Chapter Thirty:

A Parting of the Ways

The piercing whistle of the scarlet engine filled the air as the Hogwarts Express rolled into King's Cross. Students, dressed in Muggle clothes, poured out of the train and onto the platform, where waiting families greeted them happily.

Dumbledore's dire warning of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's sudden and violent return still lingered almost tangibly about the shoulders of all departing classmates. Friends hugged each other longer than usual, and couples lingered in their fond goodbyes. The unspoken worry that hung low over the platform was: will I see these people next term? Or will they be gone, too?

"…And as long as the Jelly Legs Jinx still works, there's hope for wizards yet," Seamus was saying gleefully as the Funny Farm dismounted, giggling over the not-so-sorry plights of Draco Malfoy and his two cronies.

"Oh, Seamus, that's all you care about: revenge!" Rachel laughed.

"I'll get you for that…"

"Seamus! Seamus!"

The Funny Farm turned to see a plump, glowing Mrs. Finnigan hurrying towards them, and a chorus of delighted greetings burst forth. "Look who I brought," she cooed in response, and turned the baby carrier to reveal a sleeping plump-cheeked, precious baby girl. "This is little Kathleen."

"She's so cute!" Tanya said needlessly.

"A doll!" Rachel added. "She's beautiful, Mrs. Finnigan."

The new mother beamed. "Thank you, girls. Now, I'll let you kids alone before I claim my Seamus again."

She stepped away just as Tanya's father came into the station to escort the girls home. "Oo, we have to hurry," Tanya said, throwing her arms around Dean and Seamus simultaneously, clonking their heads together.

And thus the Funny Farm shared goodbye hugs and many fond farewells (and passionate kisses on Dean and Hannah's parts). It was hard not to consider Dumbledore's words as they prepared to separate—what would the summer bring, in both the wizarding world and their own lives?

Eventually, and highly reluctantly, the girls waved one last goodbye to Seamus and Dean and their other schoolmates before picking up their trunks and following Mr. Rogers out to the waiting vehicle.

"Did you girls have a fun year?" Mr. Rogers asked as they clambered into their seats.

Rachel looked at Hannah, Katelyn, and Tanya before replying, "Yes. Yes, it was a fantastic year."

The End

A/N: TADAAAA! We're done!!! :D