Muggle | 𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑊𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑙𝑒𝑦

Chapter 130

A few days after New Year, Harry, Ron, Ginny and I gathered by the fireplace at the Burrow to return back to Hogwarts by the Floo Network, which the Ministry had especially arranged.

"Don't cry, Mum," said Ginny, patting her on the back as Mrs. Weasley was sobbing into her shoulder. "It's okay..."

"Yeah, don't worry about us," said Ron, "or about Percy. He's such a prat, it's not really a loss, is it?"

Mrs. Weasley started sobbing even louder by those words as she went to hug Harry as well. "Promise me you'll look after yourself... Stay out of trouble..."

"I always do, Mrs. Weasley," said Harry. "I like a quiet life, you know me."

She gave a watery chuckle and stood back. "Be good, then, all of you..."

One by one, we each stepped into the fireplace with a bit of Floo Powder in our fists, letting it go as we shouted, "Hogwarts!"

I finally disappeared into an uproar of green flames, only to find myself moments later in McGonagall's office.

"Evening, Hooper," said Professor McGonagall, not raising her head from her paperwork and merely throwing a glance at me as she was sitting behind her desk.

"Hello, Professor," I said with a half smile, soon walking out of the fireplace so the next person wouldn't fall onto me.

I made my way out of her office and toward the Gryffindor tower that I suddenly came to a stop when I heard someone calling after me.

"Lexi!"

Turning around, I saw Hermione hurrying toward me and before I could know what was going on, she threw her arms around me and brought me into a hug.

Chuckling, I hugged her back tightly before pulling away shortly after. "How are you?" I asked her with a smile. "How was the holidays?"

"Great. How about you?" she said as we carried on our way toward the common room. "Had a good Christmas?"

"Yeah," I said with a bright nod when we reached the portrait of the Fat Lady.

"Abstinence," Hermione said the password.

"Yes," said the Fat Lady unenthusiastically and so the portrait swung open, revealing our ever so familiar scarlet common room.

"Oh, hello!" Hermione said excitedly as Crookshanks gave a meow and hurried toward her. She chuckled, getting down on her knees to pat the ginger cat on the head. "I really missed you."

"Missed her?" I repeated curiously. "Hadn't she been home with you for the holidays?"

"Oh, I meant I missed her since I arrived here. It was a few hours ago," Hermione said casually, yet avoided my eyes as she stood up.

***

The next morning, there was an exciting news awaiting us sixth years on the common room's notice board, announcing our upcoming Apparition test.

The fee for the lessons was twelve Galleons, and even though I didn't have that much, I was glad to know that the school fund was there to help the people who couldn't afford it.

I had already Apparated a few times alongside Dumbledore. And I kept hoping that it would feel better if I did it myself.

At the morning of our first Apparition lesson, Hermione and I made our way toward the Great Hall where the class was going to be held. They had lifted the protective enchantments off the Hall, so we could Apparate within the walls of it.