chapter 4
01 09 1987
After saying ‘goodbye’ to all the Hogwarts staff, and promising that when she returned with all of the other students she would act no differently than how they would (the staff had laughed her out the door because they knew she was lying), Kinsley and Minerva headed to the gates at the front of the school.
Kinsley had done side-along apparition before, but the tummy-twisting feeling was still as horrible as the first time she'd done it, as Minerva turned on one heel and apparated them to Kings Cross.
The pair appeared in one of the apparation-approved areas, hidden from muggle eyes, and made their way toward platform 9. Kinsley was dancing on the balls of her feet in anticipation for running straight through the platform wall, as well as what awaited her on the other side.
You see, Kinsley had watched eleven years worth of students arrive at the school, and every time a new group came she begged her Mum to let her join.
“I’m sorry, Kinsley,” was always the answer. “You’re too young, Kinsley.” “Wait till you’re eleven, Kinsley.”
Finally, finally, Kinsley was eleven. It was her turn on the Hogwarts Express, her turn to make real friends, and her turn to be an actual student. She had been waiting a long time.
Minerva cocked her head towards the brick wall which they had now arrived at.
“Go for it, Kins.” She said, smiling.
“Really?” Kinsley asked, not believing this moment was finally here.
“I’ll be right behind you, dear,” Minera said.
Kinsley ran straight at the brick wall with no fear and grinned happily when she went straight through and came out the other side onto Platform 9 and 3/4. Kinsley grinned even wider at the huge red train in front of her, the infamous Hogwarts Express. It was gigantic, and she could see steam coming off the top, and it was better than she had dreamed. Minerva appeared through the wall behind her, and they moved through the crowd of families and towards the train.
Kinsley dragged her trolley past crying mothers and children alike, and past kids who could not seem to get away from their families quick enough. She waved at a couple of students she knew, including two boys in a crowd of redheads who she’d always liked. “Hiya Charlie! Hey Bill!”
“Hi Kins!” “Hey Kins!” They waved.
Charlie pointed at his wrist where the bracelet she had given him was tied. She pointed at the sweater she was wearing, and he beamed.
“Who’s that?” Kinsley heard their mother whisper loudly, but she kept walking past without listening for an answer.
Just a couple meters before the Hogwarts Express itself, Kinsley and Minerva stopped and faced each other.
Kinsley smiled brightly and wrapped her Mum in a hug.
“Don’t start with this,” Minerva said sternly. “I’ll see you in just over nine hours.”
“Ugh.” Kinsley groaned. “The train takes so long! Why can’t we all just apparate?”
“New friends, dear. New friends.” Minerva consoled her.
“Yeah, yeah.” Kinsley rolled her eyes. “Alright, Mum. I'll see you later.”
“That’s Professor McGonagall, my dear,” Minerva smirked.
“That,” Kinsley shook her head, “is never going to happen. I already have to call Sev, Professor Snape. I won’t call you Professor McGonagall. I would surely pass away.”
“See you later, Kinsley.” Minerva shook her head and laughed, and then gestured to Kinsley to get onto the train. Kinsley started to walk away but turned around and drew her Mum into a bone-crushing hug.
“See you later.” And with that, Kinsley gathered her trunk and dragged it onto the train.
Minerva wiped away a tear at the image of her retreating daughter, now all grown up. She took one last look at the Hogwarts Express and turned away, eager to get back to Hogwarts to prep for the term ahead.
Kinsley wandered up the train looking for an empty compartment to sit in and smiled when she came across one fairly quickly. She settled down in one of the seats and put her feet up, pulling out a quidditch magazine and starting to flick through it.
Kinsley sat by herself for a good five minutes before the door to her compartment was flung open and a boy with dark hair and a beaming smile walked in.
“Is that the newest edition of Quidditch Weekly?” He asked excitedly. “I haven’t seen that one yet - it only came out yesterday!”
Kinsley grinned. She knew she’d make automatic friends with this boy, a quidditch fanatic just like her.
“Yes, I like to get them early. Do you want to read?”
“I’d love to!” The boy declared, and he plonked himself down right where Kinsley's legs had been only seconds before.
“I’m Oliver, by the way.” The boy held out his hand.
“Kinsley.” And she shook his hand happily. “Call me Kins.”
“Nice to meet you,” said Oliver, and they immediately started flicking through the pages of the magazine.
“Who do you support?” Queried Oliver nervously.
“Puddlemere United.” Kinsley grinned. “And they are the best team, do not fight me on it.”
“Oh thank God!” Oliver exclaimed. “If you had said anyone else I would’ve had to leave the compartment out of shame.”
“Who else would I say? Chudley Cannons?” And the two roared with laughter, Kinsley falling into Oliver's lap.
They read the next couple of pages in this position, both comfortable, until a knock came on their compartment door. Two girls poked their heads in, and Kinsley and Oliver both looked up from their page with surprise.
“Hi,” one of the girls said. She had long, blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, completely stunning. “We just got on the train as it was about to leave, and all the compartments are full. Mind if we join?”
“No problem!” Kinsley smiled, and she gestured the two girls in. Two boys shuffled in after them, giving Kinsley and Oliver a small wave.
“Sorry,” the second girl grimaced. “We’re quite a big group.” The second girl had hair like midnight, pulled back into a pearl claw clip, and Kinsley felt immediately jealous of how silky her hair looked, in comparison to her own beachy waves.
“Don’t be silly - the more the merrier. I’m Oliver!”
“I agree.” Kinsley chimed in. “I’m Kinsley. Call me Kins.”
“I’m Indie Campbell.” Announced the blonde. “Nice to meet you guys.”
“Penelope Clearwater,” the other introduced herself.
Boy number one, a freckly redhead, cleared his throat, “Percy Weasley.”
Number two, a tall blonde, finished the introductions with a loud, “I’m Bodie King.” Everyone smiled awkwardly at each other, unsure of what to say next before Kinsley broke the silence.
“How do you four know each other?”
“Oh, we all just met because we were the last to get on the train.” Penelope started. “The group kept growing as we wandered up and down looking for somewhere free. You guys are first years, right?”
“Yeah, I am. Wait…” And Oliver looked at Kinsley in realisation. “You’re one too, right?”
“Yep!” Kinsley confirmed. “So, what houses do you guys think you’ll be in?”
The group kept talking about houses, subjects, families, etc.
Kinsley found out that Percy, Oliver, and Indie were purebloods, Bodie was a half-blood, and Penelope was a muggle-born. No one except Percy had siblings.
Kinsley herself was born from two muggle parents, but her magical adoption to Minerva meant that she was considered a half-blood.
“Anything from the trolley, dearies?” The trolley lady asked as she pulled up outside the compartment door. All of the kids scrambled up in search of a sweet treat or two.
Kinsley settled back down with Droobles Best Blowing Gum and a Pumpkin Pasty, watching everyone else make their orders. The group spent the rest of the train ride sharing food, stories, and making immediate friends.
The train finally pulled up at Hogwarts station, and the group of six stepped off together. A huge man came wandering up the platform, calling out for first years, and the group hurried along after him.
“Four to a boat,” Hagrid ordered, taking one to himself.
“Hagrid…” Kinsley called. “We’re a group of six. Could we possibly take two boats between us?” She put on her best puppy eyes and pouty face, grateful that Hagrid was at least an easy target.
“Yeh, of course ya can, Kins.” He yelled, and pushed his boat off from the bank and into the water.
“How do you know him?” Percy asked in wonder.
“I grew up at this castle,” Kinsley replied softly so that only the five others could hear her. “My Mum is one of the teachers.”
“Ohhhhh.” They all nodded their heads in understanding.
“C’mon.” Kinsley grabbed Percy and Oliver, the two nearest to her, and dragged them towards a boat. Penelope, Indie, and Bodie walked towards another, and they all pushed off from the bank and into the dark lake.
“Just wait,” Kinsley whispered to the two boys in her boat. “Wait for the view.”
All of the first years gasped in awe as the Hogwarts Castle came into view, shimmering with lights and looking so completely majestic.
“Wow.” Was the general consensus.
Kinsley smiled. ‘ Welcome to my home, ’ she thought. ‘ It’s a nice one.’