A/N: I know it's been a long time, but I finally have Chapter 2 ready for you guys, and I can't wait to hear your thoughts & theories on it!🔮

Always feel free to comment as much as you please; just make sure your feedback respects the rules of my page.💞🌙🦋

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"Waking up the sun, waking up the sky. Waking up the great big universe; another small adventure."~Chantal Kreviazuk {lyrics from her song, "Another Small Adventure"}

Remus' POV

"We should head off to bed soon," I remarked, keeping my voice down as to not wake up Maddie.

"True, tomorrow's a big day," Jenny agreed with a nod, setting aside her quill and closing the envelope with a wax seal.

"She'll be alright, Eve," I assured. When she stood up, I pulled her into my embrace and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"I know; she's bright and brave, like her father."

"And beautiful in every way, like her mother, with a heart of gold and open mind to match."

"To the stars," she started.

"The moon, and back safe and sound to me," I finished, her eyes twinkling as they met mine. "Good night, darling."

"Sweet dreams, my love."

~ ~ ~

Maddie's POV

"Mmm, hold the choco...books in the fridge 'gain. 'Scuse, 'onsieur," I muttered, squinting against a bright light and feeling something moving on my chest.

After a few minutes, or maybe seconds, I let the day win and opened my eyes to see the sunlight shining victoriously through my windows and Lenore peering expectantly down at me from her perch on my stomach. "Mm, good morning, Norie," I smiled, reaching up and petting her head, getting satisfied purrs in return before she leapt down from the bed and made herself comfortable on my stool, her collar jingling all the while.

Once I was a little more awake, I went over to my closet and opened the door, revealing my outfit for the day. Mum and Dad asked me if I wanted any help with it weeks ago, but I wanted to put one together myself, and surprise them with it today.

~ ~ ~

It might not be the most practical, but it'll do, I remarked mentally as I stood in front of my mirror and adjusted the scarlet bow in my hair the best I could. My Mary Janes, white socks, lavender skirt, and light blue belt. Mum's old pink, blue, and violet striped blouse, Great Aunt Grace's gold locket, and my crescent moon and sky bracelets from Mum and Dad.

"Greet the day like an old friend and it will watch over you, as the stars shine on the sea," I smiled at my reflection, doing a little twirl. Pressing a kiss to Norie's head, I led the way downstairs, breathing in something sweet while the soft notes of one of Dad's records embraced me.

Sure enough, when I went into the kitchen, Mum was pulling a tray out of the oven and Dad was putting something together on the counter. "Good morning, darling; you look lovely!" Mum greeted, turning to face me as she took off her oven mitts.

"Thank you, and good morning to you too!" I beamed, kneeling down to get Lenore her breakfast.

"You're very welcome, Mads," Mum smiled back, as she made everyone a plate. While Lenore tucked in, I took my seat at the table, and Dad joined me soon after setting our breakfast down.

My eyes lit up when I saw my plate; a cinnamon roll fresh out of the oven, berries from Mum's garden, cheesy scrambled eggs, and a steaming mug of Dad's home-made hot chocolate. "We thought it'd be fun to have a big breakfast; something nice and relaxed before we have to leave for the station," Dad piped up as Mum took off her apron and settled in across from us.

"I love it; thank you!" I beamed, sitting back and digging in.

"Of course, darling, you deserve it," Mum replied, a shimmer of something in her eyes. It was gone in a blink, though, and breakfast continued as usual.

~ ~ ~

"Thea?" Dad got my attention as I was finishing off my cocoa.

"Yeah?" I questioned, gently setting the now-empty mug down and licking my chocolate moustache away.

"We know that you'll be taking Lenore with you, and we were wondering, would you like to have Lucy with you too?" he asked.

"I can? I mean, you're..." I trailed off, stunned, meeting Lucy's warm amber eyes across the room from her perch.

"Only if you want to," Dad assured me. "Your head of house can always arrange for you to use one of the school's owls."

"No, no, I want to. It's just a lot, y'know?"

"Of course, and we know you'll take good care of each other," Mum nodded, meeting my eyes before clearing our empty dishes from the table.

"Alright, Thea, let's go and make sure you have everything," Dad smiled, leading the way upstairs and into my bedroom. "Is there anything else you want to take with you, sweetheart?" he asked, while I looked around, the weight of the day setting in.

"Yeah, just a few things," I nodded, grabbing my caramel-colored satchel and making my way around the room, grabbing things as I went. One of Norie's bell toys for the train ride, my bag of salt-water taffies, and my niffler plushie, Sir Silas.

Slinging the strap over my shoulders, I paused at my nightstand, took my Cassiopeia bracelet out of its box, and carefully clasped it on my wrist.

Once I double-checked that I had everything, I stepped aside while Dad got my trunk. "Wingardium Leviosa," he voiced, and my trunk rose into the air, levitating at about my waist. He carefully guided it down the stairs with me following close behind, and we met Mum in the foyer.

"Off we go," she smiled, clasping my cloak gently around me, holding the door open for us, and locking it once we were all on the porch. "Norie and Luce are in the backseat already," she added, before I could ask.

~ ~ ~

Within minutes, we were settled in the car and driving to King's Cross Station while Big Ben gleamed brightly in the distance. "How are you feeling, sweetheart?" Mum asked, turning the radio down and meeting my eyes in the rearview mirror.

"I'm excited to ride the train and I want to go to Hogwarts," I started, smiling a little when I thought of the first time Mum and Dad pointed Hogwarts out to me on our first outing in Hogsmeade years back. "But, I feel like there's a kaleidoscope of butterflies in my stomach too, or that feeling of the drop on Zephyr Peak," I finished, my brows furrowing in thought as I fidgeted with the moon charm.

"There's nothing wrong with being nervous, darling," Dad assured, and Mum nodded emphatically in agreement.

"He's right, Mads. We both had our fair share of nerves about everything when we were your age."

"And, your friends helped you through it, right?" I questioned, setting my hands in my lap.

"They did, and despite how big of a change it was for all of us, in the end, it was a good one," Mum replied, and for a second, I caught that wistful glimmer in her eyes again. Please, let her be okay.

"Here we are," Dad announced, parking the car and dropping the keys in his pocket. "Stay here, I'll be right back," he added, stepping out of the car and going around the side of the station.

Only a few minutes passed before he came back into sight, pushing a silver trolley over to us. Mum and I got out of the car to help him load my trunk onto it. "Maddie, you've got Norie," he nodded, passing her carrier to me.

"And, I've got Lucy," Mum finished, carefully holding her cage. "Her perch is in your trunk, love. I tucked it in while you two were upstairs."

"Thank you," I smiled her way, and we strolled into King's Cross, maneuvering through the bustling crowds.

My heart pounded in my chest like a lightning strike as the barrier for Platforms 9 and 10 came into view. Mum and Dad's hands on my shoulders helped anchor me to the moment when we sped up.

~ ~ ~

We made it. We were on Platform 9¾, and to our right, the beloved express train I'd heard so much about stood proudly in all of its gorgeous scarlet glory.

"–out of trouble! I love you, boys!"

Recognizing Molly's voice, I let Mum and Dad guide us over to her farther off down the platform. "Good morning, Molly," Mum greeted, and turning around, Molly lit up when she saw us.

"Oh, Jenny, Remus, Maddie, it's so good to see you!" she beamed.

"It's always a pleasure," Dad agreed, setting Lucy's cage and Norie's carrier down on top of my trunk for us before Molly embraced us one by one.

After giving me a big hug and pressing a kiss to my forehead, she stepped back. "I hope you have a wonderful time, Maddie."

"Thank you, Mrs. Weas–Molly," I smiled, quickly correcting myself.

"Two of her kids will be in your year too, Thea," Dad added, gently nudging my shoulder.

"Really?" I perked up, fairly sure that anyone related to Molly would be great company.

"Yes, they love their mischief, but they're good boys too. I'm sure you'll get along wonderfully," Molly nodded.

"I have no doubt about that," I agreed easily.

"Oh, you are so sweet," she gushed, giving me another hug. "I'd best be going now. Take care, and if you ever need anything, just let me know. That goes for you too, sweetheart," she nodded to me, taking her leave.

The clock chimed, bringing our attention back to the train. We steered the trolley over to where the porters waited and passed over my trunk and Lucy's cage, then, made our way to the passenger car section.

~ ~ ~

"We love you so much," Mum said, holding me close and rubbing my back. "It's going to be an amazing year. I can feel it," she smiled, meeting my eyes as she pulled back from our hug and gently wiped away the tears that had started flowing down my cheeks.

"We're only an owl away, Thea, so if you ever want or need anything, Lucy'll get your letters to us in a heartbeat," Dad assured, pulling me into an embrace of his own. "Remember what I said?"

"Yes," I nodded, gently rubbing my locket as the memory resurfaced.

"That's my girl," he replied, pressing a kiss to my cheek with a proud, loving twinkle in his eyes. "Have a lovely time, darling."

I took a deep breath, and after making sure I had a good grip on Lenore's carrier, I made my way to the door, taking one last look at my parents before boarding. I can do this; here we go.

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A/N: Ta-da! I know it's been a long wait for this one, and I can't thank you all enough for your patience with me on this, as well as my other books.💖

If you haven't checked out my other books yet, I highly recommend it.🌙

There's pretty much something for everyone; "More Than Fate", "Sunset's Graphics Vault II", "A Midnight Masquerade", "All-Star Awards", & my latest project, "Sunset Boulevard", to name a few.✨

Questions of the Day-

~ Do you have any new thoughts and/or theories on Genevieve?

~ What did you think of Maddie's send-off at King's Cross?

~ As of right now, do you think anything serious will happen to Mads in her first year, and why?

~ Have any of you changed your mind about which Hogwarts house you think she'll be sorted into, and why?

~Love, Sunset