinched. "Let's go, Crabbe, Goyle." They quickly tumbled through the exit.

Robert shook his head. "It's not going to be easy."

After that small inconvenience he continued his rounds until he reached an opened compartment.

"Oh, it's you mister." Robert recognized Ron's voice.

"We meet again, Mr. Weasley. And you too," Robert paused. "I believe I haven't asked for your name before."

"You don't know who he is?" A high pitched voice of shock filled the small room.

"Easy on the ears, Miss. I still need them." The bushy haired girl blushed in embarrassment.

"Hello, sir." The small black haired boy with glasses greeted back.

"I see you've been munching on sweets. Leave some room for the feast." Robert winked.

"We will."

"Before you leave, could you help me with finding a toad? A boy lost his." The girl almost demanded.

"Sure, what is its name?"

"Trevor, sir."

Robert Crow released his wand from its holder.

"Wicked." Ron blurted out.

"Accio Trevor."

Robert heard gasps coming from the compartment next door.

"Wait a moment." He opened the door and something slimy landed on his face.

"Is there a chance this is a princess?"

Giggling reached his ears. Unamused he took the amphibian down. He saw four freshmen girls within the room. Two girls with blond hair and the other two had brown and auburn hair.

"We didn't mean to laugh, sir." The blond with blue eyes apologized.

"There's no need for apologies, miss. Since I've found the lost pet I'll leave." He closed the door.

"You've found it? What was that spell? Will it be om our entry test?" With a swish of the wand the excessive questioning was silenced.

"Here's your friends familiar. As for you boys you should get prepared. We'll be arriving in about half an hour."

"Yes, sir." The boys nodded.

The Hogwart's Express screeched as the brakes clamped down on its steel wheels. The train finally reached its last stop at Hogsmeade. The doors opened, releasing the waves of students, famished with the long ride.

"First years follow me." Hagrid towered over the gathering students.

"This should be all of them, Hagrid." Robert checked if the number was right.

"You'll be coming with us?"

"As much as I'd love to, I'd rather not get any more wet."

Rain was drizzling down from the night sky. Although there was no wind,

coldness caressed his face with its touch.

"Suit yourself." Hagrid walked the children towards the docks. Small boats were silently drifting on the water.

"No more than four per boat."

With one last look at the Black Lake Robert entered one of the carriages by himself.

"We can go, Chester."

The Thestral nodded and blew white air out of its nostrils. Sounds of clattering against the cobblestone spread throughout the setting down mist as the carriage made its way towards the castle.