𝙑𝙄𝙍𝙄𝘿𝙄𝙏𝙔 ➞𝘏.𝘎

one hundred three

"New Beginnings"

-THE NEXT DAY, EVERYONE WAS BUSY PACKING. Adhara and Pansy were doing the same. Their dorm room was cluttered with books and clothes.

   Pansy broke the silence by saying, "I can't believe we're finally leaving for the last time. Hogwarts has been our home and now we have to search for something else that'd feel like home."

   Adhara watched as Pansy packed up her clothes and folded it before putting it in her trunk. She sighed and did the same, carefully putting her books inside her own trunk. "I know. I'm going to miss this place and the common room, even though it was a bit too cold sometimes," she joked.

   Pansy let out a small laugh. Then, she looked around the room. "I'll miss everything. Our late night talks and us drinking away our problems at night sometimes."

   Adhara chuckled, closing her trunk when she was done. She turned to her friend and crossed her arms, her smile slowly fading. "I'll miss you so much, Pansy."

   Pansy smiled sadly. "I'll miss you more, Ara." She replied.

   "Am I going to see you after we leave this place?" Adhara asked, already thinking about how much she would miss her bestfriend. She didn't want to lose Pansy.

   Pansy shrugged, not knowing the answer herself. "I don't know. Probably yes, though. Hannah and I want to find something to do together, maybe a business or something. I dunno."

   "Well, I hope it all goes well."

   In their usual compartment, the four Slytherin friends were laughing with chocolate frogs in their hands, reminiscing over their time in Hogwarts.

   "Do you remember the first time we got on the Hogwarts Express? We were all so nervous and excited." Draco sit, biting into his chocolate frog.

   Pansy laughed and nodded. "Definitely! We tried so hard to look calm and composed, but I remember us peeking through the windows, almost jumping out of our seats in excitement when we saw the castle!"

   Adhara smiled at the memory she had missed. Since she had joined Hogwarts in third year, she wasn't as attached to the castle as the others were. But she still had attachment to it, and yet, she wondered how deep the others' attachment ran. "I joined later than you all did, but I remember how nervous I was about fitting in with everyone, even though I tried to hide it behind a mask of being uncaring."

   Blaise grinned at their friend. "I think we were all a bit anxious when we first arrived. You fit in perfectly, though. It was like you'd always been a part of the group."

   Adhara gave the boy a smile. "Thanks, Blaise."

   Draco sighed, his eyes on the greenery outside as the train passed through. "It's hard to believe it's all coming to an end. We've been through so much together and now it's time to move on to another chapter."

   A silence passed over them as they thought about it.

   "Well, what is everyone's plan for the future?" Blaise finally asked, wanting the air to seem lighter and less suffocating.

   Pansy was the first to reply, "Hannah and I might start a business. Now that I'm thinking about it, I kind of want to start maybe a fashion business. Something to do with gowns and suits, I reckon."

   "That's an amazing idea, Pansy!" exclaimed Adhara in awe. She looked away and looked at her friends, more specifically her brother as she answered, "I think I might become an auror."

   Draco's brows raised. He knew she thought about it last year during their trip to the Ministry, but he never expected her to be serious about it. "Whatever makes you happy, Ara." He finally said, earning a smile from his sister. "What about you, Blaise?"

   "I'm moving to Italy," announced Blaise with a sheepish look, earning gasps from his friends.

   "We won't see you again?" Adhara asked, worry in her eyes. She loved Blaise, truly. He was an amazing friend. He always knew how to make the mood better by his jokes and grins.

   He shrugged, an apologetic look on his face. "I dunno. But if I ever do visit, I'll be sure to let you guys know. I'll send you all letters every week."

   "You better!" Pansy exclaimed with a cross of her arms, frowning in sadness. "What about you, Draco?"

   Draco shrugged, not knowing the answer to that himself. It seemed like everyone had plans but him. "I dunno. I think I'll just sit down with my father and have him advise me and choose for me."

   "Whatever you think works for you, Dray." Adhara said supportively.

   "To new beginnings, then?" Blaise gave them a sad smile.

   "To new beginnings." They all said in unison.

   "We better all keep in touch!" Pansy exclaimed as she pulled away from the group hug she shared with her friends.

   The three nodded, promising to do so. Satisfied, Pansy left to her parents. And so did Blaise to his mother. And finally, so did Draco and Adhara to their parents.

   "Welcome to the real world," said Lucius with a teasing smirk on his face.