The whole station was bustling with people. Some were leaving after getting off of a train while others were getting on to get to where they needed to go. Rune followed his parents' side with the ticket in his hand. He didn't bother to look where he was going, using his mother as a guide to tell where he was going as his gaze remained on the ticket's number. 9¾...
Was there event a platform of that number?
Rune thought there was only platforms that went by whole numbers-- not fractions. Even when he finally looked up and noticed the numbers above, he only saw 9 and 10 as they walked along side the trains.
"Sorry! I hope we aren't late!" Rune's father spoke, causing his gaze to tear away from the numbers above to the people in front of him.
"Not at all. You're just in time, actually." Lucius spoke in a matter-of-fact tone.
Rune's mother told him as they left Diagon Alley that day that the Malfoy's would be helping them get to the train today, as was offered to them when they spoke while he was getting his wand.
Lucius looked to Draco, who held onto a trolley filled with his things. Rune's father held his for the time being. "Lets go, Draco." The boy looked at his father and then to Rune before pushing his trolley forward. His parents followed close behind, the three breaking into a slight sprint.
Rune winced when they got close to the pillar, expecting to hear and see a loud crash when they would collide with the solid brick. However, he, along with his parents, were left to look shocked when they all fazed through the brick.
Rune's father's eyes widened and he smiled. "Magic at its finest...! Come on! Don't want to keep them waiting." Rune was tugged over to him by the arm and placed in front of his own trolley. His parents stood on either side of him as Rune grabbed the handle. "Ready?" He nodded at his fathers questions, looking ahead.
The three of them ran forward, just like the Malfoy's had done. Rune couldn't help but close his eyes on instinct when they had gotten close to the brick wall. When nothing had happened, he opened them again to see a large black and red train. The whistle blew, signaling that the train would depart soon. "Oh! Come on, dear!" His mother ushered him forward to where the Malfoy's stood.
A porter had began putting their luggage onto the train compartment meant for carrying the students' belongings. His father left the cart for the porter to put his luggage away as well, turning to the others.
"I expect you to be on your best behavior, Draco." Lucius's strict voice hung heavy in the air with authority as he spoke, shifting his gaze from his son to Rune, "Do make sure Rune is able to make it around Hogwarts accordingly this year. It may be rather..." He paused to find the right word to use, "challenging... being so new to magic." He let both hands rest on the cane now and applied most of his weight on it as it rested in front of him. Rune shifted uncomfortably under his stare.
"Yes, father." Draco nodded and gave his family one last look before he began to board the train. "Come on, Rune." He called, ascending the few steps. Of course, he stopped and waited upon noticing that Rune didn't immediately follow.
His mother and father had hugged him tightly before he could even begin to follow. When they parted, one of his father's hands rested on his shoulder and one of his mother's hands rested against his cheek. "We're so proud of you, dear. You have a good time, okay?" Rune's mother spoke lovingly to him. Her hand moved from his cheek to straighten the robes he wore.
"I will." Rune nodded.
Honestly, Rune was really nervous.
Going so far from home just to attend school-- and to stay there almost all the time too?
It was so new to him though he had spent the last three days reading all about the magical world, but still it would definitely take a while to get used to.
Hopefully, it wouldn't take long and be difficult to do so. Rune waited patiently for his parents to finally release him before turning to follow Draco onto the Hogwarts Express, the train whistle blowing once again into the air. His parents backed up to stand next to the Malfoy's, all four of them watching as their two kids disappeared into the compartments. "Woah..!" The train began to finally move, causing Rune to stumble forward for a short second.
Draco paused his journey to find an empty compartment for the two of them to sit in. "Careful. Guessing you've never been on a train before?" He seemed completely steady on his feet as he spoke while Rune gently held onto the window frame beside him.
It was quickly getting easier to stand in the giant vehicle as he grew used to the movement.
Rune shook his head no, fixing my posture, "Never need to ride one." Draco's eyes scanned him as if to make a judgement or a predication based on Rune. He said nothing out loud, turning around with a few unintelligible mumbles to leave his lips as he continued his search.
Rune frowned to himself and jogged to catch up with the blonde. He soon came to a stop at one compartment and pulled the door open. "Come on."
Draco sat to one side and Rune sat opposite of him, closing the door behind him as he did. It was quiet at first. Too quiet. Rune gaze flickered to his lap and then to him. He was looking outside the window, fidgeting with his robes in silence. It seemed they both weren't too sure what to say at the moment.
Rune hesitantly cleared his throat.
He had to at least try to begin a conversation or else this entire ride was going to be painfully boring and awkward. "Is your uh.. your dad always that uptight?" Rune bit his tongue not long after he asked that.
Hopefully, it didn't come off as rude.
Rune asked as more as an observation that had led to curiosity.
Draco seemed to be taken back by his question, though he sat up in place and crossed his arms over his chest with a frown. "Father is a well respected minister within the Ministry of Magic. It would be unfit if he did not demand the respect he deserved from others." He looked at Rune up and down again before glancing out of the window.
A sigh followed these actions, relaxing his defense. "But... yeah, he's usually like that." Draco cleared his throat and shifted within his seat as if he was suddenly uncomfortable.
Well-- not necessarily uncomfortable.
It was more so anxious, if anything.
"What about yours? Is he always that cheerful?" His question was a bit hastened, wanting to change the subject quickly.
It felt best not to question the rush and answer instead, "Not really. He was just fascinated with magic, is all. Normally, my father's more calm and rational." Rune smiled a little to himself, remembering the moments he spent with his father in Diagon Alley and his reactions to the things going on around him.
Rune's mother had the same reactions, though her excitement was far more contained. Draco's expression calmed as he listened and he sat up in place.
"What does he do? For work, I mean."
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TO BE CONTINUED.....