Lily in the Shadows

Chapter 9: Back to School

September 1st means a lot of things to different people, for some the end of summer, for others a ride back to Paradice. For Harry Potter, it is a day to go home, back to Hogwarts, to his warm bed in Gryffindor Tower, back to all his friends, and back to school, where everyone thinks he's cool. For Draco Malfoy, it's a day he is sent to a boring place where he hangs out with his friends, learns slightly interesting facts, and his only time to be independent without his parents telling him what to do. For Ronald Weasley, he gets sent to a big playground where he can eat, play quidditch, and hang out to his heart's content. Hermione Granger finds it a portal to a haven of higher learning, where she can be more than just an everyday muggle, she can be the brightest witch of her age; not better, just smarter.

Lily-Kathryn Potter thinks of September 1st as a new beginning, a new adventure to be uncovered, a new year to make more friends, solve problems, and be free and out of the control of those around her.

On September 1st, 1993 all the children woke up to their different situations. The Potter, Weasley, and Granger households wake up at the Leaky Cauldron, astir with excitement and the stress of running behind. They rush to get dressed and eat breakfast only to find out the boys haven't packed yet. As everyone swarms to finish packing and double-check that nothing is amiss the Malfoy family has already eaten and arrived at the train station.

Draco Malfoy is escorted to the train by his loving parents. Arriving at the platform he tries to rush off to his friends when his father grabs him by the back of his robes and pulls him back. Narcissa Malfoy wraps Draco up in her arms, ignoring his protests of being embarrassed. She kisses him on the cheek and a tight hug. Once she releases him he tries to escape once more, being pulled again by his father. He hugs his son, lifting him from the ground.

Draco laughs, "Daaadd, let me gooo. You guys are so embarrassing."

Lucius Malfoy pays no attention, kissing him on his head. Freeing him from his love he puts a hand on his head, rubbing his non-gelled hair around. "I'm glad you've stopped gelling your hair down, looks much nicer being able to move." Draco rolls his eyes, head jerking when his dad pops him in the head. "Don't roll your eyes at me, you know it's true."

Draco laughs and apologizes. After another hug and kiss from his parents, he rushes onto the train and into the Slytherin compartment.

Back at the Leaky Cauldron Kathryn sits on the pile of trunks by the door, petting Crookshanks as Claude sits on her shoulder. He has grown a lot in the past few months, starting the length of her 11-year-old forearm, now being longer than Harry's 13-year-old thigh. Harry asked her to hold onto Ron's rat at first but when she tried both of the animals had fits and she had to give him back. Now she just sits there watching everyone freak out.

They finally have everything together and leave the pub to see a squad of cars with the Ministry M on the side. Obvious enough but not so conspicuous that any muggles would notice.

Arriving at the station they know that they are very very late, the gaggle rushes through the station, trying to make it to their platform on time.

They run through the wall towards the train. The whistle blows and they quickly get on, but not before Mrs. Weasley can give everyone a big hug and a kiss. Lily smiles when it's her turn, the hug something she will cherish for years to come. No one notices Mr Weasley taking Harry to the side.

The boys help them get all their trunks onto the train and they go their separate ways. Kathryn rushes off swiftly to the Slytherin compartment, bombarded with lots of hugs and happy greetings. Ron waits for Harry who is the last person to get on the train, they walk around with Hermione trying to find an empty compartment. As they pass the Slytherin compartment the hubbub inside dies down and Draco and Harry make eye contact. They exchange a slight nod and move on.