Skyler

Before the Train

After weeks of waiting, September 1st, 1991 finally arrived. Skyler sat in the small kitchen eating enough food to feed a big family while Amilia lectured her on what to do and what not to do at Hogwarts. Jake sat across from Skyler with his always present smirk, occasionally making fun of their mother when her back was turned.

"Now, I want you to be respectful towards your professors," Amilia said, hands on her hips. "No sarcasm, no snark, no attitude."

"Except for Snape. Give Snape hell," Jake added, causing Amilia to smack the eighteen year old on her shoulder. "I mean, treat all of them with respect and certainly don't use the secret entrance into Snape's potion storeroom to steal ingredients." Amilia let out a sigh and left the room muttering about how she ever could have ended up with such children. Skyler let out a giggle though.

"Is there really a secret passage into Snape's potion storeroom?" Skyler asked as soon as Amilia left the room. Jake gave her a wolfish grin and shrugged.

"That's for you to find out, Short Stack," he told her, ruffling her hair as he got up. Skyler gave out an exaggerated sigh and rolled her eyes. "Now come on, I've got a surprise for you before we leave." Skyler popped out of her chair, grabbing a piece of bacon before following Jake into his room. The door closed behind them as Jake flicked his wand at it.

"Now, I know that Mum wouldn't let you get a pet," Jake started. The decision had came a few days after Hagrid and Harry's visit to the shop. According to Amilia, Skyler would be too irresponsible to take care of one causing a lot of arguments and shouting. "However, I think that you deserve one. So as long as you don't tell Mum, I've got this for you."

With a flourish, Jake brought out a small bundle of fur from behind his back.

Skyler gasped upon seeing a very grumpy and upset looking black kitten. She scooped it up into her arms, grinning from ear to ear.

"You got me a cat?" she asked, almost to the point of squealing.

"Found it wandering around, looking for trouble and it reminded me of another black haired rugrat," Jake said with a smile, ruffling her hair. "Now it's up to you to name it."

"Hmmmmm, Lyra," she decided with a nod. "Her name can be Lyra. I found that in my Astronomy textbook and I thought if I ever had a cat, I'd name it that."

She then tucked the sleeping Lyra into her robe pocket, making sure that her wand was secure in the other pocket. Last thing she needed was her new wand getting scratched up before she had a proper chance to hex someone.

The next hour went by quickly as Amilia went through Skyler's trunk to make sure she had everything she needed as well as a few things she didn't. Any extra space in her trunk had been filled with potions books and ingredients that the school didn't require. And then there was a non magical set of colored pencils and a sketchbook that Jake had gotten her for Christmas last year. Once that was all set it was time for Jake and Skyler to go off to Kings Cross.

"Are you sure you can't come with us?" Skyler asked her mother. Amilia shook her head, sadly.

"Someone's gotta watch the shop. It'll be alright though. I'll send you a letter every week if you like," Amilia said, giving her daughter a big hug.

"Can't Jake watch the shop?" Skyler asked, glancing over at her brother.

"You remember last time he watched it," Amilia said, releasing her to give Jake a glare. "Almost burned the whole place down."

"It's a dragon shop! I thought that would bring some appeal!" Jake argued, missing both Amilia and Skyler rolling their eyes. With a few more quick good-byes and hugs, the duo was ready to head to Kings Cross. Unfortunately they would have to use Floo Powder, a method that Skyler was not overly fond of. That was mostly due to her habit of falling into the wrong fireplace at the worst times.