1. Beginning of the sixth year

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King’s Cross Station was buzzing with its usual preterm chaos as Aria Sinclair made her way through the throng of students and parents

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King’s Cross Station was buzzing with its usual preterm chaos as Aria Sinclair made her way through the throng of students and parents.

Her father’s arm was wrapped around her shoulders in a comforting squeeze, and her mother gave her a warm smile, though her eyes were misty with the usual goodbye tears.

"Remember to write to us often, darling," her mother said, pulling Aria into a tight hug.

"Of course, Mum," Aria smiled, feeling that familiar pang in her chest. It never got easier, leaving her parents behind for another school year.

But she was eager to be back at Hogwarts, where her friends awaited. Her father hugged her next, ruffling her hair affectionately before kissing her forehead.

“Good luck, love. Don’t get into too much trouble,” he teased.

“I’ll try my best,” she smirked, stepping back to wave as she grabbed hold of her trunk. “I love you both!”

"We love you too, Aria!" her parents called in unison as she turned and made her way towards the Hogwarts Express.

As she approached the train, she felt a pair of warm hands cover her eyes from behind.

A familiar scent of expensive cologne and mischief filled the air. Aria grinned and rolled her eyes beneath  Lorenzo Berkshire’s palms.

"Guess who?" Enzo's voice teased from behind her, full of playful arrogance.

She let out a giggle. “Hmmm, is it the world’s most obnoxious Slytherin?”

Lorenzo removed his hands with a laugh, stepping in front of her. “Obnoxious? You wound me, Sinclair.”

Before she could respond, another voice chimed in. “Well, if it isn’t the lady of the hour.”

Aria turned to see Mattheo Riddle approaching with a grin, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Come on, where’s my hug?”

Without hesitation, Aria threw herself into Mattheo’s arms as  Lorenzo laughed, joining in for a group hug.

Mattheo and Enzo, being the teasing brothers they were, took the opportunity to ruffle her hair simultaneously, causing Aria to scrunch her nose in annoyance.

"Oi! I spent ages getting my hair to look good!" she protested, smacking both of them lightly on the shoulders as they stepped back, laughing.

“Oh, come on,”  Lorenzo grinned, “we’re just admiring your new look. Curtain bangs, huh? They suit you.”

“Yeah, really brings out your eyes,” Mattheo added with a wink, causing Aria to roll her eyes, though she smiled at their compliments.

"Thanks, boys," she said, flipping her medium-length hair over her shoulder with mock vanity. “At least someone notices the effort.”

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