AN 1: God, I'm getting really bad at updating, aren't I? Still, at least I'm updating now!
Oh, and I'm still not J.K. Rowling.

AN 2: OK, so I'm so, so, so sorry I haven't updated! I promise more chapters are coming, but they just might be a while. I've put a full explanation at the bottom.

CHAPTER 14

Just under a month later, and we were going back to Hogwarts. I met Hermione on the platform, but was surprised when Ron and Harry weren't with her. We looked at each other, and we gave each other a look of, "Where are they? They are coming, aren't they?"

Unfortunately, we couldn't answer, and so decided it would be best to just find a compartment and wait for the boys to come and find us. However, when the train started moving, and we started pulling out of the station, we started to get on edge. We reassured ourselves that the boys were just occupying themselves in another compartment waiting for us, or searching for us along the train.

It wasn't until Ginny (with tagging along behind) appeared at our compartment door, asking where Ron and Harry were, that we knew they probably weren't on the train. In the end, to save ourselves from worrying too much, we played Exploding Snap with Neville, until we eventually arrived at the station.

There, we saw Ginny and Ed scurrying towards Hagrid with a blonde haired girl, as we walked towards the carriages. Everyone says they pull themselves, but I knew better. I could see the skeletal horses pulling the carriages, and identified them as thestrals. They can be seen by those who have seen death. I didn't bring it up with Hermione as I didn't want to worry her, so instead I added it to my growing list of secrets.

Eventually, we arrived at the somewhat intimidating main doors of the Great Hall through which a stream of students who had got earlier carriages were filtering. As we entered the Great Hall, I couldn't help but smile in awe. It felt good to be back at Hogwarts, and despite having seen it almost every day for the past year I still marvelled at the beauty of it.

We quickly found some seats by the empty space left to accommodate and slipped into them, wanting to congratulate new first years. It would also probably be where Ron and Harry would beeline to so they could congratulate Ginny when she was inevitably sorted into Gryffindor. Hopefully Ed would join us too.

We chatted quietly with Neville until the first years were brought into the hall by Professor McGonagall, at which point the hall fell quieter almost instantaneously. The first years looked both terrified and amazed, and I felt a sudden rush of pity, remembering how I had felt when I was in their place. I managed to pick out Ginny in the crowd (her read hair gave her away), but quickly lost her again when the first person was called forward.

My brother and Ginny were some of the last to be called as they were called up in alphabetical order (Windsor and Weasley aren't very far up). Ginny went first, and just like Ron had the year before, was almost immediately sorted into Ravenclaw. Everyone from the house of the lions cheered loudly, but Hermione, Ron and I cheered loudest of all.

In quick succession of Ginny, Ed was called. He definitely seemed to take longer than anyone else had so far, just as I had taken a while myself. Therefore, when he was sorted into Gryffindor with a smile and look of relief, I could tell my voice drowned out everyone around me. When he sat next to me at the table (the only remaining free seat) I hugged him quickly, whispered "Well done!" before reverting my attention back to the front of the hall.

Ed had been the last person to be sorted, so Dumbledore was already beginning his speech. It was the normal inspiring madness common from Dumbledore, and just as last year, the hall burst into applause afterwards. However, most of us were then distracted by food, and not much more occurred other than people catching up on the last two months apart.

Eventually, the feast ended, and we were all released back to our common rooms. Hermione and I each had our pockets full of food in case Harry and Ron had somehow turned up at school while we were eating. The prefect escorting us (Percy) told us the password was 'Wattlebird', before the Fat lady opened up and allowed us entry to what would be our home for the next year.

It was wonderful to see the worn, threadbare furniture and faded armchairs again, particularly the four we had claimed as our own last year. A fire was roaring in the hearth, and only a few sixth and seventh years were present. That was except for the two second years, one with red hair, the other with raven hair, who were sat exactly where they had the year before.

"Harry! Ron!" Hermione exclaimed. "Where have you been? We were so worried!"

"Um, well, you see -" Ron started hesitantly, but was fortunately cut off by Lee Jordan.

"Are the rumours true? Did you really fly to school?"

"Was it really in your dad's car?" Another person asked.

"Someone told me you nearly got expelled!" Yet another person bombarded our friends with questions. Eventually, so many people were clamouring for answers, Hermione and I were pushed away from the boys. All we could do was wait until the excitement died down.

When it eventually did, we already knew what had happened from Harry and Ron explaining it to the crowd about five times, so therefore didn't need to ask any questions. Instead, we tried to pretend it had never happened, although I could tell Hermione was fuming, and I wasn't particularly proud of them either.

Therefore, it wasn't long before both Hermione and I bid the boys farewell and went up to our dormitory. As we left, we saw another crowd swarm around them, obviously hungry for more information.

So, I haven't updated this story for a while, and I still haven't added any new chapters today either. I am in the process of writing new chapters but unfortunately, I have encountered some pretty bad writer's block with this story. I will try to finish some more chapters as soon as possible but I can't promise when I'll have finished them by. Like I said, I am so sorry for this, but I will do my best to finish chapters for all of you who have favourited, followed and reviewed this story. To those of you who have, you have my greatest thanks. You are amazing!
Sorry again.