Feather and Blade

Chapter One - New Beginnings

I had spent most of the summer busy. Between doing extra work for the ministry, going on adventures with Sebastian Sallow, and raiding poacher camps with Poppy Sweeting, I barely had a true break. Yet I was excited, and a bit relieved, to be returning to Hogwarts.

Hogwarts... the place I had called home for just a year, and yet it still felt like the only place I truly belonged. It's halls offered a safe place for me to wander, and it's fireplaces a warm spot to rest by. It was the place I experienced loss, power, and knowledge all at once. Where I had found a family.

"Y/N!" Natty tackled me in a bear hug. She had spent the summer with her mother in Uganda and we hadn't seen each other since the school year ended, only exchanging a few owls through the summer.

"Natty! I'm so happy to see you again!" I exclaimed. Truly I was happy to see my best friend after what felt like forever.

"You must tell me about your summer while we unpack," she said, pulling my arm toward our dormitory.

"Okay, okay," I laughed, glad to have such an enthusiastic welcome back. "What do you want to know Natty?"

"Everything! Adventures, your ministry work, if you have any new crushes."

She raised her eyebrows at me on the last part. I hadn't mentioned any crushes to Natty during our time together fifth year, but I know she knew I had them. She had asked once last year if I had a crush on Sebastian, but I think my reaction of hysterical laughter made her realize that wasn't going to happen. He and I were strictly just friends, and we both planned to keep it that way. While I did have my eye on someone, I wasn't quite sure if I was ready to tell anyone.

"Well... where do I start," I said. I began to tell Natty of all my summer adventures. The animals Poppy and I rescued, doing ministry work and occasionally dragging Sebastian along, and even learning piano with Ominis.

"What about you Natty? How was your summer in Uganda," I asked, hoping Natty wouldn't ask about a crush again.

"It was fantastic! I truly wish you could have joined us," she started. I continued unpacking, listening to Natty relay her summer to me.

The door to our dorm opened and a prefect stuck their head in.

"Reminder that you need to be at the Great Hall in ten minutes. The first years will be arriving soon," she said before leaving us.

With that Natty and I began getting ready and heading to the Great Hall with the rest of our house. Chatter flew amongst them, most catching up after not seeing each other through the summer. There were even a few mentions about if we would get another mysterious fifth year again. It make me chuckle, thinking that even now my entrance last year was still remembered, even with everything else that had happened.

The Great Hall was decorated with every house color in preparation for the new first years arrival. I looked around at the other house tables, trying to see if I could spot any of my friends. I spotted Sebastian first, his arm immediately going up in a wave when I entered. He reached down and grabbed onto the wrist of Ominis, forcing him to wave too. I even got a smile out of Ominis once Sebastian actually told him who he was waving at. Imelda even gave me a half wave, which truly I wasn't expecting. We had a bit of a rivalry after I beat her at her flying courses last year, but it had also sparked an unlikely friendship of sorts. I continued scanning the tables, looking for more friends. That's when I saw her.

Poppy Sweeting was floating about the Hufflepuff table, hugging a few people, and exchanging small trinkets with others.

"Poppy!" Natty let out, waving her arm above her head.

"Natty! Y/N!" Poppy yelled, running over to tackle us both into a hug. "I've missed you both so much! I mean, of course, y/n I saw you over the summer, but still! And Natty, how was Uganda? You will HAVE to tell me all the details soon!"

"I would love to Poppy! Maybe we can all head to the Three Broomsticks later this week to catch up!" Natty chimed, clearly excited to have our little group back together.

"That would be fantastic! I can't wait!"

"If everyone could take their seats, they are going to bring in the first years," Headmaster Black stated, forcing Natty and I away from Poppy. I watched as she skipped back to the Hufflepuff table and squeezed in between two of them.

I spent the entire sorting ceremony staring at Poppy. Every time Hufflepuff gained a new student she was the one smiling the biggest and clapping the loudest. She even clapped loudly when Gryffindor got new students, occasionally glancing over to me and smiling. She was mesmerizing me by just being her normal friendly self.

"Oh y/n, you've barely eaten." Natty frowned.

"Oh uh... yeah I guess I just got distracted by the sorting ceremony. I didn't really get to experience last years," I lied. I didn't want Natty to know the real reason I was distracted. "I can always sneak to the kitchen later and grab something."

Natty rolled her eyes. She hated that I was always sneaking off, but after a year together I think she was starting to accept it was just something I was going to be doing.

"Fine, but you better only go sneaking off INSIDE the castle. I expect to see you actually in your bed this year," she said.

"You will, you will. Promise. No more late night adventures."