Moonstruck | marauders era

iv. 'we're home'

Weird looks were given to the group of four standing by the carriage. Cassiopia and Dana ignored all of the students successfully while Skyler glared at everyone who dared to look at them and start whispering. They would think Gabriella Davies had gotten mad but Bella herself couldn't care less. She didn't care about people giving her weird looks as she stroked the horses forehead. It wasn't her fault that none of them was able to see the majestic creatures, though, she wouldn't want to be the reason for someone to see them.

Bella leaned her own forehead against the one of the creature in front of her, placing a small kiss on it.

„How are the Thestrals doing?" asked Cassie, an honest smile on her lips as she watched her friend. Through her eyes, it looked like Bella was stroking and kissing thin air.

„They look like they're doing great! Don't seem to be confused anymore about someone being able to see them."

Bella started seeing Thestrals at the beginning of their third year. She was at her grandparents house that summer and one day, while she was reading in the backyard, her grandfather passed away. He was sitting in his old chair and she was reading to him, looking at him every once in a while. He peacefully died in his sleep, she didn't even noticed it at first. She realised something was wrong when he wouldn't answer her questions.

Gabriella was fascinated when she first saw the horse-like creatures and started to do her research about them, realizing fast that her friends did not see the animals. Since then, whenever the girl needed time on her own, she spent time with the creatures, taking care of them and sharing her love with them.

She stepped away from the Thestral and joined Dana and Cassie in the carriage. Skyler gave one last glare to two girls whispering near them. The girls stopped talking as they spotted her angry eyes and Skyler followed her friends with a satisfied smile.

Arriving at Hogwarts, Cassie's heart was filled with joy. The big castle seemed like it was shining in the dark. The lights breaking through the windows from the inside mixed perfectly with the bright stars set in the sky. She couldn't wait for the great hall, the sorting, or the food. She was excited about her lovely common room and the people she would see again after summer. She loved her family deeply and she loved her village but this was home, too.

As the carriage stopped, Cassie left it with a bouncy step, being excited to finally step foot into the building in front of her.
Skyler, Bella and Dana stopped beside her and for a moment they all stood there, staring at the huge building. Dana smiled and looked from the castle to her friends.
"We're home."

The four stepped into the great hall and Cassie grinned at the noises around her. Laughter was filling the air and she enjoyed the happiness circulating the big room.

"See you tomorrow." Dana patted Cassie's shoulder as she moved to the left side of the hall to take a seat at the Slytherin table next to Regina Meadows.

"Say 'Hi' to Grace from us." Bella said and walked away to sit at the second table from the left, near her brother, Celeste Meadows and Benjy Fenwick.

Cassie spotted a head of blonde hair at the long table she was supposed to sit at. Near the girl was Noah, talking to a student that looked a few years younger than him.
She shared one last smile with Skyler before they parted ways to sit down at the two remaining tables. Skyler took a seat near Marlene McKinnon and Lily Evans and Cassie sat down next to her blonde friend.

Grace Fulton looked up and her eyes were shining with happiness when she spotted Cassie. The blonde squealed and threw her arms around her friend's neck. Cassie laughed and put her own arms around Grace's waist.

"I missed you so much!" Grace exclaimed and broke the hug to look at her friend. "How was your summer?"

She opened her mouth to answer when a loud creaking sound echoed through the hall. All heads moved to the huge doors that were closed by Filch. They were prepared for the first years; the big moment where they would see the great hall for the first time.