𝒍𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒂𝒛𝒆 - pjo x hp [₂]

xxix. the pre-seventh year rap battle

"𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐑, 𝐋𝐄𝐓'𝐒 𝐆𝐎."

Raya followed Tonks through the barrier and onto Platform Nine and Three Quarters. Behind her, Kayse, Moody, and two grim-faced Aurors appeared. Remus had already left for his Order mission, wishing Raya and Kayse luck as Head Boy and Head Girl.

Sirius on the other hand, was still an infamous face, one that probably shouldn't be outside the Hogwarts Express on such a busy day. He'd been a little miffed, but agreed to stay at Grimmauld Place at Raya's behest. He and Rosie were in the middle of a game of Uno as they'd left.

Raya yawned, doing her best to just keep her eyes open as she moved along. Beside her, Kayse yawned as well.

Thanks to Walburga Black's early morning screeches, neither of them had gotten much sleep. On top of that, she woke up while they were running around and trying to get ready, causing a ruckus and driving them all up the wall again.

It wasn't a very good start to the day.

Raya looked around, hoping to catch one of the Weasleys, or Harry and Hermione, but the platform was too crowded for her to spot anyone.

Suddenly, a pair of hands gripped her shoulders and shook her way too violently for that early in the morning.

"Elias, you little shit," Raya grumbled. She glared at the Muggleborn boy, unable to even pretend like she was mad. With a small smile, she pulled him in for a hug.

"You wanna go look for a compartment?" he asked. "And see if we find Thomas or Nathaniel or Cierra on the way?"

"What about Cho and Meredith?" Raya asked, regretting the question the second she said Meredith's name.

Elias winced, "Yeah, um, Meredith's still got that pimple problem going on from when she ratted the D.A. out and she's scared to talk to us, even though we're not all that mad anymore. She and Cho are gonna be sitting alone or something, I'm not even too sure. That's all Cho told me in her last letter."

Raya nodded, understanding why Meredith was so scared to talk to her friends. She'd betrayed the D.A. and was the reason for a lot of shit to go down afterwards. Surprisingly, Raya wasn't as disappointed by the news as she thought she would be. Losing friends, changing friendships — it was a part of growing up, just like Kayse said.

"Anyways," Elias said quickly, "let's go find a place to sit."

"We need to go the Prefects compartment," Kayse reminded him. "We'll stop by after we address the Prefects."

"OH YEAH!" Elias exclaimed, grinning like a little maniac. "Head Boy and Head Girl, what a lovely little surprise. Congratulations, and I'll assume this means you two will let me go on any mischief you ever catch me doing."

"When did we ever stop you?" Kayse laughed. "By all means, become the next Weasley twins. I'm not gonna rat you out."

"Depends on my mood," Raya joked.

Elias laughed, "Okay, okay. I'll see you guys on the train. Have fun!!"

Raya and Kayse said goodbye to Tonks and Moody, heading on to the Prefects compartment. Slowly, the compartment filled up with all the other students who'd been given Prefect duty. The older ones were arguing over what ice cream flavour they wanted, while the younger ones were sitting straight-backed and serious.

Raya and Kayse exchanged glances, but didn't tell the younger kids to eat the ice cream. It was a weird initiation ritual — made to see how long it'd take them to break.

"Chocolate truffle?" Thomas said, holding out a cone for Raya. He turned to Kayse, "And Rocky Road?"

"Thanks, T," Raya grinned, taking the ice cream.