Plot Twist [GEORGE WEASLEY]

7.

Amara shut her trunk close with a BANG!  Her heart was going to jump out of her chest. For the past few weeks, she had done things with intense zeal. May it be her homework, making her bed or even eating in the Great Hall. The anticipation of Christmas made her blood buzz with delirium. Amara called this phenomenon, the Holiday Bug.

Now she was getting out of the bath. The bathrooms at Hogwarts were lovely. Grey marble floors and walls, faucets gleamed bronze, lovely floor length mirrors. The old era architecture made Amara's mind sing. She scanned her reflection on the steam-covered mirror.

A loud banging on the bathroom door pulled her from her thoughts. Camilla yelled for her to stop hogging the bath. The pair then exchanged playful insults at each other. Amara was happy, actually happy. 

Today the Hogwarts train was going back to London for Christmas. All the students were bright and early, devouring their food in the Great Hall.  Everyone was wearing their casual clothes. Amara herself wore a green dress, pants and leather boots. Her navy blue hair was tied half-up and down. 

The 'Holiday Bug' had spread throughout Hogwarts. Dumbledore hummed as he took a shot of eggnog. McGonagall laughed with Trelawney, which was odd. Professor Flitwick was hanging baubles on a large Christmas tree located near the teacher's table. The mood was cheery for sure. 

Rose bounced up and down her seat. Amara could feel her excitement buzzing in the air like electricity. Gina was smiling really big, which unsettled Amara a bit. Gina was more of a 'cool smirk' kind of gal. Excited, Camilla was telling them about the plans she and her family had made.

The teachers soon announced it was time for the students to leave for the train. Amara and her friends filed into an empty carriage, dragging their bags and animals cages. "Athena! C'mon! Make it easy on me for once," whined Amara, trying to grab Athena.

Athena meowed in protest. The entire term at Hogwarts, the cat had been asleep. When Amara had awoken the hairy beast, she had been scared by the aggressive mews which had emitted from her cat. Eventually, Athena yielded when Amara sprinkled cat treats inside her cage.

The long train ride was filled with conversations of nonsense, childish laughter and teasing towards Rose. Apparently, Rose had taken a certain liking towards Peter, James' friend. She had received multiple nudges from them when Peter walked by.

Amara's cat acted menacing when the trolley lady came by. Amara felt pity for her trapped cat, so she let her out briefly. She regretted that choice. As the door opened, Athena meowed and jumped off her owner's lap. With a sigh, Amara followed the jailbreak cat. 

The Athena's black fur zoomed in the aisle. Multiple students shrieked at the sight. Muttering apologies, Amara stayed in the pursuit of the feline. The feline slinked into an open compartment. Athena could have not picked a better hiding place. A familiar blonde stood there. Cass. The Ravenclaw was wearing a fancy outfit, her blonde hair wearing a rhinestone clip and her pout red.

"Your disgusting feline needs to know where it's going!" She retorted.

Red, hot anger rose up in Amara's chest. Her fists clenched. The compartment was occupied by three other dimwit students. Cass' current boyfriend, her best friend, and an unknown boy. Cass' friend pointed at Athena, who lurked underneath her seat. As she was scooped up, Athena thrashed and hissed.

"Quiet, you little shit!"

Amara gave her cat quite a scolding. As if responding, Athena meowed and hissed at Amara's sudden change of tone. The hostile exchange lasted until they got back into their own compartment. Athena's punishment was a horrid cage which she despised. Sad purring echoed from the walls of Athena's confinement chamber.