After the War.

Fifth Year.

The drive was quiet as normal but when the station was met I didn't get out of the car alone. Melissa held a door open and grabbed my cat carrier from her backseat. My luggage was grabbed by me and so by the time both of us had collected what we could see my things were out of the car.

"So, this school that you go to. How can I trust them with you? Hermione was lovely and Elliot was more than obliging but he has a thing for you. Adults are always different as well. Do they treat you well and what about your other friends?" She had been in the dark for so long it felt wrong for her to be talking to me about it but she had a point. Melissa knew nothing of the school or the people in it.

"I will write weekly and will make sure the bird doesn't leave until you respond. I can send pictures to you and they move so you can see me laugh and I am sure that I will do something to warrant a letter home this year. Elliot and I are just friends. He is all kind and gentleman like because he is the only one I have told about my issues." Melissa didn't believe me and so I walked on. Trying not to laugh or smile at her face. She was accusing me of not being honest to myself and also her.

"So what do we do?" We stopped at the wall we had to pass through and I suddenly pushed her. She fell through the wall and I followed quickly after her as the train came into the station. It was nearly time for departure so it was timed perfectly.

"Warn a girl next time," She spoke exasperated by my actions and I laughed at her. Wiping down some imaginary dirt from my clothes. Looking down and checking that my jeans were sufficiently clean and representable. "No warts or green skin, no crazy hair or hats. Man, you guys really do keep this a secret." I gently nudged her and we walked slowly to the train. Neither had a desire to say farewell to the other.

"Only hags look like that, I know some people who wear the hats though, Hogwarts originally had pointed hats as part of the uniform. But, hags went on a massive strike a few hundred years back and showed muggle people their true forms. That is how that look came about. I mean, only crazy people would admit to it. Adela is a certified insane woman so doctors and journalists wouldn't believe her. Magic can also do mysterious things to the mind. Like, forgetful stuff so we work hard to stay quiet." She was looking around and nodding with me.

"I am going to miss you." She clearly didn't realise how close we were to the train and so the trance that she was in snapped away when she saw the red and a hug started. I couldn't bring myself to say a farewell because she was all I had and for a year the best we could do was write. Well, nine months or so.

I hugged her and let go shakily. My luggage was then taken and I followed on. Waving goodbye and then finding a compartment. One of them had Elliot in and when I looked closer my other friends were also in there. Rushing to the window I waved at the odd one out in the crowd and slowly we moved on. She was going to move on and change without me but I had a few months.

"Iona, I have missed you." I smiled and hugged them all. Elliot being last as I sat beside him and hugged his arm. The chilled air entering my mind and soul as the tracks were passed. I would eventually have to change so I silently waited to be told when we were due to be there.

My mind couldn't focus on the conversation as all of the others spoke. Doubt crept through me at what may happen. Adela was so happy and excited for me and yet she never wrote to me. No happy moments with her but I heard about her suffering a fair amount as she was basically asking for all of the attention, or rather Matthew's attention.

"You look pensive. What has you in a rut?" I looked up and tried to see who had spoken. It was clearly for me as eyes looked at me but I was so out of it that I didn't listen properly.

"Oh, things changed over the holidays, for the better but I just like to worry, it seems." They all had other things to speak about and judging by the time on my watch it was time I changed and so that is what I did.