The Journey Begins

"Emery do you have everything?" A voice calls from the hall.

"Yes." I huff out as I stuff the last of my jumpers into my trunk. Uncle said it would be quite chilly in the old castle and didn't want to worry about me catching a cold. I sigh as I push the trunk lid down, sitting on the top to click the latches shut. I roll over to the floor and grab the overpacked case and struggle to drag it towards my door.

"Bloody-" I groan out.

"I wouldn't finish that sentence if I were you." A voice comes from the door. I whip my head around.

"Uncle, so nice of you to help." I say as I stall in the doorway. He grabs the trunk from my hands and easily lifts it up. I shake my head as I dash to grab my messenger bag on my bed. I look inside to see my wand, a book to read on the train and some money to buy sweets with. Everything was accounted for.

"You look just like her." Uncle Remus says from the door. Oh. That was the last thing on my mind. I look down and catch a glint of my locket hanging out of my shirt. It was the only thing I really had left of them.

"Really?" I ask as I run my fingers through my pin straight hair. I guess it was my nervous tick or so I was told by my extended red-headed family.

"Of course. A spitting image in fact. She would be so proud of you now." He says and we both fall silent. While I didn't remember my parents, I knew it had to be harder for my uncle to be without them. He had been with them in school and the war. He didn't like to talk about those times much, but I knew enough to know that my family had fought for peace but never saw it.

"Right, then, have you packed extra jumpers?" He asks as we move into the hall and down the stairs.

"Yes, Uncle. I could barely fit them all." I laugh as we reach the sitting room. Always worrying that one.

"Are you sure you've everything? I nod to him and clutch Rosina, my owl to me. She was a ink black owl adorned with tiny white spots all over.

"Uncle I think you're more nervous than I am." I smirk at him. He tucks the trunk under one arm and opens the front door with the other.

"Of course, I am. I wish I could take you myself. He says as I usher him through the doorway of the flat. It wasn't his fault he couldn't take me directly. That we could blame on Gre-

"It's just a train ride I know, but I promised your parents that I-" He starts but I hastily interrupt.

"Uncle. There's always next year and besides I'll be with the Weasleys and then on the train with the boys. I'll be okay. You have nothing to worry about." I tell him and pat his shoulder. As we walk down the short hall and through the outer door, we're met with the most interesting sight. Arthur Weasley leaned against a muggle car. Uncle Remus and Mr. Weasley were long-time friends and naturally I had known his family since I was born. Uncle sits my trunk by the car and shakes hands with Arthur.

"It's been a while." My uncle says.

"Too long indeed old friend." Arthur smiles and looks my way.

"Nice car." I say to him as I run my fingers over the faded blue paint. It suited quite nicely to Arthur Weasley I thought. I turned to Arthur to say hello and give a hug.

"Why thank you Emery. It was a gift. Everything ready to go then?" He asks us both. I nod as I place Rosina in the backseat of the car before helping my uncle toss the trunk into the boot. When it’s all done my uncle and I turn to each other.

"Well." I say.

"Well." He says back. I blink rapidly to keep the tears at bay. Don't cry Emery, that's childish of you. I scold myself.

"Em." He intones and tears start to stream down my face. He sighs and opens his arms.

"Come here dear." He says and I jump into his arms. I had been putting my emotions at bay because there was so much to do before I left. I was going to miss him quite a bit. I squeeze myself closer to him.

"I'll owl every week. Make sure to take care of the shop, can't have you slacking." I mutter into his collar. He pats my head as we hug each other. Hot tears run down my face and for some reason they wouldn't stop. Uncle removes his arms from me and leads me to the front seat of the car. I fumble for the handle but eventually grab it in my hands. I look back to my uncle.

"We'll see each other soon. You don't worry your head about it, I've got the shop under control." He says and I hug him once more. I wish there was a way he could come with me, but I knew there wasn't. I feel a kiss placed on my head and pull away from him once more.

"Bye Uncle." I whisper as I wipe some stray tears away. I knew I'd give myself a headache if I didn't stop soon. He gives me a nod and I climb into the car. I close my eyes for a second to get myself under control. I hear the door click and I peer out the window. Uncle was smiling down at me. I raise my hand in an attempt to say one last goodbye. While I knew I would miss him, soon I would be at Hogwarts with the Weasleys, eating so much food I wouldn't be able to think. Everything would be fine. I'd see Uncle in a few months.

A few minutes later Arthur climbs inside the car and I look back to my uncle once more from the door to our flat. He was waving, not goodbye but a see you later. As cheesy as it sounded it gave me comfort. I wipe my eyes once more and smile. Slowly he fades into the background as Arthur moves the car forward passed the various flats towards London.

.......

We pull into the train station soon enough. The car trip has been a quiet one, not that I minded. I didn't feel much like talking at the moment anyway. It was obvious Arthur was taking time out of his workday to drop me off at King's Cross. He glanced at the interior clock in the car every few minutes. He halts the car and helps me with me place my things in a trolley so I can push them myself.

"This way Emery." Arthur says in comforting tone. We pass through crowds of people moving along the various platforms. It doesn't take long until we're standing in between the ninth and tenth ones.

"Here we are then." He smiles and points the wall.

"Through the wall?" I asked feeling perturbed. I push the cart forward then move around to touch the wall. My fingertips slip through. Woah.

"Wicked." I beam at Arthur and quickly move myself and belongings through without further prompting. I come through to the other side instantly to see what looks exactly like King's Cross but with a hint of magic I guess one would say. Gone were the men in suits and muggle families and now there were various people dashing around, some looked to be my age while parents followed behind them, directing the kids towards the Hogwarts Express. Arthur joins me seconds later and checks in my bags and Rosina at the end of the train. Afterwards we stop at a bench to wait for the other Weasleys.

"So that was a portal charm?" I ask and nod to the wall.

"Yes! Most are used to disguise entrances to the wizarding world. We wouldn't want any muggles walking through and wondering about." He explains to me. I knew what they were due to reading about them but never experienced one.

"So, I'll be able to learn how to cast it?"

"Of course. It is an advanced charm though so not quite yet." I frown at that. Maybe I could self-study when I wasn't busy running around with Ron and the twins. I knew being lifelong friends with the Weasley clan would land me into loads of trouble but I-

"Molly will arrive shortly. I hate to leave you here before she gets here but I must be getting back to the ministry." Arthur says and stands. I stand as well and give Arthur another hug.

"Be careful Mr. W." I say and give him a smile.

"Have a wonderful first year at Hogwarts Emery. Don't forget to owl alright?" I nod to him and wave as he makes back for the way we had come in. I glance at the overhead clock. It was three quarters passed so they'd be here soon enough. I sigh and almost sit back down when someone almost tackles me to the ground.

"Emery!" A familiar voice shouts.

"Gin, I missed you so much." I hug her and spy the rest of my red-headed family behind her.

"Hey Emma." George and Fred say together and hug around both of us. We all break apart and I recline my head to look up at them.

"Fred, George, you're both so tall." I raise my arm up and it almost reaches their heads.

"It's because you're so short." Fred says and ruffles my hair.

"Freddie!" Exclaims Molly.

"It's okay Mrs. W. I've missed you all so much." I say as I move into her arms. Molly Weasley gave the best hugs. She smelled of baking flour and books. I sighed into her arms and reluctantly let go.

"Where's Perce?" I ask looking around for his lanky frame.

"He went on ahead. All high and mighty-" George starts but Molly cuts him off.

"He's made prefect this year." My eyes widen. That was a big deal.

"We had no idea." Says fred

"I think I remember him saying something about it once-" George starts.

"Or twice-"

"A minute-"

"All summer." Fred finishes and I laugh. Must've been an enduring summer for the twins then. I'm sure they wouldn't let Percy live it down though. Ron brings up the back of the group with a dark headed boy I had never seen before. Ron and I were starting school together this year and it looked like his friend was too.

"Hey Ron." I give him a fist bump. I see dirt on his nose and start to tell him about it when I look over to the boy beside him. He seemed familiar, like I had met him before, but I couldn't place it. I stick my hand to him.

"Hello, I'm Emery Lupin." I smile at the boy. He shakes my hand back.

"Harry."

"Nice to meet you Harry, I see your hanging around with Ron here. I guess I'll see you often then." I say to him. Molly gathers us close once more.

"Alright dears it’s time to go." We nod and turn towards the entrance to the train.

"Now you too, behave yourselves. If I get another owl telling me you've blown up a toilet or-

"A toilet, we've never blown up a toilet before." George states.

"Great idea Mum, thanks!" exclaims Fred as they make for the train door.

"It’s not funny." Molly scowls at them. " Just look after Ron and Emery. They nod and duck inside the train.

"Alright off you pop then." I hug Ginny once more.

"I wish you were coming with me." I whisper.

"One more year Em." I pull away from her arms and nod. Once we're inside the train we head for the nearest window and wave towards them. One year until Ginny would be with me, hopefully it passed by rather quickly.