Maggie

Chapter 26 - Return

 The reactions from my peers were mixed when I materialised onto platform nine and three-quarters. Many of them, mostly Slytherins, waved at me. Tasha spotted me from across the platform and dragged Anniki over to me, hugging me tightly. As I peered over her shoulders through her thick curls, I noticed most of the kids around me were confused rather than happy to see me, like they were wondering what I was doing there.

McGonagall hadn't told the school why I had disappeared. They knew absolutely nothing, still. My reappearance would be met with as many rumours as my disappearance had been. I dreaded the thought.

But, as Tasha pulled back and Anniki pulled me in for a hug instead, I pushed the thought from my mind. This was why I had come back. To see my friends and return to some normalcy.

"I'm so glad you're back, G. Tasha was going crazy!"

"Oh, shut it, you! I was not." Tasha laughed her luxurious laugh, glowing with happiness at the sight of me. I smiled wider than I had done for months at the sight of her.

Of all my friends, I had missed Tasha and Anniki the most, only because they had not been allowed visitation by McGonagall. It had hurt to be away from my other friends, but at least I had been able to see them. I was only allowed to write to my Hufflepuff comrades. Tasha and I had owled each other weekly, Anniki enclosing notes or postscripts into Tasha's letters.

I looked at the pair of them. Tash's face was full and coppery, tanned dark from her holidays. She had filled out, curvier and more feminine than she had been in our first year. It suited her very much. Her smile was as radiant as it always was, a row of perfect teeth flashing in my direction.

Anniki had grown into a slim, willowy frame which matched her doe eyes and fawn, feathery bob perfectly. She was taller than me now, and she grinned down at me with a shy smile, cheeks rosy and eyes shining.

"You're looking good! Both of you. God, it's great to finally talk to you both in person again. I heard you've been looking after Enzo for me?"

Anniki rolled her eyes, but her smile stayed in place. "He's insufferable. You know it as well as we do. But, he would never do his homework without us nagging him."

"Anyway," said Tasha. "Now you're back he can be your problem again. Though I hope you're still up for our library hang-outs. Potions makes me literally cry."

I laughed. "Of course, Tash. I'll do all your homework for you in return for the honour of your attention."

I had tried to sound sarcastic, but she gave a snort of disbelief and replied, "I'll be holding you to that, princess potions."

I winked my nose. "Eww. And I thought 'G' was a bad nickname."

They both snickered at that and turned away to the train as Gianna approached me and linked my arm in hers.

"So, you've finally come back! Thank god. I've been dying for a female to talk to. How am I meant to complain about chic stuff to a bunch of teen boy thugs?"

My face was aching from smiling as I pulled my friend into a tight hug. She held me to her, squeezing. Then she pulled back, her arms still around me.

"Geez, Maggie. I can feel every single one of your ribs."

I grimaced. "I'm eating, I promise."

She fixed me with a stern look. "Not enough, clearly. But whatever. You recover in your own time. Just know that for this entire year, I'm not letting you out of sight at dinner until you've eaten something. Even just a mouthful. I want to make sure you get better." Her face pinched and I saw moisture collecting in her dark, black-lined eyes. "I'm not losing you again, bitch."