Fractured

On Our Way

Fall is here, hear the yell
Back to school, ring the bell
Brand new shoes, walking blues
Climb the fence, books and pens
I can tell that we are gonna be friends

- We're Gonna Be Friends - The White Stripes 

Chapter Twenty-Three
On Our Way

The long-awaited day finally arrived, and it was time for the fledgling wizards and witch to leave for school.

Hermione was outside helping Youssef load the trunks onto the roof of the van, while Draco comforted an inconsolable Nova inside the house. Lily wasn't coping well either; she had been tearful all weekend. Hugo had been sent to his room after a few too many 'good riddance' comments over breakfast.

As everyone was climbing into the van, they saw Taj standing outside the gatehouse holding a duffel bag and a broomstick, and talking to an old man.

'That's Samir,' Youssef said, pointing to the man. 'He's the new gatekeeper.'

'Why?' Nova sniffled. 'Is Taj in trouble?'

'Not at all! He only works during the summer. He's headed back to school. Actually, do you mind if we offer him a ride?'

Everyone agreed that was fine, and shuffled together to make room.

'Hey, Taj!' Youssef called, pulling alongside him. 'Need a lift?'

Taj glanced at the full car and shrugged. Up close, they saw he was about fifteen. Draco tied Taj's bag and broom to the roof while the boy squeezed into the seat next to Hugo.

'What kind of broom you got?' Rose asked him as Youssef pulled out into the street.

'Cleansweep.'

'That's cool,' she smiled. 'Do you play Quidditch?'

Taj nodded then turned to look out of the window. Rose's smile faltered, and she fell silent.

*****

Youssef pulled the van into the car park outside the market, which was closed for the day. The space had been magically expanded, and was now filled with hundreds of green school buses. He parked in one of the few remaining spaces, and handed the trunks down to the waiting parents below. Taj grabbed his backpack and wandered off towards his bus.

'First year buses are over there,' Youssef said, pointing to the furthest line of buses.

The three children took their trunks, pulling them towards the vehicles. Although the trunks had wheels on the bottom, they were heavy and threw up clouds of dust. They stopped nervously outside the buses Youssef had pointed to, each with a giant "1" on the front. Crowds of nervous parents were lingering nearby, waving to their children on the buses.

'Hello!' The bus driver said, smiling brightly. 'You all first years?'

They nodded to her, huddling together slightly.

'Great, there's room on this bus for all three of you. I'll just load up your trunks.' She took the trunks from their hands and slid them onto the compartment under the bus. They could see several suitcases, bags and trunks already stuffed into the space. 'We'll be heading out in just a couple of minutes, so say your goodbyes.'

They were all swept up into a huge group hug, everyone getting smushed up against each other as they all tried to talk at once.

'Be good!'

'Write soon!'

'We want to hear all about your adventures!'

'What? No! No adventures!'