King's Cross Station

King's Cross Station
london

Welcome to King's Cross Station! The Hogwarts Express leaves Platform 9¾ without fail on 1 September at 11 o'clock in the morning, arriving at Hogsmeade Station in the early evening. Some students take the train back here to go home for the Christmas and Easter holidays, but some do not. It also makes the run back again to this station at the end of term in May.

Marisha Gorski

ravenclaw, seventh year § head girl
ateleia

After meeting them at their compartment, the two had swiftly started boarding off of the train. It was a shame that she had been freed from Ant's presence so late into their trip, but she doesn't consider it as being trapped. It was closer to poor time management on her part. Still, she is getting her time with them before they both leave for the summer. "Hi, Rayy! I'm *so* super sorry for only coming now," she says, slowly dragging her things from the luggage cart and down towards the train's exit. Marisha knows that if it had been so important to them, then they would have told her and they didn't, so Rayy is probably fine. Nonetheless, she is disappointed she wasn't able to evenly distribute her time between her closest friends. "We should- Hmm," she stops struggling with her luggage for a moment before remembering she doesn't want to hold other students behind her for very long and continuing. It's rather light because she charmed it to lose some of its heftiness until she gets home, but she is still not very strong. "We should video chat! So I can still see your face," she beams, staring up at them to catch their own amusement by this. Marisha has noticed that she really cares about how Rayy reacts to the things she says or at least more so than she cares about others. It doesn't keep her from saying anything, but it sure does leave her eyes trained on them quite a lot. She's a fan of eye contact anyways as well as the sight of them.

Rayy Stone

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

In truth, Rayy spent most of the train ride going here half awake and it is probably for the best that Marisha did not spend that much time with them because they are sure they would have proved to be a bore. They mostly just mindlessly played a game on their phone in an effort to keep themselves awake. They nearly fell asleep at some point, but they knew it would be better to hold out until they were back in their bedroom and could rest comfortably on their bed. God, they miss their bed. They miss *home*. "Oh, hey – " Rayy yawns. "Hey, Marisha." They are very obviously exhausted, as if now that the school year is over, their body is letting them feel all the exhaustion they had been trying so hard to avoid all at once. "Don't be sorry, it's chill. I hung out with some other friends." Now that Rayy thinks of it, they're really going to miss Rudy during the summer. They'll probably shoot them a message once they wake up from their period of hibernation. "We *should* video chat. I don't know how I'm supposed to get through the whole summer without seeing you, honestly. Who am I gonna eat breakfast with now?" They grin.

Marisha Gorski

ravenclaw, seventh year § head girl
ateleia

Fretting over their exhaustion is usually not worth it, but it doesn't go unnoticed. Marisha is certain they are aware of her concern and is confident she doesn't have to remind them, but her gaze falls when they yawn and she seems to contemplate saying something just in case. "We can still have breakfast together! Digitally!" she pipes up, grinning up at them before her face straightens and she lifts her luggage off of the train. A trolley seemingly appears out of thin air (because it does) and she hoists her things onto it, letting out a disgruntled *Mmmf* before smiling at Rayy again. "We could do that every...Thursday maybe? Or any other day, but we don't have to every day." Besides, her parents would get suspicious of that and would also prefer she spends family time with them while they can. Marisha assumes this some sort of fear of her getting older and leaving, but that is not the entire truth. Marisha hums as she conspires, seeming rather delighted and content for what will happen in the next hour or so. "We should play World! Well, Ant still has to teach me, but after that." Her eyes drift to see if she can catch her friend wandering around anywhere. He is very easy to spot.

Rayy Stone

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

"Yes, we should! That'll be freaking fantastic." Rayy has been trying to minimize their cursing lately, especially around Marisha, but they are beginning to get so used to it that they don't find themselves doing it as much anymore. Their mother will surely be very happy about this once she realizes. Then, she'll want to *meet* Marisha and have her over for dinner and gush over what a good influence she supposedly was on her child. The thought gives them an idea. "And you should come over." Rayy tells her, "My mom would love you. So would my siblings, actually." Marisha is a very likable person. "Just don't listen to them when they try to embarrass me."

Marisha Gorski

ravenclaw, seventh year § head girl
ateleia

Marisha seems surprised by the invite, eyes widening as her mouth curves down into a small pout. Her hand flies up into her hair, pushing one side past her ear as she collects herself. "I would love that," she starts to gush, an unplaceable affection rising up in her chest before she clasps her hands together. Her hands quickly resume their position along the luggage trolley's handle, not wanting to lose control of it. "I would have to confirm with my parents, but...if your mother will be there, then it shouldn't be an issue." Marisha smiles at Rayy before it splits into a grin, eyes squinting under the pressure from her cheeks. The idea that their family would *love* her has certainly tickled her beyond belief. "I would love to though! I doubt it is so embarrassing. I will not be persuaded against you." She giggles before feigning stubbornness. It's difficult to picture Rayy embarrassed by something especially anything innocent from their childhood.

Rayy Stone

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

She's right. It is very difficult for Rayy to be embarrassed by most things, but they already know that they will likely tell their mom all about Marisha and the gushing could be misinterpreted as something more than friendship, then she will try to nudge them in that direction. Rayy already has Ant on their case, there's no need for *another* person. Honestly, they have no idea where Ant even got the idea. They decide not to think about it anymore and focus on how pleasant Marisha's smile is. "Okay, good." they say, grinning from ear to ear. "It is reassuring that you will not be swayed so easily." Rayy adds, rather dramatically. They barely contain the accompanying laugh. "We can play video games together! And chess of course." Rayy smile.

Marisha Gorski

ravenclaw, seventh year § head girl
ateleia

Marisha laughs lightly at their theatrics, very amused. Everything Rayy seems to do, she is absolutely fascinated by. They capture her attention so well and she appears so delighted at the very sight of them. Even though this feeling is very distinct from how she regards Ant or her other friends, she doesn't see it as anything except friendship. Mostly unaware of the antics of others, she would be drastically less bothered by them anyways. "We could, then I will beat you once more!" Grinning, her expression and voice do not match the words she uses. It is difficult for her to try to appear intimidating, so she doesn't usually attempt to. The most she manages is puffing out her chest, but even this is short-lived. "Perhaps you will beat me because of home field advantage," she suggests though she is kidding. It is possible for Rayy to beat her, but it hasn't happened yet and she is sure they know she is merely messing around with them. Rayy is a worthy opponent to her and all others in her mind, so who knows? Maybe they will beat her on their home turf. "What if we don't have time for all of it?" Marisha frowns, beginning to realize that this was starting to turn into a much larger ordeal in her head. "We would have to meet up more than once then." Oh, how terrible. That isn't what she wants at all! "Maybe at one of the libraries or parks? That could be nice."

Rayy Stone

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

It *would* be nice. Rayy is very happy to hear that Marisha is open to meeting up multiple times over the summer, and that they were not alone in wanting this. "I already assumed we'd be meeting up all the time." Rayy tells her, sounding very pleased with themselves. "Did you really think I'd be willing to go from seeing you everyday to just once the whole summer? Never. The world cannot take me from you." Rayy is just kidding around, of course, and it is obvious in the exceedingly dramatic flair to their voice. In all seriousness though, as busy as they know they will be this summer (likely helping around the house, spending time with their siblings, and working at their mom's shop), they *will* make time for Marisha. She is their friend, of course they would. "It'll be nice hanging out with a library with you during reasonable hours that aren't 4AM."

Marisha Gorski

ravenclaw, seventh year § head girl
ateleia

Equally as thrilled by the fact that they are on the same page, she beams and she shows no sign of trying to manage it. Why would she? It isn't as if she has to be embarrassed it will come across the wrong way. A hand falls along her cheek and she grins. "What?" she asks, exaggerating the lightness in her voice to express sarcasm in the way she's noticed they do. "Since when is 4am not a reasonable hour?" Marisha giggles at herself. "It's nice knowing you wish to see me so much, but the universe would never attempt to divide us in the first place." *God knows better*, she believes, but there's no need to express it aloud. Besides, it seems mean. Exiting into the main station, she begins searching for one of her parents. Neither messaged her to tell her which one was coming, but this is normal for them nowadays. "If it did, the world would have had Ant spend a few more minutes explaining his...things," which had been a real possibility before she decided to just tell him that she told Rayy she would see them. Besides, she can only process so much about The Cure at once as much as she loves Ant. It is nice listening to him discuss things he seems comfortable with and passionate about. He is very passionate about his music. It's very cute. "Is your mother picking you up, or are you leaving in a cab?" Maybe she will meet her now, but that seems daunting. Marisha is put together and looks lovely, but she doesn't feel it.

Rayy Stone

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

"My mom's picking me up." they answer, smiling just at the thought of it. Rayy loves their mother a lot. It obviously means a lot to them that despite her busy schedule and other responsibilities, she makes time to pick them up at the station whenever they come home. They are already very excited by the idea of going home and eating food that she probably prepared for their return. "My siblings will probably be with her." Exiting to the main station, immediately Rayy's phone goes off with a bunch of texts. God, it's so great being somewhere magic doesn't fuck with technology. "Every year she tries to make them wait at home but they never do." It makes Rayy laugh a little, obviously very touched that their siblings miss them so much. They miss them too. They unlock their phone and go over the texts from their mom. (Or well, Jalal using their mom's phone. Rayy knows their mother doesn't use this many emojis.) "Are your parents coming to pick you up?"

Marisha Gorski

ravenclaw, seventh year § head girl
ateleia

Marisha adores children, so hearing that their siblings are coming too gets her excited. Children are so excitable and are usually quite nice to her. They are also short. It is nice getting a little rest sometimes. "Aww, that's so cute," she responds softly, lips curving down into a small pout. Subconsciously, a hand reaches to fix her fringe before digging down into her cardigan's pocket for her phone. "I haven't received any messages from them. I usually won't on the train, but-" Marisha's frown worsens as messages start dinging on her phone. Scrolling through them, she glances up to see where she is navigating. "I don't know," she answers, voice full of confusion as she finishes reading the exchange. She will have to call her father once she's in more of a position to do so. Pocketing her phone, she begins tapping her index fingers against the trolley handle as she eyes the crowds. "I think they might be busy, but I don't live too far from here anyways." Marisha turns up towards Rayy, not smiling though not seeming overwhelmingly upset either. She isn't. Her parents *do* have difficult schedules.

Rayy Stone

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

Rayy frowns when they notice that Marisha does not seem too happy. "Do you need a ride?" they ask immediately, "My mom's the one driving anyway, and she'll be more than happy to. 'Sides, you said you don't live too far from here anyway, right?" Not that Rayy's mom would have minded, they're sure. Their mother is very much the type who gets overly concerned about all of Rayy's friends and they can already hear the lecture that is bound to happen should they mention that they left a friend at the station by herself. Of course, Rayy would also like to take this opportunity to spend more time with Marisha. She can always sit in front while Rayy deals with their siblings in the backseat. It's fine. Marisha's lovely and will probably get a nice conversation going with their mother. "Or are your parents already on their way?"

Marisha Gorski

ravenclaw, seventh year § head girl
ateleia

A small smile appears as the weight seemingly lifts off of her shoulders, but she turns down to glance at her phone again to ensure she is assessing the situation accurately. "I don't think so. My abba's last message is saying-" Marisha rereads the Hebrew a couple of times, lingering on certain words that are quite hostile in nature. It isn't important that she tells them of that. "He told me to come home using a cab." Or to get one of her freakish friends to do it, but he was sure to remind her not to invite them inside. Her mother is a lot nicer about the witchcraft issue, but her father has apparently not forgiven her for it or perhaps this is just hostility related to the party last summer. Reading this upsets her a little bit, but her head lifts and any grief falls from her facial expression. "I would appreciate it a lot, but if it's too much, then a cab would be perfectly fine..." Marisha's heartbeat skips at the thought that Rayy would be willing to do this at the drop of a hat and she smiles up at them in gratitude. It definitely warms her heart, but she can be difficult to do things for sometimes. "You should at least mention it to your mother first," she adds, shoulders shrugging up towards her ears as her smile turns a bit more nervous.

Rayy Stone

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

Rayy knows their mother well enough to know she will be fine, but sends a quick text to her number anyway to give her the heads up so that Marisha won't have to worry. "There. Texted her." they say, holding up the cracked screen displaying the messages as proof. Rayy is a bit bothered mostly because they can sense something is a little off, but it isn't enough to go on and they do not want to pry. Knowing their mother, she will probably fish for information from Marisha about her parents later in the way nearly all moms do. "But she's really chill about these things, so I'm sure it'll be fine. At least this time, when I tell my siblings about Hogwarts, I will have a witness to back me up. My little sister does *not* want to believe that dragons exist. I've shown her pictures and every single time she just goes 'No. Not real.'" Rayy laughs. "But you're more trustworthy than me, so I'm sure you'll be able to convince her."

Marisha Gorski

ravenclaw, seventh year § head girl
ateleia

Marisha smiles, but her eyes train on their phone screen for a second before it vanishes. Certainly she could repair that. She has replaced her father's screen twice with no errors. Her fingers continue tapping, but she feels comfortable knowing she will be with someone she trusts and she has less to be stressed over. She breathes in to collect herself before it's cut off by her own laughter. "I am more credible than her own sibling?" Their siblings sound adorable. Marisha really does have such a soft spot for children and she really hopes they do find her as great and trustworthy as Rayy is making her out to be. "Unicorns are a great stepping stone- or fairies. It's easier to rationalize that those might exist than large, winged...lizards?" She giggles at her own uncertainty.

Rayy Stone

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

Rayy relaxes when they hear Marisha laugh, very relieved that she seems to be feeling better despite whatever it is her parents said or did. "She does not want to believe me because I can't do magic at home. She is in for a shock this summer." they explain, pushing their cart as the two of them make their way to where Rayy's mother said she will be waiting. They already have plans on magic-ifying their whole household so that their mom has less to stress out about, but they'll probably get around to doing it sometime after they're done hibernating for a solid week. "My brother was easier to convince. Just had to bring him home a chocolate frog and he spent the entire day freaking out about it. He lost his sh – *mind*." Rayy remembers the day fondly as they cut themselves off. "But yeah, you're a hundred times more credible than I am. I even bet she'd believe you if you said you were a princess." They laugh as their phone begins to ring. They pick it up and begin talking to their mom in Malay, jerking their head in the direction they should head in. "This way." they say, pulling the phone away from their ear just a bit so they can smile at Marisha. Their family's gonna love her, Rayy's certain.