Plot Twist [GEORGE WEASLEY]

43.

The train chuffed steam. Bittersweet goodbyes occupied the mouths of many. A few bawled and left tears on the shoulders of friends. For some, school was better than the hardships they faced at home.

Amara observed this happening, a fly on the wall. She could not fathom it was the end of the year. Everything had been a blur. It threw her into vertigo. All she wanted to do was seize the year and register what happened.

One, James told her he liked her at the Yule Ball.

Two, she got two new friends.

Cedric Diggory died in the Triwizard Tournament, a trauma shared by the entire school.

And, the latest revelation...

George Weasley liked her. In a way she did not expect. She had yet to wrap her head around it.

"Amara, I am going to miss you," A warm hand dangled around her neck.

It brought her out of her daze. She turned around, burying her face in James' shoulder. Hands going around his middle. Oh, she did not want to let him go. He was done with Hogwarts and setting off to Healer school. (Whatever that was.) Next year, his friendly face would not be there.

The worst part was that he was not getting on the train with them.

He was going to stay in Scotland.

"I'm going to miss you so much," Amara mumbled, her throat tightening. "I can't believe you won't be there during the summer. It feels like a part of my heart is missing."

James laughed that boyish, lovely laugh of his. He let her go. "You're being overdramatic. I'll visit you sometime in the summer. At least once. Or you can visit me. When everything is...you know...alright."

The last part was code for 'Once I get back to England'. James' mum was sending him to his grandparents who lived in Elgin. She did not want him to see his father through chemo. James did not take this well. He wanted to be strong for his father.

He needed to be strong for his father.

"Write to me, will you?" Amara gripped both of his shoulders.

Eyes misting, he gave a watery smile.

"Don't doubt it."

"Alright."

These two had been saying their goodbyes in a lonely corner. The rest of their friends joined them. Peter ran into James on purpose. An 'oof' escaped James. When Peter pulled away, a tear had rolled down his face.

"You let me know what's happening with you, okay? We won't even be in the same country for at least a month," he spoke, voice thick with emotion.

Peter and his family were going to Germany. He was visiting with his extended family. His gaze touched Rose. She was staring at her shoes. They had said their goodbyes earlier.

For two months, Rose herself was going to be busy. Her parents were taking her with them on a tour around Europe. One city each week. She was not looking forward to being away from her boyfriend and friends for that long.

She was not going to board with them either. Her parents were directly picking her up, via Floo Network. The time borrowed on the train was lost. Rose kissed Amara on her cheek. Warmly, she clasped Amara's hands.

"You...You write to me. Okay? I don't want to miss anything. Weird dreams. Something your dad said. Or if you want to rant. I don't care, just write to me," she insisted.

"Of course," Amara nodded, the blue in her chest deepening. It felt like the end of the little world her friends had built. "I will, I promise."

Rose moved on to Gina; the last one. That morning, she had already cried with Camilla. James and Amara held hands as they watched. Rose told Gina to write if she had any problems or missed her.