~~~~ Spellbound (A Harry Potter Love Story) ~~~~

~~~~ Chapter 2 ~~~~

“Victoria Anne Michaels, if you’re late for the train, I am not finding another way to get you to that freak school!” My mother shrieked as I checked over my room one more time. It was bare, as always. There was nothing left to pack. “I’m coming!” I called. I groaned at the effort as I dragged my bulging trunk down the stairs, the leather and metal thumping on each step, and my cat carrier. My Siamese, Bonnie, yowled in protest of being in the carrier.

Mother, as I expected, was standing at the foot of the stairs, tapping her foot, purse in hand, glancing at her watch. “C’mon, Charles will be here in an hour, and I’d like to get you out of here and get home before he gets here.” Of course. Charles, Charles, Charles. He was all she ever talked about, anymore.

“Yes, Mother.” I dragged the trunk out the front door to my mother’s sleek black sports car. Of course she’d spend her money on that rather than even a birthday gift for me… The thought filled me with anger for a moment, but I quickly smothered it. Today was no day to be angry with her, or to even think about the person I was going to be in the car with for an hour. I was supposed to be looking forward to going to Hogwarts.

I sighed, tossing the trunk into the backseat and climbing in after it. My mother rarely allowed me to sit in the front – I think she was under the impression I’d ruin it like some kind of wild animal. Fat chance… I’d give anything for a car as nice as this one.

The ride to the station was uncomfortably silent. I was used to it, however. I gazed out the window, waiting for the more familiar scenery – I took it in as much as I could… I didn’t plan to come back until summer.

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“We’re here.” The words were spoken with no emotion as my mother stopped the car in front of the station. I knew better than to hope she’d come with me – I knew she wouldn’t. Sighing, I pulled my trunk and my cat, Bonnie’s carrier from the backseat, carrying it with care toward the station.

I was hopelessly confused – platform nine and three quarters couldn’t exist… Then I saw them. Five kids – all around my age, with shockingly bright red hair. And… Owls. That told me all I needed to know, and I rushed toward them.

Taking in my confused expression, the woman that was trying to get them to settle down looked me over, nodding. “Is it your first year as well, dear?” She asked me kindly. “Yeah…” I murmured. She smiled slightly. “Ronald’s, too.” She said as she nodded to the boy who seemed to be the youngest out of the four boys; a younger girl stood aside, holding no luggage… I assumed she wasn’t old enough to go to Hogwarts.

Ronald waved slightly to me, and I nodded a rather shy greeting. “Just follow---…” She stopped as a boy with ruffled black hair and shocking green eyes walked over, a snowy white owl in a cage sitting on top of the suitcase on his trolley. “Your first year too?” The woman asked, smiling. The boy nodded. I wanted to introduce myself, but couldn’t, and simply looked down, my cheeks flaming. I could have sworn I saw Ronald grin.

“Just follow Fred, you three; he knows what he’s doing…” She smiled warmly at us, nodding one of the boys out to the pair of twins that stood before us. “…I’m not Fred, Mum. Don’t you think you could tell us apart?” The boy that, judging by his comment, was not Fred... “I’m sorry, George—…” The boy grinned, walking toward the solid wall in front of us. “Just kidding, Mum, I am Fred,” George said as he took the final step that should have sent him slamming into the brick wall – instead, he walked through it. I stared in shock.

Fred followed suit, and then Ronald, more tentatively. I followed slowly, closing my eyes, expecting to slam into a wall… I opened my eyes, and found myself staring at an equally busy station, and a deep red train. I glanced up to the sign, shock jolting me to a stop. Platform Nine and Three Quarters. I shook my head.

“C’mon, uhm… What’s your name, anyway?” Ronald asked, peering at me. “Victoria Anne Michaels. But if you call me that, I will kill you.” I threatened. He nodded. “I’m Ron Weasley. Just call me Ron, though, please.” I smiled. “Nice to meet you, Ron.” I looked around for the black haired boy, but he was gone. I shrugged, “Want to go find somewhere to sit? It’s almost eleven…” I said, frowning. He nodded.

After several moments of fruitless searching, Ron peered into one of the compartments, opening the door. “Mind if we sit here? Everywhere else is full…” I peeked over his shoulder, finding myself staring straight at the black haired boy from before. “No, it’s fine.” He said, giving a small smile.

Ron sat down across from him, “I’m Ron Weasley.” He introduced himself. “I’m Harry. Harry Potter.” The black haired boy – Harry, said. Ron’s eyes just about popped out of his head. “No way.” Harry seemed rather confused by his reaction as I silently sat down. “D-Do you have the… Y’know…” Ron’s voice dropped. “The scar?” Harry nodded, brushing his hair aside. I blinked, my eyes traveling to the lightning shaped scar on the boy’s head. “Whoa.” Ron said reverently.

“Who’s she?” Harry suddenly asked, motioning to me. “I’m Victoria.” I said, smiling shyly. “Nice to meet you. Like I said, I’m Harry.” I smiled slightly. “Nice to meet you, too.” I paused. “Is there any food around? I didn’t get a chance to eat anything before I left.” Almost immediately after I spoke, an elderly woman pushing a trolley of a variety of candies and sweets walked slowly past. She smiled at us. “Want anything from the trolley, dears?” Ron began to speak, but seeing our expressions, Harry dug in his pocket, handing her a small pile of gold coins. “We’ll take the whole lot.” Ron and I stared in shock.

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The door opened to reveal a brown, frizzy haired girl. “Have you by chance seen a toad? A boy named Neville lost one. Ooh, are you practicing magic?” She said, taking notice of Ron’s extended wand. “Let’s see, then.” She said, slightly haughtily.

Ron waved his wand, poking at the rat that was busy sniffing in an empty chocolate frog container. “Sunshine, daisies, butter mellow, turn this stupid fat rat yellow!” There was a flash of bright light. The rat squealed. Nothing happened, besides that.

“Are you sure that’s a real spell? It’s not a very good one, is it?” She asked. “I’m Hermione Granger, by the way.” Ron looked up at her. “Ron Weasley.” He said, his voice muffled by the candy in his mouth. “I’m Vic---…” She ignored me, looking to Harry. “Holy cricket! You’re Harry Potter!” She exclaimed. Harry nodded, blinking.

As soon as she had said that, she seemed to lose interest. “Anyway, you all should change into your robes… I’d expect we’ll be arriving soon. Oh – …” She said, looking to Ron. “You have something on your nose… Did you know?” He reached up to wipe at the corner of his nose as she left.

“Smartass…” I muttered at her back. Ron and Harry burst into laughter.