Welcome to Kingcross
The sound of her alarm woke Sky at 6:30 in the morning. Reaching under her pillow Sky grabbed her wand to flick the alarm off and gently light candle flames on to not blind her as she woke up sitting up in bed rubbing sleep and that dream from her mind. Taking deep breaths and reforming her mental shields around her mind she moved out of bed and stretched fingers spread wide like they were reaching for the stars that still lingered in the sky. With a groan, she made her way to the washroom not even bothering to look at the mirror and the bags she knows she’ll have to cover up after her shower. After dressing and pulling her hair into a high bun Sky dressed in a sharp gray pantsuit with a royal purple dress shirt and a black over robe. Double-checking the mirror to see if she looks alright she nods and slips a pair of sharp square-framed glasses on and makes her way to the great hall for breakfast.
Upon entering the hall, Sky sees that not only is the Headmaster there Professor McGonagall and Snape are also sitting. All three look up as she enters and makes her way to sit next to McGonagall.
“ Good morning.” She says politely as she pours a cup of strong coffee and pours a splash of milk into it and sips the heavenly nectar given to the lowly mortals. Humming quietly as the warm drink chases the lingering chill of the castle away she almost misses the quiet snort from her table partner. Opening her eyes not even realizing they had she had closed them and looked at McGonagall, eyebrow notching up at the smile that she tried to hide.
“ Good Morning Professor Dumonte, sleep well.” McGonagall says eyes shimmering with mirth “or are you just happy to have oh what did she call that stuff she drinks Albus?” She says looking back at the headmaster. A small smile can be seen on his face, blue eyes twinkling as he sets his teacup down.
“ I do believe she said that coffee was the juice of gods that us lowly mortals were too good to have but was graciously given,” Albus said a small chuckle escaping his lips.
Minerva just nods and covers a chuckle in her fist before turning back to Sky.“ Before you entered Albus and I were discussing whom of the staff should join the students on the train and we're hoping you wouldn’t mind going, we need someone to make sure that the new first years make it onto the train, and that if a problem arises the prefects are able to come to you.”
Sky sat back in her chair, coffee cup held in two hands as she thought it over. It would be good to have an idea of just who her students will be before they meet each other in the classroom. Taking a sip of her coffee she let the flavor cover her tongue and then turned to Minerva and nodded. “ I’d love to. It would be nice to get a feeling of the students before meeting them in the classroom.” She said taking another sip.
“Perfect you and Severus should head to Kingscross around 10 the gate opens at 10:15 and the train leaves promptly at 11,” Minerva said, attempting to ignore the sound of Sky and Severus both choking on their food and drink respectively. Handing Sky a napkin while Albus thumped Severus on the back, clearing his airway and chuckling as the two glared at each other from across the table.
With a tight smile, Sky nodded her head before finishing her coffee and then snacked on a bowl of fruit before standing and bidding goodbye to the rest of the faculty and heading back to her quarters to prepare a bag for the 9-hour ride. And to possibly punch at her pillow because of the meddling of a twinkling-eyed headmaster and a sneaky cat animagus.
Apparating to the alleyway next to Kingscross brought back memories for Sky, of going with Uncle Abraxas to pick Lucius when he was released from Hogwarts. Nothing had changed; the little cafe across the street was still there. The smell of tea and coffee enticed her to buy a to-go cup. So there she stood leaning against the barrier in her pantsuit, coffee in hand and eyes hidden behind her transition lenses watching families and business people travel the station. The first family to catch her attention were two small twins and their mother looking a little lost, Hogwarts letter in hand. Taking a quick sip Sky made her way over with a genuine smile on her face.
“ Hi there, looking for platform 9 ¾ ?” Sky says quietly not to draw extra attention to themselves. The boys have an excited yet nervous air about them as they nod their head “ Oh thank heavens yes, the letter isn't very clear about where only that it's by platform 9 and 10.” The mother says relief thick in her voice. Chuckling Sky nods and gestures to the wall she was leaning against.
“ Just head through this pillar here and the express will be on the other side. It's safer to just walk through a professor on the other side who will help you get situated and get your trunks up on the racks.” The mother nodded and led her children to the wall and walked through, after that Sky followed the flow of directing new families through the barrier and answering any quick questions that she could without saying she's a professor.
It was 10:55 and Sky was just about to head through the barrier when she bumped into someone stumbling slightly; she managed to steady herself and the young boy who she’d almost run over who tried to flinch away. “I’m so sorry that I was lost in thought. Are you okay?” She asked as she met jade green eyes the boy too stunned to respond just nodded. A small smile graced her face as she saw a beautiful snowy owl glaring at her. “Hogwarts?” she asked and chuckled as the boy nodded a light blush dusted his cheeks.
“I’m also heading for the express why don't we go together and I can help you get settled.” She offered as she gestured to the wall. The boy gave a slight nod and both made their way through the barrier like always. The sight of the scarlet engine was breathtaking as the train gave the final warning before it would embark. Families huddled near windows holding their child's hand and giving last-minute goodbyes. Sky hummed and looked at the young boy next to her.
“Why don't we enter through the front? Then we’re less likely to be stopped or trampled by others.” Sky said, making her way to the front just past the engine and holding the door open for the child.
“ But this is off-limits to students!” the boy squeaked. Sky hummed in agreement. “ That is true but I am not a student and am allowed to use this entrance, now hurry the train is getting ready to head out.” She said waving her hand and helping him lift his trunk up the stairs. Just as she closed the door the train whistled and with a slight lurch started its trek towards Hogsmeade Station. Giggling Sky blew a curl that escaped her bun out of her face and looked back to the boy behind her. His face was etched with relief as he leaned against the rail.
“ Well that was fun but you should get settled. I'll place a weightless charm on your trunk and shrink it if you’d like since you're already in most of your uniform. The rest of the third year is in the middle of the train so if you hurry you’ll still be able to meet up with everyone and find a seat.” Sky said as she cast the charms on the trunk.
The boy sputtered a bit and flushed with embarrassment. “ I’m not a third-year though, I’m a fifth year,” he said miffed. “Oh, my apologies. Please excuse my blunder. I'm still wrapping my head around all of this.” Sky said a blush dusting her face in embarrassment. “ It’s okay, it happens more often than I'd like.” the boy mumbled glaring at the ground before shuffling and grabbing his trunk. “ It was nice to meet you and thank you for helping me get onto the train but I should find my friends and get settled in.” He said, giving a Sky smile before heading into the next compartment and closing the door behind him.
Not a moment later the compartment door across from her opened and Severus Snape stuck his head into the hallway. “ You know this is the professor’s compartment, Dumonte. The least you could do is not bring students up here and then act like a herd of centaurs tromping through the hall.” He snarked.
Glaring Sky walked to her compartment and said over her shoulder “ You know Snape if I had wanted your opinion on what I do to assist students, I would have asked but unfortunately for you, I didn’t so kindly keep your thoughts to yourself for once hmm because you know what they say about opinions," at the raised eyebrow she got she continued " They're like assholes everyone has one and they all stink. ” She said as she shut the door behind her the privacy wards flaring and blocking out the window and locking the door as well. Sitting on one of the comfy chairs added to the compartment Sky settled in for a few hours rest before going for her round of duties. This was going to be the longest trip of her life she thought just before closing her eyes for a nap.