I breathed deeply as I stepped off the train, inhaling the smell of pine and distant smoke like it was my lifeline. I breathed out, and a smile split my face. Time had sure flown by, hasn't it. It felt like just yesterday I was sitting on the train for the first time, eagerly awaiting the destination ahead.

Eagerly awaiting my name to be called.

Eagerly awaiting my turn.

Eagerly awaiting my future.

It's been six years now since I first stepped into the enchanting halls of the castle. Six years of learning, and loving, and living. Six years of friendships and heartbreaks. Six years of textbooks and homework and dorms. Six years of mischief and magic.

It seemed like no time had gone by at all. But I've grown a lot in those six years, and I'm expecting to grow even more during this year and the next. A thought struck me as I entered the castle.

I only had this year and the next here at Hogwarts. I'm a sixth year. Oh god, I'm a sixth year.

I froze in the hallway as the weight of this realization crashed down on me all at once. I only had two years left in this wonderful school, with these wonderful people, then… I'd have to go back. Go back to being normal. Hiding my magic from the neighbors. From my childhood friends. From everyone I knew back home.

I didn't want to go.

I never wanted to hide again.

But I'd have to. By the time I'd graduate, I'd only be seventeen. I couldn't live on my own at seventeen! Not in the Wizarding World! Not away from my family…

A sudden hand on my shoulder yanked me out of my thoughts. I abruptly pulled my gaze from the floor to Headmistress McGonagall gave me one of her questioning smiles.

"Is everything alright, Miss Devereux? You seem rather… lost."

"...I don't want to go, Professor."

She smiled warmly. "Then you do not have to."

She gave my shoulder a quick squeeze, and off she went. I blinked after her. My hand came up to my shoulder, and I smiled.

Yeah, I don't have to go. I'll stay right here with you, Hogwarts.