The Raven's Call

Homeward Bound

Saturday, June 13th 1992

The emotional morning I have NOT been looking forward to. I begin to pack everything up and get ready for the 9-hour train ride home, maybe I'll read my favourite book on the way back.. again. I drag my suitcase out of the dorm and Wingardium Leviosa it down the stairs with Bandit on my shoulder. I say goodbye to my Professors before making my way out of the castle and towards the Hogwarts Express, Asteria, Alex, Hermione, Neville, Harry and Ron joining us.

I hug my dear friend Alex goodbye, as he only lives in Hogsmeade, so no train ride for him. I watch as Asteria and he shake hands before we join the others on the train, waving goodbye to Alex and Hagrid before finding a compartment together. I sit in a room with Asteria and Hermione, we laugh and joke together about the events of our first year at Hogwarts. "Why did we ever think our first year at Hogwarts would be normal with Harry Potter around?" I ask rhetorically, making the two girls giggle. "I just know the next few years are gonna be just the same." Asteria says with a grin. "Oh please, don't jinx us, Asteria..!" Hermione laughs softly, I join in on the laughs. "No matter what happens, our friend groups will have each other's backs. Promise?" I ask, holding out my pinky. Hermione and Asteria lock their pinkies with mine, both giggling at the mess of hands and fingers. "Promise!" They say in unison. 

I stay in the same compartment the whole train ride, though Hermione and Asteria both leave to visit their other friends, Hermione: Harry and Ron; and Asteria: Draco and the Slytherins. And I sit by myself, reading one of my books before hearing a soft knock at the door, I look up to see Cedric with a goofy grin on his face. I wave him in and he sits opposite me, crossing one leg over the other. "How was your first year? You and Bandit enjoy it?" He asks, crossing his arms as he leans back. "Is it always that eventful?" I ask back, closing my book. He chortles softly. "No. It isn't, but I have a feeling that Harry Potter is one to make the next years just as eventful as this one."  I smile back at him. "I loved it. I can't wait to see what happens next." I say with a grin.

Once the train pulled into Kings Cross Station, the multitude of students begin filling out platform 9¾. Cedric takes my hand, leading me out of the train, making sure he doesn't lose me in the crowd. I notice a family of gingers all reuniting and smile as I catch Fred's eye while he gives me a wave. I wave back before seeing Asteria and Draco being almost scolded by their father, an angry scowl on his face. Though Lucius Malfoy always had that look. "Cedric! Atticus!" I hear, the familiar voice of Amos Diggory, warmly greeting us. He almost bear-hugs Cedric before giving me a short and sweet embrace. It's always like this, though I don't mind. I know Cedric is the favourite. Why wouldn't he be..? 

The drive back home is long and boring. Amos and Cedric talked the whole time about his year. I was never once asked how my first year at Hogwarts was. Nor did I end up telling them I was taking advanced lessons with both Flitwick AND Dumbledore. I would've taken out my book to read more, but I was waiting for my turn.. which never came. I notice Cedric glance back at me, a look of guilt on his face. I know he feels sorry for me, though it's not his fault.

***

I spend most of the summer reading and studying. I borrow Cedric's third year school books, so I can learn more, though some of these spells I already know. I converse with Asteria and Alex via the journals, working on spells with Alex and Asteria, who confides in me about her father's words and actions. I also receive a few owls from Hermione, telling me about her Summer, and an owl or two from Fred. Just Fred. Which was fairly strange as the twins usually do most things together, but I appreciate the gesture nevertheless. I send the Marauders Map back to him, now that we have our journals, I no longer have need of it. Cedric tries to include me in the things he and Amos do together, though I usually refuse and continue staying in my bedroom, making no noise and pretending that I don't exist. I just can't wait to get back to Hogwarts.