𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐉𝐎𝐊𝐄𝐑 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐄𝐍, george weasley

006

SIX

The platform at King's Cross Station was alive with the chaos and magic of a new term at Hogwarts. The scarlet Hogwarts Express gleamed in the late morning sun, steam billowing from its engine and mingling with the excited chatter of students and parents.

Victoria stood with the Weasleys, Hermione, and Harry, her trunk balanced precariously on a trolley pushed by Albert, her ever-loyal butler. He looked slightly out of place among the witches and wizards, his crisp suit and polished demeanor drawing a few curious glances.

"Miss Windsor, do you need assistance boarding?" Albert asked, adjusting his gloves.

"I'm fine, Albert, thank you," Victoria said with a smile. "You can go now. I'll see you at Christmas."

Albert inclined his head, his face betraying the smallest hint of fondness. "As you wish, Your Highness. Please do take care."

As Albert disappeared into the crowd, Molly Weasley enveloped Victoria in a warm hug. "Now, dear, don't let Fred and George get you into too much trouble this year," she said, her tone only half-joking.

"Mum," George protested, slinging an arm around Victoria's shoulder. "Why do you always assume it's us leading her astray? Maybe it's the other way around."

"Exactly," Fred chimed in, grinning. "Victoria's a terrible influence."

Victoria laughed, elbowing George lightly. "Yes, I'm sure everyone would believe that."

The group boarded the train amidst the usual chaos of students shouting greetings and hauling trunks into compartments. Harry, Ron, and Hermione headed off to find seats further down the carriage, while Victoria stuck with the twins, who were dragging her toward their usual compartment.

"Come on, Tori," Fred said, beckoning her over. "Angelina, Alicia, and Lee are already there. You can sit with the cool kids."

"I feel so honored," Victoria said dryly, following them with a laugh.

They slid open the door to the compartment, where Angelina Johnson was stretched out on one side, reading a Quidditch magazine, while Alicia Spinnet and Lee Jordan were in a heated debate about the best move in last season's World Cup final.

"Look who we found," George announced, gesturing to Victoria like she was a prize.

Angelina looked up and grinned. "The princess herself. How was your summer, Your Highness?"

"Boring," Victoria said, collapsing onto the seat between George and Alicia. "No Quidditch, no late-night plotting with these two." She gestured at Fred and George. "I almost went mad."

"Well, we're back now," Fred said, plopping down across from her. "And we've got a whole year to make up for lost time."

As the train began to move, the group settled into their usual easy camaraderie. Fred and George started unpacking their latest batch of inventions, much to Alicia's exasperation.

"Can you not set something on fire before we even get to school?" Alicia asked, watching as George fiddled with what looked like a self-lighting firework.

"I make no promises," George said, winking at her. That made her cheeks go red and her eyelashes fluttered.

Victoria laughed. "At least wait until we're at the Gryffindor table. You know, for maximum chaos."

"That's the spirit!" Fred said, giving her a mock salute.

Angelina rolled her eyes but smiled. "Honestly, how do we put up with you lot?"

"Because you love us," Lee said, leaning back with a grin. "And because we're the most entertaining people at Hogwarts."

"Obviously," Fred added.

Midway through the journey, Victoria excused herself to check on Harry, who she knew sometimes found the train ride overwhelming. She found him with Ron and Hermione, sitting quietly while Hermione read aloud from *Hogwarts: A History.*

"Hey," Victoria said, leaning against the doorframe. "You okay?"

Harry looked up and smiled. "Yeah, just... thinking."

Victoria slid into the seat beside him. "If you need anything, you know where I am."

"Thanks, Tori," he said softly.

"Now," she said, her tone lightening, "don't let Hermione scare you with her excessive knowledge."

"Excessive knowledge is what keeps us alive," Hermione said, not looking up from her book.

Victoria laughed and stood. "I'll take your word for it. See you lot at the feast."

When Victoria returned to the twins' compartment, George had taken over Angelina's Quidditch magazine and was loudly critiquing an article about the Holyhead Harpies' lineup.

"I mean, honestly, how do they expect to win with a Beater like that?" he was saying as Victoria slid back into her seat.

"George, you couldn't hit a Bludger straight if your life depended on it," Angelina said, snatching the magazine back.

"Harsh," Victoria said, grinning. "But fair."

George put a hand over his heart, feigning injury. "Tori, I thought you were on my side."

"I'm on the side of truth," she said, laughing.

Fred leaned over. "See, this is why she's dangerous. Too clever for her own good."

The rest of the train ride passed in a blur of jokes, snacks, and a particularly competitive game of Exploding Snap. Victoria felt a sense of ease with these friends that she rarely found anywhere else. Here, she wasn't Princess Victoria Grace Windsor, Duchess of Cheshire—she was just Tori, one of the gang.

As the train began to slow, signaling their arrival at Hogsmeade, George leaned over. "Ready for another year, Your Highness?"

Victoria smirked. "Ready as I'll ever be."

"And ready for more royal hijinks?" Fred added, wagging his eyebrows.

"Always."

The group laughed, the sound blending with the excited chatter of the other students as they prepared to step back into the magical world they called home.