elanor// s.b.

II

~Victoria Kensington~

Steam billowed from the scarlet steam engine stretching in front of the Kensingtons. "Did you get your grey jumper?", Mrs. Kensington called over the crowd. "Yes, Mum", Elanor said with a shake of her head, "This is the sixth time around, I think I've got it down", she reached up, kissing her mother's rosy cheek. Mrs. Kensington was a very beautiful woman, whom many people claimed Elanor looked strikingly like. Her now slightly grey hair fell in blonde waves, her blue eyes full of mystery. Her lips were soft and round, always curled in a smile. "I know, I know", she said, pulling her daughters into a tight hug. "I'll count down the days until Christmas", she placed her hand on Victoria's cheek and then smiled, waving goodbye.

The large clock above them read a quarter to eleven and when Victoria noticed this, she let out a guttural gasp. "I should have been on the train performing my prefect duties fifteen minutes ago!", and with that she was gone in a whisk of flowery perfume. Her father let out a laugh, then pulled each of the children in for a final hug. With that the Kensingtons disappeared through the barrier.

"Eddy!", came a squeal from behind Elanor, causing her to jump. A whirr of strawberry blonde hair and bright pink sundress sped past Elanor and flung itself into her brother's arms. "Marles!", he said, "I've missed you so much", he let out between kisses. "Gross", Elanor snorted. Marlene McKinnon pulled herself away from Edward, whose face was now smeared with red lipstick. "Hello, Elanor", Marlene said, a blush creeping up her cheeks. "Marlene", smirked Elanor, forcing her tone to be even.

The pair had been dating since the end of last year, and the siblings entertained themselves by sneaking up on their brother and snatching the love letters out of his hands, reading them out loud in mocking tones much to his distress. A few Gryffindor 4th years passed by, hissing to each other. "Is that Marlene? I thought she was hooking up with Sirius Black?", one whispered. The other shook her head furiously, "No, that was just a rumor". "I thought they dated and then broke it off?", the third said, their voices fading as they entered the train. 

Elanor looked down at Jude who was silently laughing. She raised her eyes and jerked her head towards the train, signally they should leave the lovebirds to their cooing. Jude nodded and they moved onto the express, the cool air hitting them as the sound of voices from the platform faded. "Want to sit with me and the Slytherins?", Elanor smiled, already knowing the answer. "No, I have some reading to catch up on", he said, then reached up and squeezed her hand before she could say anything, "I'll find you once we reach the school".

Elanor fiddled with the rings on her fingers, a sense of guilt settling in the pit of her stomach, "Okay, I'll see you later". Her block heels clicked on the wood floor as she made her way down the trail towards the usual compartment she shared with her small group of friends. Elanor had yet to change into her wizards robes, and she wore bell bottoms and black tie top. Her hair was held back by a green headband, and it hung in waves, ending at the small of her back. She wore large silver hoop earrings that jangled as she walked.

Most of the compartments she passed were already full of chattering students, and she caught snatches of conversations. "Slughorns still the Potions professor, right? He's such a laugh", a few Ravenclaws guffawed. "How was your summer?", a second year Hufflepuff squeaked shyly to the girl sitting next to him. "I'm going to go see if I can find Marlene, I haven't seen her yet", a sweet voice sounded to the right of Elanor from a seemingly packed compartment.

The door slid all the way open and she entered the hall right as the final whistle blew, signally the train was beginning its journey. The passing girl's shoulder clipped Elanor's as the train lurched forward. This would have been a completely normal occurrence had the silver hoop dangling from Elanor's ear not caught in the sheet of red hair of the girl. Elanor's head yanked back. She let out a gasp as a sharp pain shot through her ear. The girl's head also was yanked, but forward. Her hair entangled with Elanor's blonde mane. "I think your earring is caught in my hair!", she squealed. Elanor couldn't help but laugh, "I think so". The pair fumbled around, letting out gasps and hisses of pain as they attempted to untangle the mess between them.

Finally, they were able to separate, both flustered. The girl facing Elanor looked vaguely familiar to her, but Elanor didn't know her personally. "Sorry about that!", the girl panted. "Had I known these were such a hazard I would have left them at home", Elanor smiled, cocking an eyebrow and removing the other earring, shoving them into her pocket. It was then she noticed the five pairs of eyes blinking at her.

One witch and four wizards sat in the sunlight pouring in from the open window in their compartment. Two of the boys were laughing hysterically, tears streaming down their faces. The other two looked slightly concerned, glancing at each other. The girl was half standing, half sitting, unsure of how to help. "Ignore them", the girl said, rolling her emerald eyes, "I'm Lily Evans". Elanor took in the group, scanning each of their faces, and cleared her throat. "Well, that was exciting", the corner's of her mouth turning up, "It was nice to meet you, Lily". She sent a smile in her direction, then began to retreat down the train. Turning over her shoulder she called, "Oh and if you're looking for Marlene, she's probably with my brother".