What If? Year 1

Chapter 23

We get on the train and Ara keeps checking on me.
"It just went away," I whimpered, "I thought I was going to pass out.. but it just went away." Ara nods.
"Who is Reg?" Ginny hesitated, "I'm guessing it's a name." My face turns bright red.
"A friend," I whisper, "he's not at Hogwarts.. I don't know exactly how to explain.." Everyone nods.
"Well it doesn't really matter," Luna says, "as long as you're okay." Ara smiles. Someone opens the compartment door.
"Can I talk to Goldie really quick?" Cedric asks, walking over to me
"Quick, Diggory," Ara giggles, patting my back as I follow him out. Cedric leads me a little ways from the compartment we just left.
"I want to tell you something," he says, putting his hands behind his back, "I've never had trouble telling a girl this, but for some odd reason.. it's really hard for me to tell you this.."
"Alright?" I reply, "is something wrong? Did I do something?" Cedric shakes his head and hands me a small box. My face turns pink and he smiles.
"Open it," he begs, "I want to see you're reaction." I open it and there was a small gold ring with leave outlining it. I smile and take it slowly out. Little words were engraved in the ring. I squint to read it.
Prettiest Girl 
I look up at Cedric and he's smiling. I slip it on my finger and it fits perfectly.
"I really like you, Goldie," he mumbles, touching my shoulder.
"Wow," I whimper, "Ced.. I love it.. and I like you too..." Cedric gives a sigh of relieve. He hugs me and chuckles.
"Oh thank Merlin!" he shouts, "we don't have to make anything official yet.. or but a label on it.. but would you like to go on a date with me when we get back to Hogwarts?" I smile and nod, my face turning bright red.
"It-t's a d-date," I stutter, and Cedric smiles even wider. Cedric takes my hand and takes me back to my compartment. Ara, Ginny, Heather, Rachel, and Luna were all waiting for us.
"Bye, Goldie," Cedric gushes, giving me a hug before leaving. All the girls look at me while I sit down.
"What was that about?" Ara asks, "why did he need to talk about to you about?" I look at Ara.
"He just wanted to give me my Christmas present," I smile, showing them the ring. The writing was on the inside so they couldn't see it.
"That's pretty," Rachel says, "did you get him anything?" I shake my head.
"But I will," I say, "we don't get to go to Hogsmeade so none of my Christmas shopping is done." Luna and Ginny laugh.
"I don't think any of us do," Heather laughs, "he must have gotten that when he went to Hogsmeade."
"He's so sweet," Luna says, "I understand why he's a Hufflepuff." I giggle.
"Yeah," I reply, "but he's also brave..." Ara elbows me and makes a heart with her hands.
"Shove off, Ara," I grumble, "we're just friends!"
"He got you a ring," Ara says, "he might want something more.." I shift uncomfortable eying her. She winks and turns her hair red.
"My parents were wondering if any of my friends wanted to come to the Burrow over the break," Ginny says, "we could hang.. and exchange gifts too." All of the girls nod.
"That sounds fun," Luna says, "And I can just walk from my house!" I laugh.
"That would be great!" Rachel smiles, "I don't know how I would get to your house, but I'm sure I can figure it out.." Heather nods.
"My family might be able to pick you up," I says, "Then we could just floo to the Burrow." Heather and Rachel nod.
"Yeah!" Ara says. For the rest of the train ride we all talk about our interests and what we planned to do over the break.

The train comes to a complete stop and people fill the hallway in between the corridors. We grab out trunks and make out way to the platform. Midnight and Snowflake were meowing at each other. I look through the crowd and find Evie. She was also looking around. She spots Harry and she dashes for him. I laugh as she runs straight into Harry. Ginny gives me a quick hug before going over to her parents. Heather and Rachel wave before leaving and Luna ruffles my hair before leaving. I find my mum in the crowd and Ara and I walk over to her.
"Hello, Goldie," she says, hugging me, "Hello, Ara.. I'm Mrs. Potter." Ara shakes her hand and I smile at her.
"Thank you for letting me stay at your house," Ara says, smiling.
"It's not problem at all," Mum says, "Goldie, your dad and Evie ran to Harry.. do you have any idea where they are?" I nod and point at where I had seen Evie run to. Harry and Evie were walking towards us and Dad was talking to someone. It took me a second to realize it was Cedric.
"Why is he talking to Cedric?" I ask Harry, as he gets to us. Evie gives me a quick hug.
"I don't know," Harry says, "are you scared?" I smack him and my face turns red. Ara snickers.
"Hey, Evie," I say as she stares at Ara, "this is my friend, Ara.. she's going to be staying with us for a while." Evie looks at her and smiles.
"Are you the girl that can change her hair?" she asks, recounting something I can said about Ara in my letters to her. Ara changes her hair to a bubble gum pink. Evie giggles.
"Cool!" Cedric waves to my Dad and Dad starts to walk over to us. He smiles at me and opens his arms for a hug.
"I missed you, flower," he says, as I run to hug him. He lifts me off my feet. I giggle as he sets down.
"This is Ara," I tell him, motioning to my pinked haired friend, "Ara this is.. my dad." My dad shakes Ara's hand.
"It's nice to meet you, Ara," my dad says, "I hope you don't mind me asking.. but is your hair naturally pink?" Ara shakes her head and changes her hair to match mine.
"I'm a metamorphmagues," Ara says, "and thank you for letting me stay at your house." My dad nods and points to me.
"Any friend of Goldie's is a friend of mine," he says, "she has a pretty good people.. reader.." Mum laughs at his poor choice in words.
"Let's just get going," Dad says, smiling.