Utterly Hopeless: An Ominis Gaunt Love Story

Chapter Three: Kings Cross

(Threa)

My parents' laughter echoed through the terminal as we weaved through the bustling crowd at Kings Cross Station. The sun had just come up shining brightly through the cascading windows illuminating us in a soft comforting light as we passed another platform.

"Are you positive you have everything," father asked again evident worry dripping from his lips. "You have your books?"

"I have my books."

"Packed your cauldron?"

"Packed my cauldron."

"Are you sure you have enough Quills," I laughed as Mother shook her head taking his hand in hers.

"She has it all, I double, and triple checked her bags myself before we left. You bought her enough quills to last till she graduates."

"Not with how she writes," he teased wrapping an arm around me as we continued pushing the trolley forward passing platform six as an owl crooned, we must be getting close. "You will write?"

"Every week."

"Good, good," he peered into the trolley at my brown spotted bird. "How of Owlexander, did you bring him enough treats? You must make sure you are giving him extra bits after each delivery. I got him accustomed to a certain way of living this past summer and will not have the good lad starve!"

"He will be well fed Papa, I promise."

"Ease yourself Issac," mother reassured as we passed platform seven. "She and the bird will be fine. You needn't be so concerned."

"I have more reason than most to be concerned, especially after last year's ordeal with that damned carriage," father spat, my throat going dry at the mention, as a group of kids pushed through us screaming, separating me from their hold. "I didn't even get to say goodbye before they carted her off!"

"I barely made it out of the door you were hugging me so tight," I argued as he shook his head, platform eight. "Mother had to pry you off me to get out the door."

"It wasn't a proper goodbye! Sending your kid off from Kings Cross is like a rite of passage for us parents."

"Like you would have behaved any differently here," Mother fought as he sighed. "Might I remind you I had to hex you to keep you from chasing after her."

"I should have fought you harder," he said jovially, as his tone held a hint of seriousness. He had always been the ever-doting father, the past school year not being able to correspond with them had been torture for all three of us. The ministry wanted me to be fully immersed in honing my magic, something we begrudgingly agreed to, thinking it be for the best. Though after hearing all I had gone through they refused to let it repeat. Platform nine. "I should've been traveling with you."

"You would have been Dragon chow," mother spat playfully as I pushed past the two turning to head down the long stretch. George's cry as the carriage was torn to shreds ringing loud in my mind.

I still have nightmares from that day. The carriage, the ruins, Ranrock, I can still remember it all so clearly. I passed almost seven pillars as my fingers felt like they were humming, looking up to see the sign for platforms nine and ten just ahead. Am I mistaken? I rechecked the ticket and sure enough Platform Nine and Three Quarters. Did we miss it?

"Threa?"

"Hmm?"

"Where are you going dear," I turned back around to see them smiling walking behind me slowly.

"To find the platform. I think we missed it while you were going on about dragon feed," I tried to joke, swallowing the thickness in my throat as they exchanged a knowing look.