The Threads That Bind Us

Chapter 2

Before Fidelity knew it, Friday had arrived. Fidelity and Ava had arranged to meet after lunch. Fidelity's parents gave her some money, and then she traveled to Diagon Alley by apparition (she had recently passed her test).

Fidelity and Ava met in front of Flourish and Blotts. After purchasing their books, they made their way to a few other shops for the rest of their supplies. Later, they stopped by Florean Fortescue's for some ice cream.

"So, I've been dying to hear," Ava began, her hazel eyes sparkling with curiosity, "how was your summer? Any exciting news?"

"Not really," Fidelity said with a laugh, "just a lot of reading and working on my plant collection. And, of course, getting ready for the final year. How about you?"

Ava grinned. "I spent the first part of summer working in my grandparents' shop. It was actually kind of fun. They have all these muggle gadgets that are pretty fascinating. Then, I went on a mini trip with my sisters. We explored some charming little towns."

"That sounds amazing," Fidelity said, genuinely interested. "What was your favorite part?"

"The trip!" Ava said enthusiastically. "We found this quirky little café that had the best scones I've ever tasted. I think we might have to make it a tradition."

They continued chatting, sharing stories and catching up, until Fidelity noticed some familiar faces.

"Hey, aren't those some of your old housemates?" Ava asked, nodding towards a group of witches and wizards who had left Hogwarts the previous year.

"Yes, they are!" Fidelity said, waving excitedly. "Let's go say hi."

They approached the group, and Fidelity was pleasantly surprised by the warm welcome they received. After a few minutes of catching up, Ava and Fidelity said their goodbyes and headed back to where they'd started.

Fidelity's trip to Diagon Alley was uneventful, but it had been pleasant. She always enjoyed seeing her friend outside of school. Sometimes she wished that Ava was in her same house. But then again, she loved Ava the way she was, and that meant she was a Gryffindor.

*****

Fidelity slept in as late as possible on September first. She had done all her packing the evening before. She got up two hours before the train left and got ready. Then, she had breakfast with her parents and her youngest brother, Carter, who was four years older than her. The house felt quieter with her three other older siblings already moved out, and she knew it wouldn't be long until Carter left too, which made her sad. But then she remembered this was her last year at Hogwarts and she wouldn't be around much longer either.

"Good luck this year," Carter said, giving Fidelity a warm hug. "And don't forget to write!"

"Of course," Fidelity said, hugging him back. "I'll miss you."

With her family's farewells, Fidelity and her parents traveled to Diagon Alley by Floo Flame, then made their way to King's Cross Station. When they arrived there, they quickly walked through the barrier to platform nine and three quarters. Amid the chaos of the station, Fidelity gave her parents long hugs, and with her trunk in one hand and the birdcage in the other, boarded the scarlet steam engine.

Fidelity searched the train for Ava, eventually finding her alone in a compartment. "Hey, Ava!" Fidelity greeted as she settled in opposite her. "Looks like you've got the compartment to yourself."

"Yeah," Ava said, smiling. "I was starting to think you'd gotten lost!"

"Never!" Fidelity replied, laughing. "Just a little late."

The whistle sounded and then the train began to chug out of the station.

"Well, this is it," Ava said, looking out the window as the scenery began to change. "Our last year."

"I can't believe it," Fidelity said, staring at the passing countryside. "It feels like we just started our first year."

Ava nodded. "I'm excited and nervous all at once. There's so much we need to do."

Fidelity agreed, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. As the train chugged along, she thought about the adventures and challenges the year ahead might bring, hoping for memorable experiences and perhaps a bit of the romance she had always dreamed of.

A few minutes later, the door of their compartment opened. "Hey! How are you guys? Mind if we join?" Penny asked.

"Please do!" Fidelity replied.

Penny and Cameron sat on either side of Fidelity, Josh next to Ava.

Ava had hazel eyes and brown hair that went just past her shoulders; she was also a good bit taller than Fidelity. Penny and Cameron were twins. Penny had very light blonde hair and blue eyes; she was close to Fidelity's height. Cameron had sandy hair and green eyes; he was rather tall. The twins were Fidelity's closest friends in Hufflepuff. The other boy, Josh, wasn't very tall; he had brown hair, brown eyes, and tan skin. He was in Gryffindor.

For the next hour, the five friends filled each other in on their summers. Fidelity's summer wasn't very eventful, but she thoroughly enjoyed hearing about her friends' holidays. Penny and Cameron spent part of their summer in Italy visiting their aunt who was living there temporarily. Josh had spent a week in France with his parents and brothers. Ava spent the first part of her summer working in her muggle grandparents' shop with her older sisters.

"Anyone fancy a game of exploding snap?" Cameron asked about two hours into the trip.

"That didn't go too well last time, mate," Josh reminded him.

"Oh, come on!" Cameron insisted. "It'll be fun."

"Alright, alright," Josh agreed with a laugh.

After a few rounds, they decided to call it quits. While Fidelity's four friends caught up on some last-minute homework, Fidelity decided to read because she had already finished all her homework. About an hour later, the plump witch showed up with the food trolley. Fidelity got a couple of chocolate frogs, a sugar quill, and some pumpkin juice; her friends got a couple of treats as well.

Halfway through the trip, Josh went off to meet up with his other friends. Not long after that, a Ravenclaw girl came in asking for Penny and Cameron. Fidelity used the lack of company as an excuse to take a nap. She lay down on the bench and fell asleep to the sound of the train chugging along.

Fidelity woke up just in time to change into her robes before the train arrived at Hogsmeade station. She watched the beautiful Scottish highlands until the station came into view. Fidelity and Ava left their compartment and got off the train. As they disembarked, Ava was recounting a story animatedly.

"Can you believe that?" Ava asked, her voice rising in disbelief.

"You're joking! There's no way!" Fidelity was looking over at Ava when she was knocked to the ground. A Slytherin boy had walked right into her. He was looking over his shoulder when it happened and hadn't seen her.

"Oh my goodness! I'm so sorry! Are you okay?" he asked, helping Fidelity up, clearly apologetic.

"It's okay," Fidelity said, brushing the dirt off her robes and blushing slightly. "I'm fine."

"Are you sure? I really didn't mean to. I wasn't looking and-I'm so sorry," he stammered.

"It's totally okay, I promise," Fidelity said with a kind smile. "I'm alright, truly."

"Okay then," he said awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. "I'll see you around." He left quickly.

Ava giggled as they walked to the carriages. "That was something!"

They climbed into a carriage, and as they rode up to the castle, Fidelity looked forward to the year ahead, feeling both excited and nostalgic. By the time they reached the great wrought iron gates, she had forgotten all about the encounter.