Plot Twist [GEORGE WEASLEY]

62.

The Hogwarts Express gleamed in the late morning light pouring from the train into tunnel's mouth. Steam crowded the platforms along with the students on it. Amara sat on her trunk, Athena in her cage meowing, taking a moment to take it all in.

She was waiting for Luna and Amitee to arrive. They previously agreed on meeting each other and finding a compartment together. She had been the earliest to arrive. Insistent she had been to her father to go back to work. He didn't have to wait with her. Too bad for her. She wished to be sad, alone.

Melancholy sickened her heart in painful pulses. It was the final time she'll be boarding the Hogwarts Express to Hogwarts. Next time, she'll be leaving forever. Never to return. Her father seemed to know this as he refused to leave her till she got on the train.

"I know this is difficult for you, sweetheart," Zane rubbed her back, face contorted like he could feel her pain. "I'll be here. I want to wave goodbye to you, too."

She didn't know how to reply. Settling for squeezing his hand, she leant into his coat. Even though she felt like she was growing up too fast, it slowed down in the embrace of her father.

When did she grow up? What was the catalyst hastening the final year of her childhood? Adulthood loomed on the horizon. It was supposed to be exciting, liberating to escape the constraints of being a child.

Except, it terrified her to every crevice of her being. This is what she knew and loved. She walked barefoot in the lake of her childhood and adolescence, savouring the tepid water lapping below her knees. Every so often, it was turbulent and cold enough to make her shiver. Yet, she knew it would never truly hurt her.

To leave the lake was leaving something near and dear. Her limbs screamed it was wrong and it was safe here. She knew she had to leave it soon, anyway. It was unnatural for someone to remain as a child forever.

Across the platform, she distinguished two friends she wasn't waiting for. It was Fred and George. A smile warmed her cheeks as she watched them. They were unaware of her admiration and fondness.

From what she could see, their mother was fussing over the plight of their hair. She flattened their bangs down so it wouldn't stick up. They complied and as soon as they left her, side by side, they tousled their hair. Pretentious gits. She adored them.

"Amara!" A screech tore her from the twins.

Amitee was elbowing herself past huddles of children and parents, Luna attached to her. Amara got up and nudged her father. "They're here."

"We've to hurry, Amara. I left our trunks with the conductor. So did others. He might get them mixed up," Amitee said and introduced herself to Amara's father. "Hello. You must be Mr. Shacklebolt. It's nice to meet you, monsieur."

"That's Luna, Dad. She's two years below us," Amara patted Luna's shoulder, who waved dreamily.

Tipping his houndstooth fedora at them, he smiled and acknowledged his pleasure of meeting his daughter's friends. He reminded them of the trunks in the possession of the conductor. This made their heads swivel and feet scurry towards the train.

His back being achey, Zane was footfalls behind them, Amara's trunk in tow.

When he caught up, Amara noticed moisture forming at his tear ducts. A sadness welled in her stomach, rising towards her chest. Her lip trembled. "Dad, is everything alright?" She pleaded.

Amara didn't want to leave him without knowing everything was okay. Her father was important to her. At the slightest sign of something awry, she wouldn't get on the train at all and stay here with him.