Deus Fax Machina

Back Home to Hogwarts

Soon enough Sophie was under the billowing steam clouds of the Hogwarts Express. The return journey to Hogwarts passed swiftly compared to when Sophie had left for Ireland.

'Sophie!'

Parvati and Lavender struggled through the crowds of students. Sophie hugged them both and the three girls boarded the train to find a compartment. The nine hour ride was passed with extravagant tales of travel and adventure, family and gifts. Sophie got a great reaction retelling her bonfire story, but she kept the kelpie incident to herself.

When they arrived, there was a magnificent feast awaiting them, of course. Sophie spotted Harry, Ron and Hermione enter not long after herself.

'Sophie,' Hermione waved. 'Over here.'

Sophie was disappointed in herself for being excited to see them. She had been determined to be annoyed Hermione hadn't let her know they were safe after their mysterious end of term exit. Sophie reminded herself she hadn't written to Hermione either.

'Hi guys, how were your holidays? I didn't see you on the train?'

'Eventful. We didn't take the Hogwarts Express.' Hermione said.

'Oh, did you have a good Christmas?'

Ron shrugged and looked at Harry. Harry nodded.

'Did you have a nice time in Ireland?' Hermione looked around.

'Yeah, it was nice. Ron, how's your dad?'

'Yeah, good.'

Sophie could tell that was the end of the conversation. With a quick glance to check Fred and George weren't nearby, Sophie made her way back to Lavender and Parvati. The trio was as secretive as ever.

'Who are you looking for?' Lavender asked as Sophie sat down.

'No one.'

'He's not here yet.' Parvati said.

'Didn't he reply to all your letters.' Lavender stuck her bottom lip out. It was obvious who they were talking about. Sophie felt her cheeks grow warm.

'No, I just realised he didn't.' In her embarrassment of having a kelpie take George's form, Sophie hadn't noticed the real George never replied to her letter.

'Oh. Oh no.' Lavender reached across the table took Sophie's hand. Parvati giggled.

'Don't worry, Soph, I'm sure he was just busy.'

'I'm not worried about that, I saw –'

'They're here!'

'Lavender!' Parvati elbowed Lavender and Sophie was again spared having to bear the details of her frolic with a mystic swamp horse.

'Mathilde, why?' Sophie said under her breath as the twins walked in. The whole hall stopped to greet them. There were high fives, handshakes, questions about new products; Fred and George were Hogwarts celebrities (to everyone but the Slytherin table that is, they continued to stuff their faces). Sophie turned and through all the students she caught George's eye. He looked away, but not before Sophie caught what could have been guilt flicker across his face.

Lavender and Parvati changed the subject abruptly. As her two friends chattered and caught up with their housemates Sophie tried to enjoy the feast.

'Sophie, wait up.'

Sophie, Lavender and Parvati stopped at the foot of the marble staircase. George was making his way through the crowded entrance hall towards them. He made a group of first years look particularly small.