CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND NINE: 𝐖𝐀𝐑 𝐈𝐒 𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑
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I gasped out my breath as I laid somewhere, feeling completely exhausted when all I did was sleep. I turned to my left to adjust my breathing as my body felt like it was beaten up.
I grunted when I felt the hard, cold material on my back. I must've fallen on the floor again.
I finally opened my eyes and I immediately closed it when I saw the bright blue sky which made me close my eyes a bit due to the brightness of it.
Am I dead?
"Excuse me, are you feeling alright?"
Or am I encountering sleep paralysis?
"Fuck off, demon! I'm calling our priest!" I yelled, not opening my eyes in case a demon will be greeting me once I opened it.
But then I forgot that when you're experiencing sleep paralysis, you can't move or speak at all.
"I quite don't get what you're saying young lady, but the train will be leaving soon." The unknown voice spoke once again.
This feels familiar.
"Is there something wrong going on, sir?" A young man's voice emerged.
Holy cow, that sounds like Daniel Radcliffe. Oh my God. He's visiting me in my dream.. or was this actually Satan pretending to be Daniel Radcliffe?
"Do you know this young lady, mister Potter? She refuses to open her eyes and she called me a demon.. she has been laying here for 15 minutes now."
Hearing those words made me open my eyes, making me see two people towering over me, the train conductor and..
"Harry!" I jumped, immediately standing up and realized I've been lying beside the Hogwarts Express for God knows what.
"There you are, we've been searching for you! What are you doing lying down here?" Harry helped me up as I dusted the dirt off my clothes.
"I don't know, I just woke up here! All I remember was falling asleep in a taxi after we left Grimmauld Place." I frowned, massaging the back of my head which has probably been lying on the hard concrete for a while now.
"I think I could recall Fred handing you a piece of sweet." Harry narrowed his eyes as he tried to remember.
Then it dawned on me.
"Apparition Bon-bons." I gritted my teeth in annoyance, remembering the piece of chocolate I ate in the taxi. "Where are they?"
"Right at the end of the train, they're still looking for you." Harry sighed, leading me through the crowded platform.
Once we were through, I saw the group of gingers and the Lupin family standing there.
"There you are! Where have you been?" Mom said stressfully as she handed me my suitcase for the year.
"Someone thought it would be funny to give me their new product before the school year." I scoffed, giving George and Fred a glare.
"Actually, that was just Fred." George protested, pushing his brother forward.
"It was a goodluck gift, Coley. Now look, you're not late for the train! I'd say it's a blessing." Fred shrugged.
"A blessing?" I gritted my teeth. "I could've apparated somewhere far!"
"But it didn't because we make our products perfectly." Fred said proudly. "Isn't that right, Georgie?"
"Whatever you say, Freddie." George rolled his eyes then turned to Mom. "I swear to Merlin, Miss Evans, I didn't do it."
"Hey, stop sucking up to my mom because you're courting me." I raised an eyebrow, nudging him with my elbow.
"Stop being mean to him, Nicolette." Mom sighed. "You can pull pranks around George, I'll never get mad."
"I swear it's like you treat him like a son than me." I scowled, flipping my hair.
"Don't get jealous, you've still got me." Sirius grinned, wrapping an arm around me.
"Pads, Remus and Mrs. Malfoy are the ones who are very much more appropriate for that role." I smiled widely, removing myself from his arm.
"Just because they're your godparents doesn't mean I can't treat you like a daughter!" Sirius protested.
"You did throw an orange at her." Tonks commented, cradling a laughing Teddy in her arms.
"It's been two years!" Sirius cried.
"Why did you throw a fruit at my daughter, Black?" Mom asked, fake anger in her tone.
"You people love tormenting me." Sirius scoffed.
"Didn't you tell me you're much tougher now after those 12 years in Azkaban?" Mom raised an eyebrow, smiling smugly.
"You talk as if you didn't go to Azkaban too!" Sirius huffed.
Yes, you people heard right. Mom went to Azkaban for 6 months because she stole a Time-Turner in 1979. It was supposed to be two years but since I helped win the war, Mom was given the privilege.
The train let out a whistle, indicating that it was about to leave soon.
"Ah, I'm afraid you'll be leaving now." Mom sighed, quickly wrapping her arms around me before pulling away. "Don't forget to send an owl, all right?"
"It still sounds weird when you talk like that, Mom." I snorted.
"What do you want me to say? Don't go home late or I'll confiscate your phone?" Mom suggested with a funny look on her face.
"Owling sounds better, actually. You can never confiscate an owl." I shrugged.
"Well, at least I don't have to worry about you travelling to other parts of California without telling me." Mom taunted.
"I'm not troublesome anymore, Mom. I'm a perfectly responsible adult." I grinned, though I feel a lie in my words.
"You better be." Mom huffed, then she kissed my forehead. "It really feels weird sending you to Hogwarts."
"Your fault." I teased, earning a glare from her.
"Nicolette!" Mom scolded me once again.
I went over to the others where they're standing. I quickly gave a hug to Molly and Arthur, then Bill and Fleur, then Charlie, then Tonks, Teddy and Remus.
I looked to my side and saw Harry and Ron laughing.
"Our future Aurors." I spoke with a grin.
"I'll wish you luck enduring another year of studying." Ron snickered.
"Oh shut up, I'll miss our sleeping sessions in Divination." I said, hugging both Harry and Ron.
"C'mon, you'll see us next year after you graduate." Harry grinned, adjusting his glasses.
"Tell Hermione I'll miss her." Ron said.
"I'm still not used to that." I grimaced, shuddering.
"Well.. maybe it's good that Hermione's returning to school. I won't have to endure most of my Auror life watching them snog." Harry commented.
"Harry!" Ron exclaimed, taking offense in Harry's statement.
"What? It's true!" Harry raised an eyebrow.
"Also, I bet the Quidditch Team will have lots of unfilled positions, why don't you try out?" Ron asked me.
"I'm not really interested, it's my last year of school and I have lots of lessons to catch up with." I shrugged.
"Well, if you change your mind, tell Ginny. I'm sure she'll be glad to see you join the team." Harry smiled.
I hugged them again, "This might be a really weird school year without the two of you."
"Also because there's not gonna be anyone trying to kill us." Ron added.
"Exactly! That's why it's weird." I groaned.
"You've had too much thrill in your life, Nicolette. You should just relax." Harry shook his head with a smile.
"You two are taking lots of time, we need to say good-bye to Coley too!" Fred yelled, wrapping me in a hug while I laughed.
"Well, we're the best friends!" Ron argued back.
"Don't tell anyone, Coley, but I'll miss you than our little sister." Fred said loudly for Ginny to hear.
"Don't be bitter, I won't forget to send you a toilet seat." Ginny added sassily, patting her brothers on the back before she entered the train. The twins only shared amused looks.
"That little shit!" George laughed.
"I'll be leaving her to you, Georgie." Fred nudged his brother before following his family who were currently walking out of the platform.
"Don't tell me you're about to start crying." I teased when George lifted me in his arms. Even though I felt small when he did it, I loved it.
"Actually, I'm glad you're leaving." George shrugged, putting me down. "I don't have to fear anything for nine months."
"I hate you." I rolled my eyes, punching his shoulder.
"OW!" George grunted, massaging his shoulder. "See what I'm talking about?"
"Whatever," I huffed before hugging him once again. "I'm only gonna say it now, I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too." George hummed on my shoulder, wrapping his arms tightly around me.
We stood there for a few seconds, until the train let out another whistle. We pulled away soon, our hearts no longer heavy.
"Take care of yourself, I won't be there." George said, handing me my suitcase which I took.
"I will, don't worry." I smiled at him, holding on my suitcase tightly before I finally turned around to enter the train.
The platform was almost empty as most students were already on board, their family and friends exiting the platform to go back on their normal lives.
"Oi, you forgot something."
I turned behind me, clutching my suitcase while George stood behind, hands on his pockets with a grin.
"What? Did I forget to cry lots of tears because I won't be seeing you for a long time?" I joked, raising an eyebrow as I approached him.
"Very witty, hilarious even." George said sarcastically before turning his face sideways, before tapping his cheek with his finger.
"God, you really are dramatic." I laughed shortly, leaning closer to kiss him on the cheek.
The moment my lips almost made contact with his cheek, he was quick to turn his head to push his lips against mine. The feeling of soft lips on my frozen ones was the only thing I could think about.
My eyes widened, my heartbeat went faster than lightning. George placed a hand on my jaw to pull me closer while he caressed my neck.
I closed my eyes, deciding to relax at the moment while I followed the movement of his lips. I could feel him smile into the kiss which made me feel my heart flutter.
Shit, Fred's right.
As soon as he pulled away, I slapped him on the shoulder.
"George!" I scolded him, dropping my suitcase to hit him with both of my hands.
"Yes, love?" George laughed, dodging all of my attempts to hit him, knowing that I'll do that.
"You should've given me a warning, you idiot!" I breathed out, having gone tired of hitting him relentlessly.
"I won't be seeing you for a long time, and I saw the chance, so I thought, why not?" George shrugged with a smirk.
"God, you're going to be the end of me." I muttered, fixing myself before grabbing my suitcase on the ground once the train made a loud whistle again.
"Don't miss me, alright?" George said casually as if he didn't take advantage of my lips' virginity a while ago.
Because of this, an evil idea appeared in my mind.
I quickly turned back, standing on my tip toes to give him a long peck. My action surprised George, who definitely didn't expect me to kiss him.
"Maybe I will, love.. because of what you did, I won't be visiting you at Hogsmeade this Christmas." I sweetly said with a smug smile.
George's eyes was wide, his mouth agape while he stood there. I quickly ran back into the train, not waiting for his reply.
"Did you just call me love- OI! WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU WON'T BE VISITING ME AT HOGSMEADE?!"
I laughed to myself as I finally entered the train with a fast beating heart.
I went through the train and saw lots of full compartmente, but I knew where to go. I went to the farthest end of the train.
I opened the compartment door and saw Daphne playing the guitar I gifted her last year. Daphne's eyes widened when she saw me.
"I thought you were going to be late!" Daphne let go of the guitar gently before jumping into my arms.
"Well, they didn't want to let me go." I shrugged.
"Why is your face so red? And your lips.. SALAZAR!" Daphne gasped, her hands shaking as she pointed at my face. "RED CHEEKS AND RED LIPS!"
"Scream it louder and everyone will know, Daph." I said sarcastically, placing my suitcase on the shelf above us.
"YOU'VE GOT YOUR FIRST KISS!" Daphne shrieked excitedly.
"Yes, I'm nineteen years old and I just got my first kiss." I sighed, sitting on the soft couch while Daphne jumped up and down.
"That's not even bad! Oh, I'm so happy for you!" Daphne squealed, giving me a hug.
"Thank you, Daph." I laughed, patting her shoulder.
"Tell me, is George a good kisser like what I always heard before?" Daphne asked, settling on the seat next to me.
"The answer is yes." I nodded and Daphne screamed once again. "Goodness, Daph. You're gonna burst my eardrums."
"Hey, it's not everyday your best friend gets her first kiss!" Daphne protested, crossing her arms.
"How did you even become such an expert when it comes to kisses anyw- WHAT IS THAT?" I gaped when I saw a perfectly gleaming badge on Daphne's chest.
"I MADE PREFECT!" Daphne shrieked excitedly.
"No fucking way!" I gasped, touching the badge and when I felt the coldness of the silver badge, both of us screamed out loud.
"YOU'RE A PREFECT!"
"I'M A PREFECT!"
"God, three compartments away yet I already hear your loud voices."
I turned behind me and saw Draco enter the compartment, his hair messy and he was panting, his black suit slightly crinkled.
"Finally, Hobbs. I thought you're about to miss the train. Where the were you?" I asked, raising an eyebrow, standing up to give him a hug.
"My mother gave me last minute gifts since she was proud of me and I quote, "You've taken care of your nephew well and you have made me so proud." I don't know where that came from but I'm liking it so far." Draco shrugged, placing his suitcase above the compartment's shelf.
"Mama's boy." I teased, making him roll his eyes.
"I knew Tonks made the wrong choice making Potter the godfather, I made the better job taking care of Teddy." Draco scoffed.
"It's been a year, move on." Daphne commented.
"Anyways, what was the irritating screaming match all about?" Draco asked, sitting in front of us.
"COLE'S GOT HER FIRST KISS!" Daphne blurted out.
"I was supposed to answer for myself, Daph." I sighed then I turned to Draco whose jaw dropped. "Yes, apparently I got it today. Can we stop acting like I'm a toddler who made her first walk today?"
"Took you two long enough, you've been dating for three years." Draco smirked.
"He's still courting me! We're not dating yet!" I huffed, leaning back on my seat. "Besides, how are you and Alexandra anyways?"
"Alexandra? Is this that American girl you told me Draco snogged when you attacked the Ministry?" Daphne raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, apparently Hobbs couldn't get enough of her lips-"
"Shut up, Jills. We went on a few dates because my mother wanted me to and she's been wanting a grandchild." Draco rolled his eyes.
"You enjoyed it though!" I beamed.
"I'd set you up with Astoria but she's not into you anymore, communication would be boring since she's now training to be a Healer." Daphne shrugged.
"A Healer?" Draco and I said in unison.
"Yes, she decided after the war no one's gonna help her but herself, she also wanted to find a cure on the blood curse passed through our family." Daphne explained.
"That's good to hear." Draco nodded with a small smile.
"How's Eleanor?" I asked with worry, Daphne's mother had gotten ill for the past few weeks.
"It's just a mild fever and cold, nothing worse yet. Theo and I were trying to find Healers abroad that could help Mother." Daphne sighed. "Astoria's also trying her hardest to rush her research."
"If you need help with funding, I'll be glad to help." Draco spoke.
"Thank you, but I've got it handled." Daphne smiled before shaking her head. "Anyways, let's change the topic. We should be happy when we go back to Hogwarts."
"Well I'm damn glad there'll be no more Dementors attacking this train." Draco said sarcastically, making us laugh.
"You can produce a Patronus now, Hobbs. You'll live." I replied.
"I know, with my knowledge I would've gone straight to Auror training with Potter and Weasley, but I preferred finishing my last year of school." Draco shrugged, and my eyes didn't fail to notice another glimmer on his chest.
"Wait- why are you.." My jaw dropped, looking at the badge on his chest identical to Daphne's except it had a different letter.
"Ah, that. I will be overpowering the school for this last year." Draco smirked.
"What the fuck, you're Head Boy?!" I gasped, clutching his shoulders.
"Yes, I am." Draco said proudly.
"Holy shit, I'm so proud of you two!" I cheered, hugging the both of them.
The compartment door slid open once again, revealing Theo and Blaise.
"Why do you two have shiny things on your chests?" Blaise narrowed his eyes at the two.
"I'm the one above all." Draco replied.
"I'm a prefect!" Daphne exclaimed.
"That's weird.." Blaise frowned, before removing his coat to reveal an identical gleaming badge. "I am too!"
"Why the fuck are you prefects and we're not?" I frowned.
"They don't deserve us, Nicolette." Theo tutted, wrapping an arm around me.
"I know, I know. We deserve so much better." I said, doing a fake sob.
"I guess McGonagall knew the two of you were irresponsible students back in fourth year." Blaise spoke smugly.
"I'm not irresponsible! I'm just naturally bad at Transfiguration!" I protested.
"She just hates my guts because I tried to hit on Bulstrode all the time in her class." Theo grimaced in disgust.
"You fancying Bulstrode in fourth year will never be not funny." Draco said with a menacing grin.
"Why are you not wearing your robes?" Blaise said, taking note of my dark plain robes and tie.
"I'm being resorted." I smiled.
"What?!" The four said in chorus.
"Well.. when I got sorted in Gryffindor, I asked it because of certain reasons and not because I truly felt like I belonged there. So I asked McGonagall if I could be resorted, and apparently the Sorting Hat accepted it."
"There's never been a resorting in Hogwarts!"
We turned beside us and saw Hermione standing outside the door with Ginny behind her.
"Sorry, I was trying to find you." Hermione said sheepishly, revealing the Extendable Ears she was holding.
"Granger using a Weasley product? Never thought I'd be seeing the day." Draco raised an eyebrow.
"You're Head Girl!" I pointed out the badge on Hermione's robes.
"Yes, and I am now calling for the Head Boy and the prefects for our meeting." Hermione grinned.
"I bloody forgot you had fancy arse carriages." Ginny huffed.
"We'll be back." Daphne said, before she walked out of the compartment with Draco, Hermione, and Blaise.
"So what are going to do?" Ginny plopped on the seat next to me, groaning in boredom.
"Look out the window and drown in loneliness?" Theo suggested.
"Sure." Ginny nodded, then they did what they said.
"You two are incorrigible." I shook my head, before grabbing my phone and the walkman headphones.
Mom repaired my phone which was able to restore the photos and the music, except for the apps. And I was happy to still listen to the music I've installed.
Though it sometimes won't play especially since it still don't exist along with the phone.
I wore the headphones, leaning back on the soft chair of the compartment while the music blasted through my ears.
"But everything that you do is magic.."
____
I woke up an hour later when the train stopped moving. Daphne, Draco, Hermione, and Blaise already came back from the Prefects' meeting with the Head Boy and Head Girl.
We exited the train, greeting other classmates who have returned for the last school year.
Basically we're on the same seventh year batch as Ginny, Neville, and Luna since we chose to return after the war.
"We haven't even arrived in school yet my feet already hurts, those patrol rounds tire me." Daphne sighed as we walked on our way to the carriages.
"I'll just remind you we have patrols too after curfew every day." Draco said, earning another sigh from Daphne.
"Maybe I'm not upset I'm not a prefect, after all." I said, giving Theo a high-five.
"We get to stay in your dorm, right mate?" Blaise asked Draco. "Head Boy and Head Girl dorms are much better than the common rooms."
"Sure, but I'll kick you out if you disturb me." Draco shrugged with a smirk.
"Dickhead."
"Man, this year is gonna be weird without Snape in the school." Blaise sighed.
I felt their eyes drop on me as we walked, I couldn't help but feel sad too.
I already moved on with Snape's death, but I still cry at night when I think about him and how he could've been a great father to me if he lived.
Draco wrapped a comforting arm around me as we walked towards the carriages.
Now my eyes were looking straight at dark, bony, horse-like creatures. Thestrals.
"You guys see it too, right?" I asked, not keeping my eye away from the moving creature.
"I think all of us do," Theo mumbled, pointing at the students who were in awe when they saw the Thestrals.
Lots of people may have survived the war, but that still didn't stop the deaths of others. I feel bad for those who had to witness the death of other people.
"First years, over 'ere!"
We heard a rough voice call beside us and saw Hagrid calling out the small first years to the boats.
"I miss the boats, although I was scared of falling into the water back then." Daphne said, a smile on her face as we watched the group of first years sit on the boats.
"I never experienced riding the boat." I commented.
"Why didn't you?" Draco looked at me funnily.
"I wouldn't ride a boat with first years while I'm enrolled as a third year! That would look uncool!" I huffed.
"Missed the opportunity on that, I'm telling you." Blaise grinned.
"Stop making me feel worse!" I hit him on the arm, earning a loud cry.
"Merlin, you have the hands of a Beater!" Blaise winced.
The five of us sat on the carriage comfortably, carrying our suitcases as the Thestrals began to pull on the carriage.
"It feels weird we're not worrying about something this year." Draco squinted his eyes in thought.
"I said that too! I guess without Harry, there won't be anymore drama happening around us." I sighed, hoping Harry and Ron returned with us.
"Oi, we still have one thing to worry about; passing our N.E.W.Ts." Theo reminded us.
"Shit, I forgot about that." I mumbled under my breath.
"You talk as if you're not a qualified Auror at this point!" Daphne nudged me.
"I don't wanna be an Auror." I rolled my eyes.
"Well, I do." Daphne smiled. "Auror Daphne Greengrass, quite has the ring to it, eh?"
"With three-time surf champion, Nicolette Cullen!" I cheered.
"Well, there are no surf championships here in Scotland yet, but we'll be glad to accompany you to California after we graduate." Draco commented.
"Auror Greengrass, Surf Champion Cullen, Healer Malfoy, and Bachelor Zabini." Blaise stated, envisioning his words.
"What about me, then?" Theo threw an offended look at the taller man.
"You're a housewife, Mrs. Theo Bulstrode." Blaise grinned teasingly, earning a laugh from the other three.
"It's been years, let it go." Theo grunted.
"I'm not going to be a Healer.. I'm either a Hit Wizard, or a Defense Against The Dark Arts professor." Draco mumbled.
"PROFESSOR?!" The four looked at him in surprise.
"Mate, here am I thinking you'd be an Auror or a Healer.. you tend to surprise me a lot at times." Theo replied in disbelief.
"After learning dark spells, I've been interested in teaching those to the younger generation and the ways to defend them." Draco shrugged.
"Professor Malfoy, holy shit, it fits!" I said out loud, grinning at my best friend.
"Who knows? Maybe McGonagall might give you the position for Head of Slytherin House after two years." Daphne nudged Draco excitedly.
"What about you, Nicolette? If you're not a surfer, what job will you be taking?" Theo turned to me, making the others do so.
"I don't know.. maybe I'll help George and Fred at the shop, or an Unspeakable.. I'm a bit curious about the magic left undiscovered."
"That sounds great, although being an Unspeakable can be difficult." Blaise sighed. "Here I am, supporting my friends with bright futures while I lay in bed with tons of women five years in the future."
"You're fucking gross, Blaise." Theo spat in disgust.
"I'm just telling the truth." Blaise shrugged with a cocky smirk.
"I'm confident I won't be failing any subject this year." Draco said smugly.
"What are you talking about, you never fail a subject!" I protested.
"The arse is trying to be humble," Blaise snorted. "Don't even try, mate."
"Well now you'll be able to excel in Care of Magical Creatures since we won't be covering Hippogriffs in our lessons." I spoke to Draco who scowled.
"Don't even mention that murderous chicken."
"Care of Magical Creatures will always be memorable, though it's always Slytherins who ended up injured." Theo smirked.
"Lucky I was a Gryffindor back then." I grinned, remembering the time when I threw frog livers to Pansy.
We felt the carriage halt, we didn't notice we've been talking for so long that we were already outside the castle.
The castle looked the same, but something about it felt new. Maybe at the way it was rebuilt and that war memories were instilled in it whenever we'd see it.
"Holy shit.." I said as we quickly exited the carriage in excitement.
"I can't believe we're back." Draco spoke as soon as we started walking towards the castle. We saw McGonagall stand on the steps with a noticeable smile on her face.
We quickly marched up the steps to greet the older woman.
"Headmaster," Draco greeted with a polite smile.
"Mr. Malfoy, with the title I have granted you to have, I will be expecting for you to be responsible, though I already see it. Please wait for Ms. Granger and Professor Flitwick to lead the first years for their sorting." McGonagall nodded curtly to Draco.
"I will, Professor." Draco replied and then he turned to us. "I'll wait for Granger, you can go."
The moment we entered the castle, it felt like nothing has changed. The castle was well rebuilt like no war has ever happened. The portraits were restored and there were additional ones plastered on the wall. The torches were brighter than ever.
It's just like the first time entering it.
"I think I'm about to start crying." Daphne whispered softly, looking around.
"Don't worry, I am too." I replied in awe.
The four of us walked through the castle, though I was thankful there were no water balloons being thrown at us this time.
"SPLAT!"
I was wrong.
Theo and I were now drenched wet with water while Blaise and Daphne were quick to dodge the incoming water balloons sent to us by Peeves.
"Son of a bitch." I muttered, removing my wet hair away from my face.
"SPLAT!"
Another balloon popped on me, making me grunt in irritation.
"Sorry, Miss Coley! Mr. and Mr. Weasley's order to send you a piece of their tradition!" Peeves gave me a salute before disappearing out of the ceiling.
"PEEVES! I WARNED YOU!" We heard McGonagall yell from behind us.
"I swear to God!" I growled under my breath when I saw green liquid all over me. DRAGON'S SNOT AGAIN.
"Water is all right with me." Theo said once he took a look at me.
"Please tell me it's removable this time." I pleaded at them, Daphne quickly walked over to me and swiped a finger through my cheek.
"Yep, it's removable." Daphne nodded, showing me her finger which had Dragon's snot from my face, making me sigh in relief.
Remind me to never give George a kiss this year's Christmas.
Once we headed to the Great Hall, I made sure I was fully dry and there were no Dragon's snot on me anymore with a quick Scouring Charm.
The three sat on their table as I stood beside them while we waited for the rest of the students to arrive.
I saw a few familiar faces take a seat at their own table, Ginny, Neville, Seamus and Dean sat on the Gryffindor table. Susan, Hannah, Ernie and Justin on the Hufflepuff table, while Luna, Cho, Anthony, Terry was on the Ravenclaw table.
It was sad for me to see missing students on the houses, either from deciding not to return or some of them met a difficult fate.
A few minutes later, Draco and Hermione arrived at the Great Hall with the first years towing behind them.
Deputy Headmaster, Professor Flitwick now stood in the middle of the Great Hall.
"I will now be calling on the first years for them to be sorted on their houses that shall be their home for seven years," Flitwick spoke, the first years began whispering in nervousness. "But before that, a seventh year student have been requested to be resorted."
"Miss Evans-Snape, kindly walk over here to get sorted once again."
Unlike before, I wasn't nervous anymore. I didn't get strange whispers from my batchmates, all they gave me were thumbs up and encouraging smiles.
I walked through the aisle excitedly as Flitwick gave me a smile. In the middle of the faculty table, McGonagall was smiling down at me which made me even more excited.
Four years later, I was sat on the wooden stool, I could feel the fabric of the Sorting Hat on top of my head once Flitwick placed it on me.
"Hello.. Mr. Sorting Hat, sir." I greeted, grimacing when I remembered what I did in third year.
"I'm assuming you will be choosing your true house now, young lady?" The Sorting asked and I nodded. "Very well, I still haven't forgotten what you did to me four years ago.. but all will be forgiven."
"Hoping I won't be thrown on the floor again.. SLYTHERIN!"
Loud cheers erupted from the Slytherin table, making me smile as Blaise and Theo gave me a standing ovation. The other houses clapped for me excitedly as I heard Ginny and Hermione let out a loud holler from the Gryffindor table.
I got off the stool and went my way to the left side of the Hall, running towards their direction.
"That was fast." Draco raised an eyebrow at me as I sat next to him.
"The Sorting Hat only had one true choice." I shrugged casually.
"I told you! She's a Slytherin!" Daphne said proudly, giving me a high-five.
As usual, we watched the first years get sorted. It made me quite happy to find out that lots of first years enrolled this year, meaning another generation will be starting once we left. Meaning Hogwarts will never be abandoned once we left.
Once the sorting was finished, we saw McGonagall step forward to the stadium, to say the usual speech every start-of-the-year feast.
"Welcome to the new year for Hogwarts, I know that this castle has embedded bad memories for us, but with this same castle reconstituted, we will make sure you will feel home at Hogwarts once again. We lost lots of people, but now be ensured that nothing will ever harm you ever again, because like always, your safety is our uttermost priority. That is all, and have a great evening to my dear students." McGonagall spoke, and we immediately gave her a round of applause.
I could see a faint shimmer in her eyes, she probably misses the old memories of the school before the war and when Dumbledore was still in her place.
I do too, I miss it all. But I'm willing to start new memories here when lots of memories have been buried under the castle when it was destroyed.
An hour after the feast, we started our way to the dungeons where our common room was. It felt new to me that this will always be the way I'll go to and not to the Gryffindor common room.
There was oddness in everything that was new, but I liked it.
We arrived at the common room and what I saw shocked me.
The Slytherin common room before was so dark it seemed like Slytherins were scared of their own common room too. But now, the common room still had its green and silver interior, but the big shining chandelier in the middle of the room made me gasp.
"Damn, we have a chandelier. The couch is brand new.. I wonder where the teachers got their money from." Blaise whistled as we looked around.
"I can see clearly now," Daphne beamed, plopping over to the couch. "And the couch is soft!"
I let them enjoy the common room as I made my way through the dorms. I walked up the long sets of stairs, realizing that it's the same as the Gryffindor common room but I bet the dorms were different.
Once I was on the seventh floor, I looked at the doors and saw Evans-Snape, Greengrass, Davis, and Parkinson written on the second door.
I grimaced a bit knowing Pansy will be one of my roommates this year, but I'm happy Daphne will be there.
I entered the room and I felt awestruck at the sight. There were four four post beds in the room with dark green curtains made out of silk draped over the beds. The main curtains of the dorm's window was silver and white, there was a fireplace in front of our beds next to the bathroom.
There were small closets on the walls next to our beds where I assume we'll be placing our clothes and other things.
A body length mirror was standing outside the bathroom, while a vanity table was next to it.
Holy shit, I feel like royalty.
I stood in front of the mirror, observing my reflection which made me smile. My red hair looked great with my green robes and green and silver tie, the colours contrasting with each other.
I looked older, obviously. My face was more mature and yet I'm still shaped like a peanut.
"BOO!"
I shrieked when someone grasped my shoulders, I immediately pushed the person away.
"Don't do that!" I shrieked, hitting a laughing Daphne on the shoulder. I couldn't help but laugh too because Daphne's laugh sounds like she was choking.
"You should've seen your face!" Daphne laughed. "I'll go see the bathroom, if we don't have a bathtub I'll lose it."
I looked at myself in the mirror, still laughing and there I realized it. I was wearing my Slytherin robes, and I had glowing red eyes.
Ah, so that's why!
All those years ago, I had been so stupid to think I was scared of being evil, going to the wrong path as a Slytherin, but I was wrong.
I was scared of what's going to happen in the future.
Now, I'm alright. I'm going back to Hogwarts, embracing my real home, and my real self.
"I told you, Jills, you look nice in green."
I turned to the door and saw Draco leaning on the doorframe with an amused smile on his face.
I ended up grinning back, recalling what he said 4 years ago.
I used to think that it must've been difficult for me to live on my own for four years, but then I realized.. I was never actually alone. Lots of people loved me and cared for me, I was very thankful for that and I still do up to this day.
It was not easy to move on after the battle. I thought we'd able to go back to normal, but I realized that would not be easy as it looks like. The students may not have died, but the scars they had would always be a part of them, reminding them of the battle they fought.
But like I said before, with these old memories getting buried under the old walls of the castle, we will be building new ones along with the new exterior of the castle.
I thought about all of the adventures I've been in for the past five years, and I'm happy for the lessons I've learned, the friends and family I made in the process.
I lost people and it broke me, but I will still continue to live for them. And why not? I've got Mom back, Draco woke up from his coma, and there's no more Voldemort set to ruin our year.. everything was better than before.
Well.. something's about to happen in twenty years, but I've got lots of time to worry about that. We don't talk about that book.
But now, I'll gladly restart my life and spend it with the people I have treasured so much. If I have to worry about more things in future, fuck them.
Anyways, whoever you are I've been talking to for the past years, thank you for listening.
I'll stop the story right here, see you around, I guess?
____
And that's a wrap! You made it to the end, yay!
I'm trying hard not to be emotional right now. This book has been my priority for two years and now that it's already the end, I don't know what I'll do with life.
To those whose been reading this since the start, thank you and I love you so much! The same applies to those who are new to this book, I appreciate you all!
I'll miss Nicolette so badly since this character was who I've been writing for the past year, thank you for loving our Coley and all of the other characters!
It's been two great years, thank you and good-bye!
- Chae