"I know you don't like writing home," Marissel said quietly, "But I want you to write often, even if you don't have much to say."

Remington nodded slightly as they walked through the crowd on Platform 9 3/4. She understood her mother's reasoning. It wasn't unlike how she'd asked Draco to write to her after he'd left Hogwarts with the other Death Eaters. "I'll try."

She felt her mother's hand brush her arm, "Be careful, Rem." The woman told her softly, offering a half-hearted smile before she turned to leave her daughter to herself.

Remington headed toward the train, looking through the mass of people in case she saw a familiar face.

"Aren't you a sight for sore eyes." The voice came quite close to her ear. She shot a glance over her shoulder to find that Blaise had taken up stride next to her.

"Could say the same for you." She commented, "It's been a long summer-"

"I could bet the school year will be even worse." He said, stepping up next to the stairs onto the train, allowing her to go first.

"Don't remind me." She shot at him from over her shoulder. Her voice dropped, "I heard the Carrow twins are taking over Snape's post."

"And that Burbage woman- she was ousted in the beginning of summer." He added, peering into compartments as they passed to find one that was either empty, or housed someone they knew. "One of them will have to replace her."

"The whole place is going to hell." She muttered, pausing when she spotted Pansy sitting in one of the compartments, Nott across from her, a discarded Prophet at his side.

"Alvers," Pansy greeted with a venomously sweet smile, "What a pleasure to see you back again."

"I'm sure." Rem returned curtly, dropping onto the seat next to Nott, who was rolling his eyes at the Slytherin girl's antics.

"And Blaise." Pansy flashed a coy look.

"Barkinson." Blaise answered with an arch of his eyebrow. Pansy scowled at him.

"Now's not really the time to be turning on each other, don't you think?" Nott commented.

"Blaise and I were just talking about that, actually." Rem remarked.

"Something along those lines, anyway." Blaise reiterated.

"Blaise wouldn't ever dream of admitting he wants friends, lest Armageddon sets in." Pansy mumbled.

"Sounds like a common trait for your lot." Remington glanced at Pansy.

"Your lot, too, Alvers." The other girl told her, "You're pure-blood. I'm sure you understand."

"What does that have to do with being pure-blood?" Nott prompted, "Look at the Weasleys."

"Rather not." Blaise muttered.

"Alright, the honorable pure-bloods. Does that sound better, Theo?" Pansy offered.

Rem bit back a comment that they would probably all find rude and brushed her hair out of her face.

Pansy smiled to herself, pleased that she'd made Remington uncomfortable and satiated everyone else. "I've heard you'd gotten a promotion, too, Alvers." She said, tipping her head slightly. "Prefect? It's about time Granger got kicked off- and out."

Ignoring the jab at Hermione, Rem arched her eyebrows, "Promotion? I'd assume you got Head Girl, then."

"Sharp one, you are." Pansy said, and Remington couldn't tell if it was meant to be teasing, insulting, or some sort of compliment. "I am, of course. And your handsome boyfriend is Head Boy... Shame that he chased you down, otherwise we'd have been in a perfect position. Me and him in head positions together and all." She waved it off as if it were nothing.

Remington's eyebrows were still raised. Blaise was watching her from across the compartment, the corners of his lips curved the slightest bit in amusement. "Of course."

Pansy rolled her eyes, "No need to act entertained, Alvers. I'm not oblivious."

"What a lie." Nott mumbled, shooting Pansy a joking, placating smile, yet still earning a glare from the girl across from him.

The door to the compartment slid open and everyone's eyes moved towards the sound. Rem's gaze met with Draco's for only a fraction of a second before he moved inside and took the spot beside Blaise, across from Rem. God, he was so far away-

"Took you long enough." Blaise commented.

"You know how my mother gets." Draco replied. Nott barely suppressed a snort. Draco eyed him irritably.

Rem rolled her eyes and stood up.

"Where are you going, Alvers?" Blaise inquired.

"To see if anybody's glad to see me." She answered, opening the compartment door and looking back at him. Her eyes flicked at Draco. "I'll be back."

She only made it halfway down the train before she was stopped. "Rem!" The voice caught her attention and she looked back to see Fay leaning out of a compartment. She tried to make her smile look as non-forced as possible. After a moment, Fay rolled her eyes, "Get in here!" She hissed.

Remington started back down the corridor and slipped into the compartment, which seemed oddly empty, even with the unusual company of Luna.

Neville didn't look very happy to see her, Seamus was more uncertain than anything, Luna gave an airy wave, Ginny offered a reluctant smile, and Fay yanked her through the door when she hesitated. Rem noticed that this was one of the first times Fay hadn't greeted her with a hug.

"Where is-" Remington began a bit nervously as Fay plopped onto the seat and patted the spot beside her in invitation.

"You couldn't've thought Harry, or Hermione or Dean would be here." Neville interrupted her as she took the place next to Fay.

Of course she didn't think Harry or Hermione would be there, and to be honest, she wasn't exactly surprised that Ron wasn't, either. But it was still a shock; half of the people she knew hadn't returned to Hogwarts. "Dean-"

"He couldn't prove his father was a wizard." Seamus informed her, giving her a look that twisted her stomach. "They would've carted him off."

Rem raised a hand to rub her arm uncomfortably.

"So you're still going with Malfoy, I take it." Ginny commented.

"I-" She began, "Yes."

"He's not a very nice person." Luna remarked lightly.

Remington turned her eyes on the blonde girl, "No, he's not."

"Then why the bloody-" Seamus began vehemently.

Rem immediately raised her voice, "I didn't come here to argue about my love life!" She snapped. "I don't plan on leaving Draco anytime soon, so unless you want to spend the rest of the year bickering, I suggest you accept the fact." She stood up, but Fay snatched her wrist and pulled her back down.

"You don't have to be such a prat about it." Fay mumbled, but gave her friend a heavy look. Rem's attitude wasn't going to make her any better-liked.

"I'm sorry, I'm just frustrated with the fact that everyone seems to think they have any say in who I'm dating." Remington muttered.