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"So that's it?" Dudley asked, "You're leaving just like that." I sighed. "It's not like that, don't get your knickers in a twist," I told him. "We'll be back every weekend," Harry offered. I sighed. Dudley was taking this hard for a good reason. He'd be alone with his parents for the first time in ten years, he'd be facing the brunt of their disappointment alone. "We have those wicked mirrors from the Professor," I told him, "we can talk to each other all the time." Harry nodded his agreement, "Aunt Petunia even purchased one so she could berate me from afar," Harry joked. Dudley and I laughed. "I'm gonna miss you nerd," Dudley told Harry. "What about me?" I asked. "Oh I'm especially gonna miss you, Songbird," He assured me. "We're gonna miss you too, Sporty," I told him.
There was a knock on the door and Harry opened it. "Let's go, you too Dudley," Afrina said. "What are you doing here?" I asked, "It's your day off and your daughter's birthday." She laughed and ruffled my hair, "She's coming too, and let me get you in on a little secret," she told me, "when you live at your job, you get no days off, come on." She lifted Harry and I's bags and motioned for us to follow her down to stairs. "Is Aunt Petunia joining us?" I asked hopefully. "She had to catch an early flight to Milan to meet with a VIP client," Afrina told us. Something in me stopped. I had always seen Aunt Petunia as my mother figure, and like all daughters, I looked up to her. I wanted to make her proud, so it stung that she couldn't be bothered to see me off today. "What about Uncle Vernon?" Harry asked after his role model. "In Pittsburgh for the launch of Grunnings' American division," she answered. "Oh," he deflated. "Come on, in the car," Affie instructed.
We all piled in and Affie joined us in the back of the limo with her three-year-old daughter, Marjia. She was a teen mom, getting pregnant by her old high school boyfriend, Maximus. He left her alone with her child after he found out she wasn't going to university. He said that if she wanted to waste her potential then he wanted nothing more to do with her or their daughter. "Hi Margie," I cooed as Affie strapped the toddler into her seat, "are you excited for your birthday?" The girl nodded excitedly.
"Where to, M'lady?" Simon asked. "We're off to King's Cross for them to catch their school train," Affie said, answering for us. "Right away, Action Affie," Simon agreed and pulled out the car. "Idiot," Affie scoffed. "Get comfy kids, it's gonna take a good hour," Simon warned. "Perfect, I can finish my Spanish and Latin work by then," Harry grinned. "Nerd," Dudley coughed. "Oaf," I coughed back. "Ditz," Dudley coughed at me. "Ape," I coughed back. "Bimbo!" He coughed loudly. I was about to cough up a retaliatory insult when Affie grabbed my arm, "Not another word," she warned. "Yes, Affie," we chorused. "Brats," she coughed, earning a laugh from even Harry.
***
"This is going to be an astronomical adjustment," Harry whispered as we walked towards the platform. "Uncle Vernon isn't here, why are you still talking like that?" I asked. "Same reason you only ordered a smoothie at the donut shop," he answered. "You're the only one allowed to eat sweets, Harry," I told him, "Dudley and I are going to be artists and Olympians." Dudley nodded his agreement.
"Has your aunt already informed you of her expectations?" Affie asked as she and her daughter led us to the wall. I nodded. Aunt Petunia wanted Harry in Ravenclaw as that was the house for smart people, I was allowed to go to any house besides Gryffindor as bravery wasn't a necessary trait for me. "I highly recommend you follow them," she told us sternly, "but I highly encourage you not to." I shot her a questioning look. "You've taken your peculiarity to another level, Affie," Harry laughed nervously. "Let the sorting be based on your personality traits like everyone else, if that leads you to your relatives' wishes that's great, if not then at least you'll know," she explained. "But we have to listen to my parents," Dudley argued. "Do you?" Affie asked. "They just want what's best for us," Harry stated. "No one raised you to be naive, Harrison, don't start today," Affie scolded. "Stop this," I ordered, "stop your lies and slander, or else." Affie bowed, "Yes, M'lady." I huffed, "I didn't want to fight with you." She ruffled my hair.
"Promise me you'll do something fun at this school of yours," She said exasperatedly. "Learning is fun," Harry argued. "I know you don't truly believe that," she told him. "How?" he asked. "I've seen you have fun before, I've seen the way your eyes sparkle when you truly enjoy something and you don't get that look when you're studying," Affie answered. "I love you, Affie," I said as I flung my arms around her. "I love you too, Briar May," she said as she kissed my head. "See you this weekend, Dud," I told my cousin. "Mirror me tonight about your placement, don't force me to listen to Mum's screeching just to find out," He begged. "I would never be that cruel," Harry assured him. "I totally would," I smirked. Both boys frowned. "But I won't, not today at least," I assured them as I bent down to kiss Marjia on the cheek before getting on the scarlet train. Adventure awaits.
