Final Preparations

-Come on, we're almost there.

The sweet voice of that beautiful blonde sounds like an almost angelic chant, her softly tanned skin accompanied by an almost permanent smile. Her carefully lips are tinged with passion red, her blue orbs are hidden behind those sunglasses that she wears to cover herself from the unusual sunny day that is taking place. The dress she wears is black with a daffodil yellow floral print, the garment is tied over her waist, in a relaxed knot while her v-shaped neckline draws a path where a pair of elegant, and fine, gold chains rest.

The base of her makeup, the eye shadow, the eyeliner; everything about Georgia is perfectly measured to amaze and make her shine like a jewel under the sunlight and she wears it with the confidence of a woman who feels on top of the world, proud and powerful.

Her black heels clack with each step as they walk down the sidewalk towards the train station. At her side are her children, she with those sweet fifteen years and her brown complexion that always makes them look at her for the wrong reasons. Unlike her mother, Virginia wears a simple gray shirt with skinny jeans and sneakers, her afro curly hair rests at shoulder length giving it a beautiful volume that her mother has always loved.

The little boy, however, still dresses as his mother wishes and so he wears a shirt and elegant pants. The shoes? New and shiny in the color of chestnut, his blond hair, inherited from his mother, is perfectly combed and on his adorable nose rest a pair of round spectacles, he has never lacked them, but they have always inspired him with confidence as his favorite hero, the-boy-who-lived had worn them all his life.

King's Cross train station is not only distinguishable by its size, nor by that big tower that makes it stand out against the city skyline, but because its orange colors naturally catch the eye.

Georgia and Austin stop by one of the entrances as a large number of British people prepare to catch their train to whatever their destination may be, yet nothing stops them from stopping when she pulls out her phone and looks at her son. -A photo to immortalize us?

-Yes! -says the little boy with a big smile.

She unlocks the screen and that's when she sees his daughter almost walk past her, pulling the metal cart on which her and his brother's trunks rest. -Virginia Rilley -she calls out to her in that legendary way of attracting attention that only a mom knows. Her feet stop and the teenager looks at her. -It wouldn't be a family picture without you, come on. -she rolls her eyes and nods. -Show that beautiful smile of yours. -With the phone held in their sweet hands the three of them join together, with each of their children at their side before turning sweet, red pouts before the flash illuminates them.

-Happy?

To which Georgia replies with a wide smile. -So much, nothing I love more than to show off my beautiful children.

-Mom. -the opposite complains as they move forward, walking at the same height and entering through those arches that led to the interior of that grandiose station that almost left New York's Central Station on the floor with that Victorian architectural style. -I'm not a child anymore.

-I know, believe me, Ginny, I don't forget, not one bit. But you're never old enough to turn down a picture with your dear mother and your adorable brother. You seem too grumpy today, what's the matter with you?

-What's wrong with me? What could it be? Could it be that this is the fourth time we've moved since you had Austin? -His mother's expression stops expressing, for the first time, that smile. -Or the fact that we moved to the other side of the world because you felt like it and where I have no friends?

-I like it. -says her little brother.

-See? He likes it. -His mother replies. -This place won't be like the last one, I promise. Come on, the train will leave soon.

And to that there is no reply possible even if her daughter doesn't believe her. The Rilley family walks through the interior of the gigantic King's Cross station. It is ten o'clock in the morning so most of the working population is already at their posts and inside there will be no more than five or seven hundred people, not counting those waiting on the many trains that make their turn stop before continuing on their way.

Wherever men go, they perceive the blonde's presence as a sparkle in the middle of the night. Her fragrance, citrusy and with a sweetness that sticks to the nose, soon becomes unmatched. It doesn't matter if they are accompanying their family or on their own; if they are mothers with their children or on their soon-to-be wife, everyone turns to observe her even for a single moment. Some are much more brazen, others would do no harm to learn to shut their mouths but even she enjoys it when the one looking at her is someone she considers handsome and attractive. "Screw mourning, that man didn't deserve any of the three of us."

-Do you think he'll be here, Mom?

-Who? -she asks, removing her sunglasses to place them gently on that straightened, shiny hair.

-You know who, Harry Potter. You said he studied here!

-And he did, yes, everyone knows that story. -Rarely had a legend crossed the borders of the country where he was born. -And as far as I know his children will study with you, although they are older, your sister will surely be able to introduce them to you, right, Ginny? -she asks, looking at her out of the corner of his eye.

The idea of moving to another country, so suddenly, may not have been welcomed by the eldest, but when she looks at her brother's sparkling eyes those thoughts leave her head and she nods. -Sure, they probably don't go unnoticed, they must be the biggest celebrity in that castle. -In Ilvermony things were much different, where surnames didn't matter so much, but at Hogwarts it meant everything.

-We all need a change of scenery, you'll love the Valley. -She had been there before returning to her late husband a few days before that tragic accident that had separated them from his company forever.

In a few seconds they reach the reception area and look for platform nine and ten, they do not locate it at first, but after looking at those screens they find it with little problem. They cross the left wing of that great central platform and descend with the sound of the rattling trolley accompanying them.

-Candies! -says the little boy, breaking away until he stops at one of those glass windows. -Can we buy a few?

Georgia looks inside and nods without losing that smile where her white teeth reign before shaking hands with her little boy. -Ginny, keep an eye on the cart. We won't be long. -Her daughter smiles at her and nods before sitting down on one of the larger, protruding suitcases where she remains engrossed in her phone.

The inside of the store is sparkling clean. A few more kids are standing there, browsing the shelves for their favorite treats, Austin looks carefully through all the products and slowly fills a basket. -I think that's enough, Austin, you know that too much sugar is not good. -To which the little boy nods without even arguing.

-All of this, please. -He says to the sales clerk who smiles as she scans the products.

With that constant high-pitched sound of the scanner, he ends up looking in the direction of the main window and he doesn't like what he sees. A uniformed security agent is watching her daughter, she knows because it's not the first time this has happened, her nose wrinkles and her brow furrows before she turns to the sales clerk. -Keep the change. -She hands him a bill twice the total price of those sweets and walks briskly and decisively out with Austin in tow.

The agent is clearly overweight, sweating profusely, and sees in those eyes a glint he has seen in other men in those uniforms. She feels a deep disgust that stirs her insides, the contrary is talking to her daughter with his hands on his waist, almost provoking and threatening with the security that that muggle weapon gave him. He dares to look over his daughter's shoulders and that's when she appears like a nightmare.

Smiling, radiant and with a penetrating look hidden in the face of an angel who comes to the salvation of her own daughter.

-Officer, may I help you? -she asks, standing behind his daughter, her hand rests on her waist and squeezes her gently.

-I was just asking her a few questions.

-About what, exactly? -Georgia asks without losing her sass or her smile.

-Mom...-she tries to stop her, without much success.

-Let me guess, you thought she was doing something wrong for being alone with a few suitcases? -Georgia asks, her back rising even more, the chest filling with air that soon turns to fire in her lungs. -I don't need you to say anything,- she cuts him off as he tries to defend himself. -I know how you all are, as if that badge and uniform you wear gave you a power you don't have. My daughter has done nothing, so I will thank you to let us continue on our way.

Past the British man he looks at them in confusion and ends up stepping aside before Ginny and her mother regain their footing, behind them the security officer turns to look at them but is unable to say anything to them. "All of you, cops, are absolute bastards and I will not allow you to get your filthy paws on her. "

They are not too far from the platform, there, two British Class 700s are finalizing preparations for the start to the next station. The public address system reports that the train for Birmingham New Street will be departing in the next few minutes.

-Mom, -her daughter demands her attention, but Georgia keeps walking until the three of them face that grandiose white metal structure that leads them to the different platforms, on both sides those gleaming trains are resting, the travelers, oblivious to the family or to anyone but themselves, seem to almost ignore them. -you don't need to protect me.

-Yes I do, Ginny. I will always protect you, both of you. -she adds, looking down at her little boy. -I'm not going to let some...pig with aspirations and a thirst for power think he's someone to look down on you.

She doesn't like being angry, those little wrinkles appearing on her frown are almost as annoying as the hard time her daughter has had to go through, but protecting them is something that comes from inside her, something she can't help; ever since he held her in his hands, crying while she sheltered her in his arms, even if in those days he was the same age as she is now.

-Thanks. -her voice is like a whisper, but all it takes is a gentle hug to almost bring tears to her mother's eyes, something she knows she would hate, as the makeup must remain unperturbed by the day-to-day events.

-Don't thank me, cupcake.

Together they reach the wall that divides the platform, the three of them exchange glances, but before Georgia can say anything, the little one steps forward and rushes towards the dividing solid wall between platforms.

-Me first, me first!

Holding his small backpack that he carries on his shoulders the little boy takes a breath and runs forward without a care in the world. Instinctively Georgia tenses her body and holds the air in her chest before watching him disappear, breathing softly before looking at her daughter. -Your turn, lady.

She nods and is quickly engulfed by that wall and Georgia follows. That sensation is almost like a tingling that shakes your whole body and in an instant the bright light that reigns over that station transforms into something more gloomy. They are inside a tunnel although the light that enters is a few meters beyond the head of the locomotive.

That pristine apparatus that has remained oblivious to the passage of time. The black colors gleam with a brilliant patina, those black and white letters announcing 'Hogwarts Express' and that unmistakable serial number. The train has only one access platform, where hundreds of small families pile up to give the last kisses and farewells.

-It's better than I imagined, -the blonde confesses, walking along the carriages and her children. -A bit vintage, and definetly victorian, but with a lot of charm.

-Well, mom, I'll take a seat, I prefer to go in when there are still empty carriages, you know, not having friends and all that I prefer not to be the last one seatted.

That knife, not very subtle, flies to the heart of his mother who squints her eyes in an accomplice gesture. -Come on, who's going to say no to a sweetheart like you, eh? Have a good trip, I'll escort your brother to his carriage. -It was not that the tickets were numbered, but the little one had been there looking for someone since they entered the train, and not exactly to the train, but to the rest of the parents who were gathered there.

Her daughter said goodbye with that smile that melted his heart before taking her little son's hand.

-So, shall we look for him? -Austin nods and they walk together.

The walk is quiet, and even on that pleasant path, Georgia is still basking in those furtive glances. She is a young woman, extremely young even if her only son was that little blond boy walking with him, but, as much as she likes to feed that self-esteem, it is, after a few seconds, when she runs her fingers through that perfect hair as blond as his.

-What are you worried about, my boy? Is it Harry Potter? You know he may not be here.

The little boy shakes his head. -It's not that. -He assures her. -Even if he's not here, it's nothing... it's...-The little boy purses his lips and then looks at his mother, who returns his gaze attentively.

Georgia stops and squats down before lifting his face with a gentle touch on his chin. -Shoot, come on, don't be shy.

-What happens if I don't end up in Gryffindor? -he asks fearfully. -That's where he went and-and I know that it's the house of the brave, but if I'm not, then....

-Little angel... -Georgia places her hands on either side of his face, caressing those sweet cheekbones before she gives him the biggest and purest smile of all. -You are magical, never forget that. You inherited the gift I never had. -For what others saw in her as a weakness, Georgia had seen as an opportunity. -And no matter what that old hat says, no matter what others says you are, you'll always be my bravest boy, that's all that matters, you hear me? And now -she lays a soft kiss on her son's forehead. -let's go get you that autograph.

She is convinced he will be there and after a few minutes to no one's surprise he is there. Talking to a couple of workers at the Ministry of Magic. He may have already dismissed his children, but he's there nonetheless. -Mom will take care of it.-She says to the little boy before shaking his hand and hiding him behind her figure as she walks in his direction. The man is soon left alone and just as he turns to face the train again, and then there she appears.

That blonde hair, her imposing figure that takes the breath away from the men, her red lips and those clothes that make it difficult to keep the look in those bright eyes and not in the paradise that was shown to the curious eyes that looked in the opening of her upper garment.

-Excuse me, you're Harry Potter, right? -he nods. -This is my son, Austin, -she slowly moves her figure like a dancer, her body revealing her little angel who almost looks frightened.

The youngest looks at the one who has been his hero since his mother decided to tell him the story that had permeated the entire magical world. Slowly he brings his hands to the straps of his backpack and from it he takes out a leather notebook, impeccably white, and a pen. -He is perhaps your biggest fan, -Georgia continues, looking him in the eye. -And it's her first year here and the truth is that since I told him that maybe he could meet you and, if you'd be so kind, maybe sign his notebook?

Surprised, Harry smiles, feeling strangely flattered. He almost sees himself reflected in the boy, although he looks much better cared for than when he, at his age, first took that train. There is an exchange of complicit glances between mother and son and when Harry kneels down to get to his level Austin is on the verge of near shock, trembling for the first time like he never did before.

-Austin, right? -he asks, taking the pen she offers him before opening the notebook. The little boy nods. -I'm very flattered that someone like you considers me his hero. -He begins to write, and although Georgia stays close to her son, she doesn't try to read what he is writing.

-He was looking forward to Hogwarts at last, although he's worried he won't end up in Gryffindor, aren't you?

-My son was the same way, Albus,- he specifies, -when he was your age he was afraid of ending up in Slytherin, but it's the house I would have been in if I hadn't asked to be in any other. -He confesses before drawing that distinctive signature he had with his full name before returning the quill to its owner. -You have nothing to fear, the house doesn't make the wizard and wherever you are Hogwarts will be your home from here on out. -A gentle smile lingers on her face before she looks at her mother.

Georgia smiles in thanks and gestures a mute thank you very much before the younger boy closes his notebook, hugging him like the treasure he was.

-If you excuse me, I have other business to attend.

Harry withdraws and it is then when his mother hugs her little boy tightly before walking with him towards one of the carriages. -See, that wasn't hard, was it? And now it's time to say goodbye. -The little boy nods as he looks at his mother. -You know I'll be around, don't you?

-In Hogsmade.

-That's right, you can come and see it with your sister when they let you go, I think the walk there is lovely. And don't think I won't try to visit you at school myself. -she nods fervently. -Don't stop writing to me, and make lots of friends. -she asks to someone who isn't there instead of his son, like a wish thrown to the air. -Come on, come on, don't be long, or I'll burst into tears and ruin this makeup.

She smiles, brokenly, before giving her son one last hug before seeing him board the train and saying goodbye to her with a big smile. The little boy takes his magic trunk and carries it up the stairs to carriage seventeen and enters silently. There she stands still until she sees a familiar figure out of the corner of her eye.

There is an exchange of glances, the other figure is in one of the cars closer to the head of the locomotive and after looking at each other, both bow their heads as in a sign that only the two of them know, they do not say anything to each other, they do not even try to close the distance but the other figure is the one who enters until disappearing in the rest of the student entering the train.

-Why are you telling me this on the same day you have to take the train? -a woman shrieks from one side of him. She accompanies a boy of about sixteen who seems quite absent from what she is telling him.

-Because I forgot, otherwise I wouldn't be telling you.

-What am I going to do with you, eh? Why can't you be like your sister? She's already in her seat!

There is a gesture of exasperation and that tired looking kid and Georgia exchange almost an accomplice look before he puts his hand on his mother's shoulder and too calmly answers her. -Mom, everything will be fine, it's just a few books. -But that doesn't calm his mother, although she doesn't seem to pay any attention to him as she indifferently says goodbye and joins the rest of the children.

There is a gesture of exasperation and that tired looking kid and Georgia exchange almost an accomplice look before he puts his hand on his mother's shoulder and too calmly answers her. -Mom, everything will be fine, it's just a few books. -But that doesn't calm his mother, although she doesn't seem to pay any attention to him as she indifferently says goodbye and joins the rest of the children.

The woman, in her late forties, has pixie blonde hair and lets out a squeal of despair as she looks around until she realizes that Georgia has seen her and quickly tries to regain her composure.

-You've heard it all, haven't you?

Georgia nods.

-I'm Martha, and the one from earlier is my oldest son, my personal torment.

-Georgia. -She introduces herself with a couple of kisses on the cheek.

-Teens. I swear Ryan is going to drive me crazy. -They close the distance and the American smiles.

-I understand you perfectly well, it happens to me sometimes with mine.

That causes a soft laugh of disbelief. -Yours? -His brow furrows and he looks at her as if such a delicately cultivated physique could not have given birth so soon, shaking his head. When Georgia nods at his answer, Martha lets out an audible and distinct gasp. -Fuck. At what age did you have it, twelve?

-Almost, fifteen.

-Oh shit! Well, you look incredible. -She confesses almost shamelessly, smiling kindly.

-Thank you, you're not bad yourself. -If she had to choose, Georgia preferred that kind of relationship with a mother to the usual reactions woman used to have around her. -We've just moved, to the Valley, I got a house in Hogsmade although with the travel and everything we've barely had time to...never mind, too long a story.

-In Hogsmade? We live there too! My son used to love this ride and now he seems to dislike everything, I don't really know what to do with him.

-They're at the age when everything bores them and only the really bad, and reckless, stuff seems to suit them. -Georgia says before looking at the train.

-Well, I'm sick of it. -She looks at the last carriage. -Will you take the express too? The last two carriages are enchanted, all non-students can take it and the last stop is Hogsmade station. Though I warn you, it's as close to a war ground as it gets.

-Is it that bad?

-The company rather, because of Elisa above all. She's the closest thing to a snake; fake as she is and always bragging about how wonderful her child is. She is unbearable. Most of us parents in the Valley have a tradition of bringing the children to London, we don't want to deprive them of the experience just because we live there.

-Then we really must go and say hello, do me the honors, Martha.

She looks at her uncertainly but, for some reason, feels a certain rapport with her. And all said, the idea of screwing Elisa for once didn't sound so bad.