September 1st came around like a shock to everyone because despite 4 months having passed between then and the Battle of Hogwarts, it came as a shock to the system, but a welcome one for everyone except Briar
Back when she decided she would be staying home with Teddy she knew she was making the right decision and she still did know that, however, watching Ginny, Hermione, Harry, Ron, and Draco pack their trunks and belongings for the upcoming term was harder than she imagined
Of course she knew that she would not be completely alone since she still had the Weasleys, Andromeda, the Forrests, Narcissa, and the rest of the remaining Order, however, the idea of not having her closest friends with her for months was very hard on her
Draco had stayed at hers for the week before they were due to return to Hogwarts, so on the morning of September 11th, the couple and Teddy climbed into Briar's car and she began to drive them into central London. Briar had decided to get her driver's license and had admittedly used a confundus charm on the man at the agency to get it underage, and on the instructor to make sure she passed, but she now had her license and she was a relatively good driver
From the passenger seat, Draco could clearly tell that Briar was tense and upset about him leaving her for three months and he was upset too. But he just hoped that her being upset wouldn't turn into her ignoring him or not visiting Hogsmeade or writing to him
When they arrived at Kings Cross, Draco went to get a trolley for his trunk and owl while Briar unbuckled Teddy from his carseat and carried him inside the busy station and together the three of them ran at the wall to Platform 9 3/4
Unlike the muggles at King's Cross station, Platform 9 3/4 was not nearly as busy as it had been in previous years. The war was long gone, but it was clear that not only had many families or their children not survived, but many people weren't ready to return this year
But the regular large family with bright orange hair were there and that made Briar smile, so she and Draco made their way over
"Hi!" she cried and the Weasleys all smiled at them. The only one who was missing was George and nobody could blame him for that. Draco still felt very out of place around them after all the trouble he and his family had caused them, so he was surprised when Harry held out his hand
And everyone watched in awe as these two boys who had fought back and forth for seven years, actually shook hands and smiled, as if they had been friends the whole time.
"Oh, I can't believe my final two babies are finishing this year," pouted Mrs Weasley, affectionately smiling at Ron and Ginny, the former of whom rolled his eyes
"Well I don't have to, mum, I could stay," he suggested. Ron was not keen on the idea of going back to Hogwarts but Hermione had not given him or Harry much choice, so they were reluctantly going along with her
"Ron!" snapped Hermione and he sighed, but everyone could see the smile hidden in his eyes
Briar looked around the rest of the platform and she could see a few other faces she recognised, including Seamus, Dean, the Patil twins, and Neville
Draco wrapped his arm around her waist and brought his lips down to be close to her ear. "You okay?" he asked
"Yeah," she said vaguely "Just feels strange doesn't it? Like it should be a happy reunion, but is actually more painful to see how few of us are left"
"I'm sure next year it will go back to normal," he said
"I hope so," nodded Briar "And this year will be different. I mean Professor McGonagall will be headmistress, no Snape brooding around every corner, and hopefully much less drama"
"I would hope so," said Draco "Will you and Teddy come to Hogsmeade?"
"Of course," she smiled and leaned up on her toes to kiss him "Come home safely"
"Always," he grinned and kissed her once more before kissing Teddy on the forehead and starting to lift his luggage onto the train.
Briar took the opportunity to go towards Ginny and hug her tightly. It felt odd not finishing the journey they had started together, but Briar knew she would be okay as long as she kept close to the others
"I'l miss you so much," said Ginny "The dorm is going to feel so much emptier without you in it"
"I know, but it's not for long, and we'll see each other every holiday," replied Briar "I love you, Gin. And please don't get kidnapped into any more secret chambers this year"
"I'll try my hardest," she giggled and let go of her best friend
Ron suddenly let out a loud scoff and the group all turned to him "Look who it is." His eyes were fixed at someone along the platform and it didn't take long to figure out who he was looking at because amongst the groups of families and friends saying goodbye stood one boy on his own, looking miserable to say the least; Henry Michaels
"How can he show his face here after what he did?" added Ginny
"Just stay away from him alright, dear," said Mrs Weasley with a frown "Unfortunately, there will still be those at Hogwarts who share dark beliefs and will be unhappy about the fall of You-Know-Who and the Death Eaters. However, I am sure Professor McGonagall will put it all right soon"
"I'm going to miss Minnie," pouted Briar
"She won't miss you," joked Harry "After all the trouble we've caused, I think she'll be glad to be rid of us at the end of the year"
"Again, we could spare her the wait and just not come back," said Ron
"Ronald!" Hermione and Ron had been going back and forth on this for the whole summer, however, no matter how much Ron complained or moaned everyone knew that if Hermione wanted him to go then he would in a heart beat
"Fine," he sulked "Can't believe I'm going from hunting horcruxes and escaping Death Eaters to writing potions homework"
"I would give anything to go back and do it again," smiled Percy and everyone looked at him with a strange expression. Percy may have been one of them by now, but his love of homework and writing would forever confuse them
"It's going to be strange next year when none of us come here," sighed Bill, staring at the gleaming red steam train with a forlorn look
"It will," nodded Hermione and Briar could see she had tears brimming in her eyes. Of course they all knew this wouldn't be the last time they stood here because of Teddy, and any eventual children that came alone, however, it was the last time they alone were doing this. Next time it would be a new generation
"You're going to make me cry," said Mrs Weasley, who already did have tears running down her cheeks "Come here you lot!"
None of the teenagers were given a chance to protest before she had pulled them all into a bone brushing hug and over her shoulder Briar could see Mr Weasley hiding a laugh behind his hand
"Mum," Ron choked out "If you hug us any longer we'll die before we can get on the train"
Mrs Weasley laughed and released the group before giving hugs to Harry, Hermione, Ginny, and Ron, and then finally Draco. The surprise on his face was evident since she had never hugged him like this before and his own mother had never been a big hugger, however, Mrs Weasley's hugs were legendary and the moment he was in her arms he could tell why, and he did have to try his best to not show how happy it made him. After all he still did have a reputation to uphold.
But eventually she let go of him too, and the steam train behind them whistled in warning of the coming departure. Draco quickly pulled Briar into his arms one last time before he joined Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny on the train, and Briar stood on the platform watching as the train slowly began to pull out of King's Cross station
All five of the teenagers leaned out of the window to wave to their disappearing family, and even little Teddy waved back at them to the delight of Briar and those around her
Mrs Weasley could see the nervousness on Briar's face and she wrapped an arm around the shoulders of the young girl. "They'll be okay, I'm sure of it"
"I know," nodded Briar "But it's strange thinking that life at Hogwarts is going on and I won't even be there"
"It's hard to leave a place you've called home for so long," replied Bill "But once you're out, you can see just how wide and exciting this world is, and now it's your chance to go out and explore it"
"Thank you, guys," smiled Briar "I don't know how I would have survived Hogwarts without you all"
"Of course," replied Mrs Weasley "And I know this is hard on you, but your father would be proud to see how dedicated you are to raising Teddy."
"Thank you,"
Briar did feel at peace in a strange way. It was weird to think of her friends all at Hogwarts together, graduating this year, but she knew her time at Hogwarts was up. It had been an amazing place, which she loved, and she had had five brilliant years there, so deep down she knew it was time for her to leave and make her own way in the world. A world that was finally free and a world that she could not wait to watch her brother grow up in, and she swore to herself that she would make sure he knew just how much had been lost and sacrificed in order to shape that world.