Chapter 18: Express Lane to Bulgaria

Nikki looked at Ianthé mischievously when they were already in the Hogwarts Express.

"What?" Ianthé looked at her.

"What was the whole thing with Krum there before we left?"

"We made up. Period."

"And?"

"I'm going to spend the entire summer holidays with him in Bulgaria."

"No way!"

"Yes way…"

"No wonder you're so bubbly today."

Ianthé shrugged, "What about you? Where will you spend your summer?"

"In Romania," Nikki said matter-of-factly.

"Really?" Ianthé raised her eyebrows.

"Dad's going to bring me… again."

"But it's to your advantage, isn't it?"

Nikki nodded.

"Do you know that Bulgaria and Romania are beside each other? It's like we've never separated!" Ianthé said in an excited voice.

"Hey hey hey. If it isn't our favorite girls!"

"You two! How are things?" Nikki smiled at Fred and George.

"All fine, thanks to you guys! The Ton Tongue Toffee's a success last year, but next school year, we're going to test the other products we have formulated!"

Ianthé handed them another money pouch, "Here.. to, in your words, tide you over… Did you guys find premises for the joke shop yet?"

"Yeah… 93 Diagon Alley, the space is empty."

"I do have the connections, but it might be a teeny weeny bit expensive…"

"Come on, Ianthé, you have done a lot for the joke shop already!"

"I'll play my connections when I get back from my vacation."

"We can't thank you enough!" the twins hugged both Nikki and Ianthé, "Group hug!"

I was craning my neck to find Mrs. Krum in the platform. She's surprisingly with Edmond, waiting for the train to arrive. I grabbed my bags, my trunk and my owl cage to run to them. I'm simply too excited to go back to Bulgaria. I hugged Nikki quickly, who shouted "Be sure to write!", and waved at the twins who were using the secret signal that indicates I should owl them as soon as possible. I ran to Edmond, who helped me with my things.

"Man, your stuff is heavy!"

"Are you two ready? We are taking a licensed portkey to Bulgaria in two minutes. Get ready."

"Yes, Mrs. Krum."

I quickly grabbed my school bag and owl cage in one hand, while putting my other hand at what seemed to be an overly-used comb. Edmond also grabbed the portkey in one hand and my trunk in the other.

"Grab tightly," Mrs. Krum instructed, "pet-h, je-tsi-ri, tri, dveh, etno…"

I felt like my navel got hooked from the inside and we were spinning around and around. I felt nauseated after a while, but over feet soon found ground. At last, Bulgaria.

Author's notes: "pet-h, je-tsi-ri, tri, dveh, etno…" --- I just turned to dear 'ol Encarta for the literal translation of "five, four, three. Two one.." in Bulgarian! Cheers!