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(A/N) Wow, positive feedback on the Lucius chapter. That was a HARD one to write! Anyway, here we go! Normal setting, normal narration!
Chapter Twenty-Two: Train Ride
Simone
I can't believe we're going to be big sisters! Honestly, I want a little brother. Speaking of little brothers, Mum and Dad said we can name the baby!
Quidditch is going well. We beat Ravenclaw last week, easily. I think they all saw the Slytherin game because no one dared to hit a Bludger towards Arissa. They knew I'd Bludger them back! The advantages of being a Beater!
Anyway, Christmas is almost here. Most of Silver Dream is going home for the holidays, which disappointed some of the older students. They mentioned having a small karaoke contest, but we all told them no. We miss sleeping in our own beds. Not that sleeping at Hogwarts is any different, but still, I'm feeling homesick. We all are. Except for Lisa and Christina, that is. They don't want to go home. "Besides, Justin and Landon are staying," they told us repeatedly.
It started out as a normal day, but I had this strange feeling as we started to pack. I looked at Arissa, but she was busy. I can't place this feeling. It's like somebody is hiding a big piece of information from me. I shook my head. It's nothing to worry about I told myself.
"Simone!" four voices yelled.
"Huh? What?" I stammered.
"Are you done packing?" Arissa asked.
"It's almost time to go to Hogsmeade station," Jordan added. God, I hate it when she's so practical.
"Yes, I'm done. Can we go now?"
All three of them left the room, leaving Arissa and myself alone.
"Simone, what has gotten into you?" she asked.
"I don't know," I answered simply.
"Ever feel like someone's watching you?"
My jaw dropped. "How did you know?"
"I feel the same way. I think it has to do with Christina's dream."
"You're still talking to her about it?" She nodded.
"It was a dream, Arissa! It will not come true!"
"Narcissa is dead. Half of it already came true," she whispered.
She was right, though. I give my sister credit on that one, but the rest of it isn't going to happen.
"The rest of it was a joke! We both know Divination is a joke in itself."
She shook her head. "I had a dream as well. Lucius is planning our death."
"Listen to yourself, Arissa!"
She lifted her head to gaze into my stormy gray eyes. "Fine, believe what you want. I've had it, Simone! You're just as stubborn as Dad!"
I gasped. She has never said that to me, ever. "I-I'm sorry, Arissa," I finally managed to choke out.
She smiled. "It's okay. I don't want to think about this so close to Christmas."
"Hey! Come on! We're going to be late!" Jordan yelled from the Common Room.
"We're coming!" I yelled back, grabbing my trunk. "Are you coming, Arissa?"
"Yes, oh perfect sibling!"
I backhanded her on her arm and laughed. "You're something else. You know that?"
"Yeah, but you wouldn't want me any other way, right?"
We walked downstairs for our trip to Hogsmeade. After Filch checked our names off, we headed down to Hogsmeade station. The scarlet steam engine was still there, welcoming us.
"Ah, another ride on the Hogwarts Express," Jordan said. We all laughed.
We all walked into an empty compartment, sighing. This was our vacation. That meant no homework, even though Arissa was thoroughly upset.
"What are we going to do during the holidays if we don't have homework?" she complained.
"I'm going to rot my brain out by watching TV," I said.
"Oh, no, you're not!" she retorted. "Do you honestly think that Mum and Dad would let you do that?"
"I was joking, Arissa! Where's your sense of humor?" I shook my head. "What are you doing over the holidays, Jordan?" I asked.
She laughed. "I'm going to spend the holiday my grandparents. Nothing special."
That's how it was for the entire trip. We told Jordan about our family traditions, like how Dad gets us a small silver dragon figurine each year.
"Your father gets you a silver dragon?"
"Yep," I said. "We've received one every Christmas since we were born, something we hope continues with our baby brother or sister."
Arissa nodded. "It's like he's giving us a piece of himself," she added while stroking the turquoise necklace she got for our eleventh birthday.
"Wicked!" she exclaimed. "My family usually goes around singing Christmas carols."
I pulled a deck of cards out of my bag. "Do you want to play Exploding Snap?"
They laughed. See, about two weeks ago, we played that game and Christina leaned way too close to the deck. She wound up getting her eyebrows burned off.
Finally, the train slowed then stopped. I don't know why, but now, I'm getting this weird feeling that something bad is going to happen. I shrugged it off and ran with my sister to the outstretched arms of our parents.
Dad wrapped me in a huge bear hug, something he says that bloody Lucius never did to him.
"I missed you," he whispered in my ear.
I smiled and kissed him on the cheek. "Missed you, too."
Then we switched. Mum was starting to show, but only a little.
She smiled warmly at me as she hugged me. "Want to go to the library?" she asked.
I looked at Arissa and laughed. It felt so good to be back with my parents.
(A/N) Finally, I finished this chapter. It was a struggle after the last chapter, which all of you faithful reviewers seem to like! :-D Anyway, you know the drill, review!
