Hey! I really hope you're enjoying this story and I really am sorry how erratic I've been with updates. Anyways, here's your chapter, and I hope you enjoy. I'm going to try and get the next one up pretty soon.
The steam was thick but in a moment Molly was able to discern the rest of the family grouped a few feet away. Keeping a tight grip on both Harry and Dudley she strode over to them. Bill and Charlie's faces were flushed with excitement as they shouted greetings to those around.
Molly's heart ached to see her boys so unregretful at leaving home but she hid her feelings not wanting to ruin their day.
'Well, for once we have actually made it in good time.' Arthur ran his fingers through his hair in relief before turning to Bill and Charlie. 'Why don't you two try and track down your friends so we can get the cases loaded into a compartment?'
At that moment the Jordan family appeared from the crowd. Their eldest Lorna was in Charlie's year, though in Ravenclaw. The two greeted each other with a smile. The other Jordan child was Lee and he was a great friend of the twins.
The families knew each other from Mrs Weasley's brief stint as a healer alongside Mrs Jordan. Her and Victoria had become friends from almost the beginning of their training course, and though they had only worked together for three years in total, (Mrs Weasley had stopped work after Bill was born) they had remained firm friends ever since.
Lorna addressed Charlie. 'If you're looking for Tonks she's back there.' She gestured over her shoulder.
With a grin of thanks Charlie dumped his trunk and vanished into the fog.
Molly's heart broke just slightly more.
Her reverie was broken by Victoria's exclamation. 'Molly dear, if I'm not much mistaken you seem to have gained two kids.'
Harry ducked behind her legs to hide when he realised who was being referred to but Dudley just stared up at Victoria blankly.
Molly gave a little laugh to cover the second of silence. 'Of course, we haven't seen you since it all happened. Harry and Dudley had to be removed from their muggle guardians because of how they were being treated. Harry is a halfblood and Dudley has a little magical background, so Dumbledore thought it would be best if they were left with us.'
Well it wasn't a lie at all. She'd just admitted mentioning Harry's true identity. All the children had been instructed in the same tale and she was reasonably comfortable they would stick to it.
Mrs Jordan sighed. 'It is so sad how some children are treated. You have a heart of gold for taking them in Molly, you really do.' She patted Molly's arm.
Mr Weasley checked his watch. 'We better get them on the train. Only five minutes to go.'
Molly grabbed Bill and pulled him towards her. 'Be good darling, love you, get yourself a good seat now, I think I saw Justin heading for the middle of the train. You should try and catch him up, you don't want to lose a seat. Oh and keep an eye on Charlie for me?'
He laughed and hugged her back. 'Mum, calm, I'll be fine, we both will.' He hugged his father, his siblings, waved to Harry and Dudley and disappeared into the smoke lugging his case behind him.
She turned to her husband frantically. 'Arthur, maybe you should help him with the trunk. He might not be able to manage it.'
Arthur smiled reassuringly at her. 'Don't worry dear, I'm on it.' And he followed his oldest son away into the smoke.
'Where's Charlie got to?' She almost sobbed. They had only a minute to go.
'Right here mum!' He appeared behind her, almost making her jump. A pale witch sporting short indigo hair was beside him.
'Watcha, Mrs Weasley.'
'Hello Tonks dear. Where's your mother?'
'She had to dash. She helped the pair of us get our trunks on. We have a compartment.'
Molly breathed a sigh of relief. 'Oh good. Right, well you better get on the train, the pair of you.'
Charlie hugged both his parents, promised to write and then like Bill was gone.
Molly made eye contact with Victoria and could have sworn she had seen a suspicious glistening in the other woman's eye. It was so hard to let the children go. It was just so hard.
There was a grinding of brakes, a whistle of steam and then screaming like an angry dragon before the train stirred into motion. She caught sight of Bill and waved and waved and waved, until the train was long gone.
In the chaos she quickly dried her eyes hoping that no one would notice. She was shocked when she felt her husband wrap his arms around her.
'It will be okay Mollywobbles, it'll be okay.' She sniffed and let him embrace her.
It was a good few minutes before they were ready to leave the platform. Lee and the twins had managed to vanish in the few seconds no eyes had been on them. For a horrible moment Molly had feared they had somehow climbed aboard the train and were at that very moment being whisked off into the highlands but a second later they were revealed to be feasting on a spilled box of Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans. There had been a lot of scolding and a lecture on hygiene before the families finally left the platform.
The Jordans had just apparated away and Molly was just preparing to use a phone box to call a taxi when Dudley ran across the station. Why? Because he had caught sight of his mother.
If you enjoyed please do leave a comment. Also tell me what you think of the Jordan family so far. I'm still debating about exactly where to go with this story so do let me know. Do people prefer the Jordan family or the Tonks family?
Thanks for reading. Lot of love xx
