❝Chapter 3 - King’s Cross❞

Instructions

°•Chapter 3 - King’s Cross•° Veronika, Xavier, and Draco swiftly pushed their carts, piled high with Hogwarts trunks and more, through the crowded platforms of King’s Cross Station, determined not to be late. Lucius and Narcissa walked ahead of them, leading the way to Platform 9 3/4. Alhena, Veronika’s spotted owl, just tilted her head slightly, as if wondering where in the world were they going so fast. Veronika smiled to herself, she was going to Hogwarts, today! When they reached the wall between platforms 9 and 10, Veronika and Draco did another race: the first one into the boats, that would take them from Hogsmead Station to Hogwarts, was the winner. “You’re on!” Veronika challenged. Xavier, with an amused smile, set the starting line, and on his signal, they were off! It was kind of a weird feeling, going straight through a supposedly solid wall. Veronika smiled when she found herself looking upon the beautiful Hogwarts Express. The three Malfoy children bade farewell to Lucius and Narcissa, and deposited their trunks. They rushed into the Hogwarts Express, nearly tripping over each other to get a seat before they were all full. Xavier turned to Veronika and Draco and said, “I’m going to sit up near the front with a few of my friends. You both will be all right?” Draco just gave him a haughty smirk. Veronika raised her eyebrows at Draco, and to Xavier, said, “Thank you, we’ll be fine.” After Xavier left, Draco also ran off, determined to be as far away from Veronika as possible. She just chuckled slightly to herself, she had one brother who cared a lot, and one who didn’t care at all. Veronika was sure Draco cared even just a little bit, but she also knew that he would d!e before he admitted it. Veronika opened the door to the first cabin with an empty seat that she saw. Inside, were all students her age. “Do you all mind if I sit here?” She asked as politely as she could. “Not at all!” The girl with straight black hair and bangs smiled. As soon as Veronika sat down, she made a visual memory, like she always did when she wanted to remember something for the rest of her life. “Hi! My name’s Hera Underwood. It’s a pleasure to meet you!” The black haired girl told Veronika. One by one, they each introduced themselves. The kind Asian boy was Tarian Chang. The outgoing girl with brown hair was Skylar Night. And beside Skylar was her jovial and sarcastic older brother, Nicolas Night. “I’m Veronika. Veronika Malfoy.” Veronika told them. “No offense, but you seem a little to nice and polite to be a Malfoy.” Skylar meant well. “Well, that makes five of us.” Nicolas chuckled. They all seemed like wonderful people, Veronika was thankful that she had picked this cabin. The Hogwarts Express whistle blew and the train started moving away from the station, and off to Hogwarts. “Try another one, Nic!” Skye handed her brother another jelly bean out of the carton they had gotten from the candy trolley. “This better not be another earthworm one.” Nic looked the jellybean over dubiously. The candy trolley had come through not too long ago and the five friends had purchased a couple cartons of Every Flavour Beans and chocolate frog for each. Veronika pulled the triangular lid off her chocolate frog and gasped as the frog jumped out of the pentagon shaped box and squeezed itself through the cabin door. “Aw, too bad, Vera.” Hera watched the chocolate frog scamper down the train hallway. “At least you still have the card!” Veronika took the card out of the box and tilted it to see the picture in 3D. The card featured Rowena Ravenclaw. “That’s a lucky one.” Tarian said, “Those are hard to come by.” A little further on their journey, when they were passing through the tall mountains and green valleys, they tried out some spells. Hera broke a jewel off her hair clip in an attempt to use the repairing charm to fix it, but she must have been doing it wrong, Veronika didn’t think she’d have been able to do it either. Tarian cast the spell Crinus Muto and his hair turned a dark blue color. The five friends had a great time casting spells and learning new ones from each other. Veronika was especially amazed when Nic threw his chocolate frog card out the open window, cast the summoning charm, and it flew back into his hand. “We should change into our robes.” Tarian advised, “It certainly won’t be long now until we arrive at Hogsmead Station.” Veronika’s heart jumped in excitement, but she also felt a twinge of anxiety. What would happen if she was put in Slytherin house? Surely that’s what her mother and father wanted, but was that what she wanted?