The Voyage of the Caterpillar

Epilogue

I stood on the platform of the tree house, looking at the Hufflepuff Common Room. I was happy that I had convinced the other rescued caterpillars to live at Hogwarts with Fairy Wings. She was very kind to us and had arranged to build us a caterpillar-sized tree house that fit perfectly in one of the many plants in the Hufflepuff Common Room. We had been living in our new tree house for about a week, and it was a better home than we could ever have imagined.

As I stood there on the tree house deck, I heard a rustle. It was my friends- Patil, Kingsly, Hermy, and Trixie.

"Hey, Fletcher! Fairy Wings' friends just made us some amazing leaf wraps, and we're having a feast inside! Want to come?" Kingsly offered.

"We're all there!" Patil added.

"No, thank you though..." I sighed.

"What't the matter?" Kingsly asked, concerned.

"I'm just not that hungry."

"Suit yourself!" Patil and Kingsly turned and headed back inside the tree house, leaving me, Trixie, and Hermy out on the deck.

"You know, Fletcher... You should join us. I'm happy you convinced us all to stay here. I've never liked staying in one place so much!" Hermy said.

"I'm glad I made you happy, Hermy," I gave a small smile.

"Thanks again, pal," Hermy turned around and headed in.

"Fletcher... There really is something wrong, isn't there?" Trixie approached me.

"N...no..." I stammered.

"Come on, I know you're not telling the truth."

"You want the truth?"

Trixie nodded.

"I... I just feel that something isn't complete here... I mean, in the forest, I had a best friend. We fought a lot, but we were close. I have a lot of friends here! You, Hermy, Kingsly, Patil... But something doesn't feel right. I just don't feel the thrill of adventure I had with Crystal in the Thicket."

"Crystal, that's her name. Was she a caterpillar?"

"No, she was a dragonfly..."

"What happened to her?"

I started to cry. "Trixie, she's dead... We were exploring together, and... And...

"And what, Fletcher?"

"A bird came and ate her. That's... That's why I was lost in the forest. That's when I met you..."

"Oh, I'm so sorry..." Trixie comforted.

"It doesn't matter. I'm here with Fairy Wings and Hannah and everyone else now. I'm happy."

"Fletcher... You want adventure, don't you?" I could feel her coming closer.

"I have it admit, I do like adventure... Although traveling like Hermy used to is a bit too much for me..."

"I know you want it, Fletcher. Just think... We could have the biggest adventure here at Hogwarts... Together, you and me!"

"How?" I asked.

"There's so much of the castle to explore. We can go anywhere!"

"Maybe... But where do we start?"

"We can start... Right... Here." And with that, she leaned in and kissed me.

I smiled. I had never felt happier. "You're right, Trixie. Start right here."

And with that, we headed into tree house.