As the train slowed into Hogsmeade Station, everyone began reaching for trunks and cages.
"I've got this." Fred said, already lifting Calli's trunk down from the luggage rack.
George grabbed the other case before she could protest.
"We'll take everything to the castle."
"You don't have to-"
"We know." George interrupted.
"But we want to." Fred finished.
Calli smiled, handing Lucy the smaller bag with her books.
"Don't lose my notes."
Lucy gasped dramatically.
"You wound me."
Fred leaned down and pressed a quick kiss to Calli's cheek.
"Go be Head Girl."
"I intend to."
Fred grinned before joining George, Lucy and Stella as the compartment emptied.
Calli watched them disappear into the crowd for a brief moment before turning towards the carriage door herself.
Duty first.
The chilly September air greeted her as she stepped onto the platform.
Steam drifted lazily from the Hogwarts Express, wrapping itself around hundreds of excited students.
She instinctively searched for an enormous figure with a tangled beard.
Nothing.
Instead, Professor Grubbly-Plank stood near the edge of the platform, speaking to several anxious first years.
Calli frowned.
Where was Hagrid?
Before she could dwell on it someone shouted.
"First years! First years over here!"
One of the Ravenclaw prefects was waving energetically above the crowd, trying to gather the new students together.
Calli immediately headed in that direction, helping weave the tiny eleven-year-olds through the sea of older students and luggage. She wondered if she looked that small on her first day. She most likely did but she shrugged it off.
"Keep together." She called gently. "No one's getting left behind."
Most nodded obediently.
One girl didn't move.
She stood frozen beside her trunk, wiping furiously at her eyes.
Calli immediately crouched so they were eye level.
"Hey." She said softly. "It's alright."
The girl only sniffled harder.
"Can you tell me what's wrong?"
She didn't answer.
Instead, she looked past Calli.
Following her gaze, Calli saw Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson laughing loudly as they shoved past a group of smaller second years waiting for the carriages.
One of the children stumbled.
Neither Draco nor Pansy even looked back.
Calli closed her eyes for half a second.
Honestly.
She opened them again, her expression warm as she turned back to the little girl.
YOU ARE READING
Callidora ☆ Fred Weasley
FanfictionCallidora Nott has always known exactly what is expected of her. As the daughter of one of Britain's oldest pure-blood families, her future has already been carefully planned; alliances, power, and a life shaped by tradition she never chose. At home...
