Keefer couldn't believe it. He was already back here, at King's Cross. Wasn't it just yesterday that he had been here, coming back from Hogwarts? Where had the summer gone? Time always seemed to pass most quickly when you were dreading something.

Yes, dreading. It's not that he didn't like Hogwarts. Quite the opposite, in fact. It's just that... What will this year hold? It seemed like half his friends had graduated. And this year meant NEWTs, along with having to seriously think about what he wanted to do for a career. Sure, he had always assumed he would help his parents back home with the Abraxan ranch. But as he walked into the station, wheeling a cart and trunk in front of him, that suddenly didn't feel like enough.

He caught a twinkling of the light in his eye as he made his way into the building. It had reflected off of his Captain badge. Yes, I know. More responsibility. He had been excited for it last year, full of vigor. That summer had been spent devising training strategies. This summer? Well, I did think about the team a few times. Last time he was in this building he had told Minerva that he was going to have the team over during the holiday, just to play some pickup Quidditch or something. And that didn't happen... why not?

He knew the answer. Apathy. Dread. Fear. He had spent half the summer in a most unnatural stupor. If I had invited the team over... I would've had to think about Treyen. Who had left them. Just as Keefer would do at the end of this year. He shook his head, trying to rid himself of these poisonous thoughts.

"You can't do this to yourself, Keef." He spoke softly, to himself. But he needed to voice this sentiment aloud. To make it real, make it permanent. "You gotta enjoy this year. Don't spend all your time dreading the future, just enjoy the moments as they come." The nagging thoughts of his future were still there, but a new attitude had replaced the old.

Determined to enjoy his last Hogwarts experience, he began looking around for anyone he knew.

Was it really time for term again? William zipped up his jacket before grasping the handles of his trolley and pushing it along the bustling station. As the mixture of common Muggles and wizards incognito moved about, he tried not to bring too much attention to himself, which was a hard task for poor William. Besides the odd amount of packages and his trunk and his great horned owl, Charles, bringing attention to himself, he was accident prone. He moved at a normal pace, too fearful of tripping and causing a scene should he move faster, and made his way towards Platforms 9 and 10.

Jack pulled his little red car around in front of the train station He looked over at his wife and then into the back seat at their children. "Max if you want to help Taylor with her bags, I'll find a parking spot and be right in." He turned to his wife. "Elizabeth, do you want to go with the kids or stay with me while i park?" He asked.

Maxwell nodded at what his father had told him and got out of the car unpacking their things, he had a hard time balancing Helios and keeping him quite, Helios hated being under a sheet but Maxwell couldn't risk a muggle seeing him.

Elizabeth looked over at Jack, "Which do you prefer, Jack?" She smiled at him and would of called him love but she held back, calling him that in front of the kids since she knew Tay was still trying to be okay with it.
Tay got out and grabbed her things, "I don't need help, Jack." She sighed. Taylor was happy to get away from her mother and Jack.

"Okay." He said to Taylor, unsure if she was angry with him. Things still seemed awkward between them. He looked to Elizabeth and shot her a look only she could understand. they had a way of talking with looks. 'Did i do something wrong?' But he said "Stay?"

Maxwell got them both karts but stopped helping Taylor unsure if she truly didn't want it or if she was just saying that to his father. "He was only trying to help, he knows i like to do these kind of things for you." He said not in a defensive or offended tone, just making sure she wasn't mad.

"THen i will gladly stay with you." She smiled, and saw the look. Elizabeth shook her head in answer and sent him back, 'I will explain later look.'
She smiled sweetly at him getting her a kart, and put her things in it. "Thanks... and it just feels weird when people help you when you can do it yourself." Tay wasnt mad, just feeling awkward.

King's Cross!

He was back here again! And it wasn't because he was getting ready to go home and see his Dad. Now, he was heading off to his second year at Hogwarts! How exciting was this? He could say that he had survived one year at a completely new school. He'd made friends, made the Quidditch team and, luckily for him, he got the chance to do all of this again.

Alec couldn't help but grin at this thought. Joining the Quidditch team would be stressful fun! Making some new friends and hanging out with his old ones would be fun as well. Having pillow fights with Messer and beating him would be great! And he was turning thirteen soon! He, Alec Blake Summers, was turning into a teenager in less than three weeks' time! Awesome!

The second year pushed his trolley forward into the square as his eyes swept the surrounding area, searching for someone. Someone he knew... Because he didn't want to stand here awkwardly or get on the train too quickly. It was pretty early after all and sitting in a compartment alone wouldn't be a great way of making new friends, would it? No.

It was just as Alec looked around again that something caught his eye. For a split second, something that was far away in the distance was glinting at him. Almost twinkling like the stars in the night sky. But... it wasn't nighttime yet. It was morning! Bright and-

"Keefer?" It was him! That flock of red hair was almost impossible to mistake for anyone else. Alec pushed his trolley forwards as he made his way towards the older guy. It was just as he was nearing the boy that he noticed that something was... wrong. Or different. Had summer changed him that much? Maybe he was sick!

Then, there was only one way to cure Keefer of his illness! One good way that the doctor's thought was too good to treat everyone with. Alec reached into his bag and pulled out the big packet of sweets. He ripped them open and stepped closer towards the redheaded Captain.

"Sweeties?"

"Okay." He said with a half smile, they'd been married a few months and he still got the feeling she wasn't fond of him. After they got the last of their things from the car Jack began to pull away hoping for the promised explanation now that they were alone.

Maxwell nodded. "I understand, He just wants you to like him, that's all." He said with a small laugh. Helios let out a squawk. "Shhhh." Maxwell said to the covered birdcage.

Once the children were away, "She still feels awkward about the whole marriage thing, she wasnt really over the whole dating thing even." Elizabeth glanced at him.
Tay nodded, "I do like him but it feels awkward. I know you must find it silly but i still do feel awkward around him." She sighed then glanced down at the birdcage, "Shhhhhh Helios all is fine."

Jack nodded. "I understand." He sighed. "I just want her to like me, it was so easy with Henry and Lucas and I understand she's dating my son but, still we'll be in each other's lives from now on." He could imagine how Taylor felt but still...

Maxwell nodded. "Yeah i get it, I mean your Mum is my dad's wife...But they're happy." He shrugged. "I guess that's why it doesn't bother me." Helios purred at Taylor's voice.

Ariana was joined by her Aunt Millie and her Birth Mother , her birth mother had never been to the platform and as much as Ariana Didn't want her there Millie Insisted it'll be good for their relationship.

"So this is the platform right there between 9 &10 ok goodbye." Ariana tried to rush them away before anyone saw her.

"Ariana Stop being Pushy. Your mother want's to go ON the platform with you." Millie said trying not to be to harsh to Ariana In front of Erin

Ariana Rolled her eyes "whatever."

Erin was hurt by Ariana Not wanting her there, she was her mother her REAL mother "Millie i dont have to go on the platform if she dosent want me to go with her." she said discouraged.

Millie looked to erin then to Ariana

"no no no, your going, she'll get over it Erin."

"She does like you, dear, it is just awkward for her." She reached for Jack's hand to comfort him. "It was easy for Henry and Lucas." Elizabeth nodded, "Because they werent dating your child and Lucas is but a toddler." She laughed and smiled at him. "I'm sure that when they come back during winter break, that she would of gotton used to it."
Tay nodded, "Yeah they are happy, and that helps a bit but it is still awkward." Taylor glanced down at the cage and smiled at it, hearing Helios purr.

Jack gave her hand a light squeeze. "I know, i hope she will be used to it by then." Jack said beginning to park the car.

Maxwell nodded. "Yeah I understand. If you wanna talk about it, i'll always be willing to listen and i think i'll be one of the only one's to really understand it." He said with a slight smile.

She nodded, "Yeah hopefully." Elizabeth smiled at him and returned the squeeze.
Tay shook her head. She only talked to Minerva about it..... it helped some but talking to Maxwell wouldnt help, "Nah i think i rather talk to Min sorry." She gave him a sweet look. "Though it isnt like Mother is going to get pregnant, i mean at her age and she already has 5 children so they arent planning to have one. So i am just being silly, right?"

Jack smiled and parked the car. He got out and opened Elizabeth's door offering her his hand to help her out.

Maxwell was a little hurt that she didn't want to talk to him about it, but he kept it covered. "I don't know i hadn't thought of it. Would it really be the end of the world though?" He asked opening the train station door for Taylor.

He didn't have to look for long. He heard a familiar voice from somewhere behind and turned to meet the boy with a smile on his face. Alec. He gave the boy a quick brotherly hug, then reached out and ruffled his hair. "Man, look how tall you are!" he complimented. Keefer hadn't grown much himself, so the first second year was gaining on him.

The Captain laughed. "That didn't take long!" he said, smiling and digging into the bag of what he was sure contained gummy bears. He pulled out a small handful and began to pop them into his mouth, two at a time. "Here, catch!" he said, tossing a bear into the air towards the Seeker's mouth.

Elizabeth smiled and took his hand, stepping out of the car. "Thank you, my sweet sweet husband."
Tay looked at him like he was an alien, "Maxwell you do know a baby between them would mean a sibling between us? A biological sibling." She walked through the door, "Thank you."

Jack helped her out of the car. "You're welcome my sweet, loving wife." He said with a smile and took her hand as they walked across the parking lot.

Maxwell caught the look and thought for a moment about how odd that would be, but would it matter? technically he was a ******* with a different name and she didn't have his father's name the only one who would would be this new child. He walked in the door behind her. "Ohh, I hadn't thought that far ahead." He said "You're welcome." He caught up to her and with a serious look he said. "If it did happen, would you leave me?" He asked knowing it might be too weird for her to handle.

She smiled and walked hand and hand with him across the parking lot.
Tay shrugged, "I dont know but i doubt it would happen. Mother is old and already have a ton of kids." She rolled her eyes.

Jack smiled. "Can you believe they're third years? It seems like yesterday he was getting on the train for second." He said waiting to cross the street.

Maxwell still looked serious. "I know but i mean it, would you? I wouldn't hold it against you." He said knowing some part of him would even thought he wouldn't want to. She had promised him that whatever happened with them would be on their terms, he hoped it was still true.

After packing her trunks (yes, trunks, two packed with clothes and one specifically just for her shoes) onto a trunk pusher thingy, Emmanuelle made her way to the public square to search for someone who could tell her where exactly this Platform 9 3/4 was. It didn't seem to even exist on any of the supposedly helpful maps placed on the station walls. She wondered if this platform was a clever joke the Hogwarts headmaster had come up with to help overcome the end-of-summer blues. Surely they wouldn't go that far for a joke? Maybe she was just missing something. Like a whole 'nother part of the train station. After all, it was a huge station. She stopped her cart in front of one the aforementioned large maps and searched it for the elusive platform again, alternating between tapping her finger on her chin and using the finger to follow paths that seemed to lead there. Hmm… it has to be here SOMEWHERE…

Elizabeth smiled at him, "No i cant believe it." She laughed and smiled, "I still remember the day i have given birth to her." Elizabeth shook her head, chuckling.
Tay looked at him then looked down, "I told you once before that whatever happened, would be on our terms."

Minerva was so glad to be back at the train station. She was a little nervous for the beginning of term, but everyone was going to work out right. So much had happened this summer. She turned annoyed "Leelee, I don't need your help I could have come alone."

Now you know I am your guardian and I will be there to watch you leave."

Jack smiled but then half frowned because of all the time he was robbed of with his son, whom he didn't even meet until last year. He walked up and opened the door for Elizabeth.

Maxwell looked over at her and kissed her cheek. "I'm sorry, i just had to know. Let's not talk about the hypothetical for now." he said hoping to forget about it. "Hey, look there's Ariana should we go say hi?" He asked.