Helium | Harry J. Potter

37

HARRY's POV

This summer was one for the history books and I wish it wasn't already over. I've never wanted to not go to Hogwarts more than now.

Stefan just dropped us off at the platform and we're trying to find Ron and Hermione. Alura ran off once she saw Daphne, leaving me alone.

As fun as this summer was, I can't help but feel like Alura has been distant. Once she got back from vacation with Daphne's family - you guessed it, Stefan let her go - she was acting strange.

I had asked what was wrong but she waved it off and said nothing. She spent about three hours in her room and then finally came out, acting normal again.

On the bright side, I did get the tiny umbrella I requested.

I finally spot the Weasley's, they're always hard to miss. From what it looks like, Fred and George are nagging Ron, and Ron is just making faces at them.

Ron looks relieved when he spots me and runs off from his family. Ginny follows after him, who is then followed by a frantic Mrs. Weasley, trying to not lose all her children.

"Oh, Harry, dear!" Mrs. Weasley beams and hugs me. "I haven't seen you since... Hm, maybe last summer?"

We saw each other last year when she dropped off Ron, but that was briefly.

Mrs. Weasley lets go and turns to Ron and Ginny. She says goodbye to them and then forces Fred and George to as well.

She rushes all of us onto the train since it will be leaving any minute now. I look around for Alura before boarding, just to make sure she's already on the train. We don't need another incident where we have to take Mr. Weasley's car again.

We found Hermione on the train. She saved us a compartment. I should've known, she's early to everything.

After small talk for a few minutes, Hermione mentioned, "Have you heard? A new student is joining our year."

"Joining this late? Why?" Ron asked.

Hermione shrugged. "All I know is that he's a transfer from Ilvermorny."

"An American?" Ron questioned. "That hasn't happened since... Well, ever."

"I'm sure there have been American's at our school," I replied to Ron.

Hermione shrugged, waving the topic off. "Where's Alura?"

I shook my head with a sigh. "Somewhere on this train, hopefully."

Hermione and Ron share a look. "Are you two okay?"

I furrowed my brows at Ron's question. "Why wouldn't we be?"

"That's not an answer."

I shut my eyes briefly and put my head against the seat. "I don't know. Ever since Alura got back from vacation with Daphne, she's been acting strange."

"Meaning?"

"She wouldn't really let me be affectionate with her, um, then when we asked how the vacation was she shut us all down. The closest I got to touching her was when we-"