Chapter 1
Nicholas’ POV
My sister Daniela and I were on our way home for the summer only this year we were bringing along someone else since they had gotten a job on the reserve that our older brother worked at and we were friends with him and his brothers. The seven of us were all in a compartment talking and laughing on our way back to kings cross to get picked up for the summer. When we arrived at Kings Cross the seven of us parted ways with the three brothers and Lee Jordan who were all going home to their parents going towards their parents while Dani, Charlie and I headed in another direction. Dani and I led Charlie over to where we always leave and enter the station from which was a secluded corner of the platform and away from prying eyes.
“Isn’t someone going to pick you two up?” Charlie asked.
I glanced at Dani and she shook her head a little.
“We get ourselves to and from the platform. If we are being honest Charlie… Wizarding Britain is so far behind the times that it is actually a struggle for Dani and I to not let everyone know that we are different. As for how we get from Britain to Romania… I take care of that since it is part of my abilities. When we arrive we will be at the visitors entrance to the reserve since our older brother is working today and we need to get the keys from him for the house as well as pick up our younger cousin.” I say.
“What about your parents?” Charlie asked.
I knew that Dani was looking at me gaging my reaction to the question as I still wasn’t completely over what had happened to them.
“They died in an accident on the reserve shortly after we got to Hogwarts last year. Our brother has been taking care of us since then and we’ve been helping him take care of our cousin so that he doesn’t need to stop working. Our cousin turns eleven this summer though so he will be joining us at Hogwarts next year which will help ease a little of our brother’s stress when it comes to taking care of us.” Dani explains.
“If you don’t mind me asking why did you two decide to come to Hogwarts when you are from Romania, surely there are other schools closer to home.” He says.
“We came to Hogwarts to honor our mother’s family. She was originally from England and moved to Romania after she married our father. Her younger brother and the rest of her family still lived here although that all changed when her brother and his wife were killed then the remaining family fled the country to make sure that they weren’t next since her brother and his wife had been some of the strongest in the family for generations until Dani and I came along. As for other schools in our country. We are taking classes at the one of the best ones in Romania that aren’t offered at Hogwarts. Our Cousin has also been taking some classes there that the school has to help prepare the younger kids for when they are old enough to start getting a formal education. We will likely be picking him up from his last day of classes before the summer break begins for those that aren’t students that go to one of the bigger international schools although we couldn’t help noticing that we seem to be the only international students at Hogwarts. A few of our fellow classmates that have been going to other schools have brought some of their friends home at the end of the year but even though we are good friends with your brothers we wouldn’t dare even suggest it to them simply because we know that your mother would never allow it which is also part of the reason that we haven’t been to visit your family. I’m not sure that I would be able to control myself if I ever met her for more than just a moment here on the platform.” I say finally moving past the fact that our parents had been brought up.
“I wouldn’t blame you with our mother. She’s been trying to get Percy to have himself resorted into Gryffindor instead of Ravenclaw since his first year and she treats the twins as if they don’t have a brain between the two of them yet what she doesn’t realize is that everything they do is perfectly calculated and done just how they want it to work. Bill and I have both left as soon as possible because we can’t stand our mother’s blatant favoritism for the youngest two which cause most of the problems for the rest of us.” He says.
“We know. Now, we really should get going otherwise we will miss our opening.” I say looking over to my sister.
Dani nods and grabs onto Charlie.
“What do you mean miss our opening?” He asked.
“Romania is two hours ahead of Britain. The security team at the visitors gate is aware of when we come home although it is also just before a shift change so we try to get there before the change so that we aren’t waiting on them to get everything sorted before they can let us inside. Plus with you coming it will take a little longer since they will need to double check all your paperwork and everything else.” Dani explains.
“Alright, how are we getting there?” Charlie asked.
I smirked and my sister shook her head laughing. “I’d recommend closing your eyes since apparition and portkeys don’t agree with you Charlie. Dani and I will make sure that you don’t land on your face.” I tell him.
He nods and does as I say. Once his eyes were closed I looked around quickly to make sure no one was watching before reaching my hands out and facing my palms down before quickly muttering the incantation under my breath. In an instant the portal opens under us and we are gone from the platform only to appear outside the gates to the reserve.
“Bine ai venit acasa. Antoine întârzie puţin pentru că Luca l-a chemat la birou pentru ceva.” One of the security officers say.
I nodded before turning to Charlie. “You can open your eyes Charlie. We have arrived.” I say.
His eyes opened and he looked around amazed at what he was seeing. Those of us that were what the reserve considered locals couldn’t help chuckling which made his face go red.
“You two live here?” He asked still amazed by what he was seeing.
“Sort of. We live in the village that was made by the people that originally set up the reserve hundreds of years ago. It’s far enough away to not put anyone in danger from the dragons and other creatures that live here while being close enough that the workers don’t have to travel far to get to work.” Dani says.
We talked some more as we got everything settled with the security officers then we were just waiting for our brother to show up so that Dani and I could head home after picking up Harry. While we waited one of the sirens went off which had all of us being moved into the security building by the officers although I was a little reluctant to move since we all knew that I could stand my ground against any of the dragons or other creatures here. However I didn’t want Charlie knowing about that unless it was absolutely unavoidable. The three of us were talking in one of the other rooms when the internal alarm on the building started to go off. Glancing around I noticed that we had been left alone and there was only one way for that alarm to be triggered. I may only be thirteen but I was more powerful than most of the adults here which none of them minded since they knew that I only ever used my powers when I was backed into a corner or protecting my family.
“Du-te, Nicholas. Mă pot proteja şi Charlie dacă ceva reuşeşte să treacă prin tine.” Dani says.
I nodded and got out of my chair before heading towards the door. Once out of the small room I placed a few protections of my own up before walking outside to see what was going on.