Word Count: 1012
It feels good to be back at Hogwarts. The real Hogwarts. Proper Hogwarts without the Carrows and terrifying rules and laws that lead to awful punishments. But it still isn't quite home. Romilda can feel it in her bones. Something is missing. There are people who didn't make it back, whose absences are felt in the depths of her soul. Some had been strangers, others acquaintances. Still, some had been her friends.
As she makes her way to Care of Magical Creatures, squinting against the fog, Romilda misses Colin a little more. They had struck up an unlikely friendship in her fourth year. As she nears Hagrid's teaching area near his hut, she thinks of Colin. He always loved this class. Even though he wouldn't need the class for any of his planned careers, he had still wanted to take it his sixth year, but he never had the chance. It seems only right that she takes it now. What a simple but sweet way to honor her friend's memory.
It's Nifflers today. Romilda's heart feels so heavy. Colin had adored Nifflers; he would have loved this lesson.
She pays more attention to the class than she ever has before, taking notes even though she really doesn't need it. When it's time to approach the Nifflers, she finds herself surprisingly eager.
The one she is tasked with feeding is a boy, and he loves her gold earrings. It takes a lot to convince him not to take them, and Romilda finds herself laughing despite the pain in her chest.
This is what Colin would have wanted, she realizes. He had been the kindest, sweetest boy ever. He wouldn't want his loved ones to dwell on his death and lose themselves in despair. He would want her to laugh and smile whenever she remembers him, to hold on to hope because that's what he had fought for.
He would be proud of her now. Look at how strong she's being! It's adorable the way the Niffler climbs up her arm, reaching for her earrings. Listen to the way she laughs! Isn't there so much promise in that sound? Can't you hear the hope and endless possibility whenever she opens her mouth?
She can imagine him so vividly in her head now. She knows he would be standing there, reading for his camera and snapping a picture. He would call it a perfect moment, and she would find her own copy of the photograph at her desk in Charms the next day.
Her other friends used to laugh. They would call it blatant flirting because they just didn't understand Colin and how his mind worked. She isn't sure that he ever looked at anyone with romantic interest, really. He just loves so deeply, and he was never afraid of expressing it, though others mocked him for it.
The Niffler still struggles against her grip, and she can't help but giggle. He reminds her a bit of Colin. He had been small too, but he had also been so determined. Once he would set his mind to something, he would not rest until it was done. His brain would latch on and refuse to let go. Even better, he would try to inspire the same dedication in her. Whenever Romilda struggled, Colin was always there, cheering her on and making her believe she could do it.
She needs that same cheer now. Some days are easier than others, but it still hurts so bloody bad. They had won the war, but the cost feels so great sometimes. Everyone, regardless of House, blood status, or walk of life has lost someone. Everyone is struggling very much like she is now. She can see it in their eyes. They're carrying the weight on their shoulders, and sometimes it feels like too much. Sometimes the only reason she doesn't give in to the pain and despair is because she knows he wouldn't.
The Niffler manages to wriggle out of her grip. She squeals, startled as his tiny little paws snatch the earring from her ear. Still, she laughs as she manages to get him under control again. So much like Colin. Maybe that's what she'll call him. Hagrid has undoubtedly already named each and every creature she will meet this year, but she thinks he will understand.
Colin the Niffler groans his annoyance, squirming, but Romilda doesn't let go. She clings to him, keeping him in place.
Colin the human really would have loved this. She can imagine him doubling over as soon as he realized she was missing an earring. He would tease her and recite the article on Nifflers, reminding her that they like shiny things, and she should have taken her earrings out the moment she knew they would be handling the mischievous creatures.
Hagrid announces the end of the lesson, and Romilda is more than a little disappointed to return Colin. It's the first time in ages that she has really and truly felt like everything would be okay. Colin had believed in signs and omens. Romilda would always laugh and tell him that he ought to have tea with Trelawney then.
But maybe there's something to it. Maybe it isn't just a coincidence that her first day back at Hogwarts began with Nifflers. She's never believed in it before, but what if?
As she nears the enclosure, she pauses, studying Colin the Niffler for a moment longer. She can see her earring glittering in his pouch. With a smile, Romilda adjusts her grip on the creature and removes her other earring, offering it to the Niffler. He accepts it happily, holding it up and studying the way it shines in the light.
Once Colin the Niffler has joined the others, Romilda starts back toward the castle. It's still hard. Maybe it will never really get easy. Maybe there will always be some part of her that's stuck in the past.
For now, though, she feels that flicker of hope. She will carry on. She will find a way to smile through her pain.
