The clock struck 11 o'clock, and the Hogwarts Express whistled, ready for departure. Students who hadn't yet climbed in quickly started to climb into the train. Hermione and Fred helped their two kids, Fiona and Harvey, onto the train.
"Be good, Harvey, ok? Listen to your sister. She knows what she is doing ok?" Hermione said, a bit anxious.
"I know what I am doing, too, Mum," Harvey grinned before rushing in.
Hermione turned to Harry, but before she could say anything, Harry smiled, "I know. I would keep an eye on him."
"Thank you," Hermione smiled.
"He doesn't need to be observed by his professors, Granger," Fred said, grinning at Hermione, wrapping his arms around her shoulder. "How will he have fun like that?"
"Well, he isn't going there just to have fun, he is going there to learn and . . . " Hermione started to argue with Fred and Harry quickly moved away.
Meanwhile, Colin and Luna stood with their younger daughter as their oldest, Willow, got into the train.
"Bye, Mum. Bye, Dad. Bye, Olive." Willow waved.
"Bye, darling," Luna smiled.
"Take care, alright," Colin called out.
Draco and Ginny, along with their daughter, said bye to their son Cyrus. Cyrus waved bye to his parents and sister.
Chris pulled Hazel into a brief hug.
"You know the rules, Hazie," Chris whispered quickly.
"Yep, if anything feels off. Anything at all, I tell Dad," Hazel replied promptly as if they had this conversation multiple times before. "I know the rules, Mom."
"Good girl," Chris smiled before turning to Harry and giving him a quick kiss. "Take care."
"I will," Harry promised with a smile before taking Hazel's hand and getting on the train as the train started to move.
Harry and Hazel waved Chris and the others bye until the train bend made it impossible to see the station anymore.
Hazel walked with Harry to their compartment. Cyrus, Harvey and Willow quickly filled the other seats as they sat together. Hazel cradled her new pet, Shadow, as she listened to her friends talk.
"What house do you think I would be in, Professor?" Willow asked Harry.
"Professor? What happened to Uncle Harry, Willow?" Harry asked curiously.
"Dad made me promise to call you Professor in school," Willow pouted.
"Yeah, so did Mum," Harvey seconded.
"My mom, too, actually," Hazel chuckled. "But only when we are in front of other students."
"Alright, alright," Harry smiled. "Settled down. All of your parents are right. And to answer your question, Willow, I have told you multiple times, I don't know which house you would be in. Only the sorting hat knows."
"I'm pretty sure I would be Gryffindor," Harvey said confidently. "Mum is Gryffindor, Dad is Gryffindor, and Fiona is Gryffindor, even though she is scared of snakes. And Grandma said the Weasleys always go to Gryffindor."
"That is true," Harry nodded, smiling.
"Then I am probably going to be in Gryffindor too, right, Dad? I mean, both you and Mum are Gryffindors," Hazel said.
Harry hesitated for a moment before replying, "Well, Hazie, I have already told you that whichever House chooses you would be a perfect fit for you. Because all of the houses are great."
"Right, but I still want to be with my friends. I hope I get to stay in the same house as them," Hazie smiled.
"I'm sure you would be the perfect Gryffindor, Hazie," Harvey grinned.
"Yeah, Gryffindors sound like so much fun. I have heard stories about Mom and Dad having so many adventures there," Hazel grinned.
"Yeah, my parents told me about those too," Willow piped up. "Like that one time you rode a Hippogriff . . . is that true?"
"Yeah . . ." Harry smiled at the question.
As they talked, Cyrus pulled out a book and sat down beside the window to read while listening to their conversation occasionally. Hazel noticed him and was about to sit beside him, but at that moment, Shadow perked up at something and jumped out of Hazel's grip, scurrying out of the compartment.
"Hey!" Hazel stood up in surprise and ran after Shadow.
"Hazie?" Harry called out, ready to run after his daughted but Hazel called out after herself.
"Don't worry, Dad, I got it."
Hazel quickly followed Shadow.
"God, Shadow, you are fast," Hazel muttered under her breath as Shadow scurried faster under students' legs. Hazel ran after him, apologising to the students. "Sorry! Sorry! Shadow! Come back here!"
Shadow finally stopped in front of the trolley witch of the train with trolley full of candies. Shadow barked happily, looking at the 'every flavoured beans' packet.
"What? Do you want that candy, Shadow? Is there a flavour you like?" Hazel asked, smiling.
At that moment, two girls from the nearest compartment saw Shadow and screamed.
"Omygod! What's that thing?" One of the girls shouted.
Hazel flinched and quickly picked up Shadow, whose small ears flattened, hearing the screams.
"It's my dog," Hazel said rather coldly.
"Dogs aren't allowed," snapped the screaming girl. "And that's not a dog."
The girls looked up at Hazel's face, and recognition flashed in the other girl's eyes.
"It's – you are –" She stared at Hazel before she elbowed her screaming friend. "That's Professor Potter and Christina Norton's daughter. Didn't you see them at the station?'
The screaming girl froze up instantly and looked at Hazel, shocked.
"It's a handsome dog," The girl who recognised Hazel first said sheepishly. "Sorry about my friend."
"Yeah, he is," Hazel said coldly before turning around to go.
"I'm sorry about . . ." The rude girl called out, but Hazel didn't stop.
However, as Hazel started to walk back, she could see students staring at her and whispering among themselves. Hazel quickly realised almost everyone knew who she was. This wasn't the first time this had happened. Every time they went to a magical place, people would always recognise her parents, so she was used to it. But somehow this was a bit different. This time, she was getting recognised, and all the attention was on her. Hazel straightened up, basking in the attention and admiration. She had just started to enjoy it when a boy stepped directly into her way.
"You are Professor Potter's daughter, aren't you?" The boy said with a smirk as if he already knew the answer. "Hi, I am Brian McLaggen. Third Year Gryffindor."
He extended his hand towards Hazel to shake hands with her, but Hazel didn't take it immediately; she just stared at him, surprised for a moment. The boy, however, didn't look offended; he just grinned wider.
"If you need any sort of help in school, feel free to ask me. You see, I know all the –" He began, but was interrupted by a sharp voice.
"Leave Hazel alone, McLaggen," A girl said coming behind him, and Hazel was glad to see it was Fiona, Harvey's older sister.
"Weasley!" Brian McLaggen drawled. "I was just getting to know Professor Potter's daughter."
"I'm sure you were," Fiona said, glaring at him before stepping towards Hazel to hold her arm and steer her away from him. "Come on, Hazel."
As soon as they were away from Brian McLaggen, Hazel turned to Fiona.
"He is rather weird," Hazel commented.
"Yes, and stay away from him," Fiona advised.
Now, as Hazel and Fiona walked, Hazel noticed how people were looking at both of them. But not all eyes were focused on Hazel anymore; many people admired Fiona openly, even greeted her happily. Fiona smiled back and greeted them.
"You are popular," Hazel said, finally realising.
"What?" Fiona chuckled softly as Hazel was saying something incredulous. "I'm just a third-year Gryffindor with famous parents, Hazel. You are going to be more popular than me."
Hazel didn't believe Fiona was just famous because of her parents.
Fiona Weasley was beautiful, with her fiery red curly hair, bright blue eyes, and freckles dusted all over her nose and cheeks. Not only that, she was extremely smart too, and she was good at Quidditch. And judging by how many people greeted her, it was clear she was friendly too. Even Hazel always looked up to Fiona.
Hazel realised Fiona was everything she wanted to be at Hogwarts. Good at everything with a big friend circle and a bunch of people admiring her.
Fiona walked Hazel to their compartment, greeted Harry, and then went back to sit with her friends. Harry asked Hazel if something had happened. Hazel almost started to say it, but Willow and Harvey got back Harry's attention with their questions again, and Hazel decided not to interrupt. She settled beside Cyrus, who looked up from his book.
"So what was Shadow chasing after?" Cyrus asked quietly.
"Every flavoured beans," Hazel replied, smiling. "But I didn't get the chance to buy them."
"I will buy some when the trolley comes here," Cyrus smiled softly.
"You don't have to," Hazel said, smiling back. "Hey, you didn't say what house you think you would be in."