Kurumi couldn't believe that she was here.

No, that wasn't right. She could believe she was here but not that she wouldn't be going there. That there....was Hogwarts. Summer had seemed to have gone by faster than any other summer and it had been good. Moving in with Lewis. Taking Romanian lessons from Treyen's uncle. Seeing friends. Working at the bakery part time. There were a lot of good things and there was still more to come, but right now the Gryffindor just felt weird being at Kings Cross knowing that she would not be boarding the Hogwarts Express like she had for the past seven years.

Standing in the middle of the square, Kurumi idly played with the ribbon straps of her dress while she waited to hopefully run into a few people that she really wanted to before they left for Hogwarts. People she used to see every day that she now would only see during breaks and Hogsmeade weekends.

It.Was.Surreal.

Waving his father and older brother goodbye as they walked back to the streets of London and he went on to the public square, Daichi was glad that they were gone. Not that he didn't like his family but because his father was just over concerned about him. It just made him feel awkward and it had taken him at least fifteen minutes until his father decided to leave.

But now with them gone, new year here Daichi comes~!

With a smile, he pushed his trolley through the crowd. Where was that entrance again? The slytherin looked around him and spotted the wall. He turned his trolley back and pushed it forward again, passing a few muggles who were getting in their trains as well. Daichi looked up at the high wall in front of him and took a deep breath. He was about to vanish in to the wall when he noticed a familiar looking girl. Blinking his eyes, Daichi stopped and turned to look. Her hair looked familiar...

With a frown, the Slytherin tilted his head to the side and thats when he saw Kurumi's side profile. He let out a gasp of suprise and left his trolley at the entrance to the Hogwarts Express. He walked up to the young woman but he did something else as well. He took his Prefect badge OFF of his shirt and now held it in his hand so that the ex gryffindor couldn't see. "KURUMIIII~!" He then shouted and waved his badge free hand.

Kurumi began to run her fingers through her long black hair as she people watched a little, playing a game she had done as a first year while she had nervously made her way through the station. Guess the with or wizard. Sometimes it was easy as some hadn't quite grasped the concept of nonmagical clothing while others had a much better grasp of it. After a few years, however, Kurumi had given up on playing this game because it only stereotyped people and that had been something Kurumi had hated people doing to her. Now she was more playing guess the Hogwarts first year...

...but quickly got distracted when she heard someone shouting her name.

Her head snapped around and her hand dropped to her side. "Daichi!" she called back, waving to him in return. "I was hoping I would see you before you boarded the Hogwarts Express." Kurumi pushed herself away from the wall and met her the Slytherin half way. Merlin, had he always been this tall?! Daichi really wasn't little Daichi anymore. He was all grown up...

Sort of.

She hoped that she could have seen him before he went back to Hogwarts?! This made Daichi squeal but luckily for him he could hold himself in and he only flashed a smile as the Gryffindor pushed away from the wall and walked up to him as well.

"I was hoping i would see you too cause i've got LOOOADS! to tell you" When he said the word loads, his arms spread wide as if he was gesturing to something big and the grin never left his face. Still with the badge hidden away in his hand, the Slytherin thought for a second. Which news should he tell first?

He thought deeply and momentarily forgot that he was actually standing with someone. He shook his head and got back to earth. "I.." he began and bit his lower lip , trying not to sound too excited he added. "I got an O on my CoMC OWL! We had to take care of a fire-crab and and and.." breathe Daichi. "I thought about your lessons to calm myself down and i made it!" oh man he was so proud of himself right now! No one could take away his pride now~ "I also got an O in Transfig and Potions!" That was big news as well, especially cause in all the years at Hogwarts he had always thought he would fail Transfiguration and had kept worrying all throughout the previous year.

"And" He really couldn't wait any longer. He had been dying to show his badge to Kurumi ever since he got it. "Wait a second" he said and turned his back to the ex-gryffindor. He stretched his shirt a bit and tried to pin his badge on to the chest area. It resulted in him pinching himself with the needle "Ouch! that hurt" he whined and stuck his thumb in to his mouth to ease the pain. But atleast the badge was now stuck on it~

Forgetting about the slight sting, Daichi turned around to face Kurumi. But didn't say anything about the badge. He didn't point at it, he didn't do anything~ "How is life after Hogwarts?"

Christmas had just arrived at Kings Cross after having to travel over half of London herself with a heavy trunk she was a bit mad with that fact that both of her parents had to work today and that she had to make her own way over to Kings Cross to get on board the train to her new school but she knew that both of her parents jobs were important and that she had to act like an adult

Taylor finally lost her parents in the confusion at the train station. She wanted time alone... Tay was feeling sad and was completely upset. Taylor wasnt really paying attention where she went so it was no surprise that she ran into someone. She looked up and mumbled an apology, not feeling social...

Christmas felt someone bump into her and heard a mumbled apology and saw a girl looking upset and said "Are you ok?"

"No i am not though it isnt any of your business." Taylor snapped with tears falling down her cheeks. Tay tried to walk away to get onto the platform but her cart's wheels got stuck.

Christmas was taken aback but said "Okay i was just checking no need to snap at me"

"Almost there," Callum Hardwicke informed his daughter and granddaughter as they headed towards the platform where the Hogwarts's Express resided. It was a familiar location from both his own time at the school as well as sending off his children when they were of age. And now it was time for the next generation, he mused as they made there way through King's Cross.

Ellura was a bundle of both nerves and excitement for the journey that lay before her. So she was quiet at the moment trying to take it all in as she helped her mum push the trolley that held her trunk and the cat carrier that held Awena. King's Cross Station wasn't new to her, having traveled to various places around Britain with others through it, but as she had been told...Platform 9 3/4 was far from the usual destination in the station...at least for the muggles that were moving in schools around them.

Their destination wasn't unfamiliar as one might think to Penelope as one who didn't attend Hogwarts. For while a squib, she did go with her siblings to see them off at the start of each term. The jealousness long forgotten, the woman was excited to see her daughter off for her first term there. "Nervous...?" she asked the girl.

"Yeah...somewhat," Ellura answered her mum with a nod as they continued on.

Taylor snarled, "You should mind your own business then." She kicked the cart which made it moveable. Tay started to go away.

Christmas watched as the girl went to go away and shouted "Fine be that way then i was only trying to be friendly" Christmas didnt know why the girl was so upset but she shouldnt have snapped at her because she knew nobody and was just trying to get some more friends before arriving at school

This was the day that he'd been looking forward to for what seemed to be an eternity, but in his wildest imagination, Rawdon never envisioned that two particular adults would be there to send him off. His cheeks were flushed with the embarrassment of his mum holding on to his forearm as he pushed the trolley. "Mum, do you have to do that? People are watching!" he exclaimed and kept his eyes forward.

"Rawdy! You're over reacting, sweetie. See, there are other parents escorting their children to the platform," replied Abigail Vindictus. "If your father could get the morning off, he'd be here, too. Now I made sure that your name is written inside the bands of all your shirts, trousers, jumpers, and underwear."


Rawdon found himself petrified and he stopped pushing the trolley. "Mum!" he groaned loudly. His uncles were right - his mother was indeed a certified over-protective nutcase. "Are you trying to get me beat up before I even get on the train?" He dropped his head and resumed pushing the trolley.

Abigail stumbled into the trolley. "Rawdon, you're over-reacting! My mum did the same for me when I went to Hogwarts, so pipe down or else you'll cause a scene. You'll see that what I did was perfectly normal once you get settled in the Hufflepuff dormitory." She hoped that she sounded convincing to her only son because Abbie knew that her darling Rawdy was definitely Hufflepuff material and that the Sorting Hat wouldn't disappoint her. "You must get to know Professor Hadley and give her my love. And-"

"MUM!" Rawdon said louder than what was necessary. "Stop it! You told me all of this each day for the past two months! I won't forget!" He slowed down as they neared the platform. "Where's Uncle Max? He said he'd meet us here."

Pout.

That. Man. "Your uncle will meet you on the other side of the platform barrier," Abbie said and wished that her brother-in-law knew how to take 'no' for an answer.
Suddenly, she found her maternal instincts kicking in high gear as gave her son a tight hug and planted a motherly kiss on his forehead.

"Be a good boy at Hogwarts, Rawdy. Listen to all of your professors, follow all of the rules, help others, be kind to the House Elves, and do Hufflepuff proud!"

Rawdon felt his face burn. But what if I'm not sorted in Hufflepuff? What if I'm sorted into Ravenclaw like dad and Uncle Max and Uncle Rex and Grampy Reg? Is mum going to write a strongly worded letter to the Board of Governors if I'm not in her house? Will she find another way to publicly humiliate me? Are people staring at me?

He just stood there staring at his mother stupidly because he was at a loss for words. "I'll do my best, mum."

Now if only the other students and their families could move a little faster past the barrier and onto the platform....

Ok so maybe Dylan wondered away further than his father had intended him to, but there was no way he was going to listen to his dad drill into him again and again that he should behave and not get into trouble, and work hard as well. He had heard enough of that from his mom, and his paternal grandparents and many others.. only his uncle AJ seemed to be the awesome one that was telling him to have fun at school. See! thats what he wanted to do! have fun.. and ok yeah work in classes and things along the way but his main thing was to have fun out there. Working all the time would make anyone go crazy, so sometimes people needed some downtime where they could have all this fun and stuff without worrying about anything else. He would do that, have fun more and do some work along the way too.

Melissa is walking into the train station. Wow, walking by myself is very scary. But going to a new school is even scarier. I wonder if I'll meet anyone or if anyone will like me. I wonder what house I got in? Maybe Alexa and I will be in the same house. If we are in the same house I want to be roommates. Also, maybe she can help me make friends. Maybe I should just stop worrying. Everything will be just fine!

After making sure that her father was still somewhere close by she pulled her trunk along with her kneazle nicely snug in her free hand. Before she could get very far she noticed a girl she'd run into and um...become friends with...? Something like that. She knew for a fact that the girl was good at getting lost. "Hey! Melissa!" Lex called to grab her attention. "Wait up!" Then she pulled her trunk over to the girl. "I figured I'd check in on you. You're not lost are you?" It's okay. She could say if she was.

"Hi Alexa! What's going on? You think I'm lost again don't you? Well I'm not for a change. Is that your dad? He looks cool! Do you know what house you got in?

Lex giggled. "Okay, if you say so." The kid was so lost, even if she wouldn't say it. At the girl's first question she turned to look at her father just a little way off. "Yup, but he's not being very cool right now." Then she scowled just a little, obviously not very happy about the situation. The scowl quickly left after the girl's next question. It took Lex a good couple minutes to stop laughing. "I...I'm a second year remember? I was sorted last year into the best house ever; Gryffindor. You should be a Gryffie too because then we can hang out even after everyone's gone to bed without having to sneak out."

It is a very important day for the Sparks. Melody finally got all of her shopping done and she waited at home till the day King Cross opened. She was so excited. Being at King Cross... this was really happening. Melody walked with bother parents, her father had even taken time off from work to to send his daughter off on her first day to Hogwarts. Mother bent down and adjusted the bow on the back of her dress.

"We are so proud of you love." Melody mother's told her. Melody had no need to be told to behave. It was expected of her. Melody took a deep breath waiting for the perfect moment to go into platform 9 and 3/4.

OOC: I know the dress (on polyvore) is a little too fancy the idea is that is the cut and color she is wearing.

Dustin found himself wishing he had siblings when he arrived at King's Cross Station. If he'd had siblings, his mother wouldn't have been fussing over him and he could have blamed his father's weird antics on a younger (or older) sibling. Instead, he was stuck with his mum INSISTING that she carry a suitcase for little Dustin, who still hadn't quite reached his growth spurt and was growing exponentially more worried each day that he'd never reach five feet; and with his father wise cracking about silly little pranks he and his brother (one former professor, Ian Ashby) had pulled while at Hogwarts, only the pranks that his father kept bringing up weren't the good ones, and were, in fact, rather lame. But Dustin would never tell his daddy that.

Dustin was determined to lose them in the crowd, or at the barrier. He was a BIG BAD SECOND YEAR, now, and could most certainly be trusted to handle himself ON HIS OWN. I mean, he was twelve now, right? Honestly, it was almost insulting how much his parents still hovered over him.

He continued to nod his head and mumble the occasional "uh huh" to assure his parents that he was listening to their babble, when he was, of course, not, and instead thought about how this was going to be HIS YEAR. He was going to be a second year. He had the inside knowhow about Hogwarts. He was no longer a lowly, baby first year. He was KING of the castle. And he would make sure EVERYONE knew it. He was determined to be the master prankster and go down in history, just like his uncle had.

He was desperate to find a friend in all the chaos of the station so he could ditch his parents and start sharing his ideas.

Belle could not believe that she was in King's Cross for her last year ever at Hogwarts. It feels just like yesterday she was here. Belle arrived with her mother, her twin brothers and little sister. They were all so little so they had no idea. Belle saw them running and playing having fun. Then Belle spotted her parents walking arm in arm.

"Alright hunny it is your last year, Make us proud." Belle's mom said and hugged her tightly. She was taking in the pride of having her daughter as prefect. Then her father was looking around amazed by it all. "Bye Dad" Belle said and she hugged her dad. "Oh um bye hunnie!" her father said coming out of the trance. "Do well in school. Do not get into any trouble. If you find boyfriends this year tell me." he added with a wink. Then her brothers came charging in. "Sissy!" they both said and came running at her. oomph! Belle was tackled to the ground. They were getting stronger.

"Hey no fair i was not ready!" Belle playfully said to them and tickled them. Then Belle's sister came over and gave her a hug. "Bye sis! I will see you at Christmas!" she smiled and did not let go. When Belle's mom preyed her off. Belle gave them all kisses and watch them go back to the muggle world.

Loads to tell her? If only they had loads of time to talk! Usually the two of them would have had the train ride to catch up on their summers and everything going on, but now all they had were the few hours (minutes?!) before Daichi needed to board the Hogwarts express and she needed to head off to the bakery for her part time job. "I want to hear it all then," she laughed while glancing around for a bench or something for them to sit down on. Or maybe they should just go through the barrier? That way there could be no chance Daichi would miss the train.

But then Daichi started talking about his OWLs, bringing a smile to Kurumi's face and her eyes to water just a little when he mentioned the training that she had tried during her last term at Hogwarts. She was glad that it had helped, beyond glad really, and she could just hug the now sixth year Slytherin right now. Only she didn't just yet. "That's great Daichi! I'm so proud of you! And not just because of the O's, but because you were able to overcome your fear of fire a little." And NOW Kurumi gave Daichi a quick hug before pulling back because it didn't seem as though he was done with his news.

Leaning back a bit, Kurumi waited to hear what else Daichi had to say...only it seemed as though his next bit of news was something he wanted to show her and not tell her.

Momentarily distracted by her concern for him essentially stabbing himself with his new badge, it took a moment for her to register what badge he had just stabbed himself with. "GULPING GARGOYLES DAICHI!" she exclaimed as she clapped her hands together once rather loudly and her eyes widened. "I knew it!" Or, Kurumi had hope it anyway, but those weren't the words that had come out of her mouth.

Oh, right, of course. Daichi was trying to play it all cool right now like it was no big deal. WHY did guys always do that?!

"Daichi, I'm so proud of you!" Again. Even if he was probably the most Hufflepuff of Slytherins that she knew. Wait, maybe that was why? Kurumi did love like Hufflepuff guys. "You are going to do brilliantly!" Even if the idea of Sierra and him being co-prefects was somewhat...laughable?

Her summer? Yeah, she had sort of missed that question because she was too busy BEAMING at Daichi right now.

Having waved and hugged goodbye to his Dad, Alec pushed his trolley forwards, trying to make his way through the public square. Knowing that he wouldn't see his Dad for about nine-ten months, or at least three and a half, had to be the saddest part of going back to Hogwarts. Because... as awesome as Hogwarts was, he didn't really want to leave his Dad alone for so long. Maybe... he could talk to the man about moving to Hogsmeade?

... Nah! Then he wouldn't be living right next door to his bestest friend ever!

And... he had to write a letter to Astrid too, of course. When he got there.

Letting an absent-minded smile cross his face, Alec steered his trolley off towards the side and stood there. He tilted his head and stared blankly at the wall between platforms nine and ten. This was it, yeah? He was going to be a fourth year! That was awesome... right? Yeah! And he was going to make his Dad proud this year as well. That'd be awesome too! And he was going to be turning fifteen soon which meant... well... he was going to be slightly cooler! Hopefully.

This... called for some ice cream! Or some sweets! GRIN.

"For real I am not lost!!! Okay maybe a little. Is your dad always like that?? Are you embarressed of him?? I'm so sorry I totally forgot you were a second year!!! Yes, I heard Gryffindor is the best house. I really want to be a Griffie!!! But I dont want to be a Star Puff or whatever it's called!!"