The next twenty-four hours passed in a heartbeat. Willow almost thought that it never happened, it flashed by so quick. One minute, she was leaving Dumbledore's office, and the next thing she knew, she was packing up all her stuff with her roommates. Several of them were racing around, struggling to find a few things they had misplaced throughout the term. Willow was one of those odd children that would leave her room a mess at home but everywhere else, she practically measured each place all of her stuff would go in, she was so neat. It was an awful habit of hers. All of her Christmas presents (all the non-edible ones, of course, as she had eaten all of her treats in a week) were placed in a box she had kept and given plenty of space in her trunk to keep them nice. She was highly protective of thoughtful gifts from others.
Willow had to promise Iris plenty of treats when she got home, because Iris hated being transported in a birdcage. She told her over and over and over that there was nothing she could do to convince the Hogwarts officials to let her roam free. If they let Iris stay out of her cage, then they would have to let everyone's owls out. Iris pouted and eventually allowed Willow to put her in the cage along with Achelous. The two huddled together like the buddies they were, which was odd for an owl and a puffskein, considering that the two creatures would normally fight and owls would try to eat puffskeins. Willow was glad that they liked each other, because that was one less problem for her to worry about. She'd head enough of problems for the summer.
At last, the closets were empty, the bathroom was clean, their beds were bare, and everyone's trunks were packed. The Gryffindor first-year girls stared at their desolate room, so devoid of emotion for how much had happened in there that year. Lavender wiped her eyes.
"You know, this has been the best year of my life," she commented.
"Me too," Fay agreed, tearing up. "You guys are the best roommates a girl could ask for."
"I can't believe you all put up with my beauty products all year," Mia said.
"Of course we would, Mia, it's you, and you deserve to look how you want with whatever products you choose," Parvati said. "I'm sure you would have done the same for us."
"Really?" Mia sniffled.
"Of course! We're a tight-knit group now, aren't we?" Sally asked.
"We are," Hermione agreed. "No matter how much work you guys required from me to get you good marks on your exams, I still love you guys. You're the sisters I never had."
"That's it, everyone, group hug!" Parvati announced.
The girls all hugged each other, a few with tears streaking down their face. Fay reached out to Willow.
"Get you butt in here. You're part of the sisterhood, too."
Willow gave in and squeezed all of the girls tight. They really were her big group of sisters. Hermione was right. No matter how much they put each other through, they had gelled together so much that they were always going to be there for each other. Even if they didn't understand what the next girl was going through, they would be a support system. Willow found herself tearing up a bit with the thought of not seeing all these crazy girls all summer.
"Alright, guys, we'll be late for the feast if we don't get going!" Sally said.
"I'm starving!" Mia cried. "Let's go!"
The group broke up and dashed down the stairs, pretending not to feel a pang of sadness at how empty and barren the common room looked without all the posters and decorations students had brought in throughout the year. They bounded through the corridors and made it to the Great Hall at last, where the Gryffindor table was beginning to fill up fast. The girls chose a spot around the middle of it to sit down on either side. Several of the boys were already there. Gryffindor was looking pretty glum, and Willow noticed quite a few of them glaring at the silver and green decorations. She had almost forgotten that Slytherin had won the House Cup.
As if thinking about Slytherin had summoned him, Draco appeared behind Willow, poking her hard in the back.
"Hey! What's that for?" Willow exclaimed, turning to see the little git.
"You're not dead, congrats! And your back is better, finally, I've missed throwing things at you," Draco said.
Willow rolled her eyes. "You are such a loser sometimes, Blonde, you know that?"
"Actually, all of Slytherin is a winner today, Wisp," Draco drawled. "We've won the House Cup, thanks to your friends and their misadventures with Professor McGonagall."
"I see that, congrats, but it makes me slightly happier that Professor McGonagall also deducted points when she found you snooping about. Weren't you a part of that, too?"
Draco scoffed. "I would never do something like that. Honestly, I was hoping to find Harry and turn him in, but Filch did all the hard work for me. I didn't have to raise a finger. Would you do something that dumb, Wisp?"
"Seeing as I had a near-experience twice this year, yeah, anything less is within my range," Willow said, smirking.
Professor McGonagall tapped her glass to get everyone's attention. Draco winked at Willow and darted back to his table. Of course Draco would act flirty in front of her friends. When Willow turned back to her roommates, they were all holding back screams and nearly ripping each other's arms off, they were so excited for her. Harry had appeared next to her and she nearly jumped when she recognized his messy hair.
"Harry, Merlin's beard!" Willow whispered while Dumbledore started giving his End-of Term speech. "When did you get here? I would have thought I would notice you."
"The rest of the Great Hall did," Harry said. "I think you and Draco were the only people who didn't see me."
"Sorry, I wish people wouldn't stare and whisper about you behind your back."
"It's not like you can help it, Willow. Oh, Dumbledore's announcing the House Cup positions."
Gryffindor was in dead last. Hufflepuff came in third. Ravenclaw came in second, and Slytherin came in first. No one applauded loudly except the Slytherin house when their points were announced. The other three houses were all mad that Slytherin won the House Cup for the seventh year in a row. But that wasn't the end.
To everyone's surprise, Dumbledore made an announcement that there were more points to give out after reviewing some recent events. There were fifty to Ron, another fifty to Hermione. The Gryffindor table went wild, and Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw began to get excited. Willow squeezed Hermione in a hug, so proud of her for her logical achievement, and stood up to hug Ron, too. His face was blushing so hard that it was beyond red. Then, Harry was awarded sixty points, and as soon as he finished his sentence, Gryffindor erupted into more cheers.
"We're tied with Slytherin! WE'RE TIED WITH SLYTHERIN!" Hermione and Willow screamed.
It was nearly five minutes until Dumbledore could speak again, for the Great Hall was on its feet and bouncing with excitement. Would there be a face-off to determine the winner? If only there was one more point for Gryffindor!
Then, the most incredibly shocking their to ever happen to Gryffindor happened. Neville, who had told Willow about how he had tried to stop Harry, Ron, and Hermione from going after the Stone, was awarded ten points for his courage. All of a sudden, the Great Hall shook with the explosion of cheering and whooping and hollering from Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw. Slytherin sulked on their side of the room. The banners and decorations became Gryffindor colors instead of Slytherin, and Dumbledore announced that Gryffindor won the House Cup. Willow was the first to tackle Neville in a hug, laughing and cheering and screaming with the rest. Neville's face went from shock to confusion to a goofy grin that told everyone just how much this meant to him. He had never won a single point for Gryffindor, but here he was, winning the House Cup for them. Neville had never been happier in his life, it seemed.
"Thank you, Willow," Neville said amidst the pandemonium. "I never could have gotten the courage to do that at all if it wasn't for you. The way you stand up to Draco, who's your friend despite what everyone else says, is incredible. I couldn't have done this without you."
"Oh, Neville," Willow said, shaking her head. "This is all you. The sorting hat wasn't wrong. You have the most courage of anyone I've ever met, you just don't show it all the time. You won the House Cup for Gryffindor!"
Willow and Neville hugged each other tight, then proceeded to to celebrate with the rest of their House. This was their moment. This was the time they could finally celebrate all of their hard work and dedication throughout the year. They could finally celebrate all the good in the world instead of facing the bad. Willow could finally celebrate everything about her second home.
The feast continued in a happy, loud overtone of chatter from all the students. Willow piled all of her favorite food from throughout the year on her plate- rolls, roast beef sandwiches, grilled chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, carrots, and so much more. She ate quickly and was so full by the time pudding was served that she would barely eat a slice of cherry pie. Ron out-ate everyone, as usual, and had at least five total plates of food. Willow, Harry, and Hermione blinked a few times after his final plate, wondering where he put it all. Ron sat back and happily belched, hopefully full for the rest of the week.
The feast ended, inevitably, and the students were sent to the carriages for transportation to the Hogsmede Station. First years were sent back down to where they had first come into the castle on the first day of the year. Hagrid gathered them all, his face ruddy and cheery from all the celebration, and lead them to the dock. They got into the boats in fours. Willow was about to get into one with some of her other friends when someone yanked her backwards.
"Nope, you started this year with me, you're ending this year with me," Draco said.
Willow rolled her eyes. "You're horrible. But fine, I'll tolerate a boat ride with you."
"Tolerate?" Draco questioned, raising he eyebrows.
"Oh, sorry, did you want me to say 'agree to against my will'?"
Draco got into the last boat. "Get in, Wisp."
Willow ignored her friends who were making heart signs at her from the boat in front of them. Draco noticed, however, and glanced at Willow with a mischievous gleam in his eyes.
"Do they seriously do that every time you're near me?" he asked.
"Yes, unfortunately," Willow sighed.
"You're going to hate me for this, but you deserve it since Gryffindor won the House Cup."
"What- ?"
Draco blew a kiss to Willow's roommates. They could barely contain their screams and Mia actually fainted for a moment. Then, Draco sat closer to Willow, facing away from the girls and instead staring at the castle. Willow pinched him in the side, but he was too busy holding in his laughter to care.
"I hate you. You know they're going to be talking about this the whole way home," Willow said.
"Oh, I know, that's why I told you you'd hate me for it."
"Do you have to add the extra touch of having your arm around me?" Willow asked.
"Yes, and I want to see how much torture they put you through later."
Willow sighed. "You're awful."
"I know."
The two stared at the castle as it got smaller and smaller on the hill looming high above them. It was still the same as ever, only bathed in daylight instead of starlight. Willow felt like a part of her was being torn away as she got farther and farther away from Hogwarts. It had become a second home to her, one away from her real one that was full of equal parts good and bad memories. Hogwarts had been her fresh start. She loved it dearly, and it was truly painful to leave. Her very soul was attached to it. All the things that had happened there, whether for better or for worse, were now going to remain strongly in Willow's memory until the day she died. She wouldn't have changed a single thing that happened there. It had changed her for the better.
The boat bumped the dock. Willow got out and helped Draco, who at first tried to swat her hand away, but ended up almost tumbling into the water and held onto Willow's hand for dear life. She laughed and helped him onto the sand. Draco brushed himself off, pretended like nothing had happened to any onlookers, and marched up the steep slope to the Hogsmede Station. Willow's ears picked up some faint whistles from the Hogwarts Express.
"Don't slip, Draco, I'm not helping you," Willow teased.
"Shut up," Draco snapped. "I can handle myself."
Though he wouldn't admit it, he was following Willow's every footstep, as she was more experienced in climbing steep slopes than he was and knew exactly where to place her feet. She smiled to herself, knowing that she could use that on him later. The more dirt on Draco, the better.
"Whatever you say..." Willow trailed off. A memory surfaced and reminded her about something that she had meant to ask him for a long time. "Draco?"
"What?"
"I've been meaning to ask you this but keep forgetting: Why didn't you tell me that you saved my life? You know, after I died in the hospital wing after the troll battle?"
Draco glanced at Willow with a confused expression on his face. "That was a long time ago."
"Yeah, I know, I'm that bad at remembering to ask questions."
Draco rolled his eyes. "You really need to work on that, you know."
"Stop avoiding my question and answer it, Draco," Willow commanded.
Draco huffed. "Fine. I didn't want you to die, okay? And it was kind of embarrassing for me to use- yuck, I have to say it- Muggle tactics that I learned a way back. My parents can't know, and I didn't want you accidentally passing it around the school."
"I get it," Willow said, nodding. "Sometimes I let things slip that shouldn't."
"I know, that's why I couldn't let you know."
"Are you sure that's all?" Willow teased. "Are you sure it had nothing to do with the fact that I was your friend?"
"You still are my friend, dimwit," Draco said.
"It does," Willow concluded, ignoring Draco's comment. "You avoided answering the question, so I'll take that as a yes."
"Wisp- !"
"Nope! You can't tell me otherwise!"
They cleared the slope at last, and the pair reached the Hogsmede Station. Willow told Draco goodbye, then ran to the platform, leaving him flabbergasted. It was bustling with life, as chaotic as it was crowded. Every student was desperately pushing and shoving to get onto the train as fast as they could. Willow shook her head. All the seats were the same, but apparently there were some compartments that were better than others. She didn't care.
Willow found Hagrid towering over everyone and made her way to him through the crowd. She barely got to hug him goodbye before her friends tackled her, kidnapped her, and dragged her onto the train. Hagrid chuckled, waving as she was towed away. Willow couldn't help but laugh in return. The final whistle blew as they sat her down in a compartment.
"YOU ARE SO BAD," Lavender said.
"I THOUGHT YOU FANCIED NEVILLE!" Fay shrieked.
"Guys, pipe down, what if Neville hears?"
"WHO CARE IF HE HEARS NOW!" Mia shouted. "You so fancy Draco now! When did you realize it?"
"Guys, I still fancy Neville!" Willow said, making sure their compartment was shut all the way. "Draco was just doing that to spite me because we won the House Cup instead of Slytherin, and he knew that you guys would attack me afterwards."
"But you guys looked so cute in that boat together!" Parvati squealed.
"Guys, for the final time, I'm not dating for a long, long, time," Willow said. "Draco's just a friend."
"A really handsome friend that makes you guys look pretty questionable," Sally said, raising her eyebrows.
"Nope. I'm done. I'm not doing this."
"Please, Willow? Please?" Fay asked.
"No, guys. Sorry! You'll get to do this to me all next term. Now, if you'll excuse me- "
"Willow! There you are," Fred interrupted, opening their compartment. "Do you need to be rescued?"
"Fred, George! Perfect timing," Willow exclaimed. She turned to her friends. "I've got to go. I'll send you guys owls! Keep in touch!"
"We will!" her roommates promised, disappointed. Willow jumped out of the compartment and shut the door for them.
"Thanks for that," Willow breathed. "They're relentless sometimes!"
"We know, that's why we figured we'd stop by early," George said. "Now, let's go to our compartment. We've finally finished our surprise, and in the nick of time!"
Excitement bubbled in Willow's stomach. "Really? You're finally ready to reveal it?"
"Yes, now let's get going! Lee is waiting on us!"
Willow ran the length of the Gryffindor train car and found Lee in the very last compartment. The three swung inside and shut the door. Lee had placed something in a large box on the table. Willow stared at it, remembering the tarantula he'd kept in a box during the beginning of the year. She hoped this wasn't a joke and they'd just throw the tarantula at her.
"Are you ready, Willow?" Lee asked.
"Ready! I've been ready for weeks!"
"3...2...1...ta-da!"
George tapped his wand to the box, and it unfolded to reveal four name tags, each one with a name on it. He gave Willow one with her name on it.
"No, I know what you're thinking, this is not simply a name tag," Fred explained. "What good would that be. Well, we've been working on these for the past month to address a problem we've always had- communication. Watch this. Lee, if you would."
Fred picked up his name tag and Lee his. Tapping his wand against the name tag, Fred said, "Lee Jordan." On Lee's name tag, Fred's face appeared, and on Fred's name tag, Lee's face appeared. Fred moved his name tag to show Willow that the name tag captured whatever image it was facing, whether that was the actual face of the person you were trying to talk to or not. When Fred turned his name tag to face Willow, Willow's face appeared on Lee's name tag, and vice versa. Fred tapped his wand to the name tag to make the image disappear. It transformed back into a regular piece of plastic with his name written in cursive on it.
"Wow...I don't know what to say," Willow said. "Thank you. These are the coolest gifts I've ever received."
"You're welcome."
"You are a part of our pranking schemes, after all."
"What about Paige?" Willow asked. "Isn't she part of them, too?"
"Yes, she already got hers, though, because she's staying in another compartment with a few of her roommates."
"Oh, cool! This is great, guys!"
"Test it out once you get your new wand!"
Willow hugged Fred, George, and Lee in turn, thanking them profusely for mentoring her (whether it was good or bad) and expressing how much it mean to her that they let he be a part of what they do.
"It's nothing, really. We don't have anything better today," Lee said.
"Still, you guys are the best."
"Hey, we thought we were the best!" a indignant voice cried.
Willow whipped around. "Mandy, you have to share being the best people with these three guys. Sorry!"
"Well, you're going to have to prove it," Sue said. "You're coming with us now! Sorry, we're kidnapping Willow for the rest of the train ride. Have a good summer, you three!"
Mandy grabbed Willow by the wrist and started dragging her down the length of the train car. Willow hastily waved goodbye to the three dumbfounded third years.
"Bye, guys! Have a good summer!" she called.
"You too?" they said.
Willow was placed in yet another compartment, this time one in the Ravenclaw train car. Her friends sat down and burst out laughing, the hilarity of the shock on Willow's face too funny to not. They eventually calmed down enough to have a lengthy conversation with her. The five of them talked about everything that had happened at Hogwarts that year, the good, the bad, and everything in between. They compared exam marks, Willow and Lisa getting the highest while Oliver and Mandy barely passed. Sue was right in the middle, getting a mark that she wasn't happy with, but it was way better than Oliver and Mandy's scores.
They changed into the regular Muggle clothes when there was only ten minutes left in the journey. Willow and Mandy wore their typical t-shirts and shorts, Sue dressed in a flowery patterned sundress, and Lisa wore the latest fashion in Muggle clothing, looking pretty sharp. Oliver was in his favorite khaki shorts and dress shirt. His entire appearance was transformed from tall and skinny to adorable Muggle boy. Willow hoped that there wouldn't be any first year girls swooning over him at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.
The Hogwarts Express pulled into the Platform at sunset, turning the red paint on the side of the steam engine to a scarlet red. It was rather beautiful. There was a lot of congestion at the Platform, as only a few people were allowed to go through the barrier at once to not scare the Muggles to death. Willow gathered her things, said goodbye to her friends, and made her way to the Gryffindor train car, where Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville were waiting for her.
"If it isn't the two most popular kids in Hogwarts," Willow greeted.
"Hi, Willow," Hermione said.
"Willow, I just realized, you're up one," Harry said. "By near-death experiences, I mean."
Willow shook her head. "Well, I guess I win."
"Not for long!"
"Harry! Don't you dare!" Ron scolded him. "Haven't you scared us enough for one year?"
"No, I don't think we'll ever scare you enough," Willow said, ruffling Harry's hair affectionately.
The group made their way onto the platform. Willow hugged Harry, Ron, and Hermione goodbye, wishing Harry luck with spending a few months with the Dursleys. She warned the three to be less like her and try to stay out of trouble. Finally, only Neville remained.
"Willow, before I go, I almost forgot," Neville rambled. He stood on his tiptoes and pecked Willow on the cheek. She instantly blushed, staring at Neville in surprise. "Thanks again for helping me all year. You're a great person, really."
"You know, Neville, I kind of like this courage thing," Willow said. "Keep it up."
Neville blushed deeply, awkwardly saying goodbye, and blundering through the crowd to find his grandmother. Willow stared after him, a tiny piece of her heart going with him.
Suddenly, Willow was tipped back and lifted off the ground. Paige was smiling down at her, obviously in a good mood.
"Hey, Paige," Willow said. "Nice to see you before you head off to God knows where."
"Oh, I don't even know where I'm going at this point," Paige admitted. She pulled out her name tag, smirking. "But at least I can contact you whenever I want, even in the middle of the night."
"Please don't do that."
"I wouldn't count on me not to."
Willow sighed. "You're ridiculous, but feel free. I can spare the sleep."
"Good. Have a good holiday, Willow," Paige said, setting her back on her feet.
"You too."
Paige squeezed Willow tight in a hug, then gave her a flirtatious wink before disappearing into the crowd. Typical Paige.
"Willow? Willow Lucia Guerrero, where are you?"
Willow's heartbeat sped up. She had been longing to hear that voice for so long. "Dad?"
"Willow!" Carlos said, appearing among the rest of the families.
"Dad!" Willow exclaimed, running towards him and jumping into his open arms. He held her tight and hugged her for what seemed like days, even though it only last a minute. When he finally set her down, Willow stared into his familiar brown eyes, feeling like a six-year-old again. She was safe. She was finally safe.
Her dad took her through King's Cross Station and into the parking lot, where he helped load her stuff into the back and even let her sit in the front seat. Willow rambled on and on and on about her times at Hogwarts, telling him everything good that had happened, not wanting to kill the mood with the bad stories. She could tell him about those later.
Carlos filled her in on the happenings at home. Everyone was safe. Her mother and her family were well and kept to themselves, which meant Abuela, Abuelo, and him were okay, too. Her grandparents were happily going back and forth between their American home and their home in Great Britain's countryside. He had so much he promised to tell her after they got home and settled back in.
The car pulled into the familiar gravel driveway, and the two-story mexican-style mansion rose to meet her eyes. Willow hurriedly grabbed her trunk and her pets, then rushed through the front door, setting everything down in the living room. Perrito barked and scrambled to meet her.
"What are you doing here, little one?" Willow asked, laughing as he licked her face.
"Surprise!" Abuelo exclaimed, coming from another room.
"Welcome home, nieta!" Abuela said, appearing behind him.
Willow ran to envelop them both in a big hug. Carlos laughed and joined them, Perrito barking and running in happy circles. Willow breathed in the familiar smell of her house, relished the familiar feel of her family's love for her.
She was home.