Gwen Bennett Song didn't surround herself with many people. She didn't go out of her way to make new friends or to be seen by others. She actually preferred to remain in the shadows and unnoticed. She was fine with what she already had; a small grou...
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The day had arrived once again; the 1st of September, and with it, children of all ages swarmed to the Hogwarts Express. Everyone was ecstatic about the start of a new school year. Most weren't too excited about the start of classes, of course, but rather about the return to the magical school and all the joys it brought with it.
Usually Gwen was among those people, happily greeting the start of a new school year. However, as she found herself walking the halls of the train, performing her duties as a Prefect, she found herself wishing summer had lasted longer.
"Why in the world would Dumbledore allow her to continue being a Prefect?"
Gwen did her best to act as if she hadn't even heard the snickering of a group of fifth year students as they passed by her. She liked to think she was getting good at it. Ignoring the gossip and whispers, that is. Letting them get to her was a whole other story. She wondered whether neglecting her duties and simply hiding away in a compartment for the rest of the journey would make her a bad Prefect. The fact that the question itself had the words 'neglect her duties' would suggest that the answer to it was yes.
"If you ask me, I'd expel both her and her brother. Merlin knows what having them around school may do considering who they're related to."
As she passed yet another whispering group, Gwen realized nobody was even trying to be subtle around her. They didn't care if she overheard them. Everyone knew she wouldn't do a single thing, unlike her brother. Around him people simply shut up once he got close enough. The silence wasn't a subtle thing either, but at least they didn't want him to hear the horrible words they were saying.
Gwen shook her head, trying to get the thoughts out of her mind. There was nothing she could do. She couldn't dock points because they'd insulted her or were gossiping, and considering confrontation had never been her strong suit, she didn't want to start something she certainly wouldn't be able to finish.
And so, as another mass of snickering passed by her, Gwen finally decided that in that moment, she didn't really care about being the exemplary Prefect. And so she decided to turn back and go look for either any of her friends, or at the very least a free compartment (something that sounded quite impossible halfway into the train ride). However, as she spun on her heel, Gwen had to take evasive action to avoid slamming into the person who'd come up behind her.
"Sorry, I've been calling your name, I thought you'd notice."
"Sorry, I didn't realize you were there."
Both parties apologized in the same moment, their voices coming out in unison and making them lapse back into a silence. It was somewhat an awkward one, but didn't last long as Gwen soon found the words to break it. "You said you were calling my name? Did you need something, is everything alright, Harry?"
"Oh, well I know you've been waiting for me to tell you when Padfoot and Snowflake reply to the last letter I sent." Harry whispered quietly, even though the hallway they occupied seemed to be empty at the moment.
"Have they responded?" Gwen asked, unable to hold back the small shine of hope that appeared in her eyes as she heard Harry's words. The delay in their latest reply had not only Harry worried, but also Gwen and Oliver.
"No. It has me worried. Do you think we should talk to Professor Dumbledore when we get to school?" Harry asked, wanting to know what Gwen thought of his idea. He had no proof that something had happened to either one of his godparents, but the lack of communication and information on why it was happening aside from the usual (being on the run and all) had him wishing there was something he could do. Some way that he could make sure they were safe.
And Gwen understood that perfectly well, she too felt the same way. However, she knew there was no way they could do that. Not without bringing forth too many risks for all that were involved. "I doubt he'd be able to help Harry. He knows almost as much as we do about where they are right now."
"You're right. I just wish we could do something." Harry let out a heavy sigh.
"Has your scar been hurting any more since the Cup?" Gwen asked. She wasn't the first person Harry had told about it, but when he planned on sending the letter to Sirius and Nadia he admitted why he was doing it to Gwen.
"No, not since that night." He said shortly, not really wanting to get too far into it. And Gwen could see that, which was why she didn't push any further on the subject.
"They'll reply soon, you'll see. And everything will be alright." Gwen said in a gentle tone, hoping to reassure the Potter boy at least just a little bit. She had no way of knowing whether she was right and that would be how it turned out. But they could hope. No news is good news...
"Thanks Gwen. If I get anything I promise I'll come find you." Harry swore, bringing a small smile to Gwen's face. She knew he would, he always did. "I better get back to my compartment." He added on soon after, knowing that by now Ron, Hermione and Olivia would be wondering what was taking him so long.
"And I should get back to my Prefect duties. At least one of us will do what they should." Gwen said, her tone somewhat sarcastic and the words making Harry send her an odd look. "Ridgeway can take care of the running children. Merlin knows docking points will fulfill his otherwise empty life."
"Gwen... Are you, uh, well...?" Harry wasn't sure how to ask the question on whether the Hufflepuff girl was alright. Considering the fact that she'd completely tuned out his calls before, and her words now, he suspected the answer wouldn't be a yes.
"I'm fine, Harry, really. Just annoyed." And worried. And scared. And angry. And missing her mum. And wishing she had her brother's confidence. And... Well... She was feeling a lot of things, but Gwen doubted dumping them all on Harry would yield any result other than making the poor boy uncomfortable.
"Oh, alright." Harry mumbled, somehow suspecting that was really true, but he knew not to pick at it further. "I'll see you around, Gwen."
"I hope you enjoy your first night back." Gwen sent him a small smile, about to walk away, but in the last second she turned back to him again. "Just not too much fun please, I'm hoping for a calm year."
