Through All the Pain // N. Longbottom

Fifth Year // Chapter 17

Finally, the day had come for us to head back off to Hogwarts, for our second term. Ginny, Hermione, and I were up in our room packing our trunks and voicing our opinions on how we were getting to Hogwarts.

"I just don't see why we cannot take the train back to school with everyone else who went home for the holidays," Ginny whined. 

"I know! Ronald and I should be going on the train if only to just do our duties as Prefects." Hermione snapped snootily, "I mean, at least let me go on the train." Hermione threw one last jumper into her trunk before slamming the lid shut.

"I agree, I just wanted to see my best friends right away." I sighed tucking in the photo of the four of us, even though I was still upset with Seamus he was still one of my best friends. 

"Not only that but you want to see Neville." Ginny cooed as she tucked a small box into her trunk. 

"Oh shut up." I tossed a pillow from my bed across the room at her. Just as she was about to throw it back, Mum opened the door and told us we had to hurry up or we'd make everyone else late. So down we lugged our trunks to be with everyone else, and wait for the Knight Bus. As we stood and waited Hermione started talking to Ron and Harry about something, while I was watching Fred and George bicker back and forth.

"No, no, no, you're not listening," Fred whispered harshly.

"I'm not listening? You're the one whose not even letting me finish my thou-" George tried to speak.

"Shush! Lower your voice you lunatic!" Fred cut him off, or Mum will hear and we'll have to start from scratch all over again!"

"You're the one who is close to yelling!" Geoge spat back. I will admit as much as I enjoyed watching them bicker, I could tell both were getting annoyed with the other, so I step over and got between them.

"Aaaand now you've reached the point where you need a third party to intervene," I said putting my hands on their chests and backing them away from each other. Right at that moment, the Knight Bus came and we headed off to Hogwarts. The ride was like normal, jerky, smelly, fast, the only good thing about it was being up so high, we could see outside of the windows and watch the world go by. 

"We're here! We're here!" Ginny cried as the village of Hogsmeade came into view. We all looked out the window and saw the snow-covered castle on top of the hill. We all clambered off and started walking towards the station where the carriages would be. As we got there, the Hogwarts Express was just pulling into the station. I left my trunk to Fred and George while I stood and waited on the platform for my best friends. 

As students climbed off the train and walked by, I scanned each and every face. About halfway through the constant wave of students, I saw my best friends. Dean was talking with Seamus, and Neville was walking sulkily behind them. I figured he was discouraged he didn't see me on the train. So without wasting another second, I shouted to them.

"Nevy! Dean!" I waved and jumped up and down, hoping to catch their glances. It worked cause seconds later, I heard a little squeal and got attacked in a huge hug. After a second, I realized it was Neville and Dean was not far behind him.

"Lori!" Dean said hugging me over Neville's hug. "We were worried when you didn't take the train!"

"Yeah, yeah. We had to take the Knight Bus instead." I grumbled.

"Good to see you made it, Weaslette," Seamus spoke timidly from behind Dean. I looked over and smiled weakly at him. 

"Good to see you too, Finnigan." He hadn't earned back the Shaboom nickname from me. After a few awkward moments of standing on the platform, Neville wrapped an arm around my shoulder and we started walking off towards the carriages.