This is a story where you can read it alone, and make sense of it all. But for supporting characters and background information, the first story (The Coexistence of Duty and Love) is helpful. I wanted to make a story where it would be accessible to everyone, without obligation to read the first installment. I'm excited, because I really love these characters. I've spent the last couple weeks developing them and really fleshing them out. I hope this turns out okay
My main inspirations for this are Degrassi, the novel Looking For Alaska, and The Academy Is… album Fast Times At Barrington High…and probably my own high school experience, which is quickly coming to an end. Next year is all I have left. Gulp.
So review and tell me what you think!
SAMThe ride to King's Cross station always felt like an eternity. The old family car seemed to be going twenty miles per hour. If I were driving, there would be a speed demon behind the wheel.
Mum and dad were chatting pleasantly in the front of the car while I sat all by my lonesome in the rear. My newly painted neon nails had become increasingly more and more interesting as the drive dragged on.
"So Sam, are you excited to see your friends again?" Mum asked, but half of her attention was invested in reading the morning paper.
"Yep. Letters are never enough."
I did miss my friends a lot, especially Rai and Portia. They were polar opposites, yet we all got on great. Portia was definitely a neutralizer in the group. She was dreamy, but smart and to-the-books. Rai was insane. Her hyperactive personality was infectious.
"I'm sure they missed you, too."
I knew they did; we were the creative trio.
"Almost there, dear." Dad announced, and I perked up. There were so many questions that needed answers this year.
"This is such a lovely day, too. Nice time to be riding a train."
I nodded without words. I didn't care much about the weather; I just planned to catch up with everyone.
"Here we are, sweetie." Mum cooed. "We can't see you off today. Dad has a business meeting."
"That's fine. I'm of age now. I can make it to the platform on my own." I teased.
"We'll miss you, Sam. Write to us, but don't forget to study. It's your last year; it's important."
"Of course I will. Besides, Portia will keep me in line."
"Good." Dad nodded, and then tapped the steering wheel. "We best be off now, love."
"'Kay, dad. I'll see you guys at Christmas."
"We're so glad you're coming this year. We'll miss you!"
"Miss you, too." I replied, sunglasses concealing my rolling eyes. I was an only child, so my parents would feel lonely when I was gone. They were always sad to see their little egret leave—a case of empty nest syndrome. I would miss them, but I would not miss their sickeningly sweet pet names. Besides, I was going to Hogwarts again. My House was my family as soon as I exited the car.
The station was bustling as always. As this was my seventh year, I had no trouble finding my way to Platform 9 ¾.
It was a good thing mum and dad hadn't accompanied me. They'd be even more emotional than my first year.
I laughed, imagining the flood of tears.
Still stuck in my hypothetical daydream, I was pushed into the railing. I was stunned at first, but that was soon followed by rage.
I'd seen a flame of hair rush by me…where was the damn carrot top?
"Gee, thanks!" I yelled bitterly, righting myself and putting a bag and Hercules' cage back on my trolley.
"Ha ha!" The red-haired attacker turned around, and smiled impishly.
"Hey Sammi!"
It had been Rai. My anger dissipated.
"I should have known when I saw that day-glo hair."
"Oh yeah. My mom killed me! She was totally fine with me just turning my natural hair up a notch, but she absolutely refused to let me dye it fluorescent orange."
"But you did."
"Of course I did!" Rai scoffed. "The only thing that placated her was knowing it would fade back in a couple months." A devious smile curled her lips upward. "Let me tell you a secret, Sammi—I have a bag full of backups and gold and silver glitter sprays."
"Going out with a bang?" I inquired; I was happy to see her again.
"Oh yeah! It's our seventh year; I have to. Now, I brought some blue for you—"
"Sorry, Rai. I'm staying au natural this year."
"But you always wanted blue!"
"And I changed my mind." I said matter-of-factly.
"You're no fun!" She pouted. "Maybe I can find someone. Portia?"
I burst out laughing. Now that was rich!
"Portia? Yeah. I don't think so." I stopped laughing gradually, but still was breathing heavily. "What about Jake. Your brother. Or his friend Lane?"
"Maybe Lane." Rai agreed. "Jake's a wuss in a tough-guy shell."
"Platform 9 ¾." I smiled. "Ready, Railene?"
"You know it, Samantha." We simultaneously ran at full speed towards the brick wall. First our carts went through the barrier, and then we followed.
The first time I'd done that, I'd been terrified. Why couldn't I have gone to normal school?
Of course, now I was happy. A near-collision with a wall was nothing compared to getting to go to Hogwarts.
"Almost home!" Rai squealed and pushed her trolley towards the luggage area.
I followed her with my own, considerably less packed than hers. Hercules, my owl, was perched in his cage on top of my trunk.
"Look at him…" Rai pointed, and I followed her finger. "Gorgeous, right?"
"Cute." I said shortly. He was cute, but gorgeous? "He's new."
"Maybe he's a transfer."
"Does Hogwarts take transfers?"
"No idea." Rai shrugged. "Well, I'm going to introduce myself." Rai skipped towards him and immediately her bubbly personality startled him. She spoke with him for a couple minutes, and then ushered for me to join her. I left my trolley and then approached the pair.
"This is Raphael." Rai introduced, emphasizing his name. "He's from Italia!"
He extended his hand and shook mine.
"You can call me Rafe." His accent was light, but it still made me feel all warm inside. "I transferred from a little school in Italy. It's my last year, and I hear that your school might be better."
"So you're not sorted?"
"Into a House? No."
"You want to be in Gryffindor." Rai winked.
"Why?"
"Because we have some awesome people."
"That's the House Potter was from, right?"
"Oh yeah. And we're darn proud to have had him!"
"Do you mind if I sit with you on the train? I'm afraid I wouldn't find people as excited to have me."
"I don't mind!" Rai enthused. "Sam?" Both pairs of eyes were trained on me.
"No, that'd be great. You can meet Portia, too. She'll be fascinated about you being from Italy."
"Cool."
"Let's get on the train!" Rai urged. "I can't wait any longer."
"And here she is, already her nose in a book." Rai teased.
Portia set her reading material to the side and rolled her eyes.
"It's a magazine. Hardly a book."
"Come 'ere, Port." Rai smirked, and outstretched her arms. Portia raised herself from the seat and hugged her friend. I shuffled forward and offered an embrace as well. Portia and I were not as close as she was with Rai, but I still loved her.
"Who's this?" Portia asked.
"This is Rafe. He's from Italy."
"Mmm. I'd love to go to Italy." Portia said dreamily. "I bet it's gorgeous."
"It is." Rafe assured.
"But you're not the type of guy I'd have pictured to be from Italy. You're stick thin, edgy and you have a myriad of piercings. The only Italian stereotype you can own up to is long hair, and even that is blonde rather than dark." Portia observed, worrying not at all about offending him. I liked this about Portia, though many found it unappealing and abrasive. She was real, unlike many other students our age.
"I'm not your cookie cutter Italian, no." Rafe agreed. His lips curled into a curious smile that had my stomach doing somersaults. Something about it was dangerous and exciting…although it may have been the lip rings that were rooted inside his light pink lips.
"Has anyone else stopped by, Portia?" I asked her. There were still a couple people I needed to see, and I'd have been upset if I missed them.
"Just Lane and Jacob. They were headed off to their friends, though. I doubt they'd have wanted to sit with us, them being younger and in a different House."
"Shame." I frowned, and let myself drop into the seat next to Portia. "I'd have liked to see Lane, at least. She's always spunky and fun."
"She is. But she and Jacob seemed preoccupied with catching up with their Hufflepuff comrades." Portia informed.
"Seen Beckett?" I asked, trying my best to sound casual. Her eyes darted quickly to the door, and then to her lap.
"No. Not yet."
"Will this finally be the year, Tia?" I watched her carefully. "I know you're nervous and all, but you've pretty much loved him your entire life—"
"Five years, Sam. Only five years. That's hardly an entire lifetime."
"No, of course not, how silly of me." I retorted. "Listen, babe, this could be your last chance. And to be honest, he's a total hottie. You and I both know we could come up with an entire list of pros for Beckett Jennings, and most likely not one con. He's good-looking, smart, kind, charitable, funny, caring, he has amazing ey—"
"Con—he has a permanent fixture on his arm called Lauren Baxter." Portia rolled her eyes and sighed. "We've been through this. He's been with her since fourth year. That's over two years now. Nothing will change."
"The chick is a Slytherin! He'll come to his senses soon enough." I promised, and I was confident in my assertion.
"If nothing else, I'm content with our brief fire-side chats about Orwell and Bradbury." Portia said whimsically, and I knew that this was the point where we would drop the subject simultaneously.
"I can't wait to get back into the swing of things." Rai announced loudly. "To be able to use my wand again…I haven't turned seventeen yet…but mark my words, in March, I'm going to raise some hell!"
"I don't doubt that." I chuckled. "I'll be seventeen in April; in April, you can count me in."
"What about you, Port? You're already seventeen! Have you had a wild and crazy magic-filled summer?" Rai inquired, looming expectantly over her. I noticed that Portia's eyes became clouded and she looked down uncomfortably.
"Not really."
Rai's energy faded, but she didn't pry.
"So, Rafe, have you ever been to Hogsmeade? It's my favorite part of attending Hogwarts…"
It went on like this the rest of the train ride; Rai directed the conversation while we all gave our minimal input. I was concerned about Portia, but I didn't want to bring any unwanted demons to the surface on the first day. I tried to focus on how it would feel to enter the school's gates at the beginning of the year for the last time; this year would be a ride. I was ready for it.
A/N: What did you think of it? Please review to let me know