Larger Than Life {Remus Lupin}

1: Loud Goodbyes and Silent Hellos

Ella rolled her trunk behind her, staying close to her father as they navigated Platform 9 3/4. Running later than usual, it was ten forty-five when they passed through the brick column. People were bustling all around, saying their goodbyes and putting away their luggage for the train ride. The crowding made her stomach roll, her heart pounding in her chest as they shoved through the flock of people.

"There's no way we'll get to Mum and George in this." Terry complained as their father and Harriet took the luggage to the train. "I hate this part. People have no proper manners, always shoving and swearing at strangers."

"We don't have a lot of time here, so I need to get my goodbyes in now." Ella bent down and hugged her younger brother tightly before pulling away and looking him in the eye. "I will write, okay? Every week. And you better get your hair cut before Christmas." She pulled one of his curls down to spring it back again.

"So will we." Catherine tousled his hair. "You're going to get sick of all the letters you'll have to read."

"Who said I would read them?" Terry quipped, and Jonathan trapped him in a headlock he was squirming to get out of. "Okay, okay, I will!"

"You better." He jerked him around a few times more before releasing him. "Or else, no parcels full of sweets for you."

"No, not the sweets!" Raymont dramatically wailed as he returned with his wife. "Anything but the chocolate frogs!"

"Only 'cause you love to steal them from the package." Jon joked as he embraced his mother. The height difference was amazing. Jon stood tall at six foot four inches while Harriet was only five foot two. "Bye, Mum. I need to go claim a spot before somebody else."

"Good to see your priorities are in order." She smacked the side of his head as he turned to side hug Raymont before climbing into the train. He laughed, rubbing his head. "I love you!"

"Yeah, you too, Mum." He waved again and entered the train car as Catherine said her goodbyes.

"Bye, Terry." She squeezed him close, then turned to her mother. "I'll write all the time."

Ella kissed her younger brother once on the head. "Bye, bub. I'm gonna miss you loads." He waved her off with a grumble and she chuckled. "Okay, Mr. Cool Guy, I'll leave you be." Hugging her step-mother tightly before receiving a pinch on the cheek from her, she winced. "Thanks, Harriet."

"Watch out for my son, he's bound to get himself done in by one of his idiot friends." She pointed at her seriously, and Ella nodded. "Good. That boy, I worry for him."

"Jon is honestly a Filch-magnet. But I'll keep an eye out, don't worry." She smiled at Harriet once more, then turned to her father. "Promise to send me colored pens?"

"Absolutely. Every color." He nodded sincerely, then went in for a hug. "Bye, Ella. I'll write every day."

"Every single day?" Her voice was muffled by his coat and she felt him nod. "You better, too. I love you, Dad."

"I love you, too." He smiled at her as he let her go from his embrace, before becoming more solemn. "Hey, I'm sorry you didn't get to see your Mum before you left."

She smiled reassuringly at him. "It's okay. She probably couldn't make it, anyway." The train whistled, startling her. "I have to go now. Farewell, my beloved family. Until Christmas!" She gripped her leather bag in her palm and made for the entrance to the car, cardigan flying behind her.

***

Stay calm, don't panic, Ella thought as she peered into the compartments in search of a nice familiar face to sit with. She wouldn't be wandering the train car if those Ravenclaws hadn't booted her out of her regular compartment she had sat in for three years straight before, but she hadn't wanted to cause a disturbance. That and she was much too lily-livered to protest. She gripped her bag tight as she scanned the hallway, and perked up when she saw Jonathan exit his own compartment.