It wasn't long before all their wardrobes were empty and their trunks were packed. Notes were handed out to all students, warning them not to use magic over the holidays, but Elizabeth wondered how likely she was to heed this warning. Seeing as she'd be kicked out of school if she didn't, she knew she would have to.

Hagrid was there to take them down to the fleet of boats that sailed across the lake. They all boarded the Hogwarts Express, laughing and talking. The countryside became greener and tidier as they traveled closer to King's Cross Station. The train sped passed Muggles towns and soon they were almost there. They pulled off their wizard robes and put on their normal clothing.

"It feels so good to be out of those for a long time to come," said Elizabeth.

"I actually like them," said Hermione, folding hers neatly and putting them in her trunk.

"Of course you would. Me, I need comfort and function. Hogwarts robes possess neither of those qualities."

"Well, you just wait. Before you know it you'll be back in class, wearing your robes every day."

"Something to look forward to," said Elizabeth sarcastically.

"Just promise you'll write over the holidays."

"Only if you promise not to write back." Hermione was about to say something, but Elizabeth interrupted. "The train's stopping." She noticed the train had just begun to pull into platform nine and three-quarters. "I better go find Richard, otherwise he'll try and trick Uncle William into leaving me here. See you Harry, Hermione. Ron, I'll see over the holiday?"

"If my mum doesn't kill me," Ron said.

"Your mum? What about my gran? She's going to kill me, then kill Richard, and then kill Uncle William."

She exchanged her last goodbyes with them as she spotted Richard getting off the train. She ran up to him and stuck by his side until they were able to get off the platform. An old guard was up by the ticket barrier, letting them go through the gate in twos and threes so they didn't attract attention by all bursting out of a solid wall at once.

"Hey Richard," called Percy once they were through the barrier.

Richard waved at him. "Stay here a minute," he said to Elizabeth. "And I mean it, Elizabeth Ann."

Elizabeth simply stayed still as Richard jogged over to Percy and a few of his other prefect friends to say their final goodbyes. She could see Harry, Ron, and Hermione meeting up with Ron's mother and little sister Ginny. She waved to them.

"Who's the girl?"

Elizabeth glanced to her left to see William standing next to her, peering around the station. Something was different about him. Elizabeth noticed his clothes. His trousers had no holes in them and he was wearing a nice shirt, tucked in and all. His hair had been brushed flat, although he kept trying to smooth down some little piece on the side that was sticking out.

"That's Hermione," said Elizabeth dazedly. "What are you wearing?" She was shocked that for once he looked semi-presentable.

"Oh, this," he said looking down at his attire. "Do you like it?"

"It's ─ different," admitted Elizabeth.

"I told Mum that too, but she insisted I wear the clothes she bought me for Christmas at least once this year."

Richard had joined them with his trunk and Telemachus, perched quietly in the cage, sleeping, without falling over or making noise.

"Go to see Claudius again?" he asked, smirking.

"Shut it, Richard," said William, smoothing his hair again.

"Did you give him his key back?" Elizabeth asked.

William put her trunk on the cart and picked her up, placing her on top. "I did. Hold on." He began pushing the cart. Richard was moving with him at a steady pace.

"I saw what you gave Harry for Christmas."

"You did? Did he like it?"

"It's quite useful."

"I thought so too when James had it back when we went to school. We all used to get in loads of trouble with that thing."

"Oh!" cried Elizabeth as she just remembered. "I have your book, [i]An Anthology of Eighteenth Century Charms[/i]."

"Oh, do you now?" said William, clearly in a good mood. "I had wondered what Mum did with that."

"I nicked it!" Elizabeth seemed proud of herself.

William laughed. "Don't tell Mum that."

"Hey, Uncle William," Richard spoke up, smiling.

"Yeah?"

"Guess who won the house cup this year."

A/N: Elizabeth's journey continues in Elizabeth Wellington and The Family Secret, now posted. Thanks for reading!