There was a darkness lurking on the edge of the horizon, a war to end all wars approaching. Lord Voldemort was returning, and there was nothing they could do but be prepared for when he did, no matter how many people were killed in the process.
...
The wolf grinned a wolffish smile as she sprinted through the grounds of Hogwarts, the wind ruffling her fur and her paws slamming against the earth so fast she felt as if she were flying. The world was nothing more than a blur to her as she let out a howl, her tongue hanging out of the corner of her mouth. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Minx scurrying across the earth, scampering closely behind her and leaping over rocks and logs in a flurry of red fur. Shadow stormed along behind them, trumpeting loudly as she bounded across the earth.
Midnight reached the far tree first and grinned, leaping onto a log as she transformed so that when Alyssa appeared, she was leaning on her elbows and smirking. Minx followed, skidding to a stop and transforming into Jess, a scowl on her features. "I win!" Alyssa grinned, laughing at the look on Jess's face. "You cheated!" She huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. "Wheres Millie?"
"You could have at least waited!" A voice came from behind them, and Millie stood leaning against a tree, her chocolatey eyes narrowed and a glare on her features. "Sorry, M. Got carried away." Alyssa grinned, ruffling her hair. "What time is it?" Jess asked as Millie glanced down at her watch. "Three. We should probably head back, classes start in five hours and we need some sleep."
"Okay. Race you?" Alyssa asked, and before the others even got the chance to answer, Alyssa took off in a sprint and started shrinking, thick white fur covering the length of her body as the wolf appeared. "Alyssa!" Jess shrieked, quickly transforming into the fox as Millie huffed and started after them, a grin breaking out onto her features.
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Harry had been a nervous wreck as soon as they got back from Hogsmeade earlier that night. He was silent, keeping a strong grip on Alyssa's hand, and despite not saying anything his meaning was clear. Don't go. Please stay. I need you. So she didn't go.
Ron and Hermione didn't talk about it, and Millie and Jess already knew to change the topic of conversation to try and get the boy's mind off the day's events. They had gone upstairs to the crowded common room, Fred following behind and holding Jess's hand, seeming to understand that they couldn't talk about what had happened and that Jess would tell him in her own time. He wouldn't rush her, he cared about her too much for that.
When Harry had come back down into the common room the next morning, the first thing Millie did was straight up say that he looked awful. "Gee, thanks Millie." He chuckled, his voice drenched in tiredness. The common room was completely empty except for Ron, who was eating a Peppermint Toad and clutching his stomach, Hermione, who had spread all of her homework out over the three tables, Alyssa, who was reading Romeo and Juliet by the fireplace, and Millie and Jess, who were both immersed in a game of exploding snap.
"Where is everyone?" Harry frowned, sinking into one of the armchairs. "Gone. It's the first day of the holidays, remember? It's nearly lunchtime. I was going to go up and wake you in a minuet." Ron said, looking at Harry apprehensively. "I offered, but it would have involved a lot more cold water than if Ron had done it, so he wouldn't let me." Alyssa shrugged, not looking up from her book, a small smirk tugging at her lips.
