Chapter 3
Karl’s gaze was hard as their leg bounced repeatedly in their nervous state. They had hardly touched any of the food as they were waiting, and as they did their mind reflected back to the reason why, 2 weeks ago.
They had been sat at the same spot, eating food as they idly read the potions textbook. They didn’t look up as the owls arrived to deliver mail, then blinked in surprise as a letter was dropped in front of them.
This was odd, they weren’t due for another letter from them until tomorrow, they thought. Oh well, they must have gotten impatient, they chuckled under their breath as they opened the letter.
Their eyes roamed down, taking in the words and freezing. Their fork cluttered onto the table noisily as they gripped the parchment with both hands tightly so it nearly ripped.
This was impossible….but it couldn’t be…..they stared numbly into space as their brain raced to try and think of a solution.
A lightbulb flashed in their head and they all but jumped up in hurry, looking at the professor table, then raced to follow one as they began to leave the hall.
“Professor please wait!” They cried.
Mcgonagall stopped and asked what was the matter, concern evident in her tone and expression. Karlis hurriedly explained the contents of the letter and the situation.
“I see” She said, her lips pursed
“Please professor, if you are able to do anything then please, I know I owe you already for allowing me to attend, but they mean everything to me.” They paused as their breath hitched and eyes blinked with unshed tears.
“They’re all I have left….” They whispered softly, pleading.
Mcgonagalls face softened further and her eyes twinkled kindly.
“Don’t worry Karlis, I’m sure I can figure something out.” Karl beamed brightly in relief and happiness.
They began to discuss what would happen, unaware of the eyes watching them from the shadows.
That all lead up to this, with Karl picking at the food on the food, not interested in the slightest as their stomach churned with nerves. Thoughts were racing through their mind at a million miles a minute.
‘What if they’re hurt! Or worse?...’
Their thoughts began to spiral until a loud crack jolted them out of their head.
Their head snapped up, and as soon as the smoke cleared, they shot up and ran to the front of the great hall, ignoring the panicked shouts and confused looks.
Raya, Raiden and Luke ran at them, sobbing, and they collapsed in a desperate hug halfway.
All their breathing was erratic and panicked, hands gripping at them and pulling desperately, feeling that yes they were really here, they were together and safe.
“So glad you’re okay,”, “We were so worried”, and other jumbled phrases were hard, making Karl sob in relief, shuddering and going nearly limp, finally feeling complete.
A minute or two later, Karl realised that they had been sitting in the middle of the great hall, hugging people that no one else knew that had arrived very strangely. Everyone was staring, flabbergasted, and they flushed pink in embarrassment, and stood up, brushed their robes off to try and gain back some of their cool from before, and helped their siblings stand up and kept their head high because of slytherin pride and reputation dammit!
They turned stiffly towards Mcgonagall, a small thank you leaving them that was merely a whisper, but felt all too loud as they winced, and was sure everyone else had heard it, but they didn’t matter…not as they gazed softly at Izarri sleeping still in Mcgonagall’s arms. Safe.
They took her gently from the professor, manoeuvring her so her head was on their shoulder and legs around their waist, it was easier to carry like that. Karl gently lifted the crown from her head, then herded her siblings up as they followed Karl to their room.
They were excused for the next two days, and left the hall so Mcgonagall could give the announcement, and they knew the others needed some time with them as their instincts would want their pack all together and safe, and would want to create a cuddle pile, especially with what they had to deal with before they arrived. They deserved some safety and rest.
Passing by the tables, they heard people muttering in confusion, which was a given. They heard faint whispers about slytherins giving affection, who the newcomers could be, were they students from another school? But that slytherin assistant knew them. Slytherins are normally stuck up but they looked so relieved, did you see them?
As they were leaving the hall, they heard none other than Ron Weasley comment
“Who the bloody hell were they?”