Incendio

Chapter 23: The Brenna Family

The newest Hogwarts Gazette meeting on the train to Hogwarts was the smallest they'd ever had. They were down a few members, Daphne had chosen not to return since her row with Colin. Marietta was of course permanently banned from the group. It was only Neville, Ginny, Ernie, Colin and Samantha. They would desperately need to have auditions. They were going to make up for the last very dismal year. The best part of the meeting was when it was voted that Artie would become the unofficial mascot.

Samantha was rather over romance since dealing with the complications of breaking up with Lee. Watching Ginny and Dean canoodle was not at the top of her favorite activities, so she chose not to follow them to a compartment.

"You can find somewhere with me if you'd like Sam." Neville offered and Samantha breathed a sigh of relief. There couldn't even be an inkling of  romance if she went and sat with Neville. She respected his bravery and enjoyed his friendship, but there was a nice safety in knowing she wouldn't have to spend the ride watching him snog some girlfriend.

She followed him and found a compartment with Luna and Harry. Luna embraced Samantha in a hug of epic proportions and Harry mildly waved at her.

"I've missed you." Luna exclaimed.

"I missed you too." Samantha insisted before Luna motioned to Artie who was perched on Samantha's shoulder.

"Who's this?"

"She's Artie, the new mascot of the Hogwarts Gazette." Neville answered with pride.

"Is she from Fred and George's shop? I saw that Lee works there." Luna asked.

Samantha felt a jab in her heart as she said it out loud, "Yeah, Lee gave her to me."

"Your article in the quibbler sold quite a few copies." Luna changed subjects. "We're really on the upswing."

"I know, your dad wrote to me. Let's not talk shop though, I want to hear about your summer with the Crumple-Horned Snorkaks." Samantha crossed her legs beneath her. She actually did, they had gone to Sweden and it was always interesting to hear about people's travels.

At that moment Neville dropped Trevor and the little toad hopped beneath the seat. He crawled around on the compartment floor and confirmed her romance theory.

"It was quite an adventure. I'll tell you more another time. Harry said he isn't doing D.A. this year." Luna announced.

Samantha looked up at Harry, "You are kidding right? I learned more in D.A. than I ever did in Defense Against The Dark Arts."

"Well, there's no point now that we've gotten rid of Umbridge." Harry shrugged nervously. 

Neville bumped his head on the bottom of the seat and sat up with his toad, "I liked the D.A. I learned loads."

"I enjoyed the meetings." Luna revealed. "It was like having friends."

"Come join the Gazette with us." Neville suggested. "You can too Harry if you want."

"Oh I'm rotten at writing." Harry chuckled.

"I've read your writing, it is ghastly. You really should just keep the D.A. going." Samantha interjected, the moment she and her mum were ready for an attack, Harry's words had gone through her head.

Neville's toad escaped again, he was crawling around and looking for Trevor again.

A group of fourth year girls had congregated outside of their compartment. A girl Samantha recognized as Romilda Vane came in and asked Harry if he wanted to sit with them. "If you are looking for better company."