The Letter

TRAINRIDE

Aurelia's POV

It was finally the seventh year at Hogwarts and I was so excited to finally finish school. It was a bittersweet feeling, but I knew this year would be good. I boarded the train with my best friend Alexander, who helped me by carrying my luggage into the car off the 9 3/4 platform.  I've known Xander since he was four. He was young when his parents passed so we took him in and we have lived together ever since. He is my best friend and has always been there for me.

"Are you ready for our last year here, Ari? I'm a little disappointed, but I think it'll be fun. We can live it up in the Slytherin dorms." Xander smirked, looking at me over his shoulder. I was following him into our usual compartment that our friend group sat in. Blaise and Pansy were already there.

"I'm excited but a little sad for our last train ride." I giggled.

I sat in the booth opposite of Blaise and Pansy while Xander was putting our luggage in the rack high above my reach. I had tried reaching it my first ride in year one, but I was too short. Xander took my luggage and was tall enough to reach it. Ever since then, he has always done it for 6 years straight.

Xander gave me the window seat like always. I looked over across at Pansy. She and Blaise were laughing about something together.  I wished Pansy would leave. I hated that bitch. She took the attention away from me.

I saw Draco coming towards our compartment through the glass, and felt my stomach flutter. I looked into those silver, distant eyes and I looked away, feeling my face flush. I looked down at his shiny black shoes. They looked expensive as always. I smiled to myself thinking about how he was so predictable on the outside but complicated on the inside.

He sat down next to Pansy next to the window. Draco looked stressed and tired, with dark circles under his eyes.

"You guys excited to go back to Hogwarts for your last year?" Pansy joked.

I looked at Draco, but he wasn't paying attention. His eyes looked as distant as ever. I shifted my feet and accidentally kicked him.

"Sorry." I muttered. He didn't even notice.

I decided to look out the window, while Xander was reaching into his bag to check out our new books for this school year. Watching the grass roll by was some what soothing. It made me feel a bit sad this was my last time going to Hogwarts and the feeling of excitement in my stomach.

I was starting to doze off when Pansy said something to us.

"What?" I asked, coming out of my day dream. The sun was starting to slowly go down.

"Let's play spin the jar." Pansy repeated, while smirking. "Who wants to go first?"

She picked up a jar that miraculously spawned next to her, and placed it in the middle of the table that doesn't exist in the movies (until movie 6) and books.

"I'll go first." I offered. I gripped the jar tightly and bit my lip, feeling nervous. I swallowed my saliva anxiously. Xander stood up to put his books back into his bag.

As he was sitting back down I spun the bottle and it miraculously landed on Xander. I looked up and laughed. We've been best friends for as long as I can remember so kissing him on the cheek doesn't phase me.

Draco on the other hand looked pissed. He picked up the bottle and pointed it at himself. I gasped feeling my face turn crimson red in shock. I felt flustered from this odd gesture.

I've known Draco for years but he's never acted like this. He was always cold and distant towards everyone. He seemed different, almost like he was more territorial now. Well, except that one time when we were young... but that was under certain circumstances.