the girl with all of the choices

f i f t y - t h r e e

5191 words

september first- returning and reuniting

~ Addison ~

It was official. I had gone a month without seeing Draco. But that was all going to change today.

For today, we were going back to Hogwarts.

The attacks by Death Eaters had continued, so Fawn's parents had convinced mine to let me apparate to King's Cross with them. Staying home offered them more safety. It made sense, but it was still upsetting.

Mum and Dad had always waited outside of the Platform until 11 am. The Hogwarts Express was always prompt, so they never had to worry about whether or not we got out safely. We had been doing our traditions since I was 11.

5 years of traditions ruined because a psychopath figured out how to come back to life and his supporters were terrorizing anyone who wasn't on their side. Brilliant.

Dad had made cinnamon rolls for breakfast, and the smell had wafted its way into my space. He had made extras so that the Stevens' could stay and chat after we got on the train.

I was in my room packing my bag for the ride. I grabbed my copy of Romeo and Juliet, my purse with magical money, my copy of Pride and Prejudice, and a jumper in case it was cold.

I wanted to double-check my room to make sure I didn't forget anything. Fawn and I went to George and Fred's store a few days ago and I forgot my wand, so I couldn't even try some of the wand-extendables that they made. They made one that would make your wand unable to do any spell other than aguamenti, and I wanted to try it out on George.

Dresser? Checked. Closet? Double-checked. Wand? In my hand. Desk? Maybe I should check again...

I walked over to my desk and frantically stormed through the drawers to make sure I didn't leave behind any of my books for the school year. I received a letter from Professor Sprout asking me to return as Prefect, and I'd be guaranteed at least a few NEWT classes, so I needed to be as prepared as I could be. If I performed well enough as a Prefect, there was the possibility I could be considered for Head Girl next year. There would be no room for forgetting books or making bad choices. This year was important.

Luckily, I hadn't forgotten any of my books.

"Addison!" Mum called. "The Stevenses are here!"

I took a deep breath and flung my bag over my shoulder before grabbing my trunk and pulling it out into the sitting room. Fawn was laughing watching me struggle, which just made me struggle even more.

"Don't worry darling," Mrs Stevens reminded. "We will use magic to get your trunk and your owl to Hogwarts."

"Thank you so much, Mrs Stevens," I said, dropping my trunk with a thud and embracing her as we usually did.

"You two are still coming back for breakfast afterwards, right?" Dad asked.

"We wouldn't miss it for the world," Mr Stevens said warmly. "Now, I hate to be that person, but we really should be getting going."

I looked over at Mum, who had tears in her eyes. I decided I would say goodbye to Dad first, as I didn't want to set Mum off in front of our guests.

"Bye Dad," I said, embracing him warmly.

"Don't forget to write, and be on the lookout for our owl with your birthday gift."

"Why would I ever not write home?" I teased, pulling back from the embrace as he kissed my forehead.