Emerson Wilmore was an exemplary Ravenclaw student, known for her unwavering dedication to academics and an unyielding moral compass. However, things took a twisted and deviated turn in her life after her boyfriend, Cedric Diggory, was murdered by L...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
The courtyard buzzed with the chatter of students, the creak of trunks being loaded into carriages, and the occasional hoot of owls or meows from cats in their cages.
The air was warm, the promise of summer thick around them, but Emerson felt a strange ache in her chest: a blend of anticipation and apprehension. Her trunk was packed and her owl cage empty, with Jupiter soaring off home on her own, but she felt like there was something missing.
Olivia was beside her, practically glowing with excitement. "I can't wait to see George," She announced for the fifth time that morning, her voice practically bouncing. "He's been sending me letters nonstop this past week, you know. Fred says he's been unbearable. I think it's cute." She giggled, glancing over at Emerson. "Isn't it cute?"
Emerson forced a small smile, the image of George and Olivia's reunion flashing in her mind. "Yeah, it is. I'm sure he has been counting down the days."
"He has," Olivia agreed with a dreamy sigh. "He's meeting me at the station with Fred when we arrive. He sent me an owl this morning saying he can't wait to see me. It's only been a month since Easter, but it feels like forever."
Emerson smiled, the warmth of her friend's enthusiasm seeping into her. "You're practically glowing. He's going to love seeing you like this."
"I think he's got this whole plan for us this summer, starting with me visiting Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. He's been dropping hints about taking me to the Burrow. Can you imagine? I'll finally get to meet Mrs Weasley properly. Fred says she's dying to interrogate me."
"I'm sure she will love you," Emerson laughed softly, though her mind wandered. She let Olivia's excitement wash over her like a distant melody, but her thoughts drifted to Mattheo. The warmth of his smile the night before. The way his hands felt on her skin. The way her heart ached at the thought of not seeing him for three whole months.
Olivia's voice broke through her thoughts. "Speaking of summer plans. My parents are dragging our family to Italy for four weeks. Can you believe it? Rome, Milan, Sicily, Venice, Florence. Ugh, it's going to be so boring."
Emerson blinked, snapping out of her daze. "Boring? Liv, that sounds amazing."
Olivia grinned and nudged her playfully. "I know, I know, I'm just being dramatic. But," She paused, her grin widening. "I want you to come with us. Mum and Dad won't mind, and it'll be so much better with you there. Imagine it. Gelato, gorgeous Italian boys, and no Umbridge to ruin it. We can lounge by the Mediterranean for a month."
Emerson opened her mouth to respond, but her voice caught in her throat when her gaze drifted across the courtyard. There he was. Mattheo stood by one of the carriages, his trunk in hand, chuckling at something Enzo either said or did. She couldn't tell from the distance. Theo was already climbing into the carriage, but Mattheo lingered, as if he knew someone was watching him.
