The last few days at Hogwarts were spent lazing around the castle or grounds. Lindy, Lonni, and Jacob discussed summer plans while laying on the glossy green slopes next to the lake's edge. The blue skies overhead seemed to go on forever. The trio agreed this peace was much deserved after the events a little while ago.
On one occasion of cloud watching, two days before leaving Hogwarts for the summer holidays, Jacob got up with a sigh and looked for a smooth, light rock. Once he found one he tossed the rock which simply skipped over the lake's surface for quite a bit before stopping and sinking into the lake. At first, the girls thought nothing of it. However, a minute after the rock sunk Jacob turned to face them.
"I envy you two," he said in a casual voice. "Both of you will get to see each other this summer while I'm stuck in jolly old England by myself."
Both girls exchanged a glance, trying to think of something to say that would get him hopeful.
"Actually, we don't live as close as you think," said Lonni. "If we do get to visit one another, it'll be once or twice."
"Besides," replied Lindy, "we'll still write you every day. And anyway, my dad visits London all the time. Maybe I might get to visit this summer?"
"Really?" asked Jacob like a little kid receiving a present at Christmas time.
Lindy and Lonni couldn't help but laugh at him and Jacob ended up laughing right along with them. Yes, it seemed the good times were here to stay. If only I could say that was true.
The next day was spent like the previous one, only with Jacob in better spirits. The two girls talked about movies coming out over the summer, and Lonni and Jacob about the plays coming on Broadway in London that he should go see if he got the chance. Lindy, choosing to listen to this conversation suddenly realized something.
Maybe the hazy heat or the gentle, occasional breeze had sparked her brain. Maybe it just naturally dawned on her. At any rate, she looked closely at her friends, and a grin formed on her soft, tanned face. Jacob and Lonni were friends with one another! She remembered back to when they'd first met in the Leaky Cauldron, and compared it to now.
"What's so funny?" They asked as she began to laugh.
"Oh nothing really," she said, hopping to her feet. "I think I'm going to go take care of some business though?"
With that, she turned and dashed back up to the castle. She'd just remembered her library books needed to be returned. The hallways had few people here and there and the common room was completely deserted. The only place that seemed to contain people was the dormitories.
When Lindy walked in her dorm, she pushed her glasses up on her nose and glanced around. Michelle was avidly packing her things. So were Ayreana McKinnly and Amelia Adams, two more of her fellow Gryffindor first years. Paige Laken was busy going through her clothes trying to find something to wear tomorrow on the way home. The other girls were outside enjoying the peace.
Automatically she went over to her bed and picked up her books that were lying on her nightstand. Two think volumes on werewolves. For some reason, they'd appealed to her the other day when she was searching in the library.
On her way down to the library, she ran into Nick Riddle and dropped both her books when falling backwards from impact. Immediately he began apologizing while grabbing both books for her. She just leaned back and laughed.
"Sorry, did I say something funny?" He sounded a little offended by the laughter.
"No, no. You don't need to apologize to me for my clumsiness," said Lindy, holding back her laughter. "I don't believe we've chatted for a while. Want to make it up by accompanying me to the library?"
Hesitantly, Nick nodded while she got back up to her feet. With her books back, the two walked down to the library. On the way, Lindy talked to him about their break, Quidditch, and next year. Over break, Nick planned on training with his uncle for Quidditch, who he planned on spending the summer with.
Once in the library, Nick said goodbye and headed for the Great Hall. It was almost time for the feast. Madam Pince seemed to sense she was coming because she had out her list and was ready to remove her name from it.
"Good afternoon Miss Potter," said Madam Pince, taking the books and placing them in the returned pile.
"Good afternoon," replied Lindy back. "Are you going to the feast?"
"Yes, I'm heading up there in a moment," she said while fixing up her desk.
"Good," said Lindy, turning and leaving. Before she left she could have sworn she heard Madam Pince mutter "What a kid," before heading into her office.
Lonni and Jacob were waiting for her at the entrance of the Great Hall. The three entered together and were astounded by the way the Hall was decorated. Due to them winning the House Cup as well as the Quidditch Cup, they had no idea the hall would be decorated in scarlet and gold.
Professor Dumbledore called everyone's attention and began to congratulate Gryffindor.
"The points of talent and bravery do tend to stand out a little," acknowledged Dumbledore. "At least to those who use them during dark and risky situations. The strongest of strengths is that of friendship."
The trio beamed at each other. They knew he was indirectly talking about them. Just the, the feast began and everyone dug in. At the end of the night, everyone was in deep sleep from being completely full. Once again Lindy had not one glimpse of a dream.
The next day the trio said their goodbyes to Hagrid and Lindy's mum. It would be a week before she could leave.
On they way back Lindy and Lonni ate as many sweets possible. That night they would be boarding the Knight Bus to go back to their respective homes.
Ten minutes away from the station, there was a knock at their door. In came Malfoy and Kathy.
"Goodbye till next year, losers," snarled Malfoy rudely.
"Goodbye to you guys too," said Lindy sweetly, while silently hexing her with her finger.
"How long will it take to affect her?" asked Jacob.
"Three….two…..one!" Counted Lindy.
Sure enough by one, there were shrieks from the corridor outside. The trio busted out with laughter in their compartment as Malfoy continued to shriek. At the station, Lindy and Lonni hugged Jacob and Michelle and promised to write them both all of the holidays.
When they were just out of the station, someone came running up to them. It was Jacob. They all three hugged each other this time before finally separating again and going their own ways.
At the Leaky Cauldron, Lindy and Lonni purchased dinner. Then that night they rode the Knight Bus home. When it was Lonni's turn to get off, she turned and looked sharply at Lindy.
"You better come visit me Potter," she said in a mock serious voice.
"Sure," replied Lindy.
Lonni threw her hand up as she headed for what Lindy supposed was her home. As the scenes changed around her, she thought about the past year, and then pondered about the next year to come.
Maybe Dumbledore was right? Maybe the strongest strength is friendship?
One thing was for certain the years before her weren't going to be easy ones. But as long as she had her friends, she could manage.
Author's Note: And that's the end. Don't know if I'm going to write any more Lindy stories. Maybe…..