"I can go anywhere I want. Anywhere I want, just not home."
Before Astoria arrived at Kings Cross Station, she transfigured her trunk into something more appropriate for the muggle world: a sleek black suitcase with her initials embossed in gold. Both the Greengrass sisters had begun doing this after Daphne's fourth year when they began realising the peculiar looks, they got from muggles and despite previously being careless, something made them feel more self-conscious than ever before. Especially now, the girls were almost ashamed to be seen with a trunk or have a muggle catch a glimpse of their wand, the very item that started and ended two wars.
Daphne and Astoria held hands as they walked through King's Cross Station, holding onto each other for dear life as they navigated their way through the crowds. Although King's Cross had always been bustling when the sisters went to get the Hogwarts Express, today was a day like no other.
Astoria could feel her thoughts muddling together, as each person passed in front of her, the scene switched, from a busy King's Cross Station to the battlefield in Hogwarts. Her grip tightened on Daphne's hand but even that wasn't enough to bring her back to reality. Astoria was no longer at King's Cross, she was on the battlefield, she was watching her friends die before her and her entire world fall apart. Hooded figures passed her by and each time they did, she felt her scar burning beneath her skin, as though the wound was being inflicted all over again. It felt as though shards of rough glass were tearing apart her skin, poison dripping into and from her open wound. Astoria let go of her suitcase, her hand clasping her arm. As soon as she pulled it away, she saw the blood and not just a little bit. Litres and litres of the warm scarlet liquid trickled down her arm and began dripping into a pool beneath her.
And then she screamed. Astoria screamed as though her body was being torn apart, as though she was watching her friends die, as though her world was ending. She screamed as though this was all happening because it was.
When Astoria fell into the foetal position, she closed her eyes. She knew it wouldn't take it all away, but Astoria would take any relief that she could. Nothing felt real to Astoria. Everything felt as though it was slipping away from her, Astoria was sinking into the ground as her thoughts became louder. She could still feel the blood dripping down her arm, and it didn't appear to be stopping any time soon.
It felt like forever before Astoria could feel Daphne's hand clutching hers again. Astoria opened her eyes, but she still couldn't see clearly. Everything was out of focus, nothing felt really other than Daphne's hand, the coolness of it bringing her a sense of calmness, especially in comparison to the warm blood she had previously felt.
"It's okay Astoria. We are okay." She could hear Daphne whispering into her ear, her voice just loud enough to make out amongst the "We are at King's Cross Station, we're going to get the Hogwarts Express. We are going back to Hogwarts but it's okay, the war is over. Hogwarts is safe."
The war is over. Astoria repeated to herself. She doesn't have to go through it again. Hogwarts is safe.
Astoria lifted her head from her knees slowly. Her hands lifted up to her eyes, wiping away the tears. "I am okay."
"You are okay." Daphne reminded her, taking her hand again. "Are you ready to go? We don't want to miss the train."
Astoria took a deep breath. "We can go now." She took hold of her suitcase with her other hand, using it to lift herself to a standing position. In a few moments, the sisters were on their way again, Daphne clutching onto Astoria's hand with more strength than before.
As the two approached the platform, they gave each other one brief look before increasing their pace and running towards the platform. In an instant, the girls powered through the wall and onto the platform where it all began. Instantly as they entered the platform, their suitcases turned back into their trunks.
Astoria felt safe almost instantly once she stepped onto the platform. As she watched the smoke filling the platform, she recalled her first moment on the platform all those years ago, it was the same smell, the same view, the same company, just in a different world. Hogwarts was one of the only constants in Astoria's life other than her sister, it was where she had felt the safest prior to the war last year. : it was a place she hoped would eventually feel safe again one day.
"Daphne where are we going to sit? Who do we sit with?" Astoria rushed her words, the panic beginning to set in once more.
Daphne squeezed her hand tighter, "Astoria, we can think about that in a moment. Let's go put our trunks down first." Daphne led Astoria toward the front of the train, pulling her lightly by the arm across the platform. "Leave yours next to mine."
Astoria dropped her trunk beside her sisters, her hand still tightly wound in her sisters. Astoria and Daphne made their way towards the Hogwarts Express, Daphne leading the way towards their regular carriage. "We can sit in here; it will be just like before."
Astoria barely let her finish, "Daphne can we sit somewhere else? I don't want things to be like they were before, we need something new." She said to her sister.
Daphne was on board with the plan instantly. Astoria took her hand, leading her towards another carriage and helping her onboard. "We can sit in here."
As the two girls made their way onto the carriage, they spotted a girl they recognised all too well. Hermione Granger sat in the carriage; her face buried in a book. She looked almost as she had done last year, but her face was not the same: her eyebrows had grown out, her face appeared gaunt, her skin looked as though it had been whitewashed.
"Daphne." Hermione called out quietly, "Why don't you come and sit in here with me?" She glanced at the seat opposite her with a smile. "Astoria, you too, I think Ginny is coming in a minute."
Daphne and Astoria shared a look. for what they thought for a short period of time but before they looked away, Hermione spoke again. "You don't have to, it's just an offer."
Astoria nodded at Daphne. "Let's sit." She sat herself down by the window opposite Hermione, dropping her small bag above them before she took her seat. Astoria had always sat by the window, partly due to her love of the outdoors, but primarily she had always had somebody to wave goodbye to at the platform, this time was different. As she looked out of the window, it finally sunk in that there was nobody waiting for her outside. Nobody would be waving her off and nobody would be waiting for her return; the only person she truly had left for her was sat beside her in the carriage.
"How have you two been over summer?" Hermione asked as she shut her book, sliding it into the gap between the seat and the window.
Astoria knew this was not a personal question, instead, it was clearly professional. Hermione did not know them well enough to have a genuine interest in their wellbeing, but the question was a nice enough gesture.
"We had a good summer, we spent most of it clearing up the house," Daphne answered for the pair. "What about yours Hermione?"
And with that, Hermione was off. "Well, I read the most fascinating book whilst I was preparing for this year. It was called Quintessence: A Quest. It was such an enthralling read, almost as though I was reading Hogwarts: A History for the first time all over again." Hermione's eyes lit up as soon as she mentioned her book, it was like seeing her fall in love. "I cannot wait for this year; it was such a shame to miss lessons last ye-"
"Hermione!" Ginny called out, appearing in the doorway. "Oh Daphne, Astoria," Ginny nodded her head at the pair, "it's good to see you again." She took her seat beside Hermione, squeezing her hand momentarily. "Sorry to interrupt, carry on Hermione." She smiled at her friend.
Hermione took a deep breath in. "Well, I was just saying how exciting this year is going to be! It was a shame to miss out on lessons and everything last year so I want to do as much as I can this year! What NEWTS are you two doing again?" She asked the Greengrass sisters, this time appearing genuinely interested in their responses.
Astoria looked at Daphne, expecting her to go first, as she always had done being the oldest. "Well as I am sure you aware I am not doing Potions after the fiascos of my OWLs. Instead, I chose Defence Against the Dark Arts, Charms and Transfiguration. They were the only ones I thought I stood a chance of passing; I am certainly not as smart as Astoria!" She said, causing Astoria's cheeks to flush a light coral. "Judging by my work last year, I'm not sure if I will even pass the few that I chose."
Hermione and Ginny gave her a toothy grin. "Last year barely counts, you'll definitely pass this year!"
Ginny chimed in, "Astoria, which NEWTS did you choose?"
"I went for Charms, Herbology, Potions and Defence Against the Dark Arts. Not too sure how well the first three are going, I definitely put all of my efforts into Defence Against the Dark Arts last year; the special attention definitely helped me out." Astoria barely realised the last sentence had come out of her mouth, immediately feeling guilty once she had realised what she said. "Anyway, I hope Herbology gets more attention this year, I barely learnt anything last year." Astoria stuttered as she spoke, trying to erase the memory of last year's Defence Against the Dark Arts.
"I am almost glad I wasn't here for that; I couldn't possibly imagine having to suffer with a bad teacher or even worse, none at all!" Hermione said with a shocked tone.
Bad teacher barely covered it. Astoria could confirm for a fact that the Carrows were worse than just bad teachers. Even having been given special treatment for her blood status and Hogwarts house, Astoria had definitely suffered at the hands of them. She had both the physical and mental scars to prove it.
Once Astoria looked out the window, she realised that the Hogwarts Express had already left the station. She hadn't even had to look out the window and witness all the other loving families say goodbye, the moment had simply passed. Astoria hoped the same would happen in her final year at Hogwarts.