Moon Dust | Mattheo Riddle

Chapter 2: Where you belong

The sounds of voices filled the train as the vehicle came to a stop. Harry seemed to have settled a lot now- thanks to Remus and his magic chocolate remedies.

Nova looked down at her fingers nervously and glanced out of the window, up at the castle that was shadowed through the clouds in the distance.

It was beautiful, full of candlelight and mystery, but the dark forest that followed it filled Nova with a pit of dread she didn't quite understand.

"The forbidden forest," her father said, following her line of sight. He softly nudged her shoulder and pointed over to it.

"It can be quite magnificent in the day, perfect place for a walk but it's full of mystical creatures and dangerous beings, so stay clear of it okay?... Don't go in there without me, especially on the full moon," he whispered a little lower so only she would hear, and she nodded a little too enthusiastically.

As the other students started to rush out of the train, Nova found herself staying put, waiting back with her father as he reached up for his briefcase.

Remus sighed upon noticing her and placed the bag onto the seat before stepping forward and kissing the side of her head.

"You don't have to wait for me," he exhaled, gesturing toward the other students with his eyes, but she only smiled brightly in return.

"I know."

As soon as they got onto the train platform, Hermione beamed at Nova, calling her name and rushing forward to grab onto her hand, pulling her toward an empty carriage as the rain poured down around them.

Nova turned to give her father a sympathetic look, her eyes lingered on his limping frame reluctantly as she pulled back a little from the girl.

A soft laugh left his throat as he leaned against his cane for balance and smiled warmly at her. "Go with them," he mouthed, gesturing toward the curly-haired girl with the side of his hand.

Behind Hermione, Harry was holding his hands over his head, trying to keep from getting wet as he pushed at Ron, who was purposely taking his time to get into the cover of their vehicle.

The pair of them were laughing, playing around as other students started to disappear into neighbouring carriages. Nova, however, remained hesitant, eyes locked on Remus as the rain fell down around them.

The brunette girl tilted her head sideways, not minding the rain as she took a step toward her father. Again he smiled softly, gesturing to Hermione who was waiting patiently beside the carriage, holding a few books close to her chest to shelter them from the downpour.

"Go on, I'll see you in there, I have to meet the staff anyway," Remus whispered encouragingly. Nova let out a deep breath, then nodded, finally following the younger witch into the carriage.

Harry and Ron were also inside now, chuckling as two older boys poked fun at them, they were quite obviously twins and had the same hair colour as Ron.

Nova smiled at them sweetly as she sat down and they both gave each other a smirk. "So, pretty girl, what's your name?" one of them asked as the other clambered over him to get closer to her.

She laughed. "Nova.. and I'm guessing you are either twins or this is just a really strange coincidence?" she teased, gesturing between them both.

They tumbled over each other again and collided, causing Nova to hide a giggle under her palm.

"This is actually the first time I've ever met this kid, striking resemblance though, isn't it? If I didn't know any better, I'd say he was impersonating me," the twin on the left said, wriggling his eyebrows humouredly.