The Girl Who Lived

Back at Hogwarts

January 7th, 1996.

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After nearly three weeks of being in the Burrow with the Weasley's and Harry and Hermione, finally it was time to go back to Hogwarts. Everyday waking up next to Fred would be over and I would be back with everyone I knew, but I didn't mind, not at all. After all, Hogwarts was my home.

The Hogwarts express was the same as I remembered it. I still remember the first time I saw it. Beautiful and sleek as if it hadn't been used before.

In the same compartment as always, I sat with Harry to my right as I stared out of the window, watching fog and snow clear over fields of green grass.

Ron and Hermione were across from us and keeping a good distance away from each other. Hermione's cat, despairingly hideous and orange, Crookshanks, had bitten Ron. Ron wouldn't stop mumbling about how if it were his cat, it would be hexed by now.

Poor Hermione sat with her head deep into a book, making subtle glances over to Ron. Waiting for an apology, I assume.

"How much longer until we're there?" Whined Ron. I looked at the familiar sights of the train stop. In the distance, the castle was there, standing beautiful and tall as always. My heart pounded the same way it had when I was coming here for the first time. Hogwarts has always had that effect on me. And it always would.

"We're here, Ronald. Don't worry, you won't have to sit next to me any longer if that's what you mean." Hermione packed away her book tight under her arm and she was clearly upset. Ron scoffed and motioned to Hermione, as if trying to tell us something.

Harry and I turned to each other and I hid my laugh as Harry shook his head, sighing.

"Bloody hell, Hermione, do you have to make everything about you-" Ron grumbled, moving his tie loose.

I shot a hard glare towards Ron and he gaped. "Must you be an insensitive ass?"

"Me? An ass? I would never be an ass!" Harry stifled a laugh and nudged my leg as we all stood up. Hermione shot Ron a pointed stare and gave me a smile. I returned the smile and one by one, we moved out of the compartments and off the train.

Silently, I said goodbye to the train and moved quickly through the chilling cold wind of winter. It was slightly snowing and I hadn't changed into my robes yet. I hadn't had time to. Harry had begged me to stay in the compartment because if Ron and Hermione were left with him, they would curse each other and he would be caught in the crossfire.

I couldn't stand out more if I wanted to.

I was wearing Muggle clothing, down to my shoes. Dark washed jeans, a white shirt tucked in and my Christmas gift from Mrs. Weasley on top.

Since first year, she had knitted Harry and I jumpers with our first initial on it.

This winter, my jumper was the color of my eyes, a deep jade. My initial was light grey and stitched carefully and I could practically feel the love from every knitting. I wore it over my shirt proudly and I looked down at my black leather boots, a gift from Sirius, keeping my toes from falling off.

Snow was falling onto my hair but I couldn't care, not when I felt home once again. I hadn't wanted to leave the castle this holiday but I had to be there with the Weasley's. I had to.

"I see that hell froze over." A snarky voice came from behind me. My spine stiffened and I kept walking. Maybe if I just ignored him, his low voice would go away. "I always did say that the day Muggles were let into Hogwarts, hell would freeze over. And look, there goes a Muggle!" Heads turned to me but they quickly turned back away when I glared at them.