My One and Only

Chapter 23 - Year 3

MAIA YAWNED AND LET HER HEAD FALL TO FRED'S SHOULDER as the Ministry car bumped along the street. The sooner they got to Hogwarts, the better. She'd much rather worry about essays and exams than mass murderers and the death threat that hung over her brother's head.

Fred smiled down at her and began absentmindedly stroking her hair, an action which did not help her sleepiness in the slightest, but she didn't care. She sighed contentedly and closed her eyes, listening to the beeps of London traffic around them.

The Ministry drivers helped the group loud their things onto trolleys, before tipping their hats politely to Mr. Weasley and disappearing in the traffic jam behind them.

"Right." Mr. Weasley said, ushering the group to the barrier between platforms nine and ten. "Let's go through in pairs since there are so many of us." he turned to the Potters and nodded. "Harry, Maia, you'll go first."

The dark-haired twins pushed their trolleys forward and leaned causally against the barrier, pretending to people watch. Maia moved first, shifting her body to the side and a moment later, she was standing on platform nine and three-quarters, Orion hooting impatiently in his cage.

"I'll let you out once we're settled in." she said to him, stepping out of the way as Percy and Ginny hurried through the barrier next.

"Ah, Penelope!" Percy smoothed his hair down and hurried over to a girl with long, curly hair. Ginny shared a look with the twins and they all turned away to hide their laughter.

"So, that's the girl that managed to steal Percy's heart?" Maia asked, glancing back at the couple when she was certain they weren't looking.

"She looks nice. I don't know how Percy convinced her to date him."

Maia flicked Ginny's arm, a frowning mock disapproval. "Ginny." She began, her tone sounding eerily similar to Mrs. Weasley's. "We shouldn't be worried about how your brother got a girlfriend, but rather how he's going to keep her. I don't know about you, but I'd go crazy trying to fight Percy's ego for attention."

Ginny burst out laughing, drawing the attention of everyone around them, including Fred and George who had just emerged from the barrier.

"What's so funny?" Fred asked, pushing his trolley over to them.

"Did Percy find the cockroach we hid in his pocket?" George asked hopefully, and Maia dropped her head to her hands to cover her laughter.

"No." she said, struggling to hide her smile. "Not yet, at least."

A scream echoed around the platform and all eyes fell to Percy as he flailed backwards, shaking his robes out, while Penelope hovered to the side, her jaw slack. The Weasley twins, Ginny, and Harry dissolved into laugher, while Maia tried her best to hold it in.

"Alright you four." She said, her eyes twinkling with mirth as she stared at the group before her. "Pull it together before your mother gets here."

The twins stopped laughing abruptly, and just in time, as Mrs. Weasley had just appeared on the platform with Ron. Mr. Weasley and Hermione joined them, and made a beeline for the group that was still sharing mischievous looks.

They climbed onto the train and unloaded all of their luggage as quickly as possible. Maia pushed a window open and let Orion out, stroking his head fondly before stepping away and watching him soar off in the direction of Hogwarts.

Once everyone had loaded their things onto the train, they hopped back onto the platform to say goodbye to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley.

Mrs. Weasley kissed each of her children and Hermione, before turning to the Potters last. She pressed a kiss to each of their cheeks, much to Harry's embarrassment, though he couldn't deny the affection was nice. She hugged him once more, before pulling Maia into a tight hug, not noticing the sheen of tears in the small girl's eyes as she thought of what it might be like to be hugged by her ow mother.