If Krystal was being honest with herself, for the slightest moment on the Hogwarts Express surrounded by her peers and best friends, she actually allowed herself to enjoy the moment without thinking too much into it. Without worrying about the future, or death eaters, or how long she would be allowed to stay here.
But as it was time to dress into their school robes it was a reminder that unlike the rest of them, Krystal knew exactly what to expect this semester.
"I've always hated these bloody hats!" Fred stated as he tossed his black pointed hat into the floor.
Krystal smiled and picked it up before placing it onto his head, "it's only for the one night." Then she pulled out her wand, "now don't make conjure a sticking charm."
Fred grinned mischievously, "you are a wicked little witch." He said as he turned to George, "hey Krystal's just come up with a gold product for the business."
The two began going on and on about products and prices and Krystal jumped into the conversation.
"When are you two going to open up a shop?" She whispered so the others in the train car wouldn't hear.
The two stopped talking and looked at her, "when we've saved the rest of the asking price."
"Well I have some money saved, i'd love to be an investor if it was an option." Her words rang with truth, since Sirius refused to let Krystal pay for anything every wage she earned at Madame Malkin's has been sitting in her Gringotts bank account. Krystal also knew that Harry had given the twins his half of the winnings from the Tri-Wizarding Tournament.
"Well how much are you trying to invest?" George asked a little seriously, seriousness did NOT suite the twins.
She smiled at her two friends as she played with the little crystal heart that hung from her necklace, "I will pay whatever else you need to get the property of your choosing, but it comes with terms."
"Girls and their bloody terms." Fred sighed and then smirked.
"Now I'll hear no nonsense about paying me back, I also do not wish to be a figure head or anything like that. Just give me a slight discount every now and again alright."
The boys chuckled and then they shook hands.
"What are you three up to so secretively" Angelina asked as she entered the slightly crowded train car.
"Devising global domination." Fred smiled and scooted over so she could sit next to him.
Krystal and George noted the close nature of Angelina and Fred.
"Well I guess we know who Freddy's been writing back and forth to." George whispered to Krystal.
The train finally came to a halt and Fred, George, Angelina, and Lee Jordan all hopped into one carriage.
"You ready darling?" Cedric asked sweetly as he placed his hand on the small of Krystal's back.
The trio of Harry, Ron, Hermione, Krystal and Cedric with his shiny new head boy badge pinned to his fresh school robes got into their own carriage.
Krystal now sat nervously next to Cedric as she played with her necklace.
He smiled at her, "I do love seeing you wear this still." He acknowledge as he touched her hand and she let go of the Crystal Heart.
She smiled, "it's one of my favorite things."
Upon entry they all placed their hats onto their heads, Krystal kissed Cedric goodbye and then she followed the others to their own house banquet table.
Krystal tucked into a seat near George and Katie.
They watched on as the new batch of first years nervously got sorted and then Dumbledore began his opening speech as usual.
Krystal looked up at the table and saw her immediately, the most hated character in the entire Harry Potter series, maybe even more hated than Voldemort.
Dolores Umbridge.
She sat haughtily in her fluffy pink cardigan, hair perfectly combed into a hideous bob, as she sipped from a delicate china glass.
"I would like to take this time to acknowledge that the school is under more security this year for your safety, so rules will be enforced much more with the service of an additional Prefect to each house." Dumbledore stated, "I would also like to congratulate our new Head Boy: Mr Cedric Diggory of Hufflepuff as well as our Head Girl Miss Gertrude Yaxley of Slytherin."
Yaxley? Krystal had heard the name before, obviously it wasn't from this girl, but of someone else from the series.
"Who is that?" Krystal asked of the now standing girl.
From where Krystal sat she could see the girl was small and blonde and very much cute as a button.
"She is alright I suppose." Alicia Spinnet answered.
"The best way to describe her is if you mashed Hermione and Malfoy together," George remarked with a smirk. "She is annoyingly good at everything, involved in every school event besides Quidditch, but she's also notoriously Unforgiving and extremely Vindictive."
"Yeah, I heard she tried to make Penelope Marxz's life hell two years ago." Katie Bell said.
"Who's Penelope Marxz and what's this Gertrude chicks beef with her?" Krystal wondered as she watched the angelic faced Head Girl take her seat once more.
Katie looked at George in an unsure fashion before replying. "Um, well Gertrude was Cedric's first girlfriend here at Hogwarts, they were pretty serious until Gertrude's jealousy kicked in and drove Cedric away, he started dating an older girl Penelope Marxz. Gertrude did horrible things to her, but then again it was never really her, but her 'friends' rather."
"She had her friends hex Penelope with boils and a foul stench." Alicia said seriously, "I remember there was even once when they had charmed her so that her hair appeared gone, as if she were bald, that poor girl cried constantly, surely gave Moaning Myrtle a run for her money."
Krystal didn't know which had stunned her more, the fact that a girl like her had managed to become Head Girl, a girls highest achievement at Hogwarts.
Or the fact that SHE is Cedric's Ex.
Krystal sat in a slight disbelief as she pondered over everything that had just been thrust upon her, she was so wrapped up in thought that she even missed Umbridge's introduction and interruption of Dumbledore.
"You ready Krystal?"
Krystal looked up a little startled at seeing Ron and Hermione standing behind her and then noticed everyone making their way out of The Great Hall.
"Ready for what?" She asked.
"Well it's our job to show the first years to the Gryffindor tower." Ron said.
"Oh, right." Krystal smiled.
"Well why don't you patrol the halls and make sure there are no stragglers, Ron and I can handle the first years." Hermione offered as she could sense something was bothering Krystal.
"Thanks." Krystal said as she hugged Hermione and then waved them off.
"Gryffindor first years this way!" Ron shouted.
Krystal hung back a moment and then began strolling the halls, she did in fact find a few students walking about but sent them on their way to make curfew.
"Shouldn't you be in bed my darling?"
Krystal smiled and turned, "I think you forgot that I am a prefect now." She said as she pointed to her badge.
He smiled and nodded, "touché."
The two embraced and even shared a kiss before they parted, "so I heard some very interesting things tonight at dinner." Krystal said.
"Oh?"
"Yes, it involved you and two very different girls, one who just so happens to be the Head Girl." Krystal informed him.
Cedric sighed, "Trudy and I are ancient history."
Krystal rolled her eyes but Cedric missed the action. She did not like the fact that he had a nickname for her, one that he was still quite comfortable using.
"You are my girlfriend who I love more than I have ever loved anyone else, so please don't get jealous of her." Cedric said slightly pleadingly.
Krystal smiled as she reached up and touched Cedric's cheek lightly. "I love you, and I trust you, but I don't like her."
He smiled a warm smile as he looked into her eyes and then leaned down to kiss her lips once more.
A loud pop pulled them apart.
"Dobby's apologizes Miss Krystal Montgomery and Mister Cedric Diggory." Dobby said most humbly. "Headmaster Dumbledore has asked Dobby to inform Miss Krystal that he wishes to speak with her in the headmasters office."
"Thank you Dobby, also it's great to see you again." Krystal stated as she leaned down to hug him.
"Dobby is happy to see Miss Krystal as well." He smiled brightly and accepted the hug Krystal gave him as well as the handshake from Cedric.
"Well get going, i'll see you tomorrow." Cedric said as he kissed Krystal's forehead, "good night darling."
"Goodnight babe."