Summer 1974
July 2nd, 1974
- Miss Lenoir! Miss, today is the day the young masters are coming home!
It was still early in the morning when Cosmey bursted into Agnes' room, all excited. She had been jumping everywhere, cleaning everything in the house even more intensively than usual. Today was a special day, The Dunbar sons were finally coming home Hogwarts. Agnes had felt quite nervous to finally meet them. She had seen a few pictures and had heard a few stories from Mrs Dunbar but did not know what to expect from them.
She had asked to come with her hosts to pick them up from the train station. They were expected to arrive in the afternoon that very day.
Cosmey helped the young woman get ready and made the bed while Agnes was brushing her hair. She did want to look more than correct to welcome the boys. They were a few years younger than her, but if they were going to live together, she wanted to make a good first impression.
During the whole day, Mrs Dunbar seemed agitated and was ordering around everyone to make sure everything was at the right place. Mr Dunbar was the same as usual, and had even spent a little longer time at the lunch table to read the latest news of the Daily Prophet.
They apparated near King's Cross station, and were headed to the 9 3/4 platform. There, a small crowd of parents were eagerly waiting for the train to arrive. And a few minutes later, a large line of wagons entered, the rails crissing under the brake. Inside, Agnes could see a bunch of kids already standing up and jumping around, some still wearing their school uniform. There were a few students who looked the same age as Agnes, which comforted her a bit. In just a few months, she would be a part of this school.
The Dunbar boys looked so much alike only their age difference proved they were not twins. Joshua Dunbar was the oldest, and had mid-long light brown hair who was falling on his ears. He had his father's eyes but his mother sharp face structure. The youngest, Jimmy, had shorter hair but the same blue eyes, and his face looked more like Mr Dunbar.
- Mother! Father! Joshua yelled, running towards his parents.
He hugged his mother before reaching for his father's hand, which he shook in a manly way. Mr Dunbar had let out a slight smile.
- And you must be Agnes.. Or should I call you our half-sister?? Said the oldest son, with a sympathetic smile on his face.
- Nice to meet you, Joshua.And you too, Jimmy. She answered, returning a polite smile.
If Joshua was a confident and well-behaved 13-year-old boy, Jimmy was more shy, and had barely looked at Agnes the whole time. The house of Dunbar was suddenly filled with laughs and young energy which Agnes found refreshing. The boys did not seem to uncomfortable with the idea of having a stranger in their home, and Joshua had even invited his new older sister to play quidditch with his friends who lived in the neighborhood. Although she was not very good, she felt at peace, knowing she'd made a friend out of him.
***
July 27th, 1974
- Dad, tell us. Did you get it? Had said Joshua at dinner, a serious tone in his voice.
Mr Dunbar was eating silently, appreciating each spoon of food he was putting into his mouth. Mrs Dunbar looked curiously at her husband, also waiting for his answer.
- I did secure the tickets, son. He had answered without looking up from his plate.
The two boys had screamed in joy, and hugged each other. Agnes had no idea what they were referring to and glanced at Mrs Dunbar, who smiled back at her.
- The Quidditch World Cup, this summer. she had finally admitted.
- Idlewind's draconian law about wand-banning from the stadium was a blessing in disguise, many people have been hesitating to buy any tickets. Continued her husband.
- According to James, people will still show up, because the final is most certainly going to be epic! And the crowds have been increasing since the quarter finals. Added Joshua.
- How is the Potter kid doing, by the way? Mr Dunbar asked.
- 'Still the best seeker in the whole school, Joshua answered, putting a large chunk of food in his mouth.
- Good, good. His father and I have been working alongside these days. He does seem proud of his boy.
Agnes and Joshua were sitting in the living room on the sofa. Jimmy was playing some wizards chess on his own and Cosmey was going back and forth to serve the tea and some biscuits. The three siblings were talking about the incoming final game they were going to attend in a few days. Jimmy had explained how important that match was, which featured the national team of Syria against Madgascar.
The boys seemed confident towards Syria, as one of their classmates' cousin was playing in the team. It was going to be epic indeed, thought Agnes.