Ch93. Getting onto the train.

Ch93. Getting onto the train.

Hadrian was at platform 9 and 3/4 at the Charing Cross, about to get on the train with only Dora accompanying him. It would be too suspicious if Narcissa showed up and even Dora's parents were too closely linked with the mysterious Lord Black to show up. Dora, however, is already widely known for being a good friend of the 'Boy-Who-Lived', or his newest nickname courtesy of one, Rita Skeeters, the 'Boy-Who-Trolled'. Obviously, he gained that after his rodeo with the troll.

"Do you have ever-" Dora started worriedly only to be stopped by Hadrian.

"Dora! We did this four times already." He said irritably. "Yes, I have everything. Yes, I brushed my teeth. Yes, I have the teddy bear you gave me as a present. Yes, I have your pink pajamas. Yes, I do have packed magical napkins for all situations! And finally, no I don't need a portable toilet." His face was set in deep deadpan as he added the last bit.

Dora just grinned at him and shrugged. "I packed it for you anyway."

Hadrian's head whipped to her and his jaw dropped almost on the floor at that. "You wha-" But he was quickly interrupted by a human missile impacting his back. His body was hugged from behind but he wasn't worried as he mostly knew who it was due to the squishiness... ahem. "Susan?" Hadrian asked and the hug tightened, making it obvious it really was Susan.

"Well, I see that Sue is in good hands... or rather on a good back already." A feminine voice said, revealing Amelia Bones when they turned to it. "Hello Dora. I didn't expect you to escort Mr. Potter." She stated but Dora just lazily waved her hand.

"I was available..." She said.

"Sure you were..." Amelia quipped with narrowed eyes. "And anyway, what did you say you were doing now that you received your NEWTs?"

"I didn't." Dora deadpanned and for a second, both Susan and Hadrian could almost see the sparks flying between the women until Amelia chuckled and handed Dora something akin to a business card.

"We need people like you in the DMLE. Feel free to show up if you will get an itch for some actions. New Aurors are always welcomed." Amelia said, and Hadrian frowned. Dora however just took the business card and put it into her pocket without even looking at it. Hadrian was actually proud of how disinterested she looked when she was offered the position. He knew that Dora would not have time to even think of accepting. She decided to commit to the study of alchemy so for the next two years, she would be deep in books from all around the world that Narcissa managed to gather through her connections and the massive wealth she commanded.

The atmosphere turned awkward so Hadrian quietly asked Susan. "Did you say your goodbyes to your aunt?" The girl nodded so Hadrian said a quick 'bye' to Dora as he knew they would be seeing each other tonight. Dora, getting the message, pulled out her wand and shrunk Susan's baggage, making Hadrian put it into his empty pocket as he piggy-carried Susan into the train.

Inside, he found many empty compartments but didn't enter either as he was looking for someone. Susan was quite confused about why Hadrian was just passing every empty compartment until they entered one that had a silly-looking blond girl with Hadrian's familiar on her shoulder. Susan's mood instantly dropped as she mentally screamed in her head. 'I thought now that Dora graduated I would be alone with Hadrian... who is this harlot!' She barely resisted the urge to glare at the girl whose face lip up like a Christmas tree when she saw Hadrian.

While Susan was on his back, his front was quickly embraced by the girl, making him chuckle at startled Rowena that flew up when the girl abruptly moved. "Hi to you too, Luna." He greeted her but Luna only nuzzled her nose into his neck as she tightened her hold on him.

"Thank you for sending me letters... and Rowena." Luna said, not in her usual dreamy voice but in a happy but lonely-sounding one. Hadrian knew the girl had it hard as her father tried but couldn't really pull his weight when it came to parenting. He often requested Rowena to spend some time with the girl.

"Sure thing." Hadrian said and patted Luna's head while Susan slid down his back, her feet safely planting onto the ground. The trio took their seats and Hadrian quickly found himself in between them, as each took one of his hands. 'If Bella saw this, she would laugh her ass off at me.' He thought with a sweatdrop as silence spread through the compartment.

Luna suddenly raised her head, her curious gaze meeting Susan's petulant one which made both girls surprised at each other. Hadrian surmised they did some womanly mental voodoo because it didn't take even a minute for them to be talking to each other as if they were best friends for years. It was weird... But at least it made the girls talk and Hadrian happily kept quiet, appearing to listen to them. He had many things to think about for the upcoming year so he just tuned the two girls out for a bit.

...

At the entrance to platform 9 3/4 from the muggle London, a ginger-haired kid was currently trying to enter but every time, they felt as if they ran into a brick wall.

"What the hell is this!" Ron exclaimed angrily as he stared at the brick wall that was usually an entrance towards the platform. It was only the muggle-repelling wards that kept his cursing secret.

He was as always late due to oversleeping and somehow, he couldn't enter the platform! With exasperation he looked around, hoping to find a solution, only to get a bright idea... his face lit up and he marched his way away from the station, completely intent to go with his brilliant plan of how to get to Hogwarts!

...

A bit away, a hiding green creature with big eyes, bald head, and wearing a sack, was wondering why no Harry Potter showed up yet. He was Dobby and Dobby was trying to find Mister Harry Potter Sir for the entire summer but couldn't! Dobby was almost despairing but also praising Mister Harry Potter Sir for being so good at hiding! In the end, he decided to prevent Mister Harry Potter Sir from getting to Hogwarts by blocking the entrance... but he only caught some redhead salmon…

Dobby decided to wait a bit more for Harry Potter as he felt it was his duty to save the famous wizard! After all, Dobby is a good elf!

Behind a corner, another green creature was watching Dobby waiting. It was Kreacher who was widely smiling with malice barely hidden in his eyes. He was given a task to prevent the annoying green creature from approaching Master and he would do his best to fulfill it. He could only sigh in exasperation at the knowledge that after this year, the annoying green thing would be under his command and Kreacher would have to train him into a proper fanati-, ahem, house-elf for House Black. As he watched Dobby bouncing from side to side with expectant gaze… he somehow found the task too much for his pay-grade. How could one change a useless fanatic into a useful one? With magic, of course. But would he have enough magic to manage such a feat with the ADHD house-elf in front of him? Now that was the question!