SABAISM | H. POTTER

FIVE. | FASHIONABLY LATE

Gemini, despite it being the early days of September, was not having a good day. A sulky cloud of disappointment hung over her like an ominous thunderhead. Her father, in the throes of his frantic and chaotic schedule, had been completely unable to secure a substitute for his class, and as a result, he found himself tied to the constraints of his profession — unable to see her off to Hogwarts this year. She tried to axiomatize the situation with the kind of logic that often eluded her during times of high emotion, but her typically dramatic nature refused to allow her to process her feelings in a calm manner.

Thankfully, the Weasleys had stepped in, assuring her with their usual warmth and chaos that they could take her to King's Cross. However, this last-minute adjustment had sent everyone into a downright frenzy, which culminated in them not only running late but also striding hurriedly through the bustling station in a haphazard clamor. Their trolley piled high with unruly luggage contained oddities that surely drew odd stares; after all, they were a group of mismatched adventurers in a world that often met magic with skepticism. "Oh dear!," Mrs. Weasley cried, her voice a melodic mix of anxiety and urgency, once she caught sight of the ticking clock, "The train'll be leaving any moment! All together now!" The older Gryffindors rushed forward, gathering their determination as they rammed into the solid stone wall. In a blur of motion, they vanished into the passageway.

"Go on, Ginny. You know what to do," Mr. Weasley firmly instructed his youngest child. Ginny didn't have time to ponder her own trepidation; she propelled herself forward, racing through the wall into the ethereal glow of the station's other side, shortly followed by her parents who materialized beside her like a well-rehearsed charm of familiarity.

It was in that chaotic scene that the trio — Harry, Ron, and Gemini — lagged behind, the weight of their collective worries pressing down on them. Harry was the first to notice the time slipping away, glancing worriedly at the clock that relentlessly ticked towards eleven. "We better hurry!" he urged. A synchrony of nods followed as the urgency filled the air. However, as they approached the terminal barrier, disaster struck.

With a sudden and ludicrous crash, Harry, engrossed in his thoughts, slammed his trolley right into the invisible barrier, rebounding off like a pinball. "What the bloody hell!," Gemini exclaimed, the flare of her irritation streaming forth like an erupting volcano. Both boys flinched; they had tiptoed around her fiery moods before and remembered the harrowing experience of her infamous wrath — a sight that still haunted their past.

"Oi, what in blazes d'you three think you're doing?" a nearby guard blared out, his voice a discordant echo amongst the lively chatter of the station. Gemini's eyes sparked like firecrackers, a glare so hot that even the guard momentarily faltered. But just as she gathered her breath to unleash her frustration, Harry interjected, "Sorry. Lost control of the trolley." He leaned into the weighty dilemma, turning to Ron. "Why can't we get through?"

A wave of annoyed disbelief washed over them as Ron mused, "I dunno. The gateway's sealed itself for some reason!" He pressed his ear against the stone surface, straining to hear a whisper of hope amidst the otherwise cacophony of the station. "Guys, if we can't get through, maybe Mum and Dad can't get back," he admitted gloomily, shooting a worried glance at the clock which now felt like an hourglass emptying faster than ever. Tension hung palpably in the air.

"Maybe we should go wait by the car," Harry suggested tentatively, trying to salvage their dwindling chances at reaching Hogwarts. "The car!," Gemini exclaimed, her words bursting forth with newfound urgency.

With renewed determination, they dashed towards the exit. Amidst a neatly lined row of vehicles, they spotted it - the familiar sight of the Weasley's Anglia, perched at a rather peculiar angle that hinted that its driver might not be the most skilled of motorists. "Our savior," Gemini breathed, the word escaping her lips with a mixture of relief and excitement.