Finding Neverland | George Weasley ✓

Chapter Thirty-Three

The day that Thea had been dreading the entire holidays had finally come. The day that Thea would have to face everything that she had been avoiding the entire holidays. 

She was going back to Hogwarts.

Today.

Yes, she was terrified. Terrified that people would finally see how much she had changed and how much the death of her brother had affected her. 

Thea wouldn't even have her parents to help her when she got to the station. Both deep within their grief, they had ignored their daughter all together, leaving Thea to have to grow up and manage herself. Amos hadn't even reacted when she told him that she would illegally enter a wizarding bar and find a wizard to make out with. Thea would never do that of course but despite her grief, she found herself pushing the boundaries. 

After checking that she had everything she would need for the year ahead in her trunk, Thea got ready to go downstairs and enter the fireplace to catch the Floo system to Kings Cross Station. Thea was about to shut her trunk when an idea came to her. 

Thea walked across the hall and entered Cedric's room. She hadn't been in here the entire summer, unable to face it all. The minute Thea walked an overwhelming sense of grief came over her. She managed to walk over to his bed and grab the knitted blanket that Anne had knitted for him when he was younger. Despite the tears obscuring her view, Thea was able to find the few stitches that she had knitted herself when her mother had tried to teach her how to knit. Thea hadn't had the patience and the stitches were all crooked but Cedric had once told her that it only made the blanket more special and unique. Clutching the blanket to her chest, Thea walked back into her room and squeezed the blanket in between her clothes. Heading downstairs, she hugged and kissed her parent's goodbye but the scary thing was that they looked like shells of their former selves, no emotion flickered across their faces as they just stared straight ahead. 

Thea struggled to fit her trunk in the fireplace and squeezed her tiny frame beside it. Within a few moments, Thea had arrived at Kings Cross Station.

Quickly wiping the few stray tears away, Thea headed over to the scarlet red train, feeling as it seemed like everyone's eyes were suddenly drawn to her and she could hear the whispers and comments directed at her. Thea held her head high and strode over to the train not making eye contact with anyone. She found an empty compartment, put her luggage on the racks and sat down, tracing the window pane with her finger. 

Thea jumped a little when the compartment door was suddenly thrust open revealing three small eleven-year-olds, two girls and one boy looking terrified that they had burst in on an older student. 

"S-sorry." One of the girls said. "W-we didn't m-mean to burst in like this. It's j-just-"

"Everywhere else is full." Said the other girl pushing her way to the front, she entered the apartment pulling her trunk behind her. She put the trunk away and then got comfortable on the seat across from Thea while the other looked at her wondering what on earth she was doing. "By the way, thanks for inviting us." She smiled at Thea and waved the other two in. 

The other two still left outside eventually decided to join their friend but they were just as taken aback as Thea was at the girl's bluntness. 

"I'm Laura." The girl who had invited herself in said. "And this is Skye and Scout, siblings." 

"I'm Thea."

"Lovely to meet you, Thea," Skye said in awe of her. Skye seemed extremely nervous about the whole prospect of Hogwarts but was put at ease when Thea started telling stories and exchanging tips. 

Her sibling, Scout reminded Thea of Cedric so much that it hurt. He was so caring and it seemed like he was always looking out for his sister. Just thinking about it nearly brought tears to her eyes more than once and of course, Laura noticed and pointed it out to everyone.

"You look dreadful," Laura said gesturing to Thea. "Like you are going to burst into tears any second."

The others quickly agreed with her and had asked Thea what was the matter when Laura pointed out another thing. 

"I recognize you from somewhere. But I can't think about where or how I would have seen you."

While Laura was left to ponder about where she had seen Thea before, the conversation turned to a very exciting topic for the three eleven-year-olds. What house they would be apart of.

"I'm going to be in Slytherin because that's where all the greatest wizards go." Laura boasted proudly leading Scout to frown and question her remark. 

"You do know, Laura that all houses all have great wizards in them. Just because you think that one house is better than the other doesn't mean that's right. It's opinion, not fact." 

"I couldn't have said it better myself, Scout," Thea said proudly. "Many people think one house is better than the other but it really isn't true. Each house has its own unique traits and many unique people in them."

Laura glared at Thea and Scout and crossed her arms in defiance.

"I want to be in Hufflepuff." Skye piped up from the corner where she had been watching everything unfold. 

"Well, Hufflepuff is an extremely good house but not better than the others. Despite the common room being near the kitchens." Thea added. 

"Are you in Hufflepuff?" Skye asked her eyes wide in astonishment. 

"I am."

"Well I heard from the Slytherin common room you can see the giant squid."

"Really?" Scout asked extremely curious. 

"Yep, it's right under the Black Lake."

"That's so cool." Scout exclaimed his obvious thirst for learning ignited. 

"Let me guess." Thea began. "Scout, you want to be in Ravenclaw?"

"Correct!"

Laura quickly gasped. "I know where I recognize you now!"

"Where?" Skye asked.

"I saw you in the prophet with your family! You are the sister of that guy who died in the tournament!" Laura said with a slight smirk. 

"What?" Skye exclaimed. "That's you?"

Scout had already reached into his bag and pulled out a copy of the daily prophet and began to read the article about Cedric's death. 

Cedric Diggory died from unknown causes on the 24th of June. Harry Potter and Cedric Diggory arrived back at Hogwarts after seemingly winning the Triwizard Tournament together. The details of his death have not yet been discovered despite Mr. Potter claiming that Mr. Diggory had been struck by the killing curse. 

Mr. Diggory left behind his parents, Anne and Amos Diggory who are both stricken with grief and a sister, Thea Diggory (pictured here) who are all very upset and demanding answers about what happened to their son and brother. 

Scout looked up from the newspaper and Thea was met with three solemn faces, some more genuine than others. 

"Excuse me." Thea quickly left the compartment leaving the others behind. 

"That wasn't very nice, Laura. To point it out like that." Scout said.

"Me? You are the one who read the blasted article."