Harry, Kat, and Spellbound ➩ Book 1 [Harry Potter] | #Wattys2016

[CHAPTER 7] Welcome

Her vision was blurred. She realized her glasses were cracked. She removed it temporarily and felt her forehead, and felt a lump. She ouched before attempting to sit up, unsuccessfully, though.

"Bloody hell! I'm so sorry," she heard a voice say, and it sounded as if it was distant.

She squinted in the brightness and saw Ron's silhouette standing and extending a hand. She held on as he pulled her up. Once on her feet, she felt like falling again, but was able to grab her cart for support.

"T-Thank you," she murmured weakly, rubbing the bump on her forehead gently with a hand.

Ron, who was busy placing back his stuff on the cart, looked at her, then placed a hand on her shoulder. "Need a hand?"

"Guess so. My forehead hurts so badly," she grumbled.

Ron sighed. "Could you stand?"

"I could try," she said, letting go. At first she felt her legs all wiggly, but soon she was able to take control. She let a small smile curve up her lips. "I guess I could."

"Walk?"

She took a wobbly step forward, followed by another, and soon she circled the spot she once stood in.

Ron smiled, then placed a small rectangular cage on his cart before holding the handle. "I'm sorry. I really am."

"It's okay, it's okay," replied Kataleen. "I knew it was an accident."

"Hey, Ron, if you'll stop flirting with Kataleen there do you mind boarding the express?" a voice said. They looked at the person behind Kataleen, who was grinning broadly.

"Shut up, George," Ron said, pushing his cart. As he neared Kataleen he stopped. "Need a hand with your cart?"

"No, no. I can manage," Kataleen said softly, pushing her cart through. But she accidentally bumped the side of the train rather than enter through the entrance.

"Oh, you okay?" Fred said.

"Yeah, Fred. It's just... my glasses are broken," she grumbled, then looked at the blurry train gradually becoming clearer, but only by a tiny bit. "I'll just go in now."

She could feel the two Weasleys look at her as she entered, her being careful not to bump into someone in the train.

"Kataleen, hey! Over here!" she heard a voice that sounded like Arlin call. She looked at her right, and smiled as she saw Arlin's kinda blurred out figure sitting in a compartment, adjacent what looked like a boy and a bushy-haired girl.

She placed her cart at the proper place and sat groggily beside Arlin. "Whoa, you don't seem fine."

"My glasses broke, and I can't see that well. Plus, I have a good lump on my head."

"Why?"

"Ron Weasley bumped his cart into me as he went through the wall," she grumbled, rubbing her eyes and placing her palm over her bump.

"Broke your glasses, you say?" the bushy-haired girl said. "I think I can fix that."

"You can?" Kataleen asked, placing her glasses on the table separating them.

"Sure." She saw her take out a stick, obviously her wand. She cleared her throat loudly before pointing it at her glasses, saying, "Oculus reparo."

She saw a small spark on her glasses, and instantly put it on. She was amazed that it was good as new... better than the last time she wore it. "Wow. Thanks."

"My pleasure," the girl said with a smile. "So. What's your name?"

"Kataleen Wilton," she said, extending her hand. "And you?"