TRULY REALITY [A Harry Potter Fanfiction]

44| Cancelled Trip

I sat with Anne during the train ride, and it was just normal. We were taking in the scenery one last time; this would be our final train ride to Hogwarts. 

It took about 9 hours to reach Hogwarts. So we played some games like Bingo, talked and then went to sleep. About an hour to reach Hogwarts, we both got out the compartment to stretch a bit and change into out uniforms. 

When we came back, there was a small note on the place I was sitting. I took it to see what it was. 

Who was it? Who could possibly sense that I was in trouble? And who would come and warn me about it?

"What's that?" asked Anne. "Nothing. Just notes that fell off." I said. 

We soon reached Hogwarts, and we got off the train. I knew that Harry would sneak into the Slytherin compartment. But when Hermione and Ron asked if I knew where he was, I acted oblivious to fact. 

Neville and Luna joined us in the cart that was pulled by thestrals. For a moment I was stuck because Luna should've found Harry. But then remembered that Tonks did that in the books. I wasn't really sure of the exact dates at all by this point. It had been about 3 years since I read the books and had any touch to anything that would happen here. 

I had to stay extra alert to pay attention to the months, and events. Which I hoped would not change as like it did last year, when the DA was caught earlier than it should have. 

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We were having our feast at the great hall, and Dumbledore gave the usual speech and stuff. It was getting quite surreal at this moment. About 3 years ago, I came here. Not knowing what was set for me. I learned at Hogwarts, lived with the Wealseys, did magic. But I also remembered how and why I got here. Alice. 

I looked over at the Ravenclaw table, where the spaces where the previous 7th years used to sit, was now occupied by first years who just started their journeys. I then looked at the Slytherin table, and Malfoy was looking over at me. 

Harry who was in front of me, turned behind and then asked, "Malfoy giving you trouble?" 

"No. Why?"

"Saw him come out of your compartment on the train."

"Didn't see." I replied. "Anyone else entered our compartment? Around 1 hour to reach Hogwarts." I asked.

"Don't think so." he replied. Is there a chance that Malfoy put the note on my seat? But why would he do that? 

----- 

The next day, classes started as normal, but the thing that I looked forward to was Hogsmede weekend. It was just the first day, but it was already tiring by half of the day. By about 3 days in, I saw Anne (who never went to the library to study) go to the library and spend 3 hours in there.

Soon it was Hogsmede day. It felt like forever though. Terrance had told me to wait near the Three Broomsticks, so that we could hang out. But as I was leaving the Hogwarts gates, and owl swooped near me and showed me it's talons; a note attached to it.

But the note didn't make me happy. I returned back to the castle, and sat near the Black Lake. The light breeze blew on my face, and it was nicer there, than sitting in the castle.

"I thought you're gonna go to Hogsmede with Terrance?" asked Anne. She was already ready to go to Hogsmede.

"I guess not. Terrance cancelled. Said he couldn't make it." I said.

"Oh. Well... We can hangout" she said.

"I thought you had plans." I said. She had made plans to go there with a few of her friends. And then from there, join a small group for a LGBTQ related meeting, where they would just talk and relate.

"It doesn't matter." She said with a smile.

"But this is your first meeting. Don't you wanna go?"

"You're more important." She said, and pulled me up by my hand.

That small statement, surely brought a huge smile on my face.

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We spent the day together, and in the end she did go for the first half of the meeting, because I compelled her to go.

Things were changing for Terrance, and I didn't know why. He didn't reply enthusiastically about his Wizengamot course, which he had successfully got into. He didn't initiate to sent letters anymore, and the one he sent me this week was extremely short. His course must be really hard.

I was walking back to the castle, when a girl stopped me.

"Hey Cassie Smith. I'm Cassie Smith." She said laughing.

She did indeed look like me, but with a few changes here and there. But she looked almost completely identical. Except for the height, she was a bit shorter.

"Woh...."said Anne.

On my confused yet amused face, the girl said laughing, "Just kidding. It's me Laura."

"What are you doing walking around like me?" I asked.

"Testing out spells? I changed myself using some spells. I'm gonna go back and change to look like me again." She said, and walked forward.

A month passed, and the problems just kept getting bigger.