Work Text:
September 1st, 1991
'Come on everyone, it is no time to be late! Fred, George, give Scabbers back to your brother and go!'
Molly's voice rang through the train station hall, her eyes flashing to the twins. With broad smiles, they handed Ron his rat, which he put swiftly in his pocket with an annoyed look.
Satisfied, Molly inspected quickly her children: Percy was polishing his prefect badge -again- while walking to the platform nine and three-quarters. The twins were talking animatedly to one another over their trolley, the mischievous glint in their eyes making her want to sight. Ron was looking quite nervous although he was trying to hide it, only listening with one ear to Ginny's blabber.
When she almost collided with a bored-looking employed, Molly turned her thoughts towards the current matter: avoiding the Muggles' crowd and arriving safely to the platform. Indeed, a group of six red-headed people carrying an owl, weird books and odd brooms was very hard to miss. But as their little group reached the barrier leading to the platform, the twins, having obviously spotted something grabbed Molly's sleeve.
'Mum, there's a boy-'
'-right there-'
'-who's a wizard-'
'-but clearly lost.'
Turning to her left, Molly squinted to try and take a look at the boy the twins were talking about.
'Look, with the dark hair-'
'-and the white owl.'
Finally, Molly catched a glimpse of the boy. He was a little and scrawny kid, with messy dark hair, accompanied by a haughty-looking white owl. His hand-me-down clothes were several sizes too big for him, giving the boy a juvenile look. As a matter of fact, he seemed very lost and anxious.
Molly search the area near the boy in hope to find some adult who might be with him, but no one seemed to have remarked him.
Poor boy, all by himself on his first day... What happened to his parents?
'Aren't we going to help him?'
Ron's voice came to her ears and she turned to face her youngest son.
'Of course we are. Actually, you are, Ron.'
He gave her a quizzical look, but soon, the realisation dawned on him.
He protested, 'Why me? Can't you just go talk to him?'
But before Molly could answer, Fred smiled, 'It cannot be because you are his age, could it George?'
'You're right brother, it must be a trick to abandon him,' agreed his twin, 'Mum wouldn't want to cause a scene by sending a squib to Hogwarts and-'
'Stop it right now, we don't have time for these childishness,' shortly interrupted Molly.
She turned to Ron, 'I want you to go and talk to him, it is not that hard now, is it?'
'I don't even know him!' protested Ron, 'I-'
'Why don't we just try to attract his attention?' proposed a little voice behind Molly's back.
The twins turned an intrested face to their sister, and even Percy, who hadn't participate to the debate until then, looked positively impressed.
Molly thought for a moment. She would have to choose her words very precisely in order to gain the boy's attention without drawing too much attention on them with the Muggles all around.
The begining of a plan formed in her mind and she gathered her family in front of her and whispered what they all had to do. With maching evil grins, the twins took their place, Ron and Ginny retreating to the back of the group, Percy leading them all, along with Molly.
They took some step back, just enough so the boy would think they just arrived, and they began their little comedy.
'The platform is packed with Muggles of course,' began Molly while passing behind the boy. His head jerked to their direction and she motioned for her children to go on as the boy followed them from afar.
'Now, what's the platform number?' she continued, feeling a bit idiot for asking such a thing, but nevertheless determined to stick to the plan.
Ginny answered, 'Nine and three-quarters! Mum can't I go?'
'You're not old enough Ginny, now be quiet. All right, Percy, you go first.'
Percy, following her order, headed to the barrier between the two platforms and disappeared. Shooting a quick glance at the boy, she saw he looked confused.
She then turned to Fred and George.
'Fred, you next.'
Her son protested, 'I'm not Fred, I'm George. Honestly, woman, you call yourself our mother? Can't you tell I'm George?'
Molly, who knew perfectly well that Fred was in front of her despite his sayings, just sighed and played along, well used to her sons' antics.
'Sorry George, dear.'
'Only joking, I am Fred,' he said before disappearing into the barrier, closely followed by his twin.
Molly didn't had the time to check after the boy; he was approaching with a polite look, seemingly cautious. In the inside, Molly gave a little cheer of celebration while the boy adressed her.
'Excuse me?'
Molly immediately took the matter in hand.
'Hello, dear. First time at Hogwarts? Ron's new, too,' she said, pointing at her son. The boy quickly looked at him before turning his head again towards Molly.
'Yes. The thing is — the thing is, I don't know how to —'
'How to get onto the platform?' kindly said Molly. The boy seemed so timid and alone, it went right through her motherly heart.
'Not to worry,' she said, 'All you have to do is walk straight at the barrier between platform nine and ten. Don't stop and don't be scared you'll crash into it, that's very important. Best do it at a bit of a run if you're nervous. Go on, go now before Ron.'
The boy didn't seemed reassured.
'Er, alright,' he said before facing the barrier. He walked towards it, accelerating as he it grew closer and closer.
Molly supposed it must be peculiar for a boy —probably a Muggle-born— to collide into a barrier and find himself on another platform.
Without any further thoughts, happy she was able to help the boy, she told Ron to go, before grabbing Ginny's hand and following him.
They were right on time.