The Hufflepuff Girl

Chapter 2 ~ Arrival

Arriving at Kings Cross station earlier than might have been necessary for them, Hermione, her parents, Quinn, and her grandmother gathered around a small table at the cafe just adjacent to the train station. Quinn stared at her paper for a moment and then looked at Hermione with a curious stare. They had been over this time and again so far... yet still it wasn't an easy one to think of. Platform 9¾ it read. Hermione had stated there was no such thing and it was unlikely that they would be able to find it with ease. As Quinn had come to realize, it was much like the sign at The Leaky Caldron. It seemed there were things Muggles, the non-magic folk, couldn't see that witches and wizards could.

Quinn's eyes wandered over to the platforms and she paused... one... two... three... four... it seemed that between every platform there was an archway and the brick columns were dead in the middle. Her mind wandered back to the wall they had gone through to get from The Leaky Caldron to Diagon Alley and her eyes got wide. What if this was the same? Another hidden secret to protect the wizarding world? She looked at the table and bit at her thumb nail, a nervous habit, as she checked a clock nearby. It was nearing a half till eleven... she hadn't realized they were gettin short on time. She looked at Hermione who was still fiddling with her paper.

"Hermione... I have an idea." She looked at her and so did the rest of the small group. "What if it's like The Leaky Caldron and the hidden wall?" She looked up at Hermione and then the other girl's parents. "What if it's something Muggles can't see? Or it is hidden in plain sight." She mused a bit and the recognition in Hermione's eyes seemed to click with what Quinn was saying. She smiled, "There are many platforms... and between every platform is a wall column..." She let her voice trail off losing confidence in her words.

"No! Don't stop, I think you're right!" Hermione hopped up and looked over at her parents as they moved to clean up the table. Quinn's Grandmother stayed seated, Quinn had noticed how quiet her Grandmother seemed to become over the last few days. She looked over at her new friend and motioned her and her parents on and moved to sit by her grandmother. The Granger family milled a bit away but stayed within eye rang but out of earshot perhaps, not that it mattered, they two were growing close and the the Grangers had taken to both Quinn and her Grandmother well.

"Grandma..." She looked up at her and her Grandmother patted her hand.

"I am just going to miss you, and I will be terribly lonesome till the winter break." Quinn's Grandmother smiled. "I knew wherever you went it would be this way. I just worry about the unknown... I am very grateful that you already made a friend. You've been very happy this past week. I hope you continue to be. You've been through too much." She smiled at her Granddaughter weakly. "You'll write often? The Grangers said it will come by owl." She chuckled a little, "crazy how this all happens. Suppose I am just not good at change, or letting you go." Quinn's eyes started to get misty as she wrapped her arms around her Grandmother.

"I will write so often you will be sick of hearing from me!" She squeezed her Grandmother, the woman who had raised her, cherished her, and kept her safe. She let go and her Grandmother wiped her eyes.

"I expect nothing less." The elder woman stood and so did Quinn. She supposed her grandmother was taking it all rather well considering the quick turn of events, not that they had a choice. Things were going to change whether Quinn had gone to Hogwarts or to the all girls Boarding prep school. Still it didn't change the fact that Quinn would miss her grandmother dearly.

they approached the Grangers and the two girls headed down the platforms together, neither said a word as they approached the wall between platforms 9 and 10. It was Herminoe who walked over to it first. She moved with purpose, took a deep breath and then moved her hand to the wall, only where hand should have met the wall it disappeared. She yelped and jumped back and looked over at Quinn with large eyes as her lips broke into a beaming smile. "You're brilliant Quinn!" She moved to grab her trolly then paused and looked up as her, Mr. Granger moved over to the wall, only when he touched it, his palm lay flat against the cold stone. Quinn's heart dropped, this was where they left them.