[Hogwarts Between] Platform Nine and Three-Quarters: Cyrus

[Margaret Dean]

Patrick McCartney wrote:

> > --- Margaret Dean <margdean at erols.com> wrote:

> > >     Cyrus found himself swept into a crowd of people.
> > > He looked back and saw nothing but a plain brick wall.
> > > Suddenly, Eugene swept out of nowhere and took him by
> > > the arm. He began to steer Cyrus through the press of
> > > people towards the cart, guided by Barnaby's faint
> > > hooting. Cyrus looked around himself, and couldn't
> > > help but snicker at the odd assortment of clothes
> > > people were wearing. One man had managed to put the
> > > coat of his 3-piece suit on backwards, and was trying
> > > to figure out what he couldn't move his arms.
> > > Another gentleman, wearing a flower-patterned
> > > evening dress, was talking to a lady in knickerbockers
> > > and a one-piece bathing suit.
> >
> > [ Rollback:  The descriptions of the people who have
> > arrived is very good.  We need to roll back the last
> > paragraph.  The train can't be seen at this time. ]

"Some wizards don't come to London very often," Eugene told him
apologetically.

> > In front and to the left of Cyrus is one girl about
> > his age with an old man.  Just in front of him is
> > another girl about his age with a lady.  To his right
> > is a black fence.  To his left there is the corner of
> > the brick building that is behind him.  Beyond the
> > corner is a boy holding onto a trunk and looking back
> > and forth as if he is looking for something.  Everyone
> > has an expresion of concern.  They are all mulling
> > around as if they do not know what to do.
> >
> > Cyrus can't see any train.

His father looked up and down the tracks in a bewildered way. 
"That's odd.  That's very odd.  I've never known the Hogwarts
Express to be late into the station," he said.

While they were waiting, Daphne finally appeared on the platform,
along with Gideon and Gerald.  The two older boys snickered even
louder than Cyrus had when they saw some of the odder get-ups. 
"Ickle Cyrus should fit right in," said Gideon.

Eugene was still looking worried, but at last the sound of the
approaching train could be heard.

> [ Sync Event: This is where the "Expectations Fulfilled" event happens.
>  This is not the end of the thread. ]

As the hissing steam engine finally pulled into the station,
Daphne grabbed Cyrus in a fierce hug.

"You take care of yourself, love," she whispered, blinking
rapidly.

"Send us an owl as soon as you can," Eugene encouraged Cyrus.

The carriage doors opened with a crack.  Eugene grabbed Cyrus's
arm with one hand and his trunk with the other.  "Let's hurry! 
The train always fills up fast."

With his family's help, Cyrus was bustled onto the train and soon
found himself in one corner of a compartment, with his luggage
(including Barnaby's cage) in the rack above.  On the platform
just outside, his parents were waving frantically while Gideon
and Gerald, standing behind them, made horrible faces at him.


--Margaret Dean (on William's behalf)
  <margdean at erols.com>