Just In Case

Chapter Three

The luggage was being loaded onto the train. Children boarded the Hogwarts Express, an air of excitement around them. Parents and younger siblings stood and watched as the departure time drew nearer. One family in particular had arrived nearly an hour early --to make sure they wouldn't miss it, of course--and were slowly saying their goodbyes. The youngest, only four, had just realized that her older brothers would be leaving her until Christmas. The small redhead stuck out her bottom lip as crocodile tears started to form in her eyes.

"Lily, darling, you'll be able to go to Hogwarts in a few years. James and Sirius will send back presents for you! You'll like that, won't you?"

"Pressies!" Lily Potter brightened considerably at the thought and bounced up and down, clapping her small hands.

Hermione smiled and watched as Harry snuck up behind Lily and scooped her up into his arms. "And Mummy and Daddy couldn't stand giving up their sweetpea, could they?" he cried, tickling her sides and kissing her nose. Lily squealed in delight.

"Mum! Did you put my cloak my suitcase? And all my books?" Sirius cried, pulling on her robes.

Hermione bent down to his eye level. "Yes, Sirius. They will be very easy to find. Now," she cocked her head up, checking the clock on the wall. "The train will be leaving any moment. You should go and find a seat with James and Eloise."

He raised his eyebrows in an exact replica of her "you're joking" face. "Mum. They won't want to sit with me."

She placed her hands on his shoulders and squeezed them. "I'm sure they will." She pulled him into a hug. "I love you, Sirius. You'll do brilliant, just like your Mummy," she teased with a wink as she stood.

The bustling of witches and wizards was enough to cause her a headache. The train let out a high-pitched scream, and she winced. A hand lay on her shoulder, and she turned to find a concerned James.

"You alright, Mum?"

She gave him a reassuring smile and opened her arms. "Don't worry about me, James. Have a fantastic last year. Don't get into trouble."

He pulled away and gave her a lopsided grin. "I'll try not to."

She lowered her voice. "Will you keep an eye on Sirius for us?"

"Jamie!"

James flushed and turned to see Eloise Weasley waving frantically out the window. "I'll be right there, Ellie!" He spun around and winked. "Of course I will, Mum."

He moved over to Harry, who seemed to be ending a serious discussion with Sirius. Hermione followed and pulled Lily into her arms. The boys finished their talk as the last train whistle blew.

"Oh, honestly! James! Sirius! Hurry up!" Hermione cried, giving them both a quick kiss on the cheek. James gave Harry a firm handshake and waited for Sirius to give Harry one last hug before they bounded onto the moving train.

Harry moved in closer to Hermione and draped an arm across her shoulders. Lily turned from her resting spot on her mother's shoulders and waved at her departing brothers. Hermione smiled at her daughter, blinking back tears.

"Oi! There you are!"

A tall, lanky redhead split the crowd, grinning from ear to ear. "Well, Eloise is off on her last year- bloody Hell, y'think James and Eloise are going to last?"

"Uncle Ronnie!" Lily cried, stretching out her arms.

"'Ello, pumpkin," Ron cooed, taking the young girl in his arms. "You excited to have the house to yourself?"

She nodded sleepily. Hermione giggled and wrapped her arm around Harry's waist. "I'm sure they will."

Luna Weasley popped out from behind Ron. "Hello Harry, Hermione. Did you see the Nargles out today? Good omen for the term."

Harry gently squeezed Hermione's shoulders in warning when a small giggle escaped her lips. "Erm, yes I did see them, Luna. Very good omen. Brilliant, actually."

Luna gave them a dreamy smile and patted Lily's head. Hermione raised her eyebrows in slight annoyance, but Harry squeezed her shoulder again. Ron shifted Lily onto the opposite shoulder, and the four of them fell into a comfortable silence as the station grew more and more empty.

After a few moments of peace, they fell into a discussion of how Ron passed his driver's test --with a little help--, and Hermione's "honestly!" caused them to break out into a chuckle. The clock struck 11:30, and soon Ron was handing Lily back over to Hermione, and the Potters were passing through the barrier and into King's Cross.

They settled for riding the Tube, and once the trio was safely seated on the Victoria line, Hermione took to pulling out a rather large book and letting Lily sit on her lap. Harry stood beside them, holding onto the rail and watching them quietly.

Hermione sensed his eyes and looked up, a smile tugging at her lips. "What?"

Harry grinned. "Just admiring my favourite girls."

Hermione blushed and returned to her book, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. "So, where are we off to today, Miss Lily Potter?" she whispered in her ear.

Lily frowned in thought, and then brightened. "Harrods!"

Harry and Hermione shared an exasperated look. "Darling, wouldn't you much rather go to Uncle Fred and George's shop?"

Lily's nose scrunched up. "No Unca Gred and Forge. Harrods!"

Hermione sighed and closed her book. "I suppose we're getting off at Green Park, then."

Lily hopped down and danced around in delight, much to the pleasure of the fellow passengers. Hermione stood and smiled at her daughter.

Harry took the opportunity to lean in close to his wife's ear. "I think I should like to buy a mug there."

Hermione flushed at his words as her mind took her back to their first kiss. So many years ago…

--

A/N: Woow. Is been long time. I don't really have an excuse outside of school, original novel, and W/E stories. Sorry…=\. I'm here! I'm alive! I hope to get another update soon. This'll prolly only be two or three more chapters at most. I am looking back to other stories (and twitching at some of them), and I'll get started on them too.

Thanks so much for the reviews! They're lovely. I do request though, since I know you are all capable of reviewing, to hop over and read PotC:FoY…because it is more recent of my works. Thanks! =]

QuidditchGirl30