ACT II — CHAPTER III
Aɴ Uɴᴇxᴘᴇᴄᴛᴇᴅ Nᴀᴍᴇ

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It had been exactly a year since Quinn first boarded the Hogwarts Express and met her best friends, and she found herself facing the same dilemma she had that day — she couldn't find her slippers.

She was tearing what was left of her room apart. She checked under her bed, in her closet, down the hall in the bathroom, and she definitely made sure to check her trunk in case she forgot she packed them again. All of these led nowhere. It was as if they had disappeared off the face of the Earth.

"Quinn, are you ready? We have to go!" Mary called from the stairs. Quinn walked out of her room and into the hallway.

"Mary, have you seen my slippers?" she asked. Mary looked up at her, an exasperated expression on her face.

"Again?" she questioned.

Quinn nodded, "Again."

"Did you check your trunk?"

"Of course."

"Under your bed? In your closet? Maybe the bathroom?"

"Already checked them all."

Mary sighed, "Em is going to strangle you when she finds out you're not packed. Again."

Quinn pursed her lips and nodded. This was the second year in a row that Quinn had told Emmeline she was fully packed the night before she had to leave. It was also the second year in a row that Quinn had lied straight to Emmeline's face.

"Quinnie, why are your slippers in the kitchen?"

The Fenwick girl's face lit up as she ran past Mary down the stairs and into the kitchen. Emmeline stood by the sink, brows raised, slippers in hand.

Quinn grabbed them from her grasp, saying a quick thank you and running back upstairs, ignoring the sleuth of threats Emmeline yelled behind her. She threw the slippers in her trunk and promptly closed it. She quickly straightened up her room, making sure everything was just neat enough so that Emmeline wouldn't actually murder her.

Once she was done, she picked up her trunk and Phoebe's basket and ran back down to the kitchen, meeting her mothers.

"Ready!" Quinn told them, a wide smile on her face.

They all piled into the car together and drove to King's Cross Station. Quinn's leg was bouncing up and down the whole ride. She talked Emmeline and Mary's ears off about how excited she was to see the all-together Train Gang again. She and Justin had been writing to each other pretty consistently over the summer, but she was lucky to get a letter with more than a paragraph from Kevin. He was even worse than Ron.

Upon reaching the station, the family of three made their way to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. Emmeline was right about what she said a year ago — running at brick walls was the least bizarre thing she did at Hogwarts.

The most bizarre thing she did was probably sneak an illegal dragon off the school's grounds. Or maybe it was encountering Fluffy, a three-headed dog. Or maybe it was talking to her Defense Against the Dark Arts professor who had He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named living off the back of his head. So many bizarre things. And she still had six more years to go.

Together, they all ran at the wall that separated the Muggle world from the magical one, and Quinn couldn't help but smile upon seeing the Hogwarts Express.

"Come on, Quinnie, let's get you on the train," Emmeline said, trying to guide her to the train.

"But the Gang and I agreed to meet before we got on the train," Quinn explained, "I thought I told you that."

Emmeline didn't get a chance to answer, as a voice calling Quinn's name grabbed their attention. Running toward them down the platform was Justin Finch-Fletchley.

Before she even knew it, Quinn was running toward him too, and then they were hugging, and Justin fully picked her up off her feet. When he set her down, Quinn had to look up to meet his gaze; he had grown almost a foot since she had last seen him.

"It's so good to see you!" Quinn said.

"You too! This has been the longest two months of my life, I've missed you guys more than anything," Justin told her, "You haven't seen Kevin or Morag, have you?"

Quinn gave him a look and gestured to either side of her, "Does it look like I've seen either of them?"

Justin laughed, "No, I guess not. I just want to get on the train before there are no seats left."

While Quinn and Justin were catching up, her mothers and his parents began their own conversation. Since they were Muggles, Emmeline and Mary answered any questions they had about raising a magical child, what was normal and what wasn't.

Quinn told Justin all about her beach trip with Morag, even though he had heard all about it in Quinn's letters, and Justin told Quinn all about his trip to France, even though she had already heard all about it in Justin's letters.

"I've even picked up some French myself," he told her, "Bonjour Quinn, c'est bon de te voir."

"When you become fluent, you'll have to take me to France one day, so I can see the Eiffel Tower."

"Quinn! Justin!"

It was Morag. She was pushing her trolley towards them, her parents in tow. She and Justin hugged first, and then Quinn.

"Kevin's not here?" she asked, looking around the platform.

Justin shook his head, "No, but are we really surprised? If anything, I'll be shocked if he makes the train at all."

"Hey, you should have more faith in me!"

Kevin Entwhistle had snuck up behind them when they weren't looking. He too, had grown almost a foot since they had last seen him, but Justin still had him by a few inches.

He hugged Morag first, since she was the closest. Then he hugged Quinn, and he ruffled her hair afterward which made her hit him in the arm. Lastly, he hugged Justin, making a remark about how he'll beat him in height eventually.

"Also, I would like to point out that I'm not late, as it's only 10:50," Kevin said.

"We agreed to get here at 10:40 so that we could get a good seat," Quinn reminded him, crossing her arms and raising her brows.

"Didn't Morag just get here?" Kevin asked, and Morag hit him in the arm. Before she could say anything to defend herself, a new voice spoke up.

"So that's Morag. You have a very weird name."

The voice came from a blonde girl who stood right behind Kevin, and she looked so much like him that Quinn had to do a double take.

"Shut up, Polly!" Kevin snapped, before turning back to his friends, "This is my sister. Pol, this is Justin and Quinn. You already figured out Morag."

The girl smiled, waving at all of them, "I'm going to be going to Hogwarts next year. I have to."

"If you get a letter from Hogwarts, I'm dropping out."

"Okay, no more dilly-dallying, your friends are here so let's get on the train," Emmeline urged.

Quinn turned to her mothers, bittersweet smiles on their faces. She hugged Mary first, who gave the girl a kiss on the top of her head, "Have fun, my darling. Make sure to write, okay?"

Quinn nodded, then was engulfed in a hug by Emmeline, who then kneeled down to look Quinn in the eye, "Be good, Quinnie. Don't forget to write, like Mary said. And don't do anything that will get you killed. I would hate to pull you out of school for being an idiot."

Again, Quinn nodded, and Emmeline pulled her back in, "I love you, I love you so, so much."

Once all of the goodbyes had been said, the Train Gang found themselves on the Hogwarts Express, looking for an empty compartment. Quinn opened one once they had gotten halfway down the train, and a bright smile formed on her face when she saw Hermione sitting inside.

"Hi, Hermione! Where's Ron and Harry?" she asked.

Hermione shrugged, "I'm not sure, but I haven't seen any of the Weasleys yet, so I'm sure they'll be here at the last minute."

"Alright, well, if they annoy you too much, you're welcome to join the Train Gang and I," Quinn offered, and Hermione smiled.

"I'll keep that in mind. I'll see you at school!"

Quinn waved goodbye and then closed the door to the compartment. She hurriedly walked down the aisle in order to catch up with the rest of the Gang, holding Phoebe's basket out in front of her so that she didn't accidentally jostle the cat around.

Justin was able to find an empty compartment at the very end of the train, and they all filed in. Justin and Kevin put their trunks on the shelf, but Kevin wouldn't let Quinn and Morag put theirs up, saying that he wanted to show them how strong he was.

"I've been training all summer," he told them, his arms shaking as he lifted Morag's trunk up, "There's no way that I won't make the team. I've also been writing to Roger and Wood, getting tips and everything. My parents said I couldn't buy a broom unless I make the team, but if Harry can make it after he rides a broom one time then I should be able to after not flying all summer."

After putting Quinn's trunk up, Kevin was struggling to hide his panting. Quinn decided not to say anything, and just sat down next to Morag, placing Phoebe's basket by her feet.

"What position are you trying for?" Justin asked. Kevin put a hand on his chest and gasped, feigning hurt.

"Chaser, how could you forget?"

"I don't care about Quidditch. We've gone over this."

"But you have to care! Your best friend is about to be a Quidditch star!"

Morag rolled her eyes, "I wouldn't be so sure of yourself."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Kevin asked, whipping his eyes toward her.

"It means that you're twelve years old and you're going against seventeen year olds. You might not make it."

This seemed to genuinely hurt Kevin, "You really don't think I will?"

Morag gulped, realizing the weight of her words, "You probably will! It just might not be super easy. But I'm sure you'll do great!"

That was all Kevin needed to hear. He immediately started going over all of the training he did that summer and the strategies he had learned. He even read books that went into detail about the most influential games in Quidditch history. At some point, Quinn was the only one listening to him, as Morag and Justin had started their own conversation because they didn't know enough about Quidditch.

Kevin had finally decided on a team to root for, which was Puddlemere United. He was thrilled to hear that Quinn had been to a couple of their matches, as Puddlemere was also Emmeline's team. He asked her all about it, from who they played, whether they won or not, who the keeper was, and so on. Quinn thought it would never end until Phoebe started meowing from her basket.

"Can I see your cat?" Kevin asked. Quinn nodded, leaning down and opening the basket. She picked Phoebe up and took her out of the basket, setting the cat on her lap.

"It's really pretty," Kevin remarked, running his hand along her fur, "What's its name?"

"Her name's Phoebe," Quinn said, scratching the top of the cat's head. Phoebe started to purr.

The Entwhistle boy had a lopsided smile on his face, "Polly's always wanted a cat, but my dad's allergic."

"You can hold her if you want," Quinn offered. Kevin's smile grew wider as he nodded. Quinn handed him the cat, and he set her on his slap. Phoebe curled into him.

The rest of the train ride consisted of the four friends catching up, with Phoebe crawling around between them, sometimes taking breaks to nap on someone's lap.

When the train pulled into Hogsmeade station after many hours, Quinn kissed Phoebe goodbye and placed her back in the basket. The Train Gang filed out into the aisle, following the students out and onto the platform. As they followed the crowd, Quinn heard a friendly voice calling out, "Firs' years over here!"

Quinn turned her head to see Hagrid on the other end of the platform, waving the first years over. Somehow, Hagrid was able to see Quinn in the crowd, waving to her. She waved back, sending him a smile.

The Train Gang followed the rest of the school off the platform and out a rough mud track, where at least a hundred stagecoaches awaited the remaining students. As they were headed to one of them, Quinn spotted Hermione, who was alone.

"Hermione!" Quinn called, waving the girl over. Hermione joined the Train Gang, and the five of them climbed into the carriage together. As soon as they shut the door, the carriage set off all by itself, as there was no horse to pull it. The carriage rolled to the school, bumping and swaying in procession.

"Where's Harry and Ron?" Quinn asked.

Hermione shrugged, "I don't know. I figured they just sat somewhere else."

"You don't think they missed the train or something, do you?"

"No, there is no way they could be stupid enough to miss it."

Quinn nodded. Hermione was right — Harry and Ron could be dumb sometimes, but there is not a world in which they would miss the train. However, she did find it incredibly rude that they didn't even try to find Hermione.

"Why didn't you come sit with us?" Quinn asked.

"I didn't mind, it was actually a really peaceful ride," Hermione smiled, "And being alone gave me another chance to read Magical Me again."

They made small talk as the coach approached the school, with Hermione telling the rest of the Gang about her summer and vice versa. Eventually, the carriage took them through a pair of magnificent wrought iron gates, flanked with stone columns topped with winged boars. The five children looked out the window, trying their best to get a glimpse of the castle. It had been so long since they'd been at their second home, and they were aching to roam its halls again.

As the carriage began to pick up speed and take them down a long, sloping drive, the castle came into view. They all managed to stick their heads out one of the tiny windows, watching the many turrets and towers draw nearer.

When the carriage came to a halt, the five of them got out, following the rest of the students up a set of stairs that led them into the castle. They went through the giant oak front doors and into the entrance hall, which was lit with bright torches. Quinn felt the same excitement as she had the first time she was in this hall, and she had to bounce from foot to foot to contain herself.

The door into the Great Hall stood open at the right, and the Train Gang plus Hermione followed the other students through it. Quinn, Kevin, and Morag said goodbye to Justin, who had to go with the Hufflepuffs, and Quinn gave Hermione a quick side hug before she had to go with the Gryffindors.

"I'll see you tomorrow, okay? Tell Harry and Ron I say hello."

"I will, I'll see you later!"

Quinn, Kevin, and Morag sat down in a row, with Quinn in the middle. She looked up at the ceiling, smiling upon seeing the floating candles and the night sky above her.

Suddenly, someone was shaking her shoulders and yelling in her ear.

"Well, if it isn't my favorite first years! Sorry, my favorite second years. How were your summers?"

Quinn looked behind her to see Roger Davies, with Sue Li right behind him.

"It was great! You got my last letter, didn't you? About the Parkin's Pincer?" Kevin rambled.

"Yeah, yeah I did. If you want any lessons before tryouts, you let me know."

"We're holding up traffic, so we'll see you three later. Hope you had a good summer," Sue said, smiling as she pushed Roger down the row.

As the rest of the students filed in, Quinn, Kevin, and Morag were joined by others in their year, such as Mandy Brocklehurst, Stephen Cornfoot, Padma Patil, and Anthony Goldstein, to name a few. Eventually, all of the students were seated, and more small talk ensued. Eventually, Quinn got to the point that if she had to tell one more person what she did over the summer, her brain would explode.

Luckily, Quinn's discomforts were quickly put at ease, for Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts, stood up from the professor's table. He raised his arms, then slowly lowered them, and all of the conversations died with them.

"The sorting ceremony is about to begin," he announced, his voice booming through the Great Hall, "I expect you all to display the utmost respect."

Not even a moment after he sat down, the doors to the hall opened, and Professor McGonagall, the Transfiguration professor, entered with the first years trailing behind her.

Morag leaned over to Quinn, whispering, "It's so weird to see it like this."

Quinn nodded, agreeing, "It doesn't feel so scary anymore."

Professor McGonagall led the first years to the front of the hall. She then went forward, placing a four-legged stool in front of them and setting the Sorting Hat on top of it. Then, just as it had the year before, the hat sang its song. Upon finishing, the hall burst into applause. Kevin put his fingers in his mouth and whistled, which got a great laugh from the other Ravenclaw second years.

When the applause died down, Professor McGonagall stepped forward with a long roll of parchment in her hands, "When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted."

"It's like she uses a script," Morag muttered, and Quinn couldn't help but huff, a small smile on her face.

The sorting began. Professor McGonagall called out name after name, and the second years were all on the edge of their seat as they waited for a Ravenclaw to be called. Finally, a girl named Ava Carter had the hat placed on her head, and it roared out, "RAVENCLAW!"

The entire house was up on their feet, cheering and whooping. Quinn was jumping up and down, using Kevin's shoulders to propel herself up. Once they were settled, the sorting continued. Quinn was having a great night, and she felt as if nothing could go wrong.

But then, Professor McGonagall called out the name, "Dearborn, Maddox!"

As the dark-haired boy made his way up to the stool, Quinn felt her stomach drop. The boy's last name was Dearborn. The same as Winifred's Dearborn, her mother.

Perhaps Quinn should have been rejoicing at the fact that she had a relative on her mother's side, but all it did was fill her with dread. Why hadn't Emmeline or Mary told her that she had family on her mother's side? Quinn couldn't help but remember when Lucius Malfoy called her "the Dearborn girl". Did the other Dearborns know she existed? Why hadn't they reached out?

Quinn watched as Maddox Dearborn made his way to the Slytherin table and shook hands with Draco Malfoy. She felt sick to her stomach.

The rest of the night, Quinn was on autopilot. She stood and clapped when a Ravenclaw was announced and made small talk with her friends, but all she could think about was Maddox Dearborn and the family she didn't even know existed. She kept taking glances toward the boy all night, hoping that he would look at her, maybe send her a smile.

He didn't. He didn't look her way, not even once. Quinn didn't know whether to be disappointed or not. She didn't know what to feel. Her night had become a blur.

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WRITTEN: february 2024
EDITED: june 2024
WORDS: 3,358

AUTHOR'S NOTE! hello!! a new family member? what a twist lol

as quinn gets older im really gonna explore the other part of her family which im really excited for. i hope you all enjoyed this chapter! have a wonderful day :)