ALLURING || D.M.

Chapter 45

King's Cross Station was a busy place all year long, the hiss of trains drumming in people's ears, shouts exchanged by security guards, rushed families, angry passengers who lost their luggage. It was not any different past the Nine and three-quarters platform, her eyes roamed over the pigtails of some girl, probably a sister, too small to be a student just yet.

Grethel adjusted the girl's sweater for the third time, placing a chestnut curl behind her back, "You look lovely" she complimented, making her daughter smile. The young brunette boy beside them stood a little off to the side, aiming to seem like a first year about to board. "Here" The mother passed her the medium suitcase she had chosen to take with her during the ride.

Gripping it tight on her right hand as she used the left one to playfully knock on his brother's head. "Stop drooling on the train" She mocked, Bas sending her a tight frown as he took a step back. "I'm not" He defended pridefully, too enthralled to get upset.

It was a weird mix, she usually felt nostalgic, already set on missing her mother, her brother, her house, the comfort of a bedroom all to herself, no shade on her roommates. Maybe it was the disaster this summer had turned out to be, but she felt relieved to be back.

She looked down on her brother, leaving the mockery aside, "Seriously, Bas. You'll be here next year" she said, "And actually board". He glanced up, "Let's hope" he whispered as he leaned forward for a brief hug, asking her, like every year, to keep her notes organized so he could use them when his time came.

"Yeah, yeah" She smiled, messing with his hair, "Be safe. And listen to mom!" Lilianne was not entirely confident in his nod, but she chose to believe him. "Bye" She said to her mother, who engulfed her in her arms. "Take care darling" Grethel said in a whisper, "Have fun, and write, don't forget about me" the mother joked softly as she stared at her daughter.

The girl nodded, "Alright" she hugged her mother again as her brother ran off to explore before any of them could stop him. "Keep me posted okay, on everything" Lily spoke quietly. Grethel's features softened, "Honey, worry about passing the OWL's this year, I can take care of everything at home" she saw her daughter's face turn stern, "Now go, it's almost time" she said before the girl could reply.

Grethel led her by her shoulders to a spot closer to the red machine, parents leaned down for hurried goodbyes, children darted in last-minute panics, and the air grew heavier with smoke. "I'll go find Bas, say hello to your friends for me" Lily felt a kiss on her cheek and a light push on her back, "Have a good year!".

There was nothing left to do but get on the train, turning around quickly to see her mother disappear in the multitude with one last smile. The girl sighed, eyes blinking fast as children ran left and right in the unmoving machine.

"Excuse me" She tried to make way for herself, angling her bag to move with ease. The prefects finally made an appearance, shooing everyone to carts as they blabbed about security measures. Lily walked, glancing quietly through the little windows for a known face.

"Hey" There was a tap on her shoulder. "Hi, oh" Her hair bounced as she turned, receiving a hug as soon as she faced his way, "It's good to see you Warren". The boy stepped in front of her, he had grown a couple inches, "How was your summer?" she asked curiously, they had not talked well over the past two months.

"Let me take care of this" He extended his hand to her bag, "It was fine, felt like forever" the boy replied to her question after she whispered a 'thank you' while handing him the suitcase. She hummed maybe twice as he narrated how his parents had taken him out of the country, only to leave him there by himself and come dine with him once a week, "Don't take me wrong I like the freedom, but it was so boring" he ranted, "What about you? We didn't write at all".