Disclaimer: I've said it for twelve straight chapter now – I don't own Harry Potter! Will you never learn?


A/N: This is it, guys! The last chapter! How sad… But don't worry! Read the author's note at the end when you're finished, it'll make you happy!


Chapter Twelve: A New Beginning

Aria's POV

We make it onto the Platform with less than two minutes to spare. Dad helps us get our trunks on the train while Abby whines about not being allowed to go to Hogwarts too.

"Hey, we'll be back for Christmas," I promise, kneeling and hugging her. She wraps her arms around my neck and hugs me tight.

"That's so far away," she tells me, and I smile.

"It's not so long. We'll be back before you know it."

Henry worms his way between Abby and me and hugs me as well.

"Bye-bye, Ara," he says, putting one little hand on each of my cheeks. I grin at him and kiss his forehead.

"Bye-bye, Henry," I whisper, hugging him again. He lets go and backs up, letting me stand. I turn to look at Keira and Dad, who are busy hugging the boys good-bye.

Keira comes up to me after releasing Jake and puts a hand on each of my shoulders and holds me at an arm's length.

"Your mum would be so proud of you," she says quietly, and I smile at her. It's almost funny how much I used to resent her, and now I've come to view her as … not exactly a mother-figure, but someone who's definitely a permanent part of my life now.

"I think she always liked you," I tell her, and she smiles back. She wraps her arms around me, and it hits me hard that this is the first time she's ever hugged me. I wrap my arms around her and hug her back.

"I want you to know," she whispers into my hair, "that at the beginning of the summer, I wasn't sure I could ever get used to having you around. And now? Now I don't think I could get used to not having you around." She kisses my cheek and gives me another hug.

When she releases me, I smile at her before going over and giving Dad a hug. He holds me close.

"I'm going to miss you," he tells me.

"I'll be back soon," I remind him, looking up at him. He hugs me again.

"Not soon enough," he says, kissing the top of my head.

The train whistle blows and everyone still standing on the platform hurries to get on board. I give Dad one last hug.

"I love you, Aria," he says softly, leaning down and looking me in the eyes. "I always have."

I smile at him. "I love you too," I tell him as he lets go of me at last. "I'll see you for Christmas, Dad."

"C'mon, Aria, or we'll miss the train!" Sean calls, holding out his hand to help me up onto the train. I grab his hand and turn to wave out the window, waving, waving, waving until Dad, Keira, Henry, and Abby are just blurs, and then gone.

"Well?" asks Jake, looking around. "Shall we find a compartment?"

"Yeah," I answer. "Let's do that."

We don't have to look far. One of the first compartments we look into is empty except for one girl with long curly blonde hair.

"Skyla!" I exclaim, throwing open the door. She looks up, and upon seeing us, grins excitedly.

"Oh, I've missed you so much!" she says, standing up and hugging us each in turn. She catches me twice. "You have to tell me all about your summer! How was it? Did you go to Professor Potter's? Did your mum tell you about your dad? Did you meet him? What's he like? Aria?" Skyla peers into my face. "Aria, what's wrong?"

"My-my mum," I stammer. I wasn't quite ready for her interrogation. Her nonchalance about my mum momentarily shocks me.

"What about her? Did she tell you or not?" she presses impatiently. As much as I've missed Skyla over the summer, I could do without her over-bearing curiosity.

"Why don't we talk about your summer, Skyla?" Sean suggests quickly.

"No," I say softly. "It's okay."

"What is it?" Skyla demands. "Did your mum tell you or not?"

"N-no," I whisper, looking at the ground. "She never had the chance."

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Jake and Sean exchange a look. I haven't told either of them this bit of information yet.

"But you told me–"

"Let her finish!" barks Sean, and Skyla shuts her mouth in surprise. I don't blame her. Before the summer, Sean was so easy-going. He's gotten a lot testier lately.

"She never got the chance because she died in a car crash on the way home from King's Cross at the beginning of the summer," I tell her, still unable to look her in the eye. I hear her gasp.

"Oh, Aria, that's horrible! I'm so sorry," she says, reaching forward and hugging me. "I feel awful."

"I'm not done," I murmur, and she releases me instantly.

"I did find out who my father is," I tell her, and her expression changes instantly to burning curiosity again. I can't help but smile.

"Turns out," I start, glancing at Sean, who's smiling as well, "that Sean and I are siblings."

Skyla stares at me, dumbfounded, for exactly two seconds before throwing her hands up in the air and then slapping herself on the forehead. I exchange concerned glances with Jake.

"Of course!" she exclaims. "It's so obvious now! That's so cool, Aria!"

"It-it is?" I ask. I expected a slightly more shocked reaction to my news.

"Yes! It's awesome."

"Okay," I say with a shrug, taking a seat.

The conversation switches over to Quidditch and how Jake and Sean both want to try out for the team this year. I sit back and enjoy the company of my three best friends. I've sure missed this.

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When we arrive at Hogsmeade Station, we follow the older students to the horseless carriages that take us up to the school. Except … they're not horseless anymore.

As the others pile into a carriage, I stop and look at the great black horse-like creature standing there calmly. What is it? The carriages seemed pretty capable of pulling themselves last year, so why are these horse things here now?

Suddenly a scene from the beginning of the summer comes back to me. Sean and I were going to go swimming in the woods. He was telling me about the different animals in the forest, and he mentioned thestrals, which you can only see if you've seen … death.

This must be a thestral, I think, reaching out to it. It cranes its head and sniffs my hand curiously. I lay my hand on the strange creature's side. It's hide is sleek and smooth. Shuddering, I withdraw and climb into the carriage.

"What took you?" asks Skyla. I don't answer. Sean looks at me and offers me a sad smile, which I return.

The carriage bumps and rolls along the path up to Hogwarts, and as we pass through the gates, a feeling of peace overcomes me. This is where it all started. This is my second home. We all have another year ahead of us, and who knows what could be in store? I'm sure we'll find plenty of trouble to get into – one can only hope Professor Potter doesn't catch us!


A/N: Oh sad! It's over! The ending just kind of snuck up on us, didn't it? It didn't end exactly how I planned it, but I think it's okay, don't you? Please review!

And to all of the reviewers who have stuck with this story from the beginning – and especially to those who were with me for almost all of 'Family Ties' – I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. It was thanks to you guys that I didn't give up on this story, even though I was tempted to for awhile there.

An extra special thanks to ProperT, who is one of the only ones who has been with this story since the earliest chapters of 'Family Ties', and has stuck by me through it all. You're just an awesome person!

Oh, and if you're still craving some more Aria (and – cough – some Aria/Jake interaction), never fear! I've decided I am going to write one more story for the series and make myself a nice little trilogy. It'll take place a few years after this, so they'll be older, which is the main reason we didn't actually get much Jake/Aria in this story (I just thought twelve was a bit too young for it).

So, I'll see how far I can get on my other story, 'Gambling With Her Heart' before I actually start the third one, but I'll probably get it out sooner rather than later. I have so many ideas for the story that I might just go insane if I don't write another.

One more note: the name of this story is going to change. I'm changing 'Family Ties' to 'Family Ties: The Beginning', and this is going to change to 'Family Ties: Adjustments'. It might confuzzle all of you for awhile, but I've been thinking long and hard about it, and that's what I want to do. So the third one will be named similarly, although I haven't actually decided on a title yet.

The next story will be mostly about Jake and how he came to live with the Weasleys (although, like I said, it takes place several years after the end of this story), and his search for the truth about his father (ooh, sound familiar?). If you have any ideas as to what the title should be, feel free to submit them via review or message. It'll be 'Family Ties:(Your Title Here!). All suggestions I get will be seriously considered. Thanks so much to everyone who read this story! It means so much to me!

Ok, the insanely long author's note is done now! Please review and thanks for reading! Until next time, Cheers!

AuthoressMegz