SPARKS FLY | fred weasley x oc |

chapter 19 - early departure

I never thought that I could miss the English countryside, but as we drove away in the blue car I couldn't help the longing feeling pulling inside me as the Burrow faded into the distance. The past month had been great with everyone, despite Molly's constant nagging for the boys to finish their summer coursework.

"I don't want to receive another letter from McGonagall about your two before classes even begin." She threatened over a bowl of mash potatoes one night. The trip to Diagon Alley had been relatively uneventful. My parents had met us there and we spent the whole day going in and out of the shops, checking our lists multiple times to make sure we had all the needed supplies. We had even made a plan to get breakfast before the train left. The car sputtered to a stop in front of the Leaky Cauldron and we all quickly unloaded ourselves.

"I think Ron's elbow is permanently embedded into my ribcage." Hermione groaned as she held her side.

"At least you didn't have these two reaching over you the whole time. I'm getting both of you new deodorant for Christmas." Ginny's face was grim.

"Hey, you're alive!" My mom said cheerily before pulling me into a hug.

"That's debatable. How was the traffic?"

"Not bad, we missed the morning rush." My dad answered before greeting Arthur and Molly. We were soon sitting at the long middle table with teacups full of hot water floating to us.

"I don't think I've ever seen it this busy." Harry mused aloud as we looked at the menu.

"This is the early morning crowd. I haven't been in here this early in a long time." Arthur filled us in. He was right, it was early. When our letters arrived with supply lists for the year we were all surprised at the notice on the bottom:

Due to special circumstances the Hogwarts Express will be leaving Platform 9 ¾ at King's Cross Station at 8 AM on September 1st. If you should need any accommodations, please reach out to Headmaster Dumbledore.

This announcement had made the first trip to Diagon Alley exciting as we all guessed on why we needed to be at the castle earlier, but none of us were happy this morning when Molly woke up at four.

"It's too quiet, it's honestly a little terrifying." My dad shuddered as he finished his breakfast.

"It's so early." I yawned. "Molly's lucky to have us awake before noon the past few weeks."

"I told them." Molly shook her head. "I must have reminded them a hundred times that we had to be up early today. But did they listen? No! And here we are." She motioned to Ron. "Drooling into our oatmeal."

The rest of the Hogwarts students seemed to feel the same way about an early departure. Everyone on the platform was moving slowly, trolley wheels squeaking from not moving fast enough. I was having particular difficulty with my own cart as it got stuck on every little bump, forcing me to loudly rattle it loose.

"Everyone got everything?" My dad asked as we stopped at one of the doors.

"Normally the kids unload their own trunks into the luggage car, but I fear we'd delay the whole train with this lot." Arthur jokes, though none of us were alive enough to give even a pity chuckle. We all just looked at each other. "Well, off you go."

"Don't forget to write. We want to hear all about classes and quidditch." I hugged my mom as my dad droned on about letters.

"I won't." I hugged him and then turned back to my mom. "Any last minute advice for 4th year?"

"Have fun. You can talk to us about anything." She smiled and waved as I pulled myself onto the steps.

"Bye." I whispered. "I'll write soon." I was the last of my group to board so I slid the door shut behind me.