1 | Sunlight ➙ Cedric Diggory

Chapter Twenty Four

Matthew's head rested against the cool window of the Hogwarts Express, a subtle breeze blowing through the blonde hair that was flat against his forehead. His eyes fluttered shut while he listened to Harry and Toby discuss the school year they just had. Hermione was squished up against him, her bushy hair tickling his cheek with her head on his shoulder.

"I'm telling ya, Potter, if we have another year like that one I'll never speak to you again." Matthew chirped into the conversation, a smirk following his stern tone.

"Oh come on, Matt. Our first year was so tame. Harry brought some excitement to our lives." Toby replied with a grin. The dark haired boy was thrilled to hear Harry's story about the Dark Lord and the Philosopher's Stone.

Hermione sighed heavily, "Harry almost got us expelled."

"And killed." Cedric added on. "But it was fun." The eldest Hufflepuff boy was sitting across from Matthew and beside Harry. He was occasionally tapping Matthew's foot with his own.

"Best game of wizard's chess they've ever seen." Ron shook his head, reciting Dumbledore's words from his speech at the House Cup ceremony.

The six students were all squished into one compartment on the Hogwarts Express as they made their way home for the summer. It was June and the train kept them comfortable from the sticky air outside. Another year at Hogwarts had passed and the only thing Matthew left behind was his broken wrist. The boy couldn't wait to spend the summer with Belle and his friends. Come September, he would be entering his third year at the magical school and all he wanted to do was enjoy his time off before the countless hours in the library resumed.

The scarlet engine of the Hogwarts Express let out a loud whistle before coming to a rumbling stop in King's Cross. Matthew's eyes snapped open and he sat up straighter, Hermione groaning in response as she moved away from his shoulder.

"We're home." The blonde boy declared as his eyes darted around the platform, searching for Malcolm and Diane Granger. Toby and Harry shared the same solemn expression, neither boy feeling at home.

"Come on, then. Let's get this summer over with." Toby stated quite flatly as he rose to his feet and slid the compartment door open. His mother had gotten progressively sicker throughout the school year and Toby had been dreading coming home because of it. He didn't want to see his mother in a distressed state but knew he would have to eventually.

"We will all see each other often. It won't be a bad summer." Cedric tried to cheer the two boys up, sensing a change in demeanour in both of them. They seemed sulky and reluctant to leave the train, Harry the last one to stand up out of his seat.

The trio of Hufflepuffs and trio of Gryffindors were off the train and standing on the platform, gazing overtop of people's heads to try and locate their families.

"Have a good summer, Potter." A cold voice spoke as Harry was shoved sideways, being stabilized by a frowning Cedric.

"You too, Leather." A similar voice was heard, but no one was shoved.

"The Malfoys." Toby mumbled before two boys with the same platinum blonde hair strutted past. Orion's hair was slightly longer than his brother's and he stood about three inches taller. Toby had earned the nickname 'Leather' because of the leather jacket he always wore, that Matthew had gifted him for Christmas. He was wearing it now, overtop of a grey t-shirt and blue jeans. Toby was about the most casual looking wizard anyone had ever seen, apart from his wild black hair that he had grown into a sort of mullet over the school year.

"There's something so strange about those two." Cedric pointed out as he let go of Harry and watched the Malfoy brothers walk into the crowd. "I see the Grangers!" The boy changed the subject as he pointed out Matthew's parents, talking to Hermione's.