Chapter 3 - Departure

"Arthur! Where are you! Where the hell- We are going to be late!" Yelled Mr. Kingscrown with a slightly impatient tone. He stood at the front door while smoking a cigarette.

A girl walked past Mr. Kingscrown. She glanced at Mr. Kingscrown before letting out a sigh. "Papa, Arth is already in the car."

"Huh? What about his trunk?" Asked Mr. Kingscrown with a frown.

"Mama loaded them into the trunk already," she replied while rolling her eyes.

"Really? What about your trunk, Sweetie?"

"Mama loaded mine as well."

"Then who are we waiting for?"

"You, Papa."

Mr. Kingscrown hesitated as he tried to think of another sentence to say before letting out a defeated sigh. ".... get in the car sweetie. I'll be right there."

"Yes, papa," Alice nodded before making her way to the car. She opened the car door and sat down before turning her head to the side. "Arth, are you reading again?"

A boy with black hair holding a book sat next to Alice. His startling ruby eyes would unwaveringly stare into the pages in front of him as he read line after line. An ever so small smile decorated his face like a refreshing breeze. Upon hearing Alice's inquiry, Arth lazily lifted his head and gave her a wider, but still small, smile. "What does it look like to you?"

Alice sighed before giving Arth a disbelieving stare. "I thought you finished reading all of your textbooks already? What else could you possibly read?"

"It's a simple matter of rereading books, Alice," said Arth with a shrug, "it refreshes your memory."

"I'll be surprised if you don't end up in Ravenclaw. You've probably read more books than most of the students there."

"I won't be surprised when you don't land up in Ravenclaw. You lack a few crucial aspects when it comes to wisdom."

The two of them stared at each other for a good second before breaking into laughter.

Suddenly, the door to the shotgun seat opened as Mrs. Kingscrown peeked her head in with a smile. "It looks like both of you are very excited to go to school. I remember when it was my first day stepping into hogwarts. I'll never forget it."

It was as if Arth was staring into an older version of Alice. His mother and Alice had the same golden hair and electric blue eyes.

Mr. Kingscrown called from somewhere within the house. "Diana, darling. Have you seen where the car keys are? I can't seem to find them."

Mrs. Kingscrown sighed and gave Alice and Arth a wry smile before peeking her head back out of car. "Max! Just summon it for Merlin's sake! You are a wizard!"

"Thanks darling. Accio keys!"

Mrs. Kingscrown let out a sigh. Very quickly, Mr. Kingscrown came with the keys in his hand. Mr. Kingscrown, just like his wife, seemed to reflect an older version of Arth. They had the same pitch black hair and scarlet red eyes. It was almost comical to consider that Arth and Mr. Kingscrown weren't related.

Mr. Kingscrown entered the key into the car and turned. The car let out a stuttering groan as its engine roared to life. They slowly exited the driveway and began to make their way to the station. Once they had arrived, Mr. Kingscrown unloaded their trunks and placed them into carts. While Mr. Kingscrown searched for a place to park, Mrs. Kingscrown led Alice and Arth to platforms nine and ten.

"Alice, Arth. Be careful. Kings cross is filled with muggles this time of the year and they are always in a rush."

"Where is the train, mother?" Asked Alice with sparkling eyes. "Where is the Hogwarts Express?"

Arth furrowed his brows. "I think we have to get past a magical barrier. It prevents muggles from accidentally boarding our train."

Mrs. Kingscrown gave a soft smile before pointing at the barrier in between platforms nine and ten. "Listen carefully. All you have to do is run into that barrier. Don't stop and don't be scared you'll crash into it, otherwise, you will. If you feel a bit nervous, you can always start off with a run. The next thing you know, you will be at Platform Nine and Three Quarters."

Arth and Alice nodded, soaking in Mrs. Kingscrown's advice before slowly pushing their carts towards the barrier.

"Ladies first?"

"Just go Arth. Stop being a wimp."

"As you wish my lady."

Arth grabbed his trolley and burst into a run as he quickly made his way to the barrier. The world quickly went black for an instant before the world erupted into color. In front of him was a scarlet steam train and a sign that read Hogwarts Express, Eleven O'Clock.

"Wow," said Arth as he marveled at the scene before his eyes.

"It's just as I imagined." Whispered Alice, who had just crossed the barrier.

Mr. Kingscrown and Mrs. Kingscrown entered through the barrier together and watched Alice and Arth with warm smiles.

"Alice, it's always good to be eager to learn. Don't forget that."

"Yes mama."

"Arth, take good care of your sister."

"I will."

"Don't forget time brush and wash everyday, the both of you."

"And finish your homework on time. It will help you, I promise."

Alice and Arth nodded their heads before grabbing their trunks and carrying them onto the train. They quickly found an empty compartment and set down their bags before opening the window. As Arth searches for his parents, the train let out a loud whistle, signaling its eventual departure.

Then, he found them. They were waving from afar, blocked off by a crowd of people who were also trying to say their last goodbyes and farewells.

Arth and Alice waved until their parents had disappeared into the crowd. After a minute of trying to relocate them, Arth gave up and sat back down.

"Arth," said Alice with an excited smile that had permanently attached itself to her face. "We are finally going. We are finally going to hogwarts!"

Arth nodded his head. "Indeed, indeed we are."

The train gave a lurch as it finally started to move.