Magical Bonds

IV. The train journey

September 1, 1991

I swallow hard, watching my mother move from one side of the room to the other, resembling a headless chicken. I glance at the clock, blink twice, and then focus on her again, a bit surprised that it's already half-past ten. The train leaves at exactly eleven, and we've packed all our bags, eaten, and all that's left to do is Appear on the platform.

The thing is, my mother is extremely panicked because today she'll see Harry again after so long. I didn't tell her that I met him when I went to Diagon Alley; she would have probably lost her mind even more. I turn my attention to Caelin, sitting helplessly to my right, all of us watching Aunt Kayla and Aunt Kaytelin try to calm my mother.

I sigh, resting my chin in my palm. I understand, but I think she's picked up the dramatics from Uncle James or Sirius—I don't even know which one of them was nicknamed the Drama Queen. I don't know how I could make her stop feeling guilty for what happened to them or stop fearing that Harry might hate her. I mean, seriously, who could hold a grudge against Mom?

Maybe some extremely shady students with ties to Dark Magic. Yeah, I don't need to look for an answer to my own question anymore.

"How long has she been like this?" Sasha suddenly asks, making us jump.

"Stop doing that!" Caelin exclaims, hand over his heart. "About half an hour; nothing seems to calm her down."

"Well, at this rate, the little one will miss her first ride on the Hogwarts Express," says the redhead, crossing her arms over her chest. "Not to mention, we won't have time to see Cedric, Fred, George, and Lee before the ceremony!"

"Stop complaining; you know very well this is hard for her. Ly, do you think you can do something so we don't end up late?"

I look into the brunette's brown eyes and nod slowly. I approach my mother, who's constantly bumping her head against the side of a cupboard, like something out of a comic book. I can barely keep myself from laughing as I step slowly toward her, and when I reach her, I place my hand on her shoulder. My dear fighter, no matter what you think of yourself, I will always stand by you. No matter what you've done.

"Mom, I know it's hard. It's hard knowing that your nephew, who doesn't even know you exist, will sit in your classes or talk to you. Think about what Lily or James would say if they were here and saw you like this."

She looks at me, and I give her a shy smile.

"Just be yourself as much as you can; they loved you as you are, and I doubt Harry won't follow in their footsteps on that. As for the truth about that night... we'll figure it out as we go, okay?" I suggest hesitantly.

She shakes her head slightly, then pulls me into her warm embrace. He'll be the happiest when he finds out he's not alone in this big world, that he has a family ready to love him with all their heart.

"You're a wonder, Ly, don't forget that for as long as you live," she whispers emotionally.

She steps back far enough to kiss my forehead. Mom will always be Mom, the one who'll pamper me when she thinks I need it. And this is one of those moments.

"So, no hugs for us?"

"You're so needy, Caelin!" Sasha shouts, elbowing him in the ribs, making him laugh. These two will never change.

Mom laughs too, then pulls them both into a hug. Meanwhile, I say goodbye to Aunt Kayla and Uncle Rayn with a hug, then join Merek and Kayt. They'll take us to the platform and help with the luggage. I take a deep breath, kissing Mom on the cheek, telling her we'll see each other at the ceremony. I can't wait to see if my assumption comes true.