The Golden Group

Alice

The exams go by faster than a hungry hippogriff. After me and Rose make the highest scores for our exams. I now am looking at my packed luggage laying on the ground in our beloved common room. I look around at my friends, the people I have been sharing a room with, jokes with, secrets with. My friends.
It's always a sad time, the end of the year. Everyone saying their goodbyes and last minute confessions. I hate goodbyes. I dislike goodbyes more than all of the few things I strongly dislike. Goodbyes mean there might be no next time, no time to smile together again. Goodbyes mean a piece, a small hole in your heart. Gone. Until next time. If there even is one.

"All aboard!" A man yells as many excited kids rush onto the train in a lumpy group. I lost Rose earlier and now look around for my friend as I am pushed forward onto the train. As everyone moves around noisily to their own coach. I see Albus and Jane sitting together with a few Ravenclaw students and I see Valerie sitting with Scorpius with Phoebe wrapped around his arm. That's not my old friend, he seems different, more sad and lonely. Quickly I walk to past his compartment and find Rose with James, Lily, and Hugo in a compartment. I slid in between Rose and James.
"It's been a wild year," I tell Rose and she nods.
"Are you ready to go back next year?" I ask her.
"To be honest yes because I'm going to show up and show Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy that his friendship means nothing to me," Rose spits and looks out the window.
"Just give her some time it'll blow over," James whispers to me and I nod.

A few minutes later the candy trolley passes by and everyone loads up on chocolate frogs and other strange assortments of snacks.
"Ha! I win again!" Hugo cheers from his spot in front of me.
"Not fair, Hugo!" Lily complains angrily.
"I can't help is if I'm the champion of wizard chess," Hugo says smugly resetting the game.
"Oh please Hugo I could beat you with my eyes closed and you know it," Rose brags.
"Wanna bet?" Hugo asks.
"Yea baby brother. Who ever wins gets their house from the others' treat pile," Rose suggests and they shake on it. I smile and lean into James and he puts his arm around me.

"Take that Hugo!" Rose shouts,
"Checkmate!"
Hugo groans and Rose picks some of Hugo's sweets.
"It's not fair Dad taught you," Hugo complains.
"Dad taught you too. I'm just better than you," Rose brags and I smile. Hugo scowls and Lily and him start talking.
"Do you have any plans for summer?" I ask James and Rose.
"Quidditch, hanging out with cousins, the usual," James tells me.
"Quidditch, reading, family, wizard chess, going to the Ministry, oh and I'm going to France with Mum, Dad and Hugo," Rose says," What about you?"
"Hanging out at the Leaky Cauldron, planting, maybe some Quidditch, reading, and hanging out with friends and family," I tell them and look at the window. The grassy knolls passing and the blue sky darkening. I think back to this year. Gryffindor winning the Quidditch Cup and the House Cup. Dating Albus then breaking up with him and dating James. Allison showing up and wreaking havoc. The chemistry between Rose and Scorpius. Us becoming animagus and supposedly the Golden Group was formed. Hours of studying, playing Quidditch, and hanging out. Valentine's Day being not ideal yet amazing.
"Alice you ok?" James asks me and I look at him.
"Yea just my thoughts are everywhere," I tell him and he kisses my forehead.
"Just know I'm here for you," He says and I smile and nod.
"I'm going to go change," I tell James and he nods. I grab a pair of jeans, a pale yellow blouse and sandals then go and change.

Once I come back the rest of the train ride goes by in a snap. It's filled with conversation, laughter, and games. Finally the train pulls into 9 3/4 platforms. We get off the train and I wait by the wall for my dad, mum, and Sam.
"Alice!" James shouts and runs to me.
"James don't forget to write me," I tell him and he plants a kiss on my lips.
"I'll miss you birdie," he whispers pulling apart and I smile.
"I try to come by some day," I tell James and he nods. We hug and he runs off to the rest of his family. I see Rose's wild red hair speeding towards me and I smile.
"Rose don't forget to write and please try to come over this year. Sam is going to be out of the house in a week and I'll be terribly lonely. And I know it's hard with your mum's job and your dad's time at the joke shop but I real-"
"Alice in your best mate of course I'll write and come over," She tells me and I smile. I give her a quick hug and she disappears with the rest of the Weasley clan. Finally I navigate through the crowd and find my dad and Sam with mum.
"How was it?" Mum asks.
"Very interesting," I tell her and she smiles.
"That's wonderful," Mum replies.
"We better get home so I can pack up for my new flat," Sam says and mum and I frown, "I know it's sad Alice but I'm out of Hogwarts and I'm on my own."
"I understand. It'll be weird next year without you there," I say. It'll be weird even if Sam was there. My only close friendship left standing is with Rose. I'll be dating my ex's brother and I can't even imagine Rose's anger at Scorpius for their silly fight and for him picking sides with Phoebe and Allison. The sad thing is next year there will be no Golden Group. The Golden Group is over.