“Oh
my! Is that you? David Hayden?” A man behind Janet called and walks towards her
father who was in front of her with her cart.
David stared at the man and blurted, “Bernard?”
“You bet! David, it has been god knows how
many years already! Where have you been?” The man whom David addresses as
Bernard, hugs him and pats him on the back.
“Bernard Macmillan! Nice seeing you again.”
David returned the hug.
“Mom, who is he?” Janet asks
“That’s Bernard Macmillan. Your dad’s best
friend from Hogwarts. We have not been in contact ever since we moved out.”
Emily explained.
“Where have you been? It seems like you and
Emily disappeared ever since You-Know-Who’s downfall.” Bernard questioned his
long lost friend.
David was caught by surprise; he totally
forgot that his absence from the wizarding world for 10 years will require an explanation,
“I… I… was away.” David stammered.
“Yes, of course you are, and I have a wand.
Speaking of the obvious, were you on the run, David?” Bernard eyed him
suspiciously.
“Not really. I… was…” David was totally
lost for words; he has not prepared a cover story for his sudden 10 years of
absence.
“Out of England.” Emily answered for David
while walking towards him.
“Oh. Hi, Emily!” Bernard gave Emily a hug.
“Hi, Bernard.” Emily hugged back.
Bernard was distracted by Emily, he
forgotten that he was expecting an answer from David, much to David’s relief. “What
brings the two of you here? After so many years…” Bernard stopped when he saw
Janet standing behind Emily, “Right, you two have a daughter!”
“Ah, yes. Bernard, meet Janet.” David pulls
Janet over. “Janet, this is Bernard Macmillan, my friend from Hogwarts. It is
Janet’s first time in Hogwarts.”
“Hi, Mr. Macmillan.” Janet greeted shyly.
“Janet, time sure flies, don’t they? The
last time I saw you, you were just a baby. Then, your parents disappeared… Oh,
yes. It is Ernie’s first year too. The both of you should get to know each
other. Hold on, I’ll go get him.” Bernard walks off to find his son, Ernie.
After making sure that Bernard is out of
sight, David turns anxiously to his wife, “Emily, what should we tell people
about our absence? Bernard may not be the only one wondering.”
“Out of the country, maybe my mother’s
place in Japan? That should be able to stop them from asking. It is far enough
and my mom is from Japan.” Emily quickly worked out a cover story. They can’t
go around telling people that they have somehow “converted” into muggles for
the past 10 years, people are bound to want to know why so the best reason for
their absence would be that they were out of the country. They can’t mention
places around Europe because it is too close to home and their cover will be
blown when they are unable to explain further. Since Emily’s mother now lives
in Japan, they could use this as a reason and people will not ask too many
questions.
“Hear that, Janet? Remember? We came back
from Japan.” David reminds Janet about their cover up story.
“Ok.” Janet nods.
“Good thing, we have been to Japan. We
should have enough knowledge to answer.” Emily said in relief, she totally
forgot that they need a cover story for their absence. “Janet, remember, just
answer when you’re asked, ok?”
“There you are. Come here, Ernie.” Bernard
is back with his son, Ernie Macmillan, a white, blonde little boy who is
slightly taller than Janet. “This is Ernie, my son. It is his first year too.”
“And, this is Janet.” David nods at Janet.
“Hi, I’m Ernie.” Ernie held out his hand to
Janet.
Janet shook it and smiled back, “Janet
Hayden.”
“Hi there, Mr. and Mrs. Hayden.” Ernie
greets politely.
“Nice to meet you too, Ernie.” David greets
back. “Janet is still unfamiliar with Hogwarts, we just came back to London and
did not really have time to explain everything to her.” David explained with an
intention to inform Bernard about their absence.
“Oh, no worries. Ernie, you will help take
care of Janet, will you?” Bernard tells his son.
“Yes, dad.” Ernie answered and turn to Janet,
“Come on, we’ll get your trunk into the compartment, we can sit together.” Ernie
took hold of Janet’s cart from her father and pushes it to the train and Janet
follows.
“We should have lunch together later, you
know, to renew old friendships.” Bernard suggests to David.
Janet approached the train with Ernie, they
passed a sign overhead that shows Hogwarts Express, 11 o’clock. “So, this is
it.” Janet mumbles to herself.
“Sorry?” Ernie asks.
“Erm, nothing.” Janet answered and helps
Ernie who was heaving her trunk into the compartment door.
After putting Alpha on the seat of the
compartment, Ernie turn to Janet who was staring at the scarlet train, “Let’s
get back to our parents, the train will be leaving soon. Time to say goodbye.”
Ernie took hold of Janet’s hand and leads her through the crowd back to their
parents.
A whistle sounded.
“Janet, if anything happen, just send Alpha
over. Whatever you want to tell us, ok?” Emily said.
“Okay,” Janet answered nervously.
“Don’t worry, girl. Ernie will keep an eye
on you. Won’t you, Ernie?” Bernard comforts Janet who seems like she is going
to burst into tears.
“I will, dad. Don’t worry, I will take care
of you, Janet.” Ernie answered and bids his father goodbye.
“We are going to miss you.” David hugs his
daughter. “You don’t have to worry. You have your mother’s notebook with you
and Alpha. You will be fine.”
Emily bent down and hugs Janet, “Stay safe
and write to us, ok?”
Janet holds back her tears, “I will.
Goodbye!”
“Bye, dear.” Emily waves. “You better get
going.”
Ernie takes hold of Janet’s hand and leads
her to their compartment.
“Bye mom. Bye Dad.” Janet waves back at her
parents and follows Ernie back to their compartment.
Janet sank down on the seat of their
compartment and looks out at the moving scene, the platform became smaller and
smaller.
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