In Every Moment | fred weasley x reader

Platform 9¾

"Have you got all of your books? What about your wand? Please do not forget your wand- oh Merlin's beard" your father said, exasperated. His grey eyes darted around you and he pulled out a dirty handkerchief from his pocket to mope his brow.

You smiled, "I've got everything, Dad." You gestured to the trunk that was almost as tall as you were. The carrier for your little black cat sat carefully on top, and you had your wand tucked away safely in the pocket of your brown leather shoulder bag. "I double checked the list before we left, and I crossed everything off as I did. Don't worry," you continued, leaning in to wrap your arms around his waist. You rested your head against him and squeezed gently. He pushed his glasses up, as they'd began to slide down the bridge of his nose, and pulled you in tightly for a warm embrace.

"Thank Merlin's dirty socks that my daughter is so organised. I dread to think where we'd be if you'd taken after me," he laughed quietly, kissing the top of your head.

For nine years, it had just been you and him. He worked a lot- long shifts and many days a week- and as you'd gotten older and became capable of not burning the house down, he'd worked more and more until you very rarely saw him. Although you buzzed hurriedly with excitement, a thick pang of worry for your Dad nestled deep in your chest.

When you received your acceptance letter for the legendary Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, you almost turned it down. Your father needed you more than he let on, and after years of you being the one to cook hot dinners and clean the tiny crooked house you called home, you wondered if your dad even knew how to fry eggs. How could you leave him for ten months at a time? How could you leave him behind for seven years?

But now, as you stood on the bustling Platform of 9 ¾, with owls hooting around you and the air filled with the thick steam from the scarlet train, you were excited- and exceedingly anxious- to start this new adventure. Parents' worried words and their children's goodbyes swirled around your ears as you let go of your father, stepping back to clasp your trunk and carrier cage.

He looked down at you, his eyes beginning to fill with tears. He sighed sadly.

"I wish I could see you off, sweetheart," he said, his voice catching on the last word. He quickly glanced at his worn watch on his wrist and frowned. "I hate to leave you like this."

"Dad, it's okay. You got me here and that's more than I could have asked for. It wasn't exactly cheap," you said gently.

He shook his head and muttered quietly, "no eleven-year old should have to worry about that." He said it almost to himself but you could hear the thick guilt that laced his voice. He leaned over to pull you in for another hug, kneeling down this time so you could rest your head on his shoulder.

"A bushel and a peck," you whispered to him. His cheeks lifted as he smiled.

"I love you too, Y/N," he replied. You felt him check his watch again and you laughed softly, pushing him up,

"Go, Dad, you can't be late again."

He sighed and nodded, "I'll be right here, waiting on the platform in June," he promised, and planted a kiss on your hair before waving goodbye and running back through the wall to Kings Cross.

And then you were alone, a short and tiny eleven year-old girl with flushed cheeks, standing by yourself amongst the huge bustle of students and families. You turned to your little cat, Pebbles, and said to him softly,

"Well, it's just you and me now." He meowed back softly. You laughed and slipped the handle of his carrier onto your arm, secured your bag around your neck and began to pull the giant trunk behind you.

You struggled, considering that this thing was literally the size of you, but you managed to drag it through the crowd and across the platform towards the awaiting train. You passed an array of peculiar families as you walked; one family stood quietly, wearing very simple Muggle clothes and worried expressions. Another family was chaotic and loud, with each of its nine members sporting flaming red hair and freckles. You saw a grim-looking lady with an ugly hat, who stood with an owl perched on her shoulder. You spotted a very round man with a big smile and red cheeks, tears dripping down as he kissed his three children over and over again. You were surrounded by pets and luggage and the most interesting people you'd ever seen.