SAFE HAVEN

Coming Home

Disclaimers:

This is a Harry Potter AU

In order to keep the fame of the Golden Trio, they defeated Voldemort in year two, avoiding the second wizarding war

Fred, George, and Lee are all one year older than the main characters, instead of two

Nikki Haven

Running through the wall and emerging onto platform 9¾ wasn't nearly as electric as it was first year, but it surely never lost its magic. The noisy station was packed full of families sending their kids back to school, some eager for peace and quiet and some dreading being without their children for the next 4 months. Not far away, the faint sobs of a mother sending her little girl off for her first year could be heard through the crowd.

Uncharacteristically alone in the station was Nikki Haven, pushing her cart ahead towards the train. She looked young for sixteen, causing some concerned faces to turn to her as she made her way across the platform unaccompanied. Nevertheless, she was almost of age, and beyond excited for another year at her favorite place.

Back at home, she had spent all morning getting ready. The work certainly paid off as her dark brown curls were perfectly shaped as they framed her round face, bouncing with every step up onto the train.

She knew she would be the last of her friends to arrive, as their parents made sure they were there quite early. Unlike them, she had a fairly complicated situation. By birth she was pureblood, but her parents were lost in an accident far less tragic than the Potters. Orphaned at such a young age, she was adopted by a pair of muggles and raised like any other muggle child. Receiving her letter at eleven was much more shocking than it had been for her pureblood Slytherin friends, or even her half blood fellow Hufflepuffs. It wasn't until arriving at Hogwarts that she learned of her true heritage, taking her rightful place in the House of Haven.

Hurriedly making her way down the corridor, she eagerly searched the train for her brunette counterparts. While she was busy looking for her Slytherin peers, she hoped to run into her Hufflepuff crew. Her and Ainsley Alcove had been together since first year, being sorted into the same house and hitting it off right away. Ainsley was the picture of Hufflepuff: super sweet, loves everyone, works hard in her classes. She's also an incredible photographer, which made for great memories of Nikki and their other friends.

After about a minute of racing through the train, she came face to face with her favorite Hufflepuff.

"Alcove!" Nikki exclaimed as they both recovered from literally running into one another.

"Nikki! It's been too long - how was your summer?" She asked sweetly as she always does.

"It was pretty boring to be honest. I mean I love spending time with the 'rents but I seriously missed you and school. I wish I could've written! But you already know--"

"No owl" they said at the same time, making them both laugh.

"What have you been up to?" Nikki continued.

"Well I spent most of my time apparating around Europe with Reg, with it being his last summer with the family"

Reggie was the eldest Alcove. Him and Ainsley had always been really close, and he always used to look out for his sister and her friends back when he was in school.

"I can't believe it's our first year not being in school with him"

"Right! Now people will finally believe I can hold my own without him hovering all the time. I love him to death and I know I'll miss him, but I'm excited to talk to whoever I want without being constantly watched over"