The break seemed to plod along weighed down by his concerns and inability to do anything regarding them while still at home. He knew he could return to Hogwarts early, but it seemed undignified plus the best route to get him there was not a method he'd use except for an emergency. Instead he'd wait for the train like all the other students.
His Christmas presents were well chosen and unsurprising. Vlora never had much creativity when it came to such things. New robes, new shoes, new shirts, new socks, new pants. The perfectly serviceable old clothes were hung in his closet and the new clothes packed in his bag for the return to Hogwarts.
Another taxi awaited to take him to the station. Last time he'd felt slightly giddy at the thought of a new adventure. Now he was simply nervous at the impending return to Hogwarts and the final resolution of a mystery that had occupied him for the holiday.
Platform 9 ¾ was just as crowded as last time, more so if one included all the thick padding parents and children wore to keep warm. The press to get on the train and out of the cold was fiercer this time than last and it was some time before Tamblin got aboard. When he did he had to look through one compartment after another to find an empty seat.
He opened a compartment door to find an empty seat right next to Hannah Abbot and Susan Bones. Tamblin hesitated. Susan looked up at him.
"You can sit here," she said pointing to the space next to her. Hannah nodded.
The opposite bench was filled with three Hufflepuff boys. One was in their year and the other two were in their second year at Hogwarts. Tamblin sat down next to Susan and wondered what was going on. Mostly the Hufflepuffs traded stories of the Christmas break and various presents. From time to time Susan would turn to Tamblin and ask him something, seemingly trying to draw him into the conversation. His responses were polite but short.
When the trolley came along he again bought snacks for the compartment. Susan and Hannah both thanked him graciously and the Hufflepuff boys smiled too. Tamblin wanted very much to ask Susan and Hannah about why Cascata didn't return home but he didn't trust their motives.
At last the train pulled into Hogsmeade and Tamblin had to admit that if there was some intended trick he couldn't see it. The Hufflepuff boys left the compartment followed shortly by Hannah. As Susan started to leave Tamblin touched her arm. She turned around to look at him.
"Why did you ask me to sit down?"
"Cassie says you're her friend."
"But you don't like me."
"You're her friend. So am I."
Hannah had come back to see what was keeping Susan. As she poked her head in Susan turned around and put an arm around her shoulder.
"Let's go, Hannah."
Tamblin stood there a moment to let this all sink in. He then had to hurry off the train before it left again. The carriages delivered them to the entrance hall and everyone quickly bustled their bags into the warmth of the castle. Inside the students started making for the various common rooms and dormitories to settle back in.
As Tamblin headed toward the Ravenclaw armor he saw Cascata peek out of the library and signal to him. He asked Stewart Ackerly, who lived in his dorm, to take his bags up for him and then he headed for the library. Inside he saw Cascata heading toward one of the study areas and he followed her.
Once there she leaned conspiratorially toward him and whispered, "I've got some good news!"
"Wait, what happened? Why didn't you go home?"
Her face lost the excited grin she'd had.
"Oh that. I got a letter from my father. He thought I might be better off staying at the school through the break."
"But why? And what about your mother?"
"My mother's dead. My dad remarried a couple of years ago. She's a muggle too."
"What do you mean 'a muggle too'?"
"My dad's a muggle. Mom was a witch. After she died he didn't seem to want anything to do with magic anymore. And when I got the note for Hogwarts...it's not like he abandoned me, he helped me get the stuff I'd need for school but..."
She was getting close to tears again.
"He made it clear he thought it would be better for me to stay at the school from now on."
She moved close to Tamblin and hugged him. Tamblin was too shocked to do much more than stand there.
"I think I sort of remind him of mom and it's hard for him to deal with. I had hoped that after some time away he'd want me back for Christmas but I got a letter from him..."
Tamblin would never have suspected his friend might be from a mixed family. He knew there was nothing wrong with muggles or with mixed families per se, but they were a different caste than the pureblood families. And he had been firmly told that mixing amongst other castes was poor behavior.
Cascata sobbed against his shoulder. He stood rigidly still for a moment and then put his arms around her and stroked her hair. She was his friend and she was upset. She cried for a while and then straightened up and wiped her eyes.
"I'm sorry," she said.
"Don't be. I knew things were upsetting you and I never asked. I should have."
"I'm glad you're back."
"Out of curiosity, did you say anything to Susan or Hannah after..."
"After our fight?"
"Yes."
"No, why?"
"No reason. What was your exciting news?"
She smiled again, "I figured out how to get into the Artiste's Alcove."