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"You ready?" Remus asked.
"Ready!" echoed Leo and Adhara.
"Got everything needed?" he asked again, just to make sure.
"Yes!" echoed Leo and Adhara, once again.
"All right, I'll Floo on ahead with the trunks. Leo, you Floo with Adhara after me," Remus stated, before picking up their trunks and making his way to the fireplace.
Adhara immediately turned to Kreacher and hugged him. "I'll miss you, Kreacher! Please, take care of Uncle Remy until we're back for the Holidays!" She then gave him a kiss on the head.
"Miss Adhara is kind to Kreacher. Kreacher will take good care of Master Remus. You go, be safe, and Kreacher will be here waiting for your return. Have a safe journey, young miss and Master Leo," Kreacher croaked out.
Leo put his hand on Kreacher's shoulder. "What she said," he whispered to Kreacher with a small smile.
Remus stepped into the Floo, "Platform Nine and Three Quarters!" he stated as he threw down the Floo powder. With one last hug with Kreacher, Adhara and Leo followed next.
The sensation was disorienting, and in a whirlwind of green flames, they were transported to the bustling platform. Emerging from the fireplace at the magical platform, Leo and Adhara found themselves in the midst of students, families, and the iconic scarlet Hogwarts Express waiting on the tracks. Remus was already there, their trunks neatly arranged by the side. The three exchanged glances, sharing a mix of excitement and nervousness about the upcoming school year. Remus patted both Leo and Adhara on the shoulder, reassuringly.
"Alright, you two. Stick together, and remember, if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask your professors or any of the older students. Hogwarts is a big place, but it'll become like a second home in no time," Leo nodded, his eyes scanning the platform for familiar faces.
"Got it, Moony. We'll do our best," Adhara, with a determined expression, added, "And we'll write to you and Kreacher every chance we get. Don't worry - we'll be back before you know it."
Remus smiled warmly, proud. "I'll be waiting for your letters. Now, go on, find an empty compartment on the train and settle in. I'll see you both during the Holidays, and until then, make the most of your time at Hogwarts. And stay out of trouble," he added, looking at them both with a small smile.
Leo and Adhara exchanged a quick glance. "No promises!" they echoed with innocent smiles. Remus sighed as he shook his head, amused. The train whistle blew, attracting their attention. Adhara quickly hugged Remus. "I'll miss you, Remy," she whispered.
"I'll miss you too," Remus whispered, hugging her back. Leo nodded. "What she said." Remus snorted. "I'll miss you too, Leo," he added, pulling him into their hug. After a few seconds, they broke apart and grabbed their trunks. With a final wave to Remus, they hoisted their trunks onto the Hogwarts Express, ready for the magical journey that awaited them at Hogwarts. The train doors closed, and they waved through the windows from where they stood as the train began moving.
"Come on, let's find a compartment," Leo stated.
"I'm glad we got feather-light charms on these things," Adhara mumbled as they picked their trunks back up and began walking down the train corridor. Leo looked from one compartment to another, wanting to change who she sat with this time. He came to a stop outside a compartment with a round-faced, blonde boy inside - Neville. Leo smirked. "Let's sit here!" he stated.
Adhara nodded, and Leo slid the door open. "Mind if we sit with you?" he asked, strolling in and hopping up on the seat to put his and Adhara's trunks up on the top shelf.
"Oh, uh, sure. I mean, you can sit if you want," Neville mumbled, shifting a bit in his seat nervously. Adhara smiled at him. "This is Leo Black, and I'm Adhara Potter. You?" she asked.
Neville's eyes went wide, and his jaw dropped. "T - The Girl Who Lived!? T - That Adhara P - Potter!?" Adhara smiled back sheepishly. "Just ... Adhara's is fine... y - you?" she mumbled, hoping to move past her famous identity.
Neville stammered for a moment, his face turning a shade of pink. "I-I'm Neville. Neville Longbottom," he managed to say, still wide-eyed. Leo gave a friendly nod, acknowledging Neville. Adhara, sensing Neville's nervousness, tried to ease the tension.
"It's nice to meet you, Neville. Leo and I were just talking about how exciting it is to finally begin Hogwarts. Have you heard anything interesting about the school?" Adhara asked.
Neville, grateful for the change of topic, visibly relaxed. "Oh, uh, well, my gran told me lots of stories about Hogwarts. She says it's the best wizarding school in the world. I-I hope I won't mess up too much," he admitted, playing nervously with the collar of his robes.
Adhara reassured him with a warm smile. "Don't worry, Neville. We're all in the same boat – excited and a bit nervous. I'm sure we'll do just fine." Leo nodded in agreement.
ϟϟϟ
As the train rumbled along the tracks, the trio engaged in friendly conversation. Adhara and Leo shared stories about their summer, with Neville becoming more comfortable around his newfound friends. Suddenly, the compartment door slid open, revealing Draco Malfoy flanked by his cronies, Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle. Draco's eyes narrowed when he saw Leo, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Well, well, if it isn't my dear long-lost cousin, Leo, was it? What a surprise to find you here," Draco sneered, his tone oozing with mock politeness. Crabbe and Goyle stood behind him, wearing matching expressions of indifference. Leo raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.
"Draco, isn't it? Didn't get to properly introduce ourselves last time... Adhara, this is Draco Malfoy, my second cousin," Leo said, emphasizing the word "second." Adhara, remembering Draco from Madam Malkin's, offered a polite nod. "Nice... to see you again, Draco."
Draco's eyes shifted between Leo and Adhara. "Potter and Black together? How quaint," he remarked with a sly grin. "Did you know, Potter, that you're sitting with a Black? Quite the family reunion, wouldn't you say?"
"Well, we do live together, Ara and I," Leo smirked, throwing his arm over Adhara's shoulder. Draco's expression flickered with a mix of surprise and annoyance, clearly not expecting such a casual response.
Leo continued, "And meet Neville Longbottom. Our friend. Neville, this is 'the' Draco Malfoy." Leo's introduction was laced with subtle sarcasm, making it clear he was not impressed by Draco's attitude. Draco's smirk faltered for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure.
"Longbottom, Potter, and Black. Quite the trio you've got going on here," Draco said, his tone dripping with condescension. Crabbe and Goyle chuckled half-heartedly in response. Ignoring Draco's attempt at provocation, Leo gestured to the empty seats.
"We were just discussing our favorite sweets as we wait for the trolley. Why don't you and your friends join us? The more, the merrier, right?" Leo's invitation was delivered with a mischievous twinkle in his eye, hinting that he was ready for whatever Draco had in mind.
Draco hesitated, exchanging a quick glance with Crabbe and Goyle. After a moment, he decided to accept the invitation, sliding the compartment door shut behind him. The atmosphere tensed as the two groups settled into an uneasy coexistence within the compartment. Adhara maintained her friendly demeanor, attempting to steer the conversation away from potential conflicts. As the train journeyed through the scenic landscapes, Leo, Adhara, Neville, and the unexpected addition of Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle found themselves engaged in an odd yet surprisingly civil conversation.
Adhara skillfully guided the discussion towards neutral topics, such as potential favorite subjects and expectations for their first year at Hogwarts. Leo threw in occasional witty remarks, making an effort to keep the atmosphere light and amusing. As the trolley cart laden with magical treats approached, Leo grinned and pulled out a handful of Galleons.
"Anything anyone wants from the trolley?" he asked, looking around at everyone. Adhara's eyes lit up at the prospect of sweets, and Neville eagerly nodded. Draco, however, maintained a composed exterior but couldn't hide a subtle twitch of curiosity.
"Surprise us," he remarked, a hint of arrogance still lingering in his tone. Leo returned shortly with an assortment of Chocolate Frogs, Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, and Pumpkin Pasties. Adhara eagerly unwrapped her Chocolate Frog card, revealing a moving image of Salazar Slytherin.
"Hey, Draco, look! It's one of your ancestors," Leo teased, holding up the card for him to see. Draco smirked, seemingly unbothered. Adhara rolled her eyes playfully. The awkward tension that initially hung in the compartment began to ease the further along they traveled. Adhara, Leo, and Neville discovered common interests, and even Draco found himself drawn into the conversation, begrudgingly admitting his excitement about certain aspects of Hogwarts.
When the time came to change into their school robes, Leo pulled out a small mirror from his pocket and adjusted his hair, prompting Draco to scoff.
"Going for the disheveled look, Black? Trying to emulate your infamous father?" Leo chuckled, unfazed. "Nah, just going for the 'I don't care' look. It suits me better." Adhara smiled at him, amused, before messing up his hair playfully. Leo gasped before trying to fix it as she and the others laughed or smirked. The train eventually slowed as it approached the Hogsmeade platform, and Leo, Adhara, Neville, Draco, Vincent, and Gregory disembarked.